How Funds Are Sold Peer to Peer Lending Posted on March 15, 2016August 17, 2026 By Matthew Garrott Fear is an investor’s constant companion. We are supposed to be greedy when others are fearful and fearful when others are greedy. However, fear seems to loom largest when the markets are down and fades away when markets are up. Pain of past losses gives birth to new fears that what… Read more
Uncategorized Happy Anniversary Posted on March 10, 2016 By Matthew Garrott Yesterday marked the anniversary of the market’s lowest point during the financial crisis, the birth of our current bull market. A quick recap: From its previous peak on 10/10/2007, the S&P 500 dropped 55% through 3/9/2009. From 3/9/2009, the S&P 500 gained 237% (almost 19% annualized), including dividends… Read more
How Funds Are Sold Serious Investors Value the Un-Sexy Posted on February 23, 2016August 17, 2026 By Matthew Garrott Most of us think that we are above average drivers. Likewise, I have never heard anyone say they are bad at investing. After experiencing negative returns, the market is to blame or maybe the President of the United States is to at fault if they belong to the “wrong” political party…. Read more
Uncategorized Fear of the Dark Posted on February 11, 2016February 11, 2016 By Matthew Garrott They come in the night. From the deepest dark, they reach out. Searching. Your fear sustains them. Panic slides you deeper into their grip and dawn will never break for you. You can light bonfires and set a watchman to keep them at bay, though. Light is their enemy and… Read more
How Funds Are Sold Carnival Barkers Posted on January 29, 2016August 17, 2026 By Matthew Garrott “Step right up, folks! Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! You are mere moments away from learning a secret so massive, it could undermine our very way of life! Please move in closer so everyone can hear! Tell your family! Tell your neighbor! Act now and I’ll throw in a free American flag,… Read more
Uncategorized Business as Usual Posted on January 19, 2016 By Matthew Garrott The S&P 500 is down almost 8%. It’s the worst start to a new year EVER. Is this a sign of things to come? Is the stock market doomed in 2016? Exactly how rare is a downwards move of such epic magnitude? The market has recovered from every downturn it’s… Read more
Uncategorized Sell Everything Posted on January 12, 2016 By Matthew Garrott So The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) says 2016 will be a cataclysmic year and to “sell everything except high quality bonds”. There’s even a cute analogy, “In a crowded hall, exit doors are small. Risks are high.” So says RBS analyst Andrew Roberts. “Risks are high.” Risk is the… Read more
Uncategorized January Effect Posted on January 8, 2016 By Matthew Garrott By now, you’ve heard that the US stock market is off to the worst start to a calendar year ever. This is the sort of news that is trumpeted far and wide as humans are wired to value and pass along bad news (and to elevate the status of those… Read more
Downside & Risk Goofy, Esoteric Securities are a Red Flag Posted on December 18, 2015August 17, 2026 By Matthew Garrott Financial entertainment got a holiday gift with the fiasco surrounding the Third Avenue Focused Credit Fund. The fund halted withdrawals amid investor outflows which was “shocking” according to Barron’s. The sharks are circling as the media has had easy filler content – “Worried About Your High-Yield Bond Fund?” and so… Read more
It’s Forecasting Season Posted on December 9, 2015 By Matthew Garrott From the Fairway Wealth Management Blog: As the leaves fall from the trees and the temperature starts to drop here in Cleveland, I am reminded that forecasting season is right around the corner. The same people who predicted $200+ oil, hyper-inflation, and multiple Federal Reserve rate hikes for 2015… Read more