A volatile stock market can cause investors’ anxiety levels to rise. That unease is particularly acute among those near or in retirement who fear they may not have enough time before the market recovers. That could be understandable if their investment time horizon...

Last year's stock market performance was not what anyone would have wanted, but it was to be expected. For those keeping score, it was the largest yearly decline since 2008. That could be catastrophic for someone who initially invested in January 2022 with just a...

The S&P 500 index closed out the first half of 2022 with its worst start in 50 years. On June 13, the index breached negative 20% from its previous high, officially entering bear market territory for the second time in two years. As often happens during a bear...

Though it was to be expected at some point, this market sell-off still stings. The rare convergence of surging inflation, extreme stock market volatility, declining bond values and growing geopolitical strife has investors on edge. However, as extraordinary as the...

After a four-decade hiatus, inflation is once again rearing its ugly head. Its impact has been felt at the checkout counters and gas pumps for months, and now it’s shaking up the markets. Year over year, U.S. wholesale prices were up 10% in 2021—a rate of increase not...

Most people, including many economic experts, were caught off guard by the recent surge in inflation. That’s not surprising since most people alive today have never really experienced high, sustained inflation. You could say that everyone from investors to the Federal...

In his most recent annual letter to shareholders, Warren Buffett proclaimed that “bonds are not the place to be these days.” Buffett has never been a fan of bonds as an investment, but he specifically cited the potential for rising interest rates as a reason to avoid...

For as long as people have been investing in the stock market, they have been told that with the expectation of higher returns should come the expectation of higher risk. So, it’s not surprising that many investors think high-risk, high-volatility stocks will...

From early on, most investors have heard the adage, “Never put your eggs in one basket,” which has become synonymous with the term “diversification.” They’re taught diversification is the key to minimizing risk because owning many non-correlating assets is less risky...

You have probably heard it said that building real wealth through investing is a marathon, not a sprint. Investors with the preparation, patience, perseverance and focus of a top marathon runner are almost certain to do well over the long term. I’d like to add a...

In searching for the key to successful investing, all roads lead back to Warren Buffett, who once said, “It’s far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price.” That simple investment philosophy has propelled him through...

Investors who follow financial pundits know that pundits are generally wrong more often than right when trying to forecast the stock market's direction. So are investors who base their buy and sell decisions on the changing political or policy winds. But what if...