Why Diversification Still Matters

I posted The Importance of Diversification chart last year in an article on Callan charts. In 2008, diversification across countries did not work well for investors as the majority of stock markets fell. However that does not mean diversification is dead. Diversification still matters. One can diversify by not only investing in different countries but …

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Consumer Staple Stocks May Provide Shelter

The S&P 500 is down 4.25% YTD. The consumer staples sector in the S&P 500 index is down only 2.11% YTD. In 2008 when the global credit crisis ravaged markets worldwide, consumer staples was the best performing sector with a decline of 16.61%. For example the financials were down about 50% that year.(Source: Periodic Table …

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Review: The Callan Periodic Table of Investment Returns 2009

Callan Associates has published The Callan Periodic Table of Investment Returns for 2009. Chart Click to Enlarge Some of the key observations from this chart include: Global stocks rallied about 32% in 2009 while US S&P 500 climbed 26.5% Small caps outperformed large caps for the ninth year out of the past 11 years Fixed …

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The Best and Worst Banks in the U.S.

Sixteen banks have failed so far this year. 1st American State Bank of Minnesota of Hancock, Minnesota was the latest bank to be shut down yesterday. In the past few years investing in bank stocks have gotten tricky as many of them have been battered by the credit crisis. However there are some high quality …

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U.S. Public Healthcare Spending To Exceed Private Spending

The U.S. spends the highest amount for healthcare on a per-capita basis than other OECD member countries. Soaring health care costs continue to be a major concern for ordinary Americans. In Public Health Tab to Hit Milestone, The Wall Street Journal notes that “For the first time, government programs next year will account for more …

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