Is the Stock Market Really Rigged?

Is the Stock Market Really Rigged?

There’s been quite a buzz in the media and in Washington since Michael Lewis appeared on “60 Minutes” a number of weeks ago asserting that the stock market is rigged.  The topic was high frequency trading (HFT), and for those that missed the broadcast (or the subsequent media frenzy), it’s a combination of high speed…
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How Market Timing Affects Portfolios

This is a follow-up to my post last October entitled “Should You Increase Equity Allocation in Retirement?”  (https://www.cognizantwealth.com/2013/10/24/should-you-increase-equity-allocation-in-retirement/).  At that time I cited research by Pfau & Kitces suggesting that retirees begin their retirement with their investment portfolio allocated very conservatively, and then gradually increase the allocation to stocks as they age.  In this post…
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Is the Next Market Crash Imminent?

Robert Isbitts of Sungarden Investment Research is sounding alarm bells regarding the following numerical coincidence he discovered: From September 1, 1995 until the peak of the tech-bubble on August 18, 2000, the S&P 500 return (excluding dividends) was 165%. From March 6, 2009 (the Great Recession bottom) through February 26, 2014 (around now), the return…
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Four Rules for Avoiding Investment Scams

The San Jose Mercury News reported today that Michael Brendan Ferguson of Foster City was arrested for fleecing over 100 investors out of millions via a Ponzi scheme involving ATM machines.  One victim told the newspaper that she had lost her entire life savings (over $750,000) in the scam. While Ponzi schemes are nothing new…
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Best Place to Hold Your 529 Plan

If you have a child, chances are someone in your family has set up a 529 college savings plan for him or her.  Most of the thinking involved in setting up a 529 plan revolves around which state’s plan to utilize.  Less thought is generally given as to who should own the plan, and the…
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What’s the Best Long-Term Care Policy?

Cognizant Wealth Advisors occasionally publishes guest blogs on our site.  Today’s guest blog was written by Allen Hamm, president of Superior LTC, a company that helps people plan for long-term care.  He can be reached at 800-400-0577 or at info@superiorltc.com.  Note that any opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the opinions or…
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