Retirement Watch Weekly
Today’s Stock Market Bubbles
This article identifies at least three bubbles in today’s markets. The major bubble is in technology stocks. It also lists several strategies on how to deal with the bubbles, but points out that bubbles can continue for a long time before they pop. Our view is that the market constantly creates single-asset micro-bubbles, isolated examples […]
How to Incorporate Medical Care Decisions into Your Estate Plan
My last report covered all the medical care documents you’ll need, such as your HIPAA Authorization, health care power of attorney (HPOA), living wills and advance directives. Today we lay out some working guidelines for making important medical care decisions. Do not resuscitate/hospitalize It’s common for older patients, especially frail ones in nursing homes, to […]
Investors Sell off Stocks of Companies with Good Results
Investors are learning that stock prices don’t always follow earnings. Over the long-term, corporate earnings overall tend to grow at about the same rate as gross domestic product (GDP), and stock prices tend to rise at the same rate as earnings. But that’s over the long term, since there can be a lot of divergence […]
The Latest In Health, Wealth and Longevity
This article describes the connection between wealth, health, and longevity. It points out that many of today’s wealthy are willing to spend heavily for better health and longer life spans. The rich are more than willing to sacrifice money for extra longevity. Nine of 10 wealthy people agreed that “health is more important than wealth.” […]
Investing in MLPs – Resurgence?
The latest Barron’s has an update on master limited partnerships (MLPs) and comes to a positive conclusion. (Subscription probably is required.) The article says the restructuring and distribution cuts largely are in the past. Distributions from many MLPs should increase this year, and the sector should recover with the rise in energy prices and global […]
Estate Planning Strategy: Planning for Medical Care in Retirement
Your estate plan should be about a lot more than finances. An estate plan isn’t complete, for example, without the medical care documents. In fact, I always recommend making this a priority. Have the medical care documents finalized while you’re still considering the other issues in the estate plan. Also understand that medical care documents […]
Do Weak Retail Sales Indicate a Problem with the Economy?
Do weak retail sales indicate a problem with the economy? They’re certainly a problem for retailers. Weak overall sales, plus competition from online retailers, are among trends causing a large number of retailers to file for bankruptcy. But does the recent weakness in retail sales foreshadow a problem with economic growth? The latest retail sales […]
Do Elderly Want To Live At Home?
This article takes issue with surveys that say 90% of today’s elderly say they want to live in their current homes. The surveys usually are interpreted to mean that people want to stay in their homes until they die. Like most surveys, these don’t ask key follow-up questions, such as if your family had to […]
