The AAII Journal

June 2008 Issue

Financial Planning »

Immediate or Income Annuities

by AAII Staff

Annuities are primarily used as a means of securing a steady cash flow during retirement. Unlike a deferred annuity, an immediate annuity has no accumulation period--an investor simply pays the insurance company a lump sum, and then receives the stream of payments for the set time period.

First Cut »

The First Cut: Using Enterprise Value to Locate Bargains

by John Bajkowski

A starting point for investors. This issue's focus is on finding bargain stocks using a stock's enterprise value to gauge the worth of a company.

Offbeat Offerings »

Offbeat Offerings: Immediate or Income Annuities

by Cara Scatizzi

An investor reference for products that are not your typical offering. This issue's focus is on immediate annuities.

Insurance Products »

Insurance Products and Taxes: Keeping Uncle Sam at Bay

by Peter Katt

Taxes are a fact of American life that impact many areas, including life and disability income insurance. Understanding the relationship between insurance and taxes is important. A look at several tax issues.

Mutual Funds »

Rolling the Currency Dice: Investing in International Bond Funds

by John Markese

The search for yield and the weak U.S. dollar have prompted investors to consider investing in foreign bond mutual funds. However, these funds have unique risks that are magnified by the ebb and flow of the currency markets. A careful look is in order before you let your money travel overseas.

Features »

Buying Straight From the Source: AAII's 2008 Direct Purchase Plan Guide

by Cara Scatizzi

Want a simple, low-cost way to invest in a firm? One approach is to go straight to the source, using direct purchase plans, which allow you to buy shares directly from the company without a broker. This year's annual guide lists over 430 plans.

Stock Strategies »

Direct Purchase Plans: The Foreign Option

by Jon Harris

With current growth rates overseas outpacing U.S. stocks' growth, many investors are casting a longing look at the foreign markets. One approach is to purchase ADRs, certificates that trade on a U.S. exchange but represent foreign firms. And now, several banks have set up direct purchase plans for their ADR firms.

Member News »

Member News: Our Annual Update on What's Going on at AAII

by AAII Staff

An inside look at new developments at AAII and in our local chapter network over the last year.

• Briefly Noted
  Current news items of interest to individual investors.
• Briefly Noted
  Current news items of interest to individual investors.
• Letters to the Editor
  Member questions and comments on recent AAII Journal articles.