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Bits and BipsNewsletter delivering insights on linking traditional finance, macro trends and cryptocurrency opportunities to help investors build stronger, more diversified portfolios.
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Company Size and Investment Returns
April 2017 Small-cap stocks have historically realized higher returns than large-cap stocks, but this outperformance does not occur every year.
Health Savings Accounts
July 2016 HSAs allow for dollars to be set aside tax-free to pay for future medical expenses.
A Satirical Take on Financial Terminology
January 2016 Financial terms often mean the opposite of what they appear to signify. Poking fun can unveil weaknesses and risks not so apparent on first glance.
Defining Your Investment Philosophy
November 2015 An investment philosophy can help you make better decisions. Ten questions for defining your own personal philosophy.
How to Read a 10-K Filing
July 2015 This annual report, required by the SEC, offers insight into a company’s business and the potential risks shareholders may face.
Earnings Estimates
May 2015 Earnings surprises and earnings estimates revisions can drive stock price momentum.
The Many Ways to Place a Buy or Sell Order
October 2014 Whether you instruct your broker to go long or short, use a market or limit order, or employ a stop all impacts how your orders are filled.
Choosing Between Bonds and Bond Funds
December 2012 Deciding whether to invest directly in individual bonds or to use bond funds involves considering many factors, including the desire for simplicity or a predictable return.
Setting Up and Managing Your 401(k)
October 2012 Basic guidelines and strategies for setting up and effectively managing your 401(k) retirement plan.
What to Watch in Your Portfolio
October 2011 Developments that impact the long-term attractiveness of an investment are more important to monitor than merely performance alone.
Investment Vehicle Attributes
September 2010 Learn the characteristics of the most commonly used investment vehicles.
Determining Your Allocation at Retirement
July 2010 There is no strategy for retirement allocation that universally applies to all investors. The best place to start is to determine your needs.
Asset Classes Defined
July 2010 The unique characteristics of each asset class lower risk when combined in a portfolio.
How Interest Rate Changes Affect the Price of Bonds
June 2010 Interest rates are changing. As a bond investor, does that make you happy or sad? The key to happiness may be more complicated than you thought.
Bond Terminology
June 2010 Bond terminology, some of the common terminology used to explain bonds, here is a brief primer.
Proxy Voting
April 2010 Proxy ballots give investors a voice and proxy materials contain important information.
Investing in Gold
March 2010 There are several choices for investors who want to add an allocation to gold to their portfolios. What you need to know about the various options.
Dogs of the Dow
January 2010 Every January, Dogs of the Dow draws attention. A look at the current list, and a suggestion of a better way to use the screen.
“Stock” Supply Data: Inventory Turnover
September 2009 For stock investors analyzing prospective investments and their own holdings, one important issue concerns how much money a company has tied up in its inventory. How can you judge a company's ability to manage inventory? Two operating performance measures are particularly useful in analyzing how efficiently a firm is managing its "stock."
Munis vs. Taxables: How to Determine the Taxable Equivalent Yield
July 2009 Munis offer income that is sheltered from federal taxes, but at yields that are typically lower than taxable bonds. How do you compare bonds yields that receive different tax treatments? A relatively simple formula puts the yields on an equal tax footing.
Dividend Safety Signs and Warning Flags
June 2009 Many investors have sought shelter from the stock market storm in more mature dividend-paying companies. But in this market environment, how can you be sure a company has the financial resources to continue payments? Signs and warning flags you can use to evaluate the safety of a company's dividend payment stream.
The Role of Risk-Free Assets in Your Long-Term Portfolio
April 2009 In today's market environment, the exclusive focus is on risk-free assets for the short term. Two years ago, the same assets were considered "too boring" over the long term. What role should they play in your portfolio? The answer requires both a short-term and a long-term perspective.
Where Credit Is Due: A Look at the Ratings
February 2009 There are many factors that individuals must consider when making investments in fixed-income securities. Current bond yields, current bond prices, and current as well as future interest rates all may have a big impact on the return of a fixed-income investment.
All Averages Are Not Created Equal
January 2009 Average returns are reported in many different types of listings. Most individuals assume those averages are all calculated in the same way. In fact, they are not. A look at the different "averages," and how they are calculated.
Making Sense of Profits Using Profitability Ratios
September 2008 Long-term investors buy stocks with the expectation that the company will produce a growing stream of earnings. Profits point to a firm's growth and staying power. But profit figures are absolute numbers that don't relate to the size of the company.
How can you put the numbers into context? A look at profitability ratios.
The Bottom Line: How to Calculate Your Portfolio's Return
August 2008 The question every investor wants to know is: How well am I doing? Although some people are satisfied simply watching the dollars grow, most investors want that translated into a performance figure. A look at two methods for calculating your portfolio's return.
Stand Up and Be Counted: How to Value a Stream of Payments
July 2008 Are you overlooking a large pool of assets? That may occur when it is hard to put a number on an asset--for example, valuing a guaranteed steady payment stream, such as pension plan and Social Security payments, for retirees. Ignoring those assets may cause you to be too over-invested in fixed income. But how do you value a stream of payments? A look at one approach
Market Barometers: A Look at Stock Indexes and How They Work
June 2008 You don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows, but you do need a stock market index to know which way the stock winds are blowing. A look at stock market indexes and what they are telling you.
Great Expectations: Earnings Estimates and Their Impact on Stock Prices
April 2008 How often have you seen a stock's price fall after the company announced increased earnings, or rise after it announced that earnings fell? Expectations play a key role in determining a stock's price. A look at how earnings estimates can impact price.
Extreme Anxiety: Evaluating Current Market Levels
February 2008 It is easy to be swept up in deep market swings. But markets rarely stay at historical extremes. The big question is: What is "normal"? One practical approach is to examine relative fundamental values over time.
How Interest Rate Changes Affect the Price of Bonds
January 2008 No matter the cause of interest rate movements, the impact on the bond investor is the same: Rising interest rates reduce existing bond values and falling interest rates increase existing bond values. But knowing how much bond prices can change when interest rates change will help you keep your bond risk to a level you can live with.
Currency Exchange Rates: The International Wild Card
November 2007 Think you're hot in the international markets? Think again--your high-flying returns may owe more to currency rate changes than to smart selections.
Developing an Intuitive Feel for the Mechanics of Growth
September 2007 Major investment and planning decisions require judgments concerning growth. But most investors don't understand growth mechanics, particularly over long time periods. How to develop an intuitive feel for growth figures--without using a financial calculator.
Will the Real P/E Please Stand Up?
August 2007 A brush-up on basic investing terms and concepts. This issue explores the many ways to calculate P/Es and the wealth of information they provide about expectations.
What's in a Yield?
July 2007 Understand the many meanings of yield for bond and fund investors.
