Insights, Opinions, & Information
Investment Advisory Information
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Questions During The Bull Market
Stock prices have advanced significantly over the last few years causing several indexes to reach new all-time highs. This has generated a couple of questions that we have been discussing frequently with clients.
Question: Should you consider selling because the overall market indexes are making new all-time highs?
Answer: We don’t think so. Near the time that I started in this business […]
Reflecting on Recent Progress of Economy
As a general rule progress comes in very small increments. Whether we’re talking about the economy or learning to play a piano, often the day-to-day gains are barely measurable. We are primed to want “more…better…now” and as time passes we reassess our long-term investments, asking “what have you done for me… lately?” Frequently the best way to appreciate a financial […]
Diversification – June 2013
Asset Class Allocation
In March 2009 the market hit a low point (I’ll bet you still remember). Since then it has risen about 100% so we’re all feeling much better except for those ‘nagging memories’. During the last few months, as some markets have reached new all-time highs, we’ve had a lot of questions about valuations. “Is the market to high?” […]
Diversification – March 2013
More Good News
Recently the US Labor Department released the February ‘Jobs’ report and it shed additional positive light on our growing economy. The US private sector added 246,000 new jobs in February while the public sector lost 10,000 leaving a net gain of 236,000…more than anticipated. This helped reduce our nation’s unemployment rate to 7.7% and while that’s not yet […]
Fiscal Cliff Tax Changes – February 2013
Fiscal Cliff Tax Changes
The ‘fiscal cliff’ brought us a last minute tax law that most investors seem pleased with. During the month of January Sycamore’s Growth and Income composite gained nearly 6%. Your portfolio likely performed about as well. Of course we’re all fully aware that this pace will not continue but it’s a wonderful start for what we feel […]
2012 Review – January 2013
Two thousand and Thirteen! Yes it is…just like that another year has passed! And, we’d like to add, a very good year for share prices. It certainly seemed ‘nip and tuck’ for most of the year but the world did not end. Stories abounded throughout the year…Greece, presidential election, Mayan Calendar, and the “fiscal cliff” were all billed as the […]
Indiana Inheritance Tax Repeal
Good news on the tax front if you are an Indiana resident. And better still if you are an Indiana resident’s beneficiary. Indiana’s inheritance tax will be completely repealed by year 2022. Starting in the year 2013, the tax will be reduced by 10% each year until it phases out entirely by 2022.
The current tax rate for Class “A” beneficiaries […]
What Does A Share of Stock Really Represent? – Fall 2012
Hello from Sycamore,
We strongly encourage our clients to meet with us once a year. We do this for several reasons. Your investment portfolio reflects the short and long-term financial goals you’ve set for yourself. These objectives are a moving target. As you close on one goal and look to the next, we may need to rebalance […]
Multi-Taskers from Old
A couple of weeks ago, I began reading Daniel Patrick Forrester’s book, “Consider”. The book tackles the question of how well the average person processes the tremendous amount of data that pours into our conscious mind each day and why we need to actively include periods of reflective thinking in our daily routine. Forrester’s book includes some fascinating information about […]
European Debt and Pepper – Spring 2012
Hello from Sycamore,
European Debt and Pepper
Have you decided whether the whopping Greek debt problem will topple the Euro zone?
There are major players, including Germany, who are optimistic a deal can be brokered, but there are many countries and cultures involved and it could be a serious problem. Streaming video of Athens in flames makes it easy to imagine a worst-case […]
Volatility Since the 1900’s – Winter 2010
Hello from Sycamore,
In early fall of 2008 we sent you a brief history of the frequency and amount of market declines. Since the Dow Jones Industrial Average has declined about 3.5% this January, we thought it would be a good time to refresh history and remind us all of what to expect.
Market declines are normal and more common than most […]
Investments are Insured by FDIC – Summer 2008
Hello from Sycamore,
How Your Account with Sycamore is Insured?
With the recent failures of Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers, we thought that this would be a good time to tell you about the protection that you already have for your accounts with Sycamore.
First, we feel it’s important for you to understand that Sycamore does not have custody of, or access to, […]
Riding Out the Stock Market – Summer 2008
Hello from Sycamore,
We thought it may be prudent to give you information on the markets in general, and to pass onto you some of our thoughts on all this.
As you likely know by now, the market has declined significantly this year. The Dow recently suffered its biggest percentage drop in more than six years, and is now down about 25% […]
Save Taxes with an IRA – Spring 2008
Hello from Sycamore,
There is Still Time to Save Taxes with an IRA!
Under the current tax law, there are two significant ways that you may be able to benefit today by contributing money to an IRA.
- If you qualify for a deductible IRA, you can likely deduct the amount of the contribution from your taxable income and reduce your current year […]
Beneficiary Decisions – Summer 2007
Hello from Sycamore,
Beneficiary Decisions
Many of you have IRA’s, pension plans or annuities with beneficiary designations. Some of you have basic accounts that are designated as TOD (transfer on death), and more than a few of you have all four. These designations are designed to transfer your assets to your beneficiaries quickly and efficiently (they generally are passed without probate costs).
Our […]