http://blog.northcapital.com Trust, Knowledge and Experience - Financial Planning and Investment Advice posterous.com http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/NorCaphttp://feedburner.google.comSubscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with My AOLSubscribe with BloglinesSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with GoogleSubscribe with PageflakesSubscribe with PlusmoSubscribe with The Free DictionarySubscribe with Bitty BrowserSubscribe with Live.comSubscribe with Excite MIXSubscribe with WebwagSubscribe with Podcast ReadySubscribe with WikioSubscribe with Daily Rotation Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:08:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/tmaRCDSXxLo/norcap-return-box-2001-to-2011 http://blog.northcapital.com/norcap-return-box-2001-to-2011 <p> <p>Take a look at the NorCap Return Box - a pictorial summary of major asset class returns, stacked high to low, for each year from 2001 to 2011.&nbsp; Blue shades are equity, green shades are fixed income.&nbsp; The grey boxes represent a 50-50 portfolio of equity and fixed income, in the approximate allocation sub-weights of our global fixed income and global equity models.&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://c.nc.am" title="Contact North Capital">Contact us</a> if you would like a downloadable version.</p> <p>&nbsp; <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-02-01/bzyqGoexaDyemEGgaGsEDifumHhmevwkCyFqIvJGhrchCFabturulEDynlFi/periodic_table_of_returns-2011.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Periodic_table_of_returns-2011" height="479" src="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-02-01/bzyqGoexaDyemEGgaGsEDifumHhmevwkCyFqIvJGhrchCFabturulEDynlFi/periodic_table_of_returns-2011.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> <p /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Copyright 2012.&nbsp; Data provided by Morningstar.&nbsp; Calculations and estimates provided by <a href="http://www.northcapital.com" title="North Capital Inc.">North Capital</a>.</span></p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/norcap-return-box-2001-to-2011">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/norcap-return-box-2001-to-2011#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=tmaRCDSXxLo:gkACGl7Heqg:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=tmaRCDSXxLo:gkACGl7Heqg:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=tmaRCDSXxLo:gkACGl7Heqg:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=tmaRCDSXxLo:gkACGl7Heqg:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=tmaRCDSXxLo:gkACGl7Heqg:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=tmaRCDSXxLo:gkACGl7Heqg:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=tmaRCDSXxLo:gkACGl7Heqg:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=tmaRCDSXxLo:gkACGl7Heqg:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NorCap/~4/tmaRCDSXxLo" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/328981/NorthCapital_box.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/norcap-return-box-2001-to-2011 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:28:48 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/Uprv3rrPE7I/the-worst-states-for-retirees-in-2012 http://blog.northcapital.com/the-worst-states-for-retirees-in-2012 <p> <p> <object height="354" width="500"> <param name="movie" value="http://s.wsj.net/media/swf/main.swf" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> <param name="flashvars" value="videoGUID={3DA47070-C231-49DC-9E1E-8E7723781504}&amp;playerid=8001&amp;plyMediaEnabled=1&amp;configURL=http://m.wsj.net/video-players/&amp;autoStart=false" /><embed src="http://s.wsj.net/media/swf/main.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="354" flashvars="videoGUID={3DA47070-C231-49DC-9E1E-8E7723781504}&amp;playerid=8001&amp;plyMediaEnabled=1&amp;configURL=http://m.wsj.net/video-players/&amp;autoStart=false" width="500"></embed> </object> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/the-worst-states-for-retirees-in-2012">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/the-worst-states-for-retirees-in-2012#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Uprv3rrPE7I:Y4vP6yYxXwU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Uprv3rrPE7I:Y4vP6yYxXwU:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=Uprv3rrPE7I:Y4vP6yYxXwU:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Uprv3rrPE7I:Y4vP6yYxXwU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Uprv3rrPE7I:Y4vP6yYxXwU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=Uprv3rrPE7I:Y4vP6yYxXwU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Uprv3rrPE7I:Y4vP6yYxXwU:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Uprv3rrPE7I:Y4vP6yYxXwU:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NorCap/~4/Uprv3rrPE7I" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/328981/NorthCapital_box.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/the-worst-states-for-retirees-in-2012 Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:58:45 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/YV5igsPQeEQ/retail-municipal-bonds http://blog.northcapital.com/retail-municipal-bonds <p> <p>Matt Tucker, CFA, a portfolio manager at Black Rock in the iShares ETF division, recounts his personal experience trying to purchase a municipal bond for his own account. His story highlights the absurd markups and lack of transparency that pervade the retail bond brokerage business. I have personally had virtually the same experience, except that my broker was embarrassed and seemed genuinely surprised by his own dealer's total lack of regard for clients.</p> <p> <object> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/51llAJjhRqY?version=3&amp;feature=player_detailpage" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/51llAJjhRqY?version=3&amp;feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="281" width="500"></embed> </object> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/retail-municipal-bonds">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/retail-municipal-bonds#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=YV5igsPQeEQ:MZI_ZyyQILo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=YV5igsPQeEQ:MZI_ZyyQILo:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=YV5igsPQeEQ:MZI_ZyyQILo:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=YV5igsPQeEQ:MZI_ZyyQILo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=YV5igsPQeEQ:MZI_ZyyQILo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=YV5igsPQeEQ:MZI_ZyyQILo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=YV5igsPQeEQ:MZI_ZyyQILo:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=YV5igsPQeEQ:MZI_ZyyQILo:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NorCap/~4/YV5igsPQeEQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/328981/NorthCapital_box.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/retail-municipal-bonds Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:12:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/IcZ4O6Pw1_0/the-bad-behavior-drag-on-returns http://blog.northcapital.com/the-bad-behavior-drag-on-returns <p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.morningstar.com/cover/videocenter.aspx?id=532477&amp;SR=COM807" title="Bad Behavior">Watch the video here</a></span></p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-01-27/CIqvkqFotceAFpFBhbfyrqCgpDlkfzHDibscoFGvamrIzwycnAHuruaqblau/Richards_Don_t_Underestimate_the_Bad_Behavior_Drag-1.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Richards_don_t_underestimate_the_bad_behavior_drag-1" height="280" src="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-01-27/CIqvkqFotceAFpFBhbfyrqCgpDlkfzHDibscoFGvamrIzwycnAHuruaqblau/Richards_Don_t_Underestimate_the_Bad_Behavior_Drag-1.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/the-bad-behavior-drag-on-returns">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/the-bad-behavior-drag-on-returns#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=IcZ4O6Pw1_0:ZrtrAjT6JPA:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=IcZ4O6Pw1_0:ZrtrAjT6JPA:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=IcZ4O6Pw1_0:ZrtrAjT6JPA:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=IcZ4O6Pw1_0:ZrtrAjT6JPA:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=IcZ4O6Pw1_0:ZrtrAjT6JPA:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=IcZ4O6Pw1_0:ZrtrAjT6JPA:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=IcZ4O6Pw1_0:ZrtrAjT6JPA:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=IcZ4O6Pw1_0:ZrtrAjT6JPA:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NorCap/~4/IcZ4O6Pw1_0" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/328981/NorthCapital_box.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/the-bad-behavior-drag-on-returns Sat, 21 Jan 2012 11:30:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/RH5u8fCwP-s/predicting-irrational-behavior-michael-pompia http://blog.northcapital.com/predicting-irrational-behavior-michael-pompia <p> <p>Michael Pompian, CFA, CFP,&nbsp; <a href="http://www.morningstar.com/advisor/t/51019923/predicting-irrational-behavior.htm?&amp;ps=25" title="Predicting Irrational Behavior">writes at the Morningstar Advisor website</a> about irrational behavior that can adversely affect investment decisions.&nbsp; Pompian, who is based in St. Louis, is an investment consultant to ultra-affluent clients and family offices.&nbsp; He is the author of the book <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Behavioral Finance and Wealth Management<em>.</em></span><em> </em></p> <p>Ironically, Pompian's audience is professional advisors.&nbsp; Although he does not mention it in the article, academic research during the past three decades has shown that behevioral biases have a significant adverse effect on investors' portfolio returns.&nbsp; Individual investors are especially vulnerable and should take note.</p> <p>Listed below are the seven biases that Pompian describes in his article, <a href="http://www.morningstar.com/advisor/t/51019923/predicting-irrational-behavior.htm?&amp;ps=25" title="Predicting Irrational Behavior">which can be read in its entirely here.</a></p> <p><strong>Loss Aversion Bias</strong>: The pain of loss is greater than the pleasure of gains.</p> <p><strong>Anchoring Bias</strong>:<strong> </strong>Fixating on a particular price in making (or not making) an investment decision.&nbsp; An example is an investor who waits for the market to drop before selling, or who waits for a losing investment&nbsp; to "get back to even" before selling.&nbsp; <strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>Hindsight Bias:&nbsp; </strong>The belief, after the fact, that investment outcomes were easily predictable. <strong></strong></p> <p><strong>Recency Bias:&nbsp; </strong>Taking action based on recent events rather than evaluating the current situation in a historical context.</p> <p><strong>Representativeness Bias:&nbsp; </strong>Making current investment decisions using empirical results for similar investments as a frame of reference.<strong></strong></p> <p><strong>Status Quo Bias:&nbsp; </strong>A pitfall of the "lazy investor" --- not taking action when action is warranted.</p> <p><strong>Regret:&nbsp; </strong>Poor results in the past bias future investment decisions.</p> <p>Working with a professional advisor who understands these biases is one way of addressing these risks, most of which can be overcome with a well-crafted, systematic approach to investment management. &nbsp; Please feel free to <a href="http://c.nc.am" title="Contact North Capital">contact us with any questions or comments</a>.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/predicting-irrational-behavior-michael-pompia">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/predicting-irrational-behavior-michael-pompia#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=RH5u8fCwP-s:ImW8KsbLCiw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=RH5u8fCwP-s:ImW8KsbLCiw:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=RH5u8fCwP-s:ImW8KsbLCiw:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=RH5u8fCwP-s:ImW8KsbLCiw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=RH5u8fCwP-s:ImW8KsbLCiw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=RH5u8fCwP-s:ImW8KsbLCiw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=RH5u8fCwP-s:ImW8KsbLCiw:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=RH5u8fCwP-s:ImW8KsbLCiw:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NorCap/~4/RH5u8fCwP-s" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/328981/NorthCapital_box.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/predicting-irrational-behavior-michael-pompia Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:21:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/NopuqqXcQ44/consensus-estimate-sp-6-for-2012-but-a-wide-r http://blog.northcapital.com/consensus-estimate-sp-6-for-2012-but-a-wide-r <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-01-07/BzcjBJEJFJIuDyzwcnGwpBJrIskEjrAnJuwAncCJdIJslGzyHuoEGFyAylcp/SP_500_index_forecast_to_increase_an_average_of_6_in_2012_-_Pensions__Investments-1.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Sp_500_index_forecast_to_increase_an_average_of_6_in_2012_-_pensions__investments-1" height="445" src="http://getfile5.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-01-07/BzcjBJEJFJIuDyzwcnGwpBJrIskEjrAnJuwAncCJdIJslGzyHuoEGFyAylcp/SP_500_index_forecast_to_increase_an_average_of_6_in_2012_-_Pensions__Investments-1.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/consensus-estimate-sp-6-for-2012-but-a-wide-r">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/consensus-estimate-sp-6-for-2012-but-a-wide-r#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=NopuqqXcQ44:02iCNdL2eoQ:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img 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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NorCap/~4/NopuqqXcQ44" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/328981/NorthCapital_box.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/consensus-estimate-sp-6-for-2012-but-a-wide-r Wed, 04 Jan 2012 07:29:09 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/PAR6-eXllAw/wsj-build-a-financial-dream-team http://blog.northcapital.com/wsj-build-a-financial-dream-team <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-01-04/qAvAoeJDbDDnCwtgbikvBsdHlgEoCqbxhIjrvCDlvuJIqcDqzyathjnIEofI/build-a-team.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Build-a-team" height="448" src="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-01-04/qAvAoeJDbDDnCwtgbikvBsdHlgEoCqbxhIjrvCDlvuJIqcDqzyathjnIEofI/build-a-team.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <p><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204296804577124662217267128.html" title="WSJ: Trust Team">"How to Build Your Financial Dream Team"</a> is the headline of a Weekend WSJ article that discusses how to select and hire your financial "Trust Team" --- your financial advisor, accountant, and attorney.&nbsp;</p> <p>Karen Blumenthal outlines a number of factors that individuals should consider when evaluating prospective financial advisors.&nbsp; As she correctly notes, "Just about anyone can hang a shingle and offer financial advice with fairly little training or experience. Registered investment advisers, CPAs and lawyers&mdash;those who are paid to give investment or other advice&mdash;have a fiduciary obligation, or a legal requirement to put their clients first in making financial decisions. Stockbrokers and other advisers have only an obligation to recommend options that are "suitable" for you, a far lesser requirement."&nbsp; Hiring a fiduciary does not ensure that you will receive good advice from a competent advisor, but <em>not</em> hiring a fiduciary guarantees that your advisor has no obligation to put your interests before their own. &nbsp; <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204296804577124662217267128.html" title="WSJ: Trust Team">Read Ms. Blumenthal's full Wall Street Journal article here</a>. &nbsp; If you like what you read, you also may be interested in our list of <a href="https://northcapital.com/images/production/vanguard_docs/ten.pdf" title="Ten Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Financial Advisor">Ten Questions</a> to ask before choosing a financial advisor.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/wsj-build-a-financial-dream-team">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/wsj-build-a-financial-dream-team#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=PAR6-eXllAw:55hh1Eb_ffE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=PAR6-eXllAw:55hh1Eb_ffE:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=PAR6-eXllAw:55hh1Eb_ffE:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=PAR6-eXllAw:55hh1Eb_ffE:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=PAR6-eXllAw:55hh1Eb_ffE:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=PAR6-eXllAw:55hh1Eb_ffE:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=PAR6-eXllAw:55hh1Eb_ffE:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=PAR6-eXllAw:55hh1Eb_ffE:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NorCap/~4/PAR6-eXllAw" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/328981/NorthCapital_box.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/wsj-build-a-financial-dream-team Wed, 04 Jan 2012 07:03:31 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/Kbayl4dSsLY/wsj-year-of-the-intervention http://blog.northcapital.com/wsj-year-of-the-intervention <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-01-04/lFnHawFGErkEfIhbueaEaFImdBcpAtrJcqImIoCrGmyiInCHvCqlzDoFIfkj/wsj-yr-of-intervention.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Wsj-yr-of-intervention" height="322" src="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-01-04/lFnHawFGErkEfIhbueaEaFImdBcpAtrJcqImIoCrGmyiInCHvCqlzDoFIfkj/wsj-yr-of-intervention.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> In the December 31, Weekend Edition, the Wall Street Journal produced a graphic which highlights the pervasive intervention of central banks in currency markets throughout 2011.&nbsp; If economies diverge in 2012, as some economists are predicting, then we can expect more of the same as central bankers try to buffet market forces.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/wsj-year-of-the-intervention">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/wsj-year-of-the-intervention#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Kbayl4dSsLY:d62M-5D2HcU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Kbayl4dSsLY:d62M-5D2HcU:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=Kbayl4dSsLY:d62M-5D2HcU:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Kbayl4dSsLY:d62M-5D2HcU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Kbayl4dSsLY:d62M-5D2HcU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=Kbayl4dSsLY:d62M-5D2HcU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Kbayl4dSsLY:d62M-5D2HcU:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Kbayl4dSsLY:d62M-5D2HcU:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NorCap/~4/Kbayl4dSsLY" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/328981/NorthCapital_box.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/wsj-year-of-the-intervention Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:06:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/Wgayr4FOxFg/year-end-portfolio-checkup http://blog.northcapital.com/year-end-portfolio-checkup <p> <p>Christine Benz, Director of Personal Finance at Morningstar, offers a 5-step checkup for your investment portfolio.&nbsp; Her recommendations, in short:</p> <ol> <li>Ensure that your asset mix is in line with your targets;</li> <li>X-ray your portfolio;</li> <li>Review individual holdings;</li> <li>Examine performance;</li> <li>Plan your next move.</li> </ol> <p><a href="http://news.morningstar.com/articlenet/article.aspx?id=451138" title="Year-End Portfolio Checkup" target="_blank">Read her full article here.</a>&nbsp; My own 5-step list would look something like this:&nbsp;</p> <ol> <li>Review your needs and goals and update your risk profile to determine whether your target asset allocation is still appropriate;</li> <li>Ensure that your actual asset allocation is in line with your target;&nbsp; consider tax loss harvesting and asset location (taxable, tax deferred, tax-exempt) as a part of this process.</li> <li>Review individual investments and compare them to alternatives, focusing on risk, transaction costs, fees and expenses;</li> <li>Evaluate investment returns and performance attribution;&nbsp; which asset classes / risk factors / investments contributed to performance?</li> <li>Repeat at regular intervals, forever.</li> </ol> <p>Portfolio monitoring should not be a once-a-year exercise;&nbsp; there is nothing magical about a twelve month review cycle.&nbsp; <a href="http://c.nc.am" title="Contact North Capital">Contact us</a> to learn how regular portfolio monitoring and rebalancing can add value to your portfolio.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.northcapital.com" title="North Capital"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.northcapital.com" title="North Capital">North Capital</a> is an independent, fee-only registered investment advisor providing financial planning and investment advisory services to individuals, families, businesses, and non-profit institutions.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/year-end-portfolio-checkup">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/year-end-portfolio-checkup#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Wgayr4FOxFg:8UyePauzCW8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Wgayr4FOxFg:8UyePauzCW8:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=Wgayr4FOxFg:8UyePauzCW8:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Wgayr4FOxFg:8UyePauzCW8:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Wgayr4FOxFg:8UyePauzCW8:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=Wgayr4FOxFg:8UyePauzCW8:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Wgayr4FOxFg:8UyePauzCW8:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Wgayr4FOxFg:8UyePauzCW8:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NorCap/~4/Wgayr4FOxFg" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/328981/NorthCapital_box.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/year-end-portfolio-checkup Sat, 10 Dec 2011 08:44:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/ssl9vqpknPI/consumer-tailwinds-giving-economy-a-boost http://blog.northcapital.com/consumer-tailwinds-giving-economy-a-boost <p> <p>Improving employment trends, moderating commodity prices, and an inability to defer some purchases any longer have been bolstering consumer spending, says Morningstar's Bob Johnson.&nbsp; The result is positive for a drifting economy.</p> <p><iframe src="http://quicktake.morningstar.com/widget/VideoPlayer.aspx?vid=449547" height="362px" width="473px"> </iframe></p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/consumer-tailwinds-giving-economy-a-boost">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/consumer-tailwinds-giving-economy-a-boost#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=ssl9vqpknPI:mo4TWIxMTks:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=ssl9vqpknPI:mo4TWIxMTks:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=ssl9vqpknPI:mo4TWIxMTks:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=ssl9vqpknPI:mo4TWIxMTks:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=ssl9vqpknPI:mo4TWIxMTks:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=ssl9vqpknPI:mo4TWIxMTks:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=ssl9vqpknPI:mo4TWIxMTks:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=ssl9vqpknPI:mo4TWIxMTks:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NorCap/~4/ssl9vqpknPI" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/328981/NorthCapital_box.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/consumer-tailwinds-giving-economy-a-boost Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:50:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/_iv9DdYTeQM/job-market-traction http://blog.northcapital.com/job-market-traction <p> <p>Morningstar's Bob Johnson and Vishnu Lekraj discuss how the recent positive data about the jobs market may not be an anomaly, but rather the start of a slow but meaningful recovery.</p> <p><a href="http://www.morningstar.com/advisor/v/49148963/job-market-getting-traction.htm" title="Job Market Gaining Traction"></a><a href="http://www.morningstar.com/advisor/v/49148963/job-market-getting-traction.htm" title="Job Market Gaining Traction">Video Report</a></p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/job-market-traction">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/job-market-traction#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=_iv9DdYTeQM:bCx26oxCAyQ:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=_iv9DdYTeQM:bCx26oxCAyQ:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=_iv9DdYTeQM:bCx26oxCAyQ:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=_iv9DdYTeQM:bCx26oxCAyQ:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=_iv9DdYTeQM:bCx26oxCAyQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=_iv9DdYTeQM:bCx26oxCAyQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=_iv9DdYTeQM:bCx26oxCAyQ:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=_iv9DdYTeQM:bCx26oxCAyQ:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NorCap/~4/_iv9DdYTeQM" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/328981/NorthCapital_box.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/job-market-traction Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:08:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/YeIHic9mPpU/munis-are-back-in-focus-or-are-those-crosshai http://blog.northcapital.com/munis-are-back-in-focus-or-are-those-crosshai <p> <p><a href="http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20111104/FREE/111109959/-1/INDaily01&amp;dailycount=1&amp;issuedate=20111104" title="Death Spiral Awaits">Investment News reports that the congressional supercommittee is considering an elimination of the tax exemption for municipal bond interest.</a>&nbsp; Municipal bonds represent a $2.9 trillion market comprised of the obligations of tens of thousands of territories, states, and municipalities.&nbsp; Jeff Benjamin writes that a 'death spiral' awaits if the tax exemption is erased.</p> <p>How bad could it be?&nbsp; If the law were changed to affect only future bond issues, it would take some time for states and municipalities to feel the full impact.&nbsp; As current issues matured, borrowing costs would jump up.&nbsp; The market for currently-exempt securities might even rally if investors began to price in a scarcity premium in advance of the change.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>But what if Congress were to eliminate the tax exemption for <em>all outstanding municipal bonds</em>?&nbsp; Such a move might prove irresistable given the populist wave that is sweeping the country.&nbsp;&nbsp; What could possibly go wrong with asking wealthy Americans (who benefit most, on a relative basis,&nbsp; from tax-exempt investments)? &nbsp;</p> <p>Let's assume the $2.9 trillion market has a weighted average duration of 7 years (about the average for the overall U.S. bond market) and a weighted average interest rate of 4.5%.&nbsp; And let's assume further that the marginal tax rate of the average muni investor is 40% (including state and federal).&nbsp; The aggregate impact of the change would be an increase in taxes of about $365 billion.&nbsp;</p> <p>Most of that amount would be erased from the current value of the muni market, as investors repriced these assets to reflect the new tax regime.&nbsp; The magnitude of loss, in what is generally perceived to be a "low risk" asset class, could have dramatic second order effects on investor sentiment.&nbsp; Investors who buy municipal securities do so with the understanding and expectation that they are permanently tax-free.&nbsp; How might a change like this affect investor confidence?&nbsp; What other government commitments, stated or implied, might be discounted by investors... guarantees of agency securities?&nbsp; FDIC Insurance of bank accounts?&nbsp; How many brokers who promote and advertise tax-free securities would be sued for fraud by their customers?</p> <p>These latest machinations regarding the tax-exempt status of municipal interest offer one more reason to avoid munis for now... and food for thought about how easily a new contagion might come into being.&nbsp;</p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/munis-are-back-in-focus-or-are-those-crosshai">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/munis-are-back-in-focus-or-are-those-crosshai#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=YeIHic9mPpU:Gd84GMeC114:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=YeIHic9mPpU:Gd84GMeC114:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=YeIHic9mPpU:Gd84GMeC114:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=YeIHic9mPpU:Gd84GMeC114:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=YeIHic9mPpU:Gd84GMeC114:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=YeIHic9mPpU:Gd84GMeC114:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=YeIHic9mPpU:Gd84GMeC114:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=YeIHic9mPpU:Gd84GMeC114:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NorCap/~4/YeIHic9mPpU" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/328981/NorthCapital_box.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/munis-are-back-in-focus-or-are-those-crosshai Thu, 03 Nov 2011 22:37:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/mVkL55UWIAQ/sharpe-on-adaptive-asset-allocation http://blog.northcapital.com/sharpe-on-adaptive-asset-allocation <p> <p>Prof. William Sharpe's latest insights into asset allocation, dubbed <a href="http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/761a93ac?page=48#/761a93ac/49" title="Adaptive Asset Allocation">"Adaptive Asset Allocation," is described in the November/ December issue of CFA Magazine.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/sharpe-on-adaptive-asset-allocation">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/sharpe-on-adaptive-asset-allocation#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=mVkL55UWIAQ:POf7Wr5qqxk:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=mVkL55UWIAQ:POf7Wr5qqxk:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=mVkL55UWIAQ:POf7Wr5qqxk:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=mVkL55UWIAQ:POf7Wr5qqxk:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=mVkL55UWIAQ:POf7Wr5qqxk:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=mVkL55UWIAQ:POf7Wr5qqxk:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=mVkL55UWIAQ:POf7Wr5qqxk:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=mVkL55UWIAQ:POf7Wr5qqxk:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NorCap/~4/mVkL55UWIAQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/328981/NorthCapital_box.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/sharpe-on-adaptive-asset-allocation Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:58:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/ge0d6apsu6o/sauter-on-fundamental-indexing http://blog.northcapital.com/sauter-on-fundamental-indexing <p> <p>Vanguard's CIO says the buzz around fundamental indexing is more about the triumph of marketing over true value.</p> <p><iframe src="http://quicktake.morningstar.com/widget/VideoPlayer.aspx?vid=435446" height="362px" width="473px"> </iframe></p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/sauter-on-fundamental-indexing">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/sauter-on-fundamental-indexing#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=ge0d6apsu6o:uM63crgY-Os:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img 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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NorCap/~4/ge0d6apsu6o" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/328981/NorthCapital_box.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/sauter-on-fundamental-indexing Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:16:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/cxAD4U9tWYU/utah-529-rated-as-a-top-plan-by-morningstar http://blog.northcapital.com/utah-529-rated-as-a-top-plan-by-morningstar <p> <p>Morningstar today released a report on their top ranked 529 plans.&nbsp; In selecting the UESP among its highest rated plans, Morningstar confirmed the recommendation that North Capital has been making to our clients for several years.</p> <p>"Six 529 plans represented the industry's highest standards, earning Top Analyst Ratings from Morningstar. Five of the six plans were also rated Top in 2010, with Utah Educational Savings Plan the only newcomer.&nbsp; [The UESP] direct-sold plan also features Vanguard index funds at now-lower prices."</p> <p><a href="http://www.morningstar.com/advisor/t/47629734/morningstar-names-best-529-college-savings-plans.htm" title="Top 529 Plans">Read the full article here.</a></p> <p>For more information about the Utah 529 Plan and our recommended portfolio allocations, <a href="http://c.nc.am" title="Contact North Capital">contact us </a>or call 415 315 9916.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/utah-529-rated-as-a-top-plan-by-morningstar">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/utah-529-rated-as-a-top-plan-by-morningstar#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=cxAD4U9tWYU:hgtNQS2NuJU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=cxAD4U9tWYU:hgtNQS2NuJU:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=cxAD4U9tWYU:hgtNQS2NuJU:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=cxAD4U9tWYU:hgtNQS2NuJU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=cxAD4U9tWYU:hgtNQS2NuJU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=cxAD4U9tWYU:hgtNQS2NuJU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=cxAD4U9tWYU:hgtNQS2NuJU:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=cxAD4U9tWYU:hgtNQS2NuJU:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NorCap/~4/cxAD4U9tWYU" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/328981/NorthCapital_box.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/utah-529-rated-as-a-top-plan-by-morningstar Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:08:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/zsU7Cp9PqBY/take-risks-in-stocks-not-bonds http://blog.northcapital.com/take-risks-in-stocks-not-bonds <p> <p>Investors should stay away from risky asset classes in fixed income and stick to Treasuries, money markets, and CDs, says Bill Bernstein.</p> <p><a href="http://www.morningstar.com/cover/videoCenter.aspx?id=397758" title="Take Risks in Stocks, not Bonds">View the video interview with Morningstar's Christine Benz.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p></p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/take-risks-in-stocks-not-bonds">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/take-risks-in-stocks-not-bonds#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=zsU7Cp9PqBY:9yQOZDvMfL4:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=zsU7Cp9PqBY:9yQOZDvMfL4:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=zsU7Cp9PqBY:9yQOZDvMfL4:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=zsU7Cp9PqBY:9yQOZDvMfL4:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=zsU7Cp9PqBY:9yQOZDvMfL4:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=zsU7Cp9PqBY:9yQOZDvMfL4:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=zsU7Cp9PqBY:9yQOZDvMfL4:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=zsU7Cp9PqBY:9yQOZDvMfL4:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NorCap/~4/zsU7Cp9PqBY" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/328981/NorthCapital_box.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/take-risks-in-stocks-not-bonds Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:59:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/Q3D0jBt4ND0/bogle-we-need-a-quiet-revolution-back-to-the http://blog.northcapital.com/bogle-we-need-a-quiet-revolution-back-to-the <p> <p>The Vanguard founder and former chairman reflects on his accomplishments and the structural changes in the investment business that he hopes will benefit future investors. via Morningstar.</p> <p><iframe src="http://quicktake.morningstar.com/widget/VideoPlayer.aspx?vid=397703" height="362px" width="473px"> </iframe></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/bogle-we-need-a-quiet-revolution-back-to-the">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/bogle-we-need-a-quiet-revolution-back-to-the#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Q3D0jBt4ND0:Uv-TWnoelWw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Q3D0jBt4ND0:Uv-TWnoelWw:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=Q3D0jBt4ND0:Uv-TWnoelWw:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Q3D0jBt4ND0:Uv-TWnoelWw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Q3D0jBt4ND0:Uv-TWnoelWw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=Q3D0jBt4ND0:Uv-TWnoelWw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Q3D0jBt4ND0:Uv-TWnoelWw:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=Q3D0jBt4ND0:Uv-TWnoelWw:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NorCap/~4/Q3D0jBt4ND0" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/328981/NorthCapital_box.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/bogle-we-need-a-quiet-revolution-back-to-the Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:03:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/muOavQZk2jM/irs-increases-contribution-limits-for-2012 http://blog.northcapital.com/irs-increases-contribution-limits-for-2012 <p> <div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote> <div> <p>The Internal Revenue Service has increased the maximum pre-tax contribution limit for 401(k) and 403(b) retirement plans, most 457 plans, and the federal government&rsquo;s Thrift Savings Plan by $500, from $16,500 to $17,000, as a result of cost-of-living adjustments.</p> <div><a href="http://www.accountingtoday.com/news/IRS-Increases-Retirement-Plan-Contribution-Limits-60526-1.html#">Like what you see? Click here to sign up for Accounting Today's daily newsletter to get the latest news and behind the scenes commentary you won't find anywhere else.</a></div> <p>The IRS noted Thursday that many of the pension plan limitations will change for 2012 because the increase in the cost-of-living index met the statutory thresholds that trigger their adjustment. However, other limitations will remain unchanged.&nbsp;</p> <p>The IRS said the catch-up contribution limit for those aged 50 and over remains unchanged at $5,500.</p> </div> </blockquote> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.accountingtoday.com/news/IRS-Increases-Retirement-Plan-Contribution-Limits-60526-1.html#.TqXu1btcqHA.posterous">accountingtoday.com</a></div> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/irs-increases-contribution-limits-for-2012">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/irs-increases-contribution-limits-for-2012#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=muOavQZk2jM:r_MIpuMCTkc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=muOavQZk2jM:r_MIpuMCTkc:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img 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http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/irs-increases-contribution-limits-for-2012 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:43:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/qHWqawYtFxM/vanguards-bogle-the-market-is-about-fairly-va http://blog.northcapital.com/vanguards-bogle-the-market-is-about-fairly-va <p> <p><iframe src="http://quicktake.morningstar.com/widget/VideoPlayer.aspx?vid=397707" height="362px" width="473px"> </iframe></p> <p>A reasonable estimate based on dividend yields, potential earnings growth, and current P/E ratios suggests a 7% annual return for stocks over the next 10 years, says the Vanguard founder.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/vanguards-bogle-the-market-is-about-fairly-va">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/vanguards-bogle-the-market-is-about-fairly-va#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=qHWqawYtFxM:ZK2oenM4fbs:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=qHWqawYtFxM:ZK2oenM4fbs:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=qHWqawYtFxM:ZK2oenM4fbs:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=qHWqawYtFxM:ZK2oenM4fbs:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=qHWqawYtFxM:ZK2oenM4fbs:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?i=qHWqawYtFxM:ZK2oenM4fbs:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=qHWqawYtFxM:ZK2oenM4fbs:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=qHWqawYtFxM:ZK2oenM4fbs:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NorCap/~4/qHWqawYtFxM" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/328981/NorthCapital_box.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/vanguards-bogle-the-market-is-about-fairly-va Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:01:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorCap/~3/txGJJHxQP94/do-not-let-the-headlines-drive-your-investmen http://blog.northcapital.com/do-not-let-the-headlines-drive-your-investmen <p> <p>In a recent live webcast, Vanguard chief economist Joe Davis says investors should continue to focus on their investment objectives and time horizon when confronted with the daily drama of economic news.<span class="comp-Div"> <h1><span style="font-size: medium;"><object height="303" width="480"><embed src="https://personal.vanguard.com/web/flash/charts/VanguardMediaPlayer.swf" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="303" flashvars="values=rtmpt://vanguard.fcod.llnwd.net/a629/o1/EXT/SH/VGPersp/VidUSEconomy_Exc4_InvestDecisions.flv&amp;autoPlay=false&amp;skinName=https://personal.vanguard.com/web/flash/charts/VanguardMediaPlayerSkinAS3.swf" width="480"></embed></object><br /></span></h1> </span></p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/do-not-let-the-headlines-drive-your-investmen">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.northcapital.com/do-not-let-the-headlines-drive-your-investmen#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=txGJJHxQP94:00afde3ha9k:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/NorCap?a=txGJJHxQP94:00afde3ha9k:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img 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http://posterous.com/users/3sIRyHbPRQ9X James Dowd Jim James Dowd http://blog.northcapital.com/do-not-let-the-headlines-drive-your-investmen