Investment Planning

Global stock markets are selling off, oil is crashing, and the Coronavirus is spreading. Year-to-date, the Dow Jones is down about 15%, and things can get worse before they get better.

The Dow Jones is down 18.8% for the year, so is it too late to sell?

The Dow Jones Industrial Average continues to ascend to new heights.  The higher the market climbs, the more noise you’ll hear about a stock market correction.  At some point, those calling for a market correction will be right.  Stock market corrections are typical and occur about every three to five years.   A bear (down) market will last approximately 18 months while a bull (up) market will run for about eight years.

Interest rates continue to fall. U.S. Treasury investments with maturities from one month to thirty years are now yielding below 2% as investors pursue safety. The Coronavirus is generating global economic uncertainty, and our government bonds are benefiting. 

During college, my friends and I would often go skiing in Lake Tahoe. I wasn’t a good skier, but I could fight my way down a mountain. Most of the time, I didn’t realize the risk I was taking because my friends were much better skiers, and I went where they went.

Lose weight. Exercise more. Save money. Take a trip. It’s that time of year again to make New Year’s Resolutions. In January, optimism is high, but by year-end, it fades.

Christmas Eve is a time of peace and joy as Christians celebrate the birth of Christ, and children of all ages anxiously await the arrival of Santa Claus. It’s a wonderful time to spread good cheer.

In college, I learned the if, then command while studying the BASIC computer language. BASIC is a conditional language that relied on the if command. If X is true, then Y is false, and so.

The end of the year is quickly approaching, and what a year it’s been. The S&P 500 is up more than 25%, and unemployment is near historic lows. It’s been a great year to make some money and do some good.

The Baylor Bears are enjoying an excellent football season. They currently rank 9^th in the polls after trouncing The University of Texas. With a record of 10-1, they’re headed to the Big 12 Championship Game for the first time in school history for a rematch against Oklahoma. Hopefully, they’ll be able to avenge their gut-wrenching loss.