When I would present to clients and advisors in the mid-2000s, I often spoke about some potential transformations that would have a large impact on the investing landscape. Energy independence was one of those items. I always imagined it coming from alternative energy and improved batteries. Based on information in the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s… Continue reading Environmentally Friendly?
Author: Scott Kubie
Bank of America’s Billion Dollar Settlements
On Monday, Bank of America announced two large settlements with different parts of the federal government. Settling items for Bank of America is nothing new. Counting the twin settlements, Bank of America has reached fourteen settlements with various entities since 2010. Over that time, Bank of America has paid to settle charges for loaning to… Continue reading Bank of America’s Billion Dollar Settlements
Government: Do Your Job
“Indeed, a reality has become too obvious for the world’s dazed inhabitants not to notice: The greatest threat to the upward arc of human progress is the collapse of public policy making. That is the biggest cliff of all. Governments are giving government a bad name.” Daniel Henninger, Wall Street Journal, 12/26/2012 Bluff or cliff?… Continue reading Government: Do Your Job
Housing Trends: Smaller is Smarter
All housing starts are equal. But some housing starts are more equal than others. Housing starts have started to rebound in recent months and with that, the average value of a home. Housing’s switch to contributing from constraining economic growth is a welcome change. While starts are increasing, the homes that are being constructed are… Continue reading Housing Trends: Smaller is Smarter
Lincoln and the Fiscal Cliff
Last weekend, my wife and I saw the movie “Lincoln.” It depicts the passage of the 13th Amendment, which banned slavery at the end of the Civil War. Prior to seeing the film, I hadn’t thought much about the political wrangling needed to pass such an important omission from the U.S. Constitution. Morally, it seems… Continue reading Lincoln and the Fiscal Cliff
A Post-Election Sports Demographics Analysis
From CLS Chief Strategist Scott Kubie… Losing political campaigns is tough regardless of the level of the office. I remember losing around a dozen high school elections and each one hurt in its own way. I remember supporting candidates in college and feeling the anguish when some of them lost. For candidates and supporters, it… Continue reading A Post-Election Sports Demographics Analysis
Adding Value with ETF Managed Portfolios
In Jason Zweig’s October 15th Wall Street Journal column titled, “When Cheap Funds Cost Too Much,” he provides investors with some excellent points regarding ETF managed portfolios, but also makes several points that could leave readers confused as to why ETF managed portfolios are growing so rapidly and have crossed $200 billion in assets. Mr.… Continue reading Adding Value with ETF Managed Portfolios
Inspired by Strength of the American University
I recently tried to quietly join a group taking a guided tour of the Lawn at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. I was swiftly detected by someone in the group, who noticed my business dress, Nebraska accent, and height; all of which made me distinct from the typical Virginia third grader. They let me… Continue reading Inspired by Strength of the American University
Investors Asking for Help from “Uncle Ben”
“If the Fed does hold off, the stronger economic data might be a mixed blessing for investors, who have been hoping for new action from central bank to stimulate the economy.” [i] I love this sentence. It says so much about the psychology of the stock market in such a short space. The sentence is… Continue reading Investors Asking for Help from “Uncle Ben”
Notes from Beijing
The hotel room looks great – it is much better than expected. The TV is a flat screen with digital quality picture. The bathroom is very modern. The only real problem is my reading light doesn’t work. I’m in a very attractive looking hotel in Beijing, China, after spending the day doing volunteer teaching at… Continue reading Notes from Beijing