The Risks and Rewards of International Investing

Content provided by Kostya Etus, CLS Associate Portfolio Manager At CLS, we have been focusing a lot on international investing recently. One reason is that we see a significant potential for outperformance within international equities when compared to the domestic U.S. market. This potential stems from many factors, including: Valuations are more attractive in international… Continue reading The Risks and Rewards of International Investing

Trust

Content provided by J.J. Schenkelberg, CFA, CLS Senior Portfolio Manager Trust is a key feature surrounding the financial and investment industry.  Our clients trust their advisors to help safeguard their assets and grow their financial security.  Our advisors trust CLS Investments to carry out the plan they have set forth for their clients and choose… Continue reading Trust

Emotional Volatility

Content provided by Grant Engelbart, CFA, CLS Portfolio Manager My father recently asked me about an email he received promoting a “special newsletter.”  You know the kind – “The Dow Will Plummet to 6,000! – subscribe now and save yourself!” These type of doomsayers have always been around, except they become particularly loud at points… Continue reading Emotional Volatility

Mid Caps vs. Large and Small Caps

Content provided by Scott Kubie, CLS Chief Strategist Small cap U.S. stocks have failed to keep pace with their large cap counterparts this year, by a wide margin. Through November 21, the Russell 2000 was up only 1.9%, while Russell’s large cap index, the Russell 200, was up 13.3%. The surprise this year has been… Continue reading Mid Caps vs. Large and Small Caps

Value Investing Works – But It’s Hard For a Variety of Reasons

Content provided by Rusty Vanneman, CLS Chief Investment Officer Why does value investing work? Simply put, the expected return for any investment is determined by the price you pay. For example, a great company could still be a bad investment if the price paid is too high. Conversely, a sub-par company could be a good investment… Continue reading Value Investing Works – But It’s Hard For a Variety of Reasons

Why is there a short position in my portfolio?

Content provided by J.J. Schenkelberg  ProShares Short S&P 500 ETF (SH) is a position we use in portfolios in order to obtain a targeted risk score with a diversified approach to the overall allocation. The year-to-date position has negative performance, but SH should not be looked at individually, it should be reviewed in the context of… Continue reading Why is there a short position in my portfolio?

CLS’s Top 10 ETF Holdings

Content provided by Sierra Morris, Jr. Investment Research Analyst Below are our top 10 holdings as of September 30, 2014   1. VIG: Vanguard Dividend Appreciation (5.8%) This fund identifies domestic firms that have increased their dividends for at least 10 years and uses screens to avoid companies that are likely to cut dividends in… Continue reading CLS’s Top 10 ETF Holdings

Move Over Buck, Bartering Is Back!

Content provided by Nate Wattier, Client Services Manager In Spain, where the European financial crisis is hitting hardest, unemployment is at a staggeringly high level: 26% overall, and nearly double that figure for young persons.  Spaniards are getting creative in order to meet their daily needs.  With the euro scarce, alternatives to currency are popping… Continue reading Move Over Buck, Bartering Is Back!

A New Type of 529 Plan

Content provided by Mike Forker, CLS Chief Compliance Officer There is a bill making its way through Congress that would allow states to create 529 savings plans for those with long-term disabilities.  Similar to the 529 education savings plans, the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act would allow individuals to establish tax exempt savings… Continue reading A New Type of 529 Plan