Smart401k Blog

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers over the past week:

• President Obama presented an outline of his budget
• Economists continued to weigh in on the severity of the current downturn
• JPMorgan Chase slashed its dividend
• In an address to the country, President Obama framed today’s crisis as an opportunity to make long overdue changes

(more…)

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers over the past week:

• The US automakers reported on their progress and then asked for more money
• Trump Entertainment filed for bankruptcy protection
• President Obama signed the stimulus package into law
• Financier Allen Stanford was charged with falsely marketing $8 billion in high-yield CDs

(more…)

Yesterday, we watched as the Dow reached the lowest level it has seen in more than six years.  Today, we watched it decline further on rumors of bank nationalization.  Given that, you are probably wondering why we continue to promote a long-term investment strategy for your retirement account.  It’s a good question and one that I’d like to address with the following thoughts: (more…)

In today’s market, we are all hearing alot about employer-sponsored retirement plans and how they are impacted by factors such as layoffs.  In the event that you leave or are separated from your employer, the amount of money that you take with you may be subject to the amount of time that you’ve been with that employer.  (more…)

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers over the past week:

• Early week rumor swirled about a potential bankruptcy at GM and Chrysler
• IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn said the world’s advanced economies are already in a depression
• Switzerland’s UBS posted a larger-than-expected loss as did Credit Suisse
• Treasury Chief Timothy Geither announced the Treasury’s new bank rescue measures, but disappointed Wall Street with a lack of details

(more…)

In our first quarter client newsletter, we mentioned that we are happy to help our clients with a self-directed brokerage account if the option is offered through their 401(k) plan, at no additional cost.  We have received a good deal of feedback and questions, so I thought that this would be an appropriate blog article for the week. (more…)

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers over the past week:

• Citigroup announced plans to boost its lending
• Oil giant BP posted a loss as oil prices plunged
• Australia’s central bank announced a rate cut along with $27 billion in stimulus spending
• Personal income fell less than expected, while personal spending was lower than expected

(more…)

This week I thought I would take the time to discuss another one of my favorite funds, the Greenspring Fund. In the interest of disclosure, this fund is another of my personal holdings. (more…)

Many of our clients understand the importance of developing and maintaining a long-term investment strategy.  However, there are also those who approach retirement planning as if they were in Vegas- looking to make some easy money, but quick to pull out if they hit a losing streak. 

While it’s never fun to lose money, it’s important to realize both the similarities and differences between investing and gambling. 

(more…)

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers over the past week:

• Drug giant Pfizer agreed to acquire competitor Wyeth for $68 billion
• ING announced that it will post another loss and take money from the Dutch government
• Companies around the world continue to cut jobs
• Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may need to tap further government cash

(more…)