If Interest Rates Rise, What Happens to Bonds?
Will bond investors soon suffer major losses? In the last few years, Bill Gross, Jim Rogers and other pundits have warned of a bond bubble. While it has yet to occur – the broad bond market yielded an annualized 4.42% from 2010-2014 – the threat remains. Quality bonds have a place in a portfolio, but […]
The Difference Between Good and Bad Debt
Who will retire with substantial debt? It seems many baby boomers will – too many. In a 2014 Employee Benefit Research Institute survey, 44% of boomers reported that they were concerned about the size of their household debt. While many are carrying mortgages, paying with plastic also exerts a drag on their finances. According to […]
A Financial Look Back at 2014
The year in brief. When 2013 ended, few Wall Street investment strategists had high hopes for the market – the thought was that the S&P 500 would post a single-digit advance for 2014. In fact, a Birinyi & Associates survey of said strategists produced a consensus forecast for a 5.8% gain for the index this […]
Understanding Your Risk Tolerance
The recent success of Chinese megacompany Alibaba’s IPO (Initial Public Offering) has sparked many investors’ interest. But before jumping in with both feet and opening your checkbook, there are many factors to consider. How’s your ability to withstand short-term losses? This is the question at the core of any discussion of risk tolerance. Some people […]
Asset Location and Timing to Reduce Taxes in Retirement
Location, location, location. It matters when it comes to real estate, and it also matters when it comes to the way you hold and invest your retirement savings. You can’t control what happens with the tax code, but you can control how your savings are held. As various types of investments are taxed at varying rates, […]
5 Financial Resolutions You Need to Make — Our Interview for FOXBusiness
This week’s blog post is courtesy of Donna Fuscaldo and was published on December 31, 2013 by FOXBusiness. The article features expert opinions on setting financial goals for the year ahead. Anthony A. Saccaro, ChFC, offered his input on how to set up a diversified portfolio, what lies ahead for bonds and interest rates in 2014 and why you […]
Bond Funds and Interest Rates: What You Should Know
This is an excerpt from an article by Anthony A. Saccaro, ChFC, published on Friday, October 11, 2013 in the following newspapers: Pasadena Star-News, Whittier Daily News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Long Beach Press-Telegram, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. The last time interest rates were this low was, well… never! But recently, thanks […]
Back to School Edition – Avoiding Unnecessary Student Debt
With the Fall 2013 semester underway, having a discussion about ways to avoid unnecessary debt is now more prudent than ever. The modern university student has been saddled with financial burdens that older generations often fail to comprehend. In fact, a recent survey of college pricing by the College Board found that a “moderate” budget […]