I know that being an optimist is not nearly as popular as being a pessimist when it comes to stock market prognosticating. After all, it is more exciting to read about the coming economic catastrophe that will send the global economy into an inescapable black hole than read about continued stock market gains. Pundits spewing […]
“Tens of thousands of Israelis may see their pensions cut as the veteran pension funds have once again fallen into large deficits. The pension funds are now facing an actuarial deficit of more than 5% and will have no choice but to cut their benefits to members. Retirees collecting pensions will immediately see their monthly […]
Global real estate markets have been crushed. With prices in some markets 50% lower than they were a few years ago, real estate seems to be cheap. Owning property is part of most asset allocation models, meaning that it serves as a good diversification tool. Even the Talmud is ‘pro’ real estate. The Talmud (Bava […]
With the holiday of Hanukkah upon us, ‘gelt’ or money plays a central role. As both children and some parents (especially those with generous in-laws!) receive cash, the question is what to do with the new-found bonanza. Should you use it to buy the latest gadget from Apple that you “just can’t do without”? Or, […]
With global financial markets continuing their volatile ways, many investors have thrown in the towel regarding investing in stocks and have moved all their money into bonds. A recent Reuters article highlighting this trend reported, “ICI estimates $19 billion has left mutual funds for the year so far as of the end of August. In […]
One of the most common questions that I receive from clients is how to preserve the value of their portfolios in the face of a sinking U.S. dollar. While I answer that it’s important for people living in Israel to hedge against a potential fall in the dollar, I think that investors need to take […]
I’ve seen the future, I can’t afford it Tell me the truth sir, someone just bought it Say Mr. Whispers! Here come the click of dice Roulette and blackjacks – gonna build us a paradise – ABC, How to be a Millionaire Many people who I speak with are very concerned about the future of […]
Maybe it’s just an ego problem Problem is I’ve been fooled before By fair weathered friends and faint hearted lovers And every time it happens It just convinces me more -Dr. Hook “When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman” We are continuously told that the stock market is overvalued and due for a huge […]
With both a growing number of corporations sitting on piles and piles of cash and a feeling that many companies are undervalued, the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market has started to heat up. While unemployment in the U.S. hovers around 10%, one would think that the state of corporate America is weak. Actually, nothing could […]
Here we go again. After a brief respite, the U.S. dollar has again started to drop against many major currencies in the world, including the shekel. In September alone, the dollar index fell 5.3% and declined 8.4% over the course of the third quarter — its biggest three-month drop since the second quarter of 2002. […]
