Investing Education
Discover a wealth of investing information, articles, tips and advice for how to intelligently manage your risk and increase your returns.SmartStops Featured Articles
The 6 Biggest Mistakes Ordinary Investors Make
"What's the biggest threat to achieving financial independence? Your own brain!" Nobel-winning prize theory and research from psychologists (Kanheman & Tversky) led to the beginnings of what is now called behavioral finance, with Thaler bringing that into the...
Why Protect? Limits of Diversification from State Street
Great white paper by State Street Global Advisors that highlights the limits of diversification and the importance of risk protection: "Good downside protection can benefit portfolios in several ways. Studies, such as that by Bhansali and Davis (2010), have shown...
Asset Allocation is in Serious Decline
As the CIO of Sungarden Fund Mgmt writes: "MPT works well in strong markets and over periods of declining interest rates. This decade will likely see the turning point of that story, and I suspect that many financial planning firms will fight that trend, as they did...
What is a Stop Limit Order?
When you place a Stop Order, you are setting the price below the current trading price such that if that price is hit, an order to sell will occur at your broker. If just set as a stop order, then the price at which it sells after the stop is triggered, will be a...
Should you be Hedging now during China Trade War escalation?
SmartStops Comment: We couldn't agree more with this timely advice (mid-May 2019) , from realinvestmentadvice.com: "For now, the market is working a corrective process which is likely not complete as of yet. As we head into the summer months, it is likely the...
Comparing Tradestops vs SmartStops
There are a number of key differences between SmartStops.net and Tradestops.com. In fact, one of our subscribers after using Tradestops for awhile, told us - "you get us out much sooner than Tradestops". Here are some of the key comparisons: 1. Recently, a lot of...
The 6 Biggest Mistakes Ordinary Investors Make
"What's the biggest threat to achieving financial independence? Your own brain!" Nobel-winning prize theory and research from psychologists (Kanheman & Tversky) led to the beginnings of what is now called behavioral finance, with Thaler bringing that into the...
Aviva finds sell-side research to be flawed – October 2017
Survey of 342 analysts by Aviva Investors found sell-side research to be flawed, short term and incomplete. “Sell-side research has a significant influence on investors’ decision-making. But our study shows this research is often flawed,” wrote Euan Munro, CEO of...
Why Protect? Limits of Diversification from State Street
Great white paper by State Street Global Advisors that highlights the limits of diversification and the importance of risk protection: "Good downside protection can benefit portfolios in several ways. Studies, such as that by Bhansali and Davis (2010), have shown...
Asset Allocation is in Serious Decline
As the CIO of Sungarden Fund Mgmt writes: "MPT works well in strong markets and over periods of declining interest rates. This decade will likely see the turning point of that story, and I suspect that many financial planning firms will fight that trend, as they did...
Wealth management’s future in 3 words
"There are serious consequences for firms that do not embrace the latest tech tools..." says Kelli Keough, the global head of digital wealth management for JPMorgan Chase. "All financial advisors must implement digital tools in their practice or they will lose...
How to stop getting ill from the Stock Market
SmartStops Comment: Good article pointing out the importance when it comes to investing to not letting your emotions go on a rampage. As the author Ritholtz points out: "Understanding what is and isn’t in your control can go a long way toward avoiding the sorts...
Is there something to be afraid of with the increased volatility in 2018?
SmartStops comment: This well-written article reflects the reality of the situation of today's markets. Don't be fooled to think diversification is protecting your investments. Stay aware of increasing risks. Read the entire article at: ...
Should the Treasury Index The Calculation of Capital Gains Taxes To Inflation
SmartStops comment: It appears that both Bush & Reagan had been discussing reforms to the capital gains tax, however nothing was done. Is Trump also now considering it? Some pundits claim this will help stimulate the economy further and redistribute the wealth...
WARNING! Time to protect your Investments!
Now don't say no one's warned you about an upcoming stock market correciton. It's inevitable. So are you going to protect your gains or what?! https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-29/goldman-warns-highest-valuations-since-1900-mean-pain-is-coming
Are Markets Rational or not?
SmartStops comment: Glad to see Richard Thaler win the 2017 Nobel Prize for documenting the way people's behavior actually does not conform to economic models that portray them as perfectly rational. As he states: (Investors) "refuse to cut their losses on...
DIY’er investors are doing better then clients of Financial Advisors!
SmartStops comment: just came across this interesting point that indicates the DIY'ers are doing better then clients of Financial Advisors: .. These added services (education etc. from brokerage) seem to be helping, as self-directed investors tend to see quite a bit...
The Higher They Climb, The Harder They Fall
SmartStops comments: It's befuddling that this statement continues to get touted around - "But isn’t this market timing? We all know, after all, that timing the market is pure folly!" .. when indeed guru's like Andrew Lo, MIT have blown this "myth" apart again and...