November 9, 2015

October 2015 Investment Commentary – October Bounce, Social Security Changes and Emerging Markets

Mike Eklund

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October Bounce

After a challenging stock market over the summer the markets soared in October with all global markets up between 6-8% for the month.  What has changed since the end of September to cause this large one-month increase – very little. That is why it is so difficult to time the stock market on a short-term basis. Therefore, we recommend investors focus on valuations and earnings as they will drive returns over the long-term. Worrying about short-term market movements will only drive you crazy.

Social Security Changes

In a surprise move this last month the recently approved budget resolution eliminated two of the most popular social security claiming strategies – file and suspend & restricted application. Both strategies primarily impact married couples and their ability to maximize their combined benefit.. Some individuals get grandfathered in and others have until May 1st to implement these strategies if they qualify. A link to an article is below and FSI will be posting a blog post in the near future with further details. If social security is important to your financial plan it may be a good time to get a new plan or an update.

Emerging Markets – 1998?

The chart above demonstrates the struggles of emerging market stocks over the last five years. Below is a link to an excellent article on this subject titled Investing versus Flipping. The summary is the author compares investing in the emerging markets or the US today compared to 1998. In 1998 US stocks were on a tear with the tech bubble and emerging markets were going through the Asian debt crisis. Where would you would have wanted to invest at that time? Probably not emerging markets, but they returned approximately 10% per year during the next ten years whereas the US market was approximately flat with no return. This is the challenge of investing as sometimes you have to buy the ugliest house on the block.

Interesting articles read last month

Investing versus Flipping

Social Security Changes

Apathy as a Strategy

Paying For College: Understanding The New Prior – Prior FAFSA Filing Format

Investor should Confront, not ignore their fears

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November 9, 2015

Mike Eklund is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner. In addition, he has an MBA in Finance and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation. He is an active member of NAPFA, is the co-host of Financial Symmetry’s podcast, and has been quoted in various industry publications.

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