This week April 29, 2017 on Money For the Rest of Us Plus we look at current spreads for commercial paper, LIBOR and bond yields. We answer a member's question about investing money for a housing down payment. We look at whether taking capital gains and income distributions impacts and investor's future returns for stocks and bonds. Finally, we look at the price behavior of ETFs when interest rate changes and look at an unusual phenomenon of how ETF prices act when interest rates are … [Read more...]
MNY143 Plus: Leading Economic Indicators and Liquid Alternatives
This week February 4, 2017 on Money For the Rest of Us Plus we look at a leading economic measure separate from PMI that has been very effective a predicting recessions. We also look at the state of liquid alternative ETFs and funds. … [Read more...]
MNY142 Plus: ETF Screening, Money Creation, Trading Costs, and a Bond Fund
This week January 28, 2017 on Money For the Rest of Us Plus we look at reasonable bid-ask spreads for newer ETFs. We also look at criteria for screening ETFs in an database. We explore why depositing funds in a bank account doesn't create money but borrowing money does. Finally, we look at the merits of the Eaton Vance Limited Duration Closed End Fund (EVV). … [Read more...]
138 Plus: Cash Equivalent Funds and ETFs and Key Person Risk
This week December 31, 2016 on Money For the Rest of Us Plus we look at how to analyze the various options for investing cash including money market funds, ultra short bond ETFs, near-term maturity bullet ETFs and short-term bond ETFs. We also explore to manage key person risk for investment vehicles that are highly dependent on one key individual. … [Read more...]
MNY131 Plus: Investing In Life Settlements, Muni Bonds and ETFs
This week November 5, 2016 on Money For the Rest of Us Plus we look at how one should evaluate investing in a life settlement fund. We answer a member's question on investing in closed end municipal bond funds. Finally, we compare investing in index mutual funds versus ETFs and the advantages and disadvantages of each investment vehicle. … [Read more...]
MNY130 Plus: Employer Stock Concentration, Comparing ETF Strategies and U-Haul Bonds
This week on Money For the Rest of Us Plus we look at how to mitigate the risk holding your employer's stock when you don't have a choice. We also compare the differences and similarities between an S&P 500 equal weighted ETF and and U.S. midcap ETF. We discuss how to handle choosing sub-investments in an investment product that you can't get out of. Finally, we look at the U-Haul Investment Club, where individuals can buy bonds backed by moving equipment for as little as $100. … [Read more...]
MNY125 Plus: Bond ETFs and Measures of Market Breadth
This week on Money For the Rest of Us Plus we look at the characteristics of bond ETFs in terms of their pricing and market behavior. We also compare measures of market internals such as a simple 200 day moving and market breadth to see which has been more effective at predicting returns. … [Read more...]
118: Are Renewable Energy ETFs A Good Investment?
Does the significant growth of solar and wind energy mean companies in the space are attractive investments? Photo by Peter Thoney In this episode you'll learn: How solar energy capacity and production is expanding significantly.How China is transitioning from coal to solar energy production.Why solar company stocks have significantly underperformed the broad stock market.What are current expectations for solar energy company stocks. Show Notes Tesla-Solar City merger embodies … [Read more...]
MNY114 Plus: Is Indexing Too Big, Currency Hedging and Bid/Ask Spreads
This week on Money For the Rest of Us Plus we look at the size of the indexing market and discuss whether there are too many indexers and not enough active managers. We also look at why hedging Canadian and Australian equity exposure actually increases volatility. I discuss what is a reasonable bid-ask spread when purchasing an ETF. And finally, we look at Canadian REITs and MLPs. The episode length is 26 minutes. … [Read more...]
MNY113 Plus: Model Portfolio Change, Small ETFs and Brexit
This week on Money For the Rest of Us Plus we discuss a change in the model portfolios' non-investment grade bond allocation due to the closure of an iShares ETF that is part of the portfolios. We look at the process of what happens when an ETF closes and how to go about exiting. Finally, we look at what is next for the UK as part of its transition from the European Union. The episode length is 16 minutes. … [Read more...]