In Plus episode 504, David explains his recent portfolio trade to exit his AI-related ETFs and increase his allocation to non-U.S. small-cap stocks. We review Simplify ETF strategist Michael Greene's work on why he believes an indexing bubble exists. Finally, we look at how investments in short-term Treasury ETFs can lead to a capital gain depending on when they are sold. … [Read more...]
486 Plus: Callable Bonds, U.S. AI Stock Bubble, Robinhood, and Crypto Taxes
In Plus episode 486, we review how to estimate expected returns when a fund or ETF holds callable bonds. We consider two questions from members worried about high valuations for the U.S. stock market. We discuss the long-term viability of Robinhood. Finally, we discuss ways to reduce the tax headache of owning cryptocurrency. … [Read more...]
447 Plus: The Tax Impact of Active Stock Funds, Municipal Bonds, and Balancing Cash and Longer-term Bonds
In Plus episode 447, we discuss how to calculate the performance impact of capital gains tax distributions for an active stock mutual fund. We answer a member's question on what to do with a portfolio of individual municipal bonds selected by their previous investment advisor. Finally, we explore the decision between holding high-yielding cash or locking in higher coupon rates on longer-term bonds. … [Read more...]
441 Plus: Fixed Rate Debt, Japan and Yield Curve Control, Activist Short Sellers, Treasuries and Taxes
In Plus episode 441, we consider the economic impact of private-sector fixed-rate debt versus variable-rate debt. We discuss the Bank of Japan's apparent abandoning of yield curve control. When Treasury bondholders have to pay capital gains tax. Finally, we analyze activist short sellers. … [Read more...]
436 Plus: Asset Camp and Plus Membership, Qualified Dividends, and Mutual Fund Share Classes
In Plus episode 436, we discuss why Asset Camp is separate from Plus membership even as charts and data from Asset Camp are used in materials on the Plus membership site, including the monthly investment conditions and strategy report. We also explore the difference between qualified and non-qualified dividends according to the U.S. tax code. Finally, we look at transferring to a separate share class for a given mutual fund. … [Read more...]
417 Plus: Which Assets Now, How Much in Real Estate, Disinflation, Foreign Taxes, and CEFs
In Plus Episode 417, we consider whether there is an optimal price to renter the S&P 500 Index or other asset classes. We discuss what disinflation means. We consider what is a reasonable allocation to public and private real estate. We consider the impact of foreign withholding taxes on dividends. Finally, we look at the current closed-end fund landscape. … [Read more...]
402 Plus: Buying TIPS, Taxes and Bonds, and Calculating Investment Returns
In Plus Episode 402, we discuss purchasing individual Treasury Inflation Protection Securities versus TIPS ETFs. We look at how bonds are taxed and how to tax-adjust municipal and corporate bonds. Finally, we compare return on investment with time-weighted and dollar-weighted returns. … [Read more...]
350 Plus: Taking Out a Home Mortgage to Invest, Tax Loss Harvesting, and TIPS
In Plus Episode 350, we compare reverse mortgages to home equity loans. What to consider when deciding to take a home mortgage to invest in other assets. We look at tax principles when it comes to investing and explore how tax-loss harvesting works. Finally, we review the pricing of Treasury Inflation Protection Securities and how to estimate their returns. … [Read more...]
277: How ETFs are Changing
How regulatory changes could lead to a boom in new ETFs, including actively managed ETFs. Why ETFs continue to be one of the most innovative, cost-effective and tax-efficient investment vehicles. “Exchange-traded products are among the most significant financial innovations in recent decades and have shaped financial markets as we know them today,” said Michael S. Piwowar, former Commissioner of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The growth in exchange-traded products … [Read more...]
186: Why Do We Pay Taxes?
The seemingly obvious answer is we pay taxes to help fund the government so it can pay for government services. That is correct when it comes to state and local governments as well as for the federal governments of countries that don’t issue their own currency. For countries like the U.S., Japan and the U.K. which issue their own currency the question of why we pay taxes is a little more complicated. Photo by Joanna Kosinska Government Spending Is Digital When the federal government … [Read more...]
