A couple years ago my husband and I took our three children to Disney World. My son, who was six years old at the time, wanted so desperately to be brave like his older cousins. He reluctantly walked with me, locking elbows, through the line for the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. As we approached … Continued
The U.S. stock market performance during 2013 can be described as nothing other than extraordinary. Not only were new highs achieved, but overall return levels were the highest in 15 years for the S&P 500 and the highest in 18 years for the Dow. While the markets rose significantly, the underlying economic condition was less … Continued
“Believe me, nothing except a battle lost can be half so melancholy as a battle won.” – Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, following his victory over Napoleon at Waterloo (1815) The Battle of Waterloo is best known for Napoleon’s last stand against the British under the command of the Duke of Wellington. While the military … Continued
Few asset classes performed more poorly than gold in 2013. But with the recent run-up in the precious metal into the start of 2014, investors are asking: is now the time to buy? Before you start stocking your basement with bullion, however, let’s take a look back at gold’s history. Gold is notorious for long … Continued
“It is tedious to tell again tales already plainly told.” – Homer, The Odyssey The ancient Greeks were great storytellers. That tradition continues to this day – for better and, unfortunately, for worse – as the world has witnessed over the last several years. We fear that just as King Odysseus faced obstacles and headwinds … Continued
“Under current law, on Jan. 1, 2013, there’s going to be a massive ‘fiscal cliff’ of large spending cuts and tax increases. All those things are hitting on the same day, basically. It’s quite a big event.” – Ben Bernanke There is always a lot to be said for keeping things simple, and it is … Continued
“The arch of history is long, but it bends towards justice.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. The future doesn’t seem to be what it used to be. Global financial calamities last year, ranging from the ongoing European sovereign debt crisis to the unprecedented downgrade of our Treasury market, combined with the Japanese natural disaster, the … Continued
“A fronte praecipitium, a tergo lupi” – Latin Idiom lit: “a precipice in front, wolves behind” The world economy once again stands upon a precipice. As the developed economies post slower growth and the emerging economies debate whether inflation or recession is the greater threat, the need for global balance between fiscal austerity and economic … Continued
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” – Keyser Söze, from the 1995 film “The Usual Suspects” When censors first sat down and watched the movie Psycho, they deemed it to be too violent. In response, Hitchcock reviewed with them the violent scenes frame-by-frame. To their amazement, there was … Continued
“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” – Albert Einstein Fictional narrative storytelling is one of the most memorable and effective ways to teach a lesson, capture a universal truth about the actions and consequences of human … Continued