Volatility Returns March 7, 2020 Categories: Markets, Bear Markets, Bonds Volatility has returned to global financial markets. As seen in figure 1 below, the Volatility Index (“VIX”) has spiked to the highest level since 2015. However, looking further back, the VIX is nowhere near the Great Recession of 2008-2009. History proves that volatility in financial markets is nothing new. However, since early 2009, the US markets have enjoyed a low period of volatility. Read more
5 AM Alarm January 12, 2019 Categories: 2018 Review, Asset Allocation, Bonds, Bond Market As I have aged, it seems my alarm clock goes off earlier and earlier. As a child, I somewhat dreaded waking up early in the morning unless it involved golf or some other sporting activity. Early morning Bible studies were thrown in the mix as I entered college. I have many older mentors to thank for motivating me to get up early and study the Bible. As I started my career, an earlier wake-up was the norm. Of course, once kids came along, the alarm clock was somewhat useless as babies became the new alarm clock (which went off multiple times every night). More recently, I have picked back up the hobby of running. With a busy family and work life, early mornings are the best time to “get my run in”. I have come to enjoy the solitude and peace of the early morning. Read more
Risk vs. Volatility August 21, 2015 Categories: Asset Allocation, Bonds, Risk Management, Volatility As an avid reader and follower of global financial markets, a day rarely goes by that I don’t observe what transpires in markets. I am fascinated by the ebbs and flows of data, information, economies, and markets. Learning new ideas challenges my mind and hopefully improves my portfolio management ability. Read more
