A Closer Look: World Markets
In mid-November, the S&P 500 ((IVV)) had just finished breaking its 200-day moving average on its way to a multi-year low at the 1343 level. Since then, the index has been on a tear, gaining over 24% in a little over 5 months. It now finds itself at all-time highs, above short-term support, its 50-day .. read more
Social Security Strategies
Courtesy of Bob Williams: As discussed in preceding articles, there are many factors to consider in deciding when to begin taking social security. For couples, there are additional considerations which make the decision a little more complicated but may help maximize benefits. File and Suspend Assume that John has reached his full retirement age (FRA) of .. read more
When Do I Begin Social Security?
Courtesy of Bob Williams: “When should I begin to take Social Security?” That is one of the most frequently asked questions by those on final approach to retirement. It’s not uncommon to hear people say, “I’ve paid into Social Security for years. I’m going to take it at 62 and get what’s mine!” To be sure, .. read more
A Brief History of Social Security
Courtesy of Bob Williams: To steal a line from William Shakespeare, Social Security—To be or not to be? Virtually everyone I talk to has the same opinion, “Social Security won’t be there when I’m ready to retire.” It’s an opinion bred by years of talk in Washington ABOUT the problem and pointing fingers at everyone .. read more
A Closer Look: Market Style
The Standard & Poor’s 500 is a stock market index based on the common stock prices of the biggest 500 publicly traded American companies. The S&P 500 ((IVV)) successfully bounced off its 50-day moving average in the past month on its way to new highs, the fourth such incident in 2013. Apparently there’s no stopping .. read more
A Closer Look: Market Cap
The S&P 500 Cap-Weighted Index ((IVV)) has had an scorching start to the year, breaking the 1600 level and in the process surpassing its all-time highs set in 2007 in this past week. Since correcting in the middle of April, the index bounced off support at the 50-day moving average in emphatic fashion, finally clearing .. read more
A Closer Look: Commodities
The GSCI Commodity Index ((GSG)) consists primarily of Energy (71%), but also contains Agriculture (14%), Industrial Metals (7%), Livestock (4%), and Precious Metals (4%). After breaking out to the upside in January, the index quickly reversed course and broke both moving averages on its way down. The index has been mired in a ugly downtrend since early .. read more
A Closer Look: World Markets
The US stock market was one bereft of sellers, before a general market sell-off this past week. In mid-November, the S&P 500 ((IVV)) had just finished breaking its 200-day moving average on its way to a multi-year low at the 1343 level. Since then, the index has been on a tear, gaining over 18% in .. read more
