by Jim Parker Vice President Dimensional Funds Advisors Investors are being flooded by a wave of securities known as “hybrids.” These instruments combine the qualities of debt and equity, and offer an additional return over plain cash. So far, so good; but what are the risks? Hybrids have been around a long time, but there [...]

Tax-loss harvesting can be used as an opportunistic value-add within a well-diversified portfolio. By Abraham Bailin | 11-02-11 | 06:00 AM The effects of taxes on an investor’s portfolio over the long term are substantial and fairly predictable. Given today’s low-return environment, the productive value of each dollar invested must be considered. Within the context of a well-diversified portfolio, even [...]

Weston Wellington  September 16, 2011 Anyone studying the long-run history of American business cannot help but observe how many of the prominent firms of one era fail to make it to the next. Free-market economies are characterized not only by intense competition but also by disruptive change. Sometimes a company’s toughest competitor turns out to [...]

by Jim Parker, Vice President Dimensional Fund Advisors The current renewed volatility in financial markets is reviving unwelcome feelings among many investors—feelings of anxiety, fear, and a sense of powerlessness. These are completely natural responses. Acting on those emotions, though, can end up doing us more harm than good. At base, the increase in market [...]

July 28, 2011 by  Weston Wellington, Down to the Wire Vice President – Dimensional Fund Advisors Last week we came across an “Economic and Policy Watch” update prepared by a major investment bank that reviewed recent government proposals to address the nation’s funding crisis. Titled “It Just Gets Worse,” the report chided policymakers for actions [...]

by Larry Swedroe – MoneyWatch.com Q: I’m 43 years gold with two kids. In 2009, I opened an account for a variable annuity with an initial payment of $10,000. I’ve been putting in $500 per month. I have no idea how it really works. All I know is it will provide me a pension for [...]

In this video, Kenneth French explains why lower economic growth may not hinder future stock returns. In fact, history shows that average returns tend to be higher during periods of economic difficulty. The information about a current recession is factored into stock prices, and investors may require a higher expected return to induce them to [...]

By JILIAN MINCER You soon may be able to move savings from a regular 401(k) retirement account to a Roth 401(k) thanks to a new law aimed at keeping workers within the company plans. Taxes Now or Later on Retirement $ Those who make the move to the Roth 401(k) version, which will be available [...]

Navigating Structured Products by Brian Harris, Senior Editor, Dimensional Fund Advisors In recent years, structured products have gained favor among retail investors in Europe and the US. Investment banks promote these securities as sophisticated tools to help investors manage downside risk, enhance returns, or achieve other investment objectives. Sales have grown briskly since 2006, and [...]

Average Joe smacked by contango, pre-rolling, and Wall Street sharpies; profiting off ‘the dumb money’ The following article from Investor’s News is an eye opener. It is so easy to think investing is easy – think again. And, enjoy reading this article and take heed. Like so many investors in the spring of 2009, Gordon [...]