http://odyssey-advisors.com/newsletter Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:35:41 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en It is not often appreciated by ordinary investors, but there is a cozy relationship between the media and the brokerage industry. They both want you to believe that certain individuals have uncanny powers of accurately predicting the future.  Just flick on CNBC and you can listen to a host of ... http://odyssey-advisors.com/newsletter/?p=15 One of the great myths of the investment world is that you can build a successful long-term strategy around a carefully chosen small number of stocks that are perceived as generating good earnings growth year after year. Just why this myth refuses to die may be a testament to ... http://odyssey-advisors.com/newsletter/?p=14 The sharp rally in stock prices over the last thirty days may or may not be the beginning of a new bull market. Global stock prices have moved decisively higher from their low point in early March despite an avalanche of discouraging financial news.  A number of analysts and market ... http://odyssey-advisors.com/newsletter/?p=13 Many ‘gurus’ have been saying how the ‘buy and hold’ strategy for investing is now dead. Whenever people start talking about the death of something, particularly with investing, it is often the moment it’s about to surge. The classic example of this is Business Week’s “Death of ... http://odyssey-advisors.com/newsletter/?p=12 The recent volatility in the stock market has no doubt caused investors a great deal of anxiety. The mood of the markets had been panicked – with steep declines one day, followed by market rallies the next – as investors try to make sense of the broader economy and ... http://odyssey-advisors.com/newsletter/?p=11 This has been a difficult question for many investors to answer. Wall Street and CNBC are always touting the current hot stock or sector in their investment recommendations. New mutual funds are created to satisfy the demand of all the eager investors that want to get on board. ... http://odyssey-advisors.com/newsletter/?p=9 Index fund managers, academics, and many institutional investors have recognized the merits of passive investing for decades. However, it wasn't until the boom of the 1990s that indexing gained popularity among even the most skeptical groups of investors. It was during this time that retail and non-US investors, historically cool ... http://odyssey-advisors.com/newsletter/?p=8 We are all waiting, it seems, for the next recession. Some indicators suggest that it might be sooner rather than later. Many economists speculate that growth will slow or a recession will occur, because three powerful forces are assaulting economic expansion. http://odyssey-advisors.com/newsletter/?p=7 Returns on international stocks have pounded those of their domestic counterparts over the past several years. Generally, you can count on dumb money to follow those returns, especially after a long period of out performance. http://odyssey-advisors.com/newsletter/?p=6 The markets give, but investors often don't receive. It is one of the greatest financial puzzles: Most years, the stock and bond markets generate impressive results, and yet many investors are left bewildered when it comes to their portfolios' performance. Some blame lies partly with taxes and even more with ... http://odyssey-advisors.com/newsletter/?p=3