May 9, 2014 By Steve Blumenthal “Man.  Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.  Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.  And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present: the result being that he does not live in the present or the future: [...]Read More >

May 2, 2014 By Steve Blumenthal Valuations are flashing red.  Driven higher by QE, the markets have exceeded (as measured by John Hussman) the prior bubble records achieved in 2000 and 2007.  Brace yourself (and your portfolios). This doesn't mean markets can't move higher; central banks have [...]Read More >

April 25, 2014 By Steve Blumenthal “The Fed’s manipulations have left it in the position of a tightrope walker with no net; one who must exert all his energy in a concentrated effort just to keep moving forward, even as the slightest slip or unexpected gust could cause a catastrophic end to the [...]Read More >

April 11, 2014 By Steve Blumenthal The Fed owns 30% of all mortgage backed securities and nearly 25% of all the Treasury bonds.  Wow! Unimaginable, but real. I find myself frequently visiting the Fed’s website.  I particularly like Dallas Fed President Richard Fisher.  As a former fund [...]Read More >

Recent pieces have focused on the likely path to higher interest rates.  This is a major problem for all bond investors, especially if you have 40% or more allocated to bonds.  The vast majority of investors own bonds. I believe the bond market is experiencing a long-term secular bull peak.  With [...]Read More >

March 21, 2014 By Steve Blumenthal It was a big week for Chairwoman Janet Yellen.  Loved her transparency.  Can’t you just feel the collective investment world sitting on the edge of its seat?  We are all watching with concern and for good reason. So with interest rates front and center, [...]Read More >

March 14, 2014 By Steve Blumenthal It sure feels like we are moving towards a point of crisis.  The number two economy in the world is in serious decline; their customers' economies (mostly the U.S. and Europe) have slowed.  The great boom in China appears to be over.  Prime the printing presses [...]Read More >

March 7, 2014 By Steve Blumenthal On Thursday I spoke at the NWA Financial Fitness Forum sponsored by Mach-1 Financial Group in Northwest Arkansas.  The keynote for the event was former Governor Mike Huckabee.  He spoke about the mess in Washington (of course) and his deep belief that they have [...]Read More >

February 28, 2014 By Steve Blumenthal If the big bubble is in the bond market, as I believe, we need to keep a close eye on the direction of interest rates.  I have my own long-term fundamental views towards higher rates (Fed QE driven), but the question is when. Patience is required. As a [...]Read More >

February 21, 2014 By Steve Blumenthal One of the upcoming challenges for the Fed, aside from tapering, will be the decision to raise interest rates.  Keep in mind that the equity rally we have experienced has been largely fueled by the Fed (click here for a chart) and it is the end of this [...]Read More >

February 7, 2014 By Steve Blumenthal What trips the wire?  The bubble is in the bond market and it just might be the biggest bubble of them all. The headlock we find ourselves in is caused by the massive weight of debt.  We owe too much, we have promised too much and are not making enough.  [...]Read More >

January 31, 2014 By Steve Blumenthal “Most people get interested in stocks when everyone else is. The time to get interested is when no one else is. You can’t buy what is popular and do well.” – Warren Buffett So where are we today?  I thought about the above quote as I listened to Dr. Jeremy [...]Read More >

January 24, 2014 By Steve Blumenthal I’m deep in season four of Breaking Bad and completely enjoying the series.  Are we Breaking Bad?  Have we become too addicted to the Fed’s super drug (a pure form of liquid currency)?  After all, they are pretty good at making the stuff. This week’s On My [...]Read More >

January 17, 2014 By Steve Blumenthal Things are not always as they seem.  In this business, it really is a game of opposites.  Today the market is expensive by most measures.  This is a confusing topic for many and there is always someone who says the market is cheap.  Who to believe?  What [...]Read More >

January 10, 2014 By Steve Blumenthal In this week’s On My Radar, I share the following: Asset Class Returns – An Interesting Look at Annual Returns (best to worst) With All Due Respect – An advisor’s response to last week's On My Radar Time to Pick a Ladder – by Blaine Robbins Trade [...]Read More >