In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, we explored some of the basic building blocks related to interest rates. In this final part of the series, let’s consider what actually causes rates to go up and down. Our goal here is to equip you with some of the basic tools to understand credit markets. Understanding leads to prudent investment decisions, and it also makes the process of investing a lot more fun.
Sep, 3 2010
Demystifying interest rates and how they impact your investments (Part 3)
by Katrina Lamb, CFA - Senior Consultant to Jemstep on 03. Sep, 2010 in Education Center
Sep, 1 2010
Quantitative Easing: What it means and what you should do
by Katrina Lamb, CFA - Senior Consultant to Jemstep on 01. Sep, 2010 in Education Center, News
Quantitative easing, or QE, became a staple phrase in 2009 when central banks around the world had to deal with the effects of the global financial meltdown and the worst recession to hit developed economies since the 1930s. Now it is back in the news as a new bout of worries keep financial policymakers up at night. Although the phrase is widely used it is little understood. The purpose of this post is to explain what quantitative easing means, how it fits into the arsenal of central bank weapons to fight financial and economic malaise, and what the implications of QE policies can be for investors.
Aug, 27 2010
Demystifying interest rates and how they impact your investments (Part 2)
by Katrina Lamb, CFA - Senior Consultant to Jemstep on 27. Aug, 2010 in Education Center
This is part 2 of our series on understanding interest rates and how they impact your investments. This article takes a look at, among other things, why bonds with shorter maturities are preferred by investors if they think interest rates are likely to rise.
Aug, 20 2010
Demystifying interest rates and how they impact your investments (Part I)
by Katrina Lamb, CFA - Senior Consultant to Jemstep on 20. Aug, 2010 in Education Center
Interest rates are a bit like gravity: everyone knows they exist, fewer can actually explain how they work, and they are actually not too difficult to grasp once you understand a few basic rules and practices. To begin, we need a foundational understanding of what interest rates actually are.
Aug, 13 2010
The building blocks of portfolio management
by Katrina Lamb, CFA - Senior Consultant to Jemstep on 13. Aug, 2010 in Education Center
Portfolio management: It’s a phrase that conjures up the idea of hard work and complicated subject matter. But with the right approach, portfolio management can be a key to your long term investment success. Who knows, you may even have some fun with it along the way! Here are some basic building blocks to get you started in the right direction.
Aug, 6 2010
Why P/E ratio matters for stock analysis
by Katrina Lamb, CFA - Senior Consultant to Jemstep on 06. Aug, 2010 in Education Center, News
Price/Earnings ratio is one of the fundamental tools investors use to estimate value. Gain an insightful understanding of P/E ratio to enhance your stock analysis.
Jul, 30 2010
ETFs as a Tool for Asset Allocation
by Katrina Lamb, CFA - Senior Consultant to Jemstep on 30. Jul, 2010 in Education Center
Asset allocation is at the heart of the portfolio management process. For investors seeking to enjoy risk-efficient returns over a long time period, prudent allocation decisions are most likely the most important component for sustained success. With this post we continue the recent focus on the role of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and suggest how in the course of conducting effective ETF research you can put together an intelligent allocation strategy based on individual ETF exposures.
Jul, 23 2010
Conducting Effective ETF Research
by Katrina Lamb, CFA - Senior Consultant to Jemstep on 23. Jul, 2010 in Education Center
In a post last week we began the conversation about Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and described some of their general characteristics and differentiating features from mutual funds. ETFs can be an important part of your investment portfolio. Since they trade like common stocks they are as easy to buy and sell as any other [...]
Jul, 8 2010
ETF research: Five things you should know before getting started
by Katrina Lamb, CFA - Senior Consultant to Jemstep on 08. Jul, 2010 in Education Center
Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) have grown dynamically over the past decade, from less than $100 billion in 2000 to just under $800 billion in 2009 for the U.S. market alone. ETFs are a critically important feature of the investment landscape, and to help with your ETF research, here is a primer on the important things you need to know.
Jul, 1 2010
Three Time-Tested Ways to Keep Sane in a Challenging Market
by Katrina Lamb, CFA - Senior Consultant to Jemstep on 01. Jul, 2010 in Education Center
Asset markets are pretty unsettling these days. The S&P 500 lurches 2% in one direction, then 2% in the other direction, all in the course of a single trading day. Markets for risk assets are volatile, directionless and buffeted by multiple influencing variables. It can be unsettling even for the most seasoned veterans of many market cycles, let alone for the novice investor. In my experience following these three suggestions can help you to keep your head when everyone around you is losing theirs.
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Understanding the various forms of mutual fund fees (Part 1)
18. May, 2010
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ETF research: Five things you should know before getting started
08. Jul, 2010
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Measurements of risk in mutual fund research
07. Jun, 2010
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Understanding risk-adjusted returns
11. Sep, 2009
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What is a bond mutual fund?
18. Jun, 2010
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Demystifying interest rates and how they impact your investments (Part 3)
03. Sep, 2010
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Quantitative Easing: What it means and what you should do
01. Sep, 2010
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Demystifying interest rates and how they impact your investments (Part 2)
27. Aug, 2010
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Zacks Top Five Growth Funds, eye candy or useful investment guide?
25. Aug, 2010
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Demystifying interest rates and how they impact your investments (Part I)
20. Aug, 2010
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Bestinvestor: Great series on interest rates. I'm gonna watc...
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Kevin Cimring: Thanks Izik, much appreciated!...
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Izik Lerner: Finally I found you , I came from a link from Face...
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Kevin Cimring: Thanks for your insightful comments Vered. The Jem...
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Vered : Fascinating! I'm sure that lots of financial h...
