WSJ: Time For A Bond Fund Checkup

BY SIMON CONSTABLE

Given the expected rise in interest rates, does your portfolio still need a healthy allocation of bonds? Probably yes, according to the experts.

Many agree that the security and diversification bonds offer shouldn’t be spurned just because the direction of rates could be changing. But, depending on the investor, now may be a good time to adjust the size of that allocation and its contents, with regard to lengths of maturities and levels of risk.

“Fixed income is always a good foundation for a portfolio,” says Eddy Elfenbein, Washington, D.C., author of the Crossing Wall Street blog and newsletter. “Security and safety.… Each month and quarter there is a regular check from the coupons.” Read more here. 

Forbes: What Your Boss Really Means By "No One Is Getting A Raise."

By SIMON CONSTABLE

We are now half way through the calendar year, and for many that means mid-year performance reviews. Or even worse, for some with odd fiscal years, it can be time for talks about money.

Both inside and outside of those meetings what you have been told can be confusing. You need to understand what your boss really means, not just what is said. Believe me, I’ve spent enough time in corporate America, and enough time in human resource jobs, to know the difference. 

Let me take you through some of the more common half-truths, what they really mean, what it says about your boss, and what to do. Read more here.

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

OZY: Greece and PR -- Relax or Freak Out?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Up, down and all around — global stock markets have been giving investors quite the ride this week. But is the financial world on the brink of another crash? Most people could be forgiven for thinking so given news about Greece missing a roughly $1.7 billion loan payment to the International Monetary Fund and Puerto Rico’s governor warning that the territory simply can’t repay $72 billion of debt. The feeling of impending collapse was only exacerbated when stocks in Europe and the U.S. tumbled on Monday, before bouncing back later in the week. Read more here.

Photo by Hendrikje Glauner on Unsplash

The Street: Retail Investors Fleeing U.S. Stocks Is a Buy Signal

By SIMON CONSTABLE

NEW YORK (TheStreet) Small investors are unloading U.S. stocks, which means you should do the opposite and buy. That's because retail investors are so bad at timing they are good, at least as a contrary indicator.

Over the last year investors have gone on a mutual fund selling spree, dumping more than $100 billion of domestic stock mutual funds.
Read more here.

New York Stock Exchange

Massimo Catarinella, CC BY-SA 3.0, 

via Wikimedia Commons

TheStreet: 4 Reasons Carl Icahn's Junk-Debt Warning Shouldn't Terrify You

By SIMON CONSTABLE

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Billionaire investor Carl Icahn's warning about the risks of junk-rated debt might scare you, but that doesn't mean you should write off the entire category.

He sounded the alarm about high-yield -- or non-investment grade -- securities last week, saying the market is "extremely overheated." It's not the first time that observation has been made. Read more here.

Forbes: Ten Ways To Start Your Way Financial Independence This July 4

By SIMON CONSTABLE

As you grab a hotdog or two this July 4 it’s worth remembering that true freedom requires financial independence. Only a few of us are born with enough resources to make that happen, but there are steps you can take to get closer to it.

Read more here.

TheStreet: What Puerto Rico's Debt Crisis Means for Muni Investors

By SIMON CONSTABLE

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- While the financial world focused on the Greek debt drama, a problem with even bigger potential consequences has been brewing in the Caribbean.

Puerto Rico can't pay its $72 billion of debts, the governor of the island warned Sunday, just two days before a budget deal needs to be approved by the territory's legislature. It could affect U.S. investors such as mutual fund holders and hedge funds, in a much larger manner than events in Greece.  Read more here.

Photo by Ana Toledo on Unsplash