October 1 2014 Market Update – Keep your powder dry

by

The overall technical model still shows a positive view on the S&P500 for the intermediate and long terms.  As you can also see, there are three resistance lines ranging in age from 1 to 5 years that have yet to be pierced. As the asset allocation page shows, it is still wise to remain in market index ETFs and funds.  No need to shift your assets to cash or bonds as a hedge for the intermediate or long term. read more

Ensuring Adequate Retirement Income – 5 steps

by

A short, to-the-point article from the Wall Street Journal about the 5 things to do to assure adequate income at retirement.  Good read.

URL Link to Article

How to Ensure Adequate Retirement Income

By JONATHAN CLEMENTS Aug. 30, 2014 8:30 p.m. ET Retirement is hard work these days. How do you generate enough income in a world where the S&P 500 yields roughly 2% and 10-year Treasury notes offer 2½%? Here’s my five-step plan:

1. Delay Social Security.

Suppose you retire at age 65, at which point you’re eligible for $20,000 a year in Social Security retirement benefits. If you put off benefits until age 70, you would miss out on five years of benefits worth $100,000. In the meantime, you’d likely have to cover your living expenses entirely out of savings. read more

Market Update September 1, 2014

by

Short, Medium and Long term indicators for the S&P 500 are all favorable.  The index itself is in the middle of an up channel.

Currently the S&P is at 2003.  The channel ranges from 1925 to 2050.  So there are 47 points above and 78 points below the current index value in the channel.  I would prefer a 2:1 ratio of upside potential to downside potential.  At a ratio of 47:78 we do not have that 2:1 target.  So I would wait for a slight pullback to put any additional monies into equity index funds or ETFs. read more