http://www.moneybuzz.org/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-investing-money-for-2011-and-beyond-best-investment-strategy.html
Here at Hypo Venture Capital we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.Investing money in 2011 through 2012 may require that most people change their thinking about the best investment strategy. Traditional investing strategy for average folks suggests an asset allocation of over 50% to stock funds, about 40% to bond funds, and the rest to perhaps a precious metals (gold) fund for added diversification. In the world of investing money, times are changing; especially for bonds and gold.In putting together your investment strategy one of the best ways to focus is to consider the flow of money between asset classes over the recent months and years. In the investing world money always goes someplace, and it tends to concentrates in different areas at different times. When money floods an asset class like bonds or gold, prices can rise dramatically. When it makes a grand exit prices can tumble. Extremes in price movements should grab your attention when investing money for 2011 and beyond, especially when you hear mention of the word “bubble”.In the months leading up to 2011, investors both large and small were investing money heavily in bonds and in precious metals like gold. This investment strategy was among the best as prices in both asset classes climbed to record or near record highs. Millions of everyday folks threw money at bond funds and some discovered gold funds. The question going forward: are prices at extremes, and is either investment a bubble waiting to deflate or burst? Let’s look at bonds first.Investors have flooded bond funds with an additional net inflow of hundreds of billions of dollars while pulling money out of stock funds in recent times. The bond funds have then taken this money and bought more bonds, in the process sending bond prices up to extremes. This has pushed bond yields (interest income as a percentage) to near-record lows. Looking back to 1981, the 10-year Treasury note (intermediate-term government bonds) hit a high yield of 14%. Today they’re paying less than 3%, near historical lows. The problem: investing money in bonds and bond funds carries a significant risk today. When interest rates go UP, bond prices (values) will FALL. If there is a bubble here it will deflate as investors rush to pull money out of bonds.The best investment strategy for 2011 in the bond department is to avoid long-term bonds and funds that invest in them because they will get hit the hardest when rates go up. Who wants to get stuck at a low fixed interest rate for 20 or so years when rates are going up? Go with shorter-term funds holding average bond maturities of 7 years or less. DON’T chase bond funds; consider cutting back your holdings. Investing too much money here has too much downside risk associated with it unless you’re willing to speculate that interest rates and our economy will stay depressed well beyond 2011.Now let’s get a perspective on gold prices that recently glittered at an all-time high of over 00 an ounce. In 1999 gold sold for as little as 3. Investing money in 2011 and beyond in gold or gold funds at these prices is as much speculation as it is hedging against disaster. The best investment strategy here is to take some profits if you have them. If you missed the boat in gold, wait for the next one. The price of gold has been unstable at best since the yellow metal resumed trading in the U.S. in the mid-1970s. Don’t view gold as the best growth investment. View it more as a speculative bubble with risk outweighing future profit potential. The price would have to go up 00 an ounce in order to double your money at recent prices. This is not a likely scenario.Now that you’ve cut back on bonds and precious metals, what’s the best investment strategy for the rest of your money? Unless you’re over the age of 80 and/or extremely risk adverse, you need stocks in your investment portfolio. There hasn’t been a real bubble in the stock market since 1999 when the Dow peaked and closed the year at 11,497. In late 2010 that ever-popular stock market barometer was fighting just to get back to its 1999 highs after the shock delivered to it by the financial crisis of 2008.In 2011 and beyond investing money in stock (equity) funds should focus on both those that invest in domestic (U.S.) stocks, and in international funds that invest money abroad as well. You need all of the diversification you can get. Go with funds that invest money in large well established companies with a good record for paying dividends. These are less risky and volatile than growth funds that pay little if any dividends. Plus, good reliable income from either dividends or interest is hard to come by these days.For the rest of your money you need good safe investments that pay interest. Here we face another of today’s extremes: historically low interest rates at the bank and in the money markets. Even though you’re looking at less than 1% a year in interest, you’ve got to go with the flow and continue investing money here because these are truly the best safe investments. The best investment strategy for mutual fund investors: money market funds. When rates go back up your money market fund yields will automatically follow and go up accordingly.The best investment strategy for 2011 and beyond will be to diversify broadly, leaning toward a defensive posture. Investing money across all of the investment classes mentioned is still the key to long term success as an investor. Sometimes like now it’s better to be more conservative when investing, and live to chase opportunity another day.Want to know more?Hypo Venture Capital Zurich, Switzerland is an independent investment advisory firm which focuses on global equities and options markets. Our analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best possible investment decisions.
Viser innlegg med etiketten hypo venture capital. Vis alle innlegg
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lørdag 21. mai 2011
Hypo Venture Capital Switzerland Seizing Opportunities in Tough Economic Times
http://www.blochure.com/hypo-venture-capital-switzerland-seizing-opportunities-in-tough-economic-times-2529/
Here at Hypo Venture Capital Zurich we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.
Many of us have concerns about staying on track in these uncertain economic times. Mounting layoffs, plunging home values and declining stock prices all have a way of generating fear and uncertainty.
"Even though things look bad sometimes, you need to remain focused on opportunities," says Andrew Bradley, HVC’s chief investment officer. "We like to say there's opportunity in every market."
Today's investors face unprecedented challenges
2009 got off to a rough start, with the economy and financial markets still reeling from last year's credit market meltdown and resulting financial crisis. The markets traded down in a painful, correlated fashion, while economic activity plunged.
But since the end of the first quarter, signs of improvement have emerged. The equity market has enjoyed a meaningful rally since mid-March, led by the financial and consumer discretionary sectors. There is still have a long way to go before things get considerably better and before the economic picture brightens considerably but overall the worst may be behind us.
The housing market remains a major thorn in the side of economic growth. Part of the problem is too much supply relative to demand. We are starting to see housing prices fall to the point where buyers are attracted into the market and transactions are occurring.
These imbalances go beyond housing to a worldwide perspective. For example, the United States consumes too much and saves too little, whereas developed and emerging Asian countries save too much and consume too little. We should see the impact of these imbalances play out in the coming months, as countries around the world tackle the mounting challenges.
A return to growth is on the horizon
We believe economic growth may resume in the fourth quarter of 2009. That doesn't necessarily mean things are going to rocket up in the markets, but it means we're setting the stage for better times ahead.
The federal government's stimulus package along with the Federal Reserve’s extraordinary expansion of its balance sheet will begin to show results.
Although the amount of federal stimulus is record-breaking, it's been necessary to combat the significant deflationary pressures triggered by the financial crisis. Once deflation takes hold, it's extremely difficult to counteract. In an environment in which consumers and businesses expect prices to fall, they begin to defer consumption, believing they will be able to make their purchases at a cheaper price down the road. Therefore, the government is doing everything it can to ward off deflation, even as it risks promoting inflation.
Opportunity is within your reach
As troubling as recent market events have been, it's important not to get consumed by the daily ups and downs. Instead, focus on factors that promote long-term financial success.
These factors are most evident when examining the philosophy and practices of those who have achieved financial comfort — people who possess the ability to tackle any tough financial situation and the insight to capitalize on opportunity. Author and TV commentator Jean Chatzky calls this phenomenon "the difference." "Whatever the economy, these are the people who have the skills and attributes necessary to move into lasting financial comfort and wealth."
What makes a financial difference
Recent research on American attitudes toward money and personal finances found that financially successful people exhibit several common factors, including happiness/optimism, resilience, connectedness and habitual saving.
These are the people who know the difference.
How you can stay on track
Based on the characteristics and experiences of financially successful Americans, there are several actions and strategies to help people stay on track, focus on saving and protect loved ones during good and bad economic times.
People who have goals for the short, medium and long term, research has shown, actually achieved their goals more often than people who don't plan. "Why? Because when you’re running a race, it helps to know where you're going.
Consider rebalancing your portfolio
As far as investment strategies go, in today's environment, consider rebalancing your portfolio with an emphasis on the bond market. The bond market — particularly investment-grade bonds and high-yield credit — is very attractive versus its historical pricing.
Build savings and cash reserves
As for savings, if you have a job and a steady income stream right now, you need to be saving, because you don't know when the tide may turn. For women, saving is even more important. A woman still earns on average only 80 cents for every dollar that a man earns, and they possibly take breaks from the workforce to care for children and older parents, which means that when they get to retirement, their account balances are substantially smaller. Plus, women generally need their retirement accounts to last longer because they live an average of seven years longer than men.
Building cash reserves is essential, too. In 'normal' times, you should have about six months of emergency expenses set aside in cash, given times are more difficult, and especially if you're two to three years away from retirement, we think you should have up to two years of expenses set aside in cash.
Have a solid protection plan
Protection planning doesn't end with cash reserves. It's also critical to have a will naming guardians for minor children, a health care proxy (someone to make your health care decisions if you are unable), a living will and a durable power of attorney for finances.
Everyone should also have life insurance — especially those who have dependents — as well as disability income insurance, homeowners or renters insurance, and personal liability insurance. Why? So that a disaster, a big one or a small one, can't come along and take everything you've built away from you.
It's also important to protect against taxation, with strategies designed to generate tax advantages for your financial future.
Avoid common investment mistakes
Staying on track also means avoiding some common investment mistakes. For example, it's critical to not focus on one or two investments, but to stay diversified instead. And people should also resist the urge to raid a retirement account when changing jobs because the tax implications could be significant, potentially derailing a long-term strategy.
Another common mistake, is attempting to time the markets. People don't know how to time markets. Professional investors have a hard time timing markets, so you can't possibly succeed by trying to figure out the right time to get into the market and the right time to get out. It's highly likely you’re going to miss a significant day in the market. And, as we all know, if you miss the 50 best trading days over a multiple-year period, you cut your returns by as much as one-third. Instead, we suggests implementing a dollar-cost-averaging strategy to remain committed to the market and maintain a long-term investment plan.
Work with a financial advisor
Finally, we cannot stress the importance of getting help. Not only do people who work with advisors reach their goals more often than those who do not, but having one in your circle provides the direction, help, motivation and support that we can all use at times like this.
The markets will continue to be extraordinarily volatile, offering you opportunities to get into the market or monetize trades work with your financial advisor to identify the opportunities most appropriate for you and your portfolio.
Make a difference in your financial situation
Whether the economy is roaring or retreating, you can prosper once you understand the characteristics of financially secure people and implement a series of commonsense strategies. Talk to your HVC financial advisor today about how you can build lasting financial comfort and wealth.
Here at Hypo Venture Capital Zurich we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.
Many of us have concerns about staying on track in these uncertain economic times. Mounting layoffs, plunging home values and declining stock prices all have a way of generating fear and uncertainty.
"Even though things look bad sometimes, you need to remain focused on opportunities," says Andrew Bradley, HVC’s chief investment officer. "We like to say there's opportunity in every market."
Today's investors face unprecedented challenges
2009 got off to a rough start, with the economy and financial markets still reeling from last year's credit market meltdown and resulting financial crisis. The markets traded down in a painful, correlated fashion, while economic activity plunged.
But since the end of the first quarter, signs of improvement have emerged. The equity market has enjoyed a meaningful rally since mid-March, led by the financial and consumer discretionary sectors. There is still have a long way to go before things get considerably better and before the economic picture brightens considerably but overall the worst may be behind us.
The housing market remains a major thorn in the side of economic growth. Part of the problem is too much supply relative to demand. We are starting to see housing prices fall to the point where buyers are attracted into the market and transactions are occurring.
These imbalances go beyond housing to a worldwide perspective. For example, the United States consumes too much and saves too little, whereas developed and emerging Asian countries save too much and consume too little. We should see the impact of these imbalances play out in the coming months, as countries around the world tackle the mounting challenges.
A return to growth is on the horizon
We believe economic growth may resume in the fourth quarter of 2009. That doesn't necessarily mean things are going to rocket up in the markets, but it means we're setting the stage for better times ahead.
The federal government's stimulus package along with the Federal Reserve’s extraordinary expansion of its balance sheet will begin to show results.
Although the amount of federal stimulus is record-breaking, it's been necessary to combat the significant deflationary pressures triggered by the financial crisis. Once deflation takes hold, it's extremely difficult to counteract. In an environment in which consumers and businesses expect prices to fall, they begin to defer consumption, believing they will be able to make their purchases at a cheaper price down the road. Therefore, the government is doing everything it can to ward off deflation, even as it risks promoting inflation.
Opportunity is within your reach
As troubling as recent market events have been, it's important not to get consumed by the daily ups and downs. Instead, focus on factors that promote long-term financial success.
These factors are most evident when examining the philosophy and practices of those who have achieved financial comfort — people who possess the ability to tackle any tough financial situation and the insight to capitalize on opportunity. Author and TV commentator Jean Chatzky calls this phenomenon "the difference." "Whatever the economy, these are the people who have the skills and attributes necessary to move into lasting financial comfort and wealth."
What makes a financial difference
Recent research on American attitudes toward money and personal finances found that financially successful people exhibit several common factors, including happiness/optimism, resilience, connectedness and habitual saving.
These are the people who know the difference.
How you can stay on track
Based on the characteristics and experiences of financially successful Americans, there are several actions and strategies to help people stay on track, focus on saving and protect loved ones during good and bad economic times.
People who have goals for the short, medium and long term, research has shown, actually achieved their goals more often than people who don't plan. "Why? Because when you’re running a race, it helps to know where you're going.
Consider rebalancing your portfolio
As far as investment strategies go, in today's environment, consider rebalancing your portfolio with an emphasis on the bond market. The bond market — particularly investment-grade bonds and high-yield credit — is very attractive versus its historical pricing.
Build savings and cash reserves
As for savings, if you have a job and a steady income stream right now, you need to be saving, because you don't know when the tide may turn. For women, saving is even more important. A woman still earns on average only 80 cents for every dollar that a man earns, and they possibly take breaks from the workforce to care for children and older parents, which means that when they get to retirement, their account balances are substantially smaller. Plus, women generally need their retirement accounts to last longer because they live an average of seven years longer than men.
Building cash reserves is essential, too. In 'normal' times, you should have about six months of emergency expenses set aside in cash, given times are more difficult, and especially if you're two to three years away from retirement, we think you should have up to two years of expenses set aside in cash.
Have a solid protection plan
Protection planning doesn't end with cash reserves. It's also critical to have a will naming guardians for minor children, a health care proxy (someone to make your health care decisions if you are unable), a living will and a durable power of attorney for finances.
Everyone should also have life insurance — especially those who have dependents — as well as disability income insurance, homeowners or renters insurance, and personal liability insurance. Why? So that a disaster, a big one or a small one, can't come along and take everything you've built away from you.
It's also important to protect against taxation, with strategies designed to generate tax advantages for your financial future.
Avoid common investment mistakes
Staying on track also means avoiding some common investment mistakes. For example, it's critical to not focus on one or two investments, but to stay diversified instead. And people should also resist the urge to raid a retirement account when changing jobs because the tax implications could be significant, potentially derailing a long-term strategy.
Another common mistake, is attempting to time the markets. People don't know how to time markets. Professional investors have a hard time timing markets, so you can't possibly succeed by trying to figure out the right time to get into the market and the right time to get out. It's highly likely you’re going to miss a significant day in the market. And, as we all know, if you miss the 50 best trading days over a multiple-year period, you cut your returns by as much as one-third. Instead, we suggests implementing a dollar-cost-averaging strategy to remain committed to the market and maintain a long-term investment plan.
Work with a financial advisor
Finally, we cannot stress the importance of getting help. Not only do people who work with advisors reach their goals more often than those who do not, but having one in your circle provides the direction, help, motivation and support that we can all use at times like this.
The markets will continue to be extraordinarily volatile, offering you opportunities to get into the market or monetize trades work with your financial advisor to identify the opportunities most appropriate for you and your portfolio.
Make a difference in your financial situation
Whether the economy is roaring or retreating, you can prosper once you understand the characteristics of financially secure people and implement a series of commonsense strategies. Talk to your HVC financial advisor today about how you can build lasting financial comfort and wealth.
torsdag 12. mai 2011
Hypo Venture Capital Zurich Headlines:Britain’s commitment to climate finance
BRITISH Foreign Secretary William Hague has described climate change as “perhaps the 21st century’s biggest foreign policy challenge”.
He has stressed that “a world which is failing to respond to climate change is one in which the values embodied in the United Nations will not be met”.
Indeed, the UN Charter makes clear that a central purpose of that organisation is to “achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character”.
Climate change is just such a problem — and its impacts and costs fall disproportionately on developing countries. This is deeply unfair. So it was only right that in Cancun last December, the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change reaffirmed the commitment from developed countries in Copenhagen in December 2009 to jointly mobilise US$100 billion (RM300 billion) a year by 2020 to climate finance to address the adaptation needs of developing countries and help them to limit their carbon emissions.
The United Kingdom takes this commitment seriously and recognises the need for urgent action. The British government has, therefore, allocated STG2.9 billion (RM14.3 billion) of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) to international climate finance for the period 2011/12 to 2014/15 (including our Fast Start commitment).
This will be administered through our International Climate Fund (ICF), which has just been formally established. We expect to spend about 50 per cent of the total amount on adaptation in poor and vulnerable countries, with around 30 per cent for work to reduce carbon emissions and 20 per cent for forestry.
We have three overall priorities for ICF funding, which we will deliver through both bilateral and multilateral channels in a way which maximises its impact and value for money:
- To show that building low carbon climate resilient growth at scale is both feasible and desirable;
- To support adaptation in poor countries and help build an effective international framework on climate change; and,
- To drive innovation, creating new partnerships with the private sector to support low carbon climate resilient growth.
The ICF will also fund the climate element of an Advocacy Fund to support the poorest countries to take part more effectively in international negotiations; this will be formally established later this year.
We hope this funding by the UK will play an important role in helping to mobilise ambitious global action on climate change. As a developing country, Malaysia could potentially be a beneficiary of this fund.
But the UK is the only major donor so far to have made specific financial commitments up to 2015. More is needed to meet the Copenhagen commitment of US$100 billion a year by 2020. We look to other donors, too, from the developed world to make significant and ambitious financial pledges, and we look to businesses to play an important role, since we expect the target to be reached through a mix of public and private finance.
As the Stern Review in 2006 made clear, the clock is ticking. With every passing year, the global cost of effective action to tackle climate change grows greater. The time to act is now.
http://hypoventurecapital-news.com/2011/05/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-headlinesbritains-commitment-to-climate-finance/
He has stressed that “a world which is failing to respond to climate change is one in which the values embodied in the United Nations will not be met”.
Indeed, the UN Charter makes clear that a central purpose of that organisation is to “achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character”.
Climate change is just such a problem — and its impacts and costs fall disproportionately on developing countries. This is deeply unfair. So it was only right that in Cancun last December, the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change reaffirmed the commitment from developed countries in Copenhagen in December 2009 to jointly mobilise US$100 billion (RM300 billion) a year by 2020 to climate finance to address the adaptation needs of developing countries and help them to limit their carbon emissions.
The United Kingdom takes this commitment seriously and recognises the need for urgent action. The British government has, therefore, allocated STG2.9 billion (RM14.3 billion) of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) to international climate finance for the period 2011/12 to 2014/15 (including our Fast Start commitment).
This will be administered through our International Climate Fund (ICF), which has just been formally established. We expect to spend about 50 per cent of the total amount on adaptation in poor and vulnerable countries, with around 30 per cent for work to reduce carbon emissions and 20 per cent for forestry.
We have three overall priorities for ICF funding, which we will deliver through both bilateral and multilateral channels in a way which maximises its impact and value for money:
- To show that building low carbon climate resilient growth at scale is both feasible and desirable;
- To support adaptation in poor countries and help build an effective international framework on climate change; and,
- To drive innovation, creating new partnerships with the private sector to support low carbon climate resilient growth.
The ICF will also fund the climate element of an Advocacy Fund to support the poorest countries to take part more effectively in international negotiations; this will be formally established later this year.
We hope this funding by the UK will play an important role in helping to mobilise ambitious global action on climate change. As a developing country, Malaysia could potentially be a beneficiary of this fund.
But the UK is the only major donor so far to have made specific financial commitments up to 2015. More is needed to meet the Copenhagen commitment of US$100 billion a year by 2020. We look to other donors, too, from the developed world to make significant and ambitious financial pledges, and we look to businesses to play an important role, since we expect the target to be reached through a mix of public and private finance.
As the Stern Review in 2006 made clear, the clock is ticking. With every passing year, the global cost of effective action to tackle climate change grows greater. The time to act is now.
http://hypoventurecapital-news.com/2011/05/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-headlinesbritains-commitment-to-climate-finance/
Hypo Venture Capital Zurich Headlines:Republicans Make Power Play To Gut Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
On Thursday, while House Republicans were dealing with a small Medicare privatization snafu, their Senate counterparts laid down an impossible marker. Forty four of their 47 members have signed on to a letter threatening to filibuster any nominee to head the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau unless it is dramatically weakened.
“We will not support the consideration of any nominee, regardless of party affiliation, to be the CFPB director until the structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is reformed,” reads a letter, co-authored by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), ranking member of the Banking Committee.
Congress created the CFPB, despite GOP opposition, as part of the Wall Street reform law, to protect consumers from predatory actors in the financial industry. Its intellectual godmother is Elizabeth Warren, whom President Obama has tasked with standing up the agency. Despite her popularity, she’s been a long-shot to run the Bureau when it officially launches — largely because of financial industry and Republican (and even some Democratic) opposition. Indeed, former Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) — who poured cold water on the idea of nominating Warren — warned that if Democrats tried to jam a director through the Senate without bipartisan support, Republicans would go to war against the Bureau and try to gut it.
Turns out that’s what’s happening anyhow. Who could’ve predicted?
Specifically, Republicans want the CFPB subject to the appropriations process — something it avoids as an entity housed in the Federal Reserve. They also want to delegate more decision making authority away from the Bureau’s director, and give other regulators — many of which are captured by the financial industry — opportunities to block CFPB rules.
This shouldn’t be a winning fight, if Democrats don’t want it to be. The financial reform law is still fairly popular, and the CFPB is the most popular part of it. President Obama could use recess appointment to fill the vacancy, and take the fight public. At this point it’s a question of how he and Senate Democrats decide to handle it.
Note, not signing the letter were Sens. Scott Brown (R-MA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and John Ensign (R-NV), who stepped down before it was released. Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME), who along with Brown voted for the financial reform law, added their names to the roster.
http://hypoventurecapital-news.com/2011/05/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-headlinesrepublicans-make-power-play-to-gut-consumer-financial-protection-bureau/
“We will not support the consideration of any nominee, regardless of party affiliation, to be the CFPB director until the structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is reformed,” reads a letter, co-authored by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), ranking member of the Banking Committee.
Congress created the CFPB, despite GOP opposition, as part of the Wall Street reform law, to protect consumers from predatory actors in the financial industry. Its intellectual godmother is Elizabeth Warren, whom President Obama has tasked with standing up the agency. Despite her popularity, she’s been a long-shot to run the Bureau when it officially launches — largely because of financial industry and Republican (and even some Democratic) opposition. Indeed, former Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) — who poured cold water on the idea of nominating Warren — warned that if Democrats tried to jam a director through the Senate without bipartisan support, Republicans would go to war against the Bureau and try to gut it.
Turns out that’s what’s happening anyhow. Who could’ve predicted?
Specifically, Republicans want the CFPB subject to the appropriations process — something it avoids as an entity housed in the Federal Reserve. They also want to delegate more decision making authority away from the Bureau’s director, and give other regulators — many of which are captured by the financial industry — opportunities to block CFPB rules.
This shouldn’t be a winning fight, if Democrats don’t want it to be. The financial reform law is still fairly popular, and the CFPB is the most popular part of it. President Obama could use recess appointment to fill the vacancy, and take the fight public. At this point it’s a question of how he and Senate Democrats decide to handle it.
Note, not signing the letter were Sens. Scott Brown (R-MA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and John Ensign (R-NV), who stepped down before it was released. Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME), who along with Brown voted for the financial reform law, added their names to the roster.
http://hypoventurecapital-news.com/2011/05/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-headlinesrepublicans-make-power-play-to-gut-consumer-financial-protection-bureau/
Hypo Venture Capital Zurich Headlines:Why the bin Laden bounce went “boing”
Stocks rallied today on surprisingly strong payroll data — but what happened to the exuberant post-bin Laden rally that was supposed to ignite financial markets five days ago? Following the May 1 shooting of Osama bin Laden, the markets rose, then shrugged for the rest of the week until employment data buoyed Wall Street today.
Was that all there was to the bin Laden bounce? The risk in buying stocks, bonds and perhaps commodities eased for a day. But euphoria never lasts long.
The myth that you can benefit from short-term rallies is a dangerous one. By the time you get in the game, the global village has moved on.
There are so many other dragons in the world economy. Killing one terrorist won’t mean a hill of beans. You still need to focus on your bottom line. The uncertainty premium is still soaring. Speculative barometers of financial fear — precious metals — have retreated as well, but have pushed record highs in recent weeks.
“The geopolitical risks remain,” said New York University Economist Nouriel Roubini on May 2, …”we have to address our own problems.”
Let me count the ways that make markets even more volatile than ever. Following the fizzle of the bin Laden rally, the VIX volatility index rose eight percent. This is a widely used gauge of stock market fear.
The U.S. bond market is no less skittish. The U.S. must either raise its debt ceiling or make draconian budget cuts — a bad idea during an economic recovery — or face default on its national $14.3 trillion debt by August 2. Bonds are already under pressure from the widely held idea that inflation will be back in a big way.
If the markets somehow became safer for long-term income investors, then you would have seen a major retreat in gold prices. That didn’t happen.
The idea that you should pay attention to short-term blips or news events as major harbingers of economic activity should be cleansed from your mind. It will distract you from some productive long-term thinking on markets.
Let’s take a look at the last decade to get an idea of how short-term investing can distract you.
As you know, the 2000s or “naughty aughties,” was a poor one for large-company stocks, which lost an average 0.9 percent during the decade. Here’s what else was going on in history courtesy of Ibbotson Associates’ “SBBI Classic 2011 Yearbook”:
You can almost never predict what recent historical events will mean over time. Short-term events rarely predict the future; the world may be a safer place in the short term, yet terrorism may rear its ugly head in reprisals. Wealth building takes time and vision. If you don’t have one, get a financial plan. Better yet, get a life plan.
http://hypoventurecapital-news.com/2011/05/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-headlineswhy-the-bin-laden-bounce-went-%E2%80%9Cboing%E2%80%9D/
Was that all there was to the bin Laden bounce? The risk in buying stocks, bonds and perhaps commodities eased for a day. But euphoria never lasts long.
The myth that you can benefit from short-term rallies is a dangerous one. By the time you get in the game, the global village has moved on.
There are so many other dragons in the world economy. Killing one terrorist won’t mean a hill of beans. You still need to focus on your bottom line. The uncertainty premium is still soaring. Speculative barometers of financial fear — precious metals — have retreated as well, but have pushed record highs in recent weeks.
“The geopolitical risks remain,” said New York University Economist Nouriel Roubini on May 2, …”we have to address our own problems.”
Let me count the ways that make markets even more volatile than ever. Following the fizzle of the bin Laden rally, the VIX volatility index rose eight percent. This is a widely used gauge of stock market fear.
The U.S. bond market is no less skittish. The U.S. must either raise its debt ceiling or make draconian budget cuts — a bad idea during an economic recovery — or face default on its national $14.3 trillion debt by August 2. Bonds are already under pressure from the widely held idea that inflation will be back in a big way.
If the markets somehow became safer for long-term income investors, then you would have seen a major retreat in gold prices. That didn’t happen.
The idea that you should pay attention to short-term blips or news events as major harbingers of economic activity should be cleansed from your mind. It will distract you from some productive long-term thinking on markets.
Let’s take a look at the last decade to get an idea of how short-term investing can distract you.
As you know, the 2000s or “naughty aughties,” was a poor one for large-company stocks, which lost an average 0.9 percent during the decade. Here’s what else was going on in history courtesy of Ibbotson Associates’ “SBBI Classic 2011 Yearbook”:
- If you were a nervous Nellie and kept all of your money in ultra-safe, but low-yielding, U.S. Treasury Bills in the last decade, you would eked out a 2.8 return. That’s slightly ahead of inflation for the decade (2.5 percent), but a loser if those bonds were in a taxable account.
- Leading the pack in the last decade were long-term government and corporate bonds at 7.7 percent and 7.6 percent, respectively.
- Let’s go back even further to the 1990s, 1980s and 1970s. You would think that big-company stocks were in their heyday, right? You’re partially right. Blue chips led all comers with an 18-percent return in the ’90s and 17.6-percent return in the ’80s.
- But take a close look at which category came up in second place in the 80s and 90s, then led last year with a nearly 10-percent return: small-company stocks. The little guys also dominated in the dismal 1970s (up 11.5 percent); 1960s (up 15 percent); and 1940s (up 21 percent), half of which was marred by the Great Depression.
You can almost never predict what recent historical events will mean over time. Short-term events rarely predict the future; the world may be a safer place in the short term, yet terrorism may rear its ugly head in reprisals. Wealth building takes time and vision. If you don’t have one, get a financial plan. Better yet, get a life plan.
http://hypoventurecapital-news.com/2011/05/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-headlineswhy-the-bin-laden-bounce-went-%E2%80%9Cboing%E2%80%9D/
Hypo Venture Capital Zurich Headlines: Pakistan Will Allow U.S. to Question Bin Laden’s Wives
Pakistani military and police officials cordon off a street beside Osama Bin Laden’s final hideout in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Photographer: Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty Images
Pakistan will allow the U.S. to question the three wives of Osama bin Laden who were with him in the compound where American commandos killed the al-Qaeda leader last week, granting a measure of cooperation amid tensions following the raid.
The Obama administration expects to get access to the women soon, based on a response from the Pakistani government, a U.S. official said yesterday on condition of anonymity. The specific timing of the access wasn’t set, the official said.
The decision followed verbal skirmishing between the two countries. Pakistani officials have said that the U.S. should have informed Pakistan of the operation in advance. U.S. officials have questioned how much Pakistani authorities knew about bin Laden’s presence in their country.
The Obama administration said yesterday that it wouldn’t apologize for entering Pakistan to raid bin Laden’s compound, as the South Asian country’s prime minister tried to counter domestic criticism over the military’s failure to detect and stop the U.S. attack.
“We obviously take the statements and concerns of the Pakistani government seriously,” White House press secretary Jay Carney said yesterday, speaking after Pakistan’s prime minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, addressed the Parliament in Islamabad. “But we also do not apologize for the actions that we took.”
U.S. Reliance
The Obama administration, while expressing suspicions about Pakistani aid to bin Laden, aims to preserve a relationship that has allowed CIA drone strikes against militants and at least partly stemmed the flow of fighters into neighboring Afghanistan. The U.S. also relies on Pakistan for transit of supplies from ports on its southern coast for the U.S.-led coalition fighting insurgents in the war next door.
The U.S. will know soon “just how and by whom bin Laden was protected in Pakistan for a decade as it goes through the computers and documents snatched in the raid,” Bruce Riedel, a former CIA officer and counterterrorism adviser to the U.S. government, said by e-mail. Evidence of ties between bin Laden and Pakistan’s army or intelligence services would move the relationship “from crisis to confrontation,” he said.
The three wives are among an unspecified number of women and children who survived the assault on the compound and were left behind.
While there has been a war of words, the Pentagon says supply convoys to Afghanistan continue to operate and Pakistan has not imposed any new restrictions on the 300 U.S. military trainers and other personnel who have been working with the Pakistani army to improve its counterinsurgency capabilities.
The U.S. also said it had no plans to pull the CIA’s station chief from Pakistan after at least one newspaper and a television station there named someone they said held that position.
President Barack Obama, in an interview broadcast May 8 on CBS’s “60 Minutes” program, said the U.S. suspects that bin Laden had a support network in Pakistan and that the government there needs to investigate.
Gilani said bin Laden’s killing was “justice” for the terrorist attacks the al-Qaeda leader had ordered, including those against Pakistani citizens. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency, or ISI, had provided leads that eventually helped locate bin Laden, he said.
Gilani was less critical of the U.S. than he might have been, said Marvin Weinbaum, an Afghanistan and Pakistan analyst in the State Department’s bureau of intelligence research until 2003 and now a scholar in residence at the Middle East Institute in Washington.
Obama spoke with India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday morning about the raid and the “strategic partnership” between the two nations, the administration said in a statement.
Gilani may have been alluding to India when he cautioned against “wrong conclusions” from the raid. India’s military chief, General V.K. Singh, and Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik said last week that their country also had the capability to strike against terrorists inside Pakistani cities, The Times of India reported on May 6.
While ordinary Pakistanis and opposition parties have demanded answers from the government and the military, analysts said the administration of President Asif Ali Zardari was unlikely to be badly damaged.
“The U.S. has yet not blamed the Pakistani government for bin Laden’s presence. Zardari’s biggest challenge now is to control the damage by conducting a transparent inquiry,” said Nasir Zaidi, an analyst at the Institute of Regional Studies in Islamabad.
Zardari’s main opposition, the Pakistan Muslim League led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, will meet in Islamabad today to discuss the U.S. raid.
“Pakistan’s independence has been hurt and Pakistanis are deeply worried,” Sharif told reporters in Lahore yesterday. “The nation may face a crisis if the right steps are not taken.”
http://hypoventurecapital-news.com/2011/05/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-headlines-pakistan-will-allow-u-s-to-question-bin-laden%E2%80%99s-wives/
Pakistan will allow the U.S. to question the three wives of Osama bin Laden who were with him in the compound where American commandos killed the al-Qaeda leader last week, granting a measure of cooperation amid tensions following the raid.
The Obama administration expects to get access to the women soon, based on a response from the Pakistani government, a U.S. official said yesterday on condition of anonymity. The specific timing of the access wasn’t set, the official said.
The decision followed verbal skirmishing between the two countries. Pakistani officials have said that the U.S. should have informed Pakistan of the operation in advance. U.S. officials have questioned how much Pakistani authorities knew about bin Laden’s presence in their country.
The Obama administration said yesterday that it wouldn’t apologize for entering Pakistan to raid bin Laden’s compound, as the South Asian country’s prime minister tried to counter domestic criticism over the military’s failure to detect and stop the U.S. attack.
“We obviously take the statements and concerns of the Pakistani government seriously,” White House press secretary Jay Carney said yesterday, speaking after Pakistan’s prime minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, addressed the Parliament in Islamabad. “But we also do not apologize for the actions that we took.”
U.S. Reliance
The Obama administration, while expressing suspicions about Pakistani aid to bin Laden, aims to preserve a relationship that has allowed CIA drone strikes against militants and at least partly stemmed the flow of fighters into neighboring Afghanistan. The U.S. also relies on Pakistan for transit of supplies from ports on its southern coast for the U.S.-led coalition fighting insurgents in the war next door.
The U.S. will know soon “just how and by whom bin Laden was protected in Pakistan for a decade as it goes through the computers and documents snatched in the raid,” Bruce Riedel, a former CIA officer and counterterrorism adviser to the U.S. government, said by e-mail. Evidence of ties between bin Laden and Pakistan’s army or intelligence services would move the relationship “from crisis to confrontation,” he said.
The three wives are among an unspecified number of women and children who survived the assault on the compound and were left behind.
Three Wives
Pakistani authorities have said they found the three wives and nine children at the site. In addition to bin Laden, three men and one of their wives were killed during the raid. Only bin Laden’s body was removed, according to the U.S. One of the men killed was his son, and the other two were couriers; no other adult males were left behind, the U.S. official said.While there has been a war of words, the Pentagon says supply convoys to Afghanistan continue to operate and Pakistan has not imposed any new restrictions on the 300 U.S. military trainers and other personnel who have been working with the Pakistani army to improve its counterinsurgency capabilities.
The U.S. also said it had no plans to pull the CIA’s station chief from Pakistan after at least one newspaper and a television station there named someone they said held that position.
Pakistani Investigation
Gilani, the prime minister, said the army would lead an investigation of intelligence failures that allowed bin Laden to go undetected. Authorities also will review why its military failed to react to the U.S. operation that killed the al-Qaeda chief in a house in Abbottabad, near the country’s most prestigious military academy.President Barack Obama, in an interview broadcast May 8 on CBS’s “60 Minutes” program, said the U.S. suspects that bin Laden had a support network in Pakistan and that the government there needs to investigate.
Gilani said bin Laden’s killing was “justice” for the terrorist attacks the al-Qaeda leader had ordered, including those against Pakistani citizens. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency, or ISI, had provided leads that eventually helped locate bin Laden, he said.
Gilani was less critical of the U.S. than he might have been, said Marvin Weinbaum, an Afghanistan and Pakistan analyst in the State Department’s bureau of intelligence research until 2003 and now a scholar in residence at the Middle East Institute in Washington.
‘Worst Nightmare’
“Pakistan’s political leadership knows this is a relationship that is important” to its survival, Weinbaum said in a telephone interview. The “worst nightmare” for Pakistani leaders is that they push the U.S. toward India, he said.Obama spoke with India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday morning about the raid and the “strategic partnership” between the two nations, the administration said in a statement.
Gilani may have been alluding to India when he cautioned against “wrong conclusions” from the raid. India’s military chief, General V.K. Singh, and Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik said last week that their country also had the capability to strike against terrorists inside Pakistani cities, The Times of India reported on May 6.
While ordinary Pakistanis and opposition parties have demanded answers from the government and the military, analysts said the administration of President Asif Ali Zardari was unlikely to be badly damaged.
“The U.S. has yet not blamed the Pakistani government for bin Laden’s presence. Zardari’s biggest challenge now is to control the damage by conducting a transparent inquiry,” said Nasir Zaidi, an analyst at the Institute of Regional Studies in Islamabad.
Zardari’s main opposition, the Pakistan Muslim League led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, will meet in Islamabad today to discuss the U.S. raid.
“Pakistan’s independence has been hurt and Pakistanis are deeply worried,” Sharif told reporters in Lahore yesterday. “The nation may face a crisis if the right steps are not taken.”
http://hypoventurecapital-news.com/2011/05/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-headlines-pakistan-will-allow-u-s-to-question-bin-laden%E2%80%99s-wives/
Hypo Venture Capital Zurich Headlines: LinkedIn looks for $32 to $35 per share in IPO
NEW YORK — Professional networking website LinkedIn hopes to sell its stock for $32 to $35 per share in an upcoming initial public offering. Its IPO may encourage other growing Internet services to make their stock market debuts during the next year.
The price target, set in a filing Monday with the Securities and Exchange Commission, signals that LinkedIn is nearly ready to complete its IPO. The shares are expected to be sold May 18, according to IPO analyst Scott Sweet. The stock would then begin trading under the ticker symbol of “LNKD” on the New York Stock Exchange.
The company’s debut could offer a preview of investor demand for other popular online services that connect people with common interests. Although they haven’t set timetables, Facebook, Twitter, the online deals site Groupon and the game maker Zynga are among the other social-networking services expected to go public.
With more than 500 million users, Facebook is considered to the hottest commodity of them all. The 7-year-old company’s market value has been pegged at $50 billion, based on a private investment in January.
The company said the offering could raise up to $274 million, including the cash that would to go existing shareholders who are selling part of their stakes in the IPO. Based
on the IPO’s price targets, LinkedIn would have a market value of $3 billion to $3.3 billion.Former PayPal executive Reid Hoffman founded LinkedIn eight years ago. Now a venture capitalist, Hoffman remains LinkedIn’s chairman and largest shareholder with a projected post-IPO stake worth $600 million to $665 million.
LinkedIn’s stock offering is expected to attract a lot of attention because it revolves around a well-known Internet brand with more than 100 million registered members.
Most of LinkedIn’s revenue comes from fees it charges for recruiters and businesses that want expanded access to LinkedIn’s website to help fill job openings. The company also sells online ads.
Last year, LinkedIn had net income of $3.4 million on revenue of $243 million. Its revenue totaled $94 million during the first three months of this year, more than doubling from the same period last year.
LinkedIn will offer 4.8 million shares. The company’s current stockholders, including Hoffman, Bain Capital, Goldman Sachs and publishing company McGraw-Hill, will sell 3 million shares.
The company, which is based in Mountain View, Calif., said there will be 94.5 million common shares outstanding after the IPO.
After paying investment banking fees and other expenses, LinkedIn estimated it will collect nearly $147 million from the IPO at the midrange target price of $33.50. LinkedIn plans to use the money for operations and possibly to buy other companies.
Morgan Stanley, BofA Merrill Lynch and J.P. Morgan are managing the offering.
http://hypoventurecapital-news.com/2011/05/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-headlines-linkedin-looks-for-32-to-35-per-share-in-ipo/
The price target, set in a filing Monday with the Securities and Exchange Commission, signals that LinkedIn is nearly ready to complete its IPO. The shares are expected to be sold May 18, according to IPO analyst Scott Sweet. The stock would then begin trading under the ticker symbol of “LNKD” on the New York Stock Exchange.
The company’s debut could offer a preview of investor demand for other popular online services that connect people with common interests. Although they haven’t set timetables, Facebook, Twitter, the online deals site Groupon and the game maker Zynga are among the other social-networking services expected to go public.
With more than 500 million users, Facebook is considered to the hottest commodity of them all. The 7-year-old company’s market value has been pegged at $50 billion, based on a private investment in January.
The company said the offering could raise up to $274 million, including the cash that would to go existing shareholders who are selling part of their stakes in the IPO. Based
on the IPO’s price targets, LinkedIn would have a market value of $3 billion to $3.3 billion.Former PayPal executive Reid Hoffman founded LinkedIn eight years ago. Now a venture capitalist, Hoffman remains LinkedIn’s chairman and largest shareholder with a projected post-IPO stake worth $600 million to $665 million.
LinkedIn’s stock offering is expected to attract a lot of attention because it revolves around a well-known Internet brand with more than 100 million registered members.
Most of LinkedIn’s revenue comes from fees it charges for recruiters and businesses that want expanded access to LinkedIn’s website to help fill job openings. The company also sells online ads.
Last year, LinkedIn had net income of $3.4 million on revenue of $243 million. Its revenue totaled $94 million during the first three months of this year, more than doubling from the same period last year.
LinkedIn will offer 4.8 million shares. The company’s current stockholders, including Hoffman, Bain Capital, Goldman Sachs and publishing company McGraw-Hill, will sell 3 million shares.
The company, which is based in Mountain View, Calif., said there will be 94.5 million common shares outstanding after the IPO.
After paying investment banking fees and other expenses, LinkedIn estimated it will collect nearly $147 million from the IPO at the midrange target price of $33.50. LinkedIn plans to use the money for operations and possibly to buy other companies.
Morgan Stanley, BofA Merrill Lynch and J.P. Morgan are managing the offering.
http://hypoventurecapital-news.com/2011/05/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-headlines-linkedin-looks-for-32-to-35-per-share-in-ipo/
Hypo Venture Capital Zurich Headlines: U.S. names roster for 2011 Women’s World Cup
Almost 20 years have passed since the likes of Michelle Akers, Carin Jennings, Julie Foudy and Mia Hamm forever etched their names into soccer’s history book by winning the inaugural Women’s World Cup in China in 1991.
Now, two decades later, another U.S. team will set out on a similar quest, and on Monday, Coach Pia Sundhage named the 21 players she will take to Europe next month to compete in the 2011 Women’s World Cup in Germany.
Had Kristine Lilly not decided to retire earlier this year, there would have been a direct link between “the ’91ers” and the 2011 side, and Lilly would have become the first player in soccer history — men’s or women’s — to play in six World Cups.
Instead, it will be up to several other veterans of previous campaigns to lead the charge for the Americans.
Chief among them are Christie Rampone, the 35-year-old defender and team captain who will be taking part in her fourth World Cup, as well as midfielder Shannon Boxx and forward Abby Wambach, who will each be playing in their third.
“We went to China for the Olympics in 2008 with Christie Rampone as our captain, and the way she is stepping up and the way she handles herself on and off the field, she is the best captain I’ve ever … played with,” said Sundhage, herself a veteran of the 1991 tournament when she played for Sweden.
Rampone is one of 14 players on the roster who were on the U.S. squad that won the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. Eight of those 14 were starters, including Carli Lloyd, who scored the winning goal in extra time in the gold-medal match against Brazil.
The 2011 U.S. team consists entirely of professional players and the average age of the team is 27, with forward Alex Morgan the youngest at 21.
Despite the veterans on the team, the U.S. squad is short of actual World Cup experience. Only nine of the players have previously taken part in the quadrennial world championship, and only Rampone was on the U.S. team that won it all in 1999.
Still, Sundhage said she was more than satisfied with the roster she has put together for the 16-team event. “We have people that organize defensively, people that can step up when it really matters, people that are good in the air, people that are fighters, and tricky ones as well,” she said.
The U.S. has not won the Women’s World Cup since 1999, when it defeated China on penalty kicks in front of 90,185 at the Rose Bowl. It lost to Germany in the semifinals in 2003 and to Brazil in the semifinals in 2007.
Nevertheless, it is ranked No. 1 in the world and is among the favorites for the June 26-July 17 tournament, along with host and defending champion Germany, and Brazil.
The U.S. will play North Korea, Colombia and Sweden in the first round, starting with the Koreans on June 28 in Dresden.
The full U.S. roster, by position:
Goalkeepers: Nicole Barnhart, Jill Loyden, Hope Solo.
Defenders: Rachel Buehler, Stephanie Cox, Ali Krieger, Amy LePeilbet, Heather Mitts, Christie Rampone, Becky Sauerbrunn.
Midfielders: Shannon Boxx, Tobin Heath, Lori Lindsey, Carli Lloyd, Heather O’Reilly, Megan Rapinoe, Lindsay Tarpley.
Forwards: Lauren Cheney, Alex Morgan, Amy Rodriguez, Abby Wambach.
http://hypoventurecapital-news.com/2011/05/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-headlines-u-s-names-roster-for-2011-womens-world-cup/
Now, two decades later, another U.S. team will set out on a similar quest, and on Monday, Coach Pia Sundhage named the 21 players she will take to Europe next month to compete in the 2011 Women’s World Cup in Germany.
Had Kristine Lilly not decided to retire earlier this year, there would have been a direct link between “the ’91ers” and the 2011 side, and Lilly would have become the first player in soccer history — men’s or women’s — to play in six World Cups.
Instead, it will be up to several other veterans of previous campaigns to lead the charge for the Americans.
Chief among them are Christie Rampone, the 35-year-old defender and team captain who will be taking part in her fourth World Cup, as well as midfielder Shannon Boxx and forward Abby Wambach, who will each be playing in their third.
“We went to China for the Olympics in 2008 with Christie Rampone as our captain, and the way she is stepping up and the way she handles herself on and off the field, she is the best captain I’ve ever … played with,” said Sundhage, herself a veteran of the 1991 tournament when she played for Sweden.
Rampone is one of 14 players on the roster who were on the U.S. squad that won the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. Eight of those 14 were starters, including Carli Lloyd, who scored the winning goal in extra time in the gold-medal match against Brazil.
The 2011 U.S. team consists entirely of professional players and the average age of the team is 27, with forward Alex Morgan the youngest at 21.
Despite the veterans on the team, the U.S. squad is short of actual World Cup experience. Only nine of the players have previously taken part in the quadrennial world championship, and only Rampone was on the U.S. team that won it all in 1999.
Still, Sundhage said she was more than satisfied with the roster she has put together for the 16-team event. “We have people that organize defensively, people that can step up when it really matters, people that are good in the air, people that are fighters, and tricky ones as well,” she said.
The U.S. has not won the Women’s World Cup since 1999, when it defeated China on penalty kicks in front of 90,185 at the Rose Bowl. It lost to Germany in the semifinals in 2003 and to Brazil in the semifinals in 2007.
Nevertheless, it is ranked No. 1 in the world and is among the favorites for the June 26-July 17 tournament, along with host and defending champion Germany, and Brazil.
The U.S. will play North Korea, Colombia and Sweden in the first round, starting with the Koreans on June 28 in Dresden.
The full U.S. roster, by position:
Goalkeepers: Nicole Barnhart, Jill Loyden, Hope Solo.
Defenders: Rachel Buehler, Stephanie Cox, Ali Krieger, Amy LePeilbet, Heather Mitts, Christie Rampone, Becky Sauerbrunn.
Midfielders: Shannon Boxx, Tobin Heath, Lori Lindsey, Carli Lloyd, Heather O’Reilly, Megan Rapinoe, Lindsay Tarpley.
Forwards: Lauren Cheney, Alex Morgan, Amy Rodriguez, Abby Wambach.
http://hypoventurecapital-news.com/2011/05/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-headlines-u-s-names-roster-for-2011-womens-world-cup/
onsdag 4. mai 2011
Hypo Venture Capital Zurich
German stocks retreated, led by declining automakers, after another earthquake struck Japan, shaking buildings in Tokyo.
Daimler AG (DAI) and Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW), the world’s largest makers of luxury cars, dropped more than 2 percent as Credit Suisse Group AG downgraded the industry. Hochtief AG (HOT) plunged 9.5 percent as the builder said profit may fall about 50 percent this year. Deutsche Boerse AG (DB1) rose 0.9 percent after the NYSE Euronext board unanimously rejected a rival approach from Nasdaq OMX Group Inc. and IntercontinentalExchange Inc.
The benchmark DAX Index (DAX) slipped 0.2 percent to 7,204.86 at the 5:30 p.m. close in Frankfurt, retreated from a one-month high. The gauge has climbed 11 percent from this year’s low on March 16 as investors speculated that the global economic recovery will withstand Japan’s March 11 quake, the biggest on record, and popular revolts in the Middle East and north Africa. The broader HDAX Index (HDAX) dropped 0.3 percent today.
“The DAX is trading lower after Credit Suisse turned more cautious on automakers and downgraded Daimler, which also impacted the performance of BMW and Volkswagen,” said Anita Paluch, a sales trader at ETX Capital in London. “The lurking nervousness has come however to the fore as fresh news emerged about another earthquake hitting Japan, causing markets to react negatively.”
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-10/air-berlin-hannover-re-metro-siemens-german-equity-preview.html
Daimler AG (DAI) and Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW), the world’s largest makers of luxury cars, dropped more than 2 percent as Credit Suisse Group AG downgraded the industry. Hochtief AG (HOT) plunged 9.5 percent as the builder said profit may fall about 50 percent this year. Deutsche Boerse AG (DB1) rose 0.9 percent after the NYSE Euronext board unanimously rejected a rival approach from Nasdaq OMX Group Inc. and IntercontinentalExchange Inc.
The benchmark DAX Index (DAX) slipped 0.2 percent to 7,204.86 at the 5:30 p.m. close in Frankfurt, retreated from a one-month high. The gauge has climbed 11 percent from this year’s low on March 16 as investors speculated that the global economic recovery will withstand Japan’s March 11 quake, the biggest on record, and popular revolts in the Middle East and north Africa. The broader HDAX Index (HDAX) dropped 0.3 percent today.
“The DAX is trading lower after Credit Suisse turned more cautious on automakers and downgraded Daimler, which also impacted the performance of BMW and Volkswagen,” said Anita Paluch, a sales trader at ETX Capital in London. “The lurking nervousness has come however to the fore as fresh news emerged about another earthquake hitting Japan, causing markets to react negatively.”
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-10/air-berlin-hannover-re-metro-siemens-german-equity-preview.html
Hypo Venture Capital
Our company invests venture capital funds into newly created companies, primarily in western Europe. At current, our focus is within the internet and world wide web. We provide management guidance as well as seed funding.
http://teemu1.en.gongchang.com/about
http://teemu1.en.gongchang.com/about
Hypo Venture Capital
Our company invests venture capital funds into newly created companies, primarily in western Europe. At current, our focus is within the internet and world wide web. We provide management guidance as well as seed funding. Read More
http://teemu1.en.gongchang.com/
http://teemu1.en.gongchang.com/
Funds is The Answer Your Looking For by Hypo Venture Capital Zurich
Here we look to dispel some of the jargon and confusion surrounding ‘Funds’, breaking them down, with no nonsense explanations in an attempt to help you understand this strategic investment.
Starting out?
Here at Hypo Venture Capital Zurich, Switzerland we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.
Many newcomers to equity investment are nervous about investing in individual firms – and with good reason. Putting all your money into a few stocks is a high-risk strategy, especially for the inexperienced, because it leaves you vulnerable to sharp fluctuations in the share price of the individual stocks you pick, not the markets in which they trade. If you get it right and pick winners, great. But if you pick a couple of big losers, your whole portfolio will be scuppered. Collective or ‘pooled’ investments can diversify your holdings and therefore reduce that risk.
Why pooled funds?
Unit trusts, open-ended investment companies (Oeics, pronounced ‘oiks’) and investment trusts are all vehicles that let you pool your money with lots of other ‘retail’ – or small – investors. (In the US, this kind of investment is known as a ‘mutual fund’.) The pooled money is then invested on your behalf in a wide range of different equities by specialist fund managers. (There are also funds that invest in bonds or other assets, such as commercial property or commodities.) The fund manager takes a fee to run the fund and research what stocks to buy.
If they get it right, it means you get access to a highly diversified range of stocks at a reasonable cost. It also gives you easy access to asset classes and international markets that would otherwise be difficult and/or expensive to invest in. For example, specialist funds are available that invest only in Japan, or Latin America, or only in technology firms, and so on. Also, different funds are designed to meet different investment objectives and there’s a wide range to choose from. Some aim for income, some for capital growth, and some for a balance of the two.
Unit trusts and Oeics
http://www.submittedby.com/business/funds-is-the-answer-your-looking-for-by-hypo-venture-capital-zurich/
Starting out?
Here at Hypo Venture Capital Zurich, Switzerland we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.
Many newcomers to equity investment are nervous about investing in individual firms – and with good reason. Putting all your money into a few stocks is a high-risk strategy, especially for the inexperienced, because it leaves you vulnerable to sharp fluctuations in the share price of the individual stocks you pick, not the markets in which they trade. If you get it right and pick winners, great. But if you pick a couple of big losers, your whole portfolio will be scuppered. Collective or ‘pooled’ investments can diversify your holdings and therefore reduce that risk.
Why pooled funds?
Unit trusts, open-ended investment companies (Oeics, pronounced ‘oiks’) and investment trusts are all vehicles that let you pool your money with lots of other ‘retail’ – or small – investors. (In the US, this kind of investment is known as a ‘mutual fund’.) The pooled money is then invested on your behalf in a wide range of different equities by specialist fund managers. (There are also funds that invest in bonds or other assets, such as commercial property or commodities.) The fund manager takes a fee to run the fund and research what stocks to buy.
If they get it right, it means you get access to a highly diversified range of stocks at a reasonable cost. It also gives you easy access to asset classes and international markets that would otherwise be difficult and/or expensive to invest in. For example, specialist funds are available that invest only in Japan, or Latin America, or only in technology firms, and so on. Also, different funds are designed to meet different investment objectives and there’s a wide range to choose from. Some aim for income, some for capital growth, and some for a balance of the two.
Unit trusts and Oeics
http://www.submittedby.com/business/funds-is-the-answer-your-looking-for-by-hypo-venture-capital-zurich/
Hypo Venture Capital: How Much Money Is Needed for Retirement?
Most early- and mid-career workers see retirement as being far off in the distance. While retirees spend their days relaxing under swaying palms and contemplating how thankful they are to be out of the rat race for good, the reality is quite different. Today, people are retiring later and finding the need to save more money to live comfortably after retirement. No two ways about it, the longer people wait to retire, the more comfortable their lives will be.
Here at Hypo Venture Capital Zurich, Switzerland we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.
How Much Money Does a Person Need to Retire?
How much money a person needs for retirement depends on a variety of factors including desired lifestyle, location, retirement age, anticipated social security payments, and perhaps even medical needs. While some experts predict a person may need anywhere between $850,000-$1.5 million to retire comfortably, the amount is different for everyone all over the globe.
In order to determine exactly how much a person needs for retirement, numerous retirement planning and financial websites feature retirement calculators. Using a retirement calculator, the person enters information including desired retirement age, expected social security payments, current age, current annual income, and life expectancy. The results show the total amount of money needed to retire comfortably factoring in inflation.
The Bottom Line on How Much Money is Needed for Retirement
Bottom line, people should begin saving for retirement as soon as possible, preferably in their 20’s. The age of retirement varies; but if the person waits until age 70 to retire, he or she will enjoy a comfortable retirement. The amount of money needed for retirement depends on a variety of factors and is different for everyone. But with careful retirement planning and the use of a retirement calculator, people can live out their Golden Years more comfortably.
http://www.article4content.com/business/hypo-venture-capital-how-much-money-is-needed-for-retirement/
Here at Hypo Venture Capital Zurich, Switzerland we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.
How Much Money Does a Person Need to Retire?
How much money a person needs for retirement depends on a variety of factors including desired lifestyle, location, retirement age, anticipated social security payments, and perhaps even medical needs. While some experts predict a person may need anywhere between $850,000-$1.5 million to retire comfortably, the amount is different for everyone all over the globe.
In order to determine exactly how much a person needs for retirement, numerous retirement planning and financial websites feature retirement calculators. Using a retirement calculator, the person enters information including desired retirement age, expected social security payments, current age, current annual income, and life expectancy. The results show the total amount of money needed to retire comfortably factoring in inflation.
The Bottom Line on How Much Money is Needed for Retirement
Bottom line, people should begin saving for retirement as soon as possible, preferably in their 20’s. The age of retirement varies; but if the person waits until age 70 to retire, he or she will enjoy a comfortable retirement. The amount of money needed for retirement depends on a variety of factors and is different for everyone. But with careful retirement planning and the use of a retirement calculator, people can live out their Golden Years more comfortably.
http://www.article4content.com/business/hypo-venture-capital-how-much-money-is-needed-for-retirement/
Funds is The Answer Your Looking For by Hypo Venture Capital Zurich
Here we look to dispel some of the jargon and confusion surrounding ‘Funds’, breaking them down, with no nonsense explanations in an attempt to help you understand this strategic investment.
Starting out?
Starting out?
Here at Hypo Venture Capital Zurich, Switzerland we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.
Many newcomers to equity investment are nervous about investing in individual firms – and with good reason. Putting all your money into a few stocks is a high-risk strategy, especially for the inexperienced, because it leaves you vulnerable to sharp fluctuations in the share price of the individual stocks you pick, not the markets in which they trade. If you get it right and pick winners, great. But if you pick a couple of big losers, your whole portfolio will be scuppered. Collective or ‘pooled’ investments can diversify your holdings and therefore reduce that risk.
Why pooled funds?
Many newcomers to equity investment are nervous about investing in individual firms – and with good reason. Putting all your money into a few stocks is a high-risk strategy, especially for the inexperienced, because it leaves you vulnerable to sharp fluctuations in the share price of the individual stocks you pick, not the markets in which they trade. If you get it right and pick winners, great. But if you pick a couple of big losers, your whole portfolio will be scuppered. Collective or ‘pooled’ investments can diversify your holdings and therefore reduce that risk.
Why pooled funds?
Unit trusts, open-ended investment companies (Oeics, pronounced ‘oiks’) and investment trusts are all vehicles that let you pool your money with lots of other ‘retail’ – or small – investors. (In the US, this kind of investment is known as a ‘mutual fund’.) The pooled money is then invested on your behalf in a wide range of different equities by specialist fund managers. (There are also funds that invest in bonds or other assets, such as commercial property or commodities.) The fund manager takes a fee to run the fund and research what stocks to buy.
If they get it right, it means you get access to a highly diversified range of stocks at a reasonable cost. It also gives you easy access to asset classes and international markets that would otherwise be difficult and/or expensive to invest in. For example, specialist funds are available that invest only in Japan, or Latin America, or only in technology firms, and so on. Also, different funds are designed to meet different investment objectives and there’s a wide range to choose from. Some aim for income, some for capital growth, and some for a balance of the two.
Unit trusts and Oeics
If they get it right, it means you get access to a highly diversified range of stocks at a reasonable cost. It also gives you easy access to asset classes and international markets that would otherwise be difficult and/or expensive to invest in. For example, specialist funds are available that invest only in Japan, or Latin America, or only in technology firms, and so on. Also, different funds are designed to meet different investment objectives and there’s a wide range to choose from. Some aim for income, some for capital growth, and some for a balance of the two.
Unit trusts and Oeics
Reasons to Invest Offshore By Hypo Venture Capital Zurich
What are the benefits available to you from the world of offshore savings, investment, finance and banking?
Here at Hypo Venture Capital Zurich, Switzerland we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.
Here at Hypo Venture Capital Zurich, Switzerland we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.
Even in this day and age of enlightenment thanks to the pervasive nature of information dissemination via the internet, some people are still concerned about the legalities and legitimacy of the offshore world of finance and banking. For some reason others simply assume that onshore equates to a ‘safe haven’ for money and offshore equates to a ‘risky tax haven.’
Well, you and I know that that is simply not the case! However, even though it is now clearer to more people that the offshore world holds many potential taxation benefits, there are still questions to be answered about why one should invest offshore and in this article we explore the benefits.
First things first…here’s another myth I wish to dispel – some people say that offshore investments and bank accounts are more lightly regulated than their entity-type-counterparts onshore…now, that’s not necessarily true!
Well, you and I know that that is simply not the case! However, even though it is now clearer to more people that the offshore world holds many potential taxation benefits, there are still questions to be answered about why one should invest offshore and in this article we explore the benefits.
First things first…here’s another myth I wish to dispel – some people say that offshore investments and bank accounts are more lightly regulated than their entity-type-counterparts onshore…now, that’s not necessarily true!
Yes, certain jurisdictions give fund managers, bankers and investors pretty much free rein so that the rewards and risks are potentially far greater – but some jurisdictions are very highly regarded among financial professionals simply because of the incredibly high standards of protection they afford investors and account holders through insurance schemes and government regulation requirements for example:
Hypo Venture Capital
Hypo Venture Capital is an independent investment advisory firm which focuses on global equities and options markets. Our analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best possible investment decisions. All views, comments, statements and opinions are of the authors. For more information go to www.hypovc.com
http://www.widepr.com/company_profile/3259/hypo_venture_capital.html
Hypo Venture Capital
Stephen Holmes
Stockerhof Dreikoenigstrasse 31 A
Gosport, Hampshire
United Kingdom, 8002
Voice +41 (0)44 208 3530
Fax +41 (0)44 208 3530
http://www.widepr.com/company_profile/3259/hypo_venture_capital.html
Hypo Venture Capital Zurich: INVESTING MONEY FOR 2011 AND BEYOND - BEST INVESTMENT STRATEGY
Here at Hypo Venture Capital we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.
Investing money in 2011 through 2012 may require that most people change their thinking about the best investment strategy. Traditional investing strategy for average folks suggests an asset allocation of over 50% to stock funds, about 40% to bond funds, and the rest to perhaps a precious metals (gold) fund for added diversification. In the world of investing money, times are changing; especially for bonds and gold.
In putting together your investment strategy one of the best ways to focus is to consider the flow of money between asset classes over the recent months and years. In the investing world money always goes someplace, and it tends to concentrates in different areas at different times. When money floods an asset class like bonds or gold, prices can rise dramatically. When it makes a grand exit prices can tumble. Extremes in price movements should grab your attention when investing money for 2011 and beyond, especially when you hear mention of the word “bubble”.
In the months leading up to 2011, investors both large and small were investing money heavily in bonds and in precious metals like gold. This investment strategy was among the best as prices in both asset classes climbed to record or near record highs. Millions of everyday folks threw money at bond funds and some discovered gold funds. The question going forward: are prices at extremes, and is either investment a bubble waiting to deflate or burst? Let’s look at bonds first.
Investors have flooded bond funds with an additional net inflow of hundreds of billions of dollars while pulling money out of stock funds in recent times. The bond funds have then taken this money and bought more bonds, in the process sending bond prices up to extremes. This has pushed bond yields (interest income as a percentage) to near-record lows. Looking back to 1981, the 10-year Treasury note (intermediate-term government bonds) hit a high yield of 14%. Today they’re paying less than 3%, near historical lows. The problem: investing money in bonds and bond funds carries a significant risk today. When interest rates go UP, bond prices (values) will FALL. If there is a bubble here it will deflate as investors rush to pull money out of bonds.
The best investment strategy for 2011 in the bond department is to avoid long-term bonds and funds that invest in them because they will get hit the hardest when rates go up. Who wants to get stuck at a low fixed interest rate for 20 or so years when rates are going up? Go with shorter-term funds holding average bond maturities of 7 years or less. DON’T chase bond funds; consider cutting back your holdings. Investing too much money here has too much downside risk associated with it… unless you’re willing to speculate that interest rates and our economy will stay depressed well beyond 2011.
Now let’s get a perspective on gold prices that recently glittered at an all-time high of over $1400 an ounce. In 1999 gold sold for as little as $253. Investing money in 2011 and beyond in gold or gold funds at these prices is as much speculation as it is hedging against disaster. The best investment strategy here is to take some profits if you have them. If you missed the boat in gold, wait for the next one. The price of gold has been unstable at best since the yellow metal resumed trading in the U.S. in the mid-1970s. Don’t view gold as the best growth investment. View it more as a speculative bubble with risk outweighing future profit potential. The price would have to go up $1400 an ounce in order to double your money at recent prices. This is not a likely scenario.
Now that you’ve cut back on bonds and precious metals, what’s the best investment strategy for the rest of your money? Unless you’re over the age of 80 and/or extremely risk adverse, you need stocks in your investment portfolio. There hasn’t been a real bubble in the stock market since 1999 when the Dow peaked and closed the year at 11,497. In late 2010 that ever-popular stock market barometer was fighting just to get back to its 1999 highs… after the shock delivered to it by the financial crisis of 2008.
In 2011 and beyond investing money in stock (equity) funds should focus on both those that invest in domestic (U.S.) stocks, and in international funds that invest money abroad as well. You need all of the diversification you can get. Go with funds that invest money in large well established companies with a good record for paying dividends. These are less risky and volatile than growth funds that pay little if any dividends. Plus, good reliable income from either dividends or interest is hard to come by these days.
For the rest of your money you need good safe investments that pay interest. Here we face another of today’s extremes: historically low interest rates at the bank and in the money markets. Even though you’re looking at less than 1% a year in interest, you’ve got to go with the flow and continue investing money here because these are truly the best safe investments. The best investment strategy for mutual fund investors: money market funds. When rates go back up your money market fund yields will automatically follow and go up accordingly.
The best investment strategy for 2011 and beyond will be to diversify broadly, leaning toward a defensive posture. Investing money across all of the investment classes mentioned is still the key to long term success as an investor. Sometimes… like now… it’s better to be more conservative when investing, and live to chase opportunity another day.
Hypo Venture Capital Investing Money: Good Investments for the Investor Who Feels Clueless
Hypo Venture Capital Investing Money: Good Investments for the Investor Who Feels CluelessHere at Hypo Venture Capital we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.
In 2011 and into the future most folks in search of good investments will again turn to mutual funds for investing money, and for good reason. These funds do the money investing for you and try to pick good investments for their (your) portfolio. It’s your money and you pick the funds, so in case you feel clueless, here we take the mystery out of investing for 2011 and beyond by getting back to basics.
In the process of investing money for the future you really only have 4 basic choices. That was true 100 years ago and still applies in 2011 and beyond. There are good safe investments that pay interest, bonds that pay more interest, stocks that grow in value most of the time; and alternative investments like gold & other commodities including real estate that offer growth opportunities sometimes when stocks don’t. Those are your basic choices when investing money unless you bury the stuff, in which case inflation and decomposition can eat away at your underground deposit.
Now let’s look at each of these 4 alternatives for investing money in search of good investments in mutual funds. Cash in the bank is safe and so are money market securities. These don’t look like good investments now because interest rates are near all-time lows. That won’t always be the case, so put some money in money market funds for safety.
Bond funds are a good way for most folks to invest money in bonds and they do pay higher interest income, but they are not really safe investments as most folks have been lead to believe. When today’s record low interest rates start to go up, most bonds and the funds that invest your money in them will be real losers. Memorize this statement: when rates go up bond prices (values) go down. The key to investing money in bond funds for 2011 and beyond is this: put money in short-term and intermediate-term bonds funds while avoiding long-term bond funds. The latter will get crushed if (when) interest rates turn around and go up.
Stocks are our third category, and stock mutual funds are the best way of investing money in them for average and especially clueless investors. The truth is that for 2011 and beyond this is the wild card. High unemployment and slow growth in the economy don’t paint a pretty picture here, but the other choices don’t look great either. Put some money in dividend-paying high-quality diversified stock funds. Avoid riskier growth funds that invest money in stocks that don’t pay dividends.
Investors who overlook other alternatives miss some good investments because of this oversight. Investing money in the likes of gold, oil, real estate and basic materials is greatly simplified by simply investing in specialty stock funds that specialize in these areas. The advantage here: these funds can add additional diversification to your portfolio because they sometimes produce profits when the stock market is weak.
We have covered your 4 basic choices starting with safe investments and getting progressively riskier. Investing money for 2011 and beyond simply amounts to covering all 4 bases, emphasizing the funds that best fit your risk profile. One year’s good investments might not be repeat performers the next year, but with a diversified portfolio of funds working for you you’ve got good odds for success.
Want to know more?
Hypo Venture Capital is an independent investment advisory firm which focuses on global equities and options markets. Our analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best possible investment decisions. All views, comments, statements and opinions are of the authors. For more information go to www.hypovc.com
http://gold.cinebarn.com/2011/03/15/hypo-venture-capital-investing-money-good-investments-for-the-investor-who-feels-clueless/
In 2011 and into the future most folks in search of good investments will again turn to mutual funds for investing money, and for good reason. These funds do the money investing for you and try to pick good investments for their (your) portfolio. It’s your money and you pick the funds, so in case you feel clueless, here we take the mystery out of investing for 2011 and beyond by getting back to basics.
In the process of investing money for the future you really only have 4 basic choices. That was true 100 years ago and still applies in 2011 and beyond. There are good safe investments that pay interest, bonds that pay more interest, stocks that grow in value most of the time; and alternative investments like gold & other commodities including real estate that offer growth opportunities sometimes when stocks don’t. Those are your basic choices when investing money unless you bury the stuff, in which case inflation and decomposition can eat away at your underground deposit.
Now let’s look at each of these 4 alternatives for investing money in search of good investments in mutual funds. Cash in the bank is safe and so are money market securities. These don’t look like good investments now because interest rates are near all-time lows. That won’t always be the case, so put some money in money market funds for safety.
Bond funds are a good way for most folks to invest money in bonds and they do pay higher interest income, but they are not really safe investments as most folks have been lead to believe. When today’s record low interest rates start to go up, most bonds and the funds that invest your money in them will be real losers. Memorize this statement: when rates go up bond prices (values) go down. The key to investing money in bond funds for 2011 and beyond is this: put money in short-term and intermediate-term bonds funds while avoiding long-term bond funds. The latter will get crushed if (when) interest rates turn around and go up.
Stocks are our third category, and stock mutual funds are the best way of investing money in them for average and especially clueless investors. The truth is that for 2011 and beyond this is the wild card. High unemployment and slow growth in the economy don’t paint a pretty picture here, but the other choices don’t look great either. Put some money in dividend-paying high-quality diversified stock funds. Avoid riskier growth funds that invest money in stocks that don’t pay dividends.
Investors who overlook other alternatives miss some good investments because of this oversight. Investing money in the likes of gold, oil, real estate and basic materials is greatly simplified by simply investing in specialty stock funds that specialize in these areas. The advantage here: these funds can add additional diversification to your portfolio because they sometimes produce profits when the stock market is weak.
We have covered your 4 basic choices starting with safe investments and getting progressively riskier. Investing money for 2011 and beyond simply amounts to covering all 4 bases, emphasizing the funds that best fit your risk profile. One year’s good investments might not be repeat performers the next year, but with a diversified portfolio of funds working for you you’ve got good odds for success.
Want to know more?
Hypo Venture Capital is an independent investment advisory firm which focuses on global equities and options markets. Our analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best possible investment decisions. All views, comments, statements and opinions are of the authors. For more information go to www.hypovc.com
http://gold.cinebarn.com/2011/03/15/hypo-venture-capital-investing-money-good-investments-for-the-investor-who-feels-clueless/
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