As the crisp autumn air approaches, we're reminded of the simple joys that this season brings. The leaves transform into a tapestry of reds and golds, and communities gather for timeless traditions like hayrides, pumpkin carving, and visits to apple orchards. There's...
Kara Smith
An Update on Price Levels and the Dawn of “Swift-flation”
When two worlds collide, there is bound to be a spectacle. This past weekend, Cincinnati experienced such a collision as the city teemed with an influx of music and sports enthusiasts. The city, already known for its love of baseball, was not just painted red by...
The Foundation for Revolution – From Roman Concrete to Quantum Technology
Smart technology surrounds us. Each day, we carry smart phones in our pockets, monitor our fitness with smart watches, and sleep in smart homes. We may all soon commute in smart cars driving on top of smart concrete. Yes, smart concrete! The current scientific and...
Keeping It Simple
The original idea behind the mutual fund was a basic one—allow investors to build and access a diversified portfolio without high trading costs. Now, almost 100 years later, there are over 10,000 mutual funds and ETFs available in the U.S. that span almost all asset...
The Great Molasses Flood and the Sticky Situation of Modern Economics
A Tale of Molasses and Misfortune On the morning of January 15, 1919, the residents of Boston could not have imagined the catastrophe that would ensue later that afternoon. The United States Industrial Alcohol Company (USIA), nestled in the North End neighborhood of...
5 Reasons Why Women Often Outperform Men in Their Portfolios
There have been several studies looking at how men and women invest differently that are pretty interesting. In honor of Women’s History Month, it may be appropriate to call attention to the fact that most studies have shown that women fair better as investors than...
A Focus on Difficult Questions
The Federal Reserve just raised interest rates again. Inflation is on the rise. The unemployment rate remains low despite a recent wave of corporate layoffs. What does it all mean? That is the quintessential investor question, and it is a difficult one to answer. The...
The Ancient Origins of the 60/40 Portfolio and its Golden Returns
The “golden ratio” is a mathematical concept that has influenced civilizations and cultures for centuries. Its direct influence ranges from the design of the Egyptian pyramids to modern-day database management and encryption. The first known mention of the golden...
Saved Too Much in a 529 Plan? A New Solution is On the Way!
In December 2022, President Biden signed into law SECURE 2.0 which contains a variety of changes to help strengthen the nation’s retirement programs. One of the provisions in the new law permits a 529 Plan account beneficiary to roll unused dollars from a 529 Plan...
A Matter of Perspective
The shortest day of the year is near. For some, the winter solstice is that day each year when the Earth’s northern hemisphere leans farthest from the sun, offers a mere 9.5 hours of daylight, and when, quite often, we first encounter those frigid winter temperatures....