“Transfer-on-death (TOD) designations provide a simple, direct process for transferring assets to named beneficiaries, bypassing the probate process. While this simplicity is attractive, it can also have drawbacks. That’s why it’s important to understand both the pros and cons.” Download the Report Here [+] Read More

Wentworth Hauser’s latest emerging markets investment commentary looks at the situation in several different countries and how global central bank actions affect them. "The world stock markets continue to be strongly influenced by a plethora of macro factors. While past negative news gave ample reason for investors to worry, positive actions kindled an equivalently strong rebound in world markets. The world's central banks continue to fuel strong stock market advances as conventional and non-conventional measures are being used in an attempt to offset a distinct lack of credible fiscal policy initiatives in developed countries. The Federal Reserve Bank initiated the latest quantitative easing program (QE3) involving the large scale acquisition of mortgage-backed securities in an attempt to somewhat offset the anticipated recessionary effects caused by the previously discussed advent of the "Fiscal Cliff". Incidentally, the US economy might be able to better handle the onset of this event as residential real estate appears to have bottomed and employment statistics are showing signs of improvement." Download Full Commmentary Here Get Free Research Reports about Wentworth, Hauser & Violich [+] Read More

Fred Alger's Fall 2012 investment commentary focuses on corporate earnings and where they see opportunities moving forward. "We are encouraged to see companies either start paying dividends or increase dividends. Many companies are also buying back stock at an aggressive rate. The result, we believe, is to put a fundamental floor on the U.S. stock market. We are highly encouraged by what we’ve seen in corporate fundamentals and market reactions. Regulators across the world are raising the rhetoric about slowing economic growth and in many parts of the world, such as China and Brazil, policies are clearly moving to a stimulative stance. In other parts, like Europe, it’s mostly rhetoric that is supporting equity market gains, but we increasingly think stimulus from policymakers is likely. We maintain that it is not time to sell equities as some suggest. Rather, it is time to buy if you have a time horizon that goes beyond a year, and buy more on market dips if you already own equities. During this back to school season, it is time to embrace equities and the rigorous work of conducting in-depth, fundamental research that we believe can find attractive opportunities. And it’s time to diversify away from a likely losing asset class that is offering historically low yields: U.S. Treasuries." Click here to read Fred Alger’s Full Commentary. Get Free Research Reports about Fred Alger [+] Read More

In their September commentary for the Strategic Value Dividend portfolio, Federated Investors summarizes what they see for the final quarter in 2012. "As the fourth quarter of 2012 begins and the broad market focuses on issues such as the upcoming election, the persisting debt crisis in Europe, etc., the Strategic Value Dividend portfolio will continue to stay above the fray and remain rooted in its unwavering dedication to provide its investors with a high and rising dividend cash stream. By investing in companies that have both the ability and the inclination to pay and increase their dividends, the Strategic Value Dividend portfolio also seeks to position itself well to achieve superior long-term total returns for its investors, since history has shown dividend yield and dividend growth to be the primary drivers of historical total returns in equities. The portfolio is further complemented by the natural lower downside risk features of its high quality, high yielding holdings. All of these factors may make the Strategic Value Dividend portfolio a viable strategy for a wide array of investors, and demonstrate the benefits of investing in high quality, well-established companies that pay large and rising dividends to their investors." Download Full Commmentary Here Get Free Research Reports about Federated Investors Inc [+] Read More

Louis Navellier expects a flight to quality after the 10% surge in the S&P 500 during the summer. "Stocks were off fractionally last week, but we closed the summer months (June 21 to September 21) up 10.2% in the S&P 500 and +11.2% in NASDAQ. I don’t think we’ll match those gains in the autumn months - due to new global uncertainties, an election that seems too close to call, and a potential decline in third-quarter earnings - but the silver lining is that there should be a "flight to quality."" Download Full Commmentary Here Get Free Research Reports about Navellier & Associates, Inc. [+] Read More

Paul Lobosco, President of Forward Capital Management, shares his latest thoughts on the economy, markets, European events and more in his August newsletter. "Markets behave so differently today than they did 10 or 20 years ago. I am in awe of the pace of change and the volatility. This earnings season - the 2nd quarter of 2012 - has been the craziest I have ever seen. Seriously. From the European roller coaster to the Sandy Weill comments to the constant triple-digit Dow moves. There's so much to talk about. I thought I'd refer to some important topics via bullet points." Click here to read Forward Capital’s Full Commentary Get Free Research Reports about Forward Capital Management [+] Read More

Louis Navellier examines the possibility of further Fed easing after the upcoming September Fed meeting in Jackson Hole, WY. "The market's six-week winning streak came to an end last week with a small (0.5%) drop in the S&P 500. We will likely see one more week of these "dog days" of August, characterized by light trading volume and sideways motion. With the distraction of political conventions over the next two weeks, I suspect that the stock market will continue to meander listlessly until the August payroll report (released September 7), followed by the possibility of QE-3 coming out of the FOMC meeting September 12-13." Download Full Commmentary Here Get Free Research Reports about Navellier & Associates, Inc. [+] Read More

Richard Hirayama, portfolio manager for Wentworth Hauser’s International Equity portfolio, shares his thoughts on the events during the second quarter of 2012 and what he expects for the coming months. "In conclusion, central banks of the United States, Eurozone, United Kingdom, Japan and China are faced with two ugly options: 1) not to continue with aggressive conventional and unconventional monetary easing policies, and risk potentially higher short to intermediate-term unemployment rates which might lead to social dissatisfaction/instability and national leadership/regime changes or 2) continue with aggressive conventional and unconventional monetary easing policies, and risk potentially higher long-term inflation rates." Download Full Commmentary Here Get Free Research Reports about Wentworth, Hauser & Violich [+] Read More

Avatar Investment Management's July commentary draws parallels between this year and the last two years. A review of their portfolios is also included. "For the third year in a row, the statistics on the performance of the economy for the first half are showing a marked deceleration in activity. If form holds, the economy should catch its footing in the second half, as it did in the last two years. While it is often said that the stock market looks far ahead, that does not always mean that it overlooks what is more directly ahead. In other words, confidence about the second half of the year has to be constantly earned over shorter periods of time. What may be different in the last few years is the fear that just looking up across the valley might cause one to miss a steep crevice below. To the extent that the global economy is still working off the incredible amount of excess debt that had been built up going into 2007, it is understandable that not only would economic growth expectations be limited, but the fear of a fatal stumble would remain part of the investment psyche." Click here to read Avatar’s full commentary. Get Free Research Reports about Avatar Associates [+] Read More