THE ALPHAGLIDER BLOG
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So think of fees like termites. They're tiny, they're barely noticeable, and they can eat away your f***ing future!
—John Oliver
John Oliver is great at explaining complex topics in a clear, down to earth, and humorous way. Last week he explained the messed up world that is financial advising.
As a favor to your future self, it is worth watching this for 20 minutes.
Broker-dealers and insurance companies will soon be forced to act in the best interests of their clients by the Department of Labor. The new laws only apply to retirement accounts, however. Buyer beware continues to be the name of the game when it comes to taxable accounts advised by broker-dealers and insurance companies. RIAs, like AlphaGlider, have always had to act in the best interests of their clients with any type of account.
After a sharp contraction in the third quarter, developed equity markets rebounded strongly in the final quarter of 2015. U.S. equity markets led most regions in the fourth quarter, despite selling off more mildly in the previous quarter. Emerging market equities followed up its dreadful 18% third quarter decline with lackluster performance in the fourth quarter. Aggressive government stimulus and minor currency depreciation ameliorated concerns of a hard landing in the Chinese economy, driving the Shanghai Composite Index up 16% during the quarter. Fixed income sold off modestly.
