Commentary

Each month, the BCWM Portfolio Management team publishes an Investment Commentary that examines the latest developments in financial markets and the economy. We filter out the noise and present the information most relevant to our investment strategies and management of our clients’ portfolios.

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Statistics Can Be Deceiving

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My October Investment Commentary (KC Royals) included a graph illustrating the S&P 500 Index’s growth since 1985. In that graph, I pointed out high and low points and suggested that we might be currently near a high point. Statistics (and graphs made from statistics) can be deceiving. Chris Harrington, our senior portfolio manager, pointed out…
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Dollar is Still King

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Last year proved to be another good year for the U.S. economy, as well as the U.S. stock market, while wreaking havoc on foreign economies and foreign stock markets. The S&P 500 increased 13.66% while the All World (ex U.S.) Index declined 3.87%. A 50%+ decline in the price of oil blistered countries (and companies)…
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Gas Wars

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It will probably never get to the point where competing gas stations conduct “gas wars” like they did back in the 60s. Heck, it’s hard to find two stations across the street from each other anymore. But if the price of oil continues to plummet, it may start to FEEL like stations are having a…
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A Tale of Two Stock Markets

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October. It was the worst of times, it was the best of times. But I’m NOT referring to the Kansas City Royals making it to Game 7 of the World Series (the best of times), leaving the tying run stranded on third base with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning (the worst…
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KC Royals

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This past week the Kansas City Royals qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1985, the year they won the World Series. That 29-year drought was the longest non-playoff drought of any major sports franchise in America. George Brett led the Royals to the 1985 World Championship, and there are many young children…
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