If you’re currently a dog owner, you know how awesome it is to have a furry friend by your side, but have you thought about how much your pal can cost? It is important to think with your wallet, and not your heart, because studies show the lifetime cost of…
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Do you know where your retirement funds are?
It’s increasingly common that workers move jobs throughout their career, and with pensions largely a thing of the past, the incentive to stay employed at one company has dwindled. A survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that people hold an average of 12 jobs between the ages of 18 and…
The Fault is ours, Ray
According to Forbes Magazine, Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, is America’s second richest money manager. He trails only George Soros in the pantheon of hedge fund “masters of the universe”. Dalio appeared last month on CBS “60 Minutes” to lament the demise of the American dream. He called inequality…
CNBC: Amid market volatility, are factory automation stocks a long-term hold?
Last week, I joined CNBC’s “Squawk Box” to chat with host Andrew Ross Sorkin about ongoing market volatility and sectors that look promising given the current environment. The segment focused on my thesis that a direct route to higher profits could be through higher productivity, and that investors may want…
The Fed’s in waiting mode
With a third of the year over already, much of the market volatility encountered in late 2018 is fading in the rear-view mirror. While the China trade dispute has reemerged recently as a top risk for investors, markets are still generally positive for 2019. Brexit and uncertainty about future Fed…
Charlie’s month-end reading list
Here are some of the latest topics of interest at Fort Pitt Capital Group: The first article, “Farmageddon looms: Only 30% of U.S. corn fields have been planted, 5 year average is 66%”, is from ZeroHedge. Many farmers in America’s heartland have not been able to get their crops in…
Having a higher salary doesn’t make you ready for retirement
You may think of high earners as people who can afford nice homes, expensive clothes and shiny cars. You may think they don’t have to worry about money, but that’s not the case. A recent study reveals that many high earners may be worrying about money come retirement. According to…
Update Your Will, Jon Snow: Finance Lessons From Westeros
For our Ramparts readers who watch “Game of Thrones,” you know that this Sunday’s series finale will likely keep you on the edge of your seat. Fans have followed along diligently for eight seasons, keeping tabs on intricate story lines, nervously wondering if their favorite character will survive another episode,…
The interest rate pendulum
When interest rates get whipsawed the way they have in the last couple of weeks, we believe some explanation is necessary. First and foremost, we don’t believe it is one particular issue but instead, a lot of balls in the air at the same time that are creating uncertainty. China,…
Reusing passwords is dangerous; do this instead
Using the same password for multiple online accounts is risky business because once someone learns your password they can access all of your accounts. It’s important you have a strong and unique password for every one of your accounts and apps. Yes, it is difficult to remember dozens of passwords.…