Featured Articles
Interest Rates Jump, Income Issues Fall
Tim McPartland | February 17, 2015
The 10 year treasury jumped by 10-12 basis points today, while REIT's, preferreds and closed end funds took a bit of a tumble. The fall in these securities was mild compared to what could have happened. One never knows from month to month how markets will react to rising rates so todays 1/2% loss in many income securities was a…
Running a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Tim McPartland | February 16, 2015
When we work on this website day after day we have to remind ourselves that the investment game is about a very long term race--not about getting to the finish line next month. Our goal last year and again this year has been a 7% return--rather modest we think, but one that fits our needs and aligns with our risk…
Housekeeping – Reader Notes
Tim McPartland | February 16, 2015
Thanks to Lionel, Rich and Jeff for sending notes on our typo on the Triangle 6.375% Notes (ticker:TCCB) which we typed 6.75% a number of times. We have corrected the errors.Deric asks about Glacier Water Trust preferred shares--he noted it was not on the new model. No meaning to that except we try to stay at $25 or very near…
Adding Some Transocean Ltd. Bonds
Tim McPartland | February 15, 2015
As we had mentioned yesterday when we wrote we plan to add some $1,000 bonds to the 2015 model portfolio (as well as to our personal account). While we haven't owned $1,000 traditional bonds in the models before, mainly because of the lack of visible pricing, this one makes some sense to us.We will add the Transocean Sedco Ltd 2.50%…
Sector Rotation Continues with REIT’s and Utilities Out of Favor
Tim McPartland | February 14, 2015
Many income securities continue to perform well, in spite of the slow creep higher of interest rates. The 10 year treasury was up 9-10 basis points on the week--just a perfect way to move higher (I mean if they are going to head higher a slow, few basis points a day works out very well).Owners of utility stocks and REIT's…
