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Featured Articles

"Investment Advisers: Is our path toward, or away, from a true profession" and "The last advice model standing".

In these articles, originally published at RIABiz.com, Ron provides an argument that investment advisers are a "potentially 'emerging profession' and the future holds two distinct paths." The first is a path of lower standards of care and conduct if investment advice becomes dominated by commercial interests. The better path "arises to the level of a true profession, in which individual professionals collaborate to establish, maintain, and over time enhance the bona fide fiduciary standard of conduct." Ron then elaborates on why consumers of investment advice need trusted advisors who are governed by a fiduciary standard. Ron also discusses five major changes that the modern era has brought to investment management and how those changes may lay the groundwork for a "true investment advisory profession."

 

Why the New York Times fiduciary article won't deter speical interests.

Ron comments on a New York Times article in this guest column printed in March 2010 at RIABiz.com. Ron comments upon the dangers posed by a legislative proposal circulating in the U.S. Senate. He notes that Wall Street firms stand to lose billions of dollars a year in revenue (and investors collectively win such amounts) should the fiduciary standard be adopted for all providers of investment advice.

 

"I Am A Fiduciary Financial Advisor".

In this article, Ron provides an uncharacteristically short article designed to educate financial advisors on their fiduciary duties. It can be found in the Nov. 3, 2009, edition of Advisor Perspectives, a weekly newsletter designed for Registered Investment Advisers who provide services to high-net-worth investors.

 

Special Report: Answering Your Key Questions about the U.S. Economy, and about the Future for Stocks..

Fear. Uncertainty. Worry. It’s hard to ignore these emotions, as the economic news continues to be grim. But this is not the time to panic. In the enclosed Special Report, Ron A. Rhoades, Director of Research, offers some insights into the current financial turmoil, expectations of an economic recovery, stock market valuation levels, and what investors can and should do now.

 

"Fiduciary Duties: What Policymakers and the Public Need to Know" .

This Guest Blog entry by Ron Rhoades, J.D., CFP® featured on BrokeandBroker.com on June 22, 2009, discusses background information designed to assist policymakers and the public in understanding Fiduciary Duties - what they are, when they should be applied, and what the "fiduciary standard of care" requires. Also set forth is a discussion of the impact of the imposition of fiduciary duties on large broker-dealer firms and current investment advisers.

Investing Articles

The Informed Investor - Making Smart Investing Decisions in Today's Volatile Market. Investors today are facing difficult choices in achieving their financial goals and, as well they should, are asking serious questions. This brochure will help you see through the noise of the marketplace in order to systematically make smart decisions about your money by utilizing a Nobel Prize-winning approach to your investments that has been proven to succeed in optimizing investment portfolios over time.

 

Seniors: Top 12 Tips to Avoid Investment Scams. In this paper, Ron A. Rhoades explores the Top 12 Tips that will help Seniors avoid becoming involved in investment scams. These include tips as basic as not accepting offers that sound "too good to be true" to tips regarding Powers of Attorney and asking for Disclosure.

 

Variable Annuities - Buyer Beware. The outcry from the sellers of variable annuities after the publication of the first part of this article was so intense that the publication of the second part was blocked by the editor of a newspaper. See the entire two-part column here - what many stockbrokers and insurance agents did not want you to find out. Discover the truth behind the high costs, fees, and adverse tax consequences associated with most variable annuity products.

 

The Often-Hidden Fees and Costs of Mutual Funds. There are many fees and costs associated with mutual funds. Here's some important questions to ask before you purchase a mutual fund. Originally published in Meadowcrest News and Views.

 

Is Your Financial Advisor a "Seller" or a "Buyer"? Does your "financial consultant" represent only you, or does he or she represent the interests of the product manufacturer or brokerage firm? This articles contrasts the differences between stockbrokers and investment advisors. Originally published in Meadowcrest News and Views.

 

75 Years After the Crash. "It was the age of exuberance..."  What comparisons exist between 1929 and recent times? This article explores recent valuation levels of the stock market, and urges investors to use caution.  Originally published in the Citrus County Chronicle.

Planning Articles

Planning for Retirement: Taxes, Health Care Costs, and Longevity. The triple threat of higher health care costs, potentially high tax burdens, and extended lifetimes poses key challenges for retirees in the management of their investment nest eggs. Originally published in the Village Crier.

 

Saving for College. A short article providing an illustration of the four techniques available to fund future educational expenses. Originally published in the Citrus County Chronicle.

 

Year-End Tax Planning. Tax planning is a year-round endeavor. This article offers several important tips. Originally published in the Citrus County Chronicle.

 

A Visit with Grandfather. What's the meaning of life? What's important? Here is one view - some words of wisdom passed down, in the twilight hours of life, from a grandfather to his grandson. Originally published in Meadowcrest News and Views.

 

White Papers

These articles explore a specific topic relating to investment theory, portfolio construction, investment due diligence, or related topics in more extensive detail than that found in our other publications. These articles are intended for academics, knowledgable investment advisers, other fiduciary advisers, and sophisticated investors.

 

Stock Market Valuation Levels: How Low Can They Go? (November 23, 2008)

 

Estimating the Total Costs of Stock Mutual Funds. (as revised April 22, 2009)

Good things come to those who wait. The head of international equity trading for Dimensional Funds Advisers outlines the firm's "patient and flexible" trading approach, in this April - June 2009 issue of "The Trader," an industry trade publication. This article is a perfect complement to our updated white paper, which focused primarily on trading costs in U.S. stocks.

 

Examining Best and Worst Case Scenarios with Hypothetical Portfolios. (November 2005)

 

Examining Recent Stock Market Downturns with Hypothetical Portfolios. (August 2005)

 

The "Fatal Flaw" of Many Index Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds. (May 2005)

 

Reduction of Market Risk Using Value, Small-Cap Tilted Portfolio. (February 2005)

 

Stock Market Downturns and the Desire to Flee. (August 2004)

 

The Florida Prudent Investor Rule, What Every Judge Should Know and Ask. (May 16, 2004)

 

 

Books

The Science of Investing: How to Use Academic Research to Reduce Risks and Enhance Investment Returns. The following excerpts from this book, published in 2003, are available for review online:

 

• Preface and Dedication
• Table of Contents
• Chapter One: An Introduction to "The Science of Investing"
• Chapter Thirty-Seven: Should You Work With an Investment Advisor? If So, Who?

 

To purchase the entire book, please contact us for purchase information. The price is $44.95 plus applicable sales tax and shipping.

 

For additional resources regarding these and other topics relating to the financial planning industry, please visit FiduciaryNow.com: A Professional Resource for Consumers, Financial Planners, and Investment Advisors.