Ernest HoffmanErnest Hoffman is a Crypto and Market Reporter for Kitco News. He has over 15 years of experience as a writer, editor, broadcaster and producer for media, educational and cultural organizations. Ernest began working in market news in 2007, establishing the broadcast division of CEP News in Montreal, Canada, where he developed the fastest web-based audio news service in the world and produced economic news videos in partnership with MSN and the TMX. He has a Bachelor's degree Specialization in ...

Core Insights - The stock market is experiencing a downturn, with many investors expressing concerns about overvaluation and market health [2][5][10] - The VIX index indicates rising fear among investors, with CNN's measure showing "Extreme Fear" [2][4] - Veteran bond investor Jeffrey Gundlach suggests a significant reevaluation of asset allocation, advocating for a maximum of 40% in equities and increased allocations in bonds, gold, and cash [5][7] Market Sentiment - Many investors are adopting a cautious stance, with some reducing their equity exposure, as indicated by a Deutsche Bank report [3][4] - Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund has also cut its positions in U.S. stocks, reflecting a broader trend of reduced equity investment [3] Valuation Concerns - Gundlach highlights that the U.S. stock market appears "least healthy" in decades based on traditional valuation metrics [5] - The current market dynamics are compared to the dotcom bubble, particularly regarding AI stock valuations [7][10] Economic Indicators - There are atypical relationships across asset classes, with private credit defaults being likened to hidden cockroaches, indicating underlying risks [2] - Earnings growth among cyclical companies is lagging behind the overall market, suggesting potential weaknesses in economic expansion [10][11] Investment Strategy - Gundlach recommends a diversified portfolio with 25% in bonds, 15% in gold, and the remainder in cash, moving away from the traditional 60/40 portfolio [5][7] - Fundstrat Global suggests that market volatility may be driven by media narratives rather than fundamental economic conditions, indicating potential for a December catch-up rally [9]

Oops! All equities — and no, that’s not the latest Cap’n Crunch flavor. We all know the classic 60/40 portfolio. While long a staple, some advisors argue it’s outdated, suggesting a 50/30/20 split with a slice for alternatives. But, for those who like to live on the edge, there’s a bolder option: a 100% equity portfolio. Portfolios holding a mix of domestic and foreign stocks could be a more optimal way of diversifying than allocating to bonds, regardless of age, according to research from economists at ...

Core Insights - The article discusses strategies for making a $2 million IRA last throughout retirement, emphasizing the importance of prudent budgeting and investment planning [2][3]. Group 1: Sustainable Withdrawal Strategies - The 4% rule is highlighted as a baseline for sustainable withdrawals, allowing for $80,000 in the first year of retirement, adjusted for inflation thereafter [4]. - An annual income of $80,000 is generally sufficient for a comfortable lifestyle, with average spending for retirees aged 65 to 74 being about $61,000 and over $53,000 for those 75 and older [5]. Group 2: Investment Approaches - A diversified 60/40 portfolio of stocks and bonds using low-fee index funds is recommended for achieving market-matching growth while controlling risk [6]. - The goal of the investment approach is to earn solid returns while maintaining purchasing power over time [6]. Group 3: Additional Income Sources - Utilizing other retirement income sources such as Social Security, pensions, or part-time work can help limit withdrawals from savings, preserving the principal [7]. - Engaging a financial advisor is suggested to create a tailored retirement income plan, including withdrawal calculations [8].

For years, the 60/40 portfolio had been the gold standard for diversified investing. A lengthy bull rally coupled with two decades of falling interest rates produced one of the best periods in history for total risk-adjusted returns. That all ended when the financial crisis hit. The Fed dropped interest rates to 0%, and bonds hit a ceiling—there was no more share price upside from falling yields and virtually no income to speak of. Investors began pushing into riskier asset classes, such as junk bonds and ...

Core Insights - Vanguard offers a long-term investment approach with low fees, benefiting investors as part owners of the company [1][2] Group 1: Investment Strategy - The combination of Vanguard Total Market Index (VTI) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) creates a balanced 60/40 portfolio, ideal for long-term investors [2][11] - A 60/40 portfolio historically provides an attractive average annual return of 8.8% while significantly reducing volatility and risk [3] Group 2: Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) - VTI tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index, providing broad exposure to over 3,500 U.S. stocks, with a focus on larger companies by market capitalization [4][6] - VTI has demonstrated solid historical returns, with a 10-year return of 14.7% and since inception return of 9.2% [5][7] Group 3: Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) - BND offers broad exposure to the U.S. investment-grade bond market, holding nearly 11,400 bonds with an average maturity of over eight years [8][9] - BND currently yields more than 4%, providing fixed income while helping to diversify and lower portfolio risk [9][10] - The fund has a 10-year return of 1.8% and since inception return of 3.1%, reflecting lower returns compared to stocks [10]

Welcome back. While a traditional 60/40 portfolio of stocks and bonds has been one one of the most widespread investing strategies for decades, millennials are opting for a different approach. Leslie Picker here is here to tell us what that approach is.Leslie. Yeah, David. Apparently, stocks and bonds are for boomers.Millennials are way more invested in alternatives than the older cohorts. The generation with birthdays between 1981 and 1996 has about 20% of their portfolios allocated to alts areas like priv ...

Alternative Investments Landscape - Alternative investments have seen explosive interest in recent years, prompting the creation of matching ETF offerings [1] - The growing role of alternatives is manifesting in exchange-traded funds [3] - Advisors and their clients are driving the narrative around the increasing demand for alternative investments [9][10] Drivers of Alternative Investment Growth - The rise of alternatives is driven by the behavior of stocks and bonds, particularly the shift to positive correlation between them [4] - Investors are seeking unique sources of risk and return beyond traditional stocks and bonds to build more resilient portfolios [5] - The need for alternative income sources is growing, especially as interest rates are expected to decline [11] Types of Alternative Investments - Gold has traditionally been a way to gain exposure, with strong demand for ETFs like GLD and GLDM [8] - New products offering alternatives include autocallable income ETFs and funds in the hedge fund-like space [8][9] - Bitcoin, accessible through spot Bitcoin ETFs, is considered an alternative for many investors [9] - Covered call strategies and private credit are viable methods to obtain income outside of traditional equities or bonds via the ETF wrapper [20] Income Generation Strategies - Equity income solutions can deliver double-digit yields through selling options, potentially reaching 10-15% [12] - Active managers can navigate low volatility premiums by identifying opportune times to capture heightened levels of volatility premiums [15][16] - Simplify offers strategies like levered gold with an income overlay (WIDE Gold) and a Bitcoin ETF with an active income overlay (Bitcoin ETF MAXI) to address the lack of income potential in some alternative assets [22] Investor Preferences and Trends - High income levels generated by a strategy capture investors' attention, especially at the retail level, even if they don't fully understand the underlying options or derivative components [26] - Sophisticated high-net-worth clients are increasingly interested in true diversifiers like trend-following strategies with low correlation to stocks and bonds [27] - The ETF wrapper has become a comfortable way for advisors and investors to gain exposure to diversification through managed futures, commodities, and Bitcoin [31] - Finding alternative ways to get income is expected to persist for the foreseeable future, with continued traction in products like JPM's JEPI [34][35]

Market Overview - U.S. stock futures are experiencing a slight decline after reaching record highs, influenced by the Federal Reserve's recent rate cuts and indications of further easing in the upcoming months [1] - All three major indices are in the red, with Nasdaq Futures down 0.06%, S&P 500 Futures down 0.10%, and Dow Jones Futures down 0.15% [1] International Markets - Japan's Nikkei 225 index has increased by 1.27%, led by semiconductors, electronics, and export-oriented stocks [2] - The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) has risen by 0.15%, trading at 97.790, despite the dovish stance from the Federal Reserve [2] Gold Market Insights - Gold prices are trading at $3,696 per ounce, with expectations of further gains due to inflationary fears stemming from the Fed's dovish policies [3] - Investment bank Morgan Stanley has adjusted its "classic 60/40 portfolio" to include gold, indicating a potential shift in investment strategies [3][4] - Economist Peter Schiff suggests that if this trend continues, both long-term interest rates and gold prices will rise significantly [4] Price Predictions - James Turk, founder of Goldmoney, has set a near-term price target of $4,000 per ounce for gold and $50 per ounce for silver [4] - The current gold-to-silver ratio stands at 85.5, indicating that gold is valued significantly higher than silver, but this ratio is expected to decrease, suggesting silver may outperform gold in the near term [5]

Investment Strategy - The traditional 60/40 portfolio's diversification benefits are being challenged by the synchronized movement of stocks and bonds [1] - The report suggests exploring three alternatives to the 60/40 portfolio [1]