Retirement often brings freedom from the 9-to-5 grind, but it also introduces a new challenge of living on a fixed income. With rising costs of living and longer life expectancies, stretching your savings can be harder than expected. “I have helped hundreds of people with a variety of different financial plans and I have found one thing that nearly all of them have in common: Small increases in spending over time can quickly destroy a retirement plan,” Doug Carey, chartered financial analyst (CFA), regist ...

Sensient’s earnings momentum looks solid, but one concentrated investor just made a very different call about where future upside really lies.New York City-based Rivermont Capital Management cut its holding in Sensient Technologies Corporation (SXT +0.17%), reducing its stake by 205,939 shares, a value change of $20.65 million, according to a November 13 SEC filing.What HappenedAccording to a Form 13-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 13, Rivermont Capital Management sold ...

Market Trends and Outlook - The market is currently in an uptrend, led by procyclical sectors such as industrial commodities and banks, with expectations for new highs in equity markets as earnings and GDP estimates are revised higher [1][2] - There are signs of complacency in the market, indicated by a declining VIX, suggesting potential volatility despite the positive earnings outlook [3] Investor Positioning - Institutional positioning is slightly overweight at the 62nd percentile, while discretionary investors remain neutral, indicating potential for increased market participation [4] - Households are fully invested, with margin loans growing at approximately 40% over the last six months, contributing to rapid buying during market dips [5] Cash Reserves and Market Dynamics - There is an estimated $70 trillion in market funds waiting to be deployed, suggesting that while retail investors are fully invested, there remains potential for further market inflows [6] - Money market rates falling could incentivize investors to seek alternative investments, although not all cash reserves are likely to flow directly into equities [7][8] Technical Factors and Year-End Positioning - Current market movements may be influenced by technical factors rather than fundamental earnings growth, especially given the light trading volume typical at year-end [9][10] - Leadership rotations in the market began earlier this year, with value outperforming growth by 5% since November 1, indicating a shift in investor sentiment [10] Commodities as an Investment - Commodities are viewed as a hedge against inflation, with a strong uptrend observed; however, there are concerns about overbought conditions and potential consolidation in the market [11][12] - Central bank buying of gold and increased retail trading activity suggest continued interest in commodities, although the market may face challenges due to overvaluation [12][13]

分组1 - The article emphasizes the importance of careful financial management for retirees, particularly in maximizing income from savings before the end of 2025 [1] - Retirees with traditional retirement plans must adhere to Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) rules, starting at age 73 for those born before 1960, with penalties for non-compliance [2][3] - Strategies such as making qualified charitable distributions can help minimize tax liabilities associated with RMDs, highlighting the need for timely implementation of such strategies [4] 分组2 - It is crucial for retirees to review and rebalance their investment portfolios to ensure they generate sufficient income while managing risk exposure [4] - Retirees should assess their portfolio for overexposure to individual stocks, as significant gains may lead to concentrated risk, suggesting a need to sell shares to maintain a balanced asset allocation [5][7] - Understanding costs and income projections for the upcoming year is essential for effective financial planning in retirement [6]

Market Performance & Outlook - Equity markets experienced a strong year, with the market up 16% [1] - The market has increased by 80% over the last three years [3] - S&P and Russell 2000 constantly hit new highs [2] - International and emerging market equities are up over 30% year-to-date [2] Portfolio Strategy & Recommendations - Rebalancing portfolios is recommended to address overexposure to benefiting indices [4] - Repositioning portfolios to reduce risk is suggested [4] - Overweighting small caps is favored [5] - International developed and emerging market equities are attractive [5] Small Cap & M&A Activity - The IPO calendar in 2025 doubled that of 2024, and is expected to be even stronger in 2026 [5] - M&A activity has increased, with small cap stocks often being targets [5] International Market Considerations - A significant portion of the 30+% return in international and emerging markets is due to the weakening US dollar [6] - In Europe, the return in US dollar terms is over 30%, while in local currency, it's about half of that [6]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of reviewing investment portfolios at the end of the year to reassess goals and position for the upcoming year, particularly in a volatile market with potential falling interest rates [1][14]. Group 1: Portfolio Performance Review - Investors should analyze their portfolio performance over the past year, comparing it with benchmarks like the Straits Times Index, which increased by 20.8%, and the MSCI World Index, which rose by 18.4% [3]. - Identifying top performers and understanding the macro- and micro-factors affecting their future performance is crucial [4]. - Underperforming stocks should be evaluated for their balance sheets and potential for recovery, ensuring a diversified allocation across sectors such as REITs, technology, consumer, and financials [4]. Group 2: Rebalancing Strategy - Significant market movements in 2025 necessitate a review of target allocations, as stocks like SBS Transit Ltd, DBS Group Holdings Ltd, and CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust have seen YTD increases of 29.1%, 26.5%, and 20.2% respectively [5][6]. - Adjustments should be made to align with risk profiles, particularly in sectors like REITs and banks that may benefit from interest rate cuts [6][7]. Group 3: Dividend Income Assessment - The Singapore market is favorable for dividend investing, which is a significant component of returns for many investors [8]. - Companies should be assessed for solid earnings, cash flow, and histories of increasing dividend payouts, focusing on indicators like dividend-payout ratios and leverage levels [9][10]. Group 4: Identifying New Opportunities - Potential Fed rate cuts in 2026 may create opportunities in sectors such as REITs, healthcare, technology infrastructure, and travel [11]. - Quality companies with promising outlooks should be identified, along with global opportunities in the US tech sector [11]. Group 5: Financial Goals and Investment Plan - Life changes often necessitate a reassessment of financial goals, requiring adjustments in investment contributions and emergency funds [12]. - Setting clear targets for retirement and long-term investments is essential for a flexible investment strategy [13].

Key Points It's a good idea to do some portfolio rebalancing ahead of retirement. Make sure you're not too heavily invested in volatile assets. Line up steady portfolio income and reserve some cash as a backup plan. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › If you're planning to retire in 2026, you've probably begun what should be a very joyous countdown. But it's important to do the right amount of last-minute planning before your career comes to an end. One importa ...

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve's first interest rate cut in September led to a quick stock market reaction, with surprising dips in stocks due to inflation concerns and economic uncertainty [1] - A third consecutive rate cut is expected on December 10, lowering the benchmark rate to 3.50%-3.75%, which is anticipated to positively influence market movements [2] - The S&P 500 has recovered from earlier losses and is up over 16% year to date, providing an opportunity for investors to adjust their portfolios [3] Investment Strategies - **Rebalance Portfolio**: Investors should ensure their portfolios are diversified, especially after the market's recovery, to avoid overexposure to specific companies or market segments [4] - **Shift Investments**: Consider moving away from speculative stocks towards more stable, recession-proof consumer goods stocks that offer dividends [5] - **Cash Out Gains**: With the S&P 500's recovery, it may be prudent for investors to cash out some gains for better protection against future market volatility [8]

Core Insights - Waterloo Capital has reduced its holdings in the iShares 0-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (SLQD) by selling 119,651 shares, now holding 221,451 shares valued at $11.26 million, which represents 0.84% of its reportable U.S. equity AUM [1][2][3] Group 1: Transaction Details - The sale of SLQD shares was reported in a 13F filing for Q3 2025, amounting to an estimated $6.05 million transaction [1][2] - Following the transaction, SLQD shares were priced at $50.64, underperforming the S&P 500 by 12.08 percentage points over the last year [3][4] Group 2: Fund Performance and Characteristics - SLQD has a dividend yield of 4.08% and a 1-year total return of 5.77% [4] - The ETF provides targeted exposure to short-term, investment-grade U.S. corporate bonds, balancing yield and credit quality, making it suitable for conservative investors seeking stability and income [5][9] Group 3: Institutional Trading Behavior - The reduction in SLQD holdings by Waterloo Capital, approximately 35%, appears to be routine portfolio rebalancing rather than a loss of confidence in the ETF [6][7] - Institutional investors frequently adjust their holdings for reasons such as client redemptions and maintaining target allocations, indicating normal trading activity [7][8]

As 2025 winds down, here are some moves to help you finish the year strong financially. Morningstar’s director of personal finance and retirement planning, Christine Benz, discusses strategies. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Benefits of Rebalancing Your Portfolio Q: What are the benefits of portfolio rebalancing, and who most needs to do it? A: The main benefit of rebalancing is risk reduction. You trim securities that have performed really well, presumably ones with higher valua ...