I hope you’ve found some time to relax, recharge and enjoy the summer. This last year and a half is one for the record books! In regards to the financial markets, we have never experienced anything like it in the last several decades. Not only has CV19 affected the markets by interrupting GDP, interest rates and many small and large industries, but we have also entered a new industrial (tech) revolution that began in 2000 and is ready to crescendo in the next decade. Every investor that is "allocated" by the traditional methods (stocks, bonds and cash) in order to decrease risk should reconsider. I am available to offer a second opinion on your current portfolio. Take a look at real institutional risk mitigation and you'll come away a changed investor!  Success in all your efforts, John

I decided to focus on the optimism of the word “up” this summer. And now, everywhere I look, things are looking UP! The economy has opened up, many people’s spirits are up, friends and families are meeting up once again. I spent this past weekend UP in Hudson, Wisconsin with our daughter, her husband and 4 grandchildren. It can be quite a powerful thing when we choose to look at the upside.  History has repeatedly shown that regardless of inevitable down periods, the proper (for you) strategy puts you on the path to achieve financial goals and objectives. When things seem down, take a moment to redirect your focus and find what's looking up for you. And on that note, here at The Naples Money Managers, we will continue to manage the best strategy for retirement.   So, let’s talk about what’s up with you lately.  Here are some hand-picked articles from some of the world’s top financial publishers to help inform your week.  Success in all your efforts, John

Richard Branson made the news as the first rocket company boss to be launched to space. Many say this breakthrough could soon open up space travel to the masses. According to equity analysts at Vertical Research, about 2 million people can afford to go to space today with a price point estimated between $300,000 to $400,000 per ticket. The Wall Street Journal gives more details in the article below. Tell me, doesn’t that sound at least a little exciting?  Even if you prefer to keep your feet flat on the Earth, adding another type of “space” to your financial plan is a good goal for the future. By “space” I mean more room to breathe, more margin, and more freedom to do the things YOU dream about. What do you want that seems out of reach today? Let’s talk about it and take steps to get you started down that path.  Every day we’re given opportunities to make things possible that once seemed impossible before.  Success in all your efforts, John

“Change your thoughts and you can change your world.” is a well-known quote from Norman Vincent Peale’s book The Power of Positive Thinking. A renewed sense of optimism and positivity has begun to build as cities and towns begin to open up.  A less-restricted summer is an ideal time to rest and rejuvenate. Put away the screens and enjoy spending time with family and friends outdoors. And, it can help your financial strategy too. How? Having the right outlook on life can help you on your financial path. Positive thinking is like a growth mindset, it: embraces challenges persists in the face of challenges learns from mistakes looks for lessons and inspiration from the success of others Cultivating these practices and principles in your financial life can have a positive impact on your money and on the path to successfully pursuing your goals. So, take your vacation, get outside, and let me know how it’s affected the way you think about your strategy and goals. I look forward to hearing from you. Have a safe and happy Independence Day weekend. Success in all your efforts, John

When I started at Merrill Lynch 30 years ago, investors seeking decent income had their choice of top rated municipal bonds, corporate bonds and quality preferred stocks. Investors are still looking for income that they can count on with low risk and a high yield. In our current economic environment, the 30 year U.S. Treasury is yielding around 2.11%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average along with the S&P 500 are both a little over 2%. What do investors do for income then?  One of the most effective ways in delivering income today is the "covered call strategy". This strategy is a lower risk approach to using 100% stocks and selling options for an income stream. In other words, you can own high quality dividend paying stocks while receiving additional option premium income along with any appreciation and dividends. Call me for more information on the details of the strategy, (239) 261-4800.    Success in all your efforts, John

“Money doesn’t grow on trees.” “Waste not want not.” “What am I, made of money?” Fathers are famous for coming up with great one-liners like these and many others over the years. I’m sure you’ve got your favorite father figure saying as well. Share it - I’d love to hear it. For as much as we poke fun at the things fathers say, they are often the first person people turn to for financial advice, and their wise words can play a large role in shaping our habits and attitudes towards money - so much so that the “dad voice” can continue well into our adult lives. From budgeting to working hard in order to increase your earning power, to saving and investing wisely - the father figures in our lives have a lot to teach us about life and money. With Father’s Day coming up this weekend, it’s good to reflect on the positive ways fathers in your life have influenced you. Give the good fathers you know a big “thank you” this Sunday. Or you could pass along one of these articles as a return in kind for the wisdom and support.  And remember: “Don’t spend it all in one place.” Success in all your efforts, John

You've probably received some sort of survey in your email recently ... you know the drill. Please tell us how satisfied you were from 1-10,with 10 being absolutely amazed with the service. How about portfolio risk? Well, you can put a number to your portfolio's risk by using a metric called "Beta". Beta measures the sensitivity of your portfolio to market benchmarks like the S&P 500. For this comparison, the S&P 500 index is given a Beta of 1.00 as a baseline. Let's say that your growth mutual fund has a calculated Beta of 1.20. Compared to the S&P's of 1.00 there's a 0.20 difference implying that your portfolio is 20% more volatile (riskier) than the index. And a Beta of 0.80 implies a 20% less volatile portfolio. Our Enhanced Dividend portfolio has a Beta of 0.62 implying much less risk than the S&P 500. Call me and let's calculate the Beta of your portfolio at (239) 261-4800.

Summer is the time to hit the open road and explore this big country. But with epic drives can come epic expenses - make sure you don't let unexpected costs creep in while planning the perfect road trip. The following articles have some good tips for summer trips.

First, hire a fiduciary. This is an Advisor that is ethically bound to act in your best interest and usually eliminates any conflicts of interest. Also, sit down with a few Advisors to get a feel for how they operate and how they are paid for their service. Next, ask yourself, "what is my main objective here?". Many investors hire Advisors that are focused heavily on growth when considerations should be given to strategic income too. Since not all Advisors have specialties, look for those who do and fit your main objective. 

Systemic risk is defined as risk that affects the performance of the whole stock market simultaneously and cannot be eliminated or controlled by diversification. Unsystematic risk, on the other hand, is the risk associated with a particular stock and it can be mitigated somewhat by diversification. However, as investors we notice that diversification does little to protect a portfolio in down markets.