Graeme H. Patey specializes in developing customized financial strategies. He employs a consultative approach on the financial and investment needs of high net-worth individuals and financial services to businesses.
Archive for retirement
Mar
07
Doji Candlestick Pattern-Rare But Easy To Spot And Highly Profitable!
Posted by: | CommentsCandlestick Charting is one of the most powerful tools in the trading arsenal of any trader. Candlestick Charts apply to any market no matter what you trade-stocks, forex, futures, options, ETFs, commodities, bonds and others. With one simple glance on the chart, you can figure out the sentiment of the buyers and sellers in the market. There are many candlestick patterns that are used as trading signals. Some are simple while others are complex. Doji Candlestick Pattern is a simple pattern that is very easy to spot. It has no body. It is formed when the opening and the closing prices are the same. So, this pattern is all wicks with no stick. It literally looks like a Cross on the chart. So you can easily spot it. But it is very rare as the security opening and closing prices are seldom equal! Doji has some variations. We will discuss these variations in this article!
For a Doji to be created, a trading day must begin and end with the same price. A whole lot of trading takes place during the day but when it is all said and done, the security price is right back where it had started in the morning.
When a Doji is formed with the opening and the closing prices equal, it is a signal that the battle between the bulls and the bears had been a draw during the trading day. Soon, either the bulls or the bears are going to previal. In other words, a trend reversal is about to take place.
Now, a Dragonfly Doji is a unique variation to the Doji Candlestick Pattern. It is formed when the opening, the closing and the high prices are all equal. Something quite rare and unique. So how is a Dragonfly Doji is formed? It is formed when the security price opens. It is traded down during the early part of the day. At some point in the trading day, the price action starts to recover and climb. It eventually closes at the high which happens to equal the open of the day. Something unique!
When a Dragonfly Doji is formed, bears initially decide to rule the market. But at some point the bulls step in and decide to buy again. When the bulls step in, they start pushing the price up. As the bulls dominate the trading day, the security price ends up right where it had started.
The low on this pattern can be taken as the support level because this was the level at which the bears entered the market and started buying. Dragonfly Doji is considered to be a bullish candlestick pattern.
A bearish Gravestone Doji Pattern is formed when the open and close of the day is equal to the low of the day. This is the most bearish of the Doji patterns. A bearish Gravestone Doji pattern signals the start of a prolonged downtrend in the security price.
As said before, this pattern is rare but very easy to spot on the chart. When it does form, get ready for a trend change!
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Feb
24
How To Use Fixed and Variable Annuities
Posted by: | CommentsAn individual buys an annuity from an insurance company and pays a lump sum or a series of payments over time. In return, the insurance company guarantees that the funds will grow at a tax-free rate. The earnings rate may be guaranteed for a period of time in a fixed account annuity.
Variable annuities are unique because the account value can change with fluctuations in market investments and other market conditions. This type of annuity can only be invested in specific investment types such as fixed investments or common stock.
Then, beginning on a specified date, the individual may elect to receive regular income payments for the rest of his or her life.
The size of the payment is determined by the account value at the time of distribution, and the duration of the payment period. Life annuity payments will generally be smaller than would the equivalent fixed period payments.
There are various policy options that may allow you to extend the life on the contact beyond the life of the account holder. With the right options, your children or spouse may be able to continue your options for the rest of your life.
Interested individuals should carefully examine the variable annuity’s prospectus to learn about any special account stipulations, rules, charges, or expenses that you may not be expecting. This information is provided before you commit to the contract, so you should spend sufficient time understanding all of the details that are unclear to you.
As a result of the account value increasing during the accumulation phase, the growth is not taxable until the distributions are made. This provides the account owner with some very beneficial account growth.
The portion of the annuity contract that is most similar to other insurance products is the guaranteed monthly distributions out of the account. These can occur for the duration of your life or for a specified period of time. Guaranteed payments allow you to plan for a steady retirement income that you cannot outlive. Many annuity contracts will also guarantee payment of the remainder of the annuity to your heirs should you die before receiving the equivalent of premiums paid in.
It is important to understand that certain actions outside of the design of your account may result in penalties, additional charges, or penalties that can affect the account value. Be certain that you have read the prospectus thoroughly and understand the ins and outs of the annuity contract. You do not want to be caught unawares of certain provisions and chargebacks.
The world of fixed rate annuities can be rather complicated. To get more details on this type of investment, take a minute to check out Luke Murray at The Fixed Annuity Guide.
Jan
21
Better Term Life Insurance with Return of Premium
Posted by: | CommentsAre you trying to decide if you should buy term life or whole life insurance? This decision can be tough when you consider the advantages and disadvantages of permanent vs temporary policies.
We know that term is usually cheaper. That is because it does expire after a time period, and because it does not normally grow any cash value. It is considered pure insurance.
But on the other hand, whole life covers us through our entire lives. As long as we keep the policy in force, it will provide coverage on our lives. It also can build up a cash account or cash value. This can be borrowed against, cashed in, or used in senior life settlements. This makes whole life attractive too.
But life insurance companies have come up with another rider (option) you can put on term to make it more attractive. This is called a return of premium (ROP) rider. This option will actually pay the policy owner all the premiums back if the policy does not have to pay on a claim.
Consider an example. Mr. White bought a thirty year, $500,000 policy. He survived to the end of it. While he must be happy to be alive, he does not get any more benefit from his coverage.
But if he choose to purchase the Return of Premium benefit, for a little more money, he can actually get a check back for all of the premiums he paid.
Understand that the policy will either pay out a benefit or it will refund premiums. If the insured person would pass away in year 8 of the policy, and a spouse or child collected, then there would be no premium refund.
Still, this makes term with ROP attractive to many people. They get the lower term premiums, but with just a little more added to their premium, they can get their money back at the end. I still cannot tell you if this is the choice you should make. Your own situation is unique. But I think that many people would take this option if they knew about it.
We can help you find term life with ROP in your city or town. You need to make an informed choice, and find the best types of life insurance for you.
Jan
15
Investing With A Conscience
Posted by: | CommentsSafe High Return Investments Plano
Interest in Socially Responsible Investing IncreasesMany investors have strong opinions that don’t involve their views on interest rates and stock prices. This might include support for a clean environment or concern for the poor and the disadvantaged – just to mention a few well-known causes.Increasingly, these investors want their holdings to reflect their social, ethical or religious values. They wish to avoid companies that profit from activities they oppose, and support companies that behave in ways they consider appropriate or responsible. At the same time, however, most investors still want or need to earn a reasonable return on their portfolios.Socially responsible investing (”SRI”) seeks to reconcile these two objectives by helping investors create diversified portfolios designed to deliver an acceptable level of performance, while at the same time excluding companies that don’t meet the their ethical standards. SRI investing recognizes that corporate responsibility and societal concerns are an important part of many investment decisions—particularly with the world’s increased focus on sustainability and climate change, among others. SRI investors encourage corporations to improve their practices on environmental, social, and governance issues. You may also hear SRI-like approaches to investing referred to as mission investing, responsible investing, double or triple bottom line investing, ethical investing, sustainable investing, or green investing. Increasing InterestOver the last several decades many investors have shown an increased appetite for social investors. The Social Investment Forum, a nonprofit group that promotes socially responsible investing, calculates the total number of assets under professional SRI management rose from $629 billion in 1995 to $2.71 trillion in 2007. In fact, the Forum estimates that one out of every nine dollars under professional management in the US today—or 11% of the $25.1 trillion in total assets under management tracked in Nelson Information’s Directory of Investment Managers—is involved in socially responsible investing.Why has socially responsible investing gained in popularity? One of the reasons may be that investors posed themselves a question similar to this one: while my number one investment goal will always be to create a properly diversified portfolio based on my personal risk tolerance levels, how can I also do a bit of good for the environment, for the world or to improve the condition of mankind? A second reason for SRI’s popularity is that some of the nation’s most prominent institutional investors have increasingly added a social focus to their investment decisions. These institutions, many with significant assets and often with great public, political and media clout, often carry both a big stick and use a loud voice. Some have become well-known advocates for social issues and this is often carried out through their investments in socially-responsible projects. An example is found in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), one of the world’s largest public pension funds. CalPers recently announced support for the United Nation’s Principles for Responsible Investment, a menu of possible global actions on environmental, social and corporate issues. A third reason for increased interest in SRI is the simple fact that it’s now much easier to access professionally managed SRI vehicles. Many investment firms have created specific investment processes that exclude companies that, in the investor’s view, focus on non-socially responsible or acceptable activities. Once these decisions have been made, the manager constructs a diversified portfolio within the desired constraints. The goal is to deliver performance consistent with the investor’s return objectives and tolerance for risk. Structuring investments consistent with social, environmental or ethical objectives offer investors a way to align their portfolios to their own objectives. Please call today, for more information on incorporating a socially responsive component into your investment program. Graeme H. Patey is a Financial Advisor located in Cleveland, Ohio and may be reached at 216-523-3015 or www.fa.smithbarney.com/graemepatey. Smith Barney does not provide tax or legal advice, and it is important to consult with a tax or legal advisor before investing.© 2008 Citigroup Global Markets Inc. Member SIPC. Securities are offered through Citigroup Global Markets Inc. Smith Barney is a division and service mark of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and its affiliates and is used and registered throughout the world. Citi and Citi with Arc Design are trademarks and service marks of Citigroup Inc. and its affiliates, and are used and registered throughout the world. Working WealthSM is a service mark of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Citibank are affiliated companies under the common control of Citigroup Inc.INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED • NOT GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
Safe High Return Investments Dallas
Jan
13
Seven Strategies For Investing During Volatile Markets
Posted by: | CommentsSafe High Return Investments Plano
The markets don’t always behave the way we’d like them to: Geopolitical turmoil, natural disasters, interest rates and world events can have a profound effect on market movements. If recent market volatility has you concerned about the economy, you are not alone; this is a confusing time for many investors. Some have decided to stay the course, while others are sitting on the sidelines waiting for the market to rebound. However, since no one can predict how the markets will perform, it’s important to develop an investment strategy that can help you stay on the right track to meeting your long-term financial goals. Here are some strategies that you can implement today, that may help to manage risk during these uncertain times.Work with a Financial Advisor. There are a lot of do-it-yourself investment resources available to investors today. However, none of those resources can replace the experienced, personal service a Financial Advisor provides. A Financial Advisor can offer an understanding of your complete financial picture, not just your investments. Additionally, in periods of market volatility when you need the most support, a Financial Advisor can provide:• Access to important decision-making research and information;• Ongoing monitoring of your investment portfolio, while anticipating your changing needs; and• A comprehensive market-volatility plan.Have a plan. Developing a financial plan is one of the best ways to meet your long-term goals. Your plan should also include an action plan to address market volatility, which should be developed well in advance of a turbulent market. Having a market-volatility plan will help you to set realistic goals and appropriately manage your return expectations.Invest regularly. It may not seem intuitive, but investing regularly—even during market downturns—can help to reduce your overall costs. Dollar cost averaging is one of the best ways to invest regularly, since you’re investing a fixed amount on a fixed schedule, regardless of how the markets perform. Investing regularly can also have intrinsic benefits: It encourages discipline and may also ease the anxiety of daily market fluctuations.Diversify. If you’ve ever heard the saying, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” then you already have a basic understanding of diversification. Diversifying your portfolio can reduce risk and volatility if the assets have little or no correlation to each other.Investing in mutual funds is one way to achieve portfolio diversification, since mutual funds are typically a diversified investment. There are also several other ways to diversify and potentially reduce portfolio volatility:• Within an asset category, such as purchasing different types of mutual funds;• Among asset categories, such as purchasing stocks and bonds; and• Outside of the United States, since some markets move opposite to the US stock market.Put volatility to work for you. Do you think of the glass as half empty or half full? Your perspective can affect the investment decisions you make during market downturns. Investors who view market volatility negatively can make irrational decisions. A down market can be an opportunity for you to build your portfolio and take advantage of lower unit costs.Stay invested. You are probably anxious during times when the value of your investments has decreased. As a result, you may be tempted to move out of the market, sit on the sidelines and wait for the market to rebound. However, since no one knows how the markets will move, how do you know you’re leaving at the right time? Also, how will you know when it is the right time to get off the sidelines and start investing again?If you have worked with a Financial Advisor, your investment strategy was developed to help you meet your long-term goals. Timing the market could potentially jeopardize your financial plan—and your future goals.Be patient. There will always be uncertainty in the markets; market volatility is a natural part of the investment cycle. Although it may take some time, markets do rebound.In the meantime, call your Financial Advisor to help you develop an action plan for market volatility and continue to focus on your long-term investment goals rather than short-term market moves.Graeme H. Patey is a Financial Advisor located in Cleveland, Ohio and may be reached at 216-523-3015 or http://fa.smithbarney.com/graemepatey. Asset allocation and diversification strategies do not guarantee a profit or protect against loss.A periodic investment plan such as dollar cost averaging does not assure a profit or protect against a loss.International stocks are subject to certain risks of overseas investing including currency fluctuations and changes in political and economic conditions, which could result in significant market fluctuations. These risks are magnified in emerging markets.Mutual fund investments are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal. They are sold by prospectus only. The prospectus contains the investment objectives, risks, fees, charges and expenses, and other information regarding the mutual fund and variable annuity contract and its underlying investments, which should be carefully considered before investing. Prospectuses are available through your Financial Advisor or at www.smithbarney.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.Smith Barney does not provide tax or legal advice, and it is important to consult with a tax or legal advisor before investing.© 2008 Citigroup Global Markets Inc. Member SIPC. Securities are offered through Citigroup Global Markets Inc. Smith Barney is a division and service mark of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and its affiliates and is used and registered throughout the world. Citi and Citi with Arc Design are trademarks and service marks of Citigroup Inc. and its affiliates, and are used and registered throughout the world. Working WealthSM is a service mark of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Citibank are affiliated companies under the common control of Citigroup Inc.INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED • NOT GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
Graeme H. Patey specializes in developing customized financial strategies. He employs a consultative approach on the financial and investment needs of high net-worth individuals and financial services to businesses.
Safe High Return Investments Dallas