Businesses, Stock Markets & the Economy America’s deeply unequal economic recovery, explained in 7 charts. “The pandemic has made employment disparities in America more evident than ever.” (Vox) Unfortunate Investing Traits (Morgan Housel) “An iron rule of investing is that almost nothing is certain and the best we can do is put the odds of success in our favor. Since we’re working with odds – not certainties – it’s possible to make good...

Businesses, Stock Markets & the Economy What Investors Should Know About Recent “Flash Mob” Trading (Schwab Center for Financial Research) “… much of the latest market activity has not been driven by traditional investors or based on traditional fundamentals. It’s been driven by trading activity in both the options market and small subsets of stocks, including those most heavily shorted by hedge funds, as well as low-priced “penny stocks,” weaker-balance-sheet companies, and...

COVID-19 & YOUR HEALTH Double-masking is the new masking. (nytimes.com) What we know, and importantly, don’t know about the variants. (statnews.com) Vaccines for children are coming, albeit slowly. And will be necessary for herd immunity. (theatlantic.com) The second generation Covid vaccines are coming. (scientificamerican.com) Side effects are a sign that the vaccines are working. (behavioralscientist.org) What does a more contagious virus mean for schools? (nytimes.com) “In a car these days with someone else? Open the windows.” (nytimes.com) YOUR...

DIMENSIONAL’S QUARTERLY MARKET REVIEW (Q4 2020 & TY 2020) It’s a wrap. 2020 market performance numbers are now available for the fourth quarter and the total year. Today, we share Dimensional Fund Advisor’s latest Quarterly Market Review, along with its 2020 Annual Market Review. “The year 2020 proved to be one of the most tumultuous in modern history, marked by a number of developments that were historically unprecedented. But the year also...

COVID-19 & YOUR HEALTH Reminder->Sign up here for a Daily Review of Covid-19 Research and Policy by Doctors on the Frontlines The best masks to prevent COVID-19. “We’ve come a long way with masks. You can now buy third-party tested Korean KN94s that nearly match the efficacy of N95s. They are far better than both surgical and cloth masks. This mechanical engineer on YouTube tests many of the available options and makes recommendations...

HAPPY NEW YEAR. LET US LOOK TO THE FUTURE WITH HOPE AND OPTIMISM FOR A BETTER TOMORROW. From Erin Ruberry’s “In Better News” COVID-19 & YOUR HEALTH Coronavirus links: a year of anguish (Abnormal Returns) Including Chart of the Day: To keep the public informed, the CDC has updated its page on all known coronavirus mutations and ongoing efforts to sequence and understand their implications. YOUR FINANCES & OTHER WEALTH MANAGEMENT LINKS Congress Passes $900 Billion Coronavirus...

COVID-19 & YOUR HEALTH V is for vaccine! “Remember these common vaccine myths, arm yourself with the facts.” (COVID-19 Update for December 14, 2020 from Dr. Lucy McBride) More Than 1.1 Million People Have Been Vaccinated: Covid-19 Tracker. “We’re following the nine most promising shots around the world.” (Bloomberg) YOUR FINANCES & OTHER WEALTH MANAGEMENT LINKS The Best Ways to Maximize Your Charitable Donations (Abacus) How the CARES Act Changed Charitable Giving Understanding the...

COVID-19 & YOUR HEALTH What You Need to Know About Getting Tested for Coronavirus “Long lines, slow results and inconsistent advice have left many of us confused about when and how to get tested. We talked to the experts to answer your questions.” (The New York Times) Childhood Without Other Children: A Generation Is Raised in Quarantine “Covid-19 has meant the youngest children can’t go to birthday parties or play dates. Parents...

  COVID-19 & Your Health Good morning. The C.D.C. announces its suggested vaccine priorities, and we offer a timeline of when you can expect to get one. (The New York Times) C.D.C. Officials Shorten Recommended Quarantine Periods (The New York Times) “New research suggests that people are most infectious two days before and five days after symptoms develop. Many countries around the world have moved to shorter quarantine periods, from five to 10 days,...

  COVID-19 & Your Health   Real-time Coronavirus Advice from an MD – Dr. Lucy McBride: Sign up here If you want to catch up on some of her prior writings, here's a good place to start: A practical strategy (and handy acronym!) to mitigate risk of coronavirus infection COVID School Series: Your daily dose of facts and guidance on COVID-19 COVID 101: the anatomy of coronavirus COVID 201: the anatomy of COVID anxiety ...