Topic: How To Invest

What is Pat’s Commentary for the week of August 16, 2011?

Article Excerpt

A long-time portfolio-management client recently asked how much growth we should expect for a conservative stock portfolio, in view of today’s economic concerns. These concerns include high joblessness; low consumer confidence; the need for various countries, particularly the U.S., to cut their spending so as to balance the budget; the U.S. political stalemate; and Europe’s need to restructure the finances of some of its smallest, poorest countries. I think the stock market could generate capital gains plus dividends totaling 5% to 7% a year over the next few years, if not more. That’s below the long-term average of 8% to 10% yearly. However, compared to the competition – the 3% to 4% you’ll earn on fixed-return investments – stocks look reasonably attractive, despite their greater variability. Then too, if we get an upsurge in inflation, stocks will suffer, but bonds will suffer more. Stocks represent ownership in companies, and well-managed companies can adjust to inflation. Fixed-return investments cannot adjust to inflation, since…