On the surface, Mary L. Schapiro has all the credentials to be an outstanding chairwoman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as she has unparalleled experience as a securities regulator.
The bear market and recession that began late in 2007 are perhaps barely half over, but it isn't too soon for financial planners and investment advisers to begin preparing clients for the aftermath of government efforts to halt the crisis.
Here are three important portfolio survival lessons retired investors and their advisers can learn from Wall Street’s failures.
The Madoff Ponzi scheme has shocked investors but offers many lessons. The first is that no one can rely on the Securities and Exchange Commission to spot all, or even most, of the bad guys in the financial system before they hurt people.
What do Wall Street investment banks and retired investors have in common? They both must live off the return on their capital.
Investors will be glad to see the end of 2008 — a year that may live in infamy as one that was marked by the worst investment returns since the Great Depression.
The end of each year is a time of reflection and anticipation.
Where are the advocates for businesspeople and investors in President-elect Barack Obama's incoming administration?
The incoming administration should consider the regulatory reforms for the financial markets that it will propose to Congress and the regulatory agencies when it takes office in January.
Investors and their advisers are rightfully concerned about running afoul of the wash sale rule and triggering a taxable event. As you know, a wash sale — as defined in Section 1091 of the Internal Revenue Code — occurs when an investor sells property at a loss and within 30 days acquires "substantially identical" property.
Job no. 1 for the Federal Reserve Board and the Department of the Treasury was to stabilize the capital markets.
In a move that has received scant public attention, the SEC this month put into place changes that could harm investors.
President-elect Barack Obama deserves congratulations — and a warning to be careful what you wish for in this life.
