Aesop Advisor

07/02/2025

Though markets have recovered from Liberation Day lows, the impact of tariffs remains uncertain.

Tariff Creep: 100-Year Trade War Click to listen. Click to watch. Tariff Redux… Tariffs have been commonly used by US Presidents for decades, and are typically targeted to a certain industry or product from a specific country. In contrast, the current administration has implemented broad, world-wi...

01/02/2025

As a year ends and another begins, it may be worthwhile to reflect on how time and compounding interest is the investor’s ally.

New Year's Resolution: Get Invested, Stay Invested Click to listen. Click to watch. Expectations… Stock prices rise and fall from investors' collective expectations for how much companies will make versus how much they will spend. Consumer spending is the fuel that drives company revenues. One of ...

10/02/2024

Every four years, many may consider avoiding making investments until after the US presidential election, though history suggests waiting may result in opportunity costs.

Elections & Markets: Pause or Proceed Investing? Click to listen. Click to watch. Election Angst… As presidential elections approach, it is common for investors to worry about potential market volatility resulting from the outcome. Voters might have concerns that if the candidate they don't suppor...

07/03/2024

Instead of a binary, win or lose, one-off event, retirement investing should typically be an ongoing process, with regularly recurring contributions regardless of market conditions.

Retirement Investing: A Process - Not an Event Click to listen. Click to watch. Lump Sum... There can be a myriad of reasons that half or more of Americans avoid participating in a retirement investment program. Many may have a perception that the process is akin to placing a one time bet, and then....

06/12/2024

Aesop Advisor is celebrating 5 years as an independent registered investment advisor!

06/05/2024

Along with pump-and-dump schemes, insider trading is a common tactic often uncovered by regulators, and frequently involves individual traders and their friends and family.

Inside Info: Friends Don't Let Friends Trade MNPI Click to listen. Click to watch. Old-Fashioned Pumps… Though regulations change over time as technology changes and as regulators develop more effective ways to ensure fair and transparent markets, some fraudulent tactics have been around for as lo...

05/01/2024

While proponents say bitcoin halvings add to its value, it is difficult to link it to price movements. Also, if it worked as described by supporters, it could indicate crypto markets are inefficient.

Bitcoin Halving: May Not Have Intended Effect Click to listen. Click to watch. Block Chop... Bitcoin's creator focused almost exclusively on scarcity as related to value, and programmed events called halvings to reduce the number of new bitcoins that can be created from mining. Halvings occur around...

04/03/2024

Pensions usually do not provide enough on their own to sustain working-year lifestyles. Advisors, as well as pension providers, typically recommend having at least two other income sources in retirement.

Pension Plus Two: Three Pillars of Retirement Click to listen. Click to watch. DBP Annuities... A pension, also called a defined benefit plan, is a form of an annuity that is offered by employers to their employees. Annuities can provide a steady, fixed amount payment, with pensions lasting for life...

03/06/2024

The speculative activity of day trading remains alluring to many. Though even if tough odds and high stakes can be overcome, account minimums and limitations may be a barrier to frequent day trading for many.

Day Trading: Got an Extra $25k? Click to listen. Click to watch. Trading v Investing... Day trading seems to receive a high level of attention across media platforms, and many might wonder if day trading stocks can be a way to generate some extra income or even make a living. As opposed to long term...

02/07/2024

Will an ETF wrapper boost bitcoin value, or will it move crypto away from its intended use as a peer to peer currencyì

Bitcoin ETFs: Advancement or Setback for Crypto? Click to listen. Click to watch. Buy the Rumor... On Wednesday January 10, the SEC gave approval for the launch of bitcoin spot ETFs (exchange traded funds), that track the current market price of bitcoin. The next day, on Thursday the 11th, eleven sp...

01/03/2024

Fixed income investments such as bonds and annuities make steady, recurring payments, while stocks seek growth through appreciation in share prices. An investor’s worth may play a large role in determining which strategy is most suitable.

Growth & Income: The Two Worlds of Investments Click to listen. Click to watch. Cash Burn... Though cash should be a part of every household's wealth, cash might not be considered an investment. Investments usually involve appreciation in value, or provide some sort of percentage-based return on you...

12/20/2023

At their latest meeting, the Federal Reserve all but confirmed they are done increasing interest rates, with inflation expected to keep falling without more hikes.

Festive Fed: Further Hikes Unlikely Click to listen. Click to watch. When Doves Fly... The Federal Reserve meets every six weeks to decide on the path of monetary policy. During their most recent meeting, the Fed not only announced they were keeping rates unchanged, in an unexpectedly dovish fashion...