Evidence-based investing

Presidential election reflection (UPDATED 11-2024)  

November 5, 2024

This client outreach offers four simple reminders on why it's as important as ever to disconnect your long-term investment activities from late-breaking political news. Updated on Nov. 5 for distribution post-election.

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Lump-sum investing and dollar-cost averaging: A 2-part series (UPDATED 09-2024)  

September 23, 2024

UPDATED FROM 2020: Part 1 describes why lump-sum investing is generally expected to deliver higher end returns. Part 2 covers why other issues may sometimes make dollar-cost averaging the preferred strategy anyway.

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Quarterly client letter: 2024 Q2  

July 1, 2024

As the market continues its rally and headlines and pundits fret about potential global uncertainty, this edition of the quarterly client letter examines the twin emotions of fear and FOMO (fear of missing out) and takes the opportunity to remind your readers of the lessons history has to teach us about long-term investing and a portfolio built to match their goals, timeline and risk tolerance.

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Equity compensation: Big opportunities, but beware the risks  

June 27, 2024

Equity can be an important part of a new employee’s compensation package or a way for employers to show their appreciation for a job well done. While equity compensation can lead to a nice financial payout, it is not without risk. This article explores the basics of equity compensation, understanding potential downsides—including concentration risk—and how to solve for that risk.

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The ABCs of behavioral biases (UPDATED 04-2024)  

April 22, 2024

UPDATED FROM SEPT. 2019: This collection of materials includes: (1) a 6,000-word white paper, (2) the same materials broken into a seven-part drip series and (3) a PowerPoint presentation on "The ABCs of Behavioral Biases." From anchoring to FOMO, from hindsight to tracking-error regret, this series covers the most common financial behavioral biases that lead investors astray.

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Quarterly client letter (2024 Q1)  

April 1, 2024

Reflections on strong Q1 markets and the importance of avoiding stock picking and market timing in hot and cold markets; also includes an homage to the late Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman.

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Financial quick takes: Financial goals—your tickets to ride  

March 27, 2024

This "quick take" piece reviews why it's important for investors to have well-crafted personal financial goals driving their overall investment strategies and selections, and how to establish and maintain relevant goals over time.

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Bringing order to your investment universe: A 3-part series  

February 20, 2024

This three-part series walks readers through how to transition from a chaotic collection of assets and accounts into a well-structured investment portfolio. Each part explores the separate planning pieces involved in minimizing the taxable impact of a desired transition while successfully moving toward a more orderly investment portfolio, and it encourages investors to hire an experienced financial planner to assist them. This series is also available in white paper format for use as a separate prospecting resource.

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Bringing order to your investment universe: White paper  

February 20, 2024

This white paper walks readers through how to transition from a chaotic collection of assets and accounts into a well-structured investment portfolio. It explores how to strike an effective balance between minimizing the taxable impact of a desired transition while successfully moving toward a more orderly investment portfolio, and it encourages investors to hire an experienced financial planner to assist them. Each part in this three-part piece is also available in stand-alone format for use as a drip series.

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Evidence-based investment insights series: 14 parts (UPDATED 2024)  

January 16, 2024

UPDATED FROM 2019: This is a series of 14 shorter pieces for explaining evidence-based investment principles in a step-by-step approach. Use the series for drip marketing via e-newsletter, emails, mailings or as video script to introduce your investment approach to prospective clients or to review key benefits with existing clients. Collection will download as a zip file containing 14 Word documents. A compiled 26-page white paper and eight-page report also are available for separate download.

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Evidence-based investment insights series: Report (UPDATED 2024)  

January 16, 2024

UPDATED FROM 2019: This eight-page report strikes a happy medium between the full 26-page white paper and the individual installments available in the Evidence-Based Investment Insights series. Compiling key messages from the entire series, this report offers a mid-length, single document overview of evidence-based investing. Share the paper as a printed handout or in PDF form with clients and prospects. Use it as a giveaway to collect emails on your website or for other similar purposes.

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Evidence-based investment insight series: White paper (UPDATED 01-2024)  

January 16, 2024

UPDATED FROM 2019: This 26-page white paper compiles the entire Evidence-Based Investment Insights series into a single document you can use to design your own company white paper. Share the paper as a printed handout or in PDF/booklet form with clients and prospects. Use it as a giveaway to collect emails on your website or for other similar purposes. A set of individual installments for "dripping" the series and a shorter report version are available for separate download in January 2024.

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Quarterly client letter: 2023 Q4  

January 1, 2024

Commentary on the strong 2023 annual returns nobody saw coming, along with timeless advice for informing 2024 investment decisions.

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4 financial best practices for year-end 2023  

November 15, 2023

Share this piece with clients and prospects to offer four financial best practices for year-end 2023. This year's tips cover managing cash reserves, maintaining one's investment portfolio, tax strategies and time management.

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Financial quick takes: Compared to what?  

October 26, 2023

This piece describes the apples-to-oranges comparisons investors tend to make between their well-built, globally diversified investment portfolio versus fleeting hot hands and/or "the market." Readers are encouraged to instead consider fund management and costs in selecting appropriate holdings for their unique portfolio and invites them to reach out to you for assistance.

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Quarterly client letter: 2023 Q3  

October 1, 2023

Reflections on a mixed-bag quarter and how to remain focused on long-term outcomes and personal financial goals instead of reacting to the latest undependable forecasts.

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Financial quick takes: Wisdom of crowds vs. popular delusions  

September 25, 2023

Are markets wise, as James Surowiecki suggests in "The Wisdom of Crowds"? Or are they delusional, as described in Charles Mackay's "Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds"? This quick take summarizes why they can be either or both, and how that shapes your investment recommendations. By creating and sticking with a low-cost, globally diversified portfolio, investors can capitalize on group wisdom and avoid group mania.

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Financial quick takes: Making mistakes  

September 5, 2023

A quick-take piece emphasizing the difference between avoidable investment mistakes versus random market misfortune. By eliminating avoidable mistakes, investors can also lower, but not entirely eliminate the possibility of experiencing negative investment outcomes.

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A balanced look at stock buybacks series: Full report  

August 4, 2023

Our 3-part series bundled into a full-length report, exploring how and why stock buybacks can help investors, hurt them or be a neutral event, depending on the particulars.

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A balanced look at stock buybacks—Part 3: Risks amid the rewards  

August 4, 2023

Part 3 of a three-part series exploring how and why stock buybacks can help investors, hurt them or be a neutral event, depending on the particulars. Part 1 described how stock buybacks generally work and emphasized the importance of investing in a globally diversified portfolio, rather than chasing or fleeing particular stock buyback opportunities. Part 2 covered how companies may use stock buybacks to strike a balance between sustaining current and future shareholder value. In part 3, we cover how the power of stock buybacks can become weaponized in the wrong hands, and why the government is keeping its eye on them.

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A balanced look at stock buybacks—Part 2: Sustaining current & future value  

July 31, 2023

Part 2 of a three-part series exploring how and why stock buybacks can help investors, hurt them or be a neutral event, depending on the particulars. Part 1 described how stock buybacks generally work and emphasized the importance of investing in a globally diversified portfolio, rather than chasing or fleeing particular stock buyback opportunities. In part 2, we cover how companies may use stock buybacks to strike a balance between sustaining current and future shareholder value. In part 3, we'll cover how the power of stock buybacks can become weaponized in the wrong hands, and why the government is keeping its eye on them.

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A balanced look at stock buybacks—Part 1: How do stock buybacks work?  

July 31, 2023

Part 1 of a three-part series exploring how and why stock buybacks can help investors, hurt them or be a neutral event, depending on the particulars. Part 1 describes how stock buybacks generally work and emphasizes the importance of investing in a globally diversified portfolio, rather than chasing or fleeing particular stock buyback opportunities. In part 2, we'll cover how companies may use stock buybacks to strike a balance between sustaining current and future shareholder value. In part 3, we'll cover how the power of stock buybacks can become weaponized in the wrong hands, and why the government is keeping its eye on them.

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Quarterly Client Letter – 2023 Q2  

July 3, 2023

This quarterly letter celebrates strong quarterly and YTD returns, while encouraging clients to stick with their long-term investment strategy across strong and weak markets. It also includes an homage to the recently passed Nobel laureate Professor Harry Markowitz.

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Dividend Stocks – Part 2: Dividend Stocks vs. Total Return Investing  

June 28, 2023

Building a concentrated position in dividend stocks may appeal to some investors as a way to withdraw income from their investment portfolio. In Part 1 of a two-part series, we explored how dividend stocks really work, and why stocking up on them is not our preferred technique for creating a dependable cash flow in retirement. In this Part 2, we cover why we instead prefer a total return approach to building wealth and generating efficient cash flow as needed.

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Dividend Stocks – Part 1: How Dividend Stocks Work  

June 28, 2023

Building a concentrated position in dividend stocks may appeal to some investors as a way to withdraw income from their investment portfolio. In this Part 1 of a two-part series, we explore how dividend stocks really work, and why stocking up on them is not our preferred technique for creating a dependable cash flow in retirement. In Part 2, we'll cover why we instead prefer a total return approach to building wealth and generating efficient cash flow as needed.

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Unsung Money Mentors: Personal Financial Columnist Sylvia Porter  

May 30, 2023

In a recent piece, "Who Is 'the Media'?" we offered our broad take on “the media,” and how to identify islands of investment insights across the oceans of daily news. In this follow-up, we focus on America’s first personal financial columnist Sylvia Porter (1913–1991), and the impact she made on the global financial press. This piece is also part of our continuing series on Unsung Money Mentors.

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Is the Debt Ceiling Bringing You Down?  

May 10, 2023

A client reach-out to reinforce the importance of sticking with a personalized, globally diversified portfolio, regardless of how the debt ceiling crisis plays out.

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Quarterly Client Letter – 2023 Q1  

April 2, 2023

This quarterly letter reflects on the impact of inflation, interest rate, and banking news in the quarter past, and how, if you’d missed the events in real time, you may not even have known they’d happened. Invest instead according to your investment strategy and individual goals.

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Unsung Money Mentors: The Legacy Dan Wheeler Left Us  

February 28, 2023

In the first of what may become a series of unsung money mentors, we reflect on the legacy the recently passed Dan Wheeler left for the independent, fee-only advisor community in general, and evidence-based investment advisors in particular. The piece covers his influence on the advisor community before and after he joined Dimensional Fund Advisors.

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4 Ways to Apply the 80/20 Rule to Your Financial Pursuits  

February 5, 2023

The "80/20 rule" suggests 80% of an outcome is often the result of just 20% of the effort you put into it. In that spirit, this piece offers 4 financial best practices where the 80/20 rule applies. These include staying invested across varied markets, emphasizing asset allocation over stock-picking, having a basic financial plan to guide the way, and freezing your credit report to minimize financial fraud.

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Quarterly Client Letter – 2022 Q4  

January 4, 2023

This quarterly and year-end client letter looks back on negative returns in 2022, and cautions clients against letting potential pessimism alter their asset allocation decisions. You never know what the near-term future holds, so long-term planning remains advised.

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Back to the Investment Basics: White Paper  

October 14, 2022

This nine-page white paper combines our recently published, multipart Investment Basics series into a complete piece covering five investment essentials: how important it is to save (so you have money to invest); how to invest efficiently in broad markets; why to avoid chasing or fleeing rising or falling prices, being patient, and investing according to your personal financial goals.

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Back to the Investment Basics: Part 5 — Patience and Personal Persistence  

October 12, 2022

This part 5 is the last installment in our multipart Investment Basics series, and covers two more essentials: being patient and ensuring personal financial goals drive the decision-making. Earlier parts explored the history of investing; how important it is to save (so you have money to invest); how to invest efficiently in broad markets; and why to avoid chasing or fleeing rising or falling prices.

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Quarterly Client Letter – 2022 Q3  

October 3, 2022

This quarterly client letter reflects on having entered bear market territory, and why it still makes sense to remain invested in a globally diversified portfolio that reflects each investor's personal financial goals. It references both current commentary as well as historical insights.

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Back to the Investment Basics: Part 4 — The Price You Pay Matters  

September 27, 2022

This part 4 in our multipart Investment Basics series covers how stock prices are set. Earlier parts explored the history of investing; how important it is to save (so you have money to invest); and how to invest efficiently in broad markets. Next up (and to wrap), we'll cover investor resolve, and setting personal financial goals.

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Back to the Investment Basics: Part 3 — Our Marvelous Markets  

September 16, 2022

Part 3 of a multipart series reminds investors to consider current market events in proper historical context (part 1), while depending on investment basics to move past today's challenges and future unknowns. In part 2, we covered the importance of saving. In this part 3, we cover market returns. In upcoming parts, we'll cover three more investment basics: market pricing, investor resolve, and personal financial goals.

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Back to the Investment Basics: Part 1 — Remembering Summers Past   Free Sample (Click on title to download)

August 29, 2022

Part 1 of a multipart series reminds investors to consider current market events in proper historical context, while depending on investment basics to move past today's challenges and future unknowns. In upcoming parts, we'll cover five investment basics: saving, market returns, market pricing, investor resolve, and personal financial goals.

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Market-Timing Traps and Temptations  

August 3, 2022

This commentary points to the surprisingly strong July 2022 returns (after awful returns during the first half of the year) to remind investors why market-timing remains ill-advised. As always, markets don't set prices based on whether news is good or bad, but whether it's better or worse than expected.

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Our Take On Direct Indexing (UPDATED)  

July 30, 2022

UPDATED FROM DECEMBER 2021: With the elimination of trading costs and the ability to purchase partial shares, more providers have been offering direct indexing to smaller accounts for relatively modest fees. But just because investors can engage in direct indexing, should they? It depends on the circumstances. This three-part report defines direct indexing, reviews its downsides, and describes its potential useful applications.

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Quarterly Client Letter – 2022 Q2  

July 4, 2022

This quarterly client letter touches on a series of disorienting conditions in current markets, such as the fact that stocks and bonds are down simultaneously, and reinforces sticking with one's long-term, globally diversified portfolio, including a value tilt when appropriate.

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Investing in I Bonds  

May 4, 2022

An overview of what I Bonds are, why currently high interest rates might make them an appealing place to store cash reserves and/or emergency funds, caveats to consider, and how you can help clients incorporate them into their greater investment portfolio.

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Quarterly Client Letter – 2022 Q1   Free Sample (Click on title to download)

April 4, 2022

This quarterly client letter explores the essentials of investment planning amidst current market volatility, aggravated by inflation, interest rates, and economic concerns. It optionally points to the recently completed three-part report on the same.

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Interest Rates, Inflation & Investing: Report Version  

April 4, 2022

A compiled, three-part report that combines our multi-part series covering current concerns about interest rates (part 1), inflation (part 2), and what these influences mean to investors (part 3).

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Interest Rates, Inflation & Investing, Part 3  

April 1, 2022

Part 3 in a 3-part series covering current concerns about interest rates (part 1), inflation (part 2), and what these influences mean to investors (in this part 3).

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Ukraine  

February 24, 2022

A timely client reach-out with timeless reminders to guide investing during the current Russian/Ukraine crisis.

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Quarterly Client Letter – 2021 Q4  

January 3, 2022

This quarterly client letter explores recent and future market returns in the context of investors' personal financial goals--considering the "parts" and the "whole."

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Evidence-Based Investing in Brief  

December 16, 2021

"What is evidence-based investing?" This 3-page piece provides a relatively brief, yet substantive response to this essential FAQ. It starts with a two-sentence working definition, and then covers evidence-based investing's roots, reasoning and practical application.

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Six Financial Best Practices for Year-End 2021  

November 7, 2021

Share this piece with clients and prospects to offer six financial best practices for year-end 2021. This year's tips cover investment discipline, budgeting, tax-planning, charitable giving, and estate planning considerations in the context of 2021 events. It also optionally references the newly released "Tax Planning in Turbulent Times" report for additional insights.

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Tax Planning in Turbulent Times  

November 7, 2021

This report combines our earlier 3-part tax planning series into a single, 6-page piece. It pairs well with, and is optionally referenced in the separate piece, "Six Financial Best Practices for Year-End 2021."

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Tax Planning Part 3: Tax-Wise Financial Planning  

August 31, 2021

Part 3 of a 3-part series on tax-planning. Part 1 defined "the tools of the tax-planning trade," i.e., tax breaks for saving toward life goals such as retirement, healthcare, education, emergency spending, charitable giving, and wealth transfer. Part 2 explored reducing families' lifetime tax bills through tax-wise investment techniques. Part 3 explores integrating all of the above into broad financial planning.

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Tax Planning Part 2: Tax-Wise Investment Techniques  

August 12, 2021

Part 2 of a 3-part series on tax-planning. Part 1 defined "the tools of the tax-planning trade," i.e., tax breaks for saving toward life goals such as retirement, healthcare, education, emergency spending, charitable giving, and wealth transfer. Part 2 explores reducing families' lifetime tax bills through tax-wise investment techniques. Part 3 will explore integrating all of the above into broad financial planning techniques.

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Quarterly Client Letter – 2021 Q2  

July 1, 2021

This 491-word Q2 2021 quarterly client letter compares recent speculative ventures like FINRA-fined Robinhood’s IPO filing, with the 50th anniversary of index investing.

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Quarterly Client Letter – 2021 Q1  

April 1, 2021

This 416-word Q1 2021 quarterly client letter reminds clients why it's just as important to ignore hot hands as cold fears in ever-changeable markets.

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SPACS, NFTs, and Other Jungle Creatures  

March 11, 2021

Use this 1,117-word report to describe some of the latest trading trends to clients and prospects, put the activity in the context of similar historical runs, and explain why long-term investors should avoid the excitement of short-term speculation.

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GameStop Client Reach-Out  

February 1, 2021

Share this 855-word piece with clients and prospects to offer a synopsis (to date) of the unfolding marketing volatility generated by GameStop and similar short-sold stocks, and to remind them of the essential differences between long-term investing versus short-term trading.

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Quarterly Client Letter – 2020 Q4  

January 4, 2021

This 487-word Q4 2020 quarterly client letter reviews the wild ride 2020 delivered and why it’s important to stay the course through both bear and bull markets. It lists the ways you’ll be helping them do that, in the context of current financial and political news.

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An Evidence-Based Approach to ESG Investing: White Paper (UPDATED)  

December 21, 2020

UPDATED FROM JUNE-JULY 2017: This 2,300-word piece combines our UPDATED two-part ESG investing series into a single white paper, providing an informational overview of ESG investing in the context of evidence-based investment strategies. Use this paper (or the parts, in installments) to respond to client and prospect questions about ESG investing.

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An Evidence-Based Approach to ESG Investing: Part 1 (UPDATED)  

December 21, 2020

UPDATED FROM JUNE-JULY 2017: This 930-word document is part 1 of a 2-part series, providing an UPDATED informational overview of ESG investing in the context of evidence-based investment strategies. Part 1 introduces a few key terms and summarizes how ESG investment priorities may vary depending on individual goals. Use this series to respond to client and prospect questions about ESG investing.

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An Evidence-Based Approach to ESG Investing: Part 2 (UPDATED)  

December 21, 2020

UPDATED FROM JUNE-JULY 2017: This 1,400-word document is part 2 of a 2-part series, providing an UPDATED informational overview of ESG investing in the context of evidence-based investment strategies. Part 2 explores how to quantify “doing good,” and explores the challenges and opportunities ESG investors face today. Use this series to respond to client and prospect questions about ESG investing.

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Presidential Election Reflection (UPDATED)  

November 9, 2020

UPDATED FROM OCT. 2020: This 426-word client reach-out offers three simple reminders on why it's as important as ever to disconnect your long-term investment activities from late-breaking political news. Updated on Nov. 9 for distribution post- instead of pre-election.

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Quarterly Client Letter – 2020 Q3  

October 1, 2020

This 558-word Q3 2020 quarterly client letter reminds clients of why it’s important to ignore distractions that might have detracted from their ability to participate in the market’s recent strong overall returns. Illustrations include chasing FAANG stocks, trying to predict presidential elections, and more.

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Lump-Sum Investing vs. Dollar-Cost Averaging — Part 2: Actual Outcomes  

September 28, 2020

This 650-word document is part two of a two-part series comparing lump-sum investing to dollar-cost averaging. This first part describes why lump-sum investing is generally expected to deliver higher end returns. In part two, we cover why other issues may sometimes make dollar-cost averaging the preferred strategy anyway.

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Lump-Sum Investing vs. Dollar-Cost Averaging — Part 1: Raw Returns  

September 21, 2020

This 610-word document is part one of a two-part series comparing lump-sum investing to dollar-cost averaging. This first part describes why lump-sum investing is generally expected to deliver higher end returns. In part two, we'll cover why other issues may sometimes make dollar-cost averaging the preferred strategy anyway.

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“What Is Evidence-Based Investing?” Infographic  

August 25, 2020

This "What Is Evidence-Based Investing?" infographic illustrates the key differences between evidence-based vs. traditional active investing. Display this high-resolution PDF online, or print it as a 24" x 36" poster to display in your office. This generic, unbranded version is available to Content-Sharing Library members at no added cost. Members and non-members alike also can order a custom-branded version here: https://contentlibrary.thewritingcompany.com/infographic-what-is-ebi/

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Finding Your Fiduciary Financial Advisor (UPDATED)  

August 18, 2020

UPDATED FROM FEB. 2015: This six-page, three-part special report helps investors choose a fiduciary advisor, UPDATED for recent changes under Reg BI. Part 1 describes the broad financial environment and the importance of the fiduciary relationship. Part 2 covers additional qualities to seek, and Part 3 offers tips on how to review an advisor's credentials. Pairs well with the separate, July 2020 Library piece, “What Is Fiduciary Investment Advice?”

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What Is Fiduciary Investment Advice, and Why Does It Matter?  

July 31, 2020

Fully independent, fee-only RIA firms can share this 1,500-word report with clients and prospective clients to differentiate comprehensive fiduciary client relationships, vs. "incidental" investment recommendations under Regulation Best Interest (as of June 30, 2020). Pairs well with the separate, August 2020 Library piece, “Finding Your Fiduciary Financial Advisor.”

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Quarterly Client Letter – 2020 Q2  

July 2, 2020

This 460-word Q2 2020 quarterly client letter reminds clients of the importance of sticking to plan despite near-term market noise in 2020.

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Eight “Best/Worst” Wealth Strategies During the Coronavirus   Free Sample (Click on title to download)

June 28, 2020

Share this 833-word document with clients and prospects to cover eight of the most and least effective ways for they can spend their time and energy shoring up their financial well-being in the time of the coronavirus.

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Understanding Sequence Risk in Retirement  

June 9, 2020

Use this 1,085-word report to introduce sequence risk to clients and prospective clients, especially those in or near retirement. Describes how the sequence in which retirees earn returns early in retirement can impact their lasting wealth, provides an illustration of the same, and suggests ways to manage sequence risk when it occurs. Download includes the report itself in Word, plus an Excel spreadsheet for advisor-only reference.

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How To Be Positively Skeptical | Part 4: Check the Facts Before You Act  

May 17, 2020

Use this third, 898-word installment of a 4-part series to help clients and prospects strengthen their ability to differentiate solid evidence from bogus claims, especially during the coronavirus crisis. Parts 1-3 described why it's important to be positively skeptical, how our emotions interfere with our reasoning, and what should guide our due diligence. Part 4 describes some of the practical steps involved and wraps with a call to action.

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How To Be Positively Skeptical | Part 3: How Do You Do Your Due Diligence?  

May 17, 2020

Use this third, 673-word installment of a 4-part series to help clients and prospects strengthen their ability to differentiate solid evidence from bogus claims, especially during the coronavirus crisis. Parts 1 and 2 described why it's important to be positively skeptical, and how our emotions interfere with our reasoning. Part 3 provides five “do’s” and “don’ts” to guide our due diligence, and Part 4 will offer some of the practical steps involved.

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How To Be Positively Skeptical | Part 2: Understanding Your Emotions  

April 29, 2020

Use this second, 844-word installment of a 4-part series to help clients and prospects strengthen their ability to differentiate solid evidence from bogus claims, especially during the coronavirus crisis. Part 1 described why the ability to be "positively skeptical" is important. This part 2 covers how to recognize when emotions are interfering with reason (and what to do about it). Parts 3 & 4 will help readers hone in on their fact-checking skills.

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Quarterly Client Letter – 2020 Q1  

April 3, 2020

This 652-word Q1 2020 quarterly client letter prepares clients for putting last quarter's returns in perspective. It reviews the activities you're doing on their behalf, encourages them to be in touch if their investment resolve is wavering, and reminds them of the perils of market-timing.

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Taking a New View on Coronavirus  

March 13, 2020

Share this 727-word piece as another timely outreach to your clients (or for general audiences with some edits), to help them remain resolute during current COVID-19-fueled crises. The piece acknowledges the current risks being realized, while pointing out that these same risks are likely to generate important insights for seeding future expected social resilience and market growth.

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Three Thoughts During Scary Markets   Free Sample (Click on title to download)

March 9, 2020

As market headlines go from bad to worse, share this 685-word confidence-building reach-out with your clients (or, with modest edits, with a wider audience). Includes a review of the relationship between risk and expected reward, the significance of being prepared in advance for these kinds of downturns, and a reminder that you remain available to provide objective advice.

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10 Things To Do Right Now While Markets Are Tanking (UPDATED)  

February 28, 2020

UPDATED FROM MARCH 2018: Use this 1,238-word handout with clients or prospects, to remind them during the current coronavirus-generated crisis of 10 judicious actions to take during scary markets, along with 10 insightful quotes from respected subject matter experts.

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How To Be Positively Skeptical | Part 1: The Benefits of Having a Doubt  

February 27, 2020

Use this first, 600-word installment of a 4-part series to help clients and prospects strengthen their ability to differentiate solid evidence from bogus claims. Part 1 describes why the ability to be "positively skeptical" is important. Parts 2 - 4 will cover how to recognize when emotions are interfering with reason, and how to hone one's fact-checking skills.

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You, Your Investments, and the Coronavirus (UPDATED)  

February 24, 2020

UPDATED 2/24: Use this 677-word client reach-out to remind your clients why they should avoid reacting to breaking news about novel coronavirus, at least as far as their investment portfolio is concerned. With minor modifications, the piece can also be used for general/prospecting purposes.

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Three Upside-Down Investment Insights  

January 21, 2020

Share this 732-word piece with clients and/or prospects to cover three important, but counterintuitive investment insights: (1) market volatility is the norm, not the exception; (2) market volatility is a "frenemy" to investors; and (3) effective diversification means you'll always be holding some disappointing asset classes.

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Six Financial Best Practices for 2020  

December 8, 2019

Share this 869-word piece with clients and prospects to offer six financial best practices for 2020. This year's selection is based on some of the changes that took place in 2019, including TCJA tax tips, zero-commission stock and ETF trading, and more.

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Why Safe Harbors Can Be Risky Business  

November 21, 2019

Use this 922-word article to remind clients and explain to prospective clients how to balance managing short-term market volatility risks with the long-term risk of inflation. It’s also risky to overweight a portfolio in "safe harbor" investments, and/or flee to the sidelines during turbulent times, just in a different way.

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A Timely Reminder on the Perils of Market Timing  

August 25, 2019

A 735-word client reach-out about the prospect that a trade war with China could lead to a recession. The piece covers four reasons why trying to engage in market-timing in reaction to the unfolding news remains as ill-advised as ever.

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You, Your Financial Well-Being and the Federal Reserve (UPDATED)  

August 1, 2019

UPDATED FROM MARCH 2018: This 1,200-word piece puts the U.S. Federal Reserve's ongoing federal funds rate changes (especially the Aug. 1 2019 rate decrease) into sound, financial-planning context. Use this piece to inform prospects or clients about how the Fed operates, as well as what your role is in helping them manage debt, save, invest, and spend wisely through various interest rate climates and regardless of what lies ahead.

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Quarterly Client Letter — 2019 Q2  

July 2, 2019

Use this 632-word quarterly client letter for Q2 2019 to describe Daniel Kahneman's research into decision-making "noise," and how it can be employed for improved investing.

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The Viability of the Value Premium (Multi-Part Series)  

June 16, 2019

This multi-part series segments the full-length 1,765-word report on the viability of the value premium into five shorter, quick-read pieces. It covers the origins of the value premium, historical precedents, additional evidence that the value premium likely remains viable, and the role global diversification plays in managing risks and expected returns. The five parts are bundled into a single zip file for simplified download.

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The Viability of the Value Premium (Full Report Version)  

June 16, 2019

This 1,765-word document addresses investor concerns that the value premium may be "dead," since value stocks have underperformed growth stocks for approximately the past decade. It covers the origins of the value premium, historical precedents, additional evidence that the value premium likely remains viable, and the role global diversification plays in managing risks and expected returns.

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Good Advice (UPDATED)  

May 27, 2019

UPDATED FROM 2016: This 605-word piece reminds your clients and informs prospective clients that the best-interest advice you offer goes well beyond stock-picking tips. It reinforces why a good financial adviser remains relevant even as low-cost funds, automated investing and simplified financial planning are on the rise.

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What Is Asset Location? (UPDATED)  

May 27, 2019

UPDATED FROM 2013: This 710-word article is part of our ongoing "What Is ...?" series. It defines asset LOCATION, differentiates it from asset ALLOCATION, and provides an overview of both its benefits and challenges. Share this piece with clients or prospects as an article, post, or video script, or for similar purposes.

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What Is Liquidity?  

May 14, 2019

This 768-word article is part of our ongoing "What Is ...?" series. It defines liquidity, offers some approachable examples of how it works, and considers it within the context of an overall investment portfolio. Share this piece with clients or prospects as an article, post, or video script, or for similar purposes.

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Quarterly Client Letter — 2019 Q1  

April 1, 2019

This 520-word quarterly client letter reflects on the differences between breaking news and timeless investment tenets, noting in particular the contrast between Q1 performance and recent volatile returns just prior.

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What Is Asset Allocation?  

February 13, 2019

This approximately 750-word piece provides a working definition of asset allocation, to share with clients, prospects and others. It's the latest addition to an accumulating "What Is ...?" series, defining frequently used terminology for those who may not "just know" what it means.

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Cover Intro for Dimensional 2018 Market Review  

January 8, 2019

This 565-word summary provides an introduction you can use to share Dimensional's 2018 Market Review, with an emphasis on remaining resolute and diversified during volatile markets. You can use the intro to be in touch with your clients or as a prospecting piece for those interested in evidence-based investing.

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Quarterly Client Letter — 2018 Q4  

January 2, 2019

This 515-word quarterly client letter offers two talking points on how to consider current market conditions in the context of long-term market performance. "Average" returns aren't the norm, and recency bias is a risk.

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2018 Year-End Market Volatility Client Reach-Out  

December 6, 2018

Use this 2018 year-end client reach-out to help clients ride out current market volatility. The document contains two versions: (1) a 580-word extended reach-out that includes references to Hans Rosling's new book "Factfulness," and (2) an abbreviated, 330-word reach-out that omits the reference to Rosling's book.

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Five Financial Adages for Thriving in Volatile Markets  

November 19, 2018

This big, meaty, 2,000-word report takes a close look at why so many investors fail to adhere to five widely accepted financial adages (e.g., "buy low, sell high"), ESPECIALLY DURING VOLATILE/DOWN MARKETS. Use this report with clients or prospects -- either as-is, or as a drip communication or video series, sharing one adage at a time, over time.

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Global Diversification: The Antacid for Market Turbulence  

October 10, 2018

A timely 600-word client reach-out to reflect on the October 10, 2018 U.S. stock market tumble. Emphasizing the continued importance of remaining globally diversified according to one's goals and risk tolerances, the message also reminds them of your role as their fiduciary advisor. Ideal for a client email, the piece can also be modified for more general purposes.

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Quarterly Client Letter — 2018 Q3  

October 1, 2018

This 530-word quarterly client letter offers three reasons investors should avoid the temptation to engage in market-timing by abandoning their existing plans and investments out of concern that the market may be "overpriced" and headed for a fall.

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What Is the Yield Curve? (Article)  

August 24, 2018

This 900-word "What Is?" article translates a tricky investment concept -- the yield curve -- to help clients and prospects alike appreciate the role it plays in their fixed income investing. (Look for the separate, Excel spreadsheet also available in the Content-Sharing Library if you need to directly access the Yield Curve diagrams displayed in this piece.)

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What Is the Yield Curve? (Diagrams)  

August 24, 2018

An Excel file containing two diagrams -- Figures 1 and 2 -- found within the separate "What Is the Yield Curve?" article, also in the Content-Sharing Library. Download this Excel file if you need to directly access the Yield Curve diagrams displayed in this piece.

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Food for Thought: “Reducing the Risk of Black Swans” Book Review  

August 6, 2018

This 1,250-word book review of Larry Swedroe's and Kevin Grogan's book, "Reducing the Risk of Black Swans," will be useful for advisors who are introducing some of the newer factors and alternative investment strategies into their evidence-based investment portfolios. Share it with clients or prospects, along with the book itself, or use it as a summary for in-house reference.

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Quarterly Client Letter — 2018 Q2  

July 3, 2018

This 400-word quarterly client letter reflects on the mixed bag of scary and enticing market news from the quarter, encouraging clients to stay on course with their well-built portfolio to maintain the highest odds of achieving their personal goals.

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What Is Correlation (and Why Would You Care)?  

May 30, 2018

This 1,000-word "What Is?" article translates a tricky investment term -- correlation -- to help clients and prospects alike appreciate the role it plays in portfolio construction.

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A Focus on Fixed Income (UPDATED)  

April 27, 2018

UPDATED FROM SEPTEMBER 2015: This 1,275-word article covers the essential roles fixed income should play in an investor's portfolio, along with some of the basics on how fixed income differs from equity investing. It also reinforces the important role an objective advisor can play in building and managing fixed income investments. Use the piece for e-newsletters, e-mails, handouts and mailings, or to create video script for prospective or existing clients.

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Quarterly Client Letter — 2018 Q1  

April 2, 2018

This 500-word quarterly client letter reflects on the recent uptick in market volatility, encouraging clients to be in touch with you if they need a "pep talk," a shift in their investment plans, or both.

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10 Things To Do Right Now While Markets Are (Not Really) Tanking  

March 21, 2018

Use this 1,250-word handout with clients or prospects, to serve as a "safety drill" during calm markets, to help them prepare for staying the course during market downturns. The piece offers 10 judicious actions to take during bear markets, along with 10 insightful quotes from respected subject matter experts. You also can encourage readers to revisit the piece (or use it with a brief intro) the next time markets actually are tanking.

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The Vital Role of Rebalancing (UPDATED)  

January 26, 2018

UPDATED FROM JUNE 2013: Use this 960-word document with clients or prospects to explain how your firm adds value by employing rebalancing as part of an evidence-based strategy. Properly implemented, rebalancing offers a disciplined, cost-effective approach to buying low and selling high and staying on track toward one's personal financial goals.

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Cover Intro for Dimensional 2017 Market Review  

January 9, 2018

This 500-word summary provides an introduction you can use to share Dimensional's 2017 Advisor Byline Market Review. You can use it to be in touch with your clients or as a prospecting piece for those interested in evidence-based investing.

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Quarterly Client Letter — 2017 Q4  

January 1, 2018

This 425-word, fourth quarter client letter reminds clients of the importance of adhering to their Investment Policy Statement using disciplined rebalancing in the context of strong 2017 market returns.

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Quarterly Client Letter — 2017 Q3  

October 1, 2017

This 330-word, third quarter client letter reminds clients why an evidence-based investment approach remains in their best interests, using an illustration from a Russell quarterly report based on less-dependable advice.

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Quarterly Client Letter – 2017 Q2  

July 4, 2017

This 440-word, second quarter client letter reminds clients to avoid market-timing and focus instead on asset allocation and rebalancing -- in good markets and bad.

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Content from “What Is Evidence-Based Investing?”  

June 22, 2017

Available exclusively to Content-Sharing Library subscribers, this Word document provides the same talking points used in our recently released "What Is Evidence-Based Investing?" infographic/poster for use in other materials.

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Introduction to “What Is Evidence-Based Investing?”  

June 22, 2017

Use this short, introductory message to share our recently released "What Is Evidence-Based Investing?" infographic/poster with clients, prospective clients and others.

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“What Is Evidence-Based Investing?” Slideshow  

June 22, 2017

Designed to complement our recently released "What Is Evidence-Based Investing?" infographic/poster, this PowerPoint slideshow reiterates the same talking points for use in client, prospective client and other presentations.

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Misperceptions About Market Corrections: Are You Prepared?  

June 4, 2017

This 750-word document can be used in letter, email, article or video script format to help clients and prospects prepare for any future market corrections following the current long stint of relative calm. It encourages readers to ensure their portfolio meets their long-term goals and risk tolerances. Choose from two calls to action at the end, depending on whether you're sharing it with clients or prospects.

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An Index Overview | Part 4: Index Investing – Opportunities and Obstacles  

March 21, 2017

This 1,200-word piece is part four of a four-part series covering indexes and index investing. Part 1 defined indexes in general. Part 2 took a closer look at what index points measure and some of their inherent characteristics. Part 3 explored some of the idiosyncrasies inherent to indexes. This final part 4 explores how indexes are used (and sometimes abused) in index fund investing. Use the series to discuss indexing as a drip series, in a combined report, or as video or podcast scripts.

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An Index Overview | Part 3: Index Mechanics – Interesting Idiosyncrasies  

March 8, 2017

This 1,060-word piece is part three of a four-part series covering indexes and index investing. Part 1 defined indexes in general. Part 2 took a closer look at what index points measure and some of their inherent characteristics. Part 3 explores some of the idiosyncrasies inherent to indexes. The final part 4 will explore how indexes are used (and sometimes abused) in index fund investing. Use the series to discuss indexing as a drip series, in a combined report, or as video or podcast scripts.

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An Index Overview | Part 2: A Few Points About Index Points  

February 23, 2017

This 780-word piece is part two of a four-part series covering indexes and index investing. Part 1 defined indexes in general. Part 2 takes a closer look at what index points measure and some of their inherent characteristics. Future parts will look at some of the strategies used to structure indexes, and how they are used (and sometimes abused) in index fund investing. Use the series to discuss indexing as a drip series, in a combined report, or as video or podcast scripts.

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An Index Overview | Part 1: Indexes, Defined  

February 12, 2017

This 800-word piece is part one of a four-part series covering indexes and index investing. Part 1 defines indexes in general, summarizes key uses (benchmarking and index fund investing), and explains why milestones like the "Dow 20,000" should not be used to engage in market-timing. Future parts will take a closer look at some of the strengths and weaknesses inherent to indexes and index fund investments. Use the series to discuss indexing as a drip series, in a combined report, or as video or podcast scripts.

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Cover Intro for Dimensional 2016 Market Review  

January 12, 2017

This 450-word summary provides an introduction you can use to share Dimensional's 2016 Advisor Byline Market & Economic Review. It's primarily for being in touch with your clients, although it can be modified to serve as a prospecting piece as well.

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Quarterly Client Letter – 2016 Q4  

January 3, 2017

This 425-word, fourth quarter (year-end) client letter acknowledges that 2017 remains an unknown and reminds investors of the durability of what really drives market returns -- which is global human enterprise.

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Client Cover Letter for Sharing Dimensional Materials  

December 7, 2016

This 260-word (single page) cover letter can be used to share one or more recent resources Dimensional Fund Advisors has made available to advisors who are approved to use their fund line-up. Use this letter to remind CLIENTS of the value that Dimensional funds can add to their evidence-based investing. It references Dimensional's WSJ reprint "The Active-Passive Powerhouse," a Pensions & Investments reprint, "Dissecting Dimensional," and Dimensional's book, "35 Quotations." (The Content-Sharing Library also contains a separate letter for sharing these same materials with PROSPECTS.)

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Prospect Cover Letter for Sharing Dimensional Materials  

December 7, 2016

This 450-word cover letter can be used to share one or more recent resources Dimensional Fund Advisors has made available to advisors who are approved to use their fund line-up. Use this letter as a follow-up to your initial conversation or meeting with a PROSPECT, to promote evidence-based investing as implemented by Dimensional funds. It references Dimensional's WSJ reprint "The Active-Passive Powerhouse," a Pensions & Investments reprint, "Dissecting Dimensional," and Dimensional's book, "35 Quotations." (The Content-Sharing Library also contains a separate letter for sharing these same materials with CLIENTS.)

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Quarterly Client Letter – 2016 Q3  

October 4, 2016

This 480-word, third quarter client letter reflects on a relatively quiet summer, celebrates some recent market milestones and reminds clients that, despite continued domestic and global uncertainties, the best approach is the long-term, evidence-based strategy.

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Structured CDs — Buyer Beware!  

September 26, 2016

This 650-word article describes how structured or market-based CDs aren't the same as traditional Certificates of Deposit, drawing from a recent Wall Street Journal critique of their costs and conflicts of interest. Share with clients or prospects who may be tempted by the "low risk, higher return" promises without considering the complexities involved.

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What If Everyone Were a Passive Investor?  

September 12, 2016

This 1,200-word report explores why we should not have to worry that passive (and evidence-based) investing may become ineffective if too many investors embrace a passive approach. It can be shared with clients and prospects as a timeless discussion, as well as to rebut the recent AllianceBernstein "Road to Serfdom" client note, suggesting that passive investing is "worse than Marxism."

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Presidents, Politics and Your Portfolio: Thinking Beyond Stage One  

August 27, 2016

This 750-word article can be shared with clients or prospects who may wonder if there is something they should "do" with their investments as the November 8 U.S. presidential election date nears. It encourages them to stay true to their long-term investment strategies by thinking beyond the immediate news.

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Parenting Your Wealth in Uncertain Markets  

August 12, 2016

This 1,000-word article compares good parenting skills to good wealth management, describing why patience is an investor's greatest virtue. Share with clients and prospects during this summer's unruly political climate or, with minor modifications, it can serve as a timeless piece to address any form of heightened uncertainty.

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Intro for “Reflections on Real Estate Investing” Report  

July 19, 2016

For advisers who are receiving timely queries about the current (July 2016) sell-off of U.K. Open Ended Property funds, this 200-word cover letter can be used to share the separate "Reflections on Real Estate Investing" report. The report can be used along with this intro, or it can serve as a general, stand-alone piece on real estate investing.

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Reflections on Real Estate Investing Report  

July 19, 2016

This 1,300 word report offers a timeless overview of the guiding principles for investing in real estate as part of an effective, globally diversified portfolio. Share the report with clients or prospects to explain how real estate investing may fit into their portfolio (in the form of low-cost, evidence-based REIT funds), and to offer caveats on how to manage the risks involved. [Note: A separate, intro cover letter also is available for advisers who may be receiving queries about the current (July 2016) sell-off of UK Open Ended Property funds.]

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Quarterly Client Letter – 2016 Q2  

July 4, 2016

This 360-word, second quarter client letter reminds clients that the markets' responses in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum illustrate the inherent uncertainty involved in maintaining a disciplined, globally diversified portfolio designed to manage risks and capture expected market returns.

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Survivorship Bias and Other Tricks of the Trade  

June 6, 2016

This 700-word article describes survivorship bias in performance analysis -- what it is, how common it is, and why an investor should care about it (as it can lead to overly optimistic return expectations). It wraps by pointing out how evidence-based advisors like you help investors separate biased data from solid results and invites them to be in touch with you to learn more. Use it to reach out to prospects and inform current clients.

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Our Mixed Up, Messed Up Relationship with Investment Risk  

May 11, 2016

As we swing into another summer of global events (such as the Cdn. Fort McMurray wildfire, UK Brexit and US elections), this article presents ways that investors tend to overestimate, underestimate, misunderstand and mistreat investment risks (both return-generating market risks as well as avoidable concentrated ones). Use this 1,000-word piece to explain investment risks to prospects and clients alike. Break each section into a series for video scripts or other uses.

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Fixed Income Investing: What To Do in Lieu of Chasing Yield  

May 4, 2016

As follow-up to the Library's "Investing for Retirement Income" series, this 1,250-word piece explores how investors can optimize their fixed income investing without stretching for junk bond or dividend yields. It covers the role of the yield curve, laddering, using CDs/GICs, managing costs, revisiting asset allocations and (last but not least!) working with an experienced advisor to assist in all of these areas. Use this piece to help prospective and current clients better understand fixed income investing. It also will help explain why your advisor fees are the same when managing fixed income or equities. Managed properly, they both require significant care and expertise.

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April Q1 2016 Client Letter (Guess the Media Source)  

April 1, 2016

This 445-word, first quarter client letter reinforces the importance of staying invested according to plan. It juxtaposes distracting headlines from the popular press with timeless advice from solid sources such as WSJ's Jason Zweig as well as your own evidence-based investment advice. It also reminds clients that you are there to serve their highest financial interests (in case they've been seeing the news about the DOL's impending fiduciary regulations).

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January Q4 2015 Client Letter (Peek-a-Boo Markets)  

January 4, 2016

This 420-word year-end client letter observes that 2015 markets were like a game of peek-a-boo with respect to global returns. It reminds clients how "recency" can trick them into making the wrong moves at the wrong time, and why it's important to stay invested in their personalized, evidence-based, globally diversified portfolio.

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A Meaningful Message for Thanksgiving-2015  

November 7, 2015

A 400-word message to send to clients as a Thanksgiving greeting (mail or e-mail), sharing some lighthearted "turkey talk" and expressing gratitude for their business. Each of the Library's annual Thanksgiving messages are timeless, so if you've not yet used messages from years' past, you can choose your favorite among them to send to clients. (Filter by the Holiday category to find them all at https://contentlibrary.thewritingcompany.com/documents/category/holiday/)

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Three Key Investment Strategies Hidden in Plain Sight: #3 — INTERNATIONAL VERSION — Controlling Costs  

September 25, 2015

This 1,375-word piece represents part three of a series covering three essential evidence-based investment strategies: market participation ("being there"), managing market risk (diversification) and controlling costs. THIS UPDATED VERSION EXPLORES CONTROLLING COSTS WITH AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE AND ILLUSTRATIONS. It also emphasizes the benefits of having an evidence-based advisor to assist. Use the series for drip marketing via e-newsletter, e-mails, mailings or as video script for prospective or existing clients.

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Three Key Investment Strategies Hidden in Plain Sight: #3 — Controlling Costs  

September 4, 2015

This 900-word piece represents part three of a series covering three essential evidence-based investment strategies: market participation ("being there"), managing market risk (diversification) and controlling costs. It also emphasizes the benefits of having an evidence-based advisor to assist. Use the series for drip marketing via e-newsletter, e-mails, mailings or as video script for prospective or existing clients.

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Three Key Investment Strategies Hidden in Plain Sight: #2 – Managing Market Risks  

August 11, 2015

This 700-word piece represents part two of a series covering three essential evidence-based investment strategies: market participation ("being there"), managing market risk (diversification) and controlling costs. It also emphasizes the benefits of having an evidence-based advisor to assist. Use the series for drip marketing via e-newsletter, e-mails, mailings or as video script for prospective or existing clients.

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Three Key Investment Strategies Hidden in Plain Sight: #1 – Being There  

July 26, 2015

This 800-word piece represents part one of a series covering three essential evidence-based investment strategies: market participation ("being there"), managing market risk (diversification) and controlling costs. It also emphasizes the benefits of having an evidence-based advisor to assist. Use the series for drip marketing via e-newsletter, e-mails, mailings or as video script for prospective or existing clients.

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More Evidence on the Evidence: An Historical Overview of Capital Market Theory  

June 27, 2015

This 1,400-word piece complements the recently released "Evidence on the Evidence" piece, which explored how to differentiate academic evidence from less substantive work. This follow-up offers a timeline of the most important academic findings, from MPT to the Three-Factor Model and into the future. It highlights the role you play as an adviser, helping your clients incorporate meaningful evidence into their ongoing investment discipline. Use this pair of pieces to inform clients or prospects about the benefits of evidence-based investing.

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The Evidence on the Evidence: How Do You Know What (and Whom) to Heed?  

June 10, 2015

This 1,000-word piece explores key differences between robust, peer-reviewed academic evidence and the less substantive information that tends to grab the bigger headlines. It also describes how you, as an evidence-based adviser, help your clients become better investors by understanding why the difference matters. Use the series to inform clients or prospects about the importance of evidence-based investing. This piece pairs well with the complementary article, "More Evidence on the Evidence," which offers an historical overview of landmark studies from MPT to the Three-Factor Model and beyond.

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Cover Intro for Dimensional 2014 Year in Review  

January 14, 2015

Here's a 375-word letter or e-mail you can use to share Dimensional Fund Advisors' Advisor Byline 2014 Year in Review, now available from Dimensional's log-in site. The lead-in reinforces the importance of remaining globally diversified, of avoiding market-timing in response to near-term "winning" and "losing" asset classes, and to be in touch with you for assistance.

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October Q3 2014 Client Letter (CAPE ratio)  

October 2, 2014

This 420-word client letter can be used as a cover letter to accompany your quarterly client reports or as a stand-alone communication. It presents recent media coverage of Shiller and Malkiel's assessments of the CAPE ratio and stock pricing, and why it remains prudent for clients to stick with their long-term globally diversified portfolio.

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July Q2 2014 Client Letter (Wm Sharpe)  

July 1, 2014

This 375-word client letter can be used as a cover letter to accompany your quarterly client reports or as a stand-alone communication. Based on a SensibleInvesting.tv interview with Nobel laureate William F. Sharpe, it reminds readers that, even as time, technology and terminology march on, some investment essentials remain as strong as ever. (Ties well with recent Evidence-Based Investment Insights series covering the benefits of diversification.)

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Evidence-Based Investing vs. Indexing: Making a Good Thing Even Better  

February 7, 2014

This 1,000-word article describes advantages of evidence-based investment management over index fund investing (i.e., investing as applied by Dimensional Fund Advisors and similar fund managers). It positions passive/index fund investing as a good improvement over active management, with evidence-based investing as an even better approach. It does not mention Dimensional or any other fund manager in particular, instead covering broad principles. Use this piece as a brochure or article to introduce your investment strategy to prospective clients or to review key benefits with existing clients.

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Cover Intro for Dimensional 2013 Year in Review  

January 29, 2014

Here's a 230-word letter or e-mail you can use to share Dimensional Fund Advisors' Advisor Byline 2013 Year in Review (assuming you are a Dimensional firm). There is a version directed to clients and another directed to prospective clients, encouraging them to read Dimensional's report and be in touch with you for follow-up. Both versions help remind the reader about the importance of adopting an evidence-based investment strategy.

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January Q4 2013 Client Letter  

January 5, 2014

This 350-word (one page) client letter can be used as a cover letter to accompany your quarterly client reports or as a stand-alone communication. It reminds clients that, in the context of great 2013 returns but an uncertain future, it's better to base one's decisions on the durable science of investing than on past performance or attempts to time the market.

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Our Investment Strategy Overview  

December 16, 2013

This 1,400-word article provides a clear overview of our passive/evidence-based investment strategy. It differentiates your investment approach from that taken by most financial providers, without getting overly technical. It emphasizes the benefits and importance of (1) having a strategy to begin with, (2) having the right kind of strategy, and (3) accompanying it with fiduciary advice. Use this piece as a brochure or article to introduce your investment strategy to prospective clients or to review key benefits with existing clients. It also could provide solid talking points for your investment strategy website page (although I wouldn't recommend using the entire piece as a website page -- it's too long for that).

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Professor Fama’s Nobel Prize and You  

October 14, 2013

This 570-word article celebrates Professor Eugene Fama's receipt of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Economics, and how Fama's work contributes to your clients' personal investment experiences. It also explains how you, as their advisor, add value by translating sometimes conflicting academic evidence (such as Fama’s/Shiller's respective work) into practical application toward achieving individual end goals. Use the piece as a direct client communication or modify/customize for wider use.

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Think Twice Before Sinking Your Wealth Into an IPO  

September 23, 2013

This 830-word article describes why investors should avoid investing in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) such as Facebook or, more recently (as of Sept. 2013), Twitter's proposed IPO. The article provides evidence on three reasons an investor is best off avoiding purchasing IPOs (or individual stocks in general): (1) stock-picking is a poor strategy to begin with, compared to MPT-based portfolio construction (citing a 2012 Markowitz interview), (2) individual investors tend to fare poorly in the IPO zero-sum loss game, and (3) IPOs have a track record for underperformance.

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The Art of Asset Location  

June 17, 2013

Remind your clients of this important way you earn your advisory fees, by providing them with: (1) a working definition of asset location, (2) an empirical assessment of the value it can bring, (3) several reasons why it’s best to work with a professional advisor to implement the strategy, and (4) understanding on how and why most investors are missing out on effective asset location … because they’re not working with you!

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Responding to Active Management News & Analysis   Free Sample (Click on title to download)

April 11, 2013

FIRST PIECE EVER PUBLISHED TO THE CONTENT-SHARING LIBRARY! This 650-word reach-out can be used to respond to miscellaneous active calls to action related to popular market trends, gloomy forecasts or other current or ongoing events. It thanks the individual for sharing the news, and provides them with two guidelines for properly assessing it: (1) Consider the credibility of the source. (2) Even if the source is credible, consider the worth of the news in relation to your recommended, long-term, passively minded investment strategy.

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