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January 2012 Newsletter
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Greetings!
Happy New Year! Happy Leap Year! Yes, 2012 is a leap year. For some fascinating leap year facts, please read my featured article "Leap into Leap Year" in this month's newsletter. For example, did you know that the earth does not take 365 days to travel around the sun; it takes 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds, to be exact. Those extra 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds, though incremental, add up to a big difference eventually.
I look forward to spending time with you during the upcoming year. My focus will always be for our discussions and the decisions you make to contribute to long-term benefits for you.
Call my office at 724-260-0491 for an appointment time to speak with me anytime you have questions or concerns
Until next month....
Very Truly Yours,
Melissa
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Market Commentary: Strategist's Corner |
Strategist's Corner
by James Swanson, CFA
MFS Chief Investment Strategist |
From Fear to Revival in the US Economy
Worries of 2011 & Realities Heading into 2012
As we enter 2012, myriad forces will propel
the US business cycle.
I believe that spending will be boosted by pent-up demand among consumers and companies seeking to replace everything from cars to business software. I expect the combined forces of a free market, population growth, and easy money, as well as strong corporate profits, will keep this business cycle turning in 2012.
The market action, however, remains out of sync with the fundamentals. Profits and cash flow continue to rise, costs are contained, and jobs are growing, albeit slowly. But market action does not tend to reflect this solid data. The market, instead, remains focused on Europe and its sovereign debt crisis. As we move into 2012, it is the fear of contagion and the reality shown by the numbers that most threatens the business cycle. But the US business cycle, while moderate, is now going from strength to strength.
No forecasts can be guaranteed.
The views expressed are those of James Swanson and are subject to change at any time. These views are for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a recommendation or solicitation or as investment advice from the Advisor. December 23, 2011
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Featured Article: Leap into Leap Year! | |
Leap into Leap Year!
Start planning how to use that extra 24 hours!
2012 is a leap year and will have 366 days instead of the usual 365 days. Why do we add an extra day to our calendar year every four years? It began with observations by the ancient Egyptians. They first figured out that the solar year and the man-made calendar year did not match exactly. It actually takes the earth a little longer than a year to travel around the Sun - 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds, to be exact. Adding an extra day to a year every 4 years keeps our calendar in alignment with the earth's revolutions around the sun. Otherwise, after a century, the solar year and the calendar year would be 25 days out of synch. Our seasons would be out of kilter and summer, for example, would not start in June. Leap years rescue us and keep us aligned with the solar year.
The Romans first designated February 29 as the " leap day" and in the 16th century when the Gregorian calendar fine-tuned calculations, the formula included a leap day in years divisible by four...thus we come to 2012, 2016 and 2020, etc. Are you dizzy from thinking about all this yet? Read on...there is more!
If you look at your 2012 calendar, you will see that February will have five Wednesdays - the month begins and ends on a Wednesday. Between the years 1904 and 2096, leap years that share the same day of the week for their leap day repeat every 28 years. The most recent year before 2012 in which February contained five Wednesdays was in 1984 (28+1984=2012) and the next occurence will be in 2040.
What about a person who is born on a "leap day"? Do those born on February 29 have to wait 4 years to have their birthday cakes and presents? When are they considered legally old enough to drive? There is a whole web site devoted to "Leap Babies," their parents and various life decisions and even to lists of world-wide parties and events celebrating Leap Year Day. The site is quite interesting even if you don't know anyone with a "leap day" birthday. Check it out at: http://leapyearday.com
Even if your birthday is not on any of the 29 days in February 2012, the month holds a gift for you. You will have a whole extra day to keep or break those New Year's resolutions you made in January. Enjoy the extra time!
Citations (Cut and paste into your browser.)
http://www.timeanddate.com/date/leapyear.html
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/leapyear2.html#ixzz1ji5MCWbN
http://www.leapyearday.com |
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Melissa Stein
Stein Wealth Advisors, LLC
4150 Washington Road
Suite 211
McMurray, PA 15317
Phone: 724.260.0491 Fax: 724.260.0674
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Client Alerts | |
Year-End Tax Reporting
Although PrimeVest is the custodian on IRAs, Pershing will continue to handle tax reporting.
The 2011 Form 1099Rs will be mailed by Pershing by January 31, 2012. A statement message is being included in the November 2011, December 2011, and January 2012 client statements.
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Investment Words of the Month
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Bond Fund
A mutual fund whose investment portfolio consists entirely of bonds, so as to provide stable and regular interest income with minimal capital risk to investors.
Bond Rating Agencies US firms that are known as bond rating agencies are: Duff & Phelps/MCM, Fitch Investors Service, Moody's Investors Service and Stadard & Poor's Corp. These private firms rate corporate and municipal bonds (and other securities) on the basis of the associated degree of risk and they sell the ratings for publication in the financial press and daily newspapers.
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*The views are those of Melissa Stein and should not be construed as investment advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no guarantee as to its completeness or accuracy.
**Please note that neither Multi-Financial Securities Corporation nor Stein Wealth Advisors, LLC. give legal or tax advice. For complete details, please consult with your tax advisor or attorney.
***Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Multi-Financial Securities Corporation, member FINRA, SIPC. Stein Wealth Advisors is not affiliated with Multi-Financial. |
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