Frazier Allen: Concentrated Positions Can Pose Portfolio Risk
May 4, 2016
Clarksville, TN – It is important for investors to understand that the very asset that helped create significant wealth may also pose the biggest risk to their future financial security. A concentrated equity position is defined as a substantial portion of an investor’s wealth (10% – 15%, or more in some cases) tied in one stock.
These highly concentrated positions can result from employer stock and option incentives, long-term employment at a single company, a large inheritance, etc.
Holding a large, single-stock position creates significant risk and increases portfolio volatility, which can have a catastrophic effect to an investor’s future financial security.
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of October 28th, 2013
October 28, 2013
Clarksville, TN – The September Employment Report (delayed from October 6) was disappointing relative to expectations (although hardly “weak”). Nonfarm payrolls rose by 148,000 (median forecast: +180,000). The two previous months were revised a net 9,000 higher.
Note that seasonal adjustment is often tricky in September (due to the start of the school year). The unemployment rate edged down to 7.2%, while the labor force participation rate held steady. The employment/population rate held steady, but was down slightly from a year earlier.
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of October 22nd, 2013
October 22, 2013
Clarksville, TN – As was widely anticipated, lawmakers reached an 11th-hour agreement on the budget and debt ceiling. The “Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014” funds the government through January 15th, suspends the debt ceiling to February 7th, and requests bipartisan House/Senate budget negotiations by December 13th.
Thus, while the deal dodges a near-term financial catastrophe, it does not remove uncertainty entirely. Lawmakers will have less than three months to agree on a new spending authorization.
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of October 13th, 2013
October 13, 2013
Clarksville, TN – The partial government shutdown and brinksmanship over the debt ceiling continued. However, financial market participants were encouraged by signs that the two sides were at least willing to talk to each other.
House Republicans appear to have abandoned demands for a repeal or delay of the Affordable Care Act, but it hasn’t been clear what they want instead. Note that a temporary (six-week or three-month) extension of the debt ceiling does not remove uncertainty completely, but it would sidestep a near-term financial catastrophe.
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of October 8th, 2013
October 8, 2013
Clarksville, TN – Due to a lapse in appropriations, the government entered a partial shutdown. Some 800,000 federal workers were furloughed and about two million others continued to work but without getting paid. The economic impact of the shutdown will depend on how long it lasts.
A few days would not be a big deal, but a prolonged shutdown would result in a larger disruption of worker income (and corresponding restraint in consumer spending). In addition, the uncertainty may lead businesses to delay new hiring or capital expenditures. During the 1995-96 government shutdown, about 20% of private contracts with the government were affected.
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of September 29th, 2013
September 29, 2013
Clarksville, TN – Next week, the markets will be interested in the ISM Manufacturing Index, but the focus should be on the September Employment Report. Seasonal adjustment is an issue in September.
We can expect to add more than 1.4 million education jobs (public and private) before adjustment, with hundreds of thousands of seasonal job losses in other areas. So it seems a little silly to worry about the nearest 20,000 or so in the adjusted payroll figure. The unemployment rate is expected to hold steady (at 7.3%) or edge a bit lower
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of September 22nd, 2013
September 22, 2013
Clarksville, TN – The Federal Open Market Committee did not reduce the pace of asset purchases. In its policy statement, the FOMC noted that the improvement in economy activity and labor market conditions since it began the asset purchase program a year ago was “consistent with growing underlying strength in the broader economy,” but “the Committee decided to await more evidence that progress will be sustained before adjusting the pace of its purchases.”
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of September 15th, 2013
September 15, 2013
Clarksville, TN – With a thin economic calendar, Syria remained a key concern for the markets. However, prospects for a U.S. strike diminished, which helped bolster equity market sentiment. The bond market is looking ahead to the Fed policy meeting. In the bond market, expectations on tapering have solidified somewhat, with a moderate majority seeing a small initial reduction in the pace of asset purchases.
Retail sales for August disappointed (relative to expectations), but figures for June and July were revised a bit higher. Jobless claims were distorted due to upgrades in state computer systems, but the trend had been lower in August. Hiring intentions improved. Consumer sentiment softened.
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of September 8th, 2013
September 8, 2013
Clarksville, TN – The economic data were mixed, but mostly on the strong side of expectations. The ISM’s two monthly surveys surprised to the upside. Motor vehicle sales advanced
However, the August Employment Report disappointed. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 169,000 (vs. a median forecast of +180,000 and expectations of an upside surprise). Figures for June and July were revised a net 74,000 lower (July went from +162,000 to +104,000).
Manufacturing rose by 6,000. Construction was flat. Retail added 44,000. The unemployment rate fell to 7.3%, but that was due to lower labor force participation (the lowest since May 1978).
Investors looking for answers from the Fed, Government
September 4, 2013
Clarksville, TN – August saw all three of the major U.S. stock market indexes fall into negative territory, as investors become more concerned about the possibility of rising rates and potential military action in Syria.
Emerging markets, particularly Brazil and India, also took a hit in August as their economies weakened and their currencies fell against the dollar.