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Stop and Savor
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 9/25/15
Pausing, amidst any difficult journey, can lead to a new perspective, and just the potential for a new perspective, is a hopeful thought. So, let’s pause and savor, for a moment, the potential...

Market Update
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 8/27/15
On Wednesday, August 19th the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 17,348.73. It closed Monday, August 24th at 15,872.82, a drop of 8.5% in three trading days. Today, volatility spiked with the market falling over 1,000 points early in the day, then rallying almost back to even before closing down 586.53 points or 3.56% for the day.

What, No More Bubble Wrap?!
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 8/5/15
I’ve been a bit troubled lately as I toil away researching and contemplating the state of and future prospects for the markets. For example, I recently learned that Charlotte-based manufacturer, Sealed Air Corporation, had developed a lighter, more economical packaging material to replace bubble wrap. While I applaud the technological advancement, I am saddened by the demise of such a fun product to handle.

Spectacular Bid, On the Grand Stage
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 6/25/15
Comparisons are central to our society, impacting just about everything we do. Does the current economic environment measure up?

Going Fast or Going Far
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 4/24/15
The college basketball season ended in historic fashion recently with two iconic coaches reaching new pinnacles in their profession. Coach K at Duke won his fifth national championship moving him past legendary Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp into second place all-time. Meanwhile, on the women's side, Geno Auriemma led Connecticut to its 3rd consecutive title, and 10th overall under his reign.

Coffee Camaraderie and Lingering Questions
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 2/24/15
America has the opportunity to lead the world economy far into the future. Read on to find out the key drivers and challenges to global leadership.

Unknown Unknowns
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 1/26/15
How accurate are annual predictions about the market? What are the key drivers for stocks this year? Read on to find out..

Come and Listen to a Story About a Man Named Jed
by Ted Ake of Willingdon Wealth Management, 12/22/14
For those that were around in the 1960s, the Beverly Hillbillies were a highlight of lowbrow humor. Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs played the theme song that I still sing today. The story of a poor mountain family that strikes it rich when oil is found on their land, made millions of us laugh as they moved to a huge mansion in Beverly Hills.

New Depths of Shallowness
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 10/13/14
What happens in the corporate world often is a reflection of the values and trends in our society. Here are a couple of recent stories that, well, leave me scratching my head...

Don't Be Surprised by Surprises
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 9/17/14
We live in a complicated world of heightened anxiety. Read why this is good for stock prices.

Baseball, Hot Dogs, and Apple Pie
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 8/12/14
What really is, or perhaps isn't, economic patriotism? Read on to find out how this issue is impacting our economy and markets.

Col. Jessup and Rufus T. Firefly
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 7/14/14
There is a tried and true methodology for dealing with disconcerting trends in the equity market. Read on to find out what it is.

Valuing Legends
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 4/30/14
Some time ago a sportswriter asked legendary quarterback Johnny Unitas what he thought he was worth relative to the enormous salaries being paid to today's best quarterbacks. Unitas said, "Maybe about $750,000." The sportswriter was incredulous and said, " Mr. Unitas, the top quarterbacks today make several million dollars a year." To which Unitas replied, "Well, you have to understand, I'm 75 years old." I love that story. It tells you so much about one of the greatest players in NFL history, but it also serves as a reminder that the process of valuation is far from an exact science.

Digger's Dream
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 1/22/14
Does America still have the audacity to dream big? Why is this so important?

The World We Live In
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 12/16/13
For me, the final month of the year has always been a time to reflect upon the past as well as plan for the future. Analyzing the year soon to pass provides a valuable perspective with which to evaluate the important issues that will impact our country and economy going forward. In this context, 2013 sure has been a memorable year highlighted by horrific natural disasters, the deaths of Margaret Thatcher and Nelson Mandela, and on the lighter side, the unforgettable ending to perhaps the greatest Iron Bowl ever played.

Equality of Opportunity
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 11/8/13
Countless statistics show that the gap between the rich and poor has widened considerably and continues to widen. To an extreme, an economics professor at George Mason recently published a book in which he predicts the population will be divided into two groups: those who are good at working with intelligent machines, and those who can be replaced by them. This is obviously a scary outcome, but are we focusing on the wrong thing?

Goose Bump Stuff...
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 10/7/13
Scientific research and discovery has always been an important aspect of American life. This, in itself, should make us hopeful.

Notable Lines
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 9/10/13
One of President Obamas most notable lines, "you didnt build that," sent chills up my spine when I first heard it. As an entrepreneurial-minded business owner, I found that statement shocking, to be honest. But maybe there is some truth to it...

Second Half Challenges
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 8/2/13
One of the most challenging aspects of managing portfolios is to process the endless information flow and determine what impact it will have, if any, on the markets. Some information, while interesting to read about, has virtually no impact on the future direction of stock and bond prices. Other information may not have an immediate impact, but it may be impactful in the future. This, delayed-impact information encompasses the vast majority of information that surfaces on a daily basis.

The Root System
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 6/11/13
Last week my beloved peach tree inexplicably toppled over, destroying what was certain to be a bountiful crop. It was a favorite hobby of mine, to spend hours pruning, thinning, fertilizing, and spraying the height-challenged tree in order to produce a couple bushels of scrumptious peaches in early July. Yet this year I goofed. My plan for growth was flawed in that I failed to diagnose an infestation of peach borer which was weakening the root system. Once the internal strength of the tree was compromised, the tree was doomed.

Uncomfortable With the Debate of Our Times
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 5/13/13
A relatively weak first quarter earnings season is winding down, while major stock market indices are reaching all-time highs. This doesnt quite add up, does it? Overall, corporate profits advanced at an anemic 2.5% in the first quarter, well below the long-term average of 7%. Worse over, revenues were actually flat in the first quarter, below expectations in most cases. On top of that, most companies that have reported earnings have also lowered estimates for the remainder of the year.

Patton, the Pope, and Skylar
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 4/11/13
In the powerful opening scene to the movie, "Patton," the famous general stands before his troops and boldly states, "Americans love a winner, and will not tolerate a loser." Its hard not to stand a little straighter when you hear a line like that. We do like to think about ourselves as the greatest country in the world. Certainly in economic terms the United States has accomplished more than any other civilization known to man.

Horse Feathers
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 2/26/13
While wisdom and experience are certainly very important to long-term investment success, I do believe it is also necessary to begin each day with an open mind. Flushing the senses, so to speak, allows new information to be processed through an unbiased filter. In short, markets change, and investment thinking must be adaptable.

Investment Basics
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 1/29/13
I've always been curious about how famous people would have done had they pursued completely different careers. Some of our former presidents make excellent examples. For instance, Abe Lincoln towered over his contemporaries. I wonder how he would have fared as a basketball player had the game existed during his life. Our heaviest president, William Howard Taft weighed well over 300 pounds. Had football risen to prominence a few decades earlier, could gridiron greatness have been part of his resume?

Imagine That...
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 11/8/12
Congratulations to President Obama for his reelection victory. My republican friends, I suspect, are in shock this morning, and understandably depressed. Meanwhile, my friends from the other side must be elated because last night was their night. I congratulate all on their months of hard work campaigning. But today is a new day and it is a test for all of us to come together. So, whatever you were yesterday, today you are only one thing, an American. Can you imagine that for a moment?

Maybe the Wind Isn't Blowing..
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 10/8/12
I begin this edition of Willingdon Views with a tribute to a great American, Neil Armstrong, who passed away last month at the age of 82. The first man to walk on the moon was from Wapakoneta, a small town in west-central Ohio. Despite his fame and extraordinary accomplishments, Armstrong maintained his small-town values throughout his life. In a statement released shortly after his death his family referred to him as "a reluctant hero who always believed he was just doing his job." Makes one wonder what they'll say about us after we're gone...

Right Down the Middle
by Michael Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 7/30/12
A tenuous moment occurs in our household every time we get down to the last piece of dessert. My kids fight over it, and I'm right there with them. When I was a kid, my mom had the perfect solution to this age old dilemma. She would allow the first child to cut the dessert and the other to choose which half they wanted. The interconnectedness between the process and the final outcome ensured fairness. A truly cooperative attitude like this seems nowhere to be found in our world today.

Why Can't We All Just Get Along?
by Mike Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 6/27/12
The world is separating into two main groups those who have substantial and growing net worth, who have ready access to capital, and those who are drowning in an ever-expanding pool of debt, with few options to improve their situation. This phenomenon makes for some interesting comparisons and for countless prognostications about what the future might hold for all of us.

Why Can't We All Just Get Along?
by Mike Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 6/22/12
The world is separating into two main groups - those who have substantial and growing net worth, who have ready access to capital, and those who are drowning in an ever-expanding pool of debt, with few options to improve their situation. This phenomenon makes for some interesting comparisons and for countless prognostications about what the future might hold for all of us.

Can Government and the Corporate Sector work together again?
by Mike Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 5/16/12
Can we find the right balance between government regulation and corporate entrepreneurship? History has shown that too much government intervention can strangle the creative energy of the private sector. Yet more recent history has shown that too little or perhaps ineffective regulation can have dire economic consequences as well. Is it possible to combine these opposing forces for our collective good, and for the collective good of the world? Sadly, in the midst of never-ending political rancour in this election year, it would appear to me that these forces are moving ever farther apart.

One Heck of a Start
by Mike Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 4/6/12
With the overall market up 12%, the best first quarter since 1998, it was, most definitely, one heck of a start. Before we get too carried away, here is a list of the reasons why the bears contend the end of the first quarter will prove to be the high point for stocks this year.

Americas DNA
by Mike Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 3/1/12
The well chronicled economic and market woes over the past decade, as well as the ever-polarizing political process, have largely shattered our faith in our ability to solve the challenges we face. It is not surprising that there are so many doomsday predictions being made following these difficult times. Nevertheless, it is still possible that we can rediscover our faith in order to tackle these challenges with confidence.

Recessions and Recoveries
by Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 10/9/08

The Sector Tug of War
by Kayes of Willingdon Wealth Management, 3/20/08
34 results found.