From an email sent May 13, 2020: Good morning, IIM investors. Given the nature of this COVID crisis, recent unemployment numbers are particularly important to understand. Below is some context for how we’re thinking about them.  It’s also the time of year that RIA firms like ours are required to send out updated versions of […]

From an email sent April 30, 2020: Good evening, IIM investors. This week’s GDP report formally confirmed what you probably already knew: the economy is either already in recession, or soon will be. That report was unique not only because it was rooted in a global pandemic, but because quarterly economic data won’t really tell […]

From an email sent April 22, 2020: Good evening, IIM investors. The nationwide shutdown in response to the coronavirus has hit all corners of the economy, including the energy sector. The oil market made historic moves on Monday, as per those breathless headlines about the price of crude falling into negative territory for the first […]

“When We Are Absent One From the Other” In 2019, the equity market overcame trade disruptions, Brexit fears and slowing economic growth only to be impaired this year by a piece of RNA that jumped  from bats to humans, humans to humans, city to city and country to country. Travel restrictions were put in place, […]

For Individuals: The checklist below covers the new emergency relief options for individuals to consider. It includes emergency relief options outlined in:  The CARES Act Families First Coronavirus Response Act Executive orders IRS changes And other relief options specific to COVID-19 as they pertain to individuals  Download the COVID Relief Checklist for Individuals here. Please […]

From an email sent on March 19, 2020: Good evening, IIM investors. This week we appear to be witnessing the worst psychological – though not statistical – impact of COVID-19. While we are currently waiting on the details of the fiscal stimulus program that will help combat the economic effects of the coronavirus, the monetary […]

From an email sent on March 13, 2020: Good evening again, IIM investors. After 11 years, a perfect storm around the new coronavirus has pushed markets into bear territory. The World Health Organization officially declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, markets were disappointed by government policy responses, and containment measures increased as cases continue to […]

From an email sent on March 4, 2020: Good evening, IIM investors. Below are some thoughts from Retz and I about the coronavirus. We hope they help answer your questions. First, though, for Tarpon Folio investors in particular: I’d like to make another plug for the IIM Investor Message Boards.  Energy markets have been especially […]

What A Year It Was What a difference a year makes! Overshadowed by Brexit, trade wars and fears of a recession equities dropped precipitously the last quarter of 2018 and created a bit of trepidation entering last year. Indeed, these forces still played a part in investor sentiment during 2019, but as the year progressed, […]

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride When I first moved to Florida, circa 40 years ago, I couldn’t wait to go to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. I loved the scary rides, the roller coasters and in particular Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, where guests launched through various scenes from The Wind in the Willows.  Depending […]