Opinion

Displaying 2109 results
NEWS OPINION JAN 21, 2008
Advisers need an SRO of their own

Reluctant as we are to call for the establishment of another self-regulatory organization, we have concluded it is the best structure for the regulation of the investment advisory industry.

NEWS OPINION JAN 14, 2008
Now is the time to exercise ISOs

Incentive stock options are thought of more favorably than non-qualified stock options because ISOs can create capital gains while NQOs create ordinary income.

NEWS OPINION JAN 14, 2008
In Roth IRA Conversions Timing Is Everything

If the timing is right, there’s a compelling case for converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, even though Roth conversions are a tough sell.

NEWS OPINION JAN 07, 2008
Change principal-trade rule with caution

The Securities and Exchange Commission must carefully monitor its temporary proposed principal-trade rule, which took effect Sept. 30.

NEWS OPINION JAN 07, 2008
Economy, investors brace for a bumpy ride

The first day of trading in the new year should have served as a warning to investors that 2008 will likely be a tough year for the economy and for investors.

NEWS OPINION JAN 03, 2008
Roth vs. Traditional 401(k): Some of Both May Be Best

NEWS OPINION DEC 17, 2007
Dear Santa: Fix the AMT and subprime mess

We have a few items we would like to request from Santa Claus for Christmas — not this Christmas, mind you — we would be happy to receive them by Christmas 2008.

NEWS OPINION DEC 14, 2007
Little-publicized NUA election is taxpayer-friendly, in some cases

NEWS OPINION DEC 10, 2007
Let's put a freeze on mortgage rate resets

The prospect of 2 million homeowners seeing their mortgage rates jump over the next two years as adjustable-rate mortgages reset, possibly triggering hundreds of thousands of foreclosures, has forced the government, lenders and the mortgage-servicing companies to focus on the problem.

NEWS OPINION DEC 03, 2007
Time to Start Talking About Estate Taxes

NEWS OPINION DEC 03, 2007
PPA supports new business models

Investment advisers can thank the 2006 Pension Protection Act for giving them a new opportunity.

NEWS OPINION DEC 03, 2007
Time for an assault on golden parachutes

It's time for all investors, institutional and individual, to tell boards of directors: "We're mad as hell, and we're not going to take it anymore!"

NEWS OPINION NOV 26, 2007
Do-it-yourself structured notes

As discussed in earlier columns, there are two types of structured-note products — those without a principal guarantee and those that guarantee the return of principal as a worst-case scenario.

NEWS OPINION NOV 26, 2007
SEC should not require climate change risk disclosure

The Securities and Exchange Commission should resist calls for it to require, at this time, greater disclosure of the business risks to companies from climate change.

NEWS OPINION NOV 19, 2007
Including health care in financial plans

Health-care spending for people under 65 is growing faster than for those over the "magic" number.

NEWS OPINION NOV 16, 2007
Early Withdrawal of Retirement Assets under Section 72(t)

NEWS OPINION NOV 12, 2007
Skepticism, savvy needed in the boardroom

The subprime-mortgage fiasco has revealed several flaws in the financial system that must be corrected if similar disasters are to be avoided in the future.

NEWS OPINION NOV 12, 2007
Industry airheads inflated the subprime bubble

The subprime-mortgage meltdown, which has triggered a larger meltdown throughout the credit markets, is the latest example of grand-scale faulty logic and short-term thinking.

NEWS OPINION NOV 05, 2007
On being a leader and a fiduciary

When preparing to depart from a meeting or other encounter with a senior officer, it is a still-practiced naval tradition for junior officers to make the request, "By your leave, sir/madam."

NEWS OPINION NOV 05, 2007
Bill would shift burden, complicate taxes

Rep. Charles B. Rangel's Tax Reduction and Reform Act of 2007 is misnamed. It should be called the Tax Reallocation and Complication Act of 2007 or perhaps the Accountants and Financial Planners Full Employment Act of 2007.