Factor Investing: Just another Fad?

No one should be surprised about that statement! While 'Factor Investing' gets a lot of attention recently it is basically old wine in new bottles. And timing is the biggest challenge in all investing decisions!
Cliff Asness: Factor Timing is Hard

No one has voted for this: Intl Exchange of Tax Information

Quite apart from the fact that there are simpler ways to increase tax revenues the international agreement violates basic rules of a proper democracy. The agreement is negotiated several steps removed from what ordinary citizens care about, or what they want. Anonymous bureaucrats deal over the head of citizens in backroom fashion. A withholding tax would have been simple to introduce and administer and the privacy of savers would have been preserved.
The hypocrisy surrounding this form of legislation is evident when just recently the Italian government announced that the Super rich would be offered tax-haven status in Italy. A billionaire would be able to pay just €100.000 (!!) per year in full settlement of his tax obligations! And an (in)famous Italian, Signore Draghi does his best to confiscate the incomes of hundreds of millions of hard-working and honest citizens in order to bail out his profligate fellow-citizens.

Tax Striptease - Your Freedom is eroded once more

Notwithstanding the fact that Swiss Bank Secrecy saved many a life among those persecuted during the Third Reich the Kleptocrats ruling in our Pseudo Democracies are hell-bent on achieving total control of the lives of their citizens. One day a government will blackmail citizens to hand over all assets held outside its jurisdiction - the 'Land of the Free' is already close to a totalitarian tax dictatorship and others will follow as long as the march to ever-increasing government spending and waste continues unabated.
Ausländer müssen UBS intime Steuerdaten geben

Bitcoin Hype: is it Digital Gold? Caveat Emptor!

Bitcoins compared to Gold? While Gold may not be the ultimate store of value (problems with fake gold, confiscation, safekeeping) it is still better than some digits in unknown/unsecure computers that can wiped by savy hackers or the friendly government. Remember Tulipmania in the 1600s!
Digital Gold - For Now Caveat Emptor

Traders are paying 'extortionate fees' to short Snapchat (SNAP)

Even more amazing that irresponsible Index providers want to herd unsuspecting investors into unproven bubble stocks. It shows that 'passive' investing slavishly hugging indices is no panacea!
Traders are paying 'extortionate fees' to short Snapchat (SNAP)

More Air than Value? Airbnb Raises $1B At $31B Valuation

Remember, the rulebooks that the Regulators publish get longer and longer but none of the rules cover the real important challenges investors face, like buying and selling at the right price
Airbnb Raises $1B At $31B Valuation, Likely Delaying IPO Plans Further

Paper trading: Seven Benefits to practicing buying stocks - ValueWalk

Paper trading: Seven Benefits to practicing buying stocks - ValueWalk

Hedge Funds not as bad as Warren Buffett claims

Comparing an Index (S&P 500) with Funds of Hedge Funds also compares apples and organges, though it is near impossible to invest in a Hedge Fund Index, though that would be the appropriate benchmark
Does Warren Buffett Not Understand Risk-Adjusted Returns? - Bloomberg View

More important than ever that YOU monitor Advisers

Relying on good faith or protection by regulators is not going to do the job in the future!

Trump firing of Bharara leaves void in fight against corruption and Wall Street crime

Watch out! That is what your hard-earned fees pay for!

BlackRock To Pay Ex-Chancellor Osborne $800,000 For Four Days Of Work Per Month