The outlook for freedom and growth in the U.S. and China. In our January column (“A Sensible Strategy”) we suggested gradually increasing allocations to emerging markets. We cautioned, though, that not all emerging markets are created equal. “Transparency is always a concern, and whether citizens are increasingly free is probably the most critical variable to evaluate and monitor.

Sixty years of endless summer are winding down. Investors have happily surfed atop a long, beautiful but increasingly dangerous wave of credit. The past two years have been like the last days of August. We realized it was ending, but we were intent on enjoying every last drop of its pleasures because we knew we wouldn’t see it again.

As we’ve all learned, the party doesn’t go on forever. Here’s how to improve your investment results by analyzing potential economic scenarios.

If MPT and the stock market are hurting your business, here are some things you can do about it. Many, or per-haps most, of us financial advisors make our living by billing clients a percentage of “Assets Under Management.” We supervise their portfolios, but we also provide a host of valuable noninvestment financial planning services for which we charge … well, nothing!