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When shopping for a vehicle, it's critical to understand how auto loan payments are calculated; we offer the auto loan calculator above to help you make informed financial decisions. *Please note that we do not offer loans. This calculator is for education purposes and to illustrate how … Read more about Auto Loan Calculator & Complete Guide to Car Loan Payments

When looking to borrow money, it's important to use a mortgage loan calculator or home loan calculator and understand key points about loans before reaching out to any lender, including a bank, credit union or other institution.   *Please note that we do not offer loans. This … Read more about Custom Mortgage Loan Calculator & Guide to Home Loan Payments

A.I., DeepSeek and Investing Trends A.I. (artificial intelligence) and DeepSeek have dominated the news cycle lately, and we have been asked what the technologies mean for our portfolios, especially in light of the DeepSeek-related plunge for Tech stocks earlier this year. In the 700th … Read more about A.I., DeepSeek and Investing Trends

Saving for retirement isn’t just about how much you put away—it can also help to consider where you put your investments. This is called asset location, and it’s another tool many financial planners utilize to help individuals reduce their tax burden. Different accounts have different tax rules, and … Read more about How Asset Location Can Help Your Retirement Savings Grow

5 Must-Know Fundamental Analysis Metrics for Smart Stock Picking Introduction In the world of investing, fundamental analysis is often considered a cornerstone in the process of identifying stocks with strong long-term upside potential. Fundamental analysis attempts to uncover important … Read more about 5 Must-Know Fundamental Analysis Metrics for Stock Picking

Top Strategies for Investing During Bull Markets and Bear Markets Investing During Bull Markets and Bear Markets You'll find there are many strategies for investing during Bull Markets and Bear Markets, but we think they should not differ. First, we should note that a Bull Market is a period … Read more about Strategies for Investing During Bull Markets & Bear Markets

Choosing Which Stocks to Buy Investing in stocks can be a great way to make money, grow your financial portfolio over time and prepare for retirement. But which stocks should you buy? Choosing the right stocks is a critical decision that requires careful consideration and diligent research. If … Read more about Stock Trading Basics

Low-Cost Investment Ideas: Smart Ways to Grow Wealth When it comes to growing your wealth, many believe investing requires a significant amount of capital and that it'll be easier to save in the future (rather than today). However, we at The Prudent Speculator know that even modest sums can … Read more about Low-Cost Investment Ideas: Smart Ways to Grow Wealth

Gold occupies a distinctive position in the investment landscape. Unlike stocks, bonds, or other traditional asset classes, gold is a non-productive asset, meaning it generates no income or growth on its own. This characteristic makes it a topic of debate among investors, particularly those with a … Read more about Gold in a Diversified Portfolio

For many aspiring investors, the idea of building wealth can feel intimidating, especially when budgets are tight. However, the truth is that starting small is not only possible but also a prudent way to embark on your investment journey. By leveraging modern tools and investment vehicles, even … Read more about Investing on a Small Budget: Building Wealth Over Time

2025 Stock Market Outlook We would like to thank all who attended our 2025 Stock Market Outlook webinar with John Buckingham and wanted to offer a follow-up for questions during the Q&A session we were unable to get to in the allotted time. In case you missed the webinar, a complete … Read more about 2025 Stock Market Outlook Webinar Q&A Follow-Up

What Is the Santa Claus Rally? What Is the Santa Claus Rally? The Santa Claus Rally is a stock market phenomenon where stock prices tend to rise during the last five trading days of December and the first two trading days of January. This period has historically delivered positive returns … Read more about What is the Santa Claus Rally?

A Backdoor Roth IRA Conversion allows contributions to a Roth IRA, even for those who exceed adjusted gross income (AGI) limits for making direct Roth contributions. Qualified Roth withdrawals are entirely tax-free and required distributions can be delayed, making it an ideal inheritance … Read more about Why Should You Consider a Backdoor Roth IRA Conversion?

This BullExchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) have long been a popular choice for investors seeking diversification and ease of access to the markets. Traditionally dominated by passive strategies, the ETF landscape is witnessing a surge in actively managed ETFs, as highlighted in ETF.com's Global … Read more about Exploring ETFs and SMAs: Active vs. Passing Investing

This Bull Market had its second birthday on October 12 a d investors might be wondering if it might be too late to invest in a Bull Mar When it comes to stock investing, two popular strategies stand out: Deep Value Investing and Growth at a Reasonable Price (GARP) investing. Each offers … Read more about Finding Value or Growth at a Fair Price

This Bull Market had its second birthday on October 12 a d investors might be wondering if it might be too late to invest in a Bull Mar The Hidden Challenges of Passive Investing Passive investing is a popular strategy for wealth accumulation, especially with the rise of index funds and ETFs … Read more about The Hidden Challenges of Passive Investing

This Bull Market had its second birthday on October 12 and investors might be wondering if it might be too late to invest in a Bull Marke   This Bull Market had its second birthday on October 12 and investors might be wondering if it might be too late to invest in a Bull Market. What is … Read more about Is It Too Late to Invest in a Bull Market?

8 of the Best Investment Strategies for Young Professionals Young professionals are frequently faced with consequential financial choices and one may find themselves wondering what are the best investment strategies for young professionals to grow wealth in 2024? There's no magic formula and one … Read more about 8 of the Best Investment Strategies for Young Professionals

"Investors lost out on about 15% of the return their funds generated" proclaimed Morningstar in its just-released 2024 Mind the Gap study, which highlights the issue of investors inadvertently losing out on potential investor returns by making poorly timed decisions.   "Investors lost out … Read more about Morningstar’s Mind the Gap 2024: Reviewing Investor Returns

For value investors, another popular approach to finding success in stocks is through paying for "Growth at a Reasonable Price," or GARP. It endeavors to achieve a blend both Value and Growth styles of investing—combining the discipline of value investing with the pursuit of growth typically … Read more about Growth at a Reasonable Price Investing

The historically turbulent September Scaries for stocks (the September to October period) have once again introduced a familiar dose of market volatility for investors.   In the world of investing, where every participant seeks to gain an edge, the pursuit of deep value often requires … Read more about Unearthing Hidden Gems: A Guide to Deep Value Investing

UBS released its 15th edition of the Global Wealth Report 2024, offering a comprehensive overview of global wealth from levels to distribution to mobility. UBS released its 15th edition of the Global Wealth Report 2024, offering a comprehensive overview of global wealth from levels to … Read more about Key Points from the UBS Global Wealth Report for 2024

The historically turbulent September Scaries for stocks (the September to October period) have once again introduced a familiar dose of market volatility for investors The historically turbulent September Scaries (the September to October period) have once again introduced a familiar dose of … Read more about September Scaries: A Seasonal Slump, but Nothing New for Seasoned Investors

The power of compounding returns (and compound interest) can help your portfolio grow faster than it would grow with contributions alone. One can expect the impact from compounding to be larger with longer time horizons. For example, if you invest $1000 at a 7% annual return, you’d earn $70 in … Read more about The Power of Compounding Returns and Compound Interest

Are you wondering about how to invest in uncertain times? It can be nerve-wracking and stressful, but abrupt changes to your asset allocations during times of market stress can quickly derail you from your long-term path to financial success. We were served a reminder recently when Japan’s stock … Read more about How Do I Invest in Uncertain Times?

We write frequently about the value of diversification. Many believe it’s the only free lunch in investing. We think it’s an almost-free lunch, as it requires a bit of work to setup and maintain, but the results can be helpful in keeping you on the path to achieve your financial goals. First, we … Read more about How Do I Diversify My Portfolio?

Warren Buffett refers to Benjamin Graham's The Intelligent Investor as one of the most important investing books to have ever been written. In this seminal work, the father of value investing distinguished between two types of investors: the enterprising investor and the defensive investor. … Read more about Are You an Enterprising Investor or a Defensive Investor?

Thematic investing, which involves investing in companies aligned with specific, forward-looking themes such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, or healthcare innovation, has captured the imagination of many market participants. However, as with any investment approach, it’s essential to … Read more about Thematic Investing: A Value Investor’s Perspective

In the ever-evolving world of stock investing, two primary methodologies stand out for evaluating stocks: technical analysis and fundamental analysis. While both approaches have their merits, fundamental analysis often provides a more robust framework for assessing long-term investment … Read more about Fundamental Analysis versus Technical Analysis

There are nearly 3,000 U.S. stocks listed in the broad-market Russell 3000 index, with thousands of depository receipts, pink sheets and other equities available for buying and selling. Whittling that list down to a portfolio of 70-90 stocks (as we prefer), or perhaps an even smaller selection, can … Read more about Identifying Undervalued Stocks

The topic of Risk is one that is thrown around a ton when it comes to investing. As in much of life, investing requires us to deal directly with an unknowable future. Many attempt to quantify the risk they are taking with a certain investment in terms of Beta’s or Standard Deviations, which are … Read more about Risk In Investing and What to Do About It

Investment decisions can shape one’s financial future significantly, and two popular avenues for investing are the stock market and real estate. Each option comes with its own set of advantages, risks, and considerations, and this article will delve into the key aspects of investing in both asset … Read more about Stocks vs. Real Estate: A Comparative Analysis for Investors

  Factor investing is an investment strategy that involves targeting specific drivers of returns across asset classes. We offer several reasons why you might consider using factor investing as an individual investor. Factor Investing Investors often employ strategies that … Read more about Factor Investing as an Investment Strategy

We would like to thank all who attended our Ask-Me-Anything (AMA) webinar with John Buckingham and wanted to offer a follow-up for questions during the Q&A session we were unable to get to in the allotted time. In case you missed the webinar, a complete replay is available for Members and … Read more about AMA with John Buckingham: Webinar Q&A Follow-Up

Value stock investing is a strategy that involves selecting stocks that appear to be trading for less than their fair value. It was popularized by Benjamin Graham and David Dodd in the 1930s and further advanced by Warren Buffett and others. Below, we offer a selection of academic and real-world … Read more about Cases for Value Stock Investing

  Inflation, the silent thief of purchasing power, has long remained a persistent risk for investors. As prices rise, the value of cash and fixed-income investments diminishes, leaving many searching for effective strategies to safeguard their wealth. At The Prudent Speculator, we … Read more about Stocks and Inflation

  Investing in stocks has become increasingly accessible, thanks to online brokerage platforms that cater to both novice and experienced investors. Still, each platform offers unique features, benefits, and drawbacks that have specific upside and downside. It’s important to assess which … Read more about Top 3 Most User-Friendly Online Brokerage Platforms for Stock Investors

We think there are many top investment strategies for 2024, including a few that span beyond this year. Indeed, we’ve been investing professionally since 1977 and write The Prudent Speculator, an educational newsletter and website dedicated to keeping investors on the path to success with their … Read more about Top Investment Strategies for 2024

  Ever wonder how analysts determine if a stock is 'on sale' or undervalued? One metric historically used by Value investors throughout history is Price-to-Book Value per share.  This ratio (also denoted P/B) is a comparison of a company’s share price versus by its Net Worth divided by … Read more about Uncover Bargains with Price to Book Value Investing

We are reminded each year of the Wall Street Saying, Sell in May and Go Way. Stocks enjoyed stellar gains (average total return of 18.7% for Russell 3000 Index members) during the Nov. 2023 – Apr. 2024 seasonally favorable period, but I suspect the sharp decline in the last month of this period had … Read more about Sell in May and Go Away: Seasonally Favorable Times

We frequently tout the advantages of owning Value stocks, but one wonders what to make of the Value Stock vs. Growth Stock performance derby over the recent past. The S&P 500 index has been on a charge over the last decade or so, propelled by just a handful of Big Tech names that have dominated … Read more about Growth Stocks vs. Value Stocks Over the Last 20 Years

To calculate the future values of stocks, one must project how much a stock will rise or fall over a certain period of time. We set our Target Prices three to five years out and constantly update our thinking throughout our holding period, which often exceeds the initial time horizon. Initial … Read more about How to Calculate Future Values for Stocks

In the dynamic world of investing, one method has endured the test of time -- buying stocks on sale. The endeavor involves a combination of skill and art honed through a disciplined study. Much like shopping for discounted goods at a store, purchasing stocks when they're trading below their … Read more about The Art of Buying Stocks on Sale (Value Stocks)

In the ever-evolving landscape of the stock market, Value investing stands as a testament to the power of patience, research, and a keen eye for undervalued assets. This investment philosophy, championed by legends like Benjamin Graham and Warren Buffett, focuses on identifying stocks that appear … Read more about Unveiling the Top Value Stock Investing Books: Your Guide to Financial Mastery

We would like to thank all who attended our webinar on High-Income Stocks & Retirement Planning and wanted to offer a follow-up for questions during the Q&A session we were unable to get to in the allotted time. In case you missed the webinar, a complete replay is available for Members … Read more about High-Income Stocks & Retirement Planning : Webinar Q&A Follow-Up

Whether you are a seasoned trader or just starting out, having a reliable stock trading strategy is essential for success. To maximize your gains and minimize your losses, it's important to understand the basics of stock trading. This blog post will give you an overview of the strategies used by … Read more about Start Trading Wisely with a Solid Stock Trading Strategy

Choosing Which Stocks to Buy Investing in stocks can be a great way to make money, grow your financial portfolio over time and prepare for retirement. But which stocks should you buy? Choosing the right stocks is a critical decision that requires careful consideration and diligent research. If … Read more about How-to Guide: Choosing Which Stocks to Buy

We want to thank all who attended our webinar on our 2024 Stock Market Outlook and wanted to offer a follow-up for questions during the Q&A session we were unable to get to in the allotted time. In case you missed the webinar, a complete replay is available in the Special Reports section of … Read more about 2024 Stock Market Outlook: Webinar Q&A Follow-Up

In the dynamic world of finance, investors often find themselves at the crossroads of choosing between Value stocks and Growth stocks. In the dynamic world of finance, investors often find themselves at the crossroads of choosing between Value stocks and Growth stocks. These two investment … Read more about Value Stocks & Growth Stocks: Decoding Investment Strategies

We are excited to announce that Kovitz (of which The Prudent Speculator is a part) has been named a Barron’s Top 100 RIA for 2023. We note that Barron's Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) Rankings include some 15,000 RIAs in the United States! As the founder of our firm Mitch Kovitz said: “We … Read more about Barron’s Top 100: Our Kovitz Wealth Management Services

“It's far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price, than a fair company at a wonderful price.” - Warren Buffett Value investing is a timeless investment strategy that involves searching for undervalued stocks trading below their intrinsic value. This approach has been championed by … Read more about Ten Value Stocks to Consider Buying

When it comes to navigating the complex world of stock investing, having a trustworthy source of financial advice is like having a compass in a dense forest. One such guiding light in the world of investment newsletters is Mark Hulbert, a renowned   journalist, author and editor who has been … Read more about Mark Hulbert’s Top Performing Stock Investing Newsletters

Oil titan John D. Rockefeller once quipped, “Do you know the only thing that gives me pleasure? It’s to see my dividends coming in.” Decades later, significant appeal resides in dividend stocks as a way to generate truly passive income for daily living or continued … Read more about Passive Income the Old-Fashioned Way

  Investing in stocks can be a great way to invest your money and build wealth over time. Investing in the stock market is a long-term game, and success often requires patience, discipline, and a long-term perspective. But if you’re new to the stock market, you might be feeling overwhelmed. … Read more about Setting Up a Stock Portfolio for Beginners

  An Introduction to Value Investing: A Time-Tested Formula for Investing in Stocks Value investing put simply is the hunt for investment bargains, not unlike buying merchandise at the grocery store or mall. At its core is the notion that the price of a thing is distinguishable from … Read more about Value Investing and The Time-Tested Approach for 45+ Years

Elevated inflation and rising interest rates commanded most of investors’ attention over the past year, with proclamations from Jerome H. Powell and his colleagues at the Federal Reserve often the catalyst for volatile gyrations in asset prices. Those moves were generally in the negative direction … Read more about 7 Stock Market Charts to Kick Off 2023: Equities, S&P 500 Price Return, Growth Valuations and more

Oil titan John D. Rockefeller once quipped, “Do you know the only thing that gives me pleasure? It’s to see my dividends coming in.” While paying a dividend is not a hard criterion for every stock included in the portfolios my team and I manage at The Prudent Speculator, I continue to find … Read more about In Dividends We Trust – 3 Healthcare Bargains With Payout Increases

While Jerome H. Powell & Co. hiked the target for the Fed Funds rate yet again this week, the current benchmark lending rate of 4.5% is still below the average rate of 4.92% since 1971. And, despite all of the handwringing about the Fed, the futures market is presently suggesting that the Fed … Read more about Investing In A Higher Interest Rate Environment

In my two most recent posts, I’ve generally argued that two Mega-Cap tech stocks, Microsoft (MSFT) & Alphabet (GOOG) should be considered by investors who lean toward the Value side of the investing aisle. Of course, such discourse would surely be lacking without including Apple (AAPL) in the … Read more about Not Just an iPhone – Is AAPL a Value or Growth Stock?

A stock often lumped in the Growth bucket is Alphabet (GOOG & GOOGL), formerly known as Google. The titan of search and the “G” in the FANG (Facebook/Meta Platforms (META), Amazon (AMZN), Netflix (NFLX) and Google/Alphabet) gang. Alphabet boasts revenue growth characteristic of your typical … Read more about Is Alphabet (Google) a Value Stock?

WHY VALUE? While 2022 is marked with red ink for the majority of stocks, it’s been a good year for those of the Value persuasion, relatively speaking. Indeed, as of 11.17.22. the Russell 3000 Value index was down only 6.9% year-to-date vs. the 25.3% plunge for its growth counterpart, the Russell … Read more about Is MSFT (Still) a Value Stock: An Update November 2022

Spin-offs A Rich Pond In Which To Fish Spin-offs often fall in the months after separating from their parents as folks either are surprised at the new name in their accounts or would rather avoid additional due diligence to support continued ownership, while most lack much or any institutional … Read more about Two High-Yielding Mid-Cap Spin-Offs On Sale (OGN & VTRS)

As we suspect that many have limited exposure to small- and mid-cap stocks, we’ve updated our special report, Small Companies, Big Potential. We also offer a reminder of the methodology we utilize for all our value-based equity strategies. We think you will find the report to be valuable … Read more about Small-Caps on Sale: The Prudent Speculator Likes ENS & HPE

Since the inaugural issue of The Prudent Speculator was published in March 1977, the Small-Cap Value subset of stocks (as determined by portfolios constructed by Professors Eugene F. Fama and Kenneth R. French based on size and book-to-market) have trounced the comparable Growth indexes, even as the … Read more about Time For Small-Cap Value: Opportunities In GBX & WRK

Market history dating back to 1927, per data from Professors Eugene F. Fama and Kenneth R. French, shows that Small-Company stocks have enjoyed terrific long-term returns of 11.8% per annum. Even better, the Professors show that inexpensively priced stocks (i.e. Value) have enjoyed a 13.1% … Read more about 2 Prudent Speculator Small-Mid Cap Bargains – Acuity (AYI) & Hasbro (HAS)

In a bygone era, bankers operated by what was once known as the 3-6-3 Rule: collect deposits at 3 percent, lend them at 6 percent and be on the golf course by 3 PM. More than a decade of low interest rates following the Great Financial Crisis seemingly upended this dictum and heightened regulation … Read more about Low Interest Rates: A Return To The Golden Age Of Banking? Two Small-Cap Bargains

In this post, we offer two value stock picks. No doubt, it has been a tough go of it for corporations, their stock prices this year and stock pickers. Higher interest rates and fears of recession have led folks to bail on stocks no matter their valuations. Market participants have decided that the … Read more about Everything but the Kitchen Sink: Foot Locker (FL), FedEx (FDX)

Following another ugly market week, the average U.S. stock is now trading in Bear Market territory. Of course, such was also the case in 2020 and 2018 and 2016 and more than a few other periods throughout market history. Such is the hardship that must be endured to achieve significant long-term … Read more about 2 Ports In The Storm: GILD And BMY Offer A Haven In A Turbulent Market

Bank stocks have been surprisingly weak this year with the KBW Bank Index off as much as the S&P 500. I don’t think the punishment fits the crime and I believe the big selloff creates an intriguing buying opportunity. It was nice to see a prominent bank stock analyst echo what I have been … Read more about 3 Undervalued Bank Stocks To Buy Now

I understand that stocks historically have been far more volatile than bonds, so it makes sense that the financial press will focus on the losses with headlines like Dow Falls Sharply As Rate Worries Linger during the downturns. However, we are puzzled by upbeat language such as Yields Climb on … Read more about 3 Undervalued High Yielding Stocks – In Dividends We Trust

Mark Twain purportedly said, “History doesn’t always repeat, but it often rhymes,” so it would make sense to look at what transpired in the equity markets the last time inflation was rearing its supposedly ugly head as it is today. Indeed, Jerome H. Powell saw fit to invoke the name of Paul … Read more about 3 Stocks That Could Benefit From Powell Channeling Volcker

Interested in how to avoid the Trump rollercoaster by investing long-term? Forbes editor, Rich Karlgaard, attended the latest Forbes Cruise for Investors and walked away with 9 central themes: emerging markets, dividends part 1, dividends part 2, U.S energy boom, incredible shrinking intelligence … Read more about How To Avoid The Trump Roller Coaster By Investing Long-Term

John Buckingham appeared on the WSJ MoneyBeat with Stephen Grocer, Spencer Jakab, and Chris Dieterich on March 9, 2017. He discusses the investing with AFAM Capital, and the 40th anniversary of The Prudent Speculator newsletter, which is March of 1977, and his very own 30th anniversary with the … Read more about Value Investing With AFAM Capital’s John Buckingham

Bloomberg Markets Radio 01/12/2017       Bloomberg Markets Announcer: Global business news 24 hours a day at Bloomberg.com, the RadioPlus mobile app, and on your radio. This is a Bloomberg business flash. Charlie Palette: From Bloomberg World headquarters I’m Charlie … Read more about Bloomberg Markets: Buckingham on ‘Surprising’ Market

John Buckingham was one of seven investors featured in Bottom Line Personal's article titled “The Shrewdest Money Moves You Can Make In 2017.” John believes that under the Trump administration, U.S. economic growth will be stimulated. He always favors dividend-paying stocks and thinks that some drug … Read more about The Shrewdest Money Moves You Can Make In 2017

John Buckingham was interviewed on CNBC following the election results. He thinks that we will get a pro growth administration during the Trump presidency. He thinks that long-term investors should be adding money to their portfolios. Like Warren Buffet, he believes that in 3-5 years and 20-30 years … Read more about Will U.S. equities continue heading up?

The following is a transcription of Carol Massar and Cory Johnson interviewing John Buckingham on Bloomberg Radio covering Buckingham's method of picking stocks. The interview took place on October 18, 2016 in New York. Highlights from interview There will always be a market for individual … Read more about Is Individual Stock Picking Dead? Buckingham Responds

10/25/16: John Buckingham, Chief Investment Officer at AFAM Capital, appeared on CNBC discussing the recent surge in mergers and acquisitions. He thinks that  the low cost of financing and the need to grow their top-line and bottom-line in a slow growth environment impact this recent activity. John … Read more about John Buckingham on CNBC

John Buckingham discusses oil on CNBC. He says that supply and demand have a great deal to do with oil prices. The demand side seems to be supply but some of the supply has been an issue, but has been curtailed lately. He thinks oil goes up in the long run and does have exposure to it (as of May 17, … Read more about Where are oil prices heading?

John Buckingham appeared on CNBC on May 10, 2016. John likes biotech stocks like Gilead and Amgen because they are trading at attractive valuations. If Hillary comes to power we will see what happens with the possibility of price controls and increased regulation. John already owns a sufficient … Read more about Pro: Impossible to successfully time the market

On April 13, 2016 John was interviewed on CNBC. At the time, John and team saw opportunity in dividend-paying stocks with interest rates at a low. Companies have been focused on rewarding shareholders via dividends, and General Motors was one example of this. According to John, the "new" GM is in … Read more about GM, Mosaic are top stock bets: Investor