Founder’s Perspectives
Explore: Wealth Planning Founder’s Perspectives Books Published
ETF Revolution in Investment Management
John Merrill, April 2024
Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). In 1993, State Street Global Advisors introduced a new structure for housing an investment portfolio, the Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). The first ETF was the SPDR S&P 500 Trust (SPY).
Is There a New Normal for Inflation and Interest Rates?
John Merrill, January 2024
We have experienced a dramatic seesaw in both inflation and interest rates since the onset of Covid.
The Rising Clout of the “Blue Collar” Workforce
John Merrill, October 2023
Since at least the 1970s, most Americans were brought up believing “white collar” jobs were preferable to “blue collar” jobs. This became so ingrained that many parents who held good blue-collar jobs wanted “better” for their children.
The Major Forces Molding Our Future
John Merrill, July 2023
Daily changes within our economy are imperceptibly small except in highly unusual circumstances like the impact of Covid. Yet our economy is always in a state of change, driven by powerful long-term economic forces.
Interest Rates, Credit, and Climate Change
John Merrill, April 2023
The earth’s climate has changed many times over its history from bitter ice ages to much warmer periods. One statistical relationship holds true through all these periods, the higher the temperature, the less ice in the arctics and the higher the ocean level. So one variable, temperature, changes the configuration of all land masses.
What Is Behind Sustainable Progress?
John Merrill, January 2023
Between 1000 BC and 1750 AD the Bank of England estimates that the average person’s standard of living no more than doubled. That is little advancement over almost 3,000 years. Yet they estimate that from 1750 to today, the average has gone up over seven-fold. (Changes in standard of living are closely aligned with GDP per person.)
John Merrill, October 2022
Between 1000 BC and 1750 AD the Bank of England estimates that the average person’s standard of living no more than doubled. That is little advancement over almost 3,000 years. Yet they estimate that from 1750 to today, the average has gone up over seven-fold. (Changes in standard of living are closely aligned with GDP per person.)
Declines, Losses, and the Path of Travel
John Merrill, July 2022
There is a big difference between a “loss” from investments and a “decline” in current market value. Yet while a portfolio is experiencing a steep drop, like the one during the first half of this year, they both may feel the same.
The End of Globalization...Again
John Merrill, April 2022
It took a pandemic, war, and surging inflation to end the great age of globalization...105 years ago.