Options for Everyone?

Options (and derivatives in general) are often painted by the media as financial time bombs. While they can be used for speculative trading, they can also be used for hedging as well. Unfortunately, many smaller investors are not skilled in their use, which has led to significant losses for many. See article here, NY Times.

Central Banks Propel Equity Markets

Japan's central bank recently instituted a significant expansionary monetary policy. The market's immediate response was to increase, and the rise has continued since the announcement. Easy money provides liquidity. While this can be offset by inflation, the lack of wage growth has kept inflation muted. Thus, equity markets have responded favorably. See article here, The Economist.

Trading Issues

This is an excellent read on the mechanics of market microstructure, particularly as it relates to "mini-crashes" in individual stocks: Erroneous Combustion, CFA Institute.

This article discusses the efficacy (or lack thereof) of the new limit up / limit down circuit breakers on individual stocks: The Trade.

Hot Market?

Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) have increased in size and number during the recent bull market. IPOs tend to follow market cycles, particularly in environments where volatility is less pronounced. This gives firms more pricing stability, combined with increased investor appetite -- obviously the right mix for IPOs.(See article here, WSJ.)

Man vs. Machine

It has always been difficult (if not impossible) to consistently beat the market -- so called "market efficiency." However, it may be even more difficult with the advent of quantitative systems trading -- i.e., algorithmic trading. (See article here, WSJ.)

Margin Debt

Margin debt hit its highest level ($379.5 billion) since July 2007. The increase is being driven by low rates and a rising market. As history shows, however, this level of debt could accelerate a small downturn in the market. (See article here, WSJ.)

Target Date Funds

Target Date (or "lifecycle") Funds are investments on "auto pilot." Fund managers allocate assets across funds based on the set (target) retirement date and manage the allocation accordingly as time passes. These funds are best suited as "all or nothing" investments, meaning investors should put all their money in a target date fund or else manage their assets on their own. Unfortunately, many investors allocate funds to lifecycle investments as if it were its own investment category. This is particularly true in retirement plans where participants often exhibit the "1/n" phenomenon, allocating there money equally across the "n" investments in the plan -- target date funds included. (See related article here, CNN Money.)