Bear Mountain Capital Inc.

Productivity Gains Ahead?

| September 24, 2010

People have said the “internet age” is over… implying, in some cases, that the bulk of the productivity gains associated with the advance of the internet is behind us.  I disagree with this assumption, in that the continued evolution of hardware, software, but more importantly, social behavior (how people leverage this network) will continue to fuel a productivity surge over the coming years that easily puts the bulk of productivity…

Read more

Key Technology Partners

| September 23, 2010

When I started this company last year, I carefully evaluated the custodians and software vendors that I thought would add the most value to my clients experience.  Fidelity stood out amongst the custodians as the most service oriented, cost-efficient, flexible and technologically oriented partner I could find.  It was an easy choice. The performance and portfolio management solutions I was looking for, was a more difficult search, until I discovered…

Read more

America’s Unemployment Rate

| August 26, 2010

Excellent observation article by The Economist regarding the nature of the US unemployed. Points to the fact that high unemployment can be a function of structural issues facing labor markets, not only lack of demand on behalf of employers. This calls into question the use of further stimulus to lower unemployment rates. (Click here to read article)

Read more

Leading Economic Indicators Point to Slower Growth – Not Double Dip (Yet)

| August 25, 2010

I’m posting a link to a timely piece put out by Fidelity Management & Research Co.  It assesses the various contributions to Real GDP Growth by determining if growth was driven by personal consumption, business investment, net exports, etc. and what the trend has been over previous quarters. It also spends some time looking at what economists call the LEI’s (Leading Economic Indicators).  These indicators are often used to asses…

Read more

The “Basics”?

| August 24, 2010

How many people out there, feel they don’t understand the “basics” of investing?  Even the word “basic” is elusive to most.  By “basic” I mean do you understand some of the following concepts: risk vs. reward growth investments vs. income investments definitions of terms like equity, bond, interest, dividend, mutual fund, index fund, exchange traded fund, etc. diversification vs. correlation vs. asset allocation My sense, is most have heard the…

Read more

Good Counter-Perspective to Previous Post on Germany’s Growth vs. America’s Growth

| August 13, 2010

(Click here to read article)

Read more

Europe’s Recent Growth Numbers – Positive?

| August 13, 2010

Great article about Germany, the European Union’s most industrious member, and their recent GDP numbers… growth for the country was 2.2% for Q2 (annualized rate of 9%), according to The Economist.  These numbers seem surprising given the regions recent sovereign debt crisis, but as the article highlight, Germany’s ability to export its prized “highly-engineered” products, seems to be helping the entire region. (Click here to read article)

Read more

Venture Capital Rebound in Washington State

| July 19, 2010

Here is an encouraging article regarding venture activity in the area according to a report out by VentureSource: (Click here to read article)

Read more

Financial Reform Package

| July 1, 2010

I’m posting an e-mail I received this morning about what the CFA Institute has been lobbying for with regards to relevant financial regulatory reform.  It highlights the CFA Institute’s commitment to the integrity of the financial industry and the investment advisory profession.  It also highlight the aspects of the bill that are the most important for consideration, to help further better operating markets in the future: Dear CFA Institute Member:…

Read more

Understanding Currency Risk

| June 15, 2010

This is a great article from Morningstar about “Understanding Currency Risk”.  In my reviews with clients I am constantly discussing the currency risk exposure we have in some of our investments.  Namely, the Capital World Bond Fund from American Funds.  However, as this article points out, the same currency risk can be seen in other securities as well, including stock funds. So, while the Euro is down about 12% in…

Read more