Cash is getting an alarming amount of love these days.
When investors are nervous, they flee risky assets like stocks for the safety of cash.
That’s exactly what’s been happening lately. Since July 1, cash and money market funds have easily been the world’s most popular asset class, attracting $208 billion of inflows, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Millions of Americans make resolutions to hit the gym, eat more salad and smile frequently. But don’t forget to pay as much attention to your money.
Keeping tabs on your investment portfolio can be just as important when it comes time for retirement.
Here’s CNNMoney’s suggested list of New Year’s resolutions for investors:
1. Find your password and log on! Many investors who have their portfolios in cruise-control mode. While you don’t need to trade daily, it’s important to at least do an annual checkup on your accounts. Log in or call your 401(k) or brokerage account provider and see whether you should make any changes.
At your annual physical, you get your blood pressure checked. The equivalent to that in investing is looking at your asset allocation — how much you have in stocks versus bonds versus cash and commodities.
Is your asset mix still appropriate based on your age and risk tolerance? It could be time to make a change.
IRS data suggests that, globally, U.S. nonfinancial companies hold at least three times more cash and other liquid assets than the Federal Reserve reports, idle money that could be creating jobs, funding dividends or even paying a stiff federal penalty tax for hoarding corporate cash.
Do the ‘Job Creators’ really need more cash? – Ed.
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