Coming Up: Recently Announced Money Market Reform
Friday, August 15, Michele Suriano (President of Castle Rock Investment Company) and I spoke with an industry insider and expert about the recently adopted SEC money market funds reforms. We covered the following key subjects: Floating Net Asset Value Redemption fees (discretionary and default) Discretionary redemption restrictions Disclosures to retirement plan participants Definition of “retail” MMFs […]
Water Cooler Wisdom
By: Katherine Brown, Research Associate, Castle Rock Investment Company The end of the 2nd quarter of 2014 left the global banking sector bracing from the fallout of a weak quarter. In moments of weak growth, we are reminded of the need to diversify our portfolios. Just as it is important to eat a balanced meal, […]
Life Lessons: the Fable of Argentina and the Used Car
By: Katherine Brown, Research Associate, Castle Rock Investment Company “Best is the enemy of better,” Dad reminded me patiently, as I visited the sixth used car in two days. It sure is: my carless condition went on for about three weeks. All the while, I toiled over used car data while bumming rides off of […]
Castle Rock Announces Hiring of Katherine Brown as a Research Associate
Castle Rock Investment Company is pleased to announce the hiring of Katherine Brown as a research associate. In her new role, Katherine will prepare quarterly economic updates, aid with investment research and provide insight on issues impacting Castle Rock’s clients and their employees. Katherine, a M.A. Candidate for a Master of Arts in Global Finance, […]
Water Cooler Wisdom – First Quarter 2014
A great deal happened in the world during the first quarter of 2014. The ECB may be pursuing quantitative easing, the Federal Reserve continues to send mixed messages about tapering, China is slowing down, the U.K. is set to grow the faster than any other advanced nation, and Gwyneth and Chris have split…or have they? […]
Water Cooler Wisdom – 4th Quarter
Everyone should be delighted by the balances on their quarterly account statements and we hope the values hold steady throughout 2014. When including price changes and dividends: Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 32.39%. Nasdaq Composite Index gained 40.12% Russell 2000 Index gained 38.82% As we know, the market runs ahead of the economy and […]
Water Cooler Wisdom – Third Quarter 2013
During the last week in September, I was having another conversation about the economic ailments of the global economy with a long-time client. It seems that these conversations always turn depressing, so I promised him that I would write a cheerful commentary this quarter. Then the U.S. government shut down. Hmm, well that threw a […]
Castle Rock Investment Company Participates in PLANSPONSOR National Conference Panel
Michele Suriano, President of Castle Rock, recently participated in a panel at the PLANSPONSOR National Conference in Chicago, “Metric Taking: Going beyond the participation rate when gauging retirement plan success.” The panel encompassed the following topics: Leading Indicators: Suriano uses the following leading indicators: median deferral rate broken down by HCE and NHCEs, percent using […]