1 | Week In Review

Markets Rally Despite Continued Russian Tension

The S&P is up 100% from March 2020 lows, and despite continued Russian/Ukranian tension, the markets rallied this week. What is attracting investors, and what could cause a downturn? Annex Wealth Management’s Dave Spano and Danny Clayton discuss.

2 | Poll Recap

When you see a tv commercial with a QR code, do you use it?

QR codes are more popular, especially since the pandemic. One advertiser ran a commercial during the Superbowl that was just a QR code onscreen for 30 seconds.

In our recent poll, we asked readers: When you see a tv commercial with a QR code, do you use it? While 61% said no, 13% answered yes, and 26% answered sometimes.

We’ve already traded paper currency for card readers, and now QR codes allow for completely touchless transactions. A recent report published by Allied Market Research indicates that the global QR codes payment market is on track to reach $35.07 billion by 2030.

When asked: When you see an advertisement with one, do you try them out? Only 2% of readers said yes, 76% answered no, and 22% answered sometimes.

Why are so many hesitant to try this new technology? After all, they’re totally safe right? Not totally.

Unfortunately, the codes are susceptible to hacking, and crooks can easily create their own to fool consumers. Scanning a QR code from an untrustworthy source could open a webpage that causes your phone to download malware without warning. For example, what if the code you just scanned in a bus stop ad was actually a sticker someone put over the original QR code in order to steal your personal information?

With any new technology, it will take tweaking to ensure consumer safety as the market grows. If you do try out a QR code for yourself, make sure it’s from a trusted source.

https://www.e-complish.com/blogs/qr-codes-catching-on-fast/

https://www.hivesystems.io/blog/the-dangers-of-qr-codes 

3 | Client Exclusive

Who’s On Your Team?

In this week’s iteration of “Who’s On Your Team?”, we hear from Chief Investment Strategist, Todd Voit, PhD.

What led you to getting your PhD? What did you receive it in?

My decision to go after a PhD had to do with two things:

1. I knew right away entering college I was going “all the way.” I didn’t intend to attend my Bachelor’s or Master’s graduation ceremonies because the one I was going to attend was the PhD graduation. This mindset emanated from the fact I came from (less than) modest beginnings and had no money behind me. My grandfather was a greater investor, a seasoned professional I liked to call him, and had no degree in finance but knew the markets. My father was good at spending money (LOL) and I could see a difference between the two, therefore I took after my grandfather and got a formal education in investments.

2. I liked the research and writing aspects of what it takes to get a PhD and had several articles published before I even worked on my dissertation, which was in financial economics; more specifically modeling selection criteria for picking stocks and understanding how investment managers outperformed the markets consistently, among other things.

What is something you want people to know about what it takes to get your PhD?

The short answer: time, and a desire to explore new thoughts and be able to write about it. What I suggest to students (or my kids) is to take as many statistics classes as possible before going to graduate school.

Any crazy stories from being a professor?

Both bad and good. I had a good relationship with students. One time a few of them pretended to be my teaching assistant and me and acted out class. I walked into the classroom and sat in the front row to watch, they stopped, and all the students were laughing. A not-good story is one where I was yelling at students who came into my office and asked for extra credit after they failed two midterms, but they hadn’t attended class. I said “no” to the extra credit and told them they would have to get a score of 150 on the final exam to pass the class, and that wasn’t going to happen.

Can you explain how you use your expertise at Annex?

When I think of using my experience at Annex I think of three things. Firstly, actual experience in managing portfolios for 30 years and having the experience of building processes around fundamental analysis of stocks and trading in the markets. Secondly, my experience with testifying in arbitration cases against brokers who blew up client accounts. What they had in common was they had concentrated portfolios and invested based on themes and stories. Not the right approach in my opinion. Thirdly was my experience teaching advanced and international investments to over 4,000 students over 20 years. All three experiences come together in constructing and managing portfolios for clients.

Have feedback, an idea you’d like us to write about, or a story to share? Send us an email at cl************@*********th.com.

4 | Did You Know?

Annex’s team includes a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® practitioner

Annex’s team includes a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst who can help people facing the tough decisions encountered when going through a divorce. A CDFA® practitioner helps couples and their attorneys achieve equitable divorce settlements using knowledge of tax law, asset distribution, and short- and long-term financial planning. Deanne Phillips, CDFA® educates those impacted clients on the divorce process, and works with Annex financial planners to provide in-depth financial analysis and advice to attorneys and couples relating to the divorce.

5 | Ask Annex

Ask Us A Question!

6 | Quote of the Week

7 | Annex Radio

Events & Webinars

Annex Wealth Management has always been committed to client growth and education. Planning and saving can be demanding. We’ve found that when our clients master key concepts, it often enhances working together to reach their goals. Because these are not sales presentations, our clients benefit from a truly informative experience.