Blog

PWS Risk Assessment Questionniare by Morningstar

PWS portfolio models' Snapshot reports

Strat 22 Portfolio Models--funds list and Prospectus Links

Portfolio Models--performance thrugh 2021-08

Portfolio Model Performance--Potomac Wealth Strategies, LLC models and Selected Retail Offerings US and Foreign Indexes 3 mo 1 yr 2 yr 3 yr 5 yr 10 yr 2018 Worst 3 mo 12 mo yld Barclays Agg Bond (US bonds) 1.6% -0.1% 3.0% 5.4% 3.1% 3...

Portfolio Model Performance through 2021-06-30

US and Foreign Indexes 3 mo 1 yr 2 yr 3 yr 5 yr 10 yr 2018 Worst 3 mo 12 mo yld Barclays Agg Bond (US bonds) 1.8% -0.3% 4.1% 5.3% 3.0% 3.4% 0.0% -5.6% 1.9% S&P 500 PR 8.2% 38.6% 20.9% 16.5% 15.4% 12.5% -6.2% -31.3% 1.3% Dow Jones...

Portfolio Model updates for Aggressive and Moderately Aggressive investors

Here are the Potomac Wealth Strategies portfolio models for long-term Aggressive and Moderately Aggressive investors. These models are diversified with exposure to Stocks, Bonds, Cash, and Alternative investments, with the heaviest...

Prospectus Links for PWS Portfolio Models' mutual funds

Mutual Fund and ETF Prospectus Links One should read the Prospectus before investing in a mutual fund or ETF. Strategic Portfolio Funds Stocks—Large Cap YAFFX AMG Yacktman Focused Fund SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF TRBCX T...

Prospectus Links for PWS Portfolio Models' mutual funds

Mutual Fund and ETF Prospectus Links One should read the Prospectus before investing in a mutual fund or Exchange-traded Fund> Strategic Portfolio Funds Stocks—Large Cap YAFFX AMG Yacktman Focused Fund SCHD Schwab U.S....

Portfolio Model Performance through 2021-03-31

Portfolio Model Performance--Potomac Wealth Strategies, LLC models and Selected Retail Offerings US and Foreign Indexes 3 mo 1 yr 2 yr 3 yr 5 yr 10 yr 2018 Worst 3 mo 12 mo yld Barclays Agg Bond (US bonds) -3.4% 0.7% 4.7% 4.7% 3.1% 3...

Schwab's Sonders on Economic Recovery

Good morning. Schwab’s Chief Investment Strategist and her team offer their latest commentary on the economy. Liz Ann Sonders and team expect a surge in economic growth in the near-term, thanks to stimulus and pent-up demand. She...

PWS Portfolio Model Performance through 2020-12-31

Year 2020 was extremely volatile in the markets, even for investors who were prudently diversified. Remaining fully invested in a strategic asset allocation model was the best way to manage risk and reward, once again. The portfolio...

Investment Risk, Diversification, and Portfolio Methodology by Gary Partoyan

In my practice here at Potomac Wealth Strategies, clients' risk profile is determined first, then investments are selected and managed. Investment risk management helps us pursue growth of our portfolio while avoiding more risk than we...

Portfolio Model Performance Through 2020-09-30

Here is the portfolio model performance data for Potomac Wealth Strategies' offerings, and that of their benchmarks. Continued benchmark-beating performance for a wide range of risk profiles. Whether you are conservative or aggressive,...

Portfolio Performance--PWS models through 2020-08

Below is the latest performance data for the portfolio models Potomac Wealth Strategies offers clients. Our Strategic, Index, and ETF models all keep up with and usually outperform their benchmarks, even after advisory fees. They are...

Portfolio Model Returns through May 2020

PWS' portfolio models are beating their benchmarks, and significantly in many cases. Let's decide what type of investor you are. I already have the portfolio model for you! US and Foreign Indexes 3 mo 1 yr 2 yr 3 yr 5 yr 10 yr 2018 12...

Market Comments by Schwab's Liz Ann Sonders

Perspective and insight from an expert, Schwab's Liz Ann Sonders. In short, stocks keep going up despite bad news continuing, it's probably because of liquidity pumped into the system by governments and a sense of optimism about virus...

Asset Allocation--how to diversify a portfolio to manage risk

(Edited and re-posted from a 2017 post on my firm's old blog site) Asset allocation is widely regarded as the primary investment strategy used to balance risk and reward. Diversifying a portfolio among the main asset classes (stocks,...

Update from Gary, Incl. Link to Daily Comment from Confluence Investment Management

Good morning. Here is the Daily Comment from Confluence Investment Management’s global strategy team. Lots of helpful data and some thoughtful opinion. Virus data is starting to trend better, economic data is mixed. Market...

Easier Access to Retirement Accounts--Further Info

Please talk to me before you tap your 401(k), IRA, or 403(b) for cash right now. I'll walk you through the many pros and cons. It's easier to do now--fewer restrictions and penalties. But don't make an avoidable mistake. The...

Easier Access to Retirement Savings During Crisis

Accessing retirement savings before age 59.5 is easier now, per some of the government's response to the COVID-19 crisis. But do be careful and smart about whether and how you access it. Talk to me first, please. I can help you avoid...

Portfolio Model Returns Through 3/31/2020

Here is the performance data for my firm's portfolio models, as well as some others and also several key benchmarks. Despite the sudden and massive market decline in the past 1.5 months, our models held up pretty well compared to their...

Life Insurance--Mistakes to Avoid

Here is a helpful article on life insurance. Contact me for a review of your insurance coverage/needs. I don't sell insurance and don't share commissions--I just help clients decide what type and how much to get. --Gary Partoyan...

Tips for Uncertain Times: Cash Sources, Investment Decisions

Here are links to some articles with helpful insight: 10 Source of Emergency Cash, by Christine Benz of Morningstar Time to Take A Deep Breath and Reevaluate, by Dave Sekera of Morningstar Please contact me with any questions about...

Schwab Money Market Funds--How They Handle Current Market Conditions

Good evening. Charles Schwab & Co. has issued a 3-pager describing how their money market funds are built to handle potentialities during unusual market conditions. In short, the Schwab Value Advantage Money Fund (SWVXX) should be free...

Bond Funds to Sell; Confluence's Daily Comment on Markets and Virus

Good afternoon. I recommend clients sell their positions in several bond funds (see list below). The main reason is the kind of bonds these funds invest in have not been as helpful as expected during current market conditions. If you...

Gary P Available to Talk About Accounts/Market Volatility

Good afternoon. Please let me know if you want to talk about your accounts. I’m available and will set 30 mins for phone call time blocks with any clients interested. There is a lot of volatility and we’re in a steep...

What To Do During Market Downturn

The stock markets have experienced significant declines in recent weeks. It's a rapid market "correction" (down -10% or more off of recent highs), it could become a "bear market" (-20% or more), and it is happening fast. It's also a...

Market Commentary from Confluence Investment Mgmt: 2020-03-06

Here is link to Bill O'Grady's comments today, a week+ into the market corrections spurred by the COVID-19 coronavirus: Please contact Gary Partoyan of Potomac Wealth Strategies with questions about your investments and risk tolerance.

Index Funds vs. Actively Managed Funds: Cost vs. Cost-Justification

(This was posted on 4/29/2015. I've taken it from my old blog site.) Lots of talk these days about making sure you have low-cost mutual funds. All things being equal, yes, the lower the internal costs of a fund, the better. Assuming,...

Coronavirus Perspectives--links to recent articles

I recommend investors stick with their long-term strategic asset allocations. Those portfolios are designed to help us ride the ups and downs of the markets over time. Meanwhile here are links to a few columns offering perspective on...

Portfolio Model Returns Through 2020-01-31

US and Foreign Indexes 3 mo 1 yr 2 yr 3 yr 5 yr 10 yr 2018 Stock Markets (72-21-7 US-Foreign-EM) 5.0% 15.7% 3.5% 10.2% 7.9% 9.1% -9.1% S&P 500 PR 6.2% 19.3% 6.9% 12.3% 10.1% 11.6% -6.2% Dow Jones Industrial Avg PR 4.5% 13.0% 4.0% 12...

Schwab Tax Forms--Second/Final Batch Now Available

Good morning. The second batch of tax forms for Schwab accounts has been delivered. That should be all of them from Schwab for this tax season (outside chance of amended/updated forms, but usually not). Please check your e-mail,...

Portfolio Model Returns Through 2019-12-31

Here are the returns* for Potomac Wealth Strategies' portfolio models and other investments, blended benchmarks, and indexes. For 3-mo, 1-yr, and year 2018, the returns are total. For 2-, 3-, 5-, and 10-yr, the returns are average...

Coronavirus--Wall Street Journal Summary

Here is what the Wall Street Journal's "10 Point" summary offered about this new Coronavirus in China: https://10point.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/d/909A2F289CDC8F1B2540EF23F30FEDED/B58256DF1F0E4EB5942A2DF08F503B7C

Schwab's Insight on the SECURE Act

Good morning. Schwab’s recent article reports on six things we should know about the SECURE Act: RMDs start at age 72 now, not 70.5, but only for those who turn 72 on 1/1/2020 or later Traditional IRA contribution can be made...

Portfolio Model Returns through 2019-12-31

Here are the returns* for Potomac Wealth Strategies' portfolio models and other investments, blended benchmarks, and indexes. For 3-mo, 1-yr, and year 2018, the returns are total. For 2-, 3-, 5-, and 10-yr, the returns are average...

PWS Regulatory Info + IRS updates to Retirement Plan Contributions

Clients and Friends of PWS, Happy New Year! Linked here are regulatory items I am required to give you from time to time. Also, the IRS changed retirement plan contribution limits for Year 2020, so please update your IRA and...