To Top

Fiduciary

We provide the highest level of care and accountability. Everything we do must be in your best interest.

Complete Transparency

No magic tricks or distractions. Everything we do is transparent. Log into our online system to see your accounts any time, from any device, no matter where you may be.

Experienced

We have been serving client needs for over 30 years which means we probably have experience in situations like yours.

Local & Available

We are not a large institution. We are your neighbors who happen to offer financial expertise. When you call, we answer. When you need someone, we are here.

Different People. Unique Needs

Some people need help accumulating and growing wealth. Others need assistance with the responsibilities wealth creates. No matter your money issues, we will help you find the solutions which best fit

Retire Confident

Retirement is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but we have helped people retire comfortably and confidently for over 30 years. We can help you too.

Get Comfortable

We provide a safe and relaxed environment where you can be comfortable with your money.

It is a journey,
not a destination

No matter what your stage of life and career, we can help you. As you change and grow, we adjust so your plan continues to fit your needs.

Investing, not trading

It is not flashy, but the long term outlook has stood the test of time. We seek to capitalize on this trend through patience and discipline rather than guessing when to zig and when to zag.

It takes two to tango

We provide the know-how; you provide direction and guidance. 

Simplicity

It is our job to explain your money in simple and straight-forward terms, not to impress you with jargon and investment “speak”. You can never ask too many questions. 

You are not your neighbor

There is no magic formula that works for everyone. We have the knowledge, experience and tools to help you plan and achieve your goals.

Putting it all together

All the parts of your life are connected. Getting to know you goes beyond your finances. We want to know your values, hopes, and dreams so your success is not purely financial. A life measured only in dollars can never be rich. 

Wealth is not determined by money

Wealth is determined by love, happiness, and relationships. The number of dollars in your account does not make you more or less than anyone else.

Independence brings freedom

Our “product” is our guidance and advice, not specific investments. We are neutral and transparent when selecting the solutions necessary to implement your plan.

The media provides exposure, not advice

In this age of information overload, there are an over-whelming number of financial opinions. We help you focus on your specific financial goals by using our experience and knowledge as a filter to cut through the constant noise and chatter.

Blog Posts
 
Post with Featured Image

Letter to Clients: 4th Quarter 2015

Dear Clients and Friends:

I find it interesting when hear people complain about the weather. One of the many reasons I choose to live in Iowa is the changing climate. I think it would be boring if every day was sunny and warm. I like the change of seasons but everyone responds to change differently. Some find comfort where others find anxiety.

Perhaps that can also explain the current financial condition. For some, change can’t happen soon enough and for others it is happening way to fast.

I started my financial career in late 1989 so I have experienced both the exuberance of the 1990’s and the pessimism of the 2000’s. Here we sit about midway through the 2010’s and I can’t yet tell you how the future will define this decade. But if I had to guess I would call this the decade of financial uncertainty.

The Fed blinks

The September meeting at the Federal Reserve was eagerly anticipated by analysts, economists, and short-term investors because there was the real possibility that central bankers would finally boost the fed funds rate for the first time in almost 10 years. In case you missed it, the Fed chose not to raise rates in September, but left open the possibility we might see an October or December move.

While the meeting gave the financial press something to talk about (and talk about and talk about), let’s take a longer-term perspective. We can argue that the current economic environment is reasonably stable, and a fed funds rate that is stuck at zero is no longer needed.

At the press conference that followed the Fed’s decision, Fed Chief Janet Yellen said the economy “has been performing well and impressing us by the pace at which it is creating jobs…” Still, that wasn’t enough for the Fed to pull the trigger. Instead, worries about what’s happening in China and emerging markets were the primary reason the Fed chose to stay on hold. At her quarterly press conference she confirmed this when she said, “We focused particularly on China and emerging markets.

Post meeting, more than one Fed official acknowledged the decision was a close call (Reuters), and in a speech a week after the meeting, the head of the world’s most powerful central bank said she expects that a hike this year in the fed funds rate is “likely” followed by “gradual” increases. We take this to mean a 25 basis point increase no later than December, and then probably an additional quarter percent at every other meeting in 2016.

While it is important to monitor various economic indicators and events that have the potential to impact various asset classes, it’s also important to filter out “the noise” that only the shortest-term traders might find of value.

Perspective

In other words, let’s put the last Fed meeting into perspective. Will it really matter one year, or five years, or 10 years from now that the Fed chose to raise or not raise interest rates at the September 2015 meeting? It won’t.

It’s the long-term that really matters, not the day-to-day or month-to-month gyrations in the market.

While rollercoaster rides can be fun for some (think the short-term or day trader) and unsettling for others, a more mundane approach is usually the best.

Influential economist Paul Samuelson once said, “Investing should be more like watching paint dry or watching grass grow. If you want excitement, take $800 and go to Las Vegas.” It’s why we counsel that it is sometimes best to skip the financial news channels that focus on the ever-changing crisis of the moment. If we properly understand your tolerance for risk, then even those volatile days won’t be very unsettling.

Market Performance
  MTD* % YTD % 3-year** %
Dow Jones Industrial Average -1.47 -8.63 +6.62
NASDAQ Composite -3.67 -2.45 +14.03
S&P 500 Index -2.64 -6.74 +10.05
Russell 2000 Index -5.07 -8.63 +9.54
MSCI World ex-USA*** -5.29 -8.69 +1.90
MSCI Emerging Markets*** -3.26 -17.18 -7.56

Source: Wall Street Journal, MSCI.com *August 31, 2015 – September 30, 2015 **Annualized ***USD

A walk in the weeds

The mission of DV Financial is to make you comfortable within your own finances. We strive to do this by framing financial matters in the simplest way possible. However, once in a while, it is necessary to get a bit involved in order to drive home an important concept but please stay with me. Some folks will glaze over when too many numbers pop up on a page, but the walk in the weeds will be brief…and I suspect enlightening.

Since 1928, so our reference timeframe includes the Great Depression, the annual total return for the S&P 500 Index has averaged 11.5%, with the best return of 52.6% occurring in 1954 and the worst return of -43.8% occurring in 1931.

Sixty-three years were positive and 24 were negative.

Since 1965, the annual total return for the S&P 500 Index has averaged 11.2%, with the best return of 37.2% occurring in 1995 and the worst return of -36.6% occurring in 2008. On a side note – while 2008 was a wretched year and nearly all asset classes took a temporary hit, stocks did bounce back nearly 26% the following year.

Continuing with our format, that is 39 years in the green and 11 years in the red. Simply put, the ratio improved over the last 50 years.

So far, this is pretty straight forward and supports the argument that stocks have a place in most portfolios, assuming at least a medium timeframe. Now it’s time for a slightly deeper dive before I pull it all back together.

Since 1928, the standard deviation of the annual 11.5% return has been 20%, which means that about 67% of all annual returns should fall between 11.5% plus or minus 20%; a range of -8.5% to +31.5%. If we go out two standard deviations, about 90% of all annual returns should fall between -28.5% and +51.5%.

Interestingly, the standard deviation declined to 17% from 1965-2014, so two-thirds of all returns should fall between -5.8% and +28.2% and 90% of all returns would land between -22.8% and +45.2%. In reality, we experienced only two of the 50 years outside the range, with both years coming in below -22.8%.

One last observation–diminished volatility over last 50 years (given the lower standard deviation), did little to reduce returns.

What does all of this mean? (Or,
time to get practical and quit with all the numbers)

We have examined S&P 500 stock returns and volatility that surround the average annual returns. Some investors would easily look past such volatility while others would experience sleepless nights at the thought of their portfolio losing “two standard deviations” in one calendar year, even if the odds are low. Only you know how you would react. That is why there is no one “correct” solution to everyone’s investment needs and each portfolio must match your risk tolerance.

We believe that when your investments match your risk profile, you should be able to sleep well at night and that is why we recommend what’s called an “asset allocation approach,” where we hold more than just one class of assets. In addition to stocks, every investor should own various types of bonds and other income producing assets which have historically experienced much less volatility over the long term.

For example, the standard deviation for the average annual return of the 10-year Treasury has been 7.8% since 1928, which is less than half that of stocks. In other words, there are less ups and downs in Treasuries which helps to reduce risk and volatility.

When we are young and may not need any cash for decades, it is usually wise to focus on capital appreciation which entails more risk. But as we age, preservation of capital, quick access to our funds, and regular income become equally if not more important.

That’s why the current correction has had less impact on those who have reduced exposure to stocks. But remember, these portfolios would be hard pressed to match stock market indexes when the bull market is raging.

Bottom line

Tommy Armour, who was one of the greatest golfers of the early 20th century, once said, “The way to win is by making fewer bad shots.” Diversification is a major step in the direction of taking fewer bad shots and it is the key to long-term success.

Moreover, Benjamin Graham, known as the “Father of Value Investing” and a favorite of Warren Buffett, once quipped, “Individuals who cannot master their emotions are ill-suited to profit from the investment process.” Diversification and an investment roadmap that takes the emotions out of the investment equation have typically been the surest path to financial success.

In the late 1990s, many folks thought there were diversified simply because they owned 10 to 15 tech and dot-com stocks. In reality, they were chasing returns and saw their stocks bludgeoned post 2000. These days, biotech has been the hot sector, though recent developments have forced a significant pullback in this sector. While there may be reasons to overweigh or underweight various industry groups, we recommend portfolios that give you a stake in all the major sectors of the U.S. economy, as well as the global economy. Let’s further reduce risk by inserting bonds, income-producing securities, alternatives, and even some cash into the mix.

While it’s easy to adhere to the investment plan when times are good, some investors find it difficult when the road gets a bit rocky. It’s during times like these that detours tempt the investor. In most cases, however, you’ll wind up in an unfamiliar neighborhood, and the delay will cost you precious time.

In closing

I am humbled that you have placed your trust in my firm. It is something we never want to take for granted. I trust that you have found this month’s letter to be beneficial and educational.

I have said it before and I continue to emphasize that as your financial advisor, it is my job to partner with you. If you ever have any questions about what I’ve conveyed in this month’s message or want to discuss anything else, please feel free to reach out to me.

Sincerely,

Art Dinkin, CFP®