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Financial Insights

Financial Insights

Stay informed with the latest economic news and industry commentary from Broadleaf Partners. Our founder and CIO, Doug MacKay, is featured regularly on media programs including CNBC’s Power Lunch and Squawk on the Street. Subscribe now so you never miss an update. 
Economic Updates
 /  Broadleaf Partners

What We're Thinking - January 2025

Artificial Intelligence has been the center of the downward trend in the markets lately. Although there is no ultimate outcome yet, we've provided our analysis of the situation at hand to best assist our clients in... Read More
Balancing Short-Term and Long-Term Goals in Financial Planning
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Broadleaf Partners

Balancing Short-Term and Long-Term Goals in Financial Planning

When setting financial goals, the first thing to do is look at short-term and long-term objectives. What do you want to achieve in one month, six months, one year and beyond? It is important to map out easier achie... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Broadleaf Partners

Broadleaf Partners 2025 Investment Playbook

Each year, we look back at the prior year’s Investment Playbook to assess what we got right, what we got wrong, and what we learned in the process. We then turn to the coming year, putting our dominant ideas in wri... Read More
Young professionals meeting with a wealth management advisor for path to wealth
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Broadleaf Partners

Understanding Growth Stock Investing: Strategies for High-Net-Worth Individuals

Growth stock investing can offer significant opportunities for wealth accumulation. As a high-net-worth investor, growth stocks can be an intriguing investment option. It is key to have a risk management strategy t... Read More
Young professionals meeting with a wealth management advisor for path to wealth
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Broadleaf Partners

The Stages of a Successful Wealth Path

The path to wealth is a lifelong strategy. Young professionals, families and those approaching retirement all have different goals, but they share the common desire for financial success and stability. Broadleaf Pa... Read More
Broadleaf Partners, LLC old logo and new logo
News
 /  Broadleaf Partners

With Growth Comes Change: Our New Wealth Management Website

"After nearly twenty years of growth that we’re extremely proud of, we wanted to do a better job of telling our story,” says Bill Hoover, President. “What better way to do that than with a refreshed and current web... Read More
Economic Updates
 /  Admin

What We're Thinking - August 2024

The market has experienced a sudden shift in recent weeks, with stocks experiencing a downturn. Despite strong earnings reports, other economic factors have lead investors to become more cautious. Let's take a clos... Read More
Video Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Broadleaf Partners

Doug MacKay on CNBC's Power Lunch - Market Focus During an Earnings Lull and The Trillion Dollar Club

Earlier this afternoon, Broadleaf's Doug MacKay joined CNBC's Power Lunch to share his insights on what the market looks for during an earnings lull, as well as the influence of the "Trillion Dollar Club", and how ... Read More
Video Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Broadleaf Partners

Doug MacKay on CNBC's Power Lunch - Look to Earnings Growth for Long-Term Gains

Earlier this afternoon, Broadleaf's Doug MacKay joined CNBC's Power Lunch to share his thoughts on the current state of the market. Despite the spotlight on interest rates and the Fed, earnings growth remains the p... Read More
News Wealth
Management
 /  Broadleaf Partners

Broadleaf Partners Named Manager of the Decade by PSN

Broadleaf Partners of Hudson, Ohio has been named Large-Cap Growth Manager of the Decade on the prestigious and highly anticipated PSN Top Guns list. The list, published by Zephyr, identifies best-in-class accounts... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Broadleaf Partners

Broadleaf Partners 2024 Investment Playbook

Each year, we look back at the prior year’s Investment Playbook to assess what we got right, what we got wrong, and what we learned in the process. We then turn to the coming year, putting our dominant ideas in wri... Read More
Economic Updates
 /  Broadleaf Partners

The Last Mile

On May 10, 2022, we published an update titled "Recession Looming?" as the consensus on Wall Street seemed to be that a widespread economic recession was all but inevitable. Fast forward a year, and the debate stil... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Broadleaf Partners

Broadleaf Partners 2023 Investment Playbook

Each year, we look back at the prior year’s Investment Playbook to assess what we got right, what we got wrong, and what we learned in the process. We then turn to the coming year, putting our dominant ideas in wri... Read More
Video Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Doug MacKay on CNBC Asia | Upgrades & Downgrades 10.12.22

Last night, while many of us were winding down from our busy days, Doug MacKay was sharing his thoughts on the market with the CNBC Asia audience. Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Broadleaf Partners

Recession Looming?

Whether or not we're heading into a recession is certainly up for debate. What's not up for debate though, is that the stock market may be sending signals of that very possibility. Read More
News Financial
Planning
 /  Broadleaf Partners

Doug MacKay Recognized by Crain's Cleveland Business

Discipline, hard work and lots of experience have served Doug and our Broadleaf Partners clients well. While some market environments are friendlier than others, this one not so much, they all require a high level ... Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Broadleaf Partners

Bad Weather or Bad Clothing?

We are no doubt living in uncertain times, the likes of which most in North America and around the globe haven’t seen in nearly a century. These risks and uncertainties are almost of biblical or medieval proportion... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Broadleaf Partners

Broadleaf Partners 2022 Investment Playbook

Each year, we look back at the prior year’s Investment Playbook to assess what we got right, what we got wrong, and what we learned in the process. We then turn to the coming year, putting our dominant ideas in wri... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Broadleaf Partners

Broadleaf Partners 2021 Investment Playbook

Each year, we look back at the prior year’s Investment Playbook to assess what we got right, what we got wrong, and what we learned in the process. We then turn to the coming year, putting our dominant ideas in wri... Read More
Economic Updates Financial
Planning
 /  Broadleaf Partners

What's Next?

The markets have enjoyed a record setting bear market rally of nearly 30% from the intraday lows reached on March 23 rd, nearly a month ago. Bear market rallies, defined as short term, powerful upside moves within ... Read More
Economic Updates Financial
Planning
 /  Broadleaf Partners

Bear Market Territory

Wow, what a crazy week it has been. Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Broadleaf Partners

Correction Territory

I left the office yesterday at 3pm and the market was down one percent. That didn’t feel too bad considering the rapid declines of the past week. But within sixty minutes, the wheels had fallen off the proverbial t... Read More
News Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Broadleaf Partners

Broadleaf Partners Recognized Again as the #1 Performing Top Gun at PSN

PSN, a nationally recognized investment manager database, has identified Broadleaf Partners as the #1 performing investment manager in their Large Cap Growth universe over the trailing three-year period ended Decem... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Broadleaf Partners

Broadleaf Partners 2020 Investment Playbook

At the end of each year, we like to look back on the year that was and consider what we got right, what we got wrong, and what we might have learned in the process. We then turn our attention to the year to come, h... Read More
Video Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Broadleaf Partners

CNBC Power Lunch - Invest In These Sectors Which Can Grow In Spite Of It All 1.7.20

While the market has pushed to all-time highs, there's no euphoria surrounding it. That may be a good thing. Broadleaf's Doug MacKay shared his thoughts on the direction of the market and why the stocks of innovati... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Broadleaf Partners

Fourth Quarter 2019 Performance Commentary and Review

The Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio (BGEP) posted a full year return of 40.4%, well ahead of strong gains posted by the S&P 500. (This comes after last year's strong results, in which the BGEP was also up in a do... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Third Quarter 2019 Performance Commentary and Review

The third quarter proved to be another volatile one, but managed to finish slightly higher than where we were when the quarter began. Despite the endless noise of a 24/7 media cycle deeply engaged in the business o... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Second Quarter 2019 Performance Commentary & Review

While it was volatile ride, the second quarter of 2019 ended in positive territory with both the Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio and the S&P 500 gaining more than four percent. Our results continue to outpace tho... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

First Quarter 2019 Performance Commentary and Review

After a difficult fourth quarter for the stock market last year, the first quarter of 2019 proved to be a kind one for the Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio, which posted a gain of 18.7% net versus 13.7% for the S&... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Broadleaf Partners 2019 Investment Playbook

At the end of each year, we like to look back on the year that was and consider what we got right, what we got wrong, and what we might have learned in the process. We then turn our attention to the year to come, h... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Fourth Quarter 2018 Performance and Commentary

It’s not much of a secret that the stock market was pummeled during the fourth quarter, with our portfolio declining in a similar fashion. Weakness was generally broad based across almost all sectors of the economy... Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Waterboarded, Mr. Market Style

The markets this quarter haven’t been much fun. Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Third Quarter 2018 Commentary and Review

The Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio enjoyed absolute gains in the third quarter, rising 7.2% and bringing year to date results to 23%, net of fees. Performance gains continued to come from the technology and cons... Read More
News Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Broadleaf Partners Recognized as the #1 Performing Top Gun at PSN

PSN, a nationally recognized investment manager database, has identified Broadleaf Partners as the #1 performing investment manager in their Large Cap Growth universe over the trailing twelve months ended June 30, ... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Second Quarter 2018 Performance Commentary and Review

The Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio enjoyed another strong quarter, gaining 8.5% net of fees, compared to 3.4% for the S&P 500. Performance has continued to be dominated by results from the technology sector as w... Read More
Video Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

CNBC Power Lunch - Stocks Slide On Renewed Tariff & Trade Troubles 6.18.18

Tariff headwind or tax relief tailwind? Which side are you on? Broadleaf's Doug MacKay shared his thoughts on the direction of the market and technology stocks in particular on CNBC today. Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

New Talent and Aging Stars

I’m sitting at my desk right now, watching the endless stream of earnings shoot across my screen, and I can’t stop thinking of the strong parallels to a Wall Street Journal article from this morning on The Changing... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

First Quarter 2018 Commentary and Review

The Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio continued a recent run of strong relative results, even in the down and volatile market experienced during the first quarter. Short, intermediate and long term, our results are... Read More
Economic Updates Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Looking Back, Looking Forward

At the end of each year, we like to look back on the year that was and consider what we got right with our Investment Playbook, what we got wrong, and what we might have learned in the process. We then turn our att... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Fourth Quarter 2017 Commentary and Review

Growth stocks enjoyed strong results in the fourth quarter, bringing full year 2017 returns on a net of fees basis to 36% for the Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio. After lagging the major indices considerably last... Read More
Video Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

CNBC Power Lunch - Still Room to Run 11.14.17

While it may feel like the market is extended, Doug made his case on CNBC today for why there's still room for stock's to run. We expect a short-term pullback: Biltmore Capital CIO from CNBC. Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Third Quarter 2017 Commentary and Review

Growth stocks enjoyed strong third quarter results, bringing our year to date return on a net of fees basis to 24.2% for the Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio. After lagging the major indices considerably last year... Read More
News Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Doug MacKay to present at University of Akron's 2017 Economic Summit

For further information, or to register for the event, please click on the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-2017-economic-summit-tickets-35519602086# Read More
Video Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

CNBC Power Lunch - Kayaking with the Current 8.14.17

In spite of the market jitters that showed up last week, the growth trend appears to be intact. Drawing parallels to his newfound interest in kayaking, Doug explains why sometimes it's best to let the current do it... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Second Quarter 2017 Performance Commentary

Growth stocks continued their strong first quarter run during the second quarter, bringing the year to date net of fees results to 16.6% for the Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio. This year is a perfect example of ... Read More
Video Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Video Walk Through of the Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio Investment Process

Broadleaf Partners is a growth focused investment management firm based in Hudson, Ohio specializing in large cap, concentrated growth stock portfolios whose objective is to outperform the S&P 500 over a full marke... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

First Quarter 2017 Commentary and Review

Unlike last year which was one of the worst starts for the market in recent memory, 2017 has started out on a strong note. The Broadleaf Growth Equity portfolio gained nice ground on the indices during the first qu... Read More
Video Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

CNBC Power Lunch - Tech on a Tear 2.8.17

The Nasdaq market continues to post new highs, but what types of technology companies are poised to push it higher? Will it be value-tech of growth-tech? Are you wondering what the difference is? Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Looking Back, Looking Forward

At the end of each year, we like to look back on the year that was and consider what we got right, what we got wrong, and what we might have learned in the process. We then turn our attention to the year to come ho... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Fourth Quarter 2016 Commentary and Performance

There is no sugar coating the obvious. In a complete reversal of our strong absolute and relative results from 2015, this year was an outright disappointment for the Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio and many other... Read More
Economic Updates Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Brexit is Beautiful, Act 2

The results of last night’s election are no doubt worthy of an Economic Update. Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Third Quarter 2016 Commentary and Performance

We enjoyed a nice third quarter rebound following the second quarter, Brexit-induced swoon. The market’s returns were relatively narrow; technology as a whole did very well and select positions within the health ca... Read More
Economic Updates Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Dead Lawns and Short People

What a boring few weeks it has been. Following a post Brexit bounce that was surprising to many, August has largely been, well, August - about as exciting as dead summer lawns, and for the kids, the thought of goin... Read More
Video Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

CNBC Power Lunch - Can the Tech Rally Continue? 8.8.16

Tech stocks continue to gain strength. Will the rally go on? Read More
Video Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

CNBC Power Lunch - Buy the Tech Rally? 7.11.16

In a market starved for growth, which types of companies within the tech sector represent the best long-term investments? CNBC reached out to Broadleaf Partners CIO, Doug MacKay, to find out. Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Second Quarter 2016 Commentary and Performance

The markets continued to recover from their first quarter lows, but there is no doubt that it has not been easy going with last week’s Brexit decision the most recent speedbump in a sideways market now over eightee... Read More
Economic Updates Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Brexit is Beautiful

Brexit is not the end of the world, but the beginning of a new future. The financial markets will get rocked in the short run, but the excitement I feel for a country making an active decision to endure the well ad... Read More
Economic Updates Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Getting Your Ducks in a Row

The behavior of the markets over the course of the last six weeks has reminded me of the phrase “getting your ducks in a row.” While I know the analogy may not be a perfect fit for what I perceive is occurring in t... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

First Quarter 2016 Performance and Commentary Review

The first quarter was a tale of two halves. During the first half, the stock market came under significant pressure as oil prices fell to new lows, broader credit concerns became elevated, and recessionary risks ro... Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

What If?

After a brief upswing, the markets were caught in a downdraft last week with many of the innovative growth companies we own coming under significantly greater selling pressure. In the past, I’ve noticed that growth... Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

What We're Thinking

The markets are off to a rip-roaring start this year -- in the wrong direction. We are hearing all sorts of sensationalized firsts, including the fact that we just endured the worst first few days of January on rec... Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Fourth Quarter 2015 Commentary and Performance Review

Our portfolio and the stock market bounced back aggressively in the fourth quarter following the Chinese Yuan induced swoon during the third. We finished the full year in positive territory, substantially ahead of ... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Broadleaf Partners 2016 Investment Playbook

It’s that time of year again. Time to take stock of the year that was and time to try pondering what 2016 could look like. Read More
Economic Updates Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Little League Trophies

The financial markets have worn many masks this year. Like a ping pong ball, wide and powerful swings from Fed pronouncements, movements in the dollar, and the price of oil have contributed to violent and swift cha... Read More
News Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Broadleaf Partners Recognized in Hudson Hub-Times

Hudson Ohio's local newspaper, the Hudson Hub-Times, recently published an article celebrating Broadleaf Partners' 10th anniversary. Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Third Quarter 2015 Commentary and Performance Review

Happy Ten Year Birthday, Broadleaf! As most people know, this was a difficult quarter for the stock market and our portfolio was not immune. Weakness was broad based across all sectors, with only utilities and sele... Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Heading into the Labor Day Weekend

As we head into the extended Labor Day Weekend, we thought it would be a good idea to share some quick thoughts on the continued volatility in the global stock markets, including our own. In addition to our own lon... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

NBR Nightly Business Report 8.26.15

Doug shares his thoughts at the 4 minute mark of this program. Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Earnings Voids and the Emergence of Plausible Risk

We had put the finishing touches on a market update celebrating our first ten years in business, but were rudely interrupted by the first violence in the markets we’ve seen in nearly a year. Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Second Quarter 2015 Commentary and Performance Review

The Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio (BGEP) enjoyed another nice gain in the second quarter, both on an absolute basis and relative to the S&P 500. Performance gains were relatively broad based, both at the sector... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Many Shades of Grey

We’re getting towards the end of earnings season, which provides a little breathing room to make a few comments on the overall market. The action has been choppy since the beginning of April, with a host of “firsts... Read More
News Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Barron's Big Money Poll

Doug MacKay, Broadleaf CEO and CIO, was quoted in Barron's Big Money Poll, Spring 2015, commenting on the cautious attitudes of investors. For those of you who are subscribers, please click the following link: http... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

First Quarter 2015 Commentary and Performance Review

The Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio (BGEP) enjoyed a nice gain in the first quarter both on an absolute basis and relative to the S&P 500. Performance gains were relatively broad based, both at the sector and ind... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Nevis & NASDAQ 5000

Fifteen years ago, the tech-stock heavy, dot-com laden NASDAQ hit 5000, a level it hasn’t seen since - until today - March 2nd, 2015. Whether or not it will maintain a closing price above 5000 remains a work in pro... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Fourth Quarter 2014 Commentary and Performance Review

The Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio gained a solid 2.6% during the fourth quarter, bringing its full year return to 11.8%. While lagging the overall market’s return for the year, our results on a one, three and f... Read More
Economic Updates Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Broadleaf's 2015 Investment Playbook

It’s been a good year. Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

A Tale of Two Worlds

The U.S. markets enjoyed a strong open today but have experienced a slow bleed off the early morning highs. News of rate cuts in China and more serious discussion of quantitative easing (QE) as a policy tool in Eur... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

A Moody Market

For those that may not have noticed, stock market volatility has been on the rise in October, with more up and down 1-2% days and powerful intraday moves than we’ve seen since the Great Recession. Weak overseas eco... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Third Quarter 2014 Commentary & Performance

Our portfolio enjoyed very strong third quarter results in both absolute and relative terms, bringing year to date returns slightly ahead of the S&P 500. While no one should focus on short term investment results, ... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

America in the Driver's Seat - Enjoy the Ride

Like clockwork, earnings season has drawn to a close, creating an information vacuum for the stock market, one in which the media spends more time “making” the news than perhaps reporting it. The marginal dollar at... Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Our Take on the Fed Minutes

I hate to blow up everyone’s inbox with a second Economic Update in just over a week, but I guess I just did. Usually, I don’t have anything intelligent to say more than once every month or so and since I’m not a j... Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Quick Thoughts 2

Our last piece, Quick Thoughts, generated one of the highest open rates of any Economic Update we’ve sent, so we’ll take that as a clue and stick with the format. Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Quick Thoughts & Coconuts

The past month and a half have been crazy, personally and professionally. Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Broadleaf’s Mike Czekaj Recently Recognized As Top Analyst

Broadleaf’s very own Mike Czekaj was recently recognized as a top contributing analyst to the Estimize platform. Estimize is a place where over 30,000 buy-side, sell-side, and independent analysts can post earnings... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Second Quarter 2014 Commentary & Performance

In absolute terms, our portfolio enjoyed a solid second quarter and while we recaptured some of the lost ground inflicted on high growth stocks towards the end of the first quarter, we continue to have work to do i... Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Mixed Signals and the Road Less Traveled

It has been a month since our last update and, quite frankly, not much has changed. As the markets flirt with all-time highs and a potential shift in Fed policy, earnings season has not altered the fact that the le... Read More
Video Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Squawk On The Street – Are Tech Stocks in a Bubble?

Doug MacKay was on CNBC this morning to address concerns that tech stocks may again be trading in bubble territory. If the video above doesn't work, click here. Read More
Economic Updates Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

In The End, Time Is Everything

If you recall, the S&P 500 got hit 5% at the end of January this year, falling from 1850 to about 1750 in two weeks. There were a lot of concerns at that time about the earnings outlook given subpar economic releas... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

First Quarter 2014 Commentary & Performance

Our portfolio had a tough first quarter, declining nearly 2% in an otherwise positive market environment. The last ten or so trading days were particularly difficult for fundamentally strong, high growth companies,... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

What Happened on March 18th?

The last ten days of the quarter have been brutal for the market and in particular, growth stocks and the Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio (BGEP). March 18th sticks out as a unique date. Since then, the BGEP has e... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

The Economy of Trees

I have been keeping a personal journal for most of the past ten years. Rarely do I get time to go back and look at what I wrote but I have a long term retirement goal of typing down the volumes for my children some... Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Cold War: Thoughts on Ukraine Based on a Month Spent in Latvia

Note: This Economic Update is a bit different than most both in subject and writing style. However, we still thought we had some personal insights and perspectives that were worth sharing. We’d enjoy hearing your f... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Broadleaf’s 2014 Investment Playbook

Most sell side firms publish their outlook for the economy and stock market at the end of December and in early January. As a buy side firm, we really aren’t under any expectation to share our outlook for the comin... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

2013 STRIPs Annual Review

Founded in 2005 by Doug MacKay, Broadleaf Partners began as an institutional growth equity manager, and we continue to build out our reputation in that space. A need for more comprehensive portfolio management stra... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Fourth Quarter 2013 Commentary & Performance

The year finished on a strong note with the stock market gaining more than 10% during the fourth quarter and bringing full year results to a 32.4% gain, including dividends. While it was tough sledding for the BGEP... Read More
Video Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Squawk On The Street – December 23, 2013

Doug MacKay was on CNBC this morning to talk about the market's current level and whether or not we can expect its upward trajectory to continue. If the video above doesn't work, click here! Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Twenty Five

I am not a particularly good salesman. From the time I first meet a prospect to when they become a full-fledged client, it can often take two years even when they initiate the first meeting. Fortunately, growing th... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Third Quarter 2013 Commentary & Performance

The Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio (BGEP) enjoyed a very strong third quarter in absolute and relative terms, enabling it to catch up and surpass the S&P 500’s returns on a year to date basis after lagging for t... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

What is the Most Important Factor in Hiring Investment Managers?

It might not be what you think! Click here for a short two minute video we ran across on the CFA Institute's "Market Integrity Insight" blog. Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Looking Farther Down the Road

The stock market has continued to do very well over the summer months, reaching new, all-time highs and proving to even the most stubborn of skeptics that Great Recessions can become Great Recoveries for those with... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

A Letter to the President

Ten years ago, my son Pete wrote a letter to President Bush as a first grade class assignment following the events of 9/11. He encouraged the President to stand firm in his decisions and closed by asking if he was ... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Second Quarter 2013 Performance Review

The Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio (BGEP) generated a slight gain during the quarter but lagged the indices’ more impressive results for the second quarter in a row. In general, our portfolio is geared to outper... Read More
Video Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Squawk On The Street – Fed Played Catcher 6.20.13

Doug MacKay featured on CNBC this morning to discuss effect of Fed policy. If the video above doesn't work, click here. Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

The Fed’s Behind Home Plate

In recent weeks, I’ve learned that the catcher, next to the pitcher, is perhaps the most important position in all of baseball. The catcher is the equivalent of the Highway Patrol, CIA and FBI, all rolled up into o... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Driving with the Doors Off, Part II

About ten months ago, I wrote about my new bulldozer-yellow Jeep Wrangler, comparing the sensation of Driving with the Doors Off to investing in the New Normal, or as I like to call it, a “slow growth for as far as... Read More
News Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Bob Feller Act of Valor Award

In the spirit of Memorial Day, Broadleaf Partners would like to spread the news about the inaugural Bob Feller Act of Valor Award, which is being launched from the Cleveland, Ohio area this summer. The following ex... Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Like Baseball in the Snow

The last three months have been rewarding for stocks, but like baseball in the snow, something hasn't quite felt right. We've enjoyed some gains, but keeping pace with the rapidly rising indices has proven challeng... Read More
News Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Broadleaf Partners Recognized in Crain's Cleveland Business

Crain's Cleveland Business recently published a list of the largest local money managers. Broadleaf Partners was the fastest growing manager in 2012 and also ranked as one of the 20 largest firms in the Cleveland/A... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

First Quarter 2013 Performance Review

The stock market and the Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio (BGEP) enjoyed strong first quarter gains even if our relative results were a tad underwhelming. The BGEP was very strong in January, but our results flatt... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

World Economy Explained With Two Cows

This was recently passed along by some colleagues and we loved how simple and explanatory it was! Enjoy! SOCIALISM You have 2 cows. You give one to your neighbor. COMMUNISM You have 2 cows The State takes both and ... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Broadleaf Partners recently featured by Business Insider

An excerpt from our most recent economic update, Flying High, was mentioned in Business Insider's "5 Smart Insights for Financial Advisers" this weekend. Given the Wall Street Journal and several other media source... Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Flying High

The media has made a spectacle out of the Dow Jones Industrial Average reaching new all-time highs. Once again, what may prove newsworthy is not only misleading but also, quite frankly, false. Allow us to explain. ... Read More
Video Financial
Planning
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Squawk On The Street – Will the Market Sell-off Continue? 2.22.13

We were recently on CNBC to discuss the market and some popular tech stocks. If the video above doesn't work, click here. Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Doug MacKay to appear on CNBC, Friday, February 22, 2013 at 11:00 am

Please tune in to watch Broadleaf Partners' Chief Investment Officer, Doug MacKay, on CNBC's Squawk on the Street this Friday, February 22, 2013 at 11:00am. For those of you unable to catch it live, a link to the v... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Recent Facebook Thoughts from Doug MacKay

I’ve made it pretty clear that FB is one of my favorite stocks for the coming few years. I think they have the biggest runway of opportunities for growth and like the fact that many things appear open ended. If I c... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

This is fascinating!

Provided below is a chart we found extremely interesting. It is a breakdown of inflation since 2000 in terms of the eight main components used to calculate the Consumer Price Index every month. Some of the growth i... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

An Apple's First Worm

Writing about Apple is painful. Not because I have lost money in recent months or have no insight to provide, but because the media will likely report on it ad nausea for the next few days. It is perhaps human natu... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Fourth Quarter 2012 Performance Review

The stock market treaded water during the fourth quarter, awaiting final resolution of the Fiscal Cliff. On that front, there was some positive midnight news on the final day of the year as Congress struck a deal o... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

An OPEd Worth Reading

We really enjoyed the attached OPEd piece in this morning’s Wall Street Journal as it reflects our current thinking and general views of the past year. While the world economic situation may not feel ideal, opportu... Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Nothing Changed

Many events have transpired since our mid-September update, but not much has really changed. Economic growth should remain slow for as far as the eyes can see, as each region of the world struggles with its own ver... Read More
News Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

MacKay Presents at Vegas Convention

On November 8, 2012 Broadleaf Partners' Chief Investment Officer, Doug MacKay, spoke at the First American Homebuilder Services Roundtable VII at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Doug was invited to sh... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Third Quarter 2012 Performance Commentary

In spite of well publicized worries over a dysfunctional government, the impending fiscal cliff, and slower earnings growth, the markets did what they usually do during such periods by confounding the experts. Duri... Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

All In

Dissatisfied with progress on the jobs front, the Fed went “all in” yesterday in its much anticipated, most recent policy announcement. Unlike QE1, QE2 and Operation Twist, the latest addition to the monetary smorg... Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Driving with the Doors Off

Two months ago I bought a bulldozer-yellow Jeep Wrangler, replacing my eight year old black Audi A6. While the A6 had been a wonderful car, I was ready for something new and a Jeep fit the bill. The Jeep is large e... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Second Quarter 2012 Performance Commentary

The stock market took a breather in the second quarter, falling 2.8%. If it hadn’t been for a stronger June, the results could have been worse. The Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio (BGEP) declined more than the S&... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Second Quarter 2012 Performance Commentary

The stock market took a breather in the second quarter, falling 2.8%.� If it hadn�t been for a stronger June, the results could have been worse. The Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio (BGEP) declined more than the S... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

While Economic Concerns Remain, Corporate Fundamentals and Earnings Look Fine

Companies Owned: Sector Earnings Summary Rev Y/Y Surprise EPS Y/Y Surprise Consumer Discretionary 23% -9% 21% 25% Consumer Staples 9% 0% -10% 11% Energy 22% 1% 38% 0% Financials 16% 2% 49% 12% Health Care 21% 6% 6%... Read More
Economic Updates Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Our Take on Today’s Payroll Numbers

This morning’s payroll numbers were disappointing, a fact that is being reflected in the performance of today’s stock market, now down nearly 2%. Read More
News Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Broadleaf Partners Recognized As Top Money Manager

Broadleaf Partners was recently recognized by Lipper Marketplace as a Top Money Manager in the U.S. Large-cap Growth Equity category for the three years ending 3/30/2012. To view the top 40 rankings, please click t... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Plain Vanilla

Last Thursday evening, JP Morgan announced it lost at least $2 billion on trades related to “egregious” errors on its “synthetic” investments. The complex products that were meant to protect the bank instead blew u... Read More
Economic Updates Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Quirky Tales and Waves of Change

Four years ago oil prices approached $150 per barrel. Analysts at Goldman Sachs got all in a lather, with one making the prediction that it would soon hit $200. Peak oil theory became a hot topic in the American pr... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

First Quarter 2012 Performance Commentary

The stock market surged once again in the first quarter, gaining nearly 13%. Including the fourth quarter’s 12% gain, the S&P 500 has now increased 26% in the last six months, a blistering pace which has many wonde... Read More
Video Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Squawk On The Street - Investing in Dividend Stocks 3.29.12

We were on CNBC this morning to discuss investing in dividend stocks. Read More
blog Wealth
Management
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Doug MacKay to appear on CNBC Thursday, March 29th at 10:35am

Please tune in to watch Broadleaf Partners' Chief Investment Officer, Doug MacKay, on CNBC's Squawk on the Street this Thursday, March 29th, at 10:35am. For those of you unable to catch it live, a video will be pos... Read More
Economic Updates Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Waiting for Eighty

A few times in each generation, a transformative company is born, one which not only revolutionizes industry as it has been done in the past, but often creates significant new wealth for its forward looking owners.... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Tooth Fairy Economics

Johnny lost a tooth last night. Unfortunately, the Tooth Fairy got carried away line dancing at the Thirsty Cowboy in Medina, Ohio too long to find out about it in time. Country band Coalie's Run must have been put... Read More
News Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Broadleaf Partners Recognized For Outstanding Performance

Broadleaf Partners was recently recognized by Lipper Marketplace as a Top Money Manager in the U.S. Large-cap Growth Equity category for the three years ending 12/31/2011. We believe this is a testament to the stre... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

American Creativity

It was a rip roaring January for the stock market. While the pace cooled a bit towards the end of the month, the surge made it among the best Januarys in post war history and the best January since 1997. After surg... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Crazy Good

Apple's success is staggering. The company generated $16 billion in free cash flow this quarter, bringing their cash hoard close to a mind boggling $100 billion dollars. What the company decides to do with this hug... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Fourth Quarter 2011 Performance Commentary

The stock market enjoyed a nice fourth quarter rebound as the domestic political and double dip recession concerns that plagued the markets in the third quarter faded from memory. In spite of significant headwinds ... Read More
Economic Updates Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Broadleaf Economic Update: Concussed, The Year in Review

At the end of every year I like to take a look back at the year that was and share some thoughts on what worked, what didn’t, and how we see the future. To be sure, there are still a few days of trading left this y... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Daily Pops and Drops

The daily moves in the market have been amazing in recent weeks. I was curious to know how amazing, so I took a look at the daily performance of the S&P 500 since the Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio started six y... Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Broadleaf Economic Update: Gump Pong

In the past three months, the behavior of the stock market has been a lot like Forrest Gump practicing ping pong - blazingly fast and completely mesmerizing. After zoning out for a while, I had to ask myself, did t... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Morgan Stanley Hedges, Morphine & Athletes

This WallStreet Journal article on hedging activities that have recently backfired at Morgan Stanley once again made me wonder how so many smart people can get so wrapped up into attempting to get something for not... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Third Quarter 2011 Performance Commentary

The stock market took a severe beating in the third quarter, declining by nearly 14%. Continued concerns about Europe and political and economic uncertainties in the United States made the stock market's third quar... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

The Value of Active Management

The debate over whether or not the higher fees earned by active portfolio managers are justified by a long term ability to earn market beating returns is a subject of endless debate in the investment community, one... Read More
News Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Jittery Market is a Buying Opportunity

8/10/11: “ Jittery Market is a Buying Opportunity for Some” - Akron Beacon Journal Article Read More
Economic Updates Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

New Broadleaf Portfolio Strategy Piece: When to Sell

Discerning whether or not new investment data is actionable or simply noise to be ignored is one of the most difficult decisions in all of portfolio management. In our opinion, the first step to gaining wisdom on t... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Random Musings

Read More
Economic Updates Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Bumped by the US Downgrade

We were scheduled to appear on CNBC this morning to discuss the events of last week and where investors might find value in such uncertain economic and political times. Unfortunately our appearance will have to be ... Read More
Economic Updates Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Yellow Jerseys

Over the past two weeks, the media has been consumed by events unfolding in Washington, DC. While the coverage must be good for television ratings – who doesn’t like to whine about Congress – contemplating actual c... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Best House, Bad Neighborhood - US Bonds AND Stocks

Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

More Comic Relief (The market was up 5% today.)

'What's this?' the boss asks. 'Ave you gotta no brain? Tree and tree and tree makes a nine,' says the Italian. 'Fair enough,' says the boss. 'Here's your second question. Use the same rules, but this time the numbe... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

E Trade Baby Loses Everything

Even the E Trade Baby is having a tough time in this market. Enjoy this video, I sure did! Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Bumped by the U.S. Downgrade

Our appearance on CNBC this morning was rescheduled due to the media coverage of S&P's downgrade of the United States credit rating. We hope to be rescheduled soon. Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Doug MacKay to Appear on CNBC, Monday, August 8 @ 10:40am

Have the events of the past week left you wondering if there are any stocks worth buying anymore? Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Yellow Jerseys

We have published our latest Economic Update, Yellow Jerseys, to our website. Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Second Quarter 2011 Performance Commentary

The second quarter, unlike the first, was a rocky one for the stock market. While earnings season remained strong, a number of event driven factors including Japan, Greece, excessive rain in the U.S., and rising fo... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Bytes Beat Bricks - Fortune Magazine

I thought the attached chart, Bytes beat Bricks , from this week's Fortune Magazine was worth passing along. On the one hand, the technology industry is tremendously innovative, yet on the other hand, this also mea... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Chinese Entrepreneurs are Leaving China

I thought the following blog entry from Forbes was excellent. It just goes to show that the Laffer Curve concept is international in terms of its effects. Could we see a second brain/wealth drain as these entrepren... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Broken Records

Our latest Economic Update, titled Broken Records, is available on our website. Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

There is Always a Way Out

No matter how bad things may get - at work, at home, your stock portfolio, or in your daily exercise routine - there is always a way out. Never lose hope! . Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

The Fed Loses Its Soul

I thought this piece, The Fed Loses Its Soul, was well done. My comments follow. Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Silver & Gold, Silver & Gold

A new Economic Update, published last week and titled Silver & Gold, Silver & Gold, is available on our website. Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

What Your Tax Dollars Buy

Our friend, Karin Maloney Stifler of True Wealth Advisors, posted an interesting site on her blog that helps answer the question, "Where do my tax dollars go?". We thought we'd pass it along. Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

First Quarter 2011 Performance Commentary

The Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio continued to post strong absolute returns in the first quarter (+5.1%) and compared to the S&P 500 for the one, three, and five year periods ending March 31, 2011. For addition... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Forgetful

We have posted a new Economic Update titled Forgetful to our website. In this update, we talk about our outlook for the economy and our investment strategy given the events in the Middle East and Japan. Enjoy! Read More
News Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Past News Articles

Below is a list (and some links) to several past articles and news releases with which Broadleaf Partners has been involved: 7/19/10: Bill Hoover Recognized By Greater Akron Chamber - Press Release 5/11/10: "The Eu... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Technology, Revolution & Choice

For some reason, this blog entry was published before it was finished. My apologies. Here is the complete version. ********* It fascinates me to watch how the political unrest that started in Egypt has spread to ot... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Let Yourself Feel Good Again

We have published a new Economic Update titled Let Yourself Feel Good Again. In this update, we discuss rising inflation expectations, the likelihood that the economy moves into expansion mode in 2011 and why you, ... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Former Tech Fund Manager Doug MacKay quoted in CNN Money

Paul LaMonica, a financial reporter for CNN Money, called to talk about the resurgence of some long lost tech stocks from the dot com era this year. He said he had read our update on Steve Jobs and Apple last month... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

The Perfect Husband

Several men are in the locker room of a golf club when a cellular phone on a bench rings and a man engages the hands-free speaker function and begins to talk. Everyone else in the room stops to listen. MAN: "Hello!... Read More
Economic Updates Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Past Economic Updates

Please click on the links below to review our past Economic Updates: 2011 Bumped by the US Downgrade Yellow Jerseys Silver & Gold, Silver & Gold Forgetful Let Yourself Feel Good Again Steve Jobs Asking the Real Que... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Steve Jobs: Finding the Real Questions

For those that don't know, Steve Jobs, founder and CEO of Apple Computer, announced yesterday that he would be taking another indefinite medical leave of absence from the company to focus on his health related issu... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Why Newton was Wrong

The Economist recently published an article on momentum in the financial markets titled Why Newton Was Wrong . While I believe that in some ways the article is describing a more general form of financial market mom... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Fourth Quarter 2010 Performance Commentary

The Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio continued to post strong absolute returns in the fourth quarter (+9.1%) and compared to the S&P 500 for the one, three, and five year periods ending December 31, 2010. Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

200 Countries, 200 Years, Four Minutes

A former coworker just sent me this video which does a very clever job of showing the improvement in health and wealth of over 200 countries over the last 200 years. Pretty amazing visual, isn't it? http://www.flix... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Christmas Break Video Fun

Like many of you, I get alot of funny videos sent to me every week. I thought these two British videos were particularly good. They are also kid friendly, meaning they just might keep the kids from killing each oth... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

The Year in Review

We have published a new Economic Update entitled The Year in Review. Please let us know your thoughts! Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year from all of us at Broadleaf Partners. Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

A Surprisingly Accurate Picture of Recent Economics

Mary is the proprietor of a bar in Dublin . She realises that virtually all of her customers are unemployed alcoholics and, as such, can no longer afford to patronise her bar. To solve this problem, she comes up wi... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

CNBC Power Lunch Appearance

We appeared on CNBC's Power Lunch yesterday, December 9th, to discuss the subject of bonds versus dividend stocks. Read More
blog Wealth
Management Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Trump Cards: Contagion or the Economy

I wrote this update relatively quickly last night; it is perhaps a little too deep for general distribution as an Economic Update. Seeing that I didn't want it to go to waste, I thought it might be a perfect post f... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

More Kid Quotes...Always a Good Laugh

Children Are Quick Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

The Buckeye Institute - An Amazing Tool for Public Worker/Taxpayer Accountability

Someone brought a website to my attention a few minutes ago, www.buckeyeinstitute.org. It is an amazing website that will no doubt generate tremendous interest and scorn across the state. Basically, you can look up... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Thanksgiving Pie

We published a new Economic Update entitled Thanksgiving Pie. In the update, we discuss our outlook for the markets following a sleu of recent economic releases and other newsworthy events of the past week. In gene... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Fun with Pictures

I'm knee deep in earnings season. Every time I finish reviewing one earnings call transcript - they average fifteen pages - another company reports and the stack grows. It reminds me a little bit of raking the fall... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Former Boss Ed Yardeni on CNBC, Google Earnings, Apple Expectations

Economist Ed Yardeni, a former boss of mine, was on CNBC's Squawk Box this morning. While I haven't talked to Ed in awhile, I thought his comments were spot on and sent him a quick note following his interview this... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Mortgage Rates Due for another Leg Down?

Mortgage rates are moving even lower with the average 30 year now at 4.2%. I would expect rates to fall even further, perhaps piercing 4% on the prospect of quantitative easing (QE) by the Federal Reserve in Novemb... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Herschel Walker says Mixed Martial Arts safer than Football, Nanook of the North, Archetype of World's Best Athlete

Since I wrote our last Economic Update a few weeks ago, Chain Gangs & Pipe Dreams, two players on my son's freshman team have broken bones (that I know of) and one has suffered a concussion. I also heard that a tea... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Are You The Duck?

Ducks in Heaven Three women die together in an accident and go to heaven. When they get there, St.. Peter says, 'We only have one rule here in heaven: don't step on the ducks!' So they enter heaven, and sure enough... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Third Quarter 2010 Performance Review

The Broadleaf Growth Equity Portfolio turned five years old at the end of the third quarter, marking a key milestone for our firm. In addition to having strong relative returns for the year to date and three year p... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Random Stats

"Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please." -Mark Twain I saw the following interesting facts today. For the first time in 100yrs+, the percentage of adults 25-34 who have never bee... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Chain Gangs & Pipe Dreams

We published a new Economic Update titled Chain Gangs & Pipe Dreams to our website this morning. In the update, we discuss highschool football, hedge fund manager David Tepper,and our thoughts on the recent new twe... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Dog Prayers

Dog Prayers Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Cisco Dividend: You Heard it Here First

I rarely point out good calls that we make, but believe today's talk of Cisco paying a dividend, if confirmed, is worth mentioning. According to briefing.com, Cisco just made the following comment today at their an... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Pepper & Salt, WSJ 9/9/2010

Timely!!! Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

The Terminator Responds

I don't often write notes to the Times or the Wall Street Journal, but Arnold Schwarzeneggar's editorial a couple of weeks ago, which we blogged about, really touched a nerve for me personally. I sent him a note of... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

ISM Release Surprisingly Strong!!!

The ISM manufacturing index came out about fifteen minutes ago and was a surprisingly strong 56.3 compared to expectations of 52.9. Generally speaking a read of under 50 indicates contraction rather than expansion ... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

WSJ Book Review, Greece listens to the Terminator?

Naomi Schaeffer Riley reviews an interesting new book titled Crisis on Campus, by Columbia University professor Mark Taylor in today's Wall Street Journal. I've read one of Naomi's books in the past; she has been v... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

The Terminator Nails It

Governor Schwarzenegger (aka Terminator) nails what I believe is one of the most pressing social/fiscal issues of a generation in an editorial in today's Wall Street Journal. The social contracts of 20-30 years of ... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Spooky Septembers

With the kids going back to school and Halloween now just around the corner (can you believe it?), I thought I'd share some "spooky" data surrounding the month of September courtesy of my friend Danny Hurwitz of BT... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Broadleaf Birthday and CNBC Replay

If you didn't get a chance to catch the live broadcast of our CNBC appearance this morning - also the fifth anniversary of our firm's performance track record - please click here to see the replay. Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Doug MacKay to appear on CNBC's Squawk on the Street

Please watch CNBC's Squawk on the Street show this Wednesday, August 18th at 9:35am. Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Medicine for a New Normal

Read More
Video Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Past Television Appearances

4/28/10: "Discussing Goldman Sachs with Squawk on the Street" - CNBC Television Appearance 12/28/09: "Squawk on the Street: CNBC Market Edge" - CNBC Television Appearance 7/6/09: "Squawk on the Street: Keeping Your... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

30 For the Future

We recently were made aware of an honor and I wanted to pass along the news. Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Caribbean Blue

I just returned from a family vacation last week where I took this picture and had a fantastic time. It was a strikingly beautiful and temperate place, with some of the most exotic sands I've ever witnessed. I even... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Broadleaf Partner's Second Quarter Performance Review

The stock market declined by just over 11% during the second quarter as European budget issues, the flash crash, the oil spill and continued sluggishness in the U.S. job market heightened concerns over the durabili... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Bed Pans and Bunk Beds

This past weekend, my wife and I packed the car and drove our family to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio for our twenty year, college reunion. The campus remains as beautiful as it ever was, but the people and memo... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Burgers, Parades and Baseball Games

The stock market continues to vacillate between the double dip and recovery crowds, but has also managed to hold the February lows now on two separate occasions. We believe that the domestic recovery remains intact... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Style Diversification Map

I've always liked the above map of the market, which shows how different investment styles have performed each year going back to the early 90's. A couple of observations stick out to me, while a third is not as ob... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Stock Splits and CNN Money

For the second time in two weeks, a company in our portfolio announced a stock split. I haven't seen more than a handful of stock splits in the last few years let alone weeks. It may be another bullish sign for the... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Fighting a Good Greece Fire

For the first time since mid January, the markets have been under pressure. The last correction lasted roughly three weeks and resulted in a market loss of approximately 7% from the January peak to the February tro... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Earnings Transcript Quotes of the Quarter (Isn't that exciting?)

Frist van Paasschen - CEO of Starwood Hotels: On the hotel opportunity in India: "To say that India today is under-hotel-ed relative to future demand is a massive understatement. New York City alone has almost as m... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

CNBC Video Link of Doug MacKay, Broadleaf Partners CEO & CIO, April 28, 2010

If you missed this morning's CNBC interview, you can click here for a replay. Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

CNBC Appearance, Tomorrow Morning, 9am

Doug MacKay, CEO & CIO of Broadleaf Partners, will appear on CNBC's Squawk Box at 9:35 am tomorrow morning, Wednesday April 28th. Tune in as Doug discusses the economy and the markets with show hosts Mark Haines an... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Economic Update: Chocolate and The Mathematics of Loss

We have posted a new Economic Update entitled Chocolate & The Mathematics of Loss to our website. If you know of anyone who would like to receive our thoughts on the markets please let us know! Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Indulging My Sappy Side

Okay, I honestly don't think I've ever forwarded stuff like this before (yeah, that's what they all say!), but I thought this was an excellent descriptive of what happens when you don't keep life's more important t... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Another Sign of the Times: Eagle Scout Projects Go Global

Last night, I read an article about Alex Griffith, a young American Boy Scout whose eagle project involved building a playground at the Russian hospital where he was born and then adopted from some sixteen years ag... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

First Quarter Performance Review

Our first quarter performance and market commentary is now available. Please click here for our thoughts on what contributed to the quarter's strong absolute and relative results as well as our outlook on the year ... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Spring Break Vacation

Yeah, I know it's bad, but it still made me chuckle! Easter's about more than eggs anyway. Have a blessed Easter, everyone, and if you're travelling with your family as I am, be safe! Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Much Ado about Google

Google has been in the news a great deal lately over their decision to exit the Chinese market on the principle of free speech. Google, whose corporate motto is "Do No Evil", has decided that the revenue benefits a... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Economic Update: Changing Seasons

We just published a new Economic Update titled Changing Seasons. Enjoy! Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Map your Genome for $50k?

Today's New York Times had an interesting article on the declining costs associated with mapping a human genome. This makes the age old, grade school ethics question a potential reality. "If you could find out what... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

What to Teach College Kids

I serve on an advisory board for my alma mater's business school, Miami University. The finance department formed this board a couple of years ago to help guide the curriculum of its students, better prepare them f... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Two Little Boys

A friend and reader of yesterday's blog entry shares another funny kid story. Keep 'em coming! ****** Two little boys, ages 8 and 10, were excessively mischievous. They were always getting into trouble and their pa... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Seven Reasons Not to Mess with Children

A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
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Fun with Charts

My Excel charting skills are indeed amateur, but I nevertheless wanted to get a feel for the historical relationship, if any, between changes in the Fed's discount rate and the stock market. If you hadn't heard, th... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

More Intern Jokes

Over five thousand years ago, Moses said to the children of Israel "pick up your shovel, mount your asses and camels, and I will lead you to the promised land". Nearly 75 years ago, Roosevelt said, "Lay down your s... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Men at Work, Intern Humor, Cisco Earnings

Men at Work stole Down Under Australian band Men at Work copied a well-known children's campfire song for the flute melody in its 1980s hit Down Under and owes the owner years of royalties, a court ruled today (The... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Broadleaf Partners' Quoted in CNN Money Line, Our Views on the Volcker Rule

Broadleaf Partner's was quoted in CNN Moneyline this morning on our 2010 outlook for the markets. For the full story, click here. On another note, there has been a great deal of talk on new banking regulations and ... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Easy Money

I’ve taken great interest in the masculine characters of several Clint Eastwood films recently, including Unforgiven’s William Munny and Gran Torino’s Walt Kowalski. This past weekend, I was also introduced to Robe... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Earnings, Politics and Stock Prices

We are in the thick of earnings season and so far, the reaction of most stock prices has been disappointing relative to the great numbers most companies have been reporting. This may be another way of saying that a... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Fourth Quarter Performance Review

Our fourth quarter performance and market commentary is now available. Please click here for our thoughts on what contributed to this year's 44% gain for the portfolio, lessons learned from 2009, and what may lie a... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Winter Poem

I found this beautiful winter poem and thought it might be a comfort to you. It was to me and it's very well written. I hope that you enjoy it too . Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Looking Back at 2009

Each year at this time, I like to reflect on the year that was with the hope of gleaning a few nuggets of wisdom. With the caveat that the last two years have been anything but ordinary, these are our observations ... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Birthday Boy on CNBC This Morning

We were on CNBC this morning. At the end of the interview, Mark Haines wished me a Happy Birthday, commenting that I didn't look a day over 50. At just 42, I should hope not! Joking aside, here is a link to this mo... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Shifting Gears

It has been quite a yawner for the markets since we published our last Economic Update, Painting the House, in mid November. The S&P 500, our proxy for the stock market, has moved in an uncharacteristically narrow ... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Selling Gold on eBay

As gold hit new highs last week, I remembered a gift my father in law had given Lisa and I on our wedding day a little more than 18 years ago. It took me sometime to find it, but I eventually did, buried under eigh... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Looking to 2010, Gathering your Questions

It has been quite sometime since I last published a blog entry. The good news is that I've been quite busy, the bad news is that this trend may continue. As a result, I will likely publish less frequently, perhaps ... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Painting the House

It has been awhile since we published our last Economic Update and now that earnings season is largely over, the time is right for one. At the end of October, the markets began to weaken with many stocks - outside ... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Correction Computations - Commonplace!

The double dip drum has been beating once again given the recent pullback in the markets. While any pullback is worth monitoring, it is instructive to consider that corrections are actually quite commonplace. In fa... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Noontime Humor

The markets pulled back aggressively at 11:30am EST and are now down about a percent or so. According to some, the reason for the pullback was because of a reversal in the dollar and the fact that the markets hit u... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

I Wish I Owned Amazon and the Week that Was

If you own Amazon, you're one happy camper. Unfortunately, I'm not one of them. The stock is up a whopping 25% after announcing great earnings, which included news that the Kindle (a product that they own and manuf... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Words from Goldman, Pepper and Salt, Metallica with My 13 Year Old

While the markets are pulling back a tad today, earnings results so far - from the likes of Intel, JP Morgan, and Goldman - have been encouraging. Of particular note was a quote from Goldman this morning, which cha... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

The Earnings Parade

It is hard to believe, but it's that time of year again. The earnings parade commences in earnest this week, with heavyweights Google and Goldman Sachs both set to report on Thursday. As we have said before, we bel... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Broadleaf Partners' Third Quarter Performance Review and Quick Thoughts on the Dollar

This year has continued to be a strong one for the stock market and for Broadleaf Partner's Growth Equity Portfolio, which is up 35% on a year to date basis. For details on our performance, related disclosures, and... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Sitting on My Porch...Six Months Hence

Well, already it looks like the Browns are going to be in a world of hurt this season. After Brady Quinn had a dismal showing during the first half of their rout by the Ravens this week, my wife joined me outside t... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

CNBC Video Link of Doug MacKay, Broadleaf Partners CIO, September 25, 2009

If you didn't get a chance to catch the live broadcast this morning, please click here to see the replay. Today's appearance was pretty short, but still worth the free PR it provides once every quarter or so. The B... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Broadleaf Partner's CIO Doug MacKay to Appear on CNBC, Friday September 25th at 9:35am

Tune into CNBC's Squawk on the Street show with hosts Mark Haines and Erin Burnett tomorrow morning at 9:35am to hear our latest thoughts and opinions on the economy, the stock market and your investments. We will ... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Roth Conversions in 2010, Small Business Startups Pay Attention!!!

Converting a traditional IRA to a ROTH IRA and paying taxes on the converted amount today may save you significant taxes down the road. Up until 2010, the ability to convert has been limited to those with no more t... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Remembering 9/11

We originally published this entry two years ago after hearing a speech from 9/11 survivor George Sleigh. We've decided to republish it once again this year in memory of all those affected by the tragedy. *********... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Seven Reasons to Be Bullish, All Today's News

Now that Labor Day has come and gone, most of Wall Street has returned to work and trading volumes are picking back up. After moving sideways through the Dog Days of August, September has so far resumed the Up, Up ... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Speaking of Cleveland...

A guy from Cleveland dies and is sent to Hell. He had been a horrible man his entire life. Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Sitting on my Porch

The kids are in bed and it's halftime of the Browns final preseason game. For anyone who knows me, that means that my wife has been totally zoned out watching the game. Browns games are one of the very few times of... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Thought to Ponder

Dave Rosenberg, former economist at Merrill and long time bear, points out that even after a five month 50 percent rally in the S&P 500, the index is still no higher today than it was on February 18, 1998. Includin... Read More
blog
 /  Admin

The First Days of School, The Dog Days of August, and Pepper & Salt

Yesterday was the first day of school in Hudson, Ohio. Johnny, my youngest, enjoyed his first day of kindergarten. When he came home, I asked how it went and, without missing a beat, he said "Very well, I didn't ev... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Broadleaf Expands Workforce

Please join us in welcoming three new hires to Broadleaf Partner's professional staff. Alyce Hoffman, Lisa MacKay and Kevin Arbogast will be serving the firm in various operating roles as we enter our fifth year of... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Two Kinds of People

I have been blogging a little less frequently in recent weeks. Things have been busy (in a good way) and I simply haven't had the time to comment as often as I'd like or as I've done in the past. If my blogs are a ... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Next Stop, Perfect Games, Pepper and Salt

Earnings are for the most part now in the rear view mirror. As a result, stocks may likely take their short term trading cues from macroeconomic factors in coming weeks. On this front, retail sales were a mixed bag... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Look Forward and Smile

Earnings season is winding down and now that Cisco's results are out of the way, only a few major companies have yet to report. As is always the case, I've read through a boatload of earnings results and conference... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Notable Quotable

I forgot to share a notable quote from this season's earnings calls. In describing the likely shape of this economic recovery -- whether it would be strong and "V" shaped or double-dipping "W" shaped, Scott McGrego... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

What I Learned this Morning (Including Baseball)

Earnings. The flurry of earnings continues in earnest and so far, things have been decent but not outstanding. I have been extremely impressed by corporate America's rapid cost cutting efforts which have boosted bo... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Avalon, the Beach, and the Jersey Shore

Last Sunday night, at 1am in the morning, my wife and I made the spontaneous decision to take the family on a last minute beach vacation to Avalon, New Jersey. We decided to make the trip earlier that day after our... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Recent Thoughts

Gains ahead for financials? JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs both reported strong results, reflecting their success in taking significant market share from substantially weaker competitors. Cisco Systems, along with oth... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

All Aboard!

Over the last few weeks, the market has dropped its hyperactive fear of inflation (a fear we did not share) and has recently been obsessing over deflation. During the former period, we suggested that inflationary c... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Acid Rain, Nukes, and A Diesel Rabbit

Do you remember Acid Rain and No More Nukes? When I was in high school a couple of decades ago, there was significant political and media attention paid to the potentially disastrous impacts that acid rain would ha... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Second Quarter Performance Commentary and CNBC Appearance

This year has been a strong one for the stock market and for Broadleaf Partner's Growth Equity Portfolio. For details on our performance and insights on our current market outlook and strategy, please read the atta... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Quarter End Silence, Economic Datapoints to Watch, and Welfare Independence

We'll be very busy for the next week or so as we complete our quarter end activities. As a result, it will also be a little quieter on the blog front. Please bare with us. The good news is that it was a great quart... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

The Wrong Questions, 1965 Medicare Budget Estimates, FF on T Shirts & MJ on I Tunes

Ben Bernanke got a major grilling from Congress yesterday over whether or not he had threatened to replace Ken Lewis and the entire board of Bank America if he didn't follow through with the acquisition of Merrill ... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Fund Flow Funk

I like this chart from JP Morgan. As many of you know, I strongly believe that fund flows into and out of equity funds are a huge and often overlooked determinant of stock market returns. In particular, when fund f... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Wait and See Attitudes

The World Bank may be driving markets lower today on its disappointing outlook for worldwide economic growth this year - down 2.9% - and a tepid outlook for 2010. The truth, of course, is that no one knows what's r... Read More
blog Wealth
Management Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Health Care, New Financial Regulations and an Obama like Clinton

Health care stocks are enjoying a nice rally today. In fact, they are leading the markets higher for the first time I can remember in a very long time. What's also different about today's move is that it doesn't ap... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Natural Gas, Roth IRA's, and Pepper and Salt

In recent weeks, I have been a buyer of late cyclical stocks, including energy, materials, and industrials. Within the energy space, I've really been interested in natural gas plays. I saw a chart that came across ... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Technical, Practical, Theoretical; Observations on Bonds and Inflation

Long term treasury yields have backed up above 4% today, making a significant move off their lows in the 2's a number of months ago. While there are a number of folks claiming that this back up in yields reflects a... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Bear Market Bubbles

New unemployment claims came in at 345,000 this morning. The bad news is that 345,000 more people lost their jobs, but the good news is that there has been a clear inflection point in the rate of change. A couple o... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Continuing Strength

The markets have continued to do very well, moving above their 200 day moving average for the first time in eighteen months. Yesterday's ISM index continued to improve in April as it had in March. While it is not y... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Milton Friedman by Stephen Moore and Phil Donahue

Stephen Moore wrote this excellent editorial today on Milton Friedman, a proud father of global capitalism, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 94. Friedman - like Reagan - had a way with words that helped capita... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Consumer Staples and the Reflation Trade

Readers know that I'm intrigued by the prospects for consumer staples stocks. While we don't own anything in the space currently, this is largely because the area has tended to underperform during cyclical recoveri... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Kids Say the Darndest Things - Art Linkletter on YouTube

A friend passed along the following YouTube clip of Art Linkletter interviewing children on his television show. Kids do indeed say some of the Darndest Things! This will make you laugh out loud! Art Linkletter on ... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Answering Your Questions

A few of our friends and clients have been asking specific questions on our views of the market in recent days. We thought we'd share our responses. 1.) Given the market correction, do you perceive securities and o... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

More of the Same, With a Twist

Most of the economic data in recent days has been consistent with a "less bad" economy, but with a twist. After a month or two of "less bad" readings, expectations for economic indicators like employment and retail... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Thinking about Higher Gasoline Prices

The biggest news in recent days, in my opinion, has been the rise in oil prices and gasoline at the pump. Where I live, I've seen prices climb from roughly $1.94 per gallon to $2.40 per gallon in about ten days. I'... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Why God Made Moms; The View from the Second Grade

To all the Mother's out there, Happy Mother's Day! --- The Sons of Broadleaf Partners ************ WHY GOD MADE MOMS Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Today's News

There is a sizable divergence between the performance of the S&P 500 today, up about 1%, and the Russell 1000 Growth index, which is down slightly. The S&P 500 has a greater exposure to value stocks than the Russel... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Learning to Ride

Yesterday, my five year old son Johnny learned to ride a bike. It was late in the evening and close to getting dark, but we had been talking about an attempt "sans" training wheels all day and so I said okay. Remov... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

The Road to Recovery

We have published a new Economic Update titled The Road to Recovery to our website. For an up to date view of our thoughts on the market and an elaboration on yesterday's entry, please check out the link. Doug Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Catching Up

I'm hoping to put some more substantial thoughts into an update soon, but have been bogged down by this earnings season. So, here's a real quick summary of our current thinking on recent new data points. 1.) The ma... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Insights from Google

Each quarter seems to have a rhythm to it in the investment management business - at least from where we sit. As a quarter winds down and comes to an end, we spend a fair amount of our time communicating those resu... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

The Flop, The Turn and The River Part II

So far, the economy's new cards have looked pretty good, at least compared to where we've been. Fed officials were on record last week claiming that the "worst" of the recession may now be past us and Treasury Secr... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

The Flop, The Turn and The River

Continuing yesterday's poker analogy, let's take a look at the cards dealt from today's deck of economic data. (Aka, the "flop".) Card #1. The Philadelphia Fed Index was similar to the Empire Manufacturing Index, s... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Navel Gazing

As we head into earnings season, I've been reviewing the performance of different stocks and industry groups over various time periods, including year to date and from the market lows in both March and last Novembe... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Green Shoots and New Life

Pepper & Salt, The Wall Street Journal 4/11/09 As we move into springtime, Wall Street has been using the term "green shoots" a great deal to describe signs of potential new life in the economy. The bears of course... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Giant Pictures Paint A Thousand Words

First of all, my apologies for posting such a massive chart. I tried to make it smaller, but it wasn't readable and links just don't jump out at you like a picture does. Anyway, this graph shows the annualized rate... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Things to Watch

Earnings season is always ushered in by the results of Alcoa - which reported last night - and then picks up steam, ending in a crescendo of conference calls four or so weeks later. We have had a nice bounce off th... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Valleys, Foothills and New Mountains

It's hard to believe, but it's been another great week for the markets, the second in a row! Let's hope it's habit forming! So now what? Our basic premise remains the same. While the S&P 500 briefly violated its 74... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Hocking Hills, The Markets, and A Dusting of Snow

I took a short spring break last week with my family and visited the amazing landscape of Hocking Hills based in southeastern Ohio. If you're looking for a fun weekend trip, I'd give it an enthusiastic nod. The ter... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Pepper & Salt, The Wall Street Journal, 3/18/09

The Broadleaf blog will be on Spring Break next week, so we'll leave our texting to the Pileated woodpeckers out there. While the markets have pulled back a tad in the last two days, it has been a good couple of we... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

E Gads Moments and This Morning's CNBC Clip

For those that may have missed our CNBC appearance this morning, here is the clip , which should be available for the next week or so. The interview went well and we actually succeeded in getting a laugh out of hos... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Less Bad

Less Bad. Those are the operative words of the past week. Retails sales, housing starts, new claims, company survey work, company stocks hitting new lows...all have been "less bad" than feared in recent days or rea... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Something for Nothing, Free Lunches, and Fool's Gold

On the positive front, the market is posting nice gains today, up over 2%. Retail sales, excluding autos and gas, were up a surprising .5% month to month, clearly much better than the market had been expecting part... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Pure Filth

The markets are enjoying a nice rally today likely spurred on by Citigroup's comment that they were profitable during the first two months of the quarter. Bank of America, JP Morgan and Wells Fargo made similar com... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart: A Humorous Rebuttal to Santelli and Cramer

In the past two weeks, I've posted comments made by Rick Santelli and Jim Cramer from CNBC. This segment by The Daily Show with Jon Stewart is a humorous rebuttal to their rants and a reminder to always be suspicio... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Cramer's Response to White House

Jim Cramer published this letter this morning in response to White House criticism of comments he had made in this Today show interview on March 3rd. Whether you are liberal or conservative, it is worth reading. Cr... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Today

It's Wednesday and the markets are acting a tad better. I am becoming increasingly convinced, based on conversations with others, that the market's latest downdraft through the November lows is related to Obama's a... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Messy

I took Friday off to go skiing in Western New York. When we arrived at Peak N Peak, it was about fifty degrees outside and raining cats and dogs, so we took a pass and continued to a friend's house on Chautauqua, w... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Caressing and Stressing, Shopping and Rebalancing

The S&P 500 came within a point of caressing the November lows yesterday and is bouncing a tad today. I wouldn't say that anything new has surfaced over the last few months to suggest that further weakness is likel... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Rick Santelli CNBC Rant

If you read our blog or subscribe to any blog for that matter, you have probably already seen this morning's CNBC video clip of Rick Santelli speaking up on the government's mortgage bailout plan. But if not, it's ... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Black Holes and Red Giants

As I write, there are a number of market technicians calling for a rally in gold to $2,000 an ounce and for the stock market, measured by the Dow, to fall an additional thousand points or so to 6500. While I do pay... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

A Tough Tape, Market Valuations, and More Thoughts on the Banks

After an extended three day weekend, the markets reopened yesterday and sold off aggressively, closing at the lowest levels since November 20th. There have been many reasons proposed for the recent declines, includ... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Stimulus?

I have been relatively quiet on the whole Stimulus debate. A client, however, forwarded the following Bloomberg article on some of the health care provisions within the plan as well as some anecdotes regarding his ... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Crying Uncle, Hot Potatoes, and Musical Chairs

After a strong showing on Monday, the markets pulled back aggressively yesterday as folks were largely disappointed by the Treasury Department's plans for helping the banking system. It was a clear case of buy the ... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

Bill Hoover Joins Broadleaf Partners as President and Chief Operating Officer

Bill Hoover Joins Broadleaf Partners It is with great pleasure that Jeff and I announce the arrival of William Hoover as President and Chief Operating Officer of Broadleaf Partners, LLC. Bill joins our firm as an e... Read More
blog Wealth
Management
 /  Admin

Markets Making Progress on Positive Datapoints

The markets have been making some positive progress today. Each day of this troubled earnings season that goes by and we don't touch or break the November lows is a very positive and constructive sign. There have b... Read More
blog Financial
Planning
 /  Admin

Thoughts for Today

Waking up to what the day holds can be difficult in an economy like this. While I generally expect things to be tough for most companies out there, it is nearly impossible to predict how the stock market will react... Read More
blog Institutional
Investment
Management
 /  Admin

A January Dud, Bad Banks, and Earnings Insights

The markets have continued to sell off, heading towards but not yet hitting levels last seen in November. After a nice bounce off the November lows, January turned into a dud, the biggest one for the S&P 500 in ove... Read More
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