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Corn and the Economy

The markets continue to be erratic this week responding to the rising price of corn, the slow U.S. economic recovery and the downslide in Europe. Corn It appears the economy isn’t the only climate struggling this year. With severe droughts…
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Manufactured Facts

Last week the Institute for Supply Management released their June Manufacturing Index that showed a contraction in US factory output. That brought to mind some important questions: We still have factories in the US? Wasn’t that all shipped…
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Volatility is the New Norm

Can you believe 2012 is half over? Wow, time moves fast. As the books close on the second quarter of 2012 I’m comforted by a modest gain in most of the broad market indexes, but investors are learning to understand one thing: volatility is…
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The Next Bull Market is Behind Our Wall of Worry

Investors are re-experiencing the old phrase, “every bull market climbs a wall of worry” this week. The media continue to bring down expectations and hope for investors. Around the world we read and hear about problems in Europe and slowing…
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Perspective is Everything

The daily noise of stock updates and news can be confusing. Rather than educating investors, it can distract and mislead those who pay too much attention to it. That’s especially true in today’s global economy and markets. I’ve been an…

Stock Market Correcting, but not Collapsing

This week's commentary was penned by LPL Financial, but does a really good job of describing the potential "Spring Slide." If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us. -The Prosperion Financial Advisors Almost like an…
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The Motivation of Prize and Uncertainty

Innovation often serves as a boost to an economy. After all, it tends to be a driving force behind the creation of new markets and the growth of existing ones. But innovation isn’t something that can be bought and sold… or is it? If we look…
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Reflections About Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend is upon us and for many it signifies the official start to summer.  Originally called Decoration Day, the true meaning of Memorial Day is not burgers by the pool, but to remember and honor those men and women who have given…
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The Biggest Loser

After JP Morgan announced a $2 billion trading loss last Thursday (due in part to a risky strategy focusing on credit derivatives) several parties are feeling the pain. But to determine who is the biggest loser we have to look at each of them…
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Pomp and Circumstance

What do John F. Kennedy, Michael Dell, Barbara Walters and Will Ferrell have in common? All are known for giving famous college commencement speeches. Across the nation students are donning cap and gown to parade across a stage in front of proud…
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Long Term Perspective in a Short Term Focus World

The challenge in today’s market is a matter of perspective. For many it can be hard to ignore the constant clutter and loud volume of media analysts pitching today’s hottest stock. It seems like every economic data point is over-analyzed,…
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How to Stay Ahead of the Investing Curve

Here’s a quiz question: Why did the average investor see a 3.5% return while the U.S. stock markets averaged annual returns of 7.8% over the past 20 years?* The answer is simple, the average investor bought high and sold low. Superficially…
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The Constitution’s Limiting Principle

Those who followed last week’s Supreme Court arguments on President Obama’s health care law got a lesson in Constitutional Law. While the scope of the three-day hearings was breathtaking it is disheartening as we likely will not hear the…
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Press Release: Steve Booren Ranks High on Barron’s List for 2012

LOCAL FINANCIAL ADVISOR NAMED IN BARRON’S TOP ADVISOR RANKINGS Prosperion Financial Advisor Named to Barron’s List   Prosperion Financial Advisors’ Steve Booren was the highest ranked financial advisor in Colorado with total…
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Our Three Principles of Trust

As I was reading the New York Times I came across an article that concerned me. Titled “Why I Am Leaving Goldman Sachs,” the article was written by Greg Smith, the firm’s former executive director and head of United States equity derivatives…