Chris Cooper & Company, Inc. - Toledo, OH , Financial Planner , Investment Advisor , Retirement , Insurance , Estate Planning , Portfolio Management , IRA , CFP , Eldercare , Geriatric , Stock , Bonds , Brokerage , Tax Preparation , Trust Management , Education Funding

<body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" topmargin="0" leftmargin="0" text="#000000"> <div align="center"> <center> <table border="0" width="470" cellpadding="10"> <tr> <td> <div align="center"> <center> <table border="0" width="470" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"> <tr> <td> <h1 align="center"><strong><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">  For 1999, Internet Stocks, Y2K Will Be Big Stories  </font></strong></h1> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="470"> <p align="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="1">  01/14/99  </font> </td> </tr> </table> </center> </div> <p align="center">  </td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">  Happy New Year!  As the dust settles on 1998, lets look ahead toward 1999 and beyond.<br> <br> First, the Y2K problem.  If you use a at home or work, test it to see if it will operate correctly on January 1, 2000, especially if you use a checkbook program or bookkeeping software!  We test our nine computers and found that five could not past this test.  You will also notice a lot of press coverage from the IRS and other governmental agencies and private companies, (such as banks, brokers, etc.) saying that they are getting Y2K compliant now.  It is estimated that businesses, federal, state and local governments will spend up to $1 trillion dollars on correcting this problem.  <br> <br> The Securities and Exchange commission has already been to our offices to inspect us to see if we are compliant and what steps we have taken to see what compliance steps our outside vendors, i.e., broker/dealers, mutual fund companies, etc. have taken.<br> <br> Internet and technology stocks are hot!  NASDAQ and the Dow Jones Industrial Average have set new highs and will be volatile.  Earning at larger companies are slowing as our economy slows, so speculation in smaller companies of the internet are attracting a lot of buyers.  Be Careful!  It can be a scary ride down.  We are not recommending big positions in speculative companies or funds, however speculating with smaller amounts of money may be okay if your taken care of other financial planning prerequisites.  <br> <br> Roth IRAs are not dead.  Conversion from regular IRAs to Roth IRAs still make since, even without the special tax treatment on the conversion. Calculate your conversion on this website.  <br> <br> Chris Cooper  <br>  </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <hr align="left" width="470" color="#004040"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"><font size="3">Index of Earlier Articles</font> </td> </tr>   <tr> <td> <table border="0" width="470" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"> <tr> <td width="100" valign="top" align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">09/01/98 </font></td> <td width="370" valign="top" align="left"><a href="ourviews.htm#011499_100504" target="_self">DON'T SELL NOW! </a></td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr>  <tr> <td> <table border="0" width="470" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"> <tr> <td width="100" valign="top" align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">08/13/98 </font></td> <td width="370" valign="top" align="left"><a href="ourviews.htm#090198_143813" target="_self">Correction or Recession? What Happened? </a></td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table border="0" width="470" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"> <tr> <td width="100" valign="top" align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">07/16/98 </font></td> <td width="370" valign="top" align="left"><a href="ourviews.htm#081398_183257" target="_self">Chris Cooper Offers Market Assessment and Tax Law Update </a></td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table border="0" width="470" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"> <tr> <td width="100" valign="top" align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">04/01/98 </font></td> <td width="370" valign="top" align="left"><a href="ourviews.htm#071698_114048" target="_self">Capital Gain Issues, Our Market Outlook & El Nino </a></td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table border="0" width="470" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"> <tr> <td width="100" valign="top" align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">01/01/98 </font></td> <td width="370" valign="top" align="left"><font size="2"><a href="ourviews.htm#071298_154350" target="_self">With 97 Behind Us, Heres My View On The Markets </a></font></td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <hr align="left" width="470" color="#004040"> </td> </tr>   <tr> <td> <p align="center"><strong><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"><a name="011499_100504"></a> DON'T SELL NOW! </font></strong></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">The financial problems of Asia and the political and financial problems of Russia, conbined with concerns that these developments will impact the rest of the world, have contributed greatly to the decline in many financial markets. The US market, as measured by the Dow Jones Industrial Average has dropped 23.9% from its intraday high, which technically signals the beginning of a bear market. The US economy remains strong, with GDP expected at 2.5% this year and next. Inflation is dormant, interest rates are declining further and unemployment is historically low. Both Yeltsin and Clinton are deeply wounded in their respective countries, although for different reasons, yet the summit is an important psychological boost for Russia to remain on a path to capitalism. Over the short term, stocks will remain nervous, yet we will have positive economic news on earnings, housing, and unemployment. These are the primary reasons why we are NOT IN A BEAR MARKET. Thus investors should remain fully invested and be patient. Do not panic. I still see the Dow reaching back above 9300 towards the 10,000 level over the next six months. Buy stocks now if you have the money as this sale will not come again. - C.C. </font></p> <hr align="left" width="470" color="#004040"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> </tr>  <tr> <td> <p align="center"><strong><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"><a name="090198_143813"></a> Correction or Recession? What Happened? </font></strong></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">China is in deflation - profits in Chinese companies are down 50%. Japan is in a recession and has been for some time. The rest of Southeast Asia is in a funk. Russia has currency problems. Has this hurt the USA? In many ways NO! It may have helped our economy to not overheat and cause the FED to raise short term interest rates and caused a bear market in stocks. Instead, we have a slowly rolling economy with a minor pause in a bull market for all stocks and plenty of money to go into the markets. High Tech companies have too much in inventory, with personal computers saturating the market now in 43% of all homes. The last time this happened to a sector of the economy was in the 1950's when Television sets saturated the market at 41%. The gap between prices and wages has created a profit squeeze for US companies. Prices are hard to push up because of global competition. Wages are up due to labor shortages. And for many companies in the S&P 500 there is little or no growth in earnings per share. So where do we put money now? Right where we've been putting money, in good quality US and Foreign stocks and bonds. They're on sale, and prices won't look this good ever again. Low inflation, low interest rates, lower capital gains tax rates and Holding Periods along with reasonable valuations make this a great time to go long. The Dow will break the 9300 barrier again this year and interest rates will fall further. Go For It! - Chris 8/12/98 </font></p> <hr align="left" width="470" color="#004040"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"><strong><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"><a name="081398_183257"></a> Chris Cooper Offers Market Assessment and Tax Law Update </font></strong></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">Stock Performance has been a mixed bag this past quarter, yet the Standard & Poor's 500 set a new high on June 29th. The S & P 500 index is a broader based index of 500 large cap stocks compared to the Dow Jones 30 Industrials and ofiten is considered a better measure of the stock market. But hurt by the Asian economic crisis, not all stocks have participated - despite help from lower interest rates and a strong bond market. Asset allocation pays off in times like these, and that's why we don't bet the farm in any one sector. <br> <br> Congress is passing a technical corrections law that will allow you to convert your IRA to the new Roth IRA this year and convert it back. If you change your mind after converting, you can change back by the due date of your 1998 tax return plus extensions. This is good new becuase it takes the fear our of conversion. Please keep reading about Roth IRA in our newsletter and elsewhere and keep in touch regarding conversion.<br> <br> Please accept this as our annual offer to provide you with the most current edition of our Form ADV Part II as required by the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. </font></p> <hr align="left" width="470" color="#004040"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"><strong><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"><a name="071698_114048"></a> Capital Gain Issues, Our Market Outlook & El Nino </font></strong></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">Capital gain rules have become much more complex since enactment of last years major tax reform legislation. But as we slog through a very tough tax season, I hate to complain about it.</font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">Capital gains tax problems are good problems. With roaring stock market gains for the past three years, more of you have more capital gain planning issues. The lower capital gains rates and holding periods, while complex, could not have come along at a better time. Fortunately, we recommended some tax planning moves late last year to take advantage of the new rules, which worked out well for many of you. </font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">Meanwhile, the outlook is good. While a financial advisor with a crystal ball is liable to end up eating glass, Ill give you my two-sentence assessment and predictions for the market. Low unemployment, higher wages and increased consumer spending are fueling our economy. Lower interest rates will steer savings into stocks and stock mutual funds, and the Dow Jones Industrials could see 9,300 before years end. </font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">Come to our upcoming IRS Small Business Tax Workshops: Wednesdays, June 10, July 15, September 23 and October 28. All are at the Federal Building, 234 Summit Street, Room 318, from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Lets hope El Niño stays off Wall Street! </font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">Chris</font></p> <hr align="left" width="470" color="#004040"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="470" valign="top" align="left"> <p align="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"><strong><a name="071298_154350"></a> With 97 Behind Us, Heres My View On The Markets</strong></font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">Happy New Year, including but not limited to all corporate, calendar and fiscal years! With 1997 behind us, it's time to review all the goings-on of the past year. Stocks have had one of their best years ever, yet many of us concentrate only on the fact that  were not hitting a new record high in stock indexes. Relax, it's a good market and a good economy. Interest rates on long-term bonds are near the lowest point theyve been in 24 years. The curve on the graph of interest rates is now flatter, with short-term rate at 5.5% and long rates near 5.9%. This flattening of the yield curve usually indicates a recession is near, yet little evidence of that may appear for a long time, if at all. Corporate earnings may slow their robust growth, with trading partners in Southeast Asia having troubles, but look for continued full employment, which aids growth in consumer spending. Retailers may not have had a Merry Christmas, but competition from mail order, specialty stores and changes in consumer preferences may be the culprits. We are moresophisticated, and retailers, including car dealers are needing to change with the times. Tax season, and with it the changes in the tax laws are upon us. Do make your appointment early for your tax return preparation, as there will be a lot to talk about.</font> </td> </tr>  <tr> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font size="1">© Copyright Chris Cooper & Company, 1998 All rights reserved.<br> © Copyright AdvisorSites Inc. 1998 All rights reserved.</font></td> </tr> </table> </center> </div> <p align="center"> </p> <p><a href="f_whoweare.htm" target="_top">Who We Are</a></p> <p><a href="f_whatwedo.htm" target="_top">Financial Services</a></p> <p><a href="f_ourviews.htm" target="_top">Our Views</a></p> <p><a href="f_news.htm" target="_top">Financial News You Use</a></p> <p><a href="f_marketdatabank.htm" target="_top">Market Data Bank</a></p> <p><a href="f_calcsavings.htm" target="_top">Problem Solver</a></p> <p><a href="f_links.htm" target="_top">Links</a></p> <p><a href="f_contactus.htm" target="_top">Contact Us</a></p> <p><a href="h_quotes.htm" target="_top">Stock Quotes</a></p> <p><a href="f_account.htm" target="_top">Check Account</a></p> <p><a href="index.htm" target="_top">Chris Cooper Home</a></p>  <script language="JavaScript">  </script>  </body>