We've discovered a way to enhance performance, at least in the short term: if you have a portfolio begin late in the month, to make the monthly return look better, treat the return as if it was for the full month!What do we mean by this? Well, consider the Modified...

#5  Using the wrong approach to measure, analyze, and report performance and riskThe good news is that there are plenty of great software packages available today, to assist firms with all aspects of their performance and risk measurement. The bad news is that...

#3 Not training your staffEntrepreneur magazine cited lack of staff training as one of the top reasons companies fail. As consultants to many types of firms (e.g., asset managers, custodians, software vendors, pension funds, endowments), we often encounter cases where...

This weekend's WSJ has two stories, reflecting opposite views.Michael M. Phillips' "The Old Soldier Who Didn't Fade Away" tells the story of a 59-year old U.S. Army staff sergeant who is currently deployed in Afghanistan. He has my admiration and appreciation for his...

Despite the criticisms that have been offered to anyone who wishes to make predictions, there is no limit to their presence. Who would want to see the end of weathermen (weather people?) telling us what tomorrow will look like, despite everyone knowing "no one can...

In this weekend's WSJ, Jason Zweig (in "If It Looks Like a Bear ...") begins with a brief retrospective on what appeared to be the market's recent entry into bear market territory (and quick departure from), but then touches on what is meant by a "bear market." It...

TSG, Inc. is pleased to announce that we've created two new positions: Chief Ethics Officer and Assistant Ethics Officer. In addition, we've published a Standards of Practice handbook for our staff. John D. Simpson, CIPM has been appointed our firm's Chief Ethics...

TSG's official October webinar (yesterday's was actually for September; John Simpson had an extremely busy month, which included a trip to the Middle East to conduct training) will be GIPS(R) (Global Investment Performance Standards) fundamentals, that will highlight...

By now you're aware of Washington's funding of Solyndra, the now bankrupt energy company that received something north of a half billion dollars in government loans. In Wednesday's WSJ, Deborah Solomon had an article ("Solyndra Said to Have Violated Terms of Loan")...

Pollster and word guru Frank Luntz is known for his admonition, "it's not what you say; it's what people hear." This rang true for me this week.I did a talk on Tuesday at the New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA) titled "Performance Measurement &...