Wednesday Reading List

Stuff worth sharing from the past week

But first, a small update on blog readership. In January The Boston Advisor hit 600 unique visitors. Small progress I know, but thanks for being part of it!

FBI Warns of New Online Threat to Personal, Credit Card Information by Rahel Solomon

A major area of focus at my wealth management firm has been educating our clients about cyber security protection. This article contains a new warning.

Is Venture Capital Worth the Risk? by Nathan Heller

Venture capital is a type of funding given to new companies with strong growth potential. It’s higher risk and higher return than other types of investing. This New Yorker article delves into it as only a New Yorker article can.

The Best Fund Companies and Their Ratings by Russ Kinnel

Almost half of U.S. households own mutual funds and that ownership percentage has exploded in the last forty years. Knowing which mutual fund families are the best stewards of their investors’ money is crucial. Morningstar, the Independent Investment Research company that pioneered mutual fund research, provides their annual update here. Don’t know enough about mutual funds? Click here for more information.

Book Recommendation

What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence by Stephen A. Schwarzman

“Most important asset in business is information. The more you know, the more perspectives you have and the more connections you can make, which allow you to anticipate issues.”

“The best executives are made, not born. They never stop learning. Study the people and organizations in your life that have had enormous success. They offer a free course from the real world to help you improve.”

Schwarzman is the co-founder of Blackstone, the investment firm that manages over $500 billion. It’s a quick read with some good lessons and stories. For those interested in a shortcut, here’s Schwarzman’s 25 rules for success from the book.