Author: Ed Barton

6 Reasons Why Index Funds Often Outperform Private Equity

ETF's Are One Form Of Index Fund

The dream of many investors is to build enough net worth to be able to invest in a private equity fund as a limited partner. However, private equity frequently underperforms index funds. These mystical funds can invest in private businesses and various other securities. Such great flexibility and sophistication should ensure excellent results, but this… Continue reading 6 Reasons Why Index Funds Often Outperform Private Equity

Published
Categorized as Finance

Higher Ed IS In Transition

This is part and parcel of my dissertation research right now. A combination of demographic headwinds, compliance costs, deferred maintenance, and deferred compensation are causing higher ed institutions to struggle – especially in the Midwest and Northeast. “If there’s one trend I’m seeing, it’s the rising level of anxiety pushing people into looking for miracle… Continue reading Higher Ed IS In Transition

Focus On Business Basics

Are You Getting All Your Deductions?

  When assessing a business for acquisition or turnaround, focus on six basics – Management, Assets, Strategy, Revenue, Costs, and Potential synergies/M&A. What might look good on a spreadsheet or a presentation often fails one or more basic. Be ready to make quick changes. Too often, we get enamored with the potential of a business… Continue reading Focus On Business Basics

Published
Categorized as Economics

Are We Pushing The Edge on Corporate Debt?

  Leveraged loans, covenant-lite agreements, and historically low-interest rates and defaults gave us a frothy corporate debt market. An economic downturn could be crushing weak banks/FI’s, investors, and companies on edge. The article by Fortune discusses the issues in more detail. Long story short, we are operating at the marginal edge, and any blip is… Continue reading Are We Pushing The Edge on Corporate Debt?

Published
Categorized as Economics

Customer Service – How You Make Them Feel *IS* the Product

Setting Expectations Is Key

  Technology companies often focus on their products and leave service levels far behind. They rely on shiny objects and whiz-bang features to sell products. Companies that lead with technology often forget that the result of customer interaction isn’t the technology – it’s how the customer feels using it. At fusionZONE, we strive to be… Continue reading Customer Service – How You Make Them Feel *IS* the Product

Published
Categorized as Leadership

CCPA Is Coming To Your Business January 1, 2020

  I spent the last few days (and much of this week) reviewing CCPA and emerging trends in data privacy. I expect this will become a Federal issue given interstate commerce implications – and it needs to be. A patchwork quilt of 50+ regulations won’t fly. http://ow.ly/90M750xwjQ8  

IRS: EV Credit Fraud Costing Millions

Sustainability Can Pay Off

According to research by Forbes magazine and the Treasury Inspector General, potentially $100 million in EV credits have been wrongfully claimed since 2013. The Service publishes a list of allowable vehicles that are eligible for credit. The credit is generally limited to plug-in electric vehicles and is subject to a phase-out. Forbes found that 7… Continue reading IRS: EV Credit Fraud Costing Millions

Published
Categorized as Tax

Federal Court Upholds SALT Deduction Limitation

The 2017 federal tax law, which President Trump signed after a party-line vote in Congress, limited to $10,000 the state and local tax payments that families can write off on their federal income taxes if they itemize deductions. The provision, known as the SALT cap, disproportionately affected wealthy, high-tax states, where residents are more likely… Continue reading Federal Court Upholds SALT Deduction Limitation

Exit mobile version