Ep. 1964: The Year of the Stock Picker. Again.

Wall Street has declared yet another “year of the stock picker.” Don and Tom examine Morningstar and SPIVA data showing how few active large-cap funds beat their benchmarks—and why high fees, trading costs, taxes, short horizons, and fierce competition keep the odds tilted toward low-cost diversification.Then Greg asks where stocks and bonds belong while he begins Roth conversions. The discussion covers asset location, small-cap value exposure, international diversification, tax brackets, IRMAA, and keeping the portfolio’s overall risk level intact.Finally, they tackle an all-U.S. Roth for a 20-year-old, a couple’s pre-retirement glide path, and a pricey Fidelity target-date fund that can be replaced inside a Roth without creating a tax bill. Stay through the end for a money-music bonus.0:37 — The “year of the stock picker” returns2:41 — Active funds trail their benchmarks again8:30 — Why passive keeps winning13:29 — Asset location for Roth conversions22:09 — Should a 20-year-old invest only in the U.S.?23:59 — Reducing risk before retirement28:24 — Escaping an expensive target-date fund31:53 — Reviews, inflation, and a money-music bonusQuestions? Comments? Click!