HOUSTON, DO WE HAVE A PROBLEM? What will happen when interest rates rise? How will it affect your portfolio and the economy at large? This month we consider the potential disruptive force of rising U.S. interest rates and suggest a time-tested strategy for protection.But first, let’s review the numbers from May.

This month we take a look at the 21st annual Dalbar report, a large ongoing study measuring the effects of reacting to short-term market fluctuations and outlier events. Bottom line: when we behave emotionally and not rationally with our investments, the consequences can be surprisingly negative. We’ll show you the painful truth. But first, a look at April results.

THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE. Perhaps it’s in our nature to believe in hunches, or to think we know a winner when we see one, or that every stock and bond market move can be anticipated if only we have the right data. The evidence about actively managed funds suggests otherwise. This month we take a look at short- and long-term actively managed fund performance as measured by a large, ongoing study. It’s not a pretty picture. But first, the numbers.

When exchange rate volatility takes a bite out of your portfolio, should you change your strategy or hedge your bets? This month we take a look at short and longer-term currency trends and offer our advice on what to do (and what not to do). As always, diversification is your strongest ally. 

As we move into February, forecast-beating U.S. payroll data sparked a jump in bond yields. The dollar gained. Month-to-date, stock returns erased January losses. Economists were pleased. As an investor, how should you react to good news like that? How about the negative news? And of course the financial press has plenty of baseless predictions and forecasts at the start of each new year. Our advice is the same, no matter what the news brings. Remain disciplined and focused on a sound investment philosophy. If your situation has changed, do an allocation checkup. Never invest based on your emotions. And tune out the noise of financial pundits.

Did you stay the course in 2014? As so often happens, the financial markets defied expectations and expert prognostications. When the market plunged in October, those who hung on were rewarded at year-end. Proving once that the best antidote for financial fear is a sound strategy, disciplined approach, and broad diversification. And 2015 is likely to be no different