Bob Brinker's newsletter Market Timer is shutting down

[123]

I gifted myself a one-month subscripton to the Brinker Advisor to see if anything much had changed. The three portfolios are still comprised mostly of Vanguard funds with a few outside managed funds to (hopefully) juice returns, or maybe just add some variety (Bob Brinker was even doing that 20 years ago). There was a higher-expense ratio fund included to represent international which I thought was unusual, when I checked performance it didn't seem to necessarily be any better than VTIAX/VXUS, but perhaps opinions differ. For someone who wants to follow some generic newsletter advice the portfolios seem okay, just a somewhat higher expense ratio and a little more slice-and-dice in some cases.

So it's so-so, no harm, no foul. For those that follow this blog maybe nothing new to see.

[Stinky]

Bob's market timing the lows in the s&p 500 were impeccable since 2000. Anyone dollar cost averging into the market or adding lump sum cash when Bob issued attractive for purchase alerts have made gains exceeding the market averages. There is a mother of all bear markets somewhere unknown on the horizon that will crush equity portfolios. That is the event that I still wish I had Bob's advise to avoid.

A “market timer” who never sells is like a light switch that never turns off. Not much good to anyone.

Brinker missed selling preceding every bear market of the last two decades. What makes you think that Brinker would issue a “sell signal” for the next bear market?

[Jim180]

Bob's market timing the lows in the s&p 500 were impeccable since 2000. Anyone dollar cost averging into the market or adding lump sum cash when Bob issued attractive for purchase alerts have made gains exceeding the market averages. There is a mother of all bear markets somewhere unknown on the horizon that will crush equity portfolios. That is the event that I still wish I had Bob's advise to avoid.

Well, not exactly. During the 2007-2009 bear market Bob issued several "attractive for purchase" alerts that turned out to be wrong, as the market continued to go lower. I remember his first buy point was anytime the S&P traded in the mid 1400's. Later he said the mid 1300's and then mid 1200's etc. The S&P finally bottomed at 666. The fact that Brinker never sold any holdings in advance of the worst bear market since the Great Depression does not give me confidence he could identify a mother of all bear markets in the future.

[Cah]

All good points for Bob Brinker naysayers. But I know of absolutely no professional investment advisors that is on record of cashing out before the 2008 market crash. Riding that one out with confidence that Bob's newsletter gave me kept my shares of vangaurd total stock market invested . And then transitioned into income producing investments in later years instead of selling into a market beat down based on fear and unknown and misguided factors.

[zenmeister]

I was a subscriber and appreciated his insights on the direction of the market as well as his fund recommendations. I am looking around for a new one. Any recommendations?

[LaramieWind]

At least he always took callers, as opposed to the majority of investment-related radio programming that seems to be around today.

You mean those radio infomercials with the staged callers?

I will miss Mr Brinker.

[tfunk]

I was a subscriber and appreciated his insights on the direction of the market as well as his fund recommendations. I am looking around for a new one. Any recommendations?

James Stack's "Investech" is pretty good. I have been a subscriber off and on over the past 30 years.

https://www.investech.com/

[tibbitts]

At least he always took callers, as opposed to the majority of investment-related radio programming that seems to be around today.

You mean those radio infomercials with the staged callers?

I will miss Mr Brinker.

My guess is that all the callers when I was listening (around 20+ years ago?) were "real" and not staged.

[yules]

At least he always took callers, as opposed to the majority of investment-related radio programming that seems to be around today.

You mean those radio infomercials with the staged callers?

I will miss Mr Brinker.

Like the smug Ric Edelman used to do, right? (I think he has moved on from his show, but other people are on the radio under his banner).

Yules

[LaramieWind]

At least he always took callers, as opposed to the majority of investment-related radio programming that seems to be around today.

You mean those radio infomercials with the staged callers?

I will miss Mr Brinker.

My guess is that all the callers when I was listening (around 20+ years ago?) were "real" and not staged.

I was not referring to Bob Brinker, but all the other financial gurus bringing everyone the “truth”.

[tibbitts]

At least he always took callers, as opposed to the majority of investment-related radio programming that seems to be around today.

You mean those radio infomercials with the staged callers?

I will miss Mr Brinker.

My guess is that all the callers when I was listening (around 20+ years ago?) were "real" and not staged.

I was not referring to Bob Brinker, but all the other financial gurus bringing everyone the “truth”.

Sorry I misunderstood, but most of the programs I hear today don't accept callers at all, and I don't believe I've never heard any staged callers on other programs either.

[ROIGuy]

Driving around this morning I heard a "regular" financial planning show that is on every Sunday morning here. Really nothing more than an info commercial for an annuity salesman. His sidekick always has some questions from people (real or not?) and of course his answer is always about keeping some of your money "safe" while still getting very good growth on it. He always talks about fixed annuities.
The more I know and learn, the more I feel sorry for people who won't take some time to educate themselves just a little bit to protect themselves from these salespeople.

[Stinky]

Driving around this morning I heard a "regular" financial planning show that is on every Sunday morning here. Really nothing more than an info commercial for an annuity salesman. His sidekick always has some questions from people (real or not?) and of course his answer is always about keeping some of your money "safe" while still getting very good growth on it. He always talks about fixed annuities.

It seems that every metropolitan area has one of these weekend radio shows.

In our area, it’s all about “financial freedom”. And about being one of the first 10 callers to get a no-cost retirement financial check up (an $800 “value”).

[LaramieWind]

At least he always took callers, as opposed to the majority of investment-related radio programming that seems to be around today.

You mean those radio infomercials with the staged callers?

I will miss Mr Brinker.

My guess is that all the callers when I was listening (around 20+ years ago?) were "real" and not staged.

I was not referring to Bob Brinker, but all the other financial gurus bringing everyone the “truth”.

Sorry I misunderstood, but most of the programs I hear today don't accept callers at all, and I don't believe I've never heard any staged callers on other programs either.

Edelman did prescreen them. I believe that they were 100% staged. The callers were too smooth with their questions on the call. Plus his wife’s new-age portion of the show was just pandering. YMMV

[rockeye]

Hello,
I am new so your patience is appreciated.

Bob Brinker used to talk about an annuity/insurance rating company that he said was more thorough then most of the top companies (like AM Best, S&P, etc.). Does anyone remember the company that he referred to?

Thank you,

[Cah]

Make your own annuity commisin and expense free. 50% vangaurd total stock market. 50% vangaurd money market fund. Set up auto withdrawals for the amount you need monthly to deposit into your checking account you pay bills from . Wala instant annuity 0 commission.

[000]

Balanced portfolios are not annuities.

[MrCheapo]

I remember touching down in this country in 1998 and listening to him on KGO in the Bay Area.

I knew nothing about US investments and his show touched most parts. He gave such useful advice: i) index funds, ii) I-Bonds when quirksome rates arose, iii) Don't forget fundamentals. I put those into effect and they served me very well.

[MrCheapo]

All good points for Bob Brinker naysayers. But I know of absolutely no professional investment advisors that is on record of cashing out before the 2008 market crash. Riding that one out with confidence that Bob's newsletter gave me kept my shares of vangaurd total stock market invested . And then transitioned into income producing investments in later years instead of selling into a market beat down based on fear and unknown and misguided factors.

Exactly and Bob mentioned during his show a "Dogs of the Dow" Strategy to play the GFC. It worked very well to say the least.

[stanleyjohn]

By serendipity I started listening the Bob in the 1990's, rarely missing a weekend Moneytalk show. Thanks to Bob I acquired the knowledge and confidence to be my own financial manager. I then dumped my esteemed "financial advisor" who sold me loaded funds and whose fees cost me dearly. Was a Marketimer subscriber enjoying the monthly economic updates to the end. On balance, Bob certainly provided enormous fiduciary value to many people was a national treasure in my opinion. I particularly enjoyed the interviews with his many intriguing guests. Reached critical mass in 2014 and am enjoying the retirement lifestyle.
He will be sorely missed. Godspeed Bob, and may the odds always be in your favor.

[palosverdes]

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]

[Title clarified. Moderator Pops1860]

As a subscriber to Bob Brinker’s Marketimer, I received this email today. Looks like his son wants to take over.

As a former subscriber to the Marketimer investment letter, we wanted to notify you that Bob's son recently added the Marketimer Model Portfolios and the List of Recommended No-Load Mutual Funds to the BrinkerAdvisor.com service.

You can read the August Model Portfolio Update here --> https://www.brinkeradvisor.com/p/model- ... ust-update

[Inappropriate comments removed. See below reminder. Moderator Pops1860]

[tibbitts]

As a subscriber to Bob Brinker’s Marketimer, I received this email today. Looks like his son wants to take over.

As a former subscriber to the Marketimer investment letter, we wanted to notify you that Bob's son recently added the Marketimer Model Portfolios and the List of Recommended No-Load Mutual Funds to the BrinkerAdvisor.com service.

You can read the August Model Portfolio Update here --> https://www.brinkeradvisor.com/p/model- ... ust-update

[Inappropriate comments removed. See below reminder. Moderator Pops1860]

If that's the case there must be something odd going on behind the scenes, since there was an obvious path to transition existing subscribers that nobody chose to take.

[Pops1860]

Please note forum policy on solicitation:

No Solicitation

Please do not solicit business or website traffic on this forum. Forum officers will determine what constitutes solicitation on a case by case basis.

Referencing a commercial website for general information/discussions is allowed, but soliciting business for the website is not appropriate.

Moderator Pops1860

[123]

Within a previous thread viewtopic.php?t=406961 I posted:

I gifted myself a one-month subscripton to the Brinker Advisor to see if anything much had changed. The three portfolios are still comprised mostly of Vanguard funds with a few outside managed funds to (hopefully) juice returns, or maybe just add some variety (Bob Brinker was even doing that 20 years ago). There was a higher-expense ratio fund included to represent international which I thought was unusual, when I checked performance it didn't seem to necessarily be any better than VTIAX/VXUS, but perhaps opinions differ. For someone who wants to follow some generic newsletter advice the portfolios seem okay, just a somewhat higher expense ratio and a little more slice-and-dice in some cases.

So it's so-so, no harm, no foul. For those that follow this blog maybe nothing new to see.

[LadyGeek]

I merged palosverdes' thread into the ongoing discussion.

[rule of law guy]

good timing

[danag17]

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]

On 9-15-23. I received an email purporting to offer me a continuation of Bob Brinker's MarkeTimer advice, given by his son.

Is this legitimate, do you think?

Has anyone received this email and signed up?

[Stinky]

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]

On 9-15-23. I received an email purporting to offer me a continuation of Bob Brinker's MarkeTimer advice, given by his son.

Is this legitimate, do you think?

Has anyone received this email and signed up?

Read the posts in this thread and you’ll get your answer.

[Kimchi2]

Hello,
I am new so your patience is appreciated.

Bob Brinker used to talk about an annuity/insurance rating company that he said was more thorough then most of the top companies (like AM Best, S&P, etc.). Does anyone remember the company that he referred to?

Thank you,

IIRC, he spoke well of A.M. Best & Fitch.

[watchman1675]

It's 2:30 am and I'm experiencing a bit of insomnia so I am listening to one of his recorded December 2017 shows. I faithfully listened to his show since 1989 all the way up to his 2018 retirement and started recording them in 2016 of the pc in hq quality. Though I never subscribed to his newsletter, I followed his Vanguard total stock market index early on which I soley credit his advice for my ability to reitre in 2019 at 53.

[afatcat]

It's 2:30 am and I'm experiencing a bit of insomnia so I am listening to one of his recorded December 2017 shows. I faithfully listened to his show since 1989 all the way up to his 2018 retirement and started recording them in 2016 of the pc in hq quality. Though I never subscribed to his newsletter, I followed his Vanguard total stock market index early on which I soley credit his advice for my ability to reitre in 2019 at 53.

I think I might have some old Money Talk on Demand episodes on an old iPod maybe from late 2000's. I need to see if I can get that to boot up, would be a fun trip down memory lane. I credit him for getting me on a track to critical mass while only making an average income.

[Jazz4cash]

I learned so much from listening to Bob from about 1988 to the late 90’s. Most of that time the signal was coming from 3 hours away. This was prior to streaming on the internet and Moneytalk On Demand did not exist. I used to sit in my car in the driveway in the winter because reception was better in the car. Bob suggested the GE Super Radio with extended range AM reception. It worked! After awhile the callers got repetitious so I only listened to the 1st 20 minutes of each hour. That was the educational segment. When I started listening the show was 3 hrs on Sat and 3 hrs on Sunday.
Bob did very little promotion. No books. He barely mentioned the newsletter. It is odd how Bob’s son is running his newsletter with his dad’s model portfolios (?). He should be more transparent.
Can someone help me remember the names of the guy and gal who substituted when Bob was away?

[Count de Monet]

Bill Flanagan, iirc. I believe he has passed away. Many said he sounded a lot like Bob.

[AS7911]

Found this regarding Bill Flanagan:

https://forbestadvice.com/Money/Gurus/B ... index.html

[Taylor Larimore]

I was a subscriber and appreciated his insights on the direction of the market as well as his fund recommendations. I am looking around for a new one. Any recommendations?

zenmeister:

Welcome to the Bogleheads Forum!

Please don't be persuaded to become a market-timer. Read what experts say:

https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Taylor_ ... ing_quotes

Best wishes.
Taylor

Jack Bogle's Words of Wisdom: "I do not know of anybody who has done market timing successfully. I don't even know anybody who knows anybody who has done it successfully and consistently."

[afatcat]

I learned so much from listening to Bob from about 1988 to the late 90’s. Most of that time the signal was coming from 3 hours away. This was prior to streaming on the internet and Moneytalk On Demand did not exist. I used to sit in my car in the driveway in the winter because reception was better in the car. Bob suggested the GE Super Radio with extended range AM reception. It worked! After awhile the callers got repetitious so I only listened to the 1st 20 minutes of each hour. That was the educational segment. When I started listening the show was 3 hrs on Sat and 3 hrs on Sunday.
Bob did very little promotion. No books. He barely mentioned the newsletter. It is odd how Bob’s son is running his newsletter with his dad’s model portfolios (?). He should be more transparent.
Can someone help me remember the names of the guy and gal who substituted when Bob was away?

The other sub might have been Jill Schlesinger(?) Her bio seems to match what I recall from her intros.

[almostcriticalmass]

I saved every hard copy of my newsletters going back many years. I always thought that one day Bob would retire, and I'd be on my own. Bob's study of Leading Economic Indicators, which ones were up and which ones were down, was a big part of his recommendations over the years. I imagine those LEIs are still just as important today, and you can find them if you look. If you have old copies of the Market Timer newsletter read them. It might help you as it has helped me.

Thank you, Bob, for teaching me how to think for myself and invest wisely.