New Year's Resolutions

Discipline, once again, was the watchword during 2011. Throughout the year worrisome news emerged from all around the globe. Yet, by year end most investors who held firm to our recommendations very likely saw their portfolios gain in value (see our AIS Model Portfolios table on page 2 for hypothetical returns).

* I will understand my own circumstances and formulate an investment plan based on my
needs, not in anticipation of market trends.

* I will remind myself that investing is not a form of entertainment-if I have an urge to
gamble, I will go to Las Vegas.

* I will stick to my plan.

* I will not attempt to pick winning stocks.

* I will ensure that my holdings are adequately diversified within each asset class I own.

* I will focus on minimizing my investment-related costs.

* I will stay abreast of changes in investment-related tax laws.

* I will not purchase any financial instrument I do not understand.

* I will ignore money managers or others selling products rather than advice.

* I will ignore market prognosticators.

* I will take full advantage of my qualified retirement plans by making the maximum
allowable contributions I can live with.

* I will hold my least tax-efficient assets in my tax-deferred accounts.

* I will rebalance my portfolio infrequently, but at regular intervals regardless of the
current state of the markets.

* At year-end I will harvest tax losses simply and without deviating from my target portfolio allocations, by selling and buying index-type funds within the same asset class.

*I will appreciate the simplicity of the AIS approach; instead of worrying about factors that are not within my control, I will establish my plan and turn my attention to enjoying life.

Also In this Issue

• Quarterly Review of Capital Markets
• A Client Inquires
• 2011: Investment Themes in Review
• Default Risk: The Media's Fixed Income Fixation
• The High-Yield Dow Investment Strategy
• Recent Market Statistics
• The Dow Jones Industrials Ranked by Yield
• Recommended Investment Vehicles