Discover a proven method for making better investment choices The actions of politicians, regulators, and economic policy makers have an enormous impact on the financial markets. In Sectors and Styles , author Vincent Catalano offers an investment technique that takes these factors into account. He illustrates how you should index a portion of your stock portfolio to the market, while investing another portion in industry sectors that are likely to outperform the broader market. To determine "hot" sectors, Catalano provides a framework for analyzing government activity, the economy, and market activity. Through proper interpretation of these events, you'll learn how to outperform the markets, while mitigating downside risk. The world of investing has quickly evolved over the past decade. Politics, the health of the economy, and the actions of the markets have increasingly influenced the way we invest, and innovations in technology and the introduction of new financial vehicles have allowed us to capture profits, while further mitigating downside risk. In this type of environment, knowing how to allocate investment assets within your portfolio by industries, eco-nomic sectors, and market attributes (such as market capitalization or quality) is crucial. If you're ready to take advantage of the opportunities presented by today's markets, then you're ready for, Sectors & Styles. Written for practitioners and serious investors interested in developing their money managing skills, Sectors & Styles examines how to make investment decisions on an economic sector and investment style basis, and illustrates how this approach can lead to the creation and maintenance of a portfolio that will satisfy any investor's needs. As President and Chief Strategist of iViewResearch, LLC an independent research and consulting firm that offers advice and management services to professional and individual investors authorVincent Catalano understands that today's investment arena is a place where change and uncertainty are the only constants. So to tilt a portfolio in his favor, he uses the sectors and styles approach as the core tool (incorporating Exchange Traded Funds/ETFs for diversification) in an investment program that has proven itself time and again. In Sectors & Styles, Catalano provides a detailed look at the approach he's developed by discussing the nuts and bolts of this process and the philosophy behind it. Topics covered include: The core valuation concepts that determine the intrinsic value of an asset - An innovative investment strategy called GEM, which takes government, economic, and market activity into consideration - The importance of twenty-first-century investment tools, such as the Internet and ETFs - The essential elements of an effective portfolio By adhering to the sound investment principles outlined in this book and applying them to a well thought-out investment strategy, you'll be able to construct effective portfolios that will outperform the markets for yourself or, in the case of financial professionals, your clients. PRAISE FOR SECTORS & STYLES "This is a GEM of a book. Catalano has a three-pronged approach to investing: government, economics, and markets. He artfully blends the dynamics of the information age by combining technology, finance, and ETFs into the construction of diversified portfolios. Subjects covered range from valuation to technical analysis but you, the investor, play the starring role. Read and enjoy the process of investing in the interactive world of the twenty-first century. Ralph Acampora, CMT, Managing Director, Knight Research "With his decades of cutting-edge experience as both a professional investor and educator, Catalano has crafted an intelligent, well-reasoned, and easy-to-understand investment guide for this new, technology-juiced, twenty-first-century frontier, which no serious, active, knowledgeable investor should be without. Philip J. Orlando, CFA, Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager, Federated Investors, Inc. "Catalano offers unique insights into the changing nature of today's markets. Investors of all experience levels will find it well worth the read. Jason DeSena Trennert, Chief Investment Strategist, International Strategy and Investment Group Inc. "With twenty-five years' experience in portfolio strategy with both a U.S. and global perspective, I find sector and style aspects to be crucial but often overlooked. Catalano does an admirable job in distilling the key issues. A good read for those with more than a passing interest in investing. Subodh Kumar, CFA, Managing Director, CIBC World Markets "At a time when individuals will increasingly be responsible for the management of their own investments in retirement, no one should be without a common man's guide to the most important principles of investment management. With Sectors & Styles, every investor now has the complete tool kit for managing his or her own retirement in the Inter