The problems of long-run data results and medium-term living

I like to talk about the efficacy of having equity in the portfolio because that is an asset class, I have been led to believe, which gives an inflation-plus return. But equity’s image as a super asset class beating the stuffing out of inflation has been under attack for a long time, specially so since 2008. Then last week a colleague sent across some disturbing news. The Economist has a story (http://econ.st/VqMcNA) which says that global bonds have outperformed equities since the start of the 1980s. The story is based on a book, “Triumph of the Optimists: 101 Years of Global Investment Returns,” written by London Business School professors Elroy Dimson, Paul Marsh and Mike Staunton. The colleague’s unasked question: “But you said…”
My column in Mint

My Smart Money show on Bloomberg TV looks at RGESS, tax planning and more

In the first capsule of Smart Money, a personal finance show anchored by Vivek Law on Bloomberg TV, I analyse the Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme (RGESS), tell you how to go about tax saving and talk to two viewers on how they should restructure their finances.
* On RGESS, my verdict: it's a no go. Find out why
* Why you need to look beyond tax-saving products in order to design a robust tax-saving strategy. Financial planning, not 80C
* Finally, I take specific queries of two viewers, Kshipra Deshmukh and Avinash Panda, here.

Smart Money: my new show on Bloomberg TV

Here's a promo of Smart Money, my new show on Bloomberg TV.
Vivek Law and I will decode all your money problems, issues and concerns on this show.
If you have personal finance questions, let me know.
Happy viewing.