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If you like Crestmont's research, you'll love Unexpected Returns!  The book was developed to explore the messages of the research published on this website, and includes more than 60 full-color graphics as well as new material developed to highlight key issues. It is written in a style that is directed to casual investors as well as sophisticated scholars. See the bottom of this page for a listing of the Table of Contents. Unexpected Returns is now available internationally; ask your local bookseller or order online.

 

 

Unexpected Returns:

Understanding Secular Stock Market Cycles

 

 

 

Why?

 

Why is the stock market acting differently

in the 2000s than in the 1980s and 1990s?

 

Before you read any how-to investment books or seek financial advice, read Unexpected Returns, the essential resource for investors and investment professionals who want to understand how and why the financial markets are not the same now as they were in 1980s and 1990s. In addition to explaining the fundamentals, this award winning book takes you on a graphic journey through seasons of the market, tying together economics and finance to explain the stock market’s cycles. Using comprehensive full-color charts and graphs, it offers an in-depth exploration of what has changed over the past five years — and what you can do about it to avoid disappointment with your investments. This unique combination of investment science and investment art will enable you to differentiate between irrational hope and a rational view of the current financial markets. Based on years of meticulous research, Unexpected Returns provides the sensible conclusions that will drive your future investment choices and give you the confidence to rely on your investment outlook, whatever your financial strategy.

 

 

Acclaim For Unexpected Returns

 

“Ed Easterling has given the world of investing the single best, easy-to-read, study of stock market cycles of which I know. He lays out a path for you to find your own Unexpected Returns, showing you how to confidently navigate the waters of market volatility. Serious investors will devour this book and profit. It should be required reading for investment professionals.”

 

— John Mauldin, President, Millennium Wave Investments;

     author of Bull’s Eye Investing

 

 

Unexpected Returns provides a broad, deep, and provocative exploration of the factors that determine stock market investment returns over a person’s lifetime. Of special interest to me, as a Federal Reserve policy advisor on monetary policy, is Easterling’s exploration of the critical role of low and stable inflation as a key determinant of stock market performance.”

 

— Harvey Rosenblum, Senior Vice President and

    Director of Research, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

 

 

Unexpected Returns is at once a penetrating analysis of more than a century of stock market experience and a realistic guide to how we may expect the markets to perform in the years ahead. Easterling’s findings and conclusions are grounded on the best economic and financial thinking of our time. This is a book for the serious investor and student of the markets.”

 

— Richard Sylla, Henry Kaufman Professor of the History

     of Financial Institutions and Markets, Stern School of

     Business, New York University; co-author of A History

     of Interest Rates

 

 

“The stock market is one of the few places on earth where people become more excited to buy when things are expensive, and more anxious to sell when things are cheap. Ed Easterling has penned a masterful accounting about why this is so wealth-destructive, presented without preconceived notion or bias.”

 

— Bill Mann, Senior Editor, Investing, The Motley Fool

 

 

“People are accustomed to the vagaries of market cycles. Far too few realize that these are subsumed within secular bull and bear markets, spanning decades not years. Ed Easterling has done a fine job of describing how these long cycles work and how the investor can plan investment strategies accordingly.”

 

— Rob Arnott, Chairman, Research Affiliates, LLC;

     Editor, Financial Analysts Journal

 

 

 

"If you have financial exposure to the stock market, Unexpected Returns will forever change your outlook and will certainly revise your investment approach."

 

 

Reader Comments

 

"I have read the book three times. Then I highlighted the important parts. Then I underlined the most important parts. I am still enjoying it and learning.”

— Allen N.

 

"This book is truly a remarkable account of the markets history. Very well written and compelling research that all investors must understand.”

— Mike S.

 

"I enjoyed [Unexpected Returns] immensely and believe it will help me be a much better prepared investor…”

— Jan C.

 

"GREAT BOOK! (Yes, I'm shouting).”

— Miles H.

 

"Your book is wonderful, and I have already purchased several copies and sent it to clients.”

— Scott S.

 

"one of the most insightful "big picture" books about the stock market ever written...”

— Mark S.

 

"the most elegantly structured treatment of the subject that I've seen to date...”

— Zeke A.

 

"a must read for investment managers and their clients. ”

— Lorenz W.

 

"Whether bull or bear...a must read for all investors.”

— Rodney M.

 

"I loved your book…a must read…it is definitely one of the best investment books I’ve read.”

— Vitaliy K.

 

"very thought-provoking….An excellent contribution to the field”

— Peter B.

 

"Written for the non-technical reader but doesn't talk down…very friendly to read. He doesn't claim to be a seer, he simply does a brilliant job of laying out piece by piece, how to calculate the future of the stock market.”

— Kevin H.

 

"Your work put it all together, and in my humble opinion is a "must read" for any serious financial advisor.”

— Marcel E.

 

"What a great book--have enjoyed every page.”

— Don P.

 

"...very illuminating and thought provoking...one of those “must read” books for future generations.”

— Peter K.

 

"extremely valuable, and rarely presented elsewhere...great service to public at large exposing some of the investment myths.”

— Sreen R.

 

"...made important contributions to any reader's understanding of the role of P/E ratios in future market performance."

— Gerald G.

 

"First of all, GREAT book...."

— Richard H.

 

"I am extremely captivated with the insights in Unexpected Returns."

— Lanny H., Ph. D.

 

"I'm reading the book for the second time... Every time I pick it up and can't put it down."

— Mike S.

 

"You guys should get a copy of his book. It is fascinating and fun reading!!"

— Chris B.

 

"I've read many many investment books however, yours is one of the best written works I've had the opportunity to read."

— Bill M.

 

"...changed my business and outlook for risk management like nothing else in my 17 year career!"

— Joe M.

 

"I am having a great time reading Unexpected Returns..."

— Mike W.

 

"This is an excellent book...It is a must read for any investor and financial adviser. "

— John H.

 

"I am having a great time reading Unexpected Returns..."

— Mike W.

 

"I know that I will be a lot more careful with my investment choices after reading this book."

— Richard M.

 

"I read with fascination your book. Great material."

— Bill S.

 

"This is a book everyone interested in the stock market needs to read...  Excellent charts and superb explanations."

— Greg M.

 

"Thank you again, I can not tell you how much I enjoyed your book."

— David S.

 

"It was a great read!  Your insights on Financial Physics and historical P/E analysis influenced my thinking...."

— Spencer R.

 

"[The] book pulls together many of the mysteries against which I have struggled over the years.  ...provides careful and detailed analysis, presented in a logical and understandable fashion -- with many charts and tables. I heartily recommend the book..."

— Fred G.

 

"We had used your Stock Market Matrix at the office, and were impressed with the quality and scope of the project. Thanks for your insightful book."

— Gene F.

 

"I enjoyed the book, and refer to it often...thanks again for an excellent book and some of the best web resources that I have seen..."

— Tom B.

 

"I am a HUGE SUPPORTER of “Unexpected Returns”... Keep up the fantastic analysis."

— Jim Y.

 

"Unexpected Returns is great! ...is nice to see some good data driven analysis on market behavior and future expectations."

— Toby B.

 

"First, let me congratulate you on Unexpected Returns.  It is the best basic text on modern investment management I have encountered. I plan to use it as my primary text..."

— Prof. Ken V.

 

"You really made a great work with your book Unexpected Returns.  I think it is the most useful book I've read for years."

— Loic B.

 

"I only wish I had purchased this book when John Mauldin first recommended it months ago."

— Joel D.

 

"...an unexpected pleasure to read!  Free from fluff and filler and based on solid research, the book sets a new standard for texts of its kind. Another unexpected plus were the color charts and graphs that make it easy for the reader to grasp key concepts."

— James M.

 

"I have read your book, “Unexpected Returns” and it is an excellent piece of scholarship."

— John C.

 

"The book was terrific. I learned a great deal that I did not know, and appreciated the style, which repeats the key things, so that you never lose sight of them."

— Peter W.

 

"Your book, “Unexpected Returns” is absolutely outstanding."

— Kelly C.

 

"I am the chief market strategist at [...] in NYC, have read your book and find that the high quality and informative data that you put out on your web site is some of the better material on wall street!"

— Michael S.

 

"I have read "Unexpected Returns" and found it very insightful and useful."

— Nick P.

 

"I found Unexpected Returns one of the best investment writings ever, including all the CFA materials I had to master."

— Garry A.

 

"I have read and then purchased a copy of Unexpected Returns for my finance/economic library. Your research and findings have filled a big gap in my efforts to put the "puzzle" together."

— David L.

 

"I really am enjoying your book.  It is very informative and educational.  I realize now that it will take absolute investment strategies to be successful."

— Paul P.

 

"Unexpected Returns is not yet another investing book parroting the same stale insights you have read or heard discussed dozens of times before.  Easterling’s research tells us something new. Easterling’s research matters.  Easterling’s insights are breakthrough insights."

— Rob B.

 

"Excellent book on the market. It is not a 'How to get rich fast' book, but one that explains the dynamics of the stock market and how the returns correlate. The tables, graphs, and figures are extremely well done and the book is well laid out..."

— D. B.

 

"Unexpected Returns...is one of the best, easy-to-read, studies of stock market cycles of which I know."

— Hans W.

 

"A masterful discussion of the issues, very methodical, clear and compelling.  And such a beautiful book, too.  Well done!"

— Jonathan E.

 

"Unexpected Returns brought together many of the same concepts and strategies I use in my investment management. Your book is excellent."

— Mike W.

 

"Your book has me captivated. I am half way through it and will enjoy finishing it."

— Lea J.

 

"This book brings fresh and unconventional ideas to the table...Many books advocate the buy and hold strategy. I think everyone should at least read some books that challenge this idea, and this one is a very good place to start."

— Joao F.

 

"I just finished reading “Unexpected Returns” and wanted to thank you for writing an absolutely fabulous book. You have succeeded in putting basic economic and financial concepts together into a consistent, simple and completely rational framework. I have read over 100 books on investing over the past 10 years and there are some truly excellent books out there. However, in my opinion, “Unexpected Returns” is the best of them all."

— Bruce S.

 

"Thank you for writing that fantastic book.  It's too good.  I hope no other investors read it (I like to have an edge)."

— Jeff H.

 

"I love your book "Unexpected Returns"! It is without a doubt the best book I have read on the stock market and I have read many of them!"

— Chris N.

 

"Great book and excellent analysis!"

— Ray G.

 

"I very much enjoyed Unexpected Returns and refer to it as a valuable reference tool, recommending that my colleagues read it to help aid their understanding of the markets."

— Matt R.

 

"Excellent book...I read it one complete sitting...in terms of elegance and simplicity..."

— Sham G.

 

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Illustrations

Acknowledgments

Introduction

 

SECTION I: GETTING STARTED

 

Chapter 1: Planning the Journey

The Right Frame of Mind

Ten Key Concepts

 

Chapter 2: The Principles

Final Preparation

 

 

SECTION II: MARKET HISTORY

 

Chapter 3: Stock Market History

The Stock Market Matrix: Taking the Red Pill

About Returns and Assumptions, and Making Them Relevant

Generational Returns -Twenty-year Returns

Significant Swings

Why Volatility Matters

Stock Market Yo-Yo

Must Be Present to Win?

 

Chapter 4: Interest Rates and the Inflation Roller Coaster

Overview of Interest Rates

Overview of Inflation

Interest Rates and Inflation

Dynamic History

The 6/50 Rule

Key Concepts for this Section: Market History

 

 

SECTION III: SECULAR CYCLES

 

Chapter 5: Secular Cycles

Secular Market Profile

Stock Market Profile Across Secular Periods

Inflation, Deflation, and Market Seasons

Dispelling the Myth: It's Actually Not the Economy

The Y-Curve Effect

Valuation Matters

 

Chapter 6: The Current Cycle

Current Market Cycle

The Dividend Insight

Looking Ahead

Key Concepts for This Section: Secular Cycles

 

 

SECTION IV: FINANCIAL PHYSICS

 

Chapter 7: Financial Physics

Predicting the Future of the Stock Market

Building the Financial Physics Model

Financial Physics: A Tool for Valuing and Predicting the Market

 

Chapter 8: Implications from Financial Physics

The Voyage So Far

Looking Forward in the Market and in the Book

Valuation Cascade: A Natural Upper Limit for P/Es

Dissecting Returns: Forecasting Stock Market Returns

Limited Returns and Market Vulnerability Going Forward

Key Concepts for this Section: Financial Physics

 

 

SECTION V: INVESTMENT PHILOSOPHY

 

Chapter 9: Investment Philosophy

Absolute Return and Relative Return Investing

Risk Can Be a Friend or a Foe

Return Profiles

A Little History: The Devil's in the Assumptions

 

Chapter 10: Row, Not Sail

Sailing and Rowing

Drowning in Averages

Key Concepts for this Section: Investment Philosophy

 

 

SECTION VI: INVESTMENT STRATEGY

 

Chapter 11: Investment Techniques for Traditional Investors

Effective Bond Portfolios

Rebalancing Stock Market Portfolios

 

Chapter 12: Investment Management Evolution

A Brief History

Hedge Fund Investing

Vision of Future Investment Management

Closing the Loop

Ten Key Concepts

 

Notes

Bibliography

Index

   
 

Crestmont Research © 2008

 

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