From Daily Planet Staff Reports

The two investment advisors who presented a seminar titled “A Perfect Storm” fielded questions for 15 minutes following their talk Dec. 11 at The Asheville Racquet Club in South Asheville.

The advisors included Laura McCue and Kevin Martin of White Oak Financial Management Inc., based in South Asheville.

The first questioner asked, “Are these new strategies you’re using?”

McCue replied that her firm’s strategy is based on the ideas of economist-writer Harry S. Dent Jr. And while their investors’ assets, like virtually everyone else’s, “are down ... (However,) this is a proven strategy.”

A man asked, “What was your average return over the last five years?”

McCue answered that it would be hard to calculate an average return because it varies so much among the firm’s investors. She added that in March 2003, we opened our new office — and that’s when we added technical charting,” which she said has improved their investment results.

Another man asked how investors might respond to the duo’s projection of an economic depression beginning in 2009.

Martin replied that “even when there’s a depression, there are ups and downs along the way” — and, hence, opportunities for investors.”

A man noted that he sees many similarities between the Great Depression and the one the duo is predicting, noting that both included “bad management by banks and a wide misuse of credit.”

Martin replied, “That depression lasted from 1929 to 1934,” depending on one’s definition. (Others claim it ended in 1939.) He noted that some contend that the Great Depression did not end until the U.S. entered World War II.
As for the projected depression, McCue reiterated, We’re really thinking (it will last) into the 2020s,” adding that “terrorist activity tends to happen every eight years, on average, further exacerbating economic problems.

A woman asked, “Do you manage every client every day,” making the same changes in every account?

“Everyone’s being treated the same,” McCue answered.