KenSkarbeck

Investing columnist

Skarbeck has shared the writing duties for IBJ’s “Investing” column since June 2004. A lifelong Indianapolis resident, he is the managing partner of Indianapolis-based Aldebaran Capital LLC, a money management firm. Skarbeck is a chartered financial analyst and has more than 28 years’ investment industry experience. His company utilizes a value investing approach to portfolio management and specializes in seeking out undervalued investments, primarily in small and medium size companies. Skarbeck is a graduate of Brebeuf Jesuit High School and Hanover College. His hobbies are astronomy and fishing, and he is an avid Green Bay Packers fan. Skarbeck lives in Indianapolis with his wife and two daughters.

Phone:
818-7827

E-mail:  ken@aldebarancapital.com

Recent Articles

Skarbeck: Skyrocketing student debt looms large over economy

June 15, 2013
Student loan debt has increased at a 14-percent annual rate since 2005 and now totals more than $1 trillion—more than credit card and auto loan debt.
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Skarbeck: IPO of N.Y. skyscraper is a real landmark deal

June 1, 2013
Investors soon will have the opportunity to own a piece of an American landmark. The Empire State Realty Trust, whose signature property is the Empire State building, will offer shares to the public.
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Skarbeck: Financial markets brace for era of social media

May 18, 2013
Two recent episodes have regulators scrutinizing the role social media plays in the investment markets.
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Skarbeck: Research error reignites stimulus vs. debt debate

May 4, 2013
Economic and political spheres are abuzz with the recent discovery of a mathematical error made by Harvard professors Carmen Reinhart and Kenneth Rogoff in their seminal analysis of debt-laden economies.
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Skarbeck: Mutual funds' rate of return paints misleading picture

April 20, 2013
The calendar can provide the investment industry the sleight of hand needed to grab investors’ attention when advertising investment performance.
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Skarbeck: Stockman 'rant' draws welcomed responses

April 6, 2013
A lengthy New York Times opinion piece by David Stockman has set off a firestorm of response from a variety of sources who editorialize about stock markets and politics.
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SKARBECK: Alternative investments not worth their high costs

March 23, 2013
When it comes to choosing the products or services offered by the investment industry, the evidence suggests that when investors pay less, they often get more.
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SKARBECK: Don't get overly excited about new index records

March 9, 2013
The frenzy surrounding a new market high tends to raise the blood pressure in investors. It seems to stimulate a feeling that they need to “do something.”
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SKARBECK: SEC enforcement powers important but limited

February 23, 2013
The SEC's reputation had taken a hit when an internal investigation found that senior employees were surfing pornographic websites during the financial crisis.
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SKARBECK: Weakening currencies spur economic growth or inflation

February 9, 2013
The value of a currency can be influenced by all sorts of variables—including politics, monetary policy and interest rates.
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SKARBECK: Now's the time to reflect on investment results, costs

January 26, 2013
With 2012 now in the books, it is a great time to undertake an analysis of your financial results.
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SKARBECK: Value investors tempted by HHGregg valuations

January 12, 2013
A fascinating case study can be found in the divergent fortunes of locally based HHGregg and Texas-based Conn’s Inc.
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SKARBECK: Investors' dour mindset costing them money

December 29, 2012
Every day, U.S. investors are bombarded with a lack of action from inept politicians who can’t seem to take one positive step toward solving our fiscal crisis.
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SKARBECK: Even glass-half-empty Grant has positive long-term view

December 15, 2012
An Indiana University grad and author of five books, Jim Grant possesses deep knowledge on the role central banks have played throughout history and the cumulative results of their monetary policy decisions.
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SKARBECK: Giant H-P's recent missteps a valuable lesson for us all

December 1, 2012
The Hewlett-Packard saga portrays the huge importance the capital-allocation function plays in deciding ultimate shareholder wealth.
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SKARBECK: Long-term investments make solid tax shelters

November 17, 2012
This is the season many investors review their year-to-date gains and losses and scan their portfolios for any other year-end tax maneuvers.
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SKARBECK: Use caution with ventures turning to crowd for cash

November 3, 2012
When social media meets finance, society births a technique for small business to raise capital called “crowdfunding.”
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SKARBECK: Stocks climb as markets look past looming issues

October 20, 2012
Considering the issues to be faced in just the next few months—a heated election and the fiscal cliff—how in the world can stocks be going up?
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SKARBECK: Debt, deficit need work even if crisis is averted

October 6, 2012
Just what is this so-called “fiscal cliff” that is regularly injected into discussions as the political season heats up?
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SKARBECK: Use facts, not feelings to choose investments

September 22, 2012
Our “big-picture” views can be shaped and influenced by experiences, reading, television and other external media. We can even be persuaded by the opinions of others.
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SKARBECK: Are equities really dead? Depends on whom you ask

September 8, 2012
References to the infamous 1979 Business Week article “The Death of Equities” have resurfaced in the media.
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SKARBECK: High-quality stocks perform as well as alternative options

August 25, 2012
Most hedge funds have failed to outperform index funds since the credit crisis.
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SKARBECK: Does focus on stock prices hurt companies in long run?

August 11, 2012
A new book, “The Shareholder Value Myth,” by Cornell law professor Lynn Stout, is ruffling feathers in the field of corporate governance.
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SKARBECK: Summertime is right time to seek investing wisdom

July 28, 2012
The term “dog days” also has found a spot in investors’ lexicon, sometimes describing lackluster stock market behavior during the summer.
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  1. Saw the Indy Men's Chorus "Music of Gilbert & Sullivan" at the Indiana Historical Society on Sunday evening.

  2. Temporary workers are not "tools" they are people and companies that keep large amounts of temp staff are cheating.

  3. I miss having them around. I hope one of their stores is in the general Meridian/86th Street area. I will make good use of it.

  4. The Fringe! Plus, the simple fact that there are so many local faves in such close proximity to each other.

  5. I remenber, watching the toll road, being built, through South Bend, when I was 10 years old. I believe, back then that it was estimated, that the toll road, would be paid for in 20 years and then it would be free. I am now 71, what happened? Since the power is in the people, by that, I mean that, we the people are in total control of everything. I, suggest that no one ever use the toll road again, let it go broke. We the people can control the price of everything, from groceries to gas, if we would just do it. If we don't pay the asking price, the sellers will lower the price and if we wait awhile, they will lower the price to what we accept as reasonable. I would like to know why a highway like interstate 94, is so well maintained, a much better highway, than the toll road, but has no tolls. I would also like to know why, a sitting governor, with a term limit, maximum of eight years, can lease, public property, for 75 years. Even though I have transponders in both of my trucks and will not be affected by the increase, I have been and will contine to avoid using the toll road. I make many trips from northern Indiana to Chicago, every year, and I prefer the better highway, I94!

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