Economic numbers definitely have some bearing on how the market performs. GDP numbers, wage increases, consumer confidence, trade and fiscal policy all affect corporate earnings. However, what appears related need not always be so.

In Warren Buffett’s latest shareholder letter, he again let loose on the investment community, in particular high-fee active managers – especially hedge fund managers, whom he claims do not provide value to investors.

Diversification has been called the only free lunch in investing. But can investors do even better?