The stock market has only one direction in mind and that’s up. I sense there’s froth building up. This current market action reminds me a bit of what happened in 1999, but the situation is different in that interest rates are at record lows, the Federal Reserve is providing liquidity, and the valuation of stocks... More »How to Create a “Do-It-Yourself” Fund for Diversification
It’s been strange watching the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 continue to march higher for the last few months, moving in direct contrast to the underlying economic indicators. It’s hardly news to anybody that unemployment has remained stubbornly high for years. Personal debt is high, student loan debt is crushing, and the largest... More »Will Raft of Bad Economic Data Change Investor Behavior?
When it comes to buying stocks for long-term investing, the short-term gyrations can be difficult for investors. It’s important from a long-term investing viewpoint to look out onto the horizon over many years, and search for short-term pullbacks and opportunities that might allow attractive entry points. We are all aware of the troubled situation economically... More »Changes to International Tariffs Giving This Stock a Boost
If you invested all of your money in the stock market, you would be exposed to extraordinary risk of a market retrenchment. Of course, you could also make a lot of money, especially with how well things are going in the current bullish stock market that continues to somewhat defy gravity. Yet this is also... More »How Understanding the Investment Climate Equals Stock Market Success
Meet the entrepreneurs who lined up to pitch to casting directors of the ABC reality TV show. More »Behind the Scenes: What It's Really Like to Pitch for a Spot on 'Shark Tank'
The disconnect between the stock market and the U.S.economy continues to grow, as the key stock indices run way ahead of reality. The fundamental reasons behind the rise in today’s key stock indices are missing. For a real rally to happen, there has to be rising demand in the U.S. economy, consumers must be confident... More »Warning: 79% of S&P 500 Companies Issue Negative 2Q Guidance
In the first quarter of 2013, the eurozone continued to witness an economic contraction. The gross domestic product (GDP) of the 17-nation region declined 0.2%. This decrease in the GDP marked the sixth straight quarter of economic contraction in the eurozone and the longest since 1995. (Source: Reuters, May 15, 2013.) The debt-infested countries in... More »Recovery? Eurozone GDP Now Down Six Straight Quarters
“Opportunity cost”—it’s a phrase used in microeconomic theory to denote the costs that are forgone by not having your resources in the highest returning assets. It is a phrase that’s pertinent to the stock market. Without question, I remain completely taken aback by what has transpired with the stock market since the beginning of the... More »This Stock’s 24% Year-to-Date Gain Signaling a Buy Opportunity?
The stock market rally that began in March of 2009 is gaining attention once again. The key stock indices have surpassed the highs they registered before the U.S. economy was hit with a financial crisis and the ones made at the peak of the tech boom. With all this, the direction in which the key... More »Key Stock Indices Soaring Higher; Will They Hit the Ceiling?
Complacency among investors is extremely dangerous. Many investors, both retail and institutional, have very short memory spans. It wasn’t too long ago that the eurozone was in the midst of a financial crisis. While the worst appears to be over—at least temporarily—economic growth still remains elusive for the eurozone. Yet in spite of all the... More »The New Hidden Eurozone Risk
A diverse retirement portfolio should contain stocks from a number of different sectors. With America in the throes of unpredictable spring weather, now is the perfect time to consider agricultural stocks. Not just because it’s the beginning of the seasonal growing period, but also because agriculture is one of the most diverse sectors. One good... More »Two Stocks to Help Your Portfolio Grow from the Ground Up?
Something is starting to smell in the bond market… Since their peak in July of 2012, 30-year U.S. bonds have declined in value—they are down almost six percent. Trading above $153.00 in mid-2012, 30-year U.S. bonds now hover around $144.00, as depicted in the chart below. Chart courtesy of www.StockCharts.com Keep in mind that bond... More »Bond Market Shows Signs of Weakness Ahead
Before analyzing a company for investment, it’s important to have a perspective on how well the business has performed. Because at the end of the day, if you are an investor, you are buying the business. The FAST Graphs™ presented with this article will focus first on the business behind the stock. The orange line... More »Chicago Bridge & Iron Co: Fundamental Stock Research Analysis
Didn’t the government say the economy is getting better? Why do I question what they’re saying? Because consumer spending is going the wrong way. Core retail sales declined 0.1% in April—and that’s after they already fell 0.4% in the previous month! (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, May 13, 2013.) When compared to the first four months... More »A Froth Called the Stock Market
The recent devastation of the garment building collapse in Bangladesh was both horrific and a reminder that many of these sweatshop operations that make your clothing are not operating according to American standards. But the fact is that many of these operations in Bangladesh and other low-cost labor markets in Asia produce the clothes you... More »A Real “Made in the USA” Retail Stock That Supports Your Portfolio, Not Sweatshops
Portfolio management is the key to growing savings over time. The implication behind this is that if an investor manages their portfolio regularly, adjusting asset classes based on market and economic conditions, they can reduce their risk and earn a decent rate of return, as well as peace of mind. That said, investors need to... More »Why Knowing the Currency Risk Can Pay Off
Seeking funding for your business shouldn't be a one-time endeavor. Here are four stages of business development that can serve as a road map for your funding strategy. More »Why Raising Capital Is a 4-Step Process
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