Investor sentiment is fragile and the stock market’s been volatile, but the trading action over the last little while has revealed one big consolidation, not a breakdown in the main stock market indices. What’s holding the market around 1,200 on the S&P 500 Index is the expectation for decent corporate earnings. From my perspective, third-quarter …
Loyal and long-term readers know I’m a contrarian investor at heart. When investors are selling in droves, I want to buy. Similarly, when investors are buying stocks as a herd, I’m selling. And this brings me to today’s very important issue. I follow several services that gauge the sentiment of consumers, investors, and stock advisors. …
The precious yellow metal continues to hold up well on the price chart, as traders shift capital from the higher-risk equities to the safe-haven sanctuary of gold. In this country, there are crippling debt levels and deficits. Some cities across the nation are shutting down to save money. The once-powerful U.S. economic engine continues to …
You might not know it, but there is real strength in this market from a number of well-managed, dividend-paying stocks. When the broader market is gyrating and investor sentiment is weak, outperformance comes in the form of stability. Plenty of stocks in this market are outperforming the broader stock market and, in spite of all …
We have a likely debt default in Greece, pegged at a whopping 98%. Ireland and Portugal continue to struggle with muted growth and massive debt. Spain may be needing help. Bond yields are rapidly increasing in Europe in line with the risk levels. You can get a whopping 70% yield in Greek bonds, but then …
Right now, the stock market is at a very important point. The third quarter is just about to end and another earnings season will begin. In terms of the main stock market indices, they all seem to be at a crossroads, right on the line of either staying where they are, or breaking down further. …
You can just tell that the stock market is completely unsure of itself. The price swings up and down are telling. Investors want to be buyers of equities and they have the money to do so. What’s missing is a positive catalyst to keep the trend going for more than a day. The market is …
I know this is a financial e-letter. But I can’t pass on the opportunity to comment on President Obama’s speech to Congress and the nation this past Thursday night. Maybe I’m the only one who doesn’t get it. Maybe these politicians are all smarter than me. I see something very wrong. Each time the President …
Ever wonder how many cars are on the road in China? The estimates vary, ranging from 25 million to over 100 million. It seems no one really knows. The Chinese auto sector had been sizzling, even overtaking the U.S. as the biggest car market in the world. With a middle class of over 300 million …
Most Americans will be glued to the television tonight to see what the leader of the most powerful country in the world has to stay about his plan to get the economy going; in specific, to create jobs. There is no doubt in my mind: President Barack Obama will be a one-term president unless he …