Issues
I normally talk only about currencies in my Money and Markets columns. But today I want to make an exception and address some commonly held misconceptions many investors have about their …
We have a “Great Disconnect” on our hands. On Monday, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas released its latest manufacturing survey. This wasn’t old, stale data; the survey was conducted in mid-July …
As I watch the exchange-traded fund (ETF) universe grow, I keep having flashbacks to the huge increase in the number of mutual funds in the 1990s. Back then everyone wanted to own large cap growth funds …
On Friday the Committee of European Banking Supervisors (CEBS) revealed the results of its banking sector stress test. The objective of the test, in the CEBS’s dry words, was to “provide policy …
Last week, I told you where my favorite places were to get solid income and protection from a possible double-dip recession. Today, I want to follow-up on that theme by telling you about some of …
In his testimony before Congress last week, Ben Bernanke lifted the Fed’s skirt and gave us a glimpse of the disasters now sweeping through the U.S. economy. But there are four bombshells he did NOT talk about …
It’s earnings season. And more and more companies are talking about currencies. The headlines read like this … “Weak Euro a Drain on S&P 500 Revenues” “Currency Fluctuations Wipe $500 Million off IBM …
I used to love those Wendy’s commercials in the 1980s. You know, the ones that mocked the burger patties at competing restaurants with the catchphrase “Where’s the beef?” Today, I can’t help but ask a …
Recent economic data is pointing toward a second wave of recession … and maybe even outright deflation. One key consequence: Long-term interest rates are low and getting lower. Today I’m going to …
China implemented one of the world’s most aggressive economic stimulus programs to fight the recession of 2008. And the country went on something akin to a debt binge. Credit growth surged as much 50 percent …
Isn’t it amazing how quickly the mainstream media talk has turned from green shoots and recoveries to double-dip recessions and a whole laundry list of new economic worries? The whimsical nature …
Rarely are the signs of an economic downturn as clear as they are today — collapsing consumer confidence, sinking retail sales, another round of housing market troubles, and much more. And even more rarely …
Currencies have experienced a massive wave of volatility in the past three years. Driving some of that volatility are the early stages of a sovereign debt and currency crisis. As I laid out in my June 26 …
In the wake of the latest batch of “double-dip” chatter, the market’s attention is shifting back to the Federal Reserve. Investors are asking a simple question: “What, if anything, will the Fed do if the …
Do you want to be rich — or are you already there? The answer, of course, depends on how you define “rich.” Today we’ll look at this surprisingly difficult question — and then consider a few exchange traded …
In last week’s Money and Markets column, I recommended getting out of the stock market. This was based on my cyclical model having turned bearish. Plus there was a clear breakout of the S&P 500 and many …
I have devoted a number of my recent columns to the problems with Social Security and many state pension plans. And in one particular article, I also told you how the Amish have used a little known …
If last week’s massive price swings in the U.S. stock market proved anything, it’s that the world’s investors are massively confused. They have every right to be. After all, even the world’s most respected …
Over the past month, the talk from European officials about the sovereign debt crisis has gone relatively quiet. Meanwhile, the euro has bounced aggressively from 1.1877 to over 1.27 versus the dollar. It’s …
Of all the questionable bailout and backstop programs the government rolled out in the wake of the credit crisis, the whole “stress test” episode for the banks stands out the most. The idea was that the Fed and …
I love the Tour de France. That’s why about this time last year, I gave you Three Investing Lessons from that venerable athletic event. The comparison between bicycle racing and investment success seemed …
The stock market’s rise since the March 2009 lows was nothing more than a bear market rally. Yes, it was a huge rally, but not out of the realm of similar historical examples. Low trading volume, still high …
I know some investors right now who are making major mistakes when it comes to retirement planning … First, they have been consistently underestimating how much money they’ll need down the line. In …
I trust you’ve had a great Independence Day! In four days, we will have published 1,776 editions of Money and Markets — one for every year between the birth of Christ and the birth of our nation. But, right now …
In the past two weeks, we’ve seen China de-peg its currency from the dollar, the UK roll out historical fiscal austerity measures and Japan release details on a plan to tackle its massive debt load. The knee-jerk …
The bright red warning signs of a double-dip recession are flashing everywhere. And I do mean EVERYWHERE. In just the past few days, we learned that … New home sales imploded 33 percent to …
Anyone familiar with international investing knows about Brazil. It’s hard to ignore the fifth largest country in the world by geography and population, the South American commodities powerhouse, and the largest …
The long-term story for a gold and a gold mining stocks bull market is clear and easy to grasp: Dubious monetary policy and irresponsible fiscal policy with government debt rising all over the world are a …
We all watched in horror as Washington bailed out failing financial institutions … dishonest lenders … and greedy borrowers and speculators with our tax dollars. And as responsible savers and investors, we …
Anyone who thinks the new financial reform law will save us from the next debt disaster must be dreaming. Here are the facts … Fact: The U.S. derivatives that helped cause the last debt crisis …
Last week, I laid out some important historical context for establishing a solid perspective on the big picture — a broad view of where the global economy stands and what we should expect going forward …
Heads up, folks! It’s time for a very important housing market update from the front lines. More than a year ago in these cyberpages, I told you that housing was stabilizing. All my indicators pointed to an …
A little over a year ago I told you about Four Easy Ways to Trade Gold With ETFs. Since then, gold has shot up from below $1,000 to as high as $1,265.30 this past Monday. Is it going still higher? If so, you …
There are two well-known and important leading economic indexes for the U.S. economy: The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index (LEI), and The Weekly U.S. Leading Economic Index published by the …
Washington has shown a complete disregard for our nation’s savers, especially those in — or near — retirement. Interest rates on traditional income investments are being kept artificially low …
A former emperor with no clothes is finally telling the naked truth. His name: Alan Greenspan. His primary role in history: Chief architect of the boom-and-bust cycle that caused the fiscal madness he now …
It’s easy to lose perspective on where the global economy stands … to be confused by the daily deluge of information. So today, in the first of a two-part series, I want to give you some perspective on the big-picture and where we are today …
A blockbuster draft report from the European Commission saw the light of day recently, thanks to some reporting from Bloomberg. It highlights an incredibly dangerous Catch-22 facing many sovereign nations …
You’ve likely heard these investment buzzwords on TV or read them in the business section of your newspaper: Buy small-cap value! Look for opportunities in mid-cap growth! Go to large-caps for safety …
Over the past two years, we’ve seen the largest stimulus policies the world has ever produced. As a result, sovereign debt and central banks’ balance sheet holdings have gone through the roof! A glance at the …
You have only today and tomorrow to register for the urgent phone call I’m holding with my dad this Thursday at noon. During that call, I’ll tell you and Dad how to revamp your income portfolio to get an …
Anyone not blinded by greed can plainly see the sick cycle we’re in: First, the government helps create a great asset bubble. Next, the government-created bubble bursts under a dark cloud of hardship for …
The dollar index has surged 20 percent since last November. And this week, it was sniffing around its 2009 high! That’s pretty impressive, especially given that the 2009 high was driven by an across the board …
When Greece’s markets first started cracking wide open, a lot of claptrap spewed forth from Wall Street. The general consensus: The problems in Athens would stay bottled up in Athens. They would remain …
For the past two weeks, I’ve talked about exchange traded fund (ETF) bottom-fishing. First we looked at nine domestic sector ETFs, then last week we reviewed six opportunities in Europe. The financial crisis is …
A short four weeks ago, the stock market impressed us with what was later dubbed a flash crash — a sudden 1,000 point plunge in the Dow Industrial Average, followed by an equally fast retracement of half …
Next week, my Dad and I are going to have a heart-to-heart talk about an extreme makeover for his income portfolio. First on my list of income investments to propose to Dad are my favorite , crash-resistant, …
Why did the specter of collapse in far-away Hungary help sink the Dow by 323 points on Friday? And why did similar scenarios in Greece, Spain, and Portugal trigger the Dow’s 1,000-point Flash Crash one …
Currencies represent the truest reflection of economic fundamentals and market sentiment. Therefore, they continue to be an important segment of the financial markets to watch. Since the “flash crash” in the …
The evidence is coming fast and furious — and it all points in the same direction! Washington’s “bought and paid for” economic recovery is stalling out as the easy money effect wears off. Just consider what …
Last week I told you to keep your eyes on nine sector ETFs that have been crushed in the recent market downturn. Today I’m going to continue the same discussion starting with beaten-down ETF #10. This …
Greece has made it obvious: The euro is doomed. This fact had been obvious to all the euro critics from the very beginning. All the arguments against the possibility of a common currency for very disparate …
Wow! My dad was here visiting over the holiday weekend, and in between a round of golf and some barbecuing, I showed him all the great comments flooding my blog. He was amazed and relieved to hear …
Our Money and Markets family — including editors, contributors, spouses, and children — are growing;
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Tim Geithner, Hillary Clinton and 200 other American bigwigs visited China this week. First on the agenda: China’s position on the rising tensions between North and South Korea. With the rest of the …
Heads up people. Something very big is happening in the global credit markets — something you darn well better pay attention to. The very same “Credit Crisis” indicators that were flashing red before the …
In case you haven’t noticed, most of the world’s stock markets took a hard fall the last few weeks. Exchange traded funds (ETFs) got walloped, too. Is the selling over? Perhaps. But even if we …
Things have changed rather quickly for the stock market. Up until two weeks ago it was very difficult for a technical analyst to make a bearish argument. All over the world the big indexes were trending …
Yesterday, I promised to give you free access to Weiss Ratings’ list of weakest and strongest banks. With 73 bank failures so far this year, double last year’s pace, this information is especially important …
I’m getting so many reader questions about my parents’ Social Security and retirement, I could write a book about them. You want to know: What are my parents planning for their retirement? What …
Later this morning, Weiss Ratings is issuing a landmark press release, warning that 20 giant U.S. banks are still vulnerable to serious financial difficulties — and even failure. (I’ll name them in a moment.) …
The run-up in the stock market from March 2009 until last month was sharp and rewarding … for some. But there was one problem, it came with disproportional risk. You see, the stock market rose to an extent …
I was in Las Vegas last week for the MoneyShow — and let me tell you, it was a blast! I enjoy meeting subscribers face to face, and I really appreciate the tough, probing questions that were asked of me …
By my count, this is at least our SIXTH clear, unambiguous warning of danger in the Dow — sent to you in just the last 60 days! On March 27, Mike Burnick warned you — right here in Money and Markets …
You may have noticed that crude oil prices plunged over the last few weeks. On May 3, the June crude oil futures peaked at more than $87. Then on Monday, May 17 the same contract slipped below $70 …
Every week I tell you about exchange traded funds (ETFs) that you can use for various investment purposes. You could be wondering, though, what’s the best way to buy them. So in today’s column I’ll …
Last week’s column on the Amish opting out of Social Security generated a tremendous response. Within a few hours of publication, I had hundreds of comments on my blog. I want you to know that I appreciated …
Just days ago, the cradle of Western democracy — Greece — was in flames! Rioters attacked banks, businesses and government buildings. The entire country plunged into chaos. Spain, Portugal …
Larry Edelson’s gold forecasts have been so accurate — and his recommendations so profitable — we are doing everything humanly possible to help make sure you don’t miss them. We held a major …
Over the course of this year in my Money and Markets columns I’ve presented some compelling reasons why the euro zone and the euro were in for a life threatening crisis. And despite the general consensus …
I’ve been out in Las Vegas this week for the MoneyShow. So naturally, I have gaming on the brain. My conclusion after reading the latest news out of Europe? The European Central Bank (ECB) and …
If you had any doubt that today’s markets aren’t what they used to be, it should be gone after last Thursday. U.S. stocks were already having a bad day thanks to riots in Greece, elections in …
The economy and the stock market usually don’t turn on a dime. Their behavior is more like an oil tanker, needing time and space to change direction. In the stock market this shift is called a topping …
Lancaster — known throughout the U.S. as Pennsylvania Dutch Country — is about 40 minutes away from my house. And whenever I pass through the area, I’m reminded of what it means to be …
Dear S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch, You are the world’s three dominant rating agencies, largely controlling the ratings of bonds and debts issued by thousands of corporations, municipalities, and sovereign governments.
The euro is in devaluation mode … in a sharp 17 percent decline against the dollar over the past five months. And I’ve written extensively on why, and why it still has further to go. Now I believe a covert …
This week, the financial crisis in Greece turned deadly serious. No longer are investors just losing boatloads of money. People are starting to lose their lives! The latest bout of chaos struck on Wednesday during …
Jupiter, Florida, May 6, 2010 — Weiss Group, LLC, a leading provider of independent research and ratings since 1971, has announced today that it has bought back the bank and insurance company ratings …
You’re probably having a tough time these days if you live off the interest from your investment portfolio. For example, according to Bankrate.com, money market accounts are now yielding a paltry 0.76 percent …
The Greek government is bankrupt. Simply put: It has systematically spent much more than it could afford. Now the inevitable day of reckoning has arrived. A 110-billion euro bailout package by other European governments and the IMF has been announced. But can this political rescue solve Greece’s …
I love fielding intelligent questions on the markets and other financial topics, and lately you’ve been sending me plenty of them. For example, a Dividend Superstars subscriber named Sharlene recently …
The dot-com bubble of the late 1990s. The housing bubble of the mid-2000s. They both wreaked massive havoc on investor portfolios. Trillions were lost … both here and abroad. At Weiss Research, we take …
Boy, what a week! I’ve been warning about a troubled euro and a building sovereign debt crisis for some time. And the bond and currency market activities this past week are a clear example that the …
The cost of borrowing for the Greek government shot up almost NINE-FOLD in the span of six months. That is bond market Armageddon. And it’s playing right on the trading screen of every investor around …
When Americans hear about Greece, the first thought that comes to mind is usually “ancient history.” Now Greece is all over the headlines for its financial woes. But if truth be told …
In last week’s Money and Markets column I told you the majority of my indicators are signaling that the stock market has probably entered the last phase of its medium-term uptrend, which began in …
Yet another earnings season is upon us, and so far things are looking good. For example, through the middle of last week about 85 stocks in the S&P 500 (worth 26 percent of the index’s total value) …
If you’re retired, or soon will be, then you are probably concerned about making your wealth last through the golden years. Of course, you want to be prepared financially so you won’t have to make any …
Benjamin Franklin once called death and taxes the only certainties in this world. These days, I’d add rising interest rates! I believe they’re coming … that the Federal Reserve is powerless to stop the inevitable …
It’s Sunday morning and I’m enjoying some quality time with my two girls. Yesterday it was a local baseball game; today they’re all excited about seeing the new “Oceans” movie. I guess you could say it’s …
If you’re looking for clues on where stocks, commodities and global economies are headed, you might be better served keeping a close eye on the euro, rather than on the incoming stream of corporate …
Boy did last week’s column prompt a lot of comments. And frankly I’m not surprised. Many people thought I was nuts when I called the housing market top in 2005. They simply didn’t believe my prediction that …
Last week the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission filed a civil lawsuit against Goldman Sachs (GS) alleging fraud. And the news hit Wall Street like a volcano! Of course the SEC sues companies …
From a big-picture perspective, the stock market’s advance off the March 2009 low is nothing more than a huge, bear market rally. To understand how I come to that conclusion, just look at two classical …
Last week’s column talked about some of the “everyman” tax shelters available these days — including 401(k) plans and IRAs. Today I want to talk about how those two different accounts relate to each …
When AT&T, California, New York City or virtually any other borrower wants your money and offers its bonds for sale, it’s required to give you a prospectus that properly discloses all the relevant risks. It has a legal …
The economic problems in Greece have made front page news for the better part of the past three months. And I’ve written several columns here in Money and Markets on the ongoing drama and its influence …
By now you should know I believe the biggest story for the capital markets is no longer housing. It’s interest rates. But that doesn’t mean I’m ignoring the housing market. Far from it. Heck, you could say …
The exchange traded fund (ETF) menu is getting bigger all the time. Many of the new ETFs you hear about are just “me-too” clones of existing funds. But every once in a while something truly innovative comes …
Bond investors were poised to hit the panic button last week … nervously watching as yields on 10-Year U.S. Treasury bonds briefly pierced the 4 percent level for the first time in well over a year. Their …
Okay, before you get the wrong idea … today’s article is not going to talk about hiding money in foreign countries or any other strategy that is either suspicious or outright illegal. Cheating on your taxes is …
Brace yourself for one of the greatest interest-rate surges in decades — beginning first in the long-term Treasury markets … later spreading to shorter term Treasuries … and ultimately enveloping nearly every …
It’s been two weeks since the bailout speculation surrounding the Achilles’ heel of the euro zone, Greece, has had some closure. European officials kept the balls in the air as long as they could in an attempt …
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before … First, the Federal Reserve slashes interest rates and floods the economy with cheap, easy money. Second, some asset class starts to benefit from the influx of …
I’m a consumer. You’re a consumer. In fact, just about everyone you know is a consumer. But in these tough economic times, we often have to prioritize. On the other hand, not everyone is closely …
Federal income tax returns are due in eight days. And as you’re scrambling to get yours finished, how you’ve spent your money in 2009 should be fresh on your mind. That’s why this is a great time to start …
Every time Easter approaches, I find myself thinking of baskets, eggs and all the other words we investors typically associate with portfolios and diversification. So I was certainly ready with plenty of …
Martin here with a quick follow-up to last Monday’s “The Great Dichotomy! Again!” While U.S. markets have gained a bit more in the last few days, the key foreign markets I told you about have literally …
In sports, if the opposition is on a roll and the momentum is squarely against you … you need a “time-out.” This interruption in action can break the rhythm of the opposing team and give your team a moment …
President Obama plans to introduce a fee on the largest banks in the country — those with assets greater than $50 billion — in an effort to get back “every single dime” for the taxpayers. This levy will start June …
Last week I told you about political risk in exchange traded funds (ETFs). Almost as if on cue, later that very day, the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) announced it is conducting a “review” of …
Since April is just one day away I thought I’d give you more information about what makes this month so special. April is known for several monthly observances and celebrations. Did you know April …
If you read this column with any frequency, you know that I have continued to argue that the best values in U.S. stocks remain in defensive areas like consumer staples and utilities. So why, then, did I just …
While the U.S. economy is still bogged down by massive federal deficits and a new wave of home foreclosures, key foreign economies are already leaping ahead without those heavy burdens. Just look …
Since Bryan is on vacation this week, Martin asked me to pinch-hit as a guest editor today. And it couldn’t come at a better time, because at present, the Weiss Capital Management† investment team is is on …
I have a lot of respect for Warren Buffett. As Nilus has noted before, he’s one of the world’s best long-term investors. He has a knack for buying low and selling high. And his Berkshire Hathaway holding company …
Even if you aren’t very interested in politics, you have to admit that political factors can have a huge impact on your investments. These days government policy affects everything — for better or worse …
Not long ago the euro was rising, and everybody seemed to hate the U.S dollar. During that market phase I constantly asked a rhetorical question: Why do you think the euro is any better than the dollar? Now …
Yet another Federal Reserve meeting is now behind us, and I’m wondering why I even bother to read the releases anymore. After all, Bernanke & Co. pretty much say the same thing month in and month out …
Fed Chairman Bernanke is running amuck, and for the first time since the birth of the U.S. dollar, our government is egregiously abusing …
There are two major issues facing global currencies in the months ahead. And both have escalated in the past week. Issue #1: The Greek Drama. Act I: Sovereign debt fears. In the first act of the euro-zone …
It should be pretty clear that I’m bearish on the bond market. The massive budget deficits and debts we’re racking up should hammer Treasury prices. So should the steadily growing concern about the credit …
You’ve heard of the BRIC countries, right? Brazil, Russia, India and China are the four top emerging markets. For various reasons, all have much better long-term prospects than most of the so-called “developed” …
In the long run, economic development and — especially — corporate earnings are the main drivers of stock market performance. But this relationship is very loose. It becomes tight only if your time horizon is …
I can’t believe the number of frightening retirement stories I’ve seen in just the last week. They suggest that the vast majority of our country’s citizens are completely unprepared for life after work. They point …
If you think that the sovereign debt crisis is mostly behind us … that America’s federal deficit is turning into a non-issue … or that we can just go back to business as usual … you’d better consider the …
Since last November, the dollar has climbed steadily against a basket of currencies — most notably against the euro. And based on my analysis, I think it’s just the early stages of this trend. In fact, for many …
Needless to say, I’m delighted to see my book surge to #2! But what pleases me even more is the fact that more investors are finally learning how to take urgently-needed steps to prepare for THREE major …
Okay, stop me if you’ve heard this one … You have an entity that took on too much debt. It cooked its books. It failed to get its fiscal house in order. Its “executives” repeatedly refused to take the …
Are you planning to retire someday? Unless you are already retired the answer is almost certainly “Yes.” It’s the American Dream! Of course, there’s nothing magical about age 65. Some people end their …
There is a lot more to the stock market than just the popular averages everybody is talking about. You see, when the averages move you can’t tell how many stocks participated, so you don’t know how broad that …
Of all the major disasters and threats to your security ahead — and all the major profit opportunities — three stand out as the most imminent of all: Disaster #1: America’s Empire of Debt. If you think …
Last year’s dividend numbers were the worst in more than half a century, as corporations large and small struggled with a lack of financing, weak economic conditions, and poor earnings. But now, things are …
We now face the gravest financial dangers — and the greatest profit opportunities — in two generations. But before I tell you about what the future could bring, let me tell you how my family and I have …
With global investors attacking any sovereign government that’s running massive deficits or stuck with a pile of bad debts … And with Uncle Sam obviously the world’s greatest debtor, beggar and …
In my December 26 Money and Markets column I focused on the outlook for 2010, and the looming threats to global risk appetite. I warned that sovereign debt problems posed a major threat to global …
Boy are things getting ugly in the U.K. The British currency, the pound, is getting crushed. The price of long-term British debt securities, called gilts, is heading down. And the cost of default insurance on the …
Wall Street is obsessed with interest rates. Many consumers are, too, especially anyone who wants to buy a home or car. There’s a good reason for this: Debt — or you might call it “leverage” — is the …
I grew up in Germany, a country that went through hyperinflation twice during the 20th Century. Maybe that’s the reason I learned inflation is bad and inflationary policies are diabolic. Inflationary periods are …
It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Warren Buffett (and his business partner Charlie Munger, too). That’s why I eagerly await the release of Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholder reports. The latest …
We have just ended an online video conference to brief investors on major events that could forever change your future. We made nine new predictions to pinpoint, as accurately as possible, how and …
Toward the end of last year, many market followers were speculating on a Fed hike as early as the first half of 2010. Global stock markets had experienced explosive bounces, commodity prices had surged from the …
I’ve been talking about interest rates an awful lot lately … and for good reason. The next BIG story in the bond market is clearly the sovereign debt crisis. But I don’t want to ignore the housing market …
If you’ve been reading my Money and Markets columns for any length of time, you know I’m a big proponent of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). And I think they’re one of the most exciting investment innovations …
Last Thursday the Conference Board published its Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. In January this historically-reliable indicator increased 0.3 percent after shooting up 1.2 percent in December …
Last Thursday I got a call from a friendly guy who said he was a senior at my college alma mater. Sensing where the conversation was about to go, I simply said “Just so you know, I’m not going to donate …
If you thought Wall Street’s debt crisis was traumatic, wait till you the see the consequences of Washington’s debt crisis! Never before in history has a world power like the U.S. been so utterly buried in debt! And never before has that debt been financed …
At the beginning of this year, I wrote a Money and Markets column entitled “Will the Euro Become the Most Hated Currency for 2010?” At that time, the euro/dollar exchange rate was about 5 percent off of its …
You can’t count on Washington to proactively warn you about major economic and market problems … Politicians and Fed policymakers failed to warn investors away from tech stocks during the Nasdaq …
In my Money and Markets columns I usually tell you about opportunities I see in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and how you can grab them. Today I want to do something a little different: List some ETFs …
Stock markets around the world are down about 10 percent since their January highs. Complacency, which was so high only weeks ago, has quickly vanished …
In last week’s column, I promised to talk more about some of the questions I was asked at the Orlando MoneyShow — both during my live presentation as well as in private conversations during the event …
One year and five months ago — armed with a 92-page white paper and 59,000 petitions — we warned Congress about the grave danger of government bailouts. To download the white paper, “Dangerous …
Over the past months I’ve written extensively in my Money and Markets columns about the bubbling over of the risk trade. I also warned about the rising threats that would likely make a sustainable recovery …
Last week’s World MoneyShow in Orlando was a huge success! I had the pleasure of meeting several of you at the Gaylord Palms Hotel, and I couldn’t have been happier with the constructive feedback you shared …
Whether you’re investing in stock exchange traded funds (ETFs), bond ETFs, commodity ETFs, currency ETFs, international ETFs, or even inverse ETFs, you’re stuck with one big problem: Any way you look …
In last week’s Money and Markets column, I told you about some stock market indicators to watch. Since then, the market has fallen even further. So today I want to update you on what’s happening …
I was both amazed and encouraged by the great turnout I received for my workshop at last week’s MoneyShow. And if you were among the nearly 400 attendees who came to see me speak, I’d like to …
We are caught in the grips of a great war! It is not a traditional land or sea war with tanks and battleships. Nor is it an anti-terrorist, guerilla war for hearts and minds. Rather, it is war of a third kind — pitting government bureaucrats against millions of investors …
While our federal deficit explodes and U.S. stocks sink, I’ve been actively meeting our readers on my personal blog to share ideas on how to build the optimal growth portfolio in trying times like these …
The debt problems in Dubai threw a wrench in the happy-go-lucky risk trade of last year. And since then, the perception of the state of the global economy has been unraveling. All of the sudden, the world …
I just got back from my first lengthy vacation in years — to New York, London, and Paris. I enjoyed many fine meals and fun nights out with friends. I got to see everything from the Rosetta Stone and …
Energy is big business here in Texas. Just about everyone in the state knows someone in the industry, if they aren’t employed in it themselves. In fact, energy is big business everywhere! Crude oil, …
The stock market does not turn on a dime. At least historically that’s been the case. Take Japan as an impressive example … At 10,300 the Nikkei is now 74 percent below its all time high of December …
Last week I told you about some of Washington’s latest ideas on “fixing” Social Security. And the very next night — as part of his first State of the Union address — President Obama referenced some of his own …
The next contagion is beginning to spread around the globe. It is unexpected on Wall Street, misunderstood in Washington — and very dangerous. It could sabotage the plans of the U.S. Treasury, the Federal …
Without careful thought and planning, my concern for most investors is simple: They could face pandemonium in their portfolios! I don’t want that for you, and that’s why I have been devoting …
The Fed met this week on monetary policy. It was a bit of a snoozer. What wasn’t a snoozer, however, was what they’ve included in their recent monetary policy statements regarding currencies …
I sincerely hope you’re spending some time each day over at my personal blog. If you’re looking for extremely valuable investing insights and ideas from your fellow investors and yours truly, it’s …
These days, the financial industry’s locus of power can’t be found in London. It’s not in New York City. Frankfurt? Tokyo? Davos, Switzerland? Nope, nope, and nope. The real decisions that impact …
The old saying says, “Don’t believe everything you read.” While this is good advice, investors today have a bigger problem: News that is accurate but irrelevant. I see this all the time as I track the …
Hedge funds and the managers who run them have been getting a lot of publicity lately — and not of the flattering kind. We have massive Ponzi schemes, equally massive losses and outsized systemic risks …
I take retirement matters very seriously, which is why I’m constantly on the alert for any hint of a change coming out of Washington. And make no mistake: There have been times when I agree with new …
Never before have we seen such a stark contrast between our economy here at home … bogged down by chronic unemployment and massive debts … and other markets and economies around the globe …
The heyday of the Bush-Obama bailout frenzy is coming to an end. The bailout’s base of public support, tenuous from the outset, is collapsing. Its chief architects — Treasury Secretary Geithner and Fed Chairman Bernanke — are politically dead …
In December I wrote a Money and Markets column making the case for a bottom in the dollar. And since then the evidence supporting that thesis has grown. I also said there are plenty of ugly currencies …
From its intraday high to this morning’s low, the Dow has lost over 430 points just in the last three trading days … breaking through critical support … raising the specter of AT LEAST a big …
Do you remember the days of easy credit? It doesn’t seem that long ago when we “benefited” from loose lending standards in the credit card industry. It seemed like every day there were multiple credit …
Today I’d like to tell you about a sector that is deeply intertwined with economic recovery. I’m talking about transportation. We live in a mobile society, even if we are in the internet age. Not only do …
During the past few years you have most likely read about Japan’s so-called lost decade or its so-called deflationary malaise. And you may have heard warnings that the Japanese experience might be the …
I just landed in Newark, New Jersey this morning after 23 days travelling throughout India … and it feels good to be home! Despite the many problems in our country today, we should never take for …
Washington has so thoroughly botched its supervision of the banking industry that 200 banks are likely to fail this year — easily surpassing last year’s 140 bank failures … inevitably involving the greatest …
Pair trading is a popular stock-trading strategy. It gives you the opportunity to capture a dislocation between two stocks by taking a long position in one stock and simultaneously taking a short …
I talked in last week’s column about how our Federal Reserve won’t raise interest rates until the cows come home. But you can’t say the same thing about many central banks overseas … The men …
You might think the wild markets of the last year would have made ETF sponsors slow down a bit, but they kept on cranking out new products — some great, some not. By my count, a total of 136 …
From the start of the economic and financial crisis that began in 2007, I made it clear that this was not a garden variety recession. Instead, I said, it was the aftermath of the bursting of the largest …
The term “relative returns” refers to returns as compared to a benchmark index. Most money managers, such as mutual funds, will aim to produce returns that beat a benchmark, e.g. the S&P 500 or the …
After poring over news and charts this weekend, I must say that, even though this is precisely what we’ve been forecasting for many months, I’m still in a state of amazement. Never before in my …
The UK economy is in a tough spot … it’s the only major economy that has yet to emerge from recession. It’s running the largest budget deficit of any industrialized country. And its central bank has …
There’s a real debate waging on Wall Street. Just like that famous scene from the 1974 movie Chinatown, where Faye Dunaway’s Evelyn Mulwray goes back and forth saying “She’s my daughter …
Everyone is making 2010 forecasts. So today I’ll jump on the bandwagon and share one of mine with you: In 2010 you’ll hear a lot more about the “Next 11.” The Next 11 (N-11) is a list of fast-growing …
As a group, mutual fund managers are as good a contrarian indicator for the stock market as they come. History shows that they hold relatively high cash levels at the beginning of a bull market. Then …
When we were first planning our trip to India, my wife — and all her family members — insisted that I make an effort to go see the Taj Mahal …
If you think 2010 is going to bring investors a carefree, nonstop ride to glory, think again! Profit opportunities abound, and we intend to be among …
For the better part of 2009 the U.S. dollar was the world’s most hated currency. But it’s looking increasingly likely the tables could turn in 2010. And the euro could take over that unenviable title …
On behalf of the entire Money and Markets family, we wish you a New Year that brings health, wealth and peace to you and your loved ones …
