Should You Be Investing in Defense Contractors?
Every day seems to bring more bad news about possible conflict on the Korean Peninsula. As the dictator of North Korea and the American President trade insults and threats should you be investing in defense contractors? CNBC writes that the specter of war has driven defense stocks up.
On Oct. 1, President Donald Trump once again took to Twitter to attack Kim Jong-un, saying that negotiating with the North Korean chairman is a waste of time. While social media mudslinging may not be the best way to deal with a hostile leader, there’s at least one group who may not mind […]
Is Pension Money Keeping the Rally Alive?
Everyone says that the stock market is overpriced but it keeps going up. One reason is that earnings are pretty strong for the market leaders and nothing seems to scare investors when earnings are good. But there is more to the story. When there is a lot of money to invest it tends to go into the market. Market Watch makes the point that money managers are being forced to buy stocks as pension contributions pour in.
Their point is that while many factors drive the market, forced buying is a real driver when huge pension fund contributions roll in, usually […]
How to Start Investing in the Stock Market
How to start investing in the stock market is to start with basic principles. How much do you have to invest? A good rule of thumb is that you should not invest what you cannot afford to lose. Thus you need to be able to pay your mortgage or your rent and make payments on your car and other expenses. Then you should have a couple of months of expenses in the bank and your credit cards paid off. That is how to start investing in the stock market. While you are getting […]
How a Stronger Dollar Creates Winners and Losers
A strengthening US economy and the prospect of more interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve have helped the US dollar stop its recent slide. But how does a stronger dollar affect the economy and the stock market? Today we look at how a stronger dollar creates winners and losers. CNBC writes that stocks could take a hit as the dollar strengthens.
The U.S. dollar is beginning to enjoy a bullish turnaround after declining for much of this year, and some strategists are watching for how its recent gains will impact equity markets domestically and abroad.
Should this bounce continue, domestic markets […]
Do Events in Countries Like Spain Really Affect Your Investments?
Separatist movements in Europe threaten the stability of the second largest economy in the world, that of the European Union. The most recent issue is a vote for independence from Spain by people in Barcelona and the province of Catalonia. But, do events in countries like Spain really affect your investments? There are two factors here. One is that if you have foreign direct investments in nations like Spain you should pay attention. And if you are invested in European stocks you should care also. But what if your investments are entirely onshore? Then do events in countries like Spain […]
Who Is Right about Tax Cuts, Republicans or Economists?
The same folks who jumped on the stock market bandwagon the day after Trump’s election are excited again. Bloomberg writes that the possibility of tax cuts is making waves in the stock market.
Amid FANG flu and another trash rally, a trade tied to Donald Trump has come quietly back into vogue with U.S. equity investors.
The rally reincarnates a trade that ascended after the November election and then died. Arousing interest is Trump’s focus on one of his signature campaign promises to domestic businesses. He and Republican congressional leaders plan to preview their bill on Wednesday and the president said he […]
Does Following Warren Buffett’s Investments Really Do Any Good?
Every so often we read an article about how you should invest like Warren Buffett in order to achieve success in the stock market. But, does following Warren Buffett’s investments really do any good or is it simply better to imitate his approach? After all when Buffet invests a few billion in a company its price commonly goes up. And, investing just after the stock price goes up is not an especially good idea. The Street just published an article about how to invest like Warren Buffett.
In a letter to his Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A – Get Report) (BRK.B – Get […]
What Companies Will Do Better for You than Amazon or Netflix?
As an overpriced market shows sign of a correction where can you put your money next? What companies will do better for you than Amazon or Netflix? We recently wrote about if there are any investment bargains these days and looked at small cap stocks, offshore investing and little-followed stocks where you can be ahead of the pack. CNBC looks at life sciences stocks that could make Amazon and Netflix look dull.
The obscure S&P life sciences subsector is up 41 percent this year compared to the less than 36 percent gain in Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Alphabet, on an equal-weighted […]
Are You a Passive or Active Investor?
As the stock market rally grows older the time will come when the high tech and large cap stocks that are leading will have problems. Then passive investors who simply put money in a fund that tracks the S&P 500 will be in trouble. Are you a passive or active investor? Do you just let the market do your thinking or do you do intrinsic stock value analysis of the items in your portfolio? According to CNBC active is now outpacing passive investing.
In the perennial race between active and passive investment management, there are signs of a shift. After several […]
Weakening Dollar Makes Some Investments Attractive
The US dollar is on a persistent downward slide. Investopedia notes that the greenback has broken a technical support level and could fall a lot more. The dollar’s plunge is, however, good for other investment opportunities.
The U.S. dollar Index has broken a critical technical support level that could lead to a sharp decline, according to a technical analysis, falling as much as 13 percent from current levels. That retreat promises to boost stocks, oil, gold and affect other asset classes.
This is a dramatic turnaround from a few months ago when U.S. Treasury yields and the dollar jumped following the election […]