The Wall Street Journal just provided a big tip for investors: Buy value stocks. This tip was wrapped in a “contrarian” package, meaning they described well why investors are ignoring value. And whenever investors choose to pooh-pooh something, that is where we should look for potentially profitable investments. »
Archive for August, 2010
Home Sales Analysis Misses the Mark, Providing Buying Opportunities
Lower home sales articles were everywhere this week and were universally loud and dire. On Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal linked almost every market problem to home sales, starting with its front page article proclaiming, “Plunge in Home Sales Stokes Economy Fears” (By Sudeep Reddy and Nick Timiraos, August 25, page A-1). Here’s what... »
Scrambling for Income? Avoid Being Carried Away by the Crowd
The search for income is in high gear. With short-term investments providing little yield, investors are seeking out alternatives. There are large flows into all types of bonds, including riskier emerging market (third world) and low quality (junk). Even specialty securities like royalty trusts are finding wider appeal. Are these moves unhealthy and signs... »
Housing’s Health? Good Enough To Consider Buying Homebuilders
Early this year, I speculated that housing could show improvement this year – “A Robust Housing Market – 2010’s Biggest Surprise?” (January 7). While some might argue with the adjective, “robust,” housing has moved ahead due to the factors listed in the article as well as the government’s incentive plan. »
The Three-week Countdown to Stock Market’s 2011 Has Begun
Stock analysts and investment managers are preparing for the post-Labor Day move to 2011. They know the way to earn superior returns is to anticipate well, and that means not waiting until New Year’s Day. This move to the next year, like last year’s, is especially challenging because neither the economy nor the stock... »
Deflation – How It Can Exist Even As the Economy Recovers
Deflation is being presented as a force that trips up the economy. The simple reasoning: As prices fall, consumers and businesses postpone buying, thereby causing prices to fall further. Hence, a downward-spiraling cycle. Like many of the negative forecasts we have read over the past months, this one is overly simplistic. It ignores two... »
August Vacations and the Stock Market – A Need to Worry?
An article in The Wall Street Journal says this August might be a good time to be concerned. “Typically, the stock market does just fine in August, but every now and then, the month’s evil twin shows up. Given how nervous investors have become about the risk of deflation or renewed recession, they are... »
Home Sales Down but Prices Up – What Gives?
The latest housing reports show sales have slipped (particularly for new homes) since the April 30 expiration of the US government homebuyer incentive. Yet, the latest S&P/Case-Shiller data has house prices continuing to rise. Well, that’s not supposed to be how supply/demand works. Demand has clearly tapered off, and we know there continues to... »
Deflation – Experts’ Latest Scare Tactic
The big, bad forecasts refuse to die. It’s time to shoot (i.e., ignore) the messenger. We need to focus on what is really happening, not the latest scary scenario being pushed by an investment manager. The people furnishing frightening visions are not altruistic. When some wise investment manager issues a warning, question the motive... »