Archive for October, 2010

/Quick Point/ – Fed Succeeds by Talking – Growing Signs of Inflation

Monday, October 25th, 2010
/Quick Point/ – Fed Succeeds by Talking – Growing Signs of Inflation

The Federal Reserve (Chair Ben Bernanke, in particular) would like a tad more inflation and thinks its plan to buy bonds could accomplish that goal. Now there are signs that just talking about it has done the trick. Here are three examples: »

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It’s Time To Turn Off Value Screening

Thursday, October 21st, 2010
It’s Time To Turn Off Value Screening

About two months ago, we were discussing the benefits of value stock screening. Since then, the market has moved higher, and most of the stocks we found no longer pass the screens. »

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/Quick Point/ – China’s Interest Rate Hike Is Good for the US

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010
/Quick Point/ – China’s Interest Rate Hike Is Good for the US

China took a positive step yesterday that will benefit not only itself, but also all those countries engaged economically with it, including the US. Here’s why… »

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The Fed’s QE2 Decision – Let’s Hope It Includes an Exit Strategy

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010
The Fed’s QE2 Decision – Let’s Hope It Includes an Exit Strategy

Fed watching is in high gear, looking for signs that the Federal Reserve will initiate “Quantitative Easing 2” (QE2): Buying more bonds to keep interest rates low, foster economic growth and boost employment. Then there is the widespread discussion of how the news – whatever the decision – will affect the bond and stock... »

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Prepare for Turn: Macro/Passive Out and Selective/Active In

Monday, October 18th, 2010
Prepare for Turn: Macro/Passive Out and Selective/Active In

Macro investing is losing its grip on investment returns as “global” twists and turns (and frights) diminish in importance. In its place is a growing realization that security selection is back – that there is good money to be made by correctly separating the winners from the pack. Therefore, expect macro investing to give... »

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Foreclosure ‘Mess’ Negatives Are Exaggerated and Positives Are Ignored

Friday, October 15th, 2010
Foreclosure ‘Mess’ Negatives Are Exaggerated and Positives Are Ignored

Typical of this year’s one-sided analyses, the foreclosure slowdown is being dressed up as a terrible blow to both the real estate market and the banks. Not only are the adverse effects overstated, but also there is little mention of the beneficial effects. Looking at what’s happening without the hype shows a much less... »

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Bondholder Alert: Disconcerting News from the Federal Reserve

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010
Bondholder Alert: Disconcerting News from the Federal Reserve

Fed Vice Chair states the obvious. Two lessons learned: Easy money can lead to leverage and speculation Markets cannot be counted on to self-correct Wow! That reaction is not for the lessons. It’s for the admission that the Fed had to relearn them. US financial history is filled with examples. Indeed, the Federal Reserve... »

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The Wall Street Journal Turns Bullish

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010
The Wall Street Journal Turns Bullish

Yesterday’s piece about the shortage of business news in The Wall Street Journal’s front (“A”) section recently (“No News Is Good News for the US Stock Market” – October 11) changed radically today. The paper is filled with business news – and virtually all of it is bullish. Even the “but” statements have reversed... »

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/Quick Point/ – No News Is Good News for the US Stock Market

Monday, October 11th, 2010
/Quick Point/ – No News Is Good News for the US Stock Market

WSJ now focusing on politics and foreign affairs The stock market’s rise back to its March/April levels means none of those intervening headlines and articles filled with dire warnings panned out (e.g., Greece/Europe/Euro, Goldman lawsuit/financial industry, BP oil spill/Florida/east cost/oil industry and double dip/deflation). »

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/Quick Point/ – Alcoa Provides Important, Positive Indicator

Friday, October 8th, 2010
/Quick Point/ – Alcoa Provides Important, Positive Indicator

Alcoa’s earnings report had better news than expected. »

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Verizon: iPhone! 4G! Stock market: Yawn. Why?

Friday, October 8th, 2010
Verizon: iPhone! 4G! Stock market: Yawn. Why?

Today’s stock market is a wonderful time to select and buy stocks. Even with the nice rise since Wall Streeters returned from their summer vacations, the investor activity shows no evidence of speculative fever. In fact, “asleep at the switch” would be a more apt description. The Verizon (VZ) situation is a perfect case... »

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Fall Earnings Season Starts – What to Watch For

Thursday, October 7th, 2010
Fall Earnings Season Starts – What to Watch For

I have described this earnings period as an important third hurdle (out of three) to get the stock market back on track. What should we watch for, and what would make this earnings season a successful one? »

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/Quick Point/ – Goldman Sachs Says Sell Bonds, Buy Stocks

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010
/Quick Point/ – Goldman Sachs Says Sell Bonds, Buy Stocks

Paraphrasing the tag line in the old EF Hutton ad, “When Goldman Sachs speaks, investors listen.” »

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Why the Stock Market’s Rise Is Important

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010
Why the Stock Market’s Rise Is Important

Why did the US stock market go up in September? Mainly, because some heavyweight investors decided it was time to buy. That reason may sound obvious, but, in this investing environment, it is significant. More important than their actions are their motives. »

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/Quick Point/ – Market Rises. Small Investors To Stop Selling?

Friday, October 1st, 2010
/Quick Point/ – Market Rises. Small Investors To Stop Selling?

From The Wall Street Journal’s front-page “Business & Finance” column today: »

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