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Investment Mojo
Beware False Prophets Bearing Profits
Investment adviser write-ups can give us valuable insights, particularly in times like these. Remembering that honesty and humility are key characteristics of top advisers, we can use their newsletters, articles and blogs to judge those qualities. »
Trading Strategies for Today’s Markets
Last Thursday’s 1,000-point air pocket provided an excellent testing environment for various trading strategies. Here are the ones to avoid and the ones to use. »
Watching Investments Closely Can Blur Understanding and Increase Sense of Risk
Last week left a bad taste in many investors’ mouths. The stock market’s Tuesday and Friday drops created a sense of uncertainty. After steady gains over the preceding weeks, doubt returned. There is one factor that can accentuate this feeling of being at risk – and we can do something about it. »
Three Reading Tips for Gaining Investing Insight
The overwhelming growth of information has not been matched by our ability to assimilate it. So, how do we allocate our limited reading time? Here are three tips to optimize the value gained from reading. »
Five Articles Describe Why Investors Can Now Focus on Growth, Not Risk
The economy is humming? It certainly looks like it. And that activity is spreading elsewhere. Here are five recent articles with selected quotes that underline what is happening and show that the US stock market hasn’t run ahead of the fundamentals. »
Closed-End Funds Selling at Discounts Offer Bonus Returns
Last month, I wrote, “Closed-End Funds – Structure and Price Discount Add to Potential Returns” (March 12), in which I described the benefit of the closed-end structure for portfolio managers and investors. Today, I want to explain why funds selling at a discount represent more than an opportunity to make an added gain if... »
Four Stocks That Illustrate Contrarian Investing in This Market
Contrarian investing is a key approach to earning superior returns. Most often considered appropriate for a value approach, “contrarian” aids all successful investors and investment managers, regardless of their particular style. I have written about contrarian investing and its importance in past articles (e.g., see the four-part series beginning with “It’s Time To Be... »
52-Week Highs in Today’s Stock Market – Commonplace, but a Useful Buying Tool
Do a search for news reports containing the phrase, “52-week high,” and you will get about 5,000 hits. Check the latest Barron’s for new highs and lows (March 22, “Market Laboratory – Stocks,” page M-46), and you will find sixteen columns of companies in small type font. The count: »
Out-of-sync, Negative Pundits Are Getting Louder – So, Stay Positive
It’s called “fighting the tape.” In this market, that means bearish advisers and short-sellers who refuse to admit that they missed the boat. Good news and positive trends are dismissed or ignored, and new negatives are touted as the drivers of the next smashup, just around the corner. Here is one example… »
Pier 1 Imports – An Example of How Percentage Gains Can Mislead
An investment manager was once asked how he liked being judged by performance numbers. He replied that he was fine with it – so long as he got to pick the beginning and ending points. We’re seeing articles written that do just that, particularly since we are now one year from the stock market’s... »
Avoid ‘Pre-news’ Whipsaw – Be Patient and Apolitical
What do the health care plan, Chinese currency exchange and Wall Street regulation have in common? They are all popular “pre-news” stories. Negotiating stances, trial balloons and political posturing are reported as news, but they are preliminary pronouncements that precede the real news – i.e., the final conclusion. Congress’ health care plan activity is... »
Closed-End Funds – Structure and Price Discount Add to Potential Returns
Yesterday, I listed four closed-end funds that invest in China. Such funds are well suited to specialized investing, like developing/emerging markets. In addition, there are market environments when closed-end funds in general offer price advantages. I believe now is one of those times. »
Another Way To Pick a Stock in Today’s Market – Think Growth
Wednesday, I outlined “12 Steps To Getting Your Investment Mojo Back.“ Then, yesterday I discussed finding stocks that meet the characteristics discussed under the “Take action” section, using a “spring and levers” approach. Today, I want to focus on growth. »
To Pick a Stock in Today’s Market, Think Spring and Levers
Yesterday, I outlined “12 Steps To Getting Your Investment Mojo Back“. Today, I want to discuss finding leading stocks that meet the characteristics discussed under the “Take action” section. »
12 Steps To Getting Your Investment Mojo Back
Remember when you liked owning US stocks? You researched stocks and/or fund managers – or hired a professional to do it for you. You diversified your portfolio to control risk. And you rebalanced your holdings periodically, keeping your long-term allocation in place. You may even have expanded your US stock holdings when the media... »
John Tobey on Seeking Alpha
