Stocks & ETFunds

While 36% of mutual funds, on average, have outperformed their benchmarks (after fees) over the past 10 years, the truth of the matter is that only 43% of mutual funds have outperformed the S&P 500 so far in 2015. In other words, 57% of funds are still underperforming the market this year. Here's why.

According to Tobin’s Q, equities in the U.S. are valued about 10% above the cost of replacing their underlying assets -- higher than any time other than the Internet bubble and the 1929 peak. Here's why.

Q. What drives stock prices? The most literal and superficial analysis reveals it to be simply supply and demand...but there are different ratios and metrics that help us figure why that is the case and they are all outlined in this infographic.

Microcap stocks are inherently volatile, but for those that can stomach it, there is a big profit opportunity. Furthermore, hidden in the market are companies that do have game changing plans or discoveries that could see their valuations rise more than 10x (a ten-bagger, as industry people call it). The key is being able to put in the time, due diligence, and using the right strategy to discover these companies. This infographic covers some of the ins and outs of trading such stocks.

There is compelling evidence that the gold mining sector is either at, or very close to, a major bottom, and the chances are high that the sector will rally strongly this year. Here's why.

Even though the fact that we are in the midst of an absolutely insane financial bubble should be glaringly obvious to anyone with half a brain, the above referred to skeptics have convinced themselves that the current state of affairs can persist indefinitely. Sadly, it looks like what is about to hit us in 2015 is going to serve as a very rude wake up call for them and for the millions of other Americans that currently have their heads in the sand.

Sooner or later, the Federal Reserve will begin normalizing monetary policy, which means higher interest rates are coming, and this has investors rightfully worried because higher rates mean higher interest costs, which should be bad for profits and ultimately stocks. New research, however, suggests that a severe S&P reaction to such hikes is to be expected. Here's why.

How can you not be scared sh*tless about the future of the financial world given the fact that most S&P 500 companies are spending almost all of their profits on buybacks and payouts and, given the power finance has gathered over the real world, how can you not be scared about your own future? I’m open to suggestions, but I don’t see it. Why? Because I think that what we’re looking at here is the imminent demise of the corporate world, and therefore the financial world, and the entire U.S. economy as we know it. Let me explain.

I have seen the light. I have seen the error of my ways. At long last, I understand. This stock market is a great investment. Stocks are just going to keep going up and up and up and up. Anyone who doesn’t buy now is a fool. I have learned to love the bull market. Yeah, sure!

We look at this market and we see "too much." Too much divergence, too much complacency, too much embedded downside risk…the list goes on and covers many things. Let's make the rounds and see what we find [and what it means for the immediate well-being of the various stock markets.]