You've probably heard about hedge funds, those super-secretive private pools where millionaires stash their money. Yes, sometimes they blow up. But many hedge funds have a long history of good returns in all market conditions. They do this by combining sophisticated trading techniques with long and short positions in various markets. The problem is that the best hedge funds aren't available to everyday investors in small amounts. Words: 1078
Read More »9 Ways to Invest in the S&P 500 – With a Twist (+2K Views)
Many ETFs now present unique approaches to stock and bond investing by tweaking popular and widely-followed benchmarks. The very first ETF, the S&P 500 SPDR (SPY), remains by far the largest U.S.-listed ETF, reflecting investor familiarity with the underlying benchmark, but there are now approximately 30 other issuers now competing for a slice of this still-growing pie. Words: 789
Read More »How to Design An Objective ‘Stop Loss’ Method (+2K Views)
No one ever likes to lose money and one of the best ways to do so is to set, in advance, at what point you are going to sell your security. You can either do it by simply setting a $ price point or a % decline point at which to sell. Such an approach is fraught with emotion and procrastination. There is a more objective way to accomplish the same objective. Words: 636
Read More »5 Major Market Myths Exposed! (+2K Views)
Robert Precther recently published a list of market myths for his subscribers which I'm sure he won't mind if I review the lessons he voices in his article with you, borrowing from his excellent research to help make the arguments. Recognizing these market myths are critical to your success as an investor. Words: 1266
Read More »Dividend Growth and Sustainability Crucial in Any High-Yield Stock Selection (2K Views)
I like to hold stocks with different yield/dividend growth characteristics where yields are somewhere between 3% and 5% and dividend growth is in the upper single digits or in the double digits. Words: 671
Read More »Protect Profits and Reduce Risk With These Gold and U.S. Dollar ETFs (+2K Views)
If you believe further political disruptions around the world will likely occur in 2010 and/or 2011 and that we will also likely see inflation begin to rise within the next 12 months then we should see higher gold prices. Furthermore, if the economy falters once again, many investors will sell their common stocks and put their money in gold pushing the price up even further. Words: 779
Read More »Warren Buffett: Diversification is Nothing More Than Protection Against Ignorance (+3K Views)
NOT putting all your eggs in one basket makes intuitive sense to many investors. Indeed, evidence indicates that putting more eggs in your basket may actually crack your portfolio, not protect it. Words: 515
Read More »Hess: $140 Oil was NOT an Aberration – It was a Warning! (+2K Views)
Once economic growth recovers, it is likely we will return to the market conditions of 2008. The price of $140 per barrel oil was not an aberration; it was a warning. An oil crisis is coming that could prove devastating to future economic growth. Given the long lead times of 5-to-10 years from oil discovery to production, we need to act now to avert this outcome. Words: 862
Read More »Tantalum: How Tantalizing (+3K Views)
From what we know about the many and growing market applications for tantalum, the impending supply shortage of tantalum, the present low price for tantalum and the historic high price tantalum commanded just a few years ago it is evident that the future price of tantalum has no where to go but up – big time! Words: 624
Read More »The Long Term Direction of the USD Will Affect Your Investments – Here’s How (+2K Views)
The only place to be is in the stock market, because if the markets go up 10% and the dollar goes down 5% you are still ahead of the game. You are combating the weakness in the dollar by increasing the number of dollars you have at a much higher rate than the dollar is devaluing. Words: 1023
Read More »