Investing

Macroeconomic news supposedly explains only about one fifth of the movement in stock prices but if there is no accommodating theory, then the presumed causality involved is tenuous at best. Let me explain.

Q: Is it correct to assume throughout that an expanding trade deficit impacts the economy negatively? A: No, the relationship, if there is one, is that there has been a positive -- not negative -- correlation between the stock market and the trade deficit. Let me explain.

A sensible story of causation regarding oil prices and stock prices made by countless economists is that "rising oil prices increase the cost of energy and therefore reduce corporate profits and consumers' spending power, thus putting drags on stock prices and the economy." Stunningly, as far as I can determine, however, no evidence supports that claim, as the discussion below will show.

We search the internet every day for the most informative articles which we then edit, abridge and re-format, where necessary, and then post on munKNEE.com so our millions of readers can quickly & easily read the latest - and best - financial articles available. It has become the internet's go-to site for those in the know.

We are bombarded by a cacophony of poorly thought out and poorly written and presented economic, financial and investment "information" every day of our extremely busy and complicated lives. No wonder we miss some great articles in the process. Don't worry, though, because we have the time and resources to do it for you. Below are several articles from this week that you probably missed which are well worth your attention. Enjoy.

One of the great myths about investing that we’re told by the mainstream investment education is that we should “buy and hold” for the long term [but, as this article will explain,] it’s time to move on from the mainstream. There’s too much technology and too many global options now to be lulled into conventional investments that are born to lose.

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.

If we have an official Hindenburg Omen then a critical set of market conditions necessary for a stock market crash exists - and such occurred on Dec.2nd. We now have a much higher-than-random probability of a stock market crash, or at the very least a significant decline, starting sometime over the next four months.

Many investors are absolutely certain stocks and bonds are both going to get killed once the Fed finally does decide to raise rates. The historical record, however, doesn’t clearly back up that argument. Let me explain.

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.