At the absolute peak of the 2003-2007 global bull market for stocks, 900 South Korean “won” purchased one U.S. dollar. Near the 2008-2009 bear market low, the South Korean “won” had depreciated to the point where one required 1500 for the right to a single greenback. (That comes close to rivaling the Asian currency crisis of [...] Continue Reading...
Many bears were looking for Q2 earnings season to validate their certainty about a ”double-dip” recession. Yet with Intel having its best profits in more than a decade, as well as the expression of earnings optimism going forward, bearish prognosticators have had to regroup. So what happens if the folks at Google demonstrate excitement about their prospects? Could Technology ETFs be [...] Continue Reading...
Corporations continue to post phenomenal earnings. And yet, macro-economic reports continue to register weaker-than-expected numbers. It’s a battle for the soul of the investing public. Do you believe that strength at classic cyclical organizations (e.g., Intel, Alcoa, etc.) will lead to improvement in hiring, consumption and overall GDP? This would likely be bullish for stock assets. Or do you anticipate [...] Continue Reading...
Materials ETFs, Energy ETFs, Australia ETFs, Brazil ETFs, Bond ETFs Click here to listen to the show: 7-14-10 Continue Reading...
At its low moment for 2010, the S&P 500 had forfeited 17% of its bull mareenket gains. The heralded U.S. gauge has since rallied back to a more tolerable 10% correction level. What are the reasons for a renewed interest in risk assets? Credit the appearance of less uncertainty, from BP’s capping of the oil gusher [...] Continue Reading...
Some writers have suggested getting exposure to Japan ETFs. Most see corporate earnings exceeding expectations. And the iShares MSCI Japan Fund (EWJ) is unhedged such that, a strengthening yen against the dollar translates into more investor profit for EWJ owners. Yet moving into Japanese equities is hardly a no-brainer. Anti-incumbent politics, deflation, slow growth, export challenges in light of strong yen, [...] Continue Reading...
The SPDR Gold fund (GLD) is not likely to lose its top spot on the precious metals podium anytime soon. GLD has $53 billion in holdings while its next competitor for yellow metal assets, the iShares Gold ETF (IAU), only has $3.4 billion. Nevertheless, BlackRock has made an impressive pitch for assets by cutting its expense ratio nearly 40%. The iShares [...] Continue Reading...
Like many investment advisers, I watched Maria Bartiromo’s interview of Alan Greenspan last Thursday. Without a doubt, the former Federal Reserve chairman can move markets with a single slip of the tongue. Unlike my colleagues in investment management, however, I wasn’t particularly interested in Alan’s assessment of the U.S. economy. Predictions, even Alan’s predictions, are notoriously suspect. (Incidentally, he believes [...] Continue Reading...
Utility ETFs are known for 3 big things: (1) Less risk, (2) Less risk and (3) Less risk. The reputation comes about from the perception that a higher income stream from highly regulated industries (e.g., water, electricity, gas, etc.) may offset price volatility. Moreover, there’s a lower correlation to the S&P 500, benefiting one’s overall [...] Continue Reading...
Emerging Asia ETFs, Emerging South America ETFs, Emerging ETFs, European ETFs Surprise Rebound Click here to listen to the show: 7-11-10 Continue Reading...
