Emerging countries are growing so rapidly that their stock markets are beginning to look, well… less attractive? That’s what Blackrock’s Bob Doll, Fisher Investments’ Ken Fisher as well as Goldman Sachs are saying. What do I think? I think it may be accurate for the near-sighted investor, if not uncommonly ironic. In the big picture, though, countries with monstrous deficits, insane [...] Continue Reading...
10 out of 10 economists would agree… the German economy is heatlhier, wealthier and better off than its Eurozone parnters. With companies like BMW and Siemens, Germany recently posted its largest GDP growth since its reunification in 1992. And Goldman Sachs believes German stocks should be on your radar. Still, the consistent and pervasive sovereign debt problems of its neighbors may require ongoing German support for the Eurozone [...] Continue Reading...
In 2005 and 2006, the Federal Reserve’s quarter point interest rate hikes were too measured and too slow to curb real estate speculation. (Insert Greenspan blame here.) Moreover, our central bank hesitated to slash rates more rapidly at the first signs of economic contraction in Q4, 2007. (Insert Bernanke blame here.) Still, on a calendar year basis, 2007 was [...] Continue Reading...
Ben Stein is a respected voice in the financial world. Case in point, he will be a featured speaker at the Inside ETFs Conference in Florida this February. Given that we regularly hear individuals like John Bogle preach the benefits of indexing, while simultaneously slamming ETFs, we thought we would highlight Mr. Stein’s refreshing endorsement of exchange-traded fund use. Of course, [...] Continue Reading...
As of 1/5/2011, Consumer Discretionary ETFs became the weakest performing sector on a 1-month rolling return basis. One week later, on 1/12/2011, a high volume display of ”selling on strength” further victimized the collective well-being of consumer stocks. Nearly $200 million via block trading exited SPDR Select Consumer Discretionary (XLY) on Wednesday. The activity depleted XLY’s assets under management by roughly 8.5%, and it occurred [...] Continue Reading...
Technology ETFs have demonstrated strong relative strength over the last few months. Telecom ETFs…. hmmm, not so much. Yet the latest news that Apple will expand its delivery mechanism for the iPhone through Verizon may simultaneously benefit both sectors. Are you interested in other areas of the economy? Energy ETFs could benefit from rising oil prices, REIT ETFs could hitch a ride on the recent [...] Continue Reading...
The first round of earnings reports gave investors plenty of reasons to smile – from Tiffany’s outlook to Alcoa’s expectation-beater to KB Home’s profit. And yet, in spite of the S&P 500 visiting the 1276-1278 level on virtually every day of the New Year, resistance has kept stocks in check. Perhaps it’s not enough that Japan has joined China in offering to buy European debt. [...] Continue Reading...
Investment markets may have already factored in the probability of global economic expansion and acceleration. It follows that earnings season likely holds the key to whether or not the bull will stampede or stumble. If companies offer forward guidance that beats expectations, do you know which Sector ETFs might reap the biggest rewards? Some are looking at financials and consumer discretionary sub-sectors [...] Continue Reading...
Bullishness in the media is a bit extreme. Perhaps a few pundits should turn their attention to the high volume hit squads that have pounded on Chile (ECH), Indonesia (IDX), Peru (EPU), South Africa (EZA) and Thailand (THD). Top Emergers From 2010 Enter The Profit-Taking Zone? Approx 5 Days % iShares MSCI Chile (ECH) -10.0% Market Vectors Indonesia (IDX) -9.2% iShares MSCI Peru (EPU) -7.4% iShares MSCI South Africa (EZA) -5.2% iShares MSCI [...] Continue Reading...
Global Recovery ETFs, Income Producing ETFs, Small Cap ETFs, Asia ETFs Click here to listen to the show: 01-9-11 Continue Reading...
