Yellow lights may not signal that a driver should slam on the brakes. On the other hand, anyone who has ever pushed the pedal to the floor to make it through an intersection has been burned by a speeding ticket or three in his/her lifetime. Similarly, when warning signs appear, investors should not abandon every exchange-traded [...] Continue Reading...
Over the last 3 months, U.S. small cap stocks as well as foreign and emerging market small caps logged spectacular profits. Moreover, they beat the pants off of larger-cap competition. Consider the recent highs in various price ratios. For instance, SPDR S&P Emerging Market Small Cap (EWX):iShares MSCI Emerging Markets (EEM) demonstrates increasing relative strength for [...] Continue Reading...
Daily sentiment can change on a “Susan B. Anthony.” For instance, in the time that Prime Minister Mario Monti has held the reins of control in Italy, global markets have felt better about the prospect of the European Union holding itself together. At the start of Monday’s trading, in fact, stock assets around the world [...] Continue Reading...
Interest Rates & ETFs, Europe & ETFs, Financial ETFs, ETFs & the Housing Market, The Sequester & ETFs, Defense Sector ETFs Click here to listen to the show: 2-24-2012 Continue Reading...
U.S. stocks (S&P 500) have packed on Olympic-sized gains through the initial eight weeks of 2013. Fed policy uncertainty aside, 6%-plus capital appreciation on low volatility is impressive by any measure. The bulk of the run-up is attributable to industries tied to economic growth and enhancement. Sector ETFs that represent financials, industrials, technology and energy have [...] Continue Reading...
Bullish commentators have been busy admonishing those who might be cautious. Their reasoning? Long-term investors should focus on the signs that point to stable economic growth in the U.S., a recovery in China as well as unwavering stimulus by the Federal Reserve. Besides, with Treasuries offering more risk than reward, where else are you going [...] Continue Reading...
The closest thing to bipartisanship in the presidency of Barrack Obama may have come a few weeks ago. Eight prominent Senators — four Democrats and four Republicans — have been crafting an immigration reform bill that many believe could eventually become law. However, finding common ground on economic issues has eluded members of Congress for years. [...] Continue Reading...
International Markets & ETFs, Domestic Markets & ETFs, Inflationary ETFs, ETFs for Overbought Markets, Dividend ETFs Click here to listen to the show: 2-17-2012 Continue Reading...
As long as interest rates remain low, excess money eventually moves into riskier areas on the spectrum. Higher yielding bonds, convertibles, preferreds, stocks… they all benefit. Of course, if fewer people buy treasuries because they pursue greater risks, the Federal Reserve must continue to offset waning demand. Is $85 billion per month enough? It better be. Consider [...] Continue Reading...
The Guggenheim Insider Sentiment ETF (NFO) has been around long enough to demonstrate its chops. During one of the worst downturns in U.S. history (10/07-3/09), both NFO and the S&P 500 SPDR Trust (SPY) reached a similar bottom at a similar pace. Buying-n-holding either one of these exchange-traded trackers was a recipe for ridicule. During the bull [...] Continue Reading...
