Archive for May, 2010

  • A Little Perspective
    , May 20th, 2010 at 2:57 pm

    You know how the markets are crashing today? Well, let’s take a small step back:

  • Sector Groups This Afternoon
    , May 20th, 2010 at 2:23 pm

    Here’s how the different industry group ETFs are performing as of this afternoon: Healthcare -2.33% Staples -2.34% Utilities -2.35% Technology -2.68% Discretionaires -3.21% Financials -3.48% [...]

  • Attention Income Investors
    , May 20th, 2010 at 2:21 pm

    Reynolds American (RAI) now yield 6.9%. I know Europeans like to smoke, but sheesh! Remember this is a company that recently beat expectations. There’s no [...]

  • The VIX Spikes Over 42
    , May 20th, 2010 at 10:30 am

    The Volatility Index (^VIX) is currently over 42 which is close to where it was two weeks ago during the Flash Crash. Two items are [...]

  • Hold on Tight!
    , May 20th, 2010 at 9:42 am

    We’re getting very close to our Flash Crash low of 1065. Of the 500 stocks in the S&P 500, 490 are lower today. Once again, [...]

  • Yesterday's Strategy Session
    , May 19th, 2010 at 1:43 pm

    I want to thank Charles Kirk for bringing me on yesterday’s Strategy Session. In case you missed it, here it is. I also wanted to [...]

  • Yesterday’s Strategy Session
    , May 19th, 2010 at 1:43 pm

    I want to thank Charles Kirk for bringing me on yesterday’s Strategy Session. In case you missed it, here it is. I also wanted to [...]

  • Core Inflation at 44-Year Low
    , May 19th, 2010 at 12:12 pm

    Today’s consumer inflation report showed that year-over-year core inflation (which excludes food and energy prices) reached a 44-year low. Over the past 12 months, core [...]

  • S&P 500 Nears 200-DMA
    , May 19th, 2010 at 11:50 am

    The S&P 500 is close to its 200-day moving average. This is simply the average of the last 200 trading days. I’ve mentioned that I’m [...]

  • S&P 500 Nears 200-DMA
    , May 19th, 2010 at 11:50 am

    The S&P 500 is close to its 200-day moving average. This is simply the average of the last 200 trading days. I’ve mentioned that I’m [...]

  • Aflac Reaffirms Guidance
    , May 19th, 2010 at 10:29 am

    I’ve mentioned before that one of the great overlooked aspects of investing is when a company reaffirms its guidance. Most people shrug it off and [...]

  • Eaton Vance’s Earnings Report
    , May 19th, 2010 at 9:41 am

    This morning, Eaton Vance (EV) reported second-quarter earnings of 29 cents per share: Asset manager Eaton Vance Corp reported on Wednesday higher quarterly profit after [...]

  • Wednesday Morning News
    , May 19th, 2010 at 9:22 am

    Allen Stanford wants out of prison. He claims he’s been “savagely beaten.” Look dude, you’d get pretty much the same on the outside. Protesters Set [...]

  • Another Defeat for Efficient Markets
    , May 18th, 2010 at 3:19 pm

    It’s happening again. Bloomberg has a great article today about an ugly kick-back scheme involving CDR Financial Products. As a result, shares of the ticker [...]

  • Thought for the Day
    , May 18th, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    From John Tierney’s review of “The Rational Optimist” by Matt Ridley: “Forget wars, religions, famines and poems for the moment,” Dr. Ridley writes. “This is [...]

  • First in Business Worldwide
    , May 18th, 2010 at 11:30 am

  • Please Join Us for Today’s Strategy Session
    , May 18th, 2010 at 10:17 am

    Charles Kirk, who runs the invaluable Kirk Report, has graciously invited me to participate in today’s online Strategy Session. Beginning at noon, Charles and I [...]

  • Home Depot Beats By Five Cents a Share
    , May 18th, 2010 at 9:12 am

    Today it was Home Depot’s (HD) turn to report earnings and the company did very well: Home Depot reported a profit of $725 million, or [...]

  • Buffett Rebalances His Portfolio
    , May 18th, 2010 at 8:58 am

    From Bloomberg: Berkshire eliminated its stake in health insurers WellPoint Inc. and UnitedHealth Group Inc., lender SunTrust Banks Inc. and property-casualty carrier Travelers Cos., the [...]

  • The Bears Are Growling
    , May 17th, 2010 at 5:42 pm

    CNBC has a poll up asking if the Dow will reach 5,000 this year (by the way, it’s mid-May). An amazing 40% said it will. [...]