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Stocks closed modestly higher on increased volume. Stock meandered in a tight range for the entire session. Each of the major indices finished in higher territory, as smaller cap stocks showed the most resiliency. By the close, the small-cap Russell 2000 (NYSEARCA:IWM) added 0.6%, while the S&P Read more…
For a second consecutive day, stocks gapped down but climbed their way back to close near session highs. After undercutting Wednesday’s lows, four of the five major indices ended up on the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (NYSEARCA:DIA) was the lone holdout, as it finished the day fractionally Read more…
David Fry: This posting features a comprehensive review of the large cap ETF sector. To simplify matters for investors, and to be consistent with previous practices, we’ve highlighted what we feel are the top 10 choices in this category. Doing so makes sorting through the sector more manageable Read more…
Fidelity Investments announced on Wednesday that it has added a five more iShares exchange traded funds to its free trading program. Fidelity now offers its brokerage customers free trading on 30 ETFs all managed by BlackRock’s iShares unit, up from 25 when the partnership began Read more…
IDV, IJH, IJJ, IJK, IJR, IJS, IJT, IVE, IVV, IVW, IWB, IWD, IWF, IWM, IWN, IWO, IWV, IYR, LQD, MUB, NASDAQ:ACWI, NASDAQ:ACWX, NYSE:AGG, NYSE:DVY, NYSE:EEM, NYSE:EFA, NYSE:EMB, NYSE:HYG, SCZ, TIP
As ETFs have burst on to the scene in recent years and worked their way into the investing mainstream, the number of products available and complexity of exposure offered has increased Read more…
IVV, IWB, NYSE:BRF, NYSE:BXDD, NYSE:ERO, NYSE:EU, NYSE:EWZ, NYSE:FAS, NYSE:FXE, NYSE:FZB, RSP, RWL, SPY, USO, VFH, XLF
Morningstar’s Paul Justice and Mike Rawson discuss the differences among the major index families and how to manage market exposures and taxes using ETF holdings. Specifically, they focus on the Dow Jones family of indexes, Standard & Poor’s, Russell, and MSCI. They explain that when you buy a Read more…
Leveraged ETFs spilt the opinions of the ETF community. Some love them, others hate them. One thing is for sure, leveraged ETFs are powerful tools with the potential to make you rich or poor,in a hurry. Here are a few lessons that will help you avoid getting creamed.
Do you like fine cars? The BMW M6 has become the dream car for many. The epitome of German engineering comes with a dual power setting. A mysterious power button that sits in the center console, offers the instant gratification to boost the engine’s power from 400 hp to 507 hp. Read more…
There has been much talk about an economic recovery lately. Without analyzing WHETHER a recovery is even validated, the focus of attention has shifted to the actual shape of a recovery. Rather than getting caught up by wishful thinking, we actually bothered to take a look at the big picture. Sooner or later, the missing link in the above chain of reasoning will become painfully obvious…..
Those who fail to learn from history…
This bear market has often been compared to the 1972-1974, or 1980-1982 bear. The 80’s bear was fairly shallow with a 27% decline in the S&P 500 (NYSEArca: IVV). The 70’s bear did send the S&P 500 tumbling by 48%. So far, the current bear market has melted the Dow Jones (top to bottom) 55%. This exceeds the 70’s and 80’s bear, and makes them unsuitable for comparison purposes. Read more…
Investors are suffering from Howie Mandel’s “Deal or no Deal syndrome:” You never know what’s next, the banker is always against you and models (Wall Street puppets) can’t give any profitable tips. Read this article to find out when to hold’em and when to fold’em.
Aside from the one million dollar price, investing in the markets has been somewhat like contending on Howie Mandel’s Deal or no Deal. Wall Street analysts and economist have given investors about as much profitable guidance about where the market’s going as Howie’s 26 models about where the million is hidden – none!
Unlike Howie’s guests, investors “play” with their own money, they have “skin in the game.” This market meltdown translates into more than just a few less cases (and ladies) to choose from. This is serious stuff, stuff that affects everyday life.
Unlike Howie’s contestants, each and every one of us knows how much our case of money (portfolio) is worth. The question is, should we cash in and protect what we have or “gamble” for higher values?
Today’s Wall Street “models”
Economist and Wall Street were just as baffled by the market meltdown as Jim Cramer and the likes who insist that nobody could’ve foreseen this turn of events.
At this point though, there is nothing we can do to undo the S&P’s (NYSEArca: SPY) and Russell 1000’s (NYSEArca: IWB) 50%+ top-to bottom drop. Rather than raising sunken ships to calm the storm, let’s fortify our ships. In other words, what did we learn that will protect our life savings in the future?
First and foremost, we need to remember not to allow our judgment to be clouded by complacency. As this rally continues, investors will grow more confident about a continuation of this rally. This entitlement of profits to come was the exactly sentiment that led to the post October ’07 meltdown. Be aware of a repeat!
Dr. Doom turns soft
In September 2006, Mr. Roubini, one of the few and probably the most popular economist who early on saw the writing on the wall, said that the United States was likely to face a once-in-a-lifetime housing bust, an oil shock, sharply declining consumer confidence and, ultimately, a deep recession.
Full Story: http://www.etfguide.com/research/155/8/Deal-Or-No-Deal-–-Cash-Or-Stocks?/
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