Approaching Neutral
The major stock market indexes tacked on more losses last week, even though markets were only open for three-and-a-half days and trading was relatively light. The Nasdaq closed the week 4.3% lower, the Dow was down 4.4%, and the S&P 500 lost But...
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The list of stocks hitting highs right now is thin, but many of the ones that are are REITs. Why are REITs doing so well while the rest of the market tanks?
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Ready For Whatever Comes Next
The stock market is trying to pull itself together as October ends. Following Friday’s massive selloff, bargain hunters attempted to take control Monday, but selling pressures overwhelmed the rally and all three major indexes closed lower once again. Yesterday’s had...
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A Change in Leadership
Despite occasional hiccups, the stock market’s main trend is up. However, the advance has changed character a bit. We’re seeing investors rotate out of the growth stocks that had, until recently, led the market higher, and into more undervalued or names...
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At New All-Time Highs
The market is strong: the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are at all-time highs, and most stocks and sectors are participating.
The strength of the market made the selection of this month’s new addition challenging. The strong stocks on my watchlist have higher...
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Earnings Season Begins
Earnings season has begun. As usual, that means we’ll see larger-than-usual moves in stocks, many of which will turn out to be short term. Don’t overreact, stick to your plan, and be patient—do this and you’ll be fine.
Big picture, the stock is...
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Proceed With Caution
The stock market stumbled this week, and investors have turned more conservative, creating a number of ripples in the market. We’ve been discussing the divergences between growth stocks, conservative stocks and various sectors here for some time, and last week earnings were...
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Surprise!
The stock market had quieted down in recent weeks; the major indexes were establishing fairly tight ranges, a constructive sign. However, yesterday’s massive selloff in Italian bonds—triggered by political turmoil—caused a lot of unexpected moves, including big pullbacks in most stocks. It also treasury...
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Market Down, Rates Up
After turning lower at the end of last week, the broad market sold off sharply yesterday. The selloff followed Caterpillar’s (CAT) earnings call, during which management lowered their guidance for the rest of 2018. Combined with some other factors, the triggered...
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A Garden-Variety Correction ... Probably
After developing some cracks earlier this month, the broad market rolled over last week; the major indexes all closed the week down over 5%. The S&P 500 closed just a few points above its February low, while the Dow a..
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Back in Black
After a panicky start to February, markets pulled themselves together over the past two weeks. Volatility declined and the major indexes all ended higher last week.
The all-clear hasn’t sounded yet, but our market-timing expert, Mike Cintolo, says that once all the indexes...
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Don’t Overreact
After closing at record highs on Friday, the major indexes finally started to pull back this week. The pullback is making headlines because even 1% dips in the market have been so rare recently, but it’s still quite minor—and completely expected after a..
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2017 Ending On A High Note
The bull market remains healthy as we approach the end of the year; all three major indexes closed at record highs Monday. Markets cooled off a bit yesterday though, led by declines in real estate and utilities stocks.
Both are...
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New All-Time Highs
After a quick shakeout the week before Thanksgiving, the major indexes are back at all-time highs. Strong economic data is driving outperformance in economically-sensitive sectors like consumer discretionary, materials and industrial stocks, while the “risk off” consumer staples and real estate are...
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Preferred shares are one pocket of the fixed income market where investors can still typically find reasonable yields without taking on undue risk.
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This four-star-rated fund has a dividend yield of 2.83%, paid quarterly.
Fidelity Total Bond (FTBFX)
from Fidelity Monitor & Insight
Duration for Fidelity Total Bond (FTBFX) is about five years. This suggests that a one percentage point rise in rates would send the fund down 5%. an...
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One month ago, unable to pay its debts with an ever-dwindling supply of cash flow, the city of Detroit filed for bankruptcy, becoming the largest American city ever to do so. The filing left holders of $369 million in G.O. (general obligation) bonds by...
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Traditionally, investors thinking about retirement have invested in a mix of stocks and bonds to balance safety and growth.
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