U.S. stock markets have exhibited a high degree of volatility in recent weeks. There are lots of factors contributing to the turmoil, which will ebb and flow, probably for the rest of our lives. So let’s just circle back to why we’re here: here...
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Trade War Turmoil Trumps a Good Earnings Season
U.S. stock markets took quite a tumble in the last few business days. For those of you wondering, “Should I buy low?”, the answer to that question is usually “yes, but let’s first wait for the to...
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The Federal Reserve is expected to lower interest rates this week, with a likely announcement on July 31. The stock market has fully priced in a rate reduction, which means if the Fed fails to lower rates, investors can expect the market to for...
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Last week’s economic reports delivered good news, presuming that you are rooting for a stable or strong U.S. economy. June retail sales rose 0.4% vs. May, when economists expected an 0.2% increase; and retail sales also rose 3.4% vs. a year ago.
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From a stock market point of view, I suggest avoiding homebuilder stocks in the coming years. Companies that build single-family homes will be competing with a glut of existing homes on the market.
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The news media continues to whip investors into a frenzy over the direction of interest rates. Depending on where you look, you can find knowledgeable financial pundits making the case for steady, unchanging interest rates or for the Fed to lower the fed rate...
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More on the Baby Boomer Housing Forecast
In the June 18 update of Cabot Undervalued Stocks Advisor, I wrote about a very serious change in the housing market that could take place over the next decade, as Baby Boomers sell their big homes and to...
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Last week’s much-awaited pronouncement by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) turned out to be a big “nothing burger.” I did not personally expect a cut in the fed funds rate.
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All across America, but especially in the Northeast and the Midwest, Boomers will be putting their homes up for sale, and often leaving those areas for warmer climates.
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We’re looking at economic data that could push interest rates upward (rising food price inflation and business expansion) and we’re also looking at economic data that could push rates downward (GDP potentially falling due to China tariffs, and slowing employment numbers).
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Assessing the Retail Stock Landscape
After rising 25.3% from Christmas Eve 2018 through April 30, 2019, the S&P 500 stock index fell 6.6% in May. A pullback was clearly overdue, and there was plenty of fuel to keep investors on the edge of their Many...
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Many of our stocks are still recovering from the steep stock market downturn that occurred in the fourth quarter of 2018. As long as their fundamentals (profits, valuation, etc.) remain strong, I’m going to give those stocks some rope and allow them to recover.
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After rising 25% from its December low to its May high, the S&P 500 index is finally taking a breather. I don’t expect a shocking price drop like we saw in December. Rather, I anticipate the S&P 500 receding to 2,750, which would down...
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Property & Casualty Insurance Stocks Are On My Radar
Today I’m taking the opportunity to remove two stocks from the portfolios, in the quest to (a) pare back the number of stocks in the portfolios and (b) add new stocks to the portfolios. Clearly, two...
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Housing stocks have been on a tear the last few months, and the Federal Reserve is largely responsible. Here are five that are outperforming.
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When a famous company’s stock falls, there are lessons to be learned that can help you improve your game. Shares of 3M Co. (MMM) fell last week when first-quarter results revealed revenue and profits that did not meet the market’s expectations.
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There are three changes to the portfolio today.
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We have obviously lived through a very difficult period in the stock market recently, from which most of the portfolio stocks are recovering or have already recovered. Hopefully we will not see another similarly ugly stock market downturn for several years, but there no...
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You may have noticed that the price of West Texas crude oil is up about 48% since it bottomed in late December.
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A Rising Stock Market Brings Opportunites Today
U.S. stock market indexes have emerged from recent trading ranges and embarked on renewed uptrends as they seek to retrace all-time highs that were established in August through October 2018. Your stock portfolios will likely achieve additional appreciation...
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