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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The March flooding in Nebraska and neighboring Midwest and Great Plains states is devastating to farmers, crops and livestock. Consumers can expect prolonged food price inflation that reaches around the globe.
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U.S. stocks markets are now continuing their rebound from the horrendous fourth-quarter 2018 market action. The S&P 500 and NASDAQ indexes look quite bullish, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) lags a bit.
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I’m as “political” as they come, but I don’t make investing decisions based on politics. I make my decisions based on corporate successes (which show up via profit and revenue growth), economic facts (definitely not economic speculation) and stock market trends.
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The Calm Before the Next Market Run-Up
I suppose it makes sense that a calendar quarter that was characterized by two big stock market downdrafts could be followed by a calendar quarter that delivers two stock market run-ups. And while I anticipated and frequently about...
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I haven’t added any new stocks for a while because we’ve already got 30 stocks in the portfolios. Our current stocks have mostly been rising: the good, the bad and the ugly. However, I always have a good list of stocks that are in...
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U.S. stocks continue to defy gravity, with their audacious 2019 year-to-date gains mirroring their equally extreme fourth quarter 2018 descent.
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U.S. stocks delivered great performance in January and are now taking a breather. As such, I expect the S&P 500 index to trade between 2625 and 2825 for a while. The trading range might end up being a little higher or a little but...
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Buying Low is the Best Revenge
We’ve successfully struck upon some successful trades recently in the days leading up to various companies’ earnings releases, including Apple (AAPL) and Knight-Swift Transportation (KNX). If you’re looking for another similar opportunity, scroll down to review Marathon Petroleum in...
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The stock market recovery continues in a slightly better style than I had hoped for. I had expected big upswings followed by pullbacks, which is normal for a recovery.
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