Economy
Weekly Market Outlook – December 19th, 2009
Despite Friday’s late gains, it still wasn’t enough to push expiration week back into the black for the market. The S&P 500 closed 4.0 points lower (-0.36%) than the prior Friday’s close. It was the fifth straight week of the bull/bear stalemate, and as we’ve mentioned before, the longer the bulls [...]
Will Holiday Sales Prove to be Better Than Expected?
We’re about to find out how healthy the average U.S. consumer truly is. If retail sales are up this season (November and December), it may well be the strongest sign yet the recession is over.
Heart of the Matter: For the first time in at least over a decade, holiday shopping sank [...]
Technology Stocks Are Turning The Corner
Though their performance could only be described as mediocre (at best) since the market’s recovery in March, consumer and corporate spending on technology may finally be strong enough to spur tech stocks higher again.
Not As Bad As Thought: Not entirely surprisingly, revenues and earnings were down last quarter compared to [...]
Consumers Still Focused on ‘Needs’ More Than ‘Wants’
Though it’s safe to say grocery stores and gas stations have survived the recession - now that we’re coming out of it - it may be a little soon to expect a crowd clamoring for the newest big-screen TVs down at the local electronics store. As such, consumer discretionary stocks aren’t [...]
Oil, Energy Stocks Back in Their Sweet Spot
After a record-breaking rally between 2003 and 2007, followed by a disastrous 2008, crude oil prices appear to have finally settled down in a comfortable middle ground around $70 per barrel. That’s good news for oil companies. Why? Though they can generate income with oil at any price, their stocks tend [...]
Today’s Worst Small Caps Could Be Tomorrow’s as Well - CHSI, UFPI, SKYW
Don’t hear me wrong - all sectors, sizes, and industries stunk today. A few small caps, however, really got whacked. In some cases, I think today’s pounding is parts of a longer-term punishment that’s best left untouched unless you’re looking to short some of these tickers. Here’s today’s bottwom dwellers… the five worst small cap [...]
Recessions Good For Movies and Video Games? Think Again
Don’t jump to conclusions about some industries benefiting from a recession. Some companies are growing just because they always grow, and some are not growing even though they should be because of a tough economy.
Credit Re-Freeze Headed Off at the Pass
The TED Spread and Libor-OIS Spread said we were on the verge of a credit re-freeze. Good thing the highly intelligent and wise Tim Geithner stepped in to save the day……(yes, just kidding - he did very little).
A ‘Perfect Economic Storm’ For Metals, Mining Stocks
I won’t go into all the same detail I did with the Investopedia story, but I do think this is an important enough (and potentially fruitful) idea to merit looking at breifly here. If you want the whole story, click here to read “Metals and Miners Dig Up Ideal Conditions“. Here’s the need-to-know premise…
I think [...]
‘Made in China’ Refers to Money
If Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is only half right, his country will still foster GDP growth of 4%. What a great problem to have.
