February 2016 Residential Building Continues Growth
Be careful in analyzing this data set with a microscope as the potential error ranges and backward revisions are significant. Also the nature of this industry variations from month to month so the rolling averages are the best way to view this series – and the data remains in the range we have seen over […]
Four Lessons From A Recovering Value Investor
My friends often ask me if it was hard making the change from being a value investor to becoming an early-stage startup investor. I reply with a shrug and two words: “What change?” They think I’m kidding. I am just a little, but not as much as you’d think. At first glance, value stocks and […]
ETF Deathwatch For March 2016: O’Shares ETFs Are Dead To Me
The quantity of funds on ETF Deathwatch surged by 20 this month, establishing a new record high. With 28 new names joining the list and just eight leaving, the membership roll now has 418 entries and easily surpasses the previous record of 403 set in September 2012. On a percentage basis, one can make the argument that […]
3 Best-Ranked BlackRock Mutual Funds To Boost Your Portfolio
BlackRock Inc. (BLK) is the world’s largest asset management corporation with over $238 billion worth of assets under management (excluding money market assets). It caters to institutional, intermediary and individual investors through a wide range of products and services. It offers a range of risk management, strategic advisor and enterprise investment system services. BlackRock’s offerings […]
Building An IKEA Portfolio
Cartoon Capers If you get someone to build an IKEA sideboard – you know, one of those flat-pack conundrums that involves trying to work out what a cartoon character is doing with a hammer, a drill and forty three assorted metal dowels – they immediately place a higher value on it than anyone else would, […]
The Lessons Learned From Valeant Pharmaceuticals
Yesterday, Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX) plunged more than 51%. The news out of the company was worse than many feared…and investors headed for the exits The company said they won’t hit their previous earnings numbers and may default on their debt. Ouch. Over the past few months there has been a mountain of uncertainty about the company, its practices, and leadership. […]
Hot Topic – Oil Hits Bottom?
Here’s what happened: On Friday last week, Brent Crude increased by 0.8% to $40.39 a barrel. And West Texas Intermediate (WTI) also increased by 1.7% to $38.50 per barrel. According to the International Energy Agency, the I.E.A, there are now signs of stability within the oil markets and also cautious optimism for price increases in […]
Ahead Of The Fed
Alright folks. This market isn’t giving and it isn’t taking away either. The bears find motivation overnight only to see it quickly dissipated within the first 30 minutes of each trading session. The bulls make a nice comeback, but there’s nothing being added to the recent gains the market has put together. Instead it just keeps hovering […]
The Remarkable Inferences About The PBOC’s Unremarkable February Balance Sheet
The PBOC’s balance sheet was relatively quiet in February, with no large moves on either side of its ledger. In fact, these minor shifts appeared to be more so adjustments than the more extreme efforts the central bank had become used to undertaking. The heavy lifting was accomplished in January at least as far was […]
CPI Drops 0.2%, Core CPI Up 0.3%
Turning our focus back to the economy, there is no conceivable way the Fed will hike later today. The CPI is down, as is industrial production, and consumer spending. CPI fell 0.2% vs a consensus estimate of -0.3%. The Econoday spin is interesting. The CPI core is showing pressure for a second month, up a higher-than-expected 0.3 […]
