We Are Being Killed On Trade – Rapidly Declining Exports Signal A Death Blow For The U.S. Economy

We Are Being Killed On Trade – Rapidly Declining Exports Signal A Death Blow For The U.S. Economy

Exports fell precipitously during the last two recessions, and now it is happening again. So how in the world can anyone make the claim that the U.S. economy is in good shape? I have been repeatedly pointing out the parallels between the last two major economic downturns and the current crisis, and I am going […]
SP 500 And NDX Futures Daily Charts – Clinkety Clack

SP 500 And NDX Futures Daily Charts – Clinkety Clack

The markets were again just futzing around, waiting to hear from the Fed tomorrow, or something else that will give them a catalyst for movement one way or another. They are edgy, like a poker player, clinking their chips around while waiting to make some kind of move. Have a pleasant evening.
Precious Metals Report – March 15, 2016

Precious Metals Report – March 15, 2016

Ira Epstein leads us through the day’s precious metal highlights. Video Length: 00:06:37
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                        Cry Havoc And Let Slip The Dogs Of War

E Cry Havoc And Let Slip The Dogs Of War

Making Sense: On the Roman calendar, today is the “Ides of March.” This day is famous (or infamous) as the day in which Julius Caesar was assassinated. Today we mark a more modern assassination, for this is the day that the last vestiges of hope (as slim as they were) for a March 2016 Fed […]
A Safe High-Yield Dividend Stock For Retirement

A Safe High-Yield Dividend Stock For Retirement

Duke Energy (DUK) is a favorite high-yield dividend stock for income investors, and it’s no wonder why. The company has paid uninterrupted quarterly dividends for 90 years and is set to increase its dividend for the ninth consecutive year in 2016. Regulated utility companies such as Duke can provide safe retirement income with less risk than […]
3 Undervalued Biotech Stocks With Upcoming Catalysts

3 Undervalued Biotech Stocks With Upcoming Catalysts

New drug approvals and the rollout of just-commercialized products will be the catalysts that send these undervalued stocks rallying. Negative sentiment has dropped their prices so low that any rally from these prices could return investors explosive gains. Despite four straight weeks of gains in the S&P 500, the biotech sector continues to be mired […]
GDPNow Forecast Dips To 1.9% Following Retail Sales Report

GDPNow Forecast Dips To 1.9% Following Retail Sales Report

In the wake of an allegedly “respectable” retail sales report for February, the Atlanta Fed GDPNow model dipped to an estimated 1.9% growth for first quarter of 2016 from 2.2% on March 9. Latest forecast: 1.9 percent — March 15, 2016 “The GDPNow model forecast for real GDP growth (seasonally adjusted annual rate) in the first quarter […]
How A Federal Reserve Interest Rate Hike Hands Over Billions To Big Banks

How A Federal Reserve Interest Rate Hike Hands Over Billions To Big Banks

In another example of how Wall Street wins at America’s expense – again – Big Banks around the world are secretly rooting for another U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate hike this week. That’s because every  causes an immediate spike in their income. The Big Banks already are raking in millions every year courtesy of the Fed – interest […]
The Single Entity Risk Problem

The Single Entity Risk Problem

One of the points I emphasize in my new paper on portfolio construction is the risk of owning individual securities relative to indexing. A lot of people don’t know this, but since 1980 the S&P 500 has seen 320 departures from the index due to distress. This means that about 10% of the S&P 500 leaves every 5 years […]
5 Unbeatable Stocks To Brave The Market Mayhem

5 Unbeatable Stocks To Brave The Market Mayhem

Uncertainty has been shrouding the stock market for quite some time now. Efforts guessing the next turn of events in this capricious market have been futile. This uncertainty is clearly reflected in the price movement of all the major indices. On one hand, the Nasdaq Composite Index, S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average have […]