Separating Deals From Duds: Blindly buying stocks can be hazardous to portfolio

Despite the market's roaring rally over the past three months, some stocks--including those of well-known companies--still look cheap. So how do you separate the deals from the duds? Understand why the stock is cheap.

Basic Materials May Be Unexciting, Except As an Investment

Basic materials stocks sound about as exciting as freshly laid asphalt, but they've become a steaming-hot investment in 2009. This group was devastated last fall as hedge funds abandoned the then-dominant thesis that the world -- especially Asia -- needs to keep building, and summarily dumped the stocks. However, ambitious economic stimulus packages in the U.S. and abroad have revived the need for basic materials.

Emerging Markets Soar but Remain Risky

Emerging markets are like those giant slices of double-mud chocolate-brownie cake offered to you by restaurant servers at the end of your meal. You run the risk of a severe stomachache later, but they sound so good it's hard to resist.

Government Intervention & Economic Risk
by Ian Bremmer and Sean West

It's no secret that politics affects economic markets. But in response to a financial crisis or economic downturn, political risk impacts markets much more broadly than just isolated policies and individual stocks.

SEC Boss Mary L. Schapiro Discusses Executive Pay
Kathy Kristof

Mary L. Schapiro has been in the job just a few months, but the Obama administration's new top securities regulator already is pursuing an aggressive agenda that blends souped-up enforcement with new rules designed to give investors more power and...

 

Not Going to Be Economic Depression
Global Economic Viewpoint

Last week at the Milken Global Conference, three Noble Laureates in Economics sat down to discuss the global recession -- Gary Becker (Nobel Prize, 1992), Roger Myerson (Nobel Prize, 2007) and Myron Scholes (Nobel Prize 1997).

All three agreed that this is not going to be a depression and that the free-market economy is fundamentally healthy.

The Global Economy: Worse & Worser

Today's global economic debacle shares a disturbing number of similarities with the early stages of Japan's "lost decade" of the 1990s.

 

 

Despite Risks, Some See Opportunities in Speculative Areas of the Market

At a time when so many "sure" investments have let everyone down, speculative investing sounds like simply throwing money down the drain. Shell-shocked investors, wishing no medals for bravery, have contented themselves with safer, low-yield choices.

A Strategy for Stocks? Look Inward First
Kathy Kristof

Uncomfortable putting your hard-earned money in stocks -- even after the recent run-up that has helped recover a portion of the last year's losses?

Strength of Technology Stocks Surprises

Technology is the surprise investment leader this year.

Science and technology stock funds are up 13 percent this year, versus the 2 percent decline of the average diversified stock fund, according to Lipper Inc. Among the tech-firm royalty, Apple Inc. (AAPL) stock is up 40 percent this year, IBM Corp. (IBM) up 22 percent and Google Inc. (GOOG) up 21 percent.

Eurozone retail sales post fall
Retail sales in the eurozone fell more than expected in May, a further sign of the slowing economy, data shows.

Rogue trades cost oil broker $10m
A rogue trader at a London-based oil brokerage causes his employer to lose $10m (£6m) after making unauthorised trades.

Construction sees sharp slowdown
The UK construction sector is expected to shrink by 16% in 2009, according to an industry body.

Sahara gas pipeline gets go-ahead
Nigeria, Niger and Algeria agree to build a multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline across the Sahara.

US job losses worse than expected
The number of jobs lost in the US last month came in at 467,000, which is much more than had been expected.

IMF refuses new aid for Zimbabwe
The International Monetary Fund tells Zimbabwe it will not provide more funds until it has settled its existing $1bn debts.

Pension view 'not radical enough'
The author of an influential report into the future of pensions in the UK tells the BBC his proposals were not radical enough.

Europe nears gas pipeline accord
Five European governments are due to sign an agreement on 13 July for a major new pipeline from Central Asia.

California in 'fiscal emergency'
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declares a fiscal emergency in California to deal with a $24.3bn (£14.5bn) deficit.

Indian growth of 7% 'is possible'
Economic growth of 7% in India is possible this year, according to a report from the country's finance ministry.

Eurozone unemployment up again
The unemployment rate in the 16 countries using the euro rose to 9.5% in May, according to official EU statistics.

Euro interest rates kept on hold
The European Central Bank keeps its key interest rate unchanged at 1% following its monthly meeting.

More defaults expected on loans
Defaults on loans have risen and are expected to increase in the coming months, a Bank of England survey finds.

Signs of recovery for UK industry
UK manufacturing shrank at its slowest pace for a year in June, a survey says, adding to hopes the worst of the recession is over.

Irish joblessness at 13-year high
The Irish Republic's unemployment rate hit 11.9% in June, the highest since April 1996, official figures show.

Business mood improves in Japan
Business confidence in Japan has improved for the first time in two-and-a-half years, says a key Bank of Japan survey.

Russians crack down on gambling
A new law comes into effect in Russia, confining gambling to four far-flung regions of the country.

Money laundering risk to football
Football is being used as vehicle for money laundering, according to an international agency responsible for tracking the proceeds of crime.

India's exports continue to fall
India's exports fell in May for the eighth month in a row as overseas demand for goods continued to shrink in the global recession.

VAT cut lifts French restaurants
The cost of eating in French cafes and restaurants should be set to fall as the government cuts VAT to boost spending.

Workplaces set to get 'smarter'
Technology will ensure that the office of the future is full of sensors that help workers be very productive, suggests a report.

Chinese manufacturing increases
China's manufacturing sector grew in June, at a slightly faster pace than in the previous month.

US judge overturns Stanford bail
Texan billionaire Sir Allen Stanford is ordered to remain in jail until his fraud trial begins, as a US judge overturns a bail ruling.

Eurozone inflation turns negative
The eurozone's annual rate of inflation turned negative in June for the first time since the currency started in 1999.

Sharp contraction for UK economy
The UK economy contracted 2.4% in the first quarter of 2009, a decline not exceeded in 51 years, the latest data shows.

Billions in virtual cash stolen in online robbery
Details emerge of why billions in virtual cash disappeared from a virtual bank in Eve Online.

How to find property in England and Wales for under £40,000
The most affordable property in some areas of England and Wales is on the market for less than £40,000, a survey suggests.

Feed the poor
Welfare costs to strain India's budget

Shrinking fast
How this recession compares to the 1980s and 1990s

Rogue trading
Can one individual have the clout to move markets?

Burning out
Budget busts mean damp squibs in the US on 4 July

Back to school
Job insecurity sparks 'Plan B' career hunts

Stephanomics
UK plc: Finding some reasons to be cheerful

BBC News | Business | Economy | World Edition
The latest Economy News from the BBC: breaking news on the global and UK economy and international investments including audio and video coverage.

 

Apple Warns Some iPhones May Have Heat Issues
Apple Inc. has issued an advisory that some 3G and 3GS iPhones may not do well in hot conditions. Apple is telling owners to keep the phones in places where the temperature is below 95 degrees.

FDIC Closes 1 Banks In Texas, 6 In Illinois
Seven banks were shut down Thursday — pushing the total number of banks that have failed this year to 52. The year is just half over, and already the figure is more than double what it was for all of 2008. Back in 2007, only three banks failed.

Author Offers Advice For First-Time Job Hunters
David Greene talks with Ellen Gordon Reeves about her new book Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview? It's advice for young people who are job searching for the first time.

Morgage-Burning Parties Almost Extinct
When's the last time you went to a mortgage-burning party? Do people even pay off their 30-year mortgages anymore? NPR's Planet Money team went on a mission to find out.

Visiting Sen. Grassley At Home in Iowa
Congress returns to Washington next week with health care on its mind. President Obama and the Democrats agree with Republicans that legislation overhauling health care should be bipartisan. And there may be no stronger advocate for bipartisanship on health care than Senator Chuck Grassley, the top Republican on the Finance Committee.

Heavy Job Loss Prompts Stimulus Criticism
The surprising loss of 467,000 jobs in June, far more than expected, is fueling Republican criticism of the Obama administration's stimulus program. After the numbers were announced Thursday, President Obama called the huge job losses sobering. The continuing fallout in the labor market is causing problems in the housing sector, and vice versa.

For Sale: Your Michael Jackson Memorabilia
Since Michael Jackson died last week, his trading cards, old albums and autographs are selling for huge amounts of money. A letter Michael Jackson wrote to an unknown "Greg" sold for $20,000, and an album signed by all of the Jackson 5 sold for $27,000.

Risks, Benefits Of Securitization Under Scrutiny
As part of its plan to reform financial markets, the Obama administration will turn its focus to the securitization industry. These days, almost anytime someone borrows money, the debt gets repackaged into a security that can be bought or sold like a stock.

New Owner Spurs Optimism At Saturn
Many Saturn dealers and customers were relieved after hearing that Roger Penske would buy the company from General Motors. Penske has a reputation as a dynamo in his many business endeavors, but the company will be entering uncharted waters with the Saturn venture.

Economist: Stimulus Appears To Be Working
More jobs were lost last month than expected, but the Obama administration's economic stimulus package promises to create 600,000 jobs by the end of the summer. Mark Zandi, the chief economist at Moody's Economy.com, says that without the stimulus, the numbers would be worse.

Report: SEC Official Raised Madoff Concern
In 2004, an investigator with the Securities and Exchange Commission warned superiors of inconsistencies in convicted fraudster Bernard Madoff's trading practices. She was, however, told to focus on other investigations. Zachary Goldfarb, a business and economics reporter with The Washington Post, offers his insight.

U.S. Shed 467,000 Jobs In June
The Labor Department reported Thursday that U.S. businesses shed a bigger-than-expected 467,000 jobs in June. The unemployment rate rose slightly to 9.5 percent, the highest in nearly 26 years. The Dow Jones industrial average fell more than 200 points on the news.

Obama Disappointed By Jobs Numbers
President Obama said Thursday he is "deeply concerned" about unemployment. The remarks to The Associated Press came after the Labor Department said U.S. businesses shed 467,000 jobs in June and that the unemployment rate increased to 9.5 percent.

Politicians Reconsider Drilling Off Florida Coast
For years, oil production has been largely banned in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. In large part, that's because of concerns that a spill could devastate the state's tourism industry. But now, some elected officials seem willing to take another look at offshore drilling after years of opposition.

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough Michael Jackson
It's been a week since Michael Jackson's death at 50 stunned the world. But seven days after the King of Pop stepped off stage and left us behind, it's clear we just can't seem to get enough of him.

NPR Topics: Business
Find the latest business news with reports on Wall Street, interest rates, banking, companies, and U.S. and world financial markets. Subscribe to the Business Story of the Day podcast.

 

Al Lewis: Getting Religion in Market Of Shattered Trust
Feeling spiritually bankrupt after watching Bernie Madoff's sentencing, I took the subway uptown to the Union Theological Seminary, where they teach a class called "Christianity and the U.S. Crisis."

No Fireworks, Just Time for Light
The absence of potent economic data will give analysts more time to digest the disappointing employment report issued just before the holiday weekend began, and there was a lot to chew on.

NYSE Traders Forced Into Rare Extra Inning
The New York Stock Exchange extended trading by 15 minutes Thursday, in an extraordinary move prompted by what the exchange said were “system irregularities.”

Jobs Report Sparks (Extended) 223-Point Selloff
Wall Street went on a selling spree Thursday afternoon as the markets were dragged down by collapsing commodities and a new report that showed the U.S. lost nearly half a million jobs last month

Market Winners & Losers: Constellation Brands, AIG
The first day of Wall Street’s third quarter brought gains to the major indices as the week looks to a holiday-shortened end. The Dow gained 0.7%, the S&P added 0.4% and the Nasdaq closed up 0.6%.

NYSE Admits AIG Delisting Goof-Up
The New York Stock Exchange said late Wednesday that it had mistakenly posted a notice that it planned to suspend and delist shares of American International Group (AIG), the troubled insurance company that was the subject of a $180 billion government bailout.

Citigroup Increases Credit Card Interest Rates
Avoid credit card problems as Citigroup increased credit card interest rates.

King of Pop's Sales Skyrocket
Following Michael Jackson’s untimely death, his music has seen a major resurgence, sending sales to the top of the charts and making Jackson a best-seller once again.

Upbeat Opening Act to Wall Street’s 3Q
Wall Street kicked off the third quarter on a positive note Wednesday as stocks advanced even though the latest economic gauges raised more questions about the timing and strength of a possible second-half recovery than they answered. 

Market Winners & Losers: H&R Block, AIG
The last trading session of the quarter was rocked by a lack of consumer confidence as the major indices all went red. The Dow fell 1%, the S&P lost 0.5% and the Nasdaq plunged 0.9%.

FOXBusiness.com
FOX Business Network - We Report. You Decide.

 

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin Will Resign

The Rising Mountain of Debt May Be the Next Crisis

North Korea Fires Short Range Missiles: Reports

SEC May Reinstate Rules for Short-Selling Stocks

Major Nations Should Back the Dollar: Japan

Earnings Season: A Likely Game-Changer

Slideshow: Best-Selling Fourth of July Fireworks

Latvian Banker Taking Souls as Collateral

OPEC President Says Is Satisfied with Current Oil Price

Divisions Dominate as Third Quarter Begins

A Day at Wimbledon '09

Market Insider: A Look Beyond the Holiday

Big Kickbacks to Austrian Banker in Madoff Case?

Private Equity Slams Proposed Banking Rules

Supermarkets Prepare for Post-Recession World

AEG Live Releases Michael Jackson Rehearsal Footage

Oil Brokerage PVM Names Rogue Trader

'Ice Age' Heats Up Box Office with Record Opening

Wanted: Fake Employees to Sit and Look Busy

Why Is Morgan Stanley Bullish Airlines?

Warren Buffett 'Promoted' to Mattress Salesman

CNBC Top News and Analysis
Stock Market News, Financial, Earnings, World Market News and Info

 

Overview: US jobs data lead equities lower
Global markets began the second half of the year nervously after signs that the economic recovery, which many were predicting to be around the corner, may yet be some way off

Reed Elsevier climbs amid talk of unit revamp
The scientific and business information publisher was among the few points of interest in the London market, which closed flat on Friday

Defensive mood benefits dollar
The US currency was given a boost this week after investors became a little more uncertain about the prospects for economy following Thursday's US jobs report

Crude slips further in holiday trade
Oil slipped further on Friday amid light trading as bleak US jobs data continued to weigh on the market

EDF's samurai bond raises Japanese spirits
Japan's samurai bond market showed further signs of rejuvenation as EDF of France became the first non-financial company to sell such bonds since the collapse of Lehman Brothers

'Rogue broker' blamed for oil spike
Traders said the broker implicated had allegedly accounted for at least half of the unusual market activity, with the rest the result of others chasing the rapid rises

Investors await clearer guidance
European bourses ended in the red for the third consecutive week, as investors sat on their hands and waited for second-quarter results to guide the market

BaWang bubbles over on debut
Signs of a frenzy building among Chinese investors emerged on Friday when a herbal shampoo maker saw its shares surge by a third on their debut after part of the issue was 446 times subscribed

Shanghai breaks 3,000 barrier
Properties led the advance as Chinese stocks jumped past the 3,000 mark this week for the first time in 13 months

Technical glitch hits NYSE
US traders hoping for a quick getaway ahead of the Independence Day weekend had to delay travel plans after a system problem stalled trading at the New York Stock Exchange

China's corporate debt sales overtake Japan
Record issuance of bonds – $96.7bn in the first half of 2009, compared with Japan's $76.3bn – reflects the incremental steps Beijing is making to expand the market

EU call to boost use of OTC central clearing
Europe's top regulator urged more standardisation in the 'over-the-counter' derivatives markets and increased use of central clearing, mirroring similar moves by US authorities to clean up after the worst of the financial crisis

FT.com - Financial Markets News
FT.com - Financial Markets News

 

Global mergers and acquisitions

The value of global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) fell by 35% in the first half of 2009 to $1,140 billion, according to Dealogic, a financial-analysis firm. The number of deals had been steadily shrinking, but they collapsed by more than 15% in the three months to June. Buy-outs by private-equity firms have been hit particularly hard by the recession. Their value fell by 82% to $24 billion in the six months to June. Australia, the most important location for M&A after America and Britain, saw a big increase in activity in the first half. So did the Netherlands and South Africa. Finance remains the richest industry for M&A, accounting for almost a fifth of deals by value, followed by health care and mining.

...

Markets

Output, prices and jobs

High-net-worth individuals

The wealth of the world’s high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) fell by almost a fifth last year to $33 trillion, according to the 2009 World Wealth Report from Merrill Lynch and Capgemini. A HNWI has at least $1m of assets besides his main home, its contents and collectable items. In 2008 the number of HNWIs went down to 8.6m, just over 0.1% of the world’s population. Their wealth declined by more than 20% in North America, Europe and Asia, but by a bit less in Africa and the Middle East. Latin America’s rich were the least affected: they lost 6% of their wealth, and the number of HNWIs there fell by less than 1%. In North America, which had a large proportion of people just above the $1m threshold, the ranks slimmed by 19%.

...

Overview

The unemployment rate in Japan rose to 5.2% in May from 5% in April. Industrial production jumped by 5.9% in May, after a similar rise in April. Big manufacturing firms were less gloomy in June than they had been in March, according to the Bank of Japan’s quarterly Tankan survey. The percentage balance of firms reporting “favourable” over “unfavourable” conditions rose to minus 48 from a record low of minus 58.

In America the Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index rose for the sixth month in a row, to 44.8. Readings below 50 point to shrinking activity but the pace of contraction is at least slowing. Consumer confidence faltered in June after rising in each of the previous three months, according to the index published by the Conference Board, a business-research firm. ...

Trade, exchange rates, budget balances and interest rates

The Economist commodity-price index

World's biggest bank losses

For many of the world’s big commercial banks, 2008 was a rotten year. The 12 largest losses were made by American and European outfits, four of them German. The Royal Bank of Scotland, Citigroup and Wells Fargo suffered a combined loss of more than $160 billion, a sum larger than the GDP of Egypt. Three of the biggest losses were made by banks from Switzerland and Belgium, two fairly small countries. Firms from France and Japan, countries with big banking sectors, are conspicuous by their absence from the list of losses. The three most profitable banks—Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank and Spain’s Santander—together made around $55 billion last year.

...

Heroin prices

The retail and wholesale prices of heroin in America have fallen dramatically since the early 1990s. One gram of heroin in the retail market cost $131 in 2007, the lowest price since UN records began in 1990. The $60 margin between wholesale and retail prices in 2007 was also a record low, suggesting an increasingly competitive retail market. American wholesale prices remain at around twice the level in Western Europe. The UN estimates that annual opiate production—almost all of which is from Afghanistan—jumped to about 8,900 tonnes in 2007, having been flat at around 4,500 tonnes over the previous decade. Seizures of heroin rose to 65 tonnes in 2007 but were still only a small fraction of global production.

...

US corporate defaults

The global recession is spurring a huge increase in corporate defaults. In the week to June 11th seven firms in America defaulted on their debt, pushing the total to 109 so far this year. Standard & Poor’s (S&P), a rating agency, predicts that figure will rise to 209 by the end of the year, an increase of 117% from 2008 and 36 more than in 2001 when the dotcom bubble burst. Record issuance of speculative- grade bonds and the widespread use of debt to finance the repurchase of firms’ own shares made defaults more likely. As troubling as the level of defaults is the fact that S&P gave 43% of defaulting firms worldwide a recovery rating of 6, meaning that creditors can expect to get back less than 10% of the value of their bonds.

...

Unemployment

The world economy’s deepest post-war slump has resulted in higher rates of unemployment in many countries. Spain’s jobless rate has increased by more than 8 percentage points in the past 12 months, much of it attributable to a collapse in the construction industry. At 18.1% Spain’s unemployment rate is now the highest in the rich world. The situation is also dire in Russia, where a 4.2 percentage-point rise in the unemployment rate over the past year has left more than one in ten out of work. America’s jobless rate has risen by almost 4 percentage points. The increase in unemployment has been modest so far in Germany, where it is costly to fire workers. In Argentina the jobless rate is unchanged from a year ago.

...

The Economist: Indicators
Indicators

 

Q&A With Larry Connors
In continuing this excellent series, I'm pleased to present this Q&A with Larry Connors. For many of you, Larry needs no introduction as the CEO and founder of the TradingMarkets website and someone who I've linked to his research and...

Hope Floats
Stocks kick off second-half with a win A wild ride so far A slip in consumer confidence Wall Street's fear gauge Stock market sentiment according to Google Trends Obama presents bill to create consumer-finance watchdog New financial commission is stuck...

Sparklers
The End of the Recession? Economically speaking, we're closer to bottom Are we there yet? Not quite Many challenges are still ahead The financial crisis in pictures New norm, bad norm More misery for U.S. housing? The spa indicator &...

ETFs Up +50% Since March 31st
At quarter-end it is always interesting to see what some basic performance scans show up. Case in point, the ETFs which are up more than +50% since the closing price on March 31st: The top performer has been the Emerging...

Madoff & M&A Monday
Good morning. We're set for a higher open at the start of this four-day trading week. News and data flow are on the slow side again, but there are a few noteworthy items to review including a plethora of merger...

Friday Mailbag
It's time for another mailbag. A lot of great questions have been sent in. Thank you! Topics for today include: Pyramiding A Devil's Advocate On Real Estate Question On Options Trading The Danger Of Political Bias Is Market Timing Prudent?...

Top Stock Picks For 2009
One of the things I like to do around the middle of the year is to review some of the tracking lists that I create of those "top stock picks for 2009" that we hear so much around the start...

Fearful Of The Fed
Good morning. Premarket futures are showing a positive bias following strength in overseas markets and a better than expected durable goods report. Other headlines in focus include earnings from Oracle, rising mortgage applications, the OECD raises its outlook for the...

On The Radar
CEOs stay pessimistic about economy A tale of two depressions A decent question - has the World Bank or IMF ever been right? Where are you in this cycle? Where we are in the cycle Long-horizon risk aversion creates headwinds...

Monday Headlines
Good morning. Premarket futures are pointing lower. Overall, news flow remains on the slow side as we start out the new trading week. Top headlines include a lowered outlook for global growth by The World Bank, insiders exit U.S. stocks...

Little To Work With
Market participants really had little to work with this week and it shows. For the week, the S&P 500 fell -2.64%, Dow -2.95%, Nasdaq -1.69%, and the Russell 2000 fell -2.68%. Depending on your point of view, this week was...

Shaking The Money Tree
Green shoots turning brownish Tracking the Second Great Depression A more balanced bull vs. bear debate First quarter wiped out $1.3 trillion for Americans Geithner says rebound will take time Fed's Warsh warns of false optimism on U.S. economy The...

Emerging Markets: Pullback or Rollover
It's been awhile since we've seen a meaty pullback in the emerging markets area. This group lead us higher, so will it also lead us lower? Looking over the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund ETF (EEM) (especially utilizing a...

Home On The Range
Although we've seen a couple of attempts to break out, we remain deadlocked in the same trading range we've been in since the first day of June. For the week, the S&P 500 gained +0.65%, Dow +0.41%, Nasdaq +0.51%, and...

Head Scratching
Fed Beige Book sees continued weakness Fresh data offers hope On the economy - have we hit bottom yet? 10 reasons the worst of the crisis is over 10 things that could still go wrong with the economy Bankers are...

The Kirk Report
One pro's view of the stock market. Stock screens, market analysis, trading tools, stock research, investment ideas, portfolio analysis, trading lessons, investment commentary, trading tips, and more are provided by Charles E. Kirk.

 

Jobs report slams stocks
Stocks tumbled Thursday, with the Dow losing 212 points, after a worse-than-expected jobs report hammered hopes that the economy is close to stabilizing.

Taking a weed whacker to green shoots
It looks like someone may have sprayed a healthy dose of Ortho Weed B Gon on those economic green shoots.

Bonds higher after jobs data disappoint
Bond prices turned higher Thursday after June job losses in a government report were much worse than expected, shaking recovery hopes.

Oil's record high, one year later
One year ago, on July 3, 2008, oil prices settled at a record high -- a once-unthinkable $145.29 a barrel

Oil settles below $67 on economic concerns
Read full story for latest details.

Dollar rises after jobs data
Read full story for latest details.

Stocks rise on recovery hopes
Stocks climbed Wednesday, with investors starting off the third quarter on a positive note, after reports on manufacturing and housing added to bets that the pace of the recession is slowing.

Wanted: Duller times for stocks
Read full story for latest details.

Banks brace for tough second half of '09
Stress tests. Massive government interventions. Speculation that the government would nationalize Citigroup and Bank of America.

Credit card craziness
Last I checked, the economy's still in recession, unemployment is rising, and consumers are having trouble paying their bills. But you wouldn't know this from looking at what's going on in the credit card world lately.

Treasury prices mixed
Prices for long-term Treasury bonds fell Wednesday after economic reports on manufacturing and housing gave investors reason to seek higher returns in the stock market.

Oil falls near $69
Read full story for latest details.

Stocks dip, but it's still a winning quarter
Stocks slipped Tuesday, at the end of the S&P 500's best quarter in more than a decade, with a weaker-than-expected consumer confidence report and a slump in oil prices sparking the selloff.

Dollar drops to 3-week low against euro
Read full story for latest details.

Treasury prices ease
Treasurys drifted lower Tuesday as investors responded to a stronger than expected report on the housing market and a slower decline in regional manufacturing activity.

It's your patriotic duty to save!
Many owners of our country's bonds are worried that the federal government is spending like inebriated sailors on shore leave to try and get the nation out of this economic mess.

GE not bringing good things to life
They say that General Electric is a pretty good barometer of the economy. If that's the case, the economy does seem to be improving -- but it's still in pretty lousy shape.

Is the dollar doomed?
Don't look now. But the dollar is starting to weaken again against the euro, pound and yen, leading some to wonder if its days as the world's No. 1 currency are numbered.

Get out of debt now! (in your portfolio)
If this recession has taught us anything, it's that debt can kill.

Stocks sneeze, health care catches cold
What's that sound? That rumbling from Wall Street? The broad market has cooled off this month. But some stocks are taking the June swoon in stride, thank you very much.

Latest stock market news from Wall Street - CNNMoney.com
From CNN and Money magazine, CNNMoney.com combines business news and in-depth market analysis with practical advice and answers to personal finance questions.

 

Something Rotten In U.K. Businesses
Cases of fraud in the country soar in 2009, but even that isn't the full picture.

Labor Pains For British Airways
The U.K.'s flagship airline is stumbling through industrial problems as it waits for the premium market to stabilize.

PC Makers Part On China's Green Dam
China's "green dam" project splits PC makers into the compliers and the stallers.

The Missing Black Box
The latest twist in the Air France saga raises the question once again of a black box that transmits data.

Phantom Homes
Hundres of thousands of foreclosed homes are hidden from the market's eye.

Corn: Ripe For The Picking
Higher planted acres are weighing on corn prices, which could mean lower input costs for some industries.

Recession-Proof Tech Stocks
The strong will get stronger, and big tech will thrive, said Karl Mills of Jurika, Mills & Keifer.

FDIC Gets Tough On Private Equity
Federal insurer tightens rules to attract more buyers to failed bank auctions.

Dour Fed Chatter
Fed officials are more worried that low inflation means near-zero rates low for years.

The Oil Rig Glut
Rig counts are better than expected but demand for oil products remains weak, compounding price pressures.

Forbes.com: Market News
Market news and reports from Forbes.com

 

The equities market spiraled lower in an unfortunately extended trading session
Trading volume was notably light today, with many market participants taking a pass ahead of the long holiday weekend...(Read More)

Call traders bet AEP can charge through potential challenges on the charts
In last week's edition of Trading Tools, we examined Legg Mason, Inc. (LM), after the Zacks Unusually High Option Volume screener revealed an escalating demand for front-month positions...(Read More)

Traders are flocking to buy bearish bets on the languishing credit card concern
Puts were the option of choice Wednesday on MasterCard Incorporated (MA: sentiment, chart, options)...(Read More)

Call trading soars on drug maker amid sharp pullback
The shares of Sepracor Inc. (SEPR: sentiment, chart, options) have dropped sharply this afternoon following Wednesday's late-breaking news that its experimental depression medicine failed a clinical trial, putting the drug's future in doubt...(Read More)

Examining a sudden spike in buy-to-open put volume for this beverage issue
Die-hard patriots took it personally last year when Anheuser-Busch was acquired by Belgian beverage giant InBev...(Read More)

A weaker-than-expected nonfarm payrolls report sends shares tumbling
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) has dropped more than 2% in late-morning trading following a dismal nonfarm payrolls report...(Read More)

The airline issue is trying to cut labor costs to combat rising fuel prices
Today's column includes a bullish note for Continental Airlines, Inc. (CAL), an aggressive takeover offer for NRG Energy, Inc...(Read More)

Bulls worried that steady decline in job losses may have come to an end in June
Wall Street is worried this morning, and U.S. stock futures are headed sharply lower as a result...(Read More)

The dollar drops on news that China may debate proposals for a new global currency
After yesterday's glut of gloomy economic data, investors were somewhat reassured by today's slew of reports...(Read More)

Match your mood with the appropriate bullish option strategy
So, you want to trade options, do you? Luckily, you've come to the right place -- here at Schaeffer's, we're all options, all the time...(Read More)

Weighing the pros and cons of this options-trading strategy
In a recent edition of Advanced Options, we dissected short call spreads, a strategy bearish option bettors use to capitalize on a stock's decline...(Read More)

Options players bet on a big move for the oil and gas concern
Valero Energy Corp. (VLO: sentiment, chart, options) has become quite popular with put traders in recent weeks...(Read More)

Examining the pros and cons of the short butterfly position
Welcome back to another in a series of articles that examines the thought processes behind a variety of option strategies using stock, index and/or exchange-traded fund (ETF) options...(Read More)

As the stock approaches potential resistance, speculators are rushing to buy puts
Put volume has been heavy lately on Cypress Semiconductor Corporation (CY: sentiment, chart, options), as noted by my colleague Nick Perry earlier this morning...(Read More)

Network specialist could benefit from an unwinding of bearish investor sentiment
The basis for today's Tool Box filter is the Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR)...(Read More)

Bears bet against this solar power concern as it gets squeezed between support and resistance
SunPower Corp. (SPWRA: sentiment, chart, options) makes solar cells and panels for governmental, residential, and commercial customers, according to Hoover's...(Read More)

The blue-chip banking issue might have some trouble selling its investment management unit
Today's column includes slim bids for a Bank of America Corporation (BAC) unit, a major disappointment for Force Protection, Inc...(Read More)

Stocks point toward positive open ahead of economic data
The major market indices came roaring back in the second quarter, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) gaining 11%, and the S&P 500 Index (SPX) soaring 15%...(Read More)

The greenback's newfound strength weighed on crude and gold prices
Stocks' stay in positive territory was short-lived today, as early gains were quickly erased on the heels of the latest economic data...(Read More)

Examining a theoretical collar on shares of an uptrending footwear firm
In yesterday's edition of Options 101, we analyzed collars, which are a relatively cheap way to insure against steep declines in a stock you already own...(Read More)

Options volume reveals unusual put activity for this banking concern
Optimism has remained pretty steady toward BB&T Corp. (BBT: sentiment, chart, options) recently, with call traders dominating the stock's near-term options activity...(Read More)

Short sellers and option traders are adopting a pessimistic tone with the blue chip
Option players are feeling rather skeptical of American Express Company (AXP: sentiment, chart, options)...(Read More)

Buy-to-open put volume has outpaced call volume by a wide margin in recent weeks
Put buying is starting to dominate the options pits for Hartford Financial Services (HIG: sentiment, chart, options)...(Read More)

Examining the pros and cons of an iron butterfly position
Welcome back to another in a series of articles that examines the thought process behind a variety of option strategies using stock, index, and/or exchange-traded fund (ETF) options...(Read More)

The airline issue is selling debt in order to fund the purchase of new Boeing jets
Today's column includes fundraising plans from AMR Corporation (AMR), a high-profile partnership for Geron Corporation (GERN), great expectations from Ford Motor Company (F), and a bullish commentary on Amazon.com, Inc...(Read More)

SchaeffersResearch.com Market Observations
Timely market observations from Bernie Schaeffer and the traders at Schaeffer's Investment Research. Discussions on stock and option trading; technical, fundamental and sentiment analysis; finance and investing.

 

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin stepping down
Little more than halfway into her first term, the governor says she not only wouldn’t be seeking re-election, but that she would be handing over the reins of office.

NewsWatch: Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin stepping down
Little more than halfway into her first term, the governor says she not only wouldn’t be seeking re-election, but that she would be handing over the reins of office.

ETF Investing: Gasoline ETF may ease pain at the pump
Families who pack up the car this Fourth of July weekend will spend much less on gasoline than last year -- prices are down by more than a third from last summer. But when it comes to fueling your investment portfolio, a specialized exchange-traded fund may hedge against unwelcome oil-price spikes.

Chuck Jaffe: Jackson memorabilia buyers are lost in Neverland
Prices for all things Michael Jackson, from albums and tour posters to commemorative coins and more, popped and have shown few signs of coming back to earth. But they will -- which is why purchasing Jackson goodies now is the Stupid Investment of the Week.

Europe Markets: Utilities drag Europe lower; British Air climbs
European shares edged lower on Friday with U.S. equity markets closed for a holiday, with utilities and metals producers dragging lower.

London Markets: British Airways surges while London closes flat
British Airways surged on plans to cut capacity, while the broader London market closed flat Friday.

E.U. urges derivatives clearing house
The European Commission on Friday outlined a plan designed to overhaul the regulation of the over-the-counter derivatives market, which includes a proposal to widen the use of clearing houses for derivatives transactions.

Personal Finance Daily: The week's 10 best Personal Finance stories
In case you missed them, here are the top 10 Personal Finance stories from MarketWatch for the week of June 29-July 3:

NewsWatch: Bleak earnings season shines light on outlooks
U.S. stock analysts generally agree the upcoming second-quarter earnings season will be bleak. But they’re at odds over whether dreary outlooks will lead to upsets to the upside or whether the market has set itself up for a fall.

British Airways cuts capacity, delays A380 order
British Airways on Friday reported further declines in passenger traffic in June as consumers continued to shun business-class travel in particular, and said it will further reduce capacity and defer the delivery of 12 Airbus 380s on order to try to reduce the impact of the crisis on its bottom line.

MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
MarketWatch, a leading publisher of business and financial news, offers users up-to-the minute news, investment tools, and subscription products.

 

Back to Business: For Banks, Wads of Cash and Loads of Trouble
Bulk deposits from brokers, known as hot money, fueled growth at smaller banks across the country, but also led some to the brink, and beyond.

The Media Equation: A Publisher Stumbles Publicly at the Post
Katharine Weymouth, the publisher of The Washington Post, has drawn criticism for a plan to hold sponsored salons at her home.

For Australian Winemakers, More Turns Out to Be Less
Australian winemakers are selling more wine but making less money per bottle.

Neighbor’s Shadow Still Large in Slovakia
Slovakia still exudes uncertainty 16 years after its “velvet divorce” from the Czech Republic.

Internet Companies and Ad Agencies Go From Old Enemies to New Friends
The slowing growth in online advertising is pushing traditional ad agencies and Internet companies to work together.

Europe Tests Banks, and Worries
Germany and Spain are reluctant to publish the results, but other nations favor releasing an overview of the data.

Patient Money: For a Frugal Dieter, Weight Loss on a Sliding Scale
A dieter’s commitment to weight loss can sometimes be linked to how much money he or she is willing to spend.

Shortcuts: Raising Children Who Care in Times That Need It
Philanthropy is not only for the wealthy. You can bring children into the fold by letting them figure out how they would like to contribute.

Winner of Lunch With Warren Buffett Gets a Windfall
A Chinese businessman mentioned a Chinese company ahead of a meeting with Warren Buffett, and watched the shares soar.

British Study Madoff Payments to Austrian Banker
Prosecutors are investigating reports that companies owned by the banker, Sonja Kohn, received more than $40 million.

A Subdued Trading Day in Asia and Europe
Trading has been subdued as the United States has a day off and many in London focused on the Wimbledon tennis semifinals.

European Union Proposes to Police Derivatives Trading
The European Commission said moving trades onto exchanges would improve price transparency and strengthen risk management.

Combative Union Leader Steps From the Shadows
Richard Trumka, who is running to become the next president of the A.F.L.-C.I.O., is expected to bring a more combative style to Big Labor.

U.S. Gets Tough on Funds Trying to Buy Failed Banks
Under new rules, private equity funds buying failed banks at bargain prices will need three times as much capital as solvent banks.

S.E.C. May Reinstate Rules for Short-Selling Stocks
They have been reviled as the bad hats of Wall Street, nefarious traders who cashed in on the market collapse and, some insist, helped precipitate it.

U.S. Inquiry Is Confirmed Into Google Books Deal
The Justice Department confirmed it was conducting an antitrust investigation into a settlement of a class action between Google and groups representing authors and publishers.

Talking Business: Ire at Madoff Swings Toward the Referee
Ever since the scandal broke, many victims have felt aggrieved at the process itself, directing their anger at a lawyer caught in a no-win situation.

Your Money: A Day to Tackle the Financial To-Do List
Taking time, 10 or 12 hours, to tackle ever-postponed money tasks and clear the books can be lucrative.

NYT > Business

 

Supermarkets Prepare for Post-Recession World

Magna Board Set to Approve Opel Plans

Darling Warns Bankers Against Complacency

Big Kickbacks to Austrian Banker in Madoff Case?

Euro Zone, UK Service Sectors Stumble but Optimisic

Slideshow: A Day at Wimbledon '09

One Wimbledon Final Ticket for Over $32,000?

Latvian Banker Taking Souls as Collateral

AEG Live Releases Michael Jackson Rehearsal Footage

Rio Wraps Up Rights Issue, Australia Demand Strong

Bank of Ireland Keeps Impairment View, Margins Hit

Full Coverage of Europe's Banking Crisis

Special Report: Countdown to London 2012

CNBC Europe Top News and Analysis
Stock Market News, Financial, Earnings, World Market News and Info Covering the Europe Region

 

China to Partially Lift Yuan Curbs for Foreign Banks

North Korea Fires Short Range Missiles: Reports

Prospect of a New Reserve Currency 

Beijing Asks China Mobile to Buy ICBC Shares

Major Nations Should Back the Dollar: Japan

Magna Board Set to Approve Opel Plans

Rio Wraps Up Rights Issue, Australia Demand Strong

Japan Appoints Tamaki as Top Currency Diplomat

Fixing China's Social Security System 

China Says 'Carbon Tariffs' Proposals Breach WTO Rules

PepsiCo CEO Talks Bottlers, China Growth and More

AEG Live Releases Michael Jackson Rehearsal Footage

Australia Trade Gap Widens as Commodity Prices Fall

CNBC Asia Top News and Analysis
No Description Provided

 

Oil Remains Highly Correlated to the S&P 500
On a rolling 200-day basis, oil is now more correlated to the S&P than any other time in the last twenty years. Below we picture the correlation of oil versus the S&P on both a 50-day and a 200-day basis....

June 29th Blogger Sentiment Poll
Bloggers are mostly neutral in what is expected to be a quiet week. Blogger Sentiment Poll Participants: 24/7 Wall St (N) Carl Futia (+) Dash of Insight (-) Elliot Wave Lives On (-) Fallond Stock Picks (-) In the Money...

Crude Contracts Expire Today
The last trade for the front month crude contract is today, and strange price fluctuations have often been cited as the contract nears closing. Today oil is down over $2, in the past this kind of change might have been...

June 22nd Blogger Sentiment Poll
Most bloggers are neutral going into the week. Blogger Sentiment Poll Participants: 24/7 Wall St (N) Ahead of the Ticker (N) Carl Futia (+) Dash of Insight (N) Elliot Wave Lives On (-) Fallond Stock Picks (-) In the Money...

June 15th Blogger Sentiment Poll
There are more bears than bulls in this week's poll. Blogger Sentiment Poll Participants: 24/7 Wall St (-) Ahead of the Ticker (N) Carl Futia (+) Dash of Insight (+) Elliot Wave Lives On (-) Fallond Stock Picks (-) In...

Have Earnings Expectations for the S&P 500 Finally Bottomed?
Since September of 2008 we have seen 2009's YoY earnings expectations for the S&P 500 steadily decline. You may recall that for the first half of 2008 many analysts were expecting an earnings recovery, and thus forecasting 20 - 25%...

Birinyi In the News
Laszlo Birinyi will appear on CNBC Thursday, June 11th between 9:30 and 10:00 to discuss his outlook for the US equity market.

New Equity Analysis Tool From Birinyi Associates
Birinyi Associates recently released a brand new kind of database covering fundamentals and trading parameters for 1,500 US stocks. As a special promotion here on Ticker Sense we are making this tool available to our readers for a limited time....

June 8th Blogger Sentiment Poll
Blogger Sentiment Poll Participants: 24/7 Wall St (N) Carl Futia (+) CrossingWallStreet.com Daily Dose of Optimism (-) Dash of Insight (+) Elliot Wave Lives On (-) Fallond Stock Picks (-) In the Money Information Arbitrage (N) Learning Curve (-) MaoXian...

June 1st Blogger Sentiment Poll
Bloggers are neutral going into the new month. Blogger Sentiment Poll Participants: 24/7 Wall St (N) Ahead of the Ticker (N) Carl Futia (+) Daily Dose of Optimism (-) Dash of Insight (N) Elliot Wave Lives On (-) Fallond Stock...

May 26th Blogger Sentiment Poll
Bloggers were mostly neutral at the end of last week. Blogger Sentiment Poll Participants: 24/7 Wall St (N) Ahead of the Ticker (N) Carl Futia CrossingWallStreet.com Dash of Insight (N) Elliot Wave Lives On Fallond Stock Picks In the Money...

May 18th Blogger Sentiment Poll
Blogger Sentiment Poll Participants: 24/7 Wall St (N) Ahead of the Ticker (N) Carl Futia (+) CrossingWallStreet.com Dash of Insight (+) Elliot Wave Lives On (-) Fallond Stock Picks (-) In the Money Knight Trader (N) Learning Curve (-) MaoXian...

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