My favorite stock screening method is to see what the big money owns, and then dig deeper from there. The concept behind this starting point is that the large hedge-fund and money-management firms have far greater collection of resources, computer power and talent than I, as an individual investor, could… Read More

Those crazy financial engineers seem to be creating new exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on a daily basis. Just about every index, country, sector and idea have a related… Read More

The worst drought in more than 50 years has slammed the U.S. agricultural industry this summer. About 46% of the lower 48 states are in severe drought conditions, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map. The situation has become so bad, that the U.S. Department of… Read More

You’ve studied charts over time. You understand the fundamentals behind price movements and are convinced the market is going to drop. So you decide on an inverse index exchange-traded fund (ETF)… Read More

Every time you turn on the financial news channels or read the business section in the newspaper, you hear or read about debt. It’s truly become the new hot topic in economic circles. From the debt crisis in the European Union to the individual level, managing debt is fact of… Read More

I get many financial newsletters and investment advisories delivered via the old-fashion snail mail to my home, and even more via email. Although I take the investment gurus’ proclamations with a grain a salt, I still read the information for entertainment and to gauge… Read More

The free market is truly like a jungle. In the jungle, once-mighty animals become old and frail, and they fall prey to younger, stronger beasts. The same thing happens with companies. Once-great investments become laggards if they… Read More

There is no question that smoking is a dirty, unhealthy habit. I can remember back when smoking was popular. The smell of cigarette smoke permeated nearly everything, particularly public spaces and offices. Even in high school, where it was banned inside, there was a smoking area outside the cafeteria and… Read More

There is no question that Warren Buffett has had a great run as an investor and money manager. His ability to spot great deals and hold companies through thick and thin is… Read More

It can easily be said that change is the only constant in the stock market, and nowhere is this fact more evident than in the technology sector. The financial world’s graveyard is littered with tech companies that failed to… Read More