We’re now more than a dozen years removed from the stock market meltdown that heralded the end of dot-com era. A number of e-commerce stocks went on to disappear after the boom ended, though the companies that survived grew stronger over time. Companies… 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

Rail shippers are one of the few industries benefiting from higher energy prices. That’s because rising crude and gasoline prices have caused many companies to switch from trucking to more cost-effective rail services to ship their goods. That fundamental shift in the shipping landscape has been a… Read More

It came down to an esoteric measure that maybe one investor in 100 gives a hoot about. It didn’t have to be like this. I was interested in insurance, notably Aon (NYSE: AON) and Marsh McClendon & Co. (NYSE:… Read More

I can’t tell you how many times a client walks out of my office with my last pen, drains my last bit of ink asking for an extra report, or I find myself one or two envelopes short for a client mailing. I’m left jumping into my car for a… Read More

Just like the broader economy, various industries go through phases of retrenchment, growth and then a peak. If you hold off on investing in these cyclical industries until growth is robust, then you’ve missed the boat. Various studies indicate that stock prices peak about… Read More

Nick Dreystadt is an Unsung Hero of American business. In 1933, the engineer knocked on the boardroom door at General Motors (NYSE: GM) and asked to be heard for ten minutes. He said he could take GM’s most problematic division and make it profitable within 18 months. Read More

Anyone waiting for Big Pharma to stumble on the industry’s so-called “patent cliff” has been heartily disappointed. In spite of many high-revenue products facing patent expirations in the next few years, the group continues to be a top performer, lifting the health care sector to a market-beating 9% gain by… Read More

It used to be that owning a house was one of the best investments you could make. While that may not be the case right now, there are still ways to make a profit in real estate. As… Read More

Buying Treasury bonds in 1982 turned out to be a historic investment that produced huge gains during the next 30 years. And right now, history is repeating itself. Back in 1982, the United States was struggling under the weight of high… Read More