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Weighing the Week Ahead: Can Strong Earnings Revive the Stock Rally?

Are you ready for some real news? How about corporate earnings? While there is some economic data on tap, the Q1 earnings season starts in earnest this week. With questions about economic strength, the dollar and the Fed in mind,... Continue reading

Posted Apr 9, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Weighing the Week Ahead: What Will We Learn from the Trump-Xi Meeting?

We have a big economic calendar and potential Fed news. Those stories will take a back burner this week. My safest prediction is that we are about to see a new rash of China experts both in print media and... Continue reading

Posted Apr 1, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Stock Exchange: Are You Guilty of Voodoo Chart Reading?

Michael Kahn, a leading technician and columnist, provides the inspiration for this week's Stock Exchange. In a recent post he take on a quest: Unmasking the Voodoo of Chart Reading. This topic really hits home with our Stock Exchange Group.... Continue reading

Posted Mar 30, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Headline Spin – a Recession Brewing?

Investors have learned from both data and personal experience that business cycle peaks (popularly known as recessions) are associated with the most important stock declines. It is natural that any news about a possible recession gets extra attention. There are... Continue reading

Posted Mar 29, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Weighing the Week Ahead: What Does the Obamacare Vote Mean for Stocks?

The economic calendar is light, but it really would not matter. The defeat (via retreat) of the effort to replace Obamacare will dominate financial market stories this week. The pundits will be asking: What does the health care decision mean... Continue reading

Posted Mar 25, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Stock Exchange: How to Trade in a World of News-Driven Risk

Many seem convinced that market risk is elevated – perhaps at an all-time high. I know this from contacts on my vacation, where I see many high-net worth people, messages from my clients (an intelligent and cool-headed lot), and even... Continue reading

Posted Mar 23, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Weighing the Week Ahead: Will a More Aggressive Fed Derail the Rally in Stocks?

The economic calendar is light until the Friday employment report. Most of the punditry are still digesting the more aggressive talk in the recent speeches from Fed participants. With many observers expecting a correction and looking for a catalyst, pundits... Continue reading

Posted Mar 4, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Stock Exchange: How to Trade an Overbought Market

For the last three weeks, the term "overbought" has been frequently used to describe the overall market as well as many specific stocks. What does this really mean? It has a dangerous sound, and that is indeed the common message.... Continue reading

Posted Mar 2, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Trump’s Address to Congress: A Preview for Investors

A Presidential address to Congress is an important occasion. In the first year of a term, it is called just that. In later years, it will be called the State of the Union Address. The circumstances, ceremony, and protocol are... Continue reading

Posted Feb 27, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Weighing the Week Ahead: Have Stock Prices Lost Touch with Reality?

It is a big week for economic data and the first address to Congress from the new President. Most of the punditry is engaged in a collective head-shake about overbought conditions. Even if the data flow remains strong, pundits will... Continue reading

Posted Feb 26, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Stock Exchange: How to Play Sector Rotation

Sector rotation is a regular media topic, but few really understand it. Stock moves are often described in sector terms – retail, transports, industrials, biotech, etc. You get the drift. There has been a movement to define sectors in terms... Continue reading

Posted Feb 23, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Weighing the Week Ahead: Are Trump Policies Extending the Business Cycle?

We have another holiday-shortened week with little fresh data. While there are some Fed speakers on tap, it is not enough to feed the avaricious punditry. There are two competing themes: the spike in inflation and the continuing assessment of... Continue reading

Posted Feb 18, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Stock Exchange: How to Buy the Dips

Pure traders love to buy the dips – and of course sell the rips. Everyone wants to buy low and sell high. Is this part of your strategy? Do you know when and how to make that your plan? Today's... Continue reading

Posted Feb 16, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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The Fastest Way to Improve Your Investment Results

Here is the key concept: Abandon that which is not helpful! Background One of my best friends loved "investing" in baseball. He had an opinion about every team and every game. He also had a happy bookie. He called me... Continue reading

Posted Feb 15, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Weighing the Week Ahead: Trump v. Yellen, Round One

A week featuring the Fed Chair's semi-annual Congressional testimony, and daily speeches by most of her Fed colleagues, would normally represent a commanding first choice for the upcoming theme. This time is different. (Yes, I know that you are never... Continue reading

Posted Feb 11, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Stock Exchange: How to Distinguish Skill from Luck

Would you like to know whether your trading is lucky or good? Today's Stock Exchange will help. As a bonus, we have some interesting ideas to explore. [Important Update - Market Open 02/10/17] Holmes gave a "sell" alert on CASY... Continue reading

Posted Feb 9, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Weighing the Week Ahead: Is Market Optimism Justified?

We have a rather light week for economic data. The biggest reports came last week. Earnings season continues. Everyone is keeping a close eye on President Trump, wondering what might happen next. Meanwhile, stocks are at all-time highs and interest... Continue reading

Posted Feb 4, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Stock Exchange: Finding Your Trading Sweet Spot

Our last Stock Exchange (two weeks ago) discussed diverse ideas from our experts, and also explained why I vetoed one of the recommendations. When trading using models, you can link directly to a platform if you do many trades and... Continue reading

Posted Feb 2, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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The Most Accurate Employment Data

On the first Friday of each month the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the Employment Situation Report. The data – especially the payroll employment change – is the subject of much speculation, forecasting, and spinning once it is announced. Most... Continue reading

Posted Feb 1, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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If There Had Been No Quest for Investing Excellence – and Dow 20K

The new movement to passive investments is a sharp break from the historical quest for excellence. Many articles claim that no one can do better than the market average. If that is true, you should just throw out your investment... Continue reading

Posted Jan 25, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Great Investment Results – Why Settle for Less?

There is a lot of recent buzz about active management – basically showing that excellence is difficult to achieve. The conclusion is popular, especially among those who have no aspiration to beat average. I cannot do this in a single... Continue reading

Posted Jan 24, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Weighing the Week Ahead: Will Policy Uncertainty Lead to Stock Volatility?

We have a normal calendar for economic data. There will be important news will come from corporate earnings reports. Since this earnings season is part of an inflection point – the end of the earnings recession-- it is special. That... Continue reading

Posted Jan 21, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Stock Exchange: Diverse Approaches – and a Presidential Veto!

Last week's Stock Exchange illustrated how human traders could call upon models as "consultants," effectively creating their own trading room. If you missed the post, please check it out. This week the gang is short on fresh ideas --- and... Continue reading

Posted Jan 19, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Neglected Investing Ideas

Peter Lazaroff's series has interesting questions for some of the top investment bloggers. It is getting good attention. I am enjoying it, and I'm sure others are as well. The comments from the heavy-hitters on his list are all very... Continue reading

Posted Jan 18, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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Weighing the Week Ahead: Will Earnings Confirm the Strength in Economic Data?

We have a light calendar for economic data and a short week of trading. The biggest news will come from corporate earnings reports. Some financial stocks reported on Friday, but this is the first big week for Q416. Earnings season... Continue reading

Posted Jan 14, 2017 at A Dash of Insight

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