The faster growing segments of the U.S. economy and in other parts of the world had me looking at two promising investments ideas -- each with relatively untested track records. Both made the cut in this month's issue. Read More
Analyst Articles
How I’m Earning 8% From a Company Paying 0%
July 28, 2010
I sold my 1994 Mazda 626 — affectionately called “The Green Monster” — to a neighbor about two years ago. The car had served me well and still had enough life left to see his two teenagers through those dicey “new driver” years. I’m happy to report that the teens… Read More
The Amazing Chart You Have to See
July 22, 2010
I have a chart that I want to show you. It’s nothing complex or hard to understand. In fact, I take pride in how simple it is to read. You’ll be surprised that the information shown in this chart is the result of just six months of… Read More
The $11 Stock I’m Watching Now
July 16, 2010
Right now, I’m in “pre-board” mode. That’s what I call the day before I go on vacation. Part of my mind is already swimming with all the fun things I’m going to do during my time off. But I’m also grounded by the work I have to… Read More
First Paycheck, Performance and Preservation
July 16, 2010
Mid-Month Update — July 2010 To supplement my monthly Daily Paycheck newsletter, I publish a regular “Mid-Month Update” near the middle of every month. I use this mailing as a way to keep you abreast of recent events surrounding my Paycheck Portfolio. To ensure uninterrupted delivery… Read More
Defensive Picks for a Reflective Market
July 2, 2010
Although the U.S. unemployment rate recently dropped to 9.5% from 9.7%, job growth is still sluggish. Consumers are still cautious. And Europe's austerity plans, aimed at containing debt, may become more of a drag on the global economy. This has given the market a lot to digest. Read More
Every portfolio needs a strong foundation of stable and dependable investments. Solid income producers and tried and true equities are the hallmark of a prudent retirement plan. But is that enough? Those of us heading into retirement may have to do more with our… Read More
The Income Opportunity in Our Own Backyard
June 22, 2010
In the late 1960’s, the central bank of Mexico was looking for ways to bring more American tourists — and their U.S. dollars — into the country. Acapulco, on the Pacific side of the country, had already become a tourist mecca… Read More
Friday Losers: Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods and HCP
June 18, 2010
Among the biggest losers in Friday’s early trading are Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods (NYSE: WBD) and HCP (NYSE: HCP). Top Percentage Losers — Friday, June 18, 2010 Company Name (Ticker) Intra-Day Price Intra-Day % Loss 52-Week High 52-Week Low Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods (NYSE: WBD) $19.67 -8.9% $78.57 $12.33 HCP (NYSE: HCP) $32.74 -4.7% $34.50 $19.65 *Table includes companies with minimum market capitalizations of $200 million and three month trading volumes of at least 100,000 shares. All percentage returns are listed as of… Read More
Among the biggest losers in Friday’s early trading are Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods (NYSE: WBD) and HCP (NYSE: HCP). Top Percentage Losers — Friday, June 18, 2010 Company Name (Ticker) Intra-Day Price Intra-Day % Loss 52-Week High 52-Week Low Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods (NYSE: WBD) $19.67 -8.9% $78.57 $12.33 HCP (NYSE: HCP) $32.74 -4.7% $34.50 $19.65 *Table includes companies with minimum market capitalizations of $200 million and three month trading volumes of at least 100,000 shares. All percentage returns are listed as of 1:48PM Eastern Standard Time. Click on ticker symbols for up-to-the-minute price quotes and percentage gain data. Russian Dairy Jilted for Another Pharmacy companies CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS) and Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) kissed and made up last night. But that doesn’t seem to be the fate awaiting the dairy and baby food companies Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods (NYSE: WBD) and Danone. #-ad_banner-#The French company Danone owns an 18% stake in Russia’s WBD. But this week Danone announced a merger with one of WBD’s competitors, Unimilk. Read More
Among the biggest winners in early Friday trading are Covanta (NYSE: CVA), SMART Modular Technologies (Nasdaq: SMOD) and Walgreens (NYSE: WAG). Top Percentage Gainers — Friday, June 18, 2010 Company Name (Ticker) Intra-Day Price Intra-Day % Gain 52-Week High 52-Week Low Covanta (NYSE: CVA) $18.15 +8.2% $19.69 $14.43 SMART Modular Tech. (Nasdaq: SMOD) $6.86 +5.5% $8.75 $2.10 Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) $34.02 +3.9% $40.69 $27.89 *Table includes companies with minimum market capitalizations of $200 million and three month trading volumes of at least 100,000 shares. All… Read More
Among the biggest winners in early Friday trading are Covanta (NYSE: CVA), SMART Modular Technologies (Nasdaq: SMOD) and Walgreens (NYSE: WAG). Top Percentage Gainers — Friday, June 18, 2010 Company Name (Ticker) Intra-Day Price Intra-Day % Gain 52-Week High 52-Week Low Covanta (NYSE: CVA) $18.15 +8.2% $19.69 $14.43 SMART Modular Tech. (Nasdaq: SMOD) $6.86 +5.5% $8.75 $2.10 Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) $34.02 +3.9% $40.69 $27.89 *Table includes companies with minimum market capitalizations of $200 million and three month trading volumes of at least 100,000 shares. All percentage returns are listed as of 12:03PM Eastern Standard Time. Click on ticker symbols for up-to-the-minute price quotes and percentage gain data. Trash-to-Cash Announcement Cheers Shareholders Last night, energy-from-waste company Covanta Holding Corporation (NYSE: CVA) announced it would issue a special cash dividend of $1.50 per share. It also increased the company’s authorization to buy back up to $150 million in common shares. These bountiful gifts were well received, pushing CVA’s share price up +8.2% in early morning trading. Covanta operates about 60… Read More