Exactly 250 U.S. companies are valued at more than $10 billion, but only 18 of them — the top 7.2% — have no long-term debt on their balance sheets. It’s an impressive statistic, but perhaps more notable to investors is that… Read More

Bill Gates evidently made a New Year’s resolution last year — one that he didn’t say much about. Of course, when you’re Bill Gates you don’t have to say much to make the things you resolve happen. In fact, Gates may have only said… Read More

Today we conclude our three-part series examining the companies with the biggest bank accounts, and whether they are worthwhile investments for the upcoming New Year.   Company (Ticker) Cash/Near Cash General Electric (NYSE: GE) $61.4 Billion Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-B) $26.9 Billion Ford (NYSE: F) $25.8 Billion Merck (NYSE: MRK)… Read More

Perhaps Willie Nelson put it best.  “If you’ve got the money, honey, I’ve got the time.” The United States’ top 10 most cash-rich companies certainly have enough jack to keep the party going. Today we continue looking at whether companies with a huge cash position make good… Read More

Cash, they say, is king. If that’s true — and after the financial crisis we can all agree that it is — then these 10 companies must be the masters of the universe.  Company (Ticker) Cash/Near Cash General Electric (NYSE: GE) $61.4 Billion Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-B)… Read More

It’s the sixth such tome from Mary Buffett, who was, a long time ago, married to Warren’s son Peter, a musician. The new book will examine Buffett’s management secrets. This is silly. Buffett is a renowned investor — and for good reason — but… Read More

Short sellers have big stature on Wall Street. The “short” part doesn’t have anything to do with their physical height but it has much to do with their psychological and practical approach to the market. While most investors buy stocks to benefit from rising prices, shorts sell… Read More

Today’s home sales report might not have caught your eye, but the news is good and worth reviewing for investors looking for potential market-beating gains. Existing-home sales in October jumped a record +10.1% from the previous month. Sales are up +23.5% since their October 2008 low, which also marks a… Read More

The most valued company in the United States? If you guess Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) or ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) or Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A), you’re way off. Hint: This company been around since 1851 and does business in nearly every town in the world. Another hint: A band called The Five Americans made… Read More

The Oracle has spoken. Fresh on the heels of his recent $44 billion deal to buy the railroad Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Warren Buffett’s latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission Monday night shows his company, Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-B), has acquired new… Read More