Every investor feels the pain and pleasure of stock price moves. Even the smallest move up or down can lead otherwise rational people to trade based more on emotions than facts. While a few disciplined investors stick to objective rules, the vast majority impulsively react to market swings. The key to successful stock market investing is to be one of those disciplined investors.  Systematic investing is a time-proven method of extracting money from the stock market. Logical, established systems for making buy/sell decisions remove an investor’s emotions from the equation. Systems can range from simple calculations used by individuals to… Read More

Every investor feels the pain and pleasure of stock price moves. Even the smallest move up or down can lead otherwise rational people to trade based more on emotions than facts. While a few disciplined investors stick to objective rules, the vast majority impulsively react to market swings. The key to successful stock market investing is to be one of those disciplined investors.  Systematic investing is a time-proven method of extracting money from the stock market. Logical, established systems for making buy/sell decisions remove an investor’s emotions from the equation. Systems can range from simple calculations used by individuals to the ultra-complex, computer-driven algorithms employed by hedge funds, institutions, and professional traders. While financial advisors and other money managers have used algorithmic decision-making software for some time, it has only been since 2008 that regular individual investors have been able to access this software on their own. Known as robo-advisors, these automated investing platforms for the masses have become wildly popular over the last few years. Depending on your own susceptibility to impulsive trading, robo-advisors may make sense for a portion or even your entire portfolio.  Here are three things you need to know about robo-advisors. #-ad_banner-#​1. They Are Not… Read More

The further pending legalization of medical marijuana has stirred up an investor feeding frenzy. Like sharks smelling blood, investors have gone crazy over the upside potential of legal pot. And for good reason — early investors in the space are likely to earn handsome returns. Hundreds of companies have sprouted up to exploit the excitement surrounding the coming regulatory changes. However, most of these innovative new players are only suitable for risk-loving speculators. While substantial profits may be earned in the short term, many of these small-caps are one-trick ponies with questionable long-term prospects. Fortunately, there is a solution for… Read More

The further pending legalization of medical marijuana has stirred up an investor feeding frenzy. Like sharks smelling blood, investors have gone crazy over the upside potential of legal pot. And for good reason — early investors in the space are likely to earn handsome returns. Hundreds of companies have sprouted up to exploit the excitement surrounding the coming regulatory changes. However, most of these innovative new players are only suitable for risk-loving speculators. While substantial profits may be earned in the short term, many of these small-caps are one-trick ponies with questionable long-term prospects. Fortunately, there is a solution for cannabis investors who prefer relative security and a long-term outlook. Several large, established firms are actively adding legal medical marijuana-based products to their pharmaceutical lines. The Safest Stock In The Cannabis Space Believe it or not, the plant form of cannabis is not approved by the FDA for pharmaceutical use. This came as a surprise to me as I firmly thought that cannabis was approved as a pharmaceutical ingredient, given all the positive press hype. #-ad_banner-#The FDA has only approved the synthetic form of cannabis in three medications. These medications are Marinol, Syndros, and Cesamet. Marinol and Syndros are… Read More

Cryptocurrency investing is quickly shifting from a hacker novelty to mainstream practice. Cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ethereum have become so popular that major money management firms and central banks are taking this technology very seriously.  Investors have earned near-unbelievable returns from the leading cryptocurrency names over the last 24 months. Insane volatility combined with massive future potential has attracted both short-term traders and long-term investors to the fray.  Beyond simply creating a medium of exchange, the technological innovation at the heart of these currencies, known as the blockchain, is revolutionizing how business is conducted. Dozens of major banks and money… Read More

Cryptocurrency investing is quickly shifting from a hacker novelty to mainstream practice. Cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ethereum have become so popular that major money management firms and central banks are taking this technology very seriously.  Investors have earned near-unbelievable returns from the leading cryptocurrency names over the last 24 months. Insane volatility combined with massive future potential has attracted both short-term traders and long-term investors to the fray.  Beyond simply creating a medium of exchange, the technological innovation at the heart of these currencies, known as the blockchain, is revolutionizing how business is conducted. Dozens of major banks and money management firms have pending projects in this space, including industry-leading names like Citi, Credit Suisse, UBS, and MetLife.  What has me most excited is the fact that everyday investors can easily get involved with this world-changing technology. In fact, one of the world’s most popular cryptocurrencies is currently trading at just $0.18, allowing widespread participation regardless of your account size.  #-ad_banner-#If you think it’s too late to participate in what could be the most profitable market of all time, you are dead wrong. The industry is still in its infancy despite the explosive growth over the last year. Read More

Income, strength, and stability are the three core characteristics every retired person needs in their portfolio. Because retirees lack the luxury of a steady paycheck, dividends are the key to financial stability after one leaves the workforce.  But what types of dividend stocks are best for retirees? Of course, any choice needs to possess the three core characteristics above, but there are other factors that make a dividend-payer truly unique. By far the most important is a genuine potential for price appreciation and growth.  I drilled down three stocks that I think contain all three of these essential characteristics…  1. Read More

Income, strength, and stability are the three core characteristics every retired person needs in their portfolio. Because retirees lack the luxury of a steady paycheck, dividends are the key to financial stability after one leaves the workforce.  But what types of dividend stocks are best for retirees? Of course, any choice needs to possess the three core characteristics above, but there are other factors that make a dividend-payer truly unique. By far the most important is a genuine potential for price appreciation and growth.  I drilled down three stocks that I think contain all three of these essential characteristics…  1. AT&T (NYSE: T) AT&T shares have suffered this year, with a nearly 10% price plunge due to slowing growth, competition, and a substantial debt load. The selling has placed this legacy telecommunication and data company deep in the value zone, setting up an ideal buy opportunity for yield-hungry investors. #-ad_banner-#Long known as a dividend aristocrat, AT&T has increased its dividends for an astounding 30 years in a row. Currently yielding an impressive 5%-plus annually with a quarterly dividend of about $0.49 per share, the company is the seventh-highest-yielding name in the S&P 500.  Boasting revenue of nearly $162 billion,… Read More

Warren Buffett is by far the most successful long-term stock investor of all time. His value-centric approach has returned an astounding 1.9 million percent since taking control of Berkshire Hathaway in the mid-1960s.  Although Buffett’s portfolio has recently suffered a little, investors are still handsomely rewarded for following his advice and stock picks. Here are five of Buffett’s holdings that can set you up for an easier retirement.  1. Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF) This consumer finance company was spun out of GE Financial back in 2015. It currently comprises about 0.30% of Berkshire Hathaway’s stock portfolio. Buffett loves credit… Read More

Warren Buffett is by far the most successful long-term stock investor of all time. His value-centric approach has returned an astounding 1.9 million percent since taking control of Berkshire Hathaway in the mid-1960s.  Although Buffett’s portfolio has recently suffered a little, investors are still handsomely rewarded for following his advice and stock picks. Here are five of Buffett’s holdings that can set you up for an easier retirement.  1. Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF) This consumer finance company was spun out of GE Financial back in 2015. It currently comprises about 0.30% of Berkshire Hathaway’s stock portfolio. Buffett loves credit card and consumer finance companies — he also owns stakes in American Express (NYSE: AXP) and Mastercard (NYSE: MA). However, I firmly believe the best investment results, going forward, will be gleaned from Synchrony Financial. Here’s why: Synchrony is the largest issuer of private label credit cards in the United States. This means that retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and Lowes, among many others, utilize Synchrony to manage their credit services. I love the fact that company profits are retailer-agnostic, meaning that regardless of who is winning the retail battle, Synchrony will continue to benefit from transactions. #-ad_banner-#Companies like Synchrony profit… Read More

We are in the early stages of a quiet revolution that has bypassed many investors. It is akin to the original space race of the 1960s and early 1970s, just without the media frenzy. This time, rather than world powers vying for space supremacy, it’s corporations looking to be the first to profit from space industry and travel.  The public’s excitement regarding space exploration and exploitation is at a shallow level, but opportunities exist for farseeing investors to snap up stocks of emerging space-age companies. The leading investors on Earth are already heavily invested in space technology. The most notable,… Read More

We are in the early stages of a quiet revolution that has bypassed many investors. It is akin to the original space race of the 1960s and early 1970s, just without the media frenzy. This time, rather than world powers vying for space supremacy, it’s corporations looking to be the first to profit from space industry and travel.  The public’s excitement regarding space exploration and exploitation is at a shallow level, but opportunities exist for farseeing investors to snap up stocks of emerging space-age companies. The leading investors on Earth are already heavily invested in space technology. The most notable, and wealthiest, investor in this pace is Jeff Bezos of Amazon (Nasdaq: AMZN). He has committed to investing $1 billion per year into Blue Horizon, a space tourism and payload launch company. Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, has invested in the rights to an upper atmosphere launch vehicle. Tesla founder Elon Musk has an ambitious goal to colonize Mars with his company SpaceX. Finally, Richard Branson has launched a space tourism business called Virgin Galactic.  Many companies in the new space race remain in private hands. However, several public companies are starting to look very appealing to investors looking for… Read More

Can the stock market go any higher?  This is the number-one question I’ve been hearing from investors recently. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, considered by many to be the most important market barometer, is higher by roughly 20% over the last year. An all-time high of 22,179 posted just a few weeks ago triggered massive bullish fever. The question is, will 22,179 continue to mark the all-time high for the next several years or will the bulls continue to push stocks into the stratosphere?  #-ad_banner-#The evidence is saying that the bulls are wrong and 22,179 will be the historical high… Read More

Can the stock market go any higher?  This is the number-one question I’ve been hearing from investors recently. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, considered by many to be the most important market barometer, is higher by roughly 20% over the last year. An all-time high of 22,179 posted just a few weeks ago triggered massive bullish fever. The question is, will 22,179 continue to mark the all-time high for the next several years or will the bulls continue to push stocks into the stratosphere?  #-ad_banner-#The evidence is saying that the bulls are wrong and 22,179 will be the historical high for the DJIA through the end of 2018. To be clear, the DJIA will go higher in the future. In fact, it will go much higher over the next decade. However, for now, the top has posted.  Remember, the S&P 500 is higher by over 250% since the 2009 bottom. We are in the midst of an almost 100-month advance across the major stock market indexes, and valuations are pushing traditional limits. My prediction is based on a combination of five factors that mark the top of the market. Any one of these signs is a bearish signal, but the… Read More

Anthony Scaramucci, Lloyd Blankfein, David Tepper, Steve Cohen and countless other Wall Street elites love the game. Off the street, it’s similarly well known as the sport of the rich and powerful. But that’s not to say they’re the only ones playing it. #-ad_banner-#Despite rumors of its demise, golf is still embraced by players of all incomes. There are over 14,000 playing courses in the United States alone, and the game creates nearly $70 billion in annual revenue. Two million U.S. jobs in the industry support the country’s 25 million active players. Make no mistake, participation rates have declined since… Read More

Anthony Scaramucci, Lloyd Blankfein, David Tepper, Steve Cohen and countless other Wall Street elites love the game. Off the street, it’s similarly well known as the sport of the rich and powerful. But that’s not to say they’re the only ones playing it. #-ad_banner-#Despite rumors of its demise, golf is still embraced by players of all incomes. There are over 14,000 playing courses in the United States alone, and the game creates nearly $70 billion in annual revenue. Two million U.S. jobs in the industry support the country’s 25 million active players. Make no mistake, participation rates have declined since its heyday.  However, domestic numbers are steadying and could be headed for another boom in the years to come as more baby boomers reach retirement age.  These new retirees will enter their golden years seeking to spend more time and money on their pastimes. With golf already an established game across the spectrum of society, it will be the beneficiary of this demographic shift.  2 Ways To Play’s Golf’s Resurgence 1. Callaway Golf (NYSE: ELY) The only pure golf play on the list, Callaway is in the midst of a comeback, creating an ideal investment opportunity. With a market… Read More

28 years ago, everyone was talking about how great the Japanese economy was performing. Its stock market was hitting all-time high after all-time high, and investor money was flowing freely into the island nation.  Then, the market crashed.  #-ad_banner-#Capital fled like roaches running from the light. And while things have improved significantly since these dark days, the Nikkei remains the lowest valued index in all the major world markets. Investors remain afraid to expose themselves to Japanese equities.  It’s within this value-depressed environment that the greatest opportunities lie. In fact, a strong argument can be made that Japan’s expanding economy… Read More

28 years ago, everyone was talking about how great the Japanese economy was performing. Its stock market was hitting all-time high after all-time high, and investor money was flowing freely into the island nation.  Then, the market crashed.  #-ad_banner-#Capital fled like roaches running from the light. And while things have improved significantly since these dark days, the Nikkei remains the lowest valued index in all the major world markets. Investors remain afraid to expose themselves to Japanese equities.  It’s within this value-depressed environment that the greatest opportunities lie. In fact, a strong argument can be made that Japan’s expanding economy is about to boom. The smart money is already positioning itself to capture long-term profits.  Here’s why now is the best time to invest in Japan. 3 Forces Lining Up Behind Japanese Equities 1. The Weak Yen A powerful central bank program of negative interest rates has returned the Japanese economy to a growth path. Low to negative interest rates have led to a weak currency, which promotes exports and works to lift the stock market. The Financial Times reported that net exports added a full percentage point to Japan’s annualized growth in the first quarter of 2017. Just… Read More

Calling a market top is a game for fools and overconfident pundits with no skin in the game. Right now, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average trading around 200 points off its all-time highs, crash calls and bearish sentiment are increasing by the day.   Make no mistake; the market top will print eventually. There are many signals indicating that the top is in or at the very least close.  Smart stock investors will keep an eye to the signs when deciding how to position their portfolios going forward. Even though we don’t know how long the market will keep… Read More

Calling a market top is a game for fools and overconfident pundits with no skin in the game. Right now, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average trading around 200 points off its all-time highs, crash calls and bearish sentiment are increasing by the day.   Make no mistake; the market top will print eventually. There are many signals indicating that the top is in or at the very least close.  Smart stock investors will keep an eye to the signs when deciding how to position their portfolios going forward. Even though we don’t know how long the market will keep pushing higher, utilizing bearish signals as a data point when making decisions is simply intelligent investing.  #-ad_banner-#One of the more widely used sentiment signals has been flashing a top alert for the last several months. This article will explore the indicator, delve into what is happening right now, and provide stocks that have set up to be great shorts.  The bearish indicator is money flow. As capital (money) flows in and out of the stock market, prices fluctuate. While this is common sense and doesn’t mean much on a day-to-day basis, over the longer term trends in money flow can… Read More