If there is ever a position to be in, then this is it. I like to imagine what it would be like. The phone rings and my assistant tells me another CEO is on the phone. He gets right to the point. He wants… Read More

Waiting until the last minute, the politicians that run the United States of America are finally on the cusp of a major government overhaul — a move that was badly needed in light of its eye-popping budget deficits. Yet while the move to finally trim budget deficits should be applauded,… Read More

Before the global economic downturn of 2008, a clear investing theme had emerged. Rising incomes across the world were leading to richer diets and triggering a boom for all kinds of stocks that helped farmers be more productive. This emerging trend helped enrich shareholders of Mosaic (NYSE: MOS), the world’s… Read More

I think it’s the most important tool an investor can use. In my Stock of the Month advisory, it has certainly helped me out. Eighteen of my 20 closed trades are winners. I wouldn’t be anywhere near that mark without this tool. And the… Read More

With the economy showing new signs of weakness, profit forecasts are coming into question, especially for companies that are counting on consumer spending. But toy maker Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) laid down a path in 2008 and 2009 that should set the stage for robust results in 2012 and… Read More

Young companies with wide-open growth potential are my favorite type of investment. In a perfect world, these companies would be able to generate enough of their own profits to expand, be it in the form of new stores, factories or an increased sales force to reach new clients. Read More

I sure wish I’d bought shares of specialty coffee maker Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (Nasdaq: GMCR) when the company went public back in September 1993. In those 18 years, the stock rose an astounding 18,250%. So even if I’d only bought $2,500 worth… Read More

Though it’s only halfway over, 2011 is shaping up to be a forgettable year for many solar stocks. A slowdown in orders from Germany and Italy, which collectively account for half of current global demand, has led to price wars and declining forecasts. Yet for one company,… Read More

Companies in the high-technology industry must innovate constantly in order to stay competitive. Right now, a predictable turn of events is unfolding: an industry pioneer has posted very impressive growth. Heavy competition ensued, crimping growth and profit margins, forcing the company to refocus its game plan to remain on the leading edge. And now that things are turning around, it spells real opportunity for investors. This is precisely what’s happening with Cree Research (Nasdaq: CREE). Cree grew hordes of fans when sales of its light-emitting diode (LED) lighting products began… Read More

Companies in the high-technology industry must innovate constantly in order to stay competitive. Right now, a predictable turn of events is unfolding: an industry pioneer has posted very impressive growth. Heavy competition ensued, crimping growth and profit margins, forcing the company to refocus its game plan to remain on the leading edge. And now that things are turning around, it spells real opportunity for investors. This is precisely what’s happening with Cree Research (Nasdaq: CREE). Cree grew hordes of fans when sales of its light-emitting diode (LED) lighting products began to surge in mid 2007. But growth and profit in recent quarters has slumped and the company is now saddled with many detractors. The good news is clear catalysts are in place to win back the hearts of currently dubious investors. An impressive stretch of sales growth has come to an end Cree has poured massive sums into research and development (R&D) efforts to establish a leading position in LED lighting, which is more energy-efficient than standard forms of lighting. These lights used to be too dim for many industrial applications, but with… Read More

If you’re an investor who likes fat dividends during tough times (and who doesn’t), then you should own pharmaceutical stocks. Drug companies have traditionally been a safe haven during economic downturns. In fact, the S&P Pharmaceuticals Index lost only 3% of its value during… Read More