Any casual observer of the energy markets is probably aware that during the past two years, a bit of dichotomy has developed between natural gas and crude oil. On the one hand you have a global commodity — a transportation fuel… Read More

A common pitfall companies encounter has to do with challenging marketplace conditions, be it changing customer habits or competition from rivals that attempt to steal away its business. Others have a habit of self inflicting their wounds. Changing market conditions, foreign competition, fickle consumers — these are… Read More

After a sharp plunge in 2009, many companies are reporting vastly improved results this year. But until the economy is firmly in growth mode, further profit gains may be hard to come by. But a small minority of… Read More

Even as the national economy manages to stay above water, the local picture is more complex. A number of states are starting to bounce back while other local economies remain under duress. Compared to a year ago, the employment picture has gotten even worse… Read More

One of the mega growth companies of the past few years is Salesforce.com (NYSE : CRM). Since 2008, sales have spiked from $748.7 million to $1.3 billion. And investors have piled into the stock, which has gone from $34 to nearly $120 since early 2009. Salesforce.com builds… Read More

The economy stinks. More than a year after the worst recession since the Great Depression, the economy is sputtering again. Unemployment still hovers at 9.6% and the housing market continues to languish. Economic growth is so… Read More

In tough economic times, a high debt load can cripple a company. But when business is good, that debt can actually be a real benefit. That’s because equity comprises just a small part of the company’s total enterprise value (… Read More

Gold is on the march. The yellow metal is spiking to a new all time (non inflation-adjusted) highs of nearly $1,300 per ounce on renewed speculation that the Federal Reserve’s next moves will only strengthen the case for higher gold prices down the road. Let’s take a closer look at some key questions to see if gold is set to shine even brighter or eventually lose its luster. Q: What is the Fed concerned about? A: In its most recent statement after Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC)… Read More

Gold is on the march. The yellow metal is spiking to a new all time (non inflation-adjusted) highs of nearly $1,300 per ounce on renewed speculation that the Federal Reserve’s next moves will only strengthen the case for higher gold prices down the road. Let’s take a closer look at some key questions to see if gold is set to shine even brighter or eventually lose its luster. Q: What is the Fed concerned about? A: In its most recent statement after Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) meetings, the Fed noted that potential deflation is of increasing concern. (Core annual inflation has been running at 0.9% for five months in a row, its lowest pace since 1966.) Any drop in prices could spell real trouble for the economy and would imperil borrowers that are seeing lower income but constant debt levels. Q: What might the Fed do? A: To help support prices, the Fed can inject money… Read More

I always keep my eyes open for investment opportunities. The best method is to literally keep them open when you are out and about doing your daily business. This is one of the ways I’ve found multi-bagger stocks over the years. Everyday items can certainly provide investors with good returns, but these companies tend to be what Peter Lynch called “stalwarts” — slow growing companies paying a nice dividend that should form the cornerstone of your portfolio. However, it is the companies behind the scenes or right under… Read More

I always keep my eyes open for investment opportunities. The best method is to literally keep them open when you are out and about doing your daily business. This is one of the ways I’ve found multi-bagger stocks over the years. Everyday items can certainly provide investors with good returns, but these companies tend to be what Peter Lynch called “stalwarts” — slow growing companies paying a nice dividend that should form the cornerstone of your portfolio. However, it is the companies behind the scenes or right under your nose that provide the big growth opportunities. Many years ago, I invested in a company called Flextronics (Nasdaq: FLEX). At the time, the company was providing a lot of the parts and electronics that went inside things like cellular phones. While I was in a Subway sandwich store a few weeks ago, I saw the employees rapidly heat up the sandwiches in a TurboChef oven. I thought a super-fast oven was a neat idea, but also dismayed to learn the company had been purchased in 2008 by Middleby Corporation (Nasdaq: MIDD), a company that designs, manufactures… Read More