High-frequency trading works for a few large firms. They have access to special computer systems and high-speed data connections that allow them to enter thousands of orders a minute. The fastest firms can enter and exit trades in less than a second. Individuals cannot possibly compete with these firms and… Read More

The history of India begins with evidence of human activity of Homo sapiens as long as #google-ad# 75,000 years ago, or with earlier hominids including Homo erectus from about 500,000 years ago.[1] The Indus Valley Civilization, which spread and flourished in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent from c. 3300 to 1300 BCE in present-day Pakistan and northwest India, was the first major civilization in South Asia.[2] A sophisticated and technologically advanced urban culture developed in the Mature Harappan period, from 2600 to 1900 BCE.[3] This Bronze Age civilization collapsed before the end of the second millennium BCE and… Read More

The history of India begins with evidence of human activity of Homo sapiens as long as #google-ad# 75,000 years ago, or with earlier hominids including Homo erectus from about 500,000 years ago.[1] The Indus Valley Civilization, which spread and flourished in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent from c. 3300 to 1300 BCE in present-day Pakistan and northwest India, was the first major civilization in South Asia.[2] A sophisticated and technologically advanced urban culture developed in the Mature Harappan period, from 2600 to 1900 BCE.[3] This Bronze Age civilization collapsed before the end of the second millennium BCE and was followed by the Iron Age Vedic Civilization, which extended over much of the Indo-Gangetic plain and which witnessed the rise of major polities known as the Mahajanapadas. In one of these kingdoms, Magadha, Mahavira and Gautama Buddha were born in the 6th or 5th century BCE and propagated their śramanic philosophies. Most of the subcontinent was conquered by the Maurya Empire during the 4th and 3rd centuries BCE. It became fragmented, with various parts ruled by numerous Middle kingdoms for the next 1,500 years. This is known as the classical period of Indian history, during which time India has… Read More

Practically every zoo has a giraffe, and they all look alike: long neck, tan spots, four legs. Until around 2007, scientists thought there was just one kind of giraffe. But then a team of geneticists at UCLA discovered that there are actually at least six and maybe even 11 different species of giraffes. Those different species, it turns out, really are different, and some are quite rare — a finding that has helped scientists and conservationists rearrange their giraffe priorities. It just goes to show the dangers of thinking “They’re all the same.”#-ad_banner-#… Read More

Practically every zoo has a giraffe, and they all look alike: long neck, tan spots, four legs. Until around 2007, scientists thought there was just one kind of giraffe. But then a team of geneticists at UCLA discovered that there are actually at least six and maybe even 11 different species of giraffes. Those different species, it turns out, really are different, and some are quite rare — a finding that has helped scientists and conservationists rearrange their giraffe priorities. It just goes to show the dangers of thinking “They’re all the same.”#-ad_banner-# It’s a common misperception investors have when it comes to stocks, too: Many people think a stock is a stock is a stock. But actually, there are several different kinds, and you ought to know how to tell them apart so that you too can get your priorities straight. Here are five types of stocks to know about before you invest. Common Stock Common stock is the most popular kind… Read More

Practically every zoo has a giraffe, and they all look alike: long neck, tan spots, four legs. Until around 2007, scientists thought there was just one kind of giraffe. But then a team of geneticists at UCLA discovered that there are actually at least six and maybe even 11 different species of giraffes. Those different species, it turns out, really are different, and some are quite rare — a finding that has helped scientists and conservationists rearrange their giraffe priorities. It just goes to show the dangers of thinking “They’re all the same.”#-ad_banner-#… Read More

Practically every zoo has a giraffe, and they all look alike: long neck, tan spots, four legs. Until around 2007, scientists thought there was just one kind of giraffe. But then a team of geneticists at UCLA discovered that there are actually at least six and maybe even 11 different species of giraffes. Those different species, it turns out, really are different, and some are quite rare — a finding that has helped scientists and conservationists rearrange their giraffe priorities. It just goes to show the dangers of thinking “They’re all the same.”#-ad_banner-# It’s a common misperception investors have when it comes to stocks, too: Many people think a stock is a stock is a stock. But actually, there are several different kinds, and you ought to know how to tell them apart so that you too can get your priorities straight. Here are five types of stocks to know about before you invest. Common Stock Common stock is the most popular kind… Read More

Today’s essay is a little different than you’re used to. I’m not going to talk about any specific investment. Nor am I going to tell you about a stock that I think is about to take off. Frankly, what I have to tell you is much bigger… and much more important to your success as an investor. It all begins back nearly three decades ago. You see, I began my investment career while I was still… Read More

Today’s essay is a little different than you’re used to. I’m not going to talk about any specific investment. Nor am I going to tell you about a stock that I think is about to take off. Frankly, what I have to tell you is much bigger… and much more important to your success as an investor. It all begins back nearly three decades ago. You see, I began my investment career while I was still in the U.S. Air Force. I spent 20 years in the service, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before retiring. During those two decades I served in Spain, Germany, Japan, Korea (at least 10 times), Iceland and Guam. In my spare time, I earned my MBA and became more serious about investing. I taught myself the ins and outs and read anything about the topic that I could get my hands on. (When I was stationed in Iceland, I would study the Financial Times for hours on end while my station was… Read More

A sharp plunge on Monday, Aug.8, a stunning rebound on Tuesday, another pullback on Wednesday. When will it all end? It’s increasingly clear that very low price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios aren’t grounds enough to bring out value investors. Instead,… Read More

Shares of Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS) have produced only meager returns for investors in recent years, but all that may be changing. That’s thanks to an ambitious growth plan that may boost cash flow by 50%… Read More

Traders have long admired the performance of Steve Cohen, the manager of hedge funds at SAC Capital. Recently, Cohen and his firm have been in the news because of an… Read More

It’s no secret that J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) has become a retail disaster over the past five years. The top line has fallen each year since 2007, from… Read More

After reading through hundreds of press releases in the just-completed earnings season, I’m not surprised that CEOs are quite excited about their company’s prospects. However, with every company putting a positive spin on its operations and outlook, it can be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. One distinguishing factor: the executives and directors who back up their words with actual insider buying. Committing thousands of dollars to buy company stock is a huge… Read More

After reading through hundreds of press releases in the just-completed earnings season, I’m not surprised that CEOs are quite excited about their company’s prospects. However, with every company putting a positive spin on its operations and outlook, it can be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. One distinguishing factor: the executives and directors who back up their words with actual insider buying. Committing thousands of dollars to buy company stock is a huge vote of confidence. Throughout the past winter, insider buying activity was relatively dormant as an ever-rising market led most insiders to think about cashing in options rather than buying fresh shares. Yet in the past month, we’ve seen a notable upturn in insider buying activity. Here are three stocks that have seen renewed interest from insiders. (Credit to InsiderInsights.com for data on insider activity.) 1. Read More