Despite popular opinion, I’ve never been a big believer in investing in gold. There’s a reason gold is the currency of pirates, drug dealers and James Bond villains. I… Read More

The stock market has outperformed even the most optimistic forecasts so far this year. The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average are up nearly 10% in just the first six weeks of 2013. While not… Read More

Investment bankers are a fickle lot. When the market takes a tumble, they tell their soon-to-go-public banking clients to withdraw their plans for an initial public offering (IPO). But when the market is stable and rising, as has been the case in recent months, then they scramble back to those clients, telling them the time to complete the IPO has arrived. As long as the market avoids an… Read More

Investment bankers are a fickle lot. When the market takes a tumble, they tell their soon-to-go-public banking clients to withdraw their plans for an initial public offering (IPO). But when the market is stable and rising, as has been the case in recent months, then they scramble back to those clients, telling them the time to complete the IPO has arrived. As long as the market avoids an air pocket in 2013, then the coming year could prove to be a very active period for IPOs. Indeed, we’re off to a good start: There have been $5 billion worth of IPOs completed thus far this year, according to Dealogic. The tech-heavy slate of upcoming IPOs will be led this week by a debut for Xoom, a fast-growing online money-transfer service. Here are 10 other fast-growing tech companies that are currently being cajoled by investment bankers to take the plunge. A few of them may end up in your… Read More

Brazil is an undisputed economic powerhouse. Not only is it the leading emerging market and the largest economy in South America, it is the sixth-largest economy in the world after overtaking England in 2011. Read More

Protecting profits and preparing for an economic crisis is likely the furthest thing from your mind right now. The stock market is on a tear higher and the economic picture is looking brighter by the day. Thanks… Read More

Brazil is an undisputed economic powerhouse. Not only is it the leading emerging market and the largest economy in South America, it is the sixth-largest economy in the world after overtaking England in 2011. The country’s incredible rise to global prominence has been driven by its rich trove of natural resources.#-ad_banner-# Brazil’s largest export is iron ore, and is the world’s third-largest producer behind only China and Australia. Brazil’s iron ore exports are up more than 200% in just the past… Read More

Brazil is an undisputed economic powerhouse. Not only is it the leading emerging market and the largest economy in South America, it is the sixth-largest economy in the world after overtaking England in 2011. The country’s incredible rise to global prominence has been driven by its rich trove of natural resources.#-ad_banner-# Brazil’s largest export is iron ore, and is the world’s third-largest producer behind only China and Australia. Brazil’s iron ore exports are up more than 200% in just the past three years. Brazil is also a major player in energy. It is currently the 13th-largest exporter of crude in the world, but that’s rapidly changing… The country’s growth in energy got a big boost in 2006 with the discovery of the Lula oil field off its eastern coast, lifting Brazil’s proven and probable reserves by 150% to 50 billion barrels. The Economist projects that will help the country rise to the sixth-largest oil producer in the world by 2020. Agriculture is also a huge part of Brazil’s booming… Read More

Four weeks ago, I told you about a trading strategy specifically designed to reduce exposure to market volatility, preserve capital and generate income. I know it sounded almost too good to be true, but those readers who acted on the specific trade in that… Read More

After 25 years of service, Leon Cooperman decided to retire as head of Goldman Sachs Asset Management in 1991. His retirement didn’t last very long. Cooperman quickly launched his own investment firm, Omega… Read More

Smartphones are exploding in popularity. What was once considered a tool just for the tech-savvy or on-the-go business professionals has become a ubiquitous tool in communication.  Even the most pessimistic estimates project 400 million units being shipped in 2013. This is up from a little more than 50 million in… Read More