Expiring patents are usually bad news for major pharmaceutical companies, especially if the patents are for popular “blockbuster” medications generating $1 billion or more of annual revenue. When those patents expire, the patent… Read More

Without realizing it, our everyday rants about housing, grocery prices and car loans are sprinkled with Federal Reserve influences. Even if you don’t actually utter the words “the Fed” in such conversations, you are touched in numerous ways by our nation’s… Read More

Gold has exploded higher during the past several years. The bullishness has been ignited by massive global fiscal stimulus programs, slowing production growth and aggressive purchasing of the yellow metal by several central banks. It’s no wonder gold prices are up nearly 100% during the past five years.  Take a… Read More

Blue chips aren’t known for cranking out big market-beating gains. But that’s exactly what has happened in the first nine months of 2012, with the group surging higher as investors fled volatility and slow economic growth in favor of… Read More

In America, we have let our guard down when it comes to our banking relationships. We assume that everything will be fine if our bank fails. After all, the FDIC insures our deposits up to $250,000. Why worry?  I hate to break this to… Read More

We are mere weeks away from kissing 2012 goodbye and saying hello to bigger and better things in the new year. Smart moves between now and December 31 can make all the difference in reaching your retirement goals, whether you’re starting out in your career or just a few years… Read More

Investors should steer clear of the stocks that have taken the biggest beating since Election Day. We are likely to see more selling in these stocks. The market surged on Monday, Nov. 19. Midway through the session, the Dow was up 160… Read More

Time is running out. Congress has 42 days to decide what they’re going to do about the “Bush Era” Tax cuts. If they don’t act by December 31st, income taxes will rise across the board. Long-term capital gains could also increase. If… Read More

The equity markets are moving away from risk, and ever since traders turned their attention from the election to more significant unknowns, the de-risk trade has been in full effect. This is true of the equity markets at large, but it’s especially true of many stalwart “safe” high-yield sectors such… Read More

Many traders now understand that buy-and-hold strategies can suffer from steep losses for years at a time. This knowledge was probably acquired from expensive first-hand experience. In a strong bull market that lasts for… Read More