There’s no question the U.S. unemployment rate remains high by historical standards. But it’s also undeniable that it has continued to improve, holding steady at 7.6% after the July jobs report, which showed the economy adding 195,000 jobs last month. Improving employment trends are a big boost for the economy, fueling both consumer spending and sentiment. While that’s good for every company in the S&P 500, there is one that is really cashing in on the trend. In fact, this little-known business-services company has many of the characteristics… Read More

There’s no question the U.S. unemployment rate remains high by historical standards. But it’s also undeniable that it has continued to improve, holding steady at 7.6% after the July jobs report, which showed the economy adding 195,000 jobs last month. Improving employment trends are a big boost for the economy, fueling both consumer spending and sentiment. While that’s good for every company in the S&P 500, there is one that is really cashing in on the trend. In fact, this little-known business-services company has many of the characteristics of what we call a “Forever Stock” at StreetAuthority: high barriers to entrance, a strong balance sheet, attractive valuation and sustainable growth. Portfolio Recovery Associates (Nasdaq: PRAA) is a $2.5 billion company that purchases, collects and manages portfolios of defaulted consumer receivables in the United States and United Kingdom. As a debt collector, Portfolio Recovery Associates has seen big gains from falling… Read More

It’s absolutely amazing the cultural changes that can take place within just a few decades.  Several years ago, I was excited to have been given tickets for box seats at a crucial baseball game at Yankee Stadium. As I enjoyed a beautiful day at the ballpark, I noticed that smoking was permitted and that several of my fellow fans had lit cigarettes to enjoy with their beer and hot dogs. I decided to join them by lighting one of my favorite mild Dominican cigars to savor during the last few innings.#-ad_banner-# After a… Read More

It’s absolutely amazing the cultural changes that can take place within just a few decades.  Several years ago, I was excited to have been given tickets for box seats at a crucial baseball game at Yankee Stadium. As I enjoyed a beautiful day at the ballpark, I noticed that smoking was permitted and that several of my fellow fans had lit cigarettes to enjoy with their beer and hot dogs. I decided to join them by lighting one of my favorite mild Dominican cigars to savor during the last few innings.#-ad_banner-# After a few puffs, I heard an angry, high-pitched voice ordering me to extinguish the cigar. On my right, I noticed a small child scowling at me. He informed me that his school had taught him that smoking is bad for you. Not wanting to get into a philosophical argument with a child (or to upset his rather large father), I extinguished the cigar and returned to enjoying the game.  This encounter reminded me of just how fast cultural trends can change. For instance, in my middle school days, kids not much older than my young anti-smoking friend were smoking so much… Read More

If you lost a chunk of your portfolio during the Great Recession or were late to the party as the market recovered, you might be trying to make up that lost ground with aggressive investments. With the market steadily climbing upward, you would probably be less likely to go for safe, defensive plays intended to protect your money rather than grow it. While that’s a good strategy at this point in the economic cycle, it… Read More

If you lost a chunk of your portfolio during the Great Recession or were late to the party as the market recovered, you might be trying to make up that lost ground with aggressive investments. With the market steadily climbing upward, you would probably be less likely to go for safe, defensive plays intended to protect your money rather than grow it. While that’s a good strategy at this point in the economic cycle, it might also pay to consider one particular real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns, operates and develops retail properties, including a sizable representation of grocery-anchored retail properties in its portfolio. The grocery-anchored retail component provides the safe defensive play, while the REIT also stands to benefit from rising construction activity as the economy improves. Regency Centers Corp. (NYSE: REG) grows by acquiring new properties, developing properties and investing in partnership with others. Typically, the REIT… Read More

I counted twice, just to be sure… $61,417.91. That’s the amount in “daily paychecks” — more commonly known as dividends — I received from my investment portfolio in 2012. That total comes to $167.81 for each day of the year. Cash. Why am I telling you this? It’s not to brag. I was born and raised in Wisconsin. The typical Midwestern mentality is so ingrained in me, I very rarely talk about money. And I’m… Read More

I counted twice, just to be sure… $61,417.91. That’s the amount in “daily paychecks” — more commonly known as dividends — I received from my investment portfolio in 2012. That total comes to $167.81 for each day of the year. Cash. Why am I telling you this? It’s not to brag. I was born and raised in Wisconsin. The typical Midwestern mentality is so ingrained in me, I very rarely talk about money. And I’m not one to show off, either. I drive a Nissan I bought eight years ago. I get my hair cut at Supercuts. No, I’m telling you this because I honestly think what I’ve discovered is the single best way to invest, hands down.I’m talking, of course, about the “Daily Paycheck” strategy. If you’ve read StreetAuthority for even a couple of weeks, you’re likely familiar with Amy Calistri and this strategy. Amy is the Chief Strategist behind our premium newsletter, The Daily Paycheck. Her goal is to build a portfolio that pays at least one… Read More

Appearances can be deceiving. While on the surface everything these days seems to be moving along without a hitch, there is a huge underlying force steering the U.S. economy.  I am not talking about a dark and evil conspiracy plotting to overthrow the… Read More

In investing, there is one rule that supersedes all others. And this rule should be the first thing you consider when building the core holdings in your portfolio. Legendary investor Warren Buffett put it best: “Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Don’t forget rule No. 1.” There is no sure thing in investing, and every investment comes with certain risks. However, today I would like to… Read More

In investing, there is one rule that supersedes all others. And this rule should be the first thing you consider when building the core holdings in your portfolio. Legendary investor Warren Buffett put it best: “Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Don’t forget rule No. 1.” There is no sure thing in investing, and every investment comes with certain risks. However, today I would like to share with you five funds that I believe are some of the safest, most stable investments on the market.#-ad_banner-# But first, let’s take a look at the investment that most people consider the benchmark of safety: U.S. Treasury bonds. Treasurys are considered the safest investments in the world because the U.S. government has never defaulted on any debt it has… Read More

In investing, there is one rule that supersedes all others. And this rule should be the first thing you consider when building the core holdings in your portfolio. Legendary investor Warren Buffett put it best: “Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Don’t forget rule No. 1.” There is no sure thing in investing, and every investment comes with certain risks. However, today I would like to… Read More

In investing, there is one rule that supersedes all others. And this rule should be the first thing you consider when building the core holdings in your portfolio. Legendary investor Warren Buffett put it best: “Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Don’t forget rule No. 1.” There is no sure thing in investing, and every investment comes with certain risks. However, today I would like to share with you five funds that I believe are some of the safest, most stable investments on the market.#-ad_banner-# But first, let’s take a look at the investment that most people consider the benchmark of safety: U.S. Treasury bonds. Treasurys are considered the safest investments in the world because the U.S. government has never defaulted on any debt it has… Read More

The main character in Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.’s 1965 book, God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, is an eccentric philanthropist. He thinks it’s unfair that babies don’t all start with an equal playing field. “I think it’s a heartless government that will let one baby be… Read More

As we head into earnings season, investors have ample reason for both optimism and caution.  The U.S. economy appears to be getting healthier, as seen by the recent monthly employment report. Yet stocks, after a stunning four-year rebound, appear to already anticipate a great deal of solid economic growth yet to come.  Will the economy come through? It’s too soon to know. We are not yet at a level of self-sustaining growth that… Read More

As we head into earnings season, investors have ample reason for both optimism and caution.  The U.S. economy appears to be getting healthier, as seen by the recent monthly employment report. Yet stocks, after a stunning four-year rebound, appear to already anticipate a great deal of solid economic growth yet to come.  Will the economy come through? It’s too soon to know. We are not yet at a level of self-sustaining growth that leads economists to declare with certainty that 2014 and 2015 will represent steady and strong growth.#-ad_banner-# That’s why I continue to suggest a focus on stocks with defensive characteristics. They are still capable of solid upside if the economy expands at a healthy pace. Yet they have valuations in place that will help them hold their ground if the economy (and stock market) stumbles in the months ahead. A key measure of safety is… Read More

As we head into earnings season, investors have ample reason for both optimism and caution.  The U.S. economy appears to be getting healthier, as seen by the recent monthly employment report. Yet stocks, after a stunning four-year rebound, appear to already anticipate a great deal of solid economic growth yet to come.  Will the economy come through? It’s too soon to know. We are not yet at a level of self-sustaining growth that… Read More

As we head into earnings season, investors have ample reason for both optimism and caution.  The U.S. economy appears to be getting healthier, as seen by the recent monthly employment report. Yet stocks, after a stunning four-year rebound, appear to already anticipate a great deal of solid economic growth yet to come.  Will the economy come through? It’s too soon to know. We are not yet at a level of self-sustaining growth that leads economists to declare with certainty that 2014 and 2015 will represent steady and strong growth.#-ad_banner-# That’s why I continue to suggest a focus on stocks with defensive characteristics. They are still capable of solid upside if the economy expands at a healthy pace. Yet they have valuations in place that will help them hold their ground if the economy (and stock market) stumbles in the months ahead. A key measure of safety is… Read More