Although 2012 isn’t quite over yet, we’re now close enough to 2013 to start thinking about the bigger themes that are going to make for investment-worthy stocks in the coming year. Five of them are apt to become particularly strong trends. Here they are… 1. Mobile payments   The idea… Read More

As investors woke up after the day of the Presidential election, seemingly nothing had changed. The incumbent President, Barack Obama, stayed in office, the GOP maintained leadership of the House of Representatives while Democrats controlled the Senate. Does that mean four more years… Read More

As this heated election nears conclusion, one thing is for certain: It’s hard to separate the lies from the truth. However, one truth remains undeniable… The challenges our country faces also present challenges for individual investors. Whether we’re talking about the “fiscal cliff,” corporate… Read More

Scoring profits in the stock market isn’t just about finding winning investments. It’s also about avoiding the little landmines that tend to explode on those gains. And sadly, there are many hurdles that you need to be aware of as you… Read More

With an incredibly close presidential race, uncertainty about who will be in the White House next January will almost certainly have an impact on the stock market. Each candidate has different visions, and once in office will adopt policies that benefit some… Read More

For several years, we’ve read about the deep level of distress among consumers. A tough job market, coupled with the need to pay off debts incurred during the last housing bubble means that few have the spare cash to shop with abandon. Yet… Read More

Although many voters have traditionally seen the Republican Party as “pro-business” and the Democratic party as “pro-consumer,” the reality on the ground isn’t quite so clear. Democrats in Washington are courted by the same business lobbyists as their GOP counterparts. And Republicans, for their part, are well aware of the… Read More

Just as a shark that keeps swimming — even when it sleeps — companies are constantly on the prowl for ways to boost per-share profits. New products can help, as can acquisitions or cost cuts. But the clearest way to boost earnings… Read More

Throughout the first eight months of 2012, investors could not be dissuaded from buying stocks. Bad news was met with a shrug, while good news were heartily embraced. These days, the half-full glass is now perceived as half-empty. Case in point: A solid employment report from the Department of Labor… Read More

Overleveraged homeowners combined with falling home prices created a perfect storm that caused untold financial damage to many who depended on their home value for a savings or retirement plan. But this storm appears to have finally blown itself out and now the housing… Read More