Note: This update incorporates Thursday’s release of the Fed’s balance sheet data. Market Cap to GDP is a long-term valuation indicator that has become popular in recent years, thanks to Warren Buffett. Back in 2001 he remarked in a Fortune Magazine interview that “it is probably the best single measure of where valuations stand at any given moment.”…
As OPEC and non-OPEC members continue to produce oil in record volumes despite weak global demand, oil glut is expected to persist in 2016, creating a very challenging environment for energy and related industries. About the Company Founded in 1953 and headquartered in Edmonton, Canada, North American Energy Partners (NOA – Snapshot Report) is the corporate parent of…
Just so you know – I’m not talking about a scammer here, i’m talking about an actual worm. I like reading about money and finances and sometimes while I am reading I happen across some unusual articles like this one. The article talks about a man who didn’t trust the banks and so he stored his…
By now you have probably read everything about the death of high yield bonds, the investor lockup at Third Avenue, and the risk that these “junky” assets pose to exchange-traded funds. Believe me, the financial media is just getting started slicing and dicing this thing up. Everyone loves to sink their teeth into an investment…
Following the mini-devaluation in August, the yuan appreciated in September and October. It began depreciating again in November and this has continued through the first half of December. The dollar finished the local session at new multi-year highs against the yuan. Many observers see in the pre-weekend announcement about monitoring the yuan against a…
10 Year Lows The Stock price is at a 10 year low, a myriad of factors have come together over the past 6 months to push the stock down from $25 a share on June 22nd to as low as $8.81 on December 4th 2015. The previous 10 year low in the stock was $15.32 on April…
The junk bond collapse of the last few months has reminded us of some important lessons going forward. Here are three that I find most pertinent: 1) Most investors have no reason to own junk bonds. As I discussed the other day, junk bonds are basically a crappy version of equity and don’t compare favorably to holding…
As I watch the Dow slip below my attractor level of 17,300, the Fed rate is expected to lift off this week, oil is near $36/barrel and Christmas is close. Usually the markets try to hold their value through the holidays, so this slipping in the stock markets is something to watch. When the Dow…
Vera Bradley (VRA – Snapshot Report) is a designer, producer, marketer and retailer of stylish and functional accessories, including handbags, and travel & leisure items for women. It is well known for its stylish designs with distinctive and colorful fabrics and trims. Founded over 30 years ago by Patricia R. Miller and Barbara Bradley, the company is now…
Last Friday the S&P 500 Index (SPX) fell through it’s major Twitter support level at 2020. This morning the decline continues without any support levels being tweeted below the market. All I can say is look out below. When no one is tweeting support it means no one is confident the selling will stop. That…
