The US dollar has ended this year on a high note not seen in some time, not since the time of the financial crisis and collapse in 2008. Dollar strength, at least in this index, is largely a reciprocal function of weakness in the euro, and to a lesser extent the yen, the pound, and…
Warren Buffett’s classic aphorism “You only see who’s swimming naked when the tide goes out” is being tossed around more frequently these days, as the world gets yet another deflation scare. David Stockman just published a great piece on this topic, which should be read in its entirety. In the meantime here’s a summary of…
Recognizing ‘fair value’ is the key to investing success. In Sonoco Products’ case, investors should send its shares packing. Many investors gravitate towards time-tested dividend growth stocks without understanding the value, or lack of value, that they may offer at various points in time. Specialty packaging firm Sonoco Products (SON) meets the consistent dividend grower criteria but…
We introduced the “Hot or Not” segment last year as a lighthearted way to break down important themes for individual investors. Rather than looking at page views or ratings, we want to review economic, market, and public policy themes that could help you most in the new year. In this illustrated review of the year, the…
Shares of NeuroDerm (NDRM) surged as much as 100% during the trading session on December 30, 2014 after the company announced positive results from an early stage trial treating Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s Disease is a mental disorder in which patients shake and lose their ability to control movement of the body. The drug used in…
These are the last days of 2014 and it is interesting to line up a couple of important things that happened over the year. More than a few remarkable twists and turns have happened, and it makes us more excited about 2015. Think about the surge of the Chinese stock market out of the…
Only 1 of MNI’s Chicago Business Barometer components rose in December as the headline index tumbled from October’s multi-year highs at 66.2 to today’s December print of 58.3 – lowest in 5 months and missing expectations for the 2nd month in a row. While new orders, prices paid, and production all fell, employment (the sole improvment)…
Only 1 of MNI’s Chicago Business Barometer components rose in December as the headline index tumbled from October’s multi-year highs at 66.2 to today’s December print of 58.3 – lowest in 5 months and missing expectations for the 2nd month in a row. While new orders, prices paid, and production all fell, employment (the sole improvment)…
Europe is a mess, and in spite of all the papier mache offering a pretty facade, it’s just going to get messier. From a charting perspective, the big break took place at the place marked with an arrow (which I nailed to the day for my Slope+ subscribers). There’s nothing to suggest this downtrend will…
China May Ease Gold Import Rules Bloomberg – The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) is considering a plan to allow qualified miners and more banks to import gold. The intention is to attract more foreign investors and get China more involved in world markets. Chinese miners would be incentivized to “explore opportunities overseas,” said Wallace Ng,…
