7 Reasons the S&P 500 Should Hit 1500

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description:  Despite a sea of pessimism, Wealth Adviser columnist James Altucher tells Dow Jones Newswires’ Veronica Dagher seven reasons the S&P 500 should hit 1500 and why investors should be optimistic. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 07/02/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/7-reasons-the-sp-500-should-hit-1500/415ADC1B-4D66-461F-9F20-CA597CE4165C Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for optimism? Do you agree with this… Read more »

Bond rally reflects gloom – but don’t bet on it lasting

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: As benchmark yields fall to April ’09 lows, some see second-half rebound. The recent steep rally in U.S. Treasury bonds, helped by investor jitters over European debt and weakening U.S. economic data, isn’t likely to last, say some bond investors and strategists. Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: 07/02/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bond-rally-reflects-gloom-dont-bet-on-it-lasting-2010-07-02   Questions for discussion: Summarize the… Read more »

A Market Forecast That Says ‘Take Cover’

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description: WITH the stock market lurching again, plenty of investors are nervous, and some are downright bearish. Then there’s Robert Prechter, the market forecaster and social theorist, who is in another league entirely. Source: NYTimes.com   Date: 07/02/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/04/your-money/04stra.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: What do think of Elliott Wave Theory as a predictive tool? Summarize… Read more »

Markets Hub: How Low Can Yields Fall?

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description:  In the wake of the Federal Reserve offering a subdued assessment of the economy and signaling it’s set to keep interest rates low, Treasury yields are testing record levels. The downturn in yields is happening even in the absence of the kind of panic that’s pushed yields to historic lows in the past. The… Read more »

Dividends Are Rising. Will Stocks Follow?

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description: THE headlines about stock dividends have been remarkably bleak. Source: NYTimes.com   Date: 06/25/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/27/business/27fund.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points made in this article. What do you think will happen to stock prices over the next 12 months? How do dividend payouts influence investor thinking?

News Hub: Do Index Funds Help Diversify?

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description:  Although diversification remains a sound idea, market cap-based indexes have the perverse effect of diminishing diversification. Michael Casey explains what you can do. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 06/16/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/news-hub-do-index-funds-help-diversify/EA723B82-4976-41B5-9578-22F0ADAF8E49 Questions for discussion: Summarize the issues related to index investing.  Do you agree with the analysis presented by the commentators? What… Read more »

BP Considers Cut to Dividend

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation.

Description: BP is considering reducing its dividends to help quell political uproar against the company. Meanwhile, the U.S. raised estimates of the oil gushing from the crippled Gulf of Mexico well. Monica Langley, Dennis Berman, Evan Newmark and Bruce Orwall discuss. Also, a discussion of Saturday’s World Cup soccer match between England and the U.S…. Read more »

Investor Attitudes in Today’s Market

Posted by & filed under Industry Analysis, Market Analysis.

Description: Alyssa Moeder, a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, talks to Barron’s Associate Editor Matt Barthel about how investor attitudes today have changed and how she addresses their needs and concerns. Source: Marketwatch.com ╨ video report Date: 06/05/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/investor-attitudes-in-today-market/A2BAF27E-A132-4AE8-BAB1-339217104E34 Questions for discussion: Summarize the changes in attitude that are discussed in this report. Do… Read more »

Revolution Investing: Don’t Panic

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description:  The time to get fearful is when other people are greedy, and people are not greedy right now, according to Fox Business anchor Cody Willard, who advises taking the other side of the prevalent, extreme emotions particularly in technology. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 05/25/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/revolution-investing-dont-panic/31940285-9DF8-431B-9510-4A8E4FCBF9A3 Questions for discussion: Summarize the… Read more »

Steve Jobs Makes The Worst Trade Ever

Posted by & filed under Growth & Valuation.

Description:  Brett Arends tells us about one of the greatest trade blunders ever – a decision by Steve Jobs in 2003 to accept a safer but much lower returning investment in exchange for his 55 million Apple Stock options, now worth nearly $13 billion. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 05/18/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/steve-jobs-makes-the-worst-trade-ever/74CD1F05-723A-4E63-BB16-DA4AC94AFFD5 Questions… Read more »