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Positive Housing Data; Guidance Make Sector a Long-term Play

Recent housing-related figures from a wide range of players in the space indicate the economy is continuing to recover. The positive data can be used as a basis for those who may have avoided the space as a long-term investment play. Housing-related data came from many sources this week. On Thursday, the Commerce Department released Continue reading →

Posted by Martin June 22, 2016

Finding Bargain Bonds in a Low-yield Environment

The low interest rate environment may be around for some time to come as the Federal Reserve earlier this year announced that it would likely not raise interest rates again this year and maybe even wait until 2018. I think that’s a stretch; this year or next seems more like it. But with the slowing Continue reading →

Slowing Job Growth, Low Inflation Make Likelihood for Rate Hike Doubtful

Fed Chair Janet Yellen may not think the time is right to raise interest rates, but many retirees and other savers, would beg to differ. They say the time is right, and that it has been right for years. The low interest rate environment has impacted these groups perhaps more than any other. Those who’ve Continue reading →

Posted by Martin June 21, 2016

Like It or Not; Brexit Referendum is Coming

Like It or Not; Brexit Referendum is Coming

You’ve likely heard about Brexit by now, and the rhetoric over it is ramping up considerably. In this piece, I’ll give you some tips about how you can play the market in the wake of the historic vote.    · First, let’s go over what exactly is Brexit   Brexit is an abbreviation of British exit. Continue reading →

Posted by Martin June 20, 2016

Redstone Keeps His Word To Replace Viacom Board

UPDATE: On Thursday, June 23, the judge overseeing the case about the Viacom directors being replaced by Sumner Redstone has ruled they can remain for now, according to CNBC. It seems that Sumner Redstone is making good on his threat to rid the current members of Viacom’s (NYSE: VIAB) board of directors. Now let’s see Continue reading →

Twilio, Several Other IPOs on Tap This Week

Twilio opened Thursday, June 23, at $15 a share. During intraday trading it surged 92% above that price and closed at $28.79. It’s market cap is valued at $2 billion. As you know, there have been few opportunities for investors to get in on initial public offerings this year. However, that will change next week Continue reading →

Smith & Wesson Among Gun Makers Whose Sales Soared Last Week

Smith & Wesson Among Gun Makers Whose Sales Soared Last Week

As the nation mourns the Orlando terrorist attack by a man who was radicalized and pledged his allegiance to ISIS, Smith & Wesson is enjoying a spike in sales. In fact, the gun-maker’s surged to just a few dollars; of its new 52-week high of $30.44. Gun-maker Smith & Wesson (NASDAQ: SWHC) rose more than Continue reading →

IEX: The new stock exchange aimed to slow down high frequency trading

This post was originally published at New York Times.   The IEX office/trading floor, located in downtown Manhattan. Credit Cole Wilson for The New York Times America is getting a new stock exchange from the most prominent critics of high-frequency trading. After months of delays and a brutal lobbying battle that divided Wall Street, the Continue reading →

Posted by Martin June 17, 2016

The Math of S&P 2200

This post was originally published on Yahoo Finance.     I want to discuss a meta-theory about how and why the stock market can go higher this year, despite valuations and sluggish growth in the economy and earnings.   This theory involves 5 elements: The investment machinery of Wall Street where trillions of dollars are Continue reading →

Posted by Martin June 15, 2016

Fed keeps rates unchanged. Of course!

    The Federal Reserve has wrapped up its latest two-day meeting and Janet Yellen is set to address the media in Washington, DC. Yahoo Finance has all the latest on the statement and Chair Yellen’s press conference.