iShares Russell 2000

High-quality bonds can be an investor refuge when there’s market volatility. These securities provide relatively stable cash flows. The default probability is low.

The S&P 500 Index is trading 1.2% above its 20-day moving average and 6% above its 100-day moving average.

Alphabet reported its 3Q17 earnings on October 26, 2017. The company posted EPS (earnings per share) of $9.57, which beat analysts’ estimates of $8.33.

The dollar index (UUP) rallied about 22% between October 2014 to July 2016.

In his recent webcast by Janus Capital, Bill Gross expressed his surprise at the extent to which central bankers of the developed world (EFA) (VEA) have distorted the financial system.

In a recent interview, Jim Rogers said, “I’m on record as saying that we’re going to have a recession certainly within a year or two.”

In 1Q16, PZZA’s domestic company-owned restaurants generated nearly 48% of Papa John’s revenue, while domestic commissaries and others generated 39.4%.

This article considers the importance of investment, including residential investment, in the support of U.S. consumption data and the implications for investors.

The US economy has been improving gradually, but some businesses in the US have suffered a lot over the years.

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals (SCMP) recently completed a Phase 3 study for the alternate sprinkle formulation of Amitiza (lubiprostone) in adults with CIC (chronic idiopathic constipation).

Over a good four decades, the S&P 500’s net profit margin has fallen notably when the economy was on the verge of, or already into, a recession.

According to the recent 13F filings, Soros Fund Management has increased its position in the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) by 36% in 1Q17 compared to the previous quarter.

“The next downturn may be a difficult one for central banks to reverse,” warned Ray Dalio, CEO of the world’s largest hedge fund.

Gundlach also believes it’s interesting to look at the correlation between the size of the Fed’s balance sheet and the S&P 500 (SPY) (SPXS) (SPXL) level.

When asked in a recent interview his thoughts about the short-term and medium-term investment story, Jurrien Timmer said that the main issue for the market other than geopolitical risks is its valuation.

Boston Beer reported fiscal 2Q16 net revenue of $244.8 million, a fall of 2.9% compared to net revenue of $252.2 million in fiscal 2Q15.

Event-driven strategy is designed to make an investment in special situations, including mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, split-offs, bankruptcy, and other major events.

In 2016, Puerto Rico defaulted on constitutionally guaranteed GO (general obligation) bonds. On May 3, 2017, Puerto Rico filed for Title III bankruptcy.

The most important indicators next week are the global flash manufacturing PMIs. Manufacturing PMIs are important indicators for the economy.

The FOMC is made up of hawks and doves, and their balance could affect future policy. Investors who follow the Fed need be able to tell the differences.

As I write in my new weekly commentary, over the past two weeks, several polls have suggested a realistic chance that the people of Scotland will vote for independence in this week’s referendum.

As I’ve been noting for some time, emerging markets (EEM) can offer compelling long-term value.

Currently, we’re in a highly levered system, especially the developed world. A levered economy depends on continued credit creation for stability and growth.

Bill Gross provided his view on lower rates no longer resulting in credit creation in the economy. They have also lost their efficacy in raising equity prices.

Gross warned about deglobalization in the global economy. Trade between nations, exacerbating immigration issues, and stagnant economic growth formed his belief.

On Brexit, import restrictions and tariff quotas currently applicable to importers in the UK and foreign businesses that export to the UK are set to change.

Many are likening the current student debt situation in the United States to the mortgage debt situation that led to the 2009 financial meltdown in the US economy.

The rise in delinquencies on student loans in the United States (SPY) (IWM) (QQQ) can be partially attributed to the accelerated rise in college tuition and fees.

Jeffrey Gundlach seems quite bearish in his views about the US economy (IWM) (QQQ).

The “three big forces” Ray Dalio believes that “three big forces” drive all economies. These are: productivity growth the short-term debt cycle the long-term debt cycle An economy has to go through upturns and downturns Central bankers need to study the determinants of productivity for their economy. The determinants could include the costs of education, […]

Inflation is moving up towards its target, but it still has a ways to go before it gets there. Paul Krugman believes raising rates could keep inflation from reaching that target.

In practice, asset owners (both retail and institutional) want to avoid significant portfolio drawdowns even if the benchmark index declines.

Kenneth Cordele Griffin is the CEO of investment management firm Citadel Advisors LLC. He is the hedge fund manager and he founded Citadel in 1990. 

Analysts expect 22nd Century Group to report revenue of $23.3 million in 2018, a 40.3% rise compared to $16.6 million in 2017.

This constituent of the LEI is an economic model, constructed by modeling changes in six financial market instruments.

Array BioPharma (ARRY) completed its Phase 1b clinical trial of its investigational drug candidate ARRY-382 in combination with Merck’s (MRK) Keytruda for advanced tumor indications.

Agreement with Daiichi Sankyo In May 2016, Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) entered into a collaboration and licensing agreement with Daiichi Sankyo, under which Nektar granted exclusive commercialization rights for its product candidate, Onezeald, to Daiichi Sankyo in Europe. Onezeald is a long-acting topoisomerase-1 inhibitor in clinical development for treating adult patients with advanced breast cancer. Nektar […]

Understanding the Leading Credit Index The Conference Board LCI (Leading Credit Index), a constituent in the LEI (Leading Economic Index), is published every month and tracks credit conditions in the US economy by following changes in six financial market instruments: the two-year swap (SHY) spread (real time) the three-month LIBOR[1.Intercontinental Exchange London Interbank Offered Rate] (SCHO) […]

The Leading Credit Index for October was reported to be -0.70, improving from the revised September reading of -0.64.

In this series, we’ll analyze the performance of the Eurozone Consumer Confidence Index and the ZEW Economic Sentiment Index in October 2017.

The Leading Credit Index is an economic model that’s modeled on the performance of six major financial market instruments.

The small-cap stock universe started rallying after Trump’s victory in November.

The performance of municipal bonds has fallen since the 2016 election, as President Trump’s tax reform and infrastructure spending plans have caused some concern among investors.

Understanding the Leading Credit Index The Conference Board LCI (Leading Credit Index), a constituent of the LEI (Leading Economic Index), is constructed based on the performance of six financial market instruments. These components track lending conditions in the US economy. Performance of the LCI Improving credit conditions are considered positive for the economy. When the LCI […]

According to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, US retail sales fell 0.2% in August 2017.

Understanding the Leading Credit Index The Conference Board Leading Credit Index (or LCI), which tracks lending conditions in the economy, is reported monthly. The index has six constituents: 2-Year Swap Spread (SHY) (real time) LIBOR[1.London Interbank Offered Rate] 3-month (SCHO) less 3-month Treasury-bill (VGSH) yield spread (real time) debit balances in margin accounts at broker dealers […]

The Leading Credit Index is one of the constituents of The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (or LEI), which is reported by The Conference Board on a monthly basis.

Although ETF (VTV) ownership increased substantially during the last 20 years, it still isn’t high enough to meaningfully impact stock prices.

The US Consumer Sentiment Index improved in January 2017. It stood at 98.1 in January 2017 compared to 98.2 in December 2016.

Small-cap stocks have outperformed large caps on a regular basis since 1926. Small-cap stocks had a stellar year in 2016.