Latest News

A Big Discrepancy Between the “Real” and “Asset” Economies

The U.S. stock market is off to its best start since 1997. But Mike Larson argues that the rally is entirely due to money printing by global central banks, and that the real economy is still floundering. He reveals how to profit from the situation. [read more]

ETFs Are Going BATS!

BATS Global Markets has become the third-largest U.S. securities exchange, and it’s now starting to lure ETF sponsors such as iShares away from the NYSE and Nasdaq. Ron Rowland explains how this shift happened and why it’s good for investors. [read more]

The Power of Contrarian Investing

Tom Essaye illustrates the effectiveness of his contrarian strategy by highlighting one stock that Wall Street hated: Netflix. After its collapse in November, it was trading at an attractive valuation, and traders that got long have seen a 100% gain. [read more]

An Advanced Strategy for Easy Stock Market Gains

Nilus Mattive is pursuing a strategy incorporating covered call writing for his dad’s income portfolio. He explains the approach, discusses when to use it and when to avoid it and tells you how to implement the strategy in your own portfolio. [read more]

Why the Yen Is Set to Weaken

Jack Crooks sees two indicators that tell him that the Japanese yen is about to fall: the country’s first current account deficit since 1980, and its inability to fund its debt with internal savings. [read more]

The Fed’s Latest Money Printing Scheme

Quantitative easing, or money printing, boosts asset prices while doing nothing to help the real economy. But Mike Larson points out that central banks around the world still haven’t learned their lesson, and shows you how to profit from their folly. [read more]

Profiting in the Real Estate Sector With ETFs

Ron Rowland’s indicators show short-term strength in the housing market. He presents four types of ETFs that can help you profit from a potential bounce in real estate, and two inverse ETFs that are designed to rise as the housing market declines. [read more]

A Stark Reminder from Europe

This whole European crisis is one that will take years to figure out — something to keep in mind the next time we get a furious rally in the European markets, like we’ve seen lately. [read more]

Finding Growth and Value in Retail Stocks

Nilus Mattive says that there are good values to be found in the retail sector that can help diversify your income portfolio and pay solid dividends for years. He discusses the segments of the industry and reveals where the best stocks can be found. [read more]

The ECB’s Misguided Monetary Policy

Central banks around the world are loosening their monetary policies amid concerns about fallout from the European sovereign debt crisis. But the ECB is holding its interest rates steady. Jack Crooks asks why, and discusses its possible next steps. [read more]

Quantitative Easing, Europe-Style

The European Central Bank has said it would not pursue a policy of quantitative easing, or money printing. But Mike Larson says that its long-term refinancing operations are having the same impact on the commodity and currency markets as QE. [read more]

The Impact of Euro-Zone Downgrades on the ETF Market

Ron Rowland examines the impact of the Standard & Poor’s downgrades on nine European countries and the euro-zone bailout fund. He names the ETFs that will be most affected, and sees a technical indicator signaling another phase of the debt crisis. [read more]

Positive Signs for Credit Card Companies

Historically low interest rates have not stimulated the economy because many consumers and businesses have not been able to take advantage of them. But Tom Essaye sees signs that trend may be changing, which could bode well for credit card companies. [read more]

Three Big Stock Winners in 2011

Nilus Mattive highlights three of his favorite stocks, which gave Income Superstars subscribers healthy returns while the broader market stagnated. They all make products that are popular regardless of economic conditions and all pay solid dividends. [read more]

The Unemployment Rate and the Currency Markets

The U.S. unemployment rate is falling, which usually bodes well for the economy. But JR Crooks says the continued strength of the dollar may ultimately hurt employment, as well as the U.S. exporters, the manufacturing sector and the overall economy. [read more]

A False Bottom in the Housing Market

The housing market has shown signs of strength recently and related stocks have soared. Mike Larson says these gains are due to misplaced optimism about the latest plan from Washington to fix the housing market, and advises betting against the rally. [read more]

Which Sector ETFs Are Set to Soar in 2012?

Ron Rowland looks at the sector performance and market capitalization weighting of the S&P 500 during 2011. He discusses the sectors that outperformed in the final quarter of the year, and offers ETF picks for taking advantage of this trend in 2012. [read more]

The European Banking Sector as a Market Indicator

Tom Essaye says the broad markets are not a reliable leading indicator of the direction of the sovereign debt crisis, because they tend to overreact to the headlines. He names one European banking index that can help you time your trading decisions. [read more]

Stock Sector Predictions for 2012

Nilus Mattive examines the sector performance of the S&P 500 last year, and offers his forecasts for the top three industries – utilities, consumer staples and healthcare – as well as his pick for the sector that will outperform the others in 2012. [read more]

2012 Could Be a Turnaround Year for the Australian Dollar

Jack Crooks sees weakness in the Australian economy, based on gauges of business confidence, manufacturing employment and retail sales. He thinks that the Australian economy is due for a transition, which could reduce the value of the Aussie dollar. [read more]

Expect More Volatility in 2012

Last year, Mike Larson predicted the worsening of the European sovereign debt crisis and a broad global economic slowdown. Now he says these problems will persist in 2012, dragging down the euro and contra-dollar assets like stocks and commodities. [read more]

Japan ETFs to Avoid in 2012

Some analysts think Japanese stocks are oversold, but Ron Rowland recommends avoiding Japan because of the strong yen, the European debt crisis, competition from other exporters, an aging population, massive government debt and political instability. [read more]

A Market of Stocks, Not a Stock Market

Tom Essaye shares a favorite expression of NYSE floor traders: “It’s a market of stocks, not a stock market.” He explains how investors can still find quality companies selling at bargain prices, even in the toughest of macro-economic environments. [read more]

An Income-Producing Strategy for 2012

Nilus Mattive believes that many of the issues that created such uncertainty in the markets in 2011 will be resolved in 2012. But no matter what happens in the markets, his strategy focusing on income-producing investments should yield solid returns. [read more]

Join the Sound Dollar Campaign

JR Crooks makes seven predictions for the major macro themes that will drive the markets in 2012. But he says that uncertainty is always a risk, and warns viewers about the counterbalancing events that could derail each of his predictions. [read more]

Join the Sound Dollar Campaign

In 1959, J. Irving Weiss and his Sound Dollar Campaign helped President Eisenhower balance the budget. Now his son is renewing the call to bring sanity back to our monetary policy. Go to www.sounddollarcampaign.com to sign the Sound Dollar Petition. [read more]

2011 ETF Trends and 2012 ETF Predictions

Ron Rowland looks back over the ETF trends of 2011, including small-cap country ETFs, low-volatility ETFs and new bond ETFs. And he makes predictions for the ETF trends that will shape 2012, including the disappearance of some unpopular investments. [read more]

Planning Your Exit Strategy from the Euro

The euro-zone is facing major changes in 2012. Kevin Kerr predicts that one or more nations will leave the monetary union, causing a run on their banks, currency depreciation and a hyperinflationary spiral. He tells you how to protect your money. [read more]

Four Financial New Year’s Resolutions

Nilus Mattive offers four financial resolutions for the New Year: Don’t accept paltry yields in CDs, savings accounts and money market funds. Don’t take big risks with your money. Budget wisely. And don’t pay more in taxes than you have to. [read more]

Holiday Gifts from the Federal Reserve and ECB

The Federal Reserve and European Central Bank have been trying to prop up the financial industry and the markets with currency swaps and ultra-cheap loans. Jack Crooks discusses whether the plans will work and which tactics policymakers may try next. [read more]

The Most Powerful Lesson of 2011

Countless “solutions” from policymakers have failed to boost the global economy or the capital markets. Mike Larson says they have ignored the most important lesson of 2011: The economic slowdown is driven by massive deleveraging and debt aversion. [read more]

More Confusion as HOLDRS Disappear

Ron Rowland has talked about the drawbacks of Merrill Lynch’s line of HOLDRS products before. Now HOLDRS are becoming extinct, and investors in some of them will be able to exchange their shares for new Van Eck Market Vectors ETFs. [read more]

A Banking Crisis Grows in the Baltics

The Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have become the Eastern front of the euro-zone meltdown. Two bank failures caused a run on the Scandinavian lender Swedbank, and Kevin Kerr says it could be the beginning of a new banking crisis. [read more]

Three Last-Minute Gift Ideas

Nilus Mattive offers three last-minute gift ideas that can help their recipients achieve financial independence: Series I Savings Bonds, a share of a solid dividend stock, or a good investment book, by Benjamin Graham, Michael Lewis or many others. [read more]

Asia’s Slowdown Is About to Get Worse

Jack Crooks says that the economic slowdown in Asia, and China in particular, is only going to get worse. The European banking crisis and the Chinese housing bubble are driving the hot money from Asia, and creating huge demand for U.S. dollars. [read more]

The Global Economy Is Fading Fast

The global economy is fading fast. And policymakers in Europe and the United States have run out of bailout solutions. Mike Larson says that defaults and deleveraging are now inevitable, and he offers strategies to protect yourself and profit. [read more]

How to Make the Best of Losses on Investments

Tax loss harvesting allows investors to sell a losing investment before the end of the year, and apply the capital loss against income. Ron Rowland offers three specific ideas on how to use this strategy to turn losses in 2011 into big gains in 2012. [read more]

A Smarter Investment Approach for 2012

With so much uncertainty in the markets, traditional buy-and-hold, trend-based or fundamental investing strategies are not working. Monty Agarwal offers two examples of a more prudent strategy, the long/short approach hedge fund managers favor. [read more]

Beat Portfolio Managers to the Punch this December

Tom Essaye points out that portfolio managers often stick to the sidelines in December, so as not to jeopardize their performance-based annual bonuses. But this allows other investors to beat them into areas of the market poised to grow next year. [read more]

Italy Follows Greece Down the Path to Ruin

The ECB refused to be the bond buyer of last resort for struggling euro-zone nations. And Italy just pushed through a Greek-style austerity plan. Jack Crooks says it will have similar consequences, and will ultimately lead to the end of the euro. [read more]

ECB Resisting Money-Printing Pressure

The Federal Reserve, Bank of England and even the Swiss National Bank have embarked on misguided strategies of quantitative easing. But the European Central Bank has resisted pressure to print funny money. Mike Larson explains why. [read more]

Consider Adding Emerging Market ETFs to Your Portfolio

Emerging markets are generating strong internal growth while advanced economies struggle. Ron Rowland highlights six emerging market exchange-traded funds that offer excellent opportunities for profit while minimizing volatility and risk. [read more]

Two Hot Opportunities in the Heating Oil Market

Tom Essaye fills in for Nilus Mattive. He says to ignore the daily news headlines that move the markets, and instead focus on the fundamentals. He names two heating oil pipeline companies that will benefit from increased demand and dwindling supply. [read more]

Two Hot Opportunities in the Heating Oil Market

Tom Essaye fills in for Nilus Mattive. He says to ignore the daily news headlines that move the markets, and instead focus on the fundamentals. He names two heating oil pipeline companies that will benefit from increased demand and dwindling supply. [read more]

An Unwarranted Appetite for Risk Assets

Jack Crooks is skeptical of the positive market reaction to the coordinated move by central banks to boost liquidity. He believes that the sovereign debt crisis and the slowdown in China’s economy will cause investors to lose their appetite for risk. [read more]

An Avalanche of Sovereign Debt and Bank Downgrades

Recently, Moody’s warned of an escalation in Europe’s debt crisis and put 87 banks on review. S&P may cut France’s AAA credit rating after downgrading many of the world’s largest banks. Mike Larson sees these moves as the beginning of an avalanche. [read more]

Getting Rid of the ETF Leftovers

There are more ETFs and ETNs on Ron Rowland’s Deathwatch list than ever before – funds with average daily value traded of less than $100,000, or assets under management below $5 million. Ron tells investors what to do if they own one of these funds. [read more]

Finding Profit in Natural Gas

Kevin Kerr puts the spotlight on the most viable alternative to foreign oil supplies: Natural gas. He highlights the risks involved with the natural gas market, and lays out several different ways to play the market, including two stock picks. [read more]

The Most Contrarian Investing Idea of the Year

Contrarian investing is not simply about going against the crowd; it’s about relying on one’s own research. Nilus Mattive reveals a little-known investment vehicle related to U.S. financial institutions that may be the most contrarian idea this year. [read more]

Eerie Parallels Between China and Japan

China’s export-driven economy is the envy of the world, but Jack Crooks says its position is similar to Japan’s in the 1980s. China is facing many of the same problems that led to Japan’s “lost decade,” and making many of the same policy mistakes. [read more]

More Clear Warning Signs from the Credit Markets

Mike Larson says the debt markets are giving investors even more warning signs that there will be no year-end rally. He points to yields on bonds issued by the EIB and EFSF as well as Spain and France, and the failure of the U.S. debt supercommittee. [read more]

How to Harvest Big Profits in 2012

Commodities have been on a roller coaster ride in 2011. But Kevin Kerr says grains such as corn, wheat and soybeans are poised to head sharply higher in 2012, due to increased demand from emerging markets. He offers several ways to play this trend. [read more]

Three Holiday Gifts from the IRS

Nilus Mattive offers three moves to make before the end of the year that can really help come tax day – harvesting your tax losses to offset your gains, making charitable contributions, and establishing or making changes to your retirement accounts. [read more]

Management Insights: Bladex

Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones (NYSE:BLX), or “Bladex,” is a specialized multinational bank established to finance the foreign trade of the countries in the Latin American and Caribbean regions … [read more]

Management Insights: Cosan

Cosan (CZZ) ranks as the world’s largest sugarcane producer, the leading ethanol provider in Brazil and a significant force in fuel distribution … [read more]

Management Insights: Embraer

Business is booming for the global airplane manufacturers. The leading U.S. builder, Boeing, just posted a 20% jump in 2Q net income after posting higher deliveries. And their outlook … [read more]

Has the Dollar Hit Bottom?

Jack Crooks believes that the depths of the credit crisis in 2008 marked a long-term bottom for the U.S. dollar, and that we’re now in the early stages of a new bull market. He lists nine economic and technical indicators that support his conclusion. [read more]

More Disturbing Signals from the Credit Markets

Mike Larson examines credit market indicators, including borrowing costs for European banks, Belgian government bond yields, and the spread between French and German interest rates. He says they’re leading indicators of a stock market collapse. [read more]

Understanding the Difference Between ETFs and ETNs

Ron Rowland explains the differences between exchange-traded funds and exchange-traded notes, and highlights the main drawback of ETNs – that you’re essentially lending money to the issuer, and hoping that it doesn’t go bankrupt. [read more]

Learning to Cut Your Risks in Volatile Markets

The complexity and jargon of spread trading can make it daunting to many investors. But Kevin Kerr says it’s a tool that can help limit your risk and exposure in volatile conditions like these. He explains spread trading and weighs its pros and cons. [read more]

An Update on My Dad’s Income Portfolio

Nilus Mattive has been helping his dad invest $100,000 of his retirement money over the past 15 months. He shares his results, and shows you some of the strategies he’s employed to multiply his dad’s income more than 125 times over. [read more]

Back to the Gold Standard?

Investors are fed up with the Fed’s policy of unlimited credit creation and money printing. They’re moving away from fiat currencies and toward gold. But Jack Crooks says that despite this trend, a return to the gold standard is extremely unlikely. [read more]

A Close-Up View of the European Debt Crisis

Mike Larson just got back from Germany, where he found that the euro-zone bailouts, and even the euro currency, are wildly unpopular. He sees signs that the bond markets are finally cracking, which could portend a major selloff in global stocks. [read more]

An Early Warning System for the European Debt Crisis

Ron Rowland believes that a collapse of the euro is inevitable. To track the crisis, he uses exchange-traded notes that compare Italian and German government debt. He shows you how to use these instruments as an early warning system. [read more]

Getting a Leg Up on Wall Street

Kevin Kerr says the Occupy Wall Street protesters are representative of a large part of the population who are angry at the moral failings of our government and financial institutions. He recommends ways to protect your money in this environment. [read more]

Nilus Answers Questions About I-Bonds

Nilus Mattive answers viewer questions about I-Bonds, including queries about creating an account and buying bonds on treasurydirect.gov, and why he’s recommending any type of Treasury debt given Washington’s dire financial situation. [read more]

Avoiding the Mistakes of Market Fools

Jack Crooks explains six traits of market fools, as defined by Nassim Taleb in his book “Fooled by Randomness.” Jack offers examples of how each trait can lead to heavy losses in the market, and shows you how to avoid them by controlling your risk. [read more]

Europe Screws It Up Again

The “Bailout Rally” sparked by the European summit lasted just two days. Now, economic indicators suggest that the global debt crisis is getting worse, not better, and that a second recession is coming. Mike Larson tells you how to protect yourself. [read more]

Breaking Down Stock Market Performance With Sector ETFs

Ron Rowland breaks down the stock market performance of the past year using Select Sector ETFs. He finds which sectors outperformed the broader market, and which underperformed, and explains why. [read more]

Electrifying Your Portfolio

Aside from water, the world’s biggest thirst is for oil. Kevin Kerr gives you two of many ways to tap into the growing long-term demand for solutions to our ever-shrinking supply of fossil fuels, and the insatiable demand for more power. [read more]

Earning Risk-Free Interest With I-Bonds

Nilus Mattive believes that Series I Savings Bonds, or I-Bonds, offer extremely attractive interest rates right now with zero risk. Despite a lower 6-month inflation rate, on which their interest is based, I-Bonds still yield more annually than CDs. [read more]

Why China is Clearly Losing its Advantages

In today’s video, I explain why Chinese officials have their work cut out for them. And the most they can hope for is a slow deterioration in investor sentiment. [read more]

The next major crisis Wall Street fund managers want you to ignore

There’s a big heap of hope floating out there, as far as I’m concerned. And unfortunately for the bulls, hope is now colliding with reality — and not in a good way! In today’s video, I’ll show you why we’re due for more losses … possibly very soon! [read more]

Spice Up Your Holidays with the Right ETF Picks

Today, Ron Rowland shows you three retailing ETFs that are getting geared up for the best time of the year. [read more]

Markets That Heat Up, When the Weather Gets Ice Cold!

Old man winter’s wrath will be here very soon. In fact winter 2011-2012 is predicted to be tough sledding for much of the nation, and the world. [read more]

Three Easy-to-Use Analytical Tools

To help with your stock research, especially when it comes to determining buy and sell points, Nilus Mattive shows you three basic technical analysis tools you can use. [read more]

Falling Copper Prices Put the Aussie Dollar at Risk

The Australian dollar took a tumble back in mid-2008, falling a stunning 39 percent in just three months in the midst of the credit crunch. And today, Jack Crooks explains why it could be ready to take one again. [read more]

Separating Fact from Fiction Has become Harder Than Ever!

Mike Larson says we’re getting to the point where rumors won’t work anymore. Investors want to see details — real, concrete steps to solve Europe’s debt crisis. And unfortunately, as Mike has been telling you all along, there IS no easy solution. [read more]

New Ways to Trade Tech with ETFs

Technology may be the first sector to recover. And Ron Rowland gives you some new ETFs that make it easy to jump aboard. [read more]

The Dark Continent with Bright Opportunities

Countries around the world are racing to secure precious resources for their growing populations. And today, Kevin Kerr shows why few places offer as much of a variety and abundance of vital commodities than Africa. [read more]

An Oft-Ignored but Extremely Powerful Investing Strategy

Nilus Mattive explains a powerful strategy that can put your big-picture investing plans on track, despite all the choppy action in the markets. [read more]

In the Markets, Expectations Cancel Outcomes

During Jack Crooks’ currency trading career, three books have had a profound influence on him by dispelling several common beliefs. And perhaps they can help you too. [read more]

Forget About Chasing This Rally

The bulls claim that the rally we saw in 2009 is about to repeat itself. But Mike Larson argues that they’re dead wrong, and shows that both the fundamentals and the technicals are much different this time around. [read more]

A Boatload of New ETF Choices

New exchange-traded funds and notes are available to U.S. investors every week. Ron Rowland introduces new ETF families called FlexShares, QuantShares and GEMS, and highlights new offerings from SPDR, iShares, Global X, Direxion and PowerShares. [read more]

Wake Up and Smell the Profit Potential!

Demand for coffee is growing in China and other emerging markets, as their middle classes grow. Kevin Kerr believes that this trend will continue to boost coffee prices well into the future, and he offers several ways to profit in the coffee market. [read more]

Sorting Through Your Medicare Options

Medicare wasn’t designed to cover the entire cost of retirees’ healthcare coverage, so most people need to fill the gap with Medicare Advantage or Medigap plans. Nilus Mattive guides you through the choices available, helping you find the right plan. [read more]

The Pound Is About to Take a Pounding

Jack Crooks believes last week’s quantitative easing by the Bank of England will have little impact on the U.K. real economy. He says that the country is headed into another recession, and the long-term outlook for the British pound is sharply lower. [read more]

Protecting Yourself from the Bear Market

The stock market, credit markets and economic data all indicate that we’re entering a new bear market, and a double-dip recession. Mike Larson explains why the post-recession rally has fizzled out, and tells you how to protect yourself and profit. [read more]

Finding Safe Haven in Gold ETFs

Global investors are searching for safe havens amid all the economic uncertainty. Ron Rowland says gold remains a relatively safe investment. He names several ETFs that offer exposure to physical gold and helps you find the right fund for your needs. [read more]

Betting Against Putin’s Russia

Russia has vast natural resources that need development, but multinationals are reluctant to invest because of the potential for government intervention now that Putin is reclaiming power. Kevin Kerr tells you how to take advantage of the fear trade. [read more]

Finding Strong Dividend Stocks in Europe

With the European markets getting hammered by the sovereign debt crisis, Nilus Mattive goes looking for bargains among the region’s dividend stocks. He finds several big name companies that are still performing well and paying solid annual dividends. [read more]

Dumping Gold to Raise Cash

Jack Crooks says last week’s market action represents a real and sustainable trend. He uses technical indicators to show how the stock and commodity markets are related, and how both those markets and the dollar are likely to trade in the future. [read more]

The Absurd European Sovereign Debt Crisis

Mike Larson says the European debt crisis has become absurd, because politicians and policymakers keep trying to contain a crisis that is uncontainable. He says a market collapse is inevitable, and advises investors on how to protect themselves. [read more]

Learning to Recognize Good Value in ETF Trading

All investors dream of calling the bottom on a stock or ETF, and riding it higher. But Ron Rowland says it’s very hard to distinguish between a stock that’s cheap and one that’s a value, so investing using a price momentum strategy is more effective. [read more]

A Continued Bullish Outlook for Commodities

The selloff in commodities last week reminds Kevin Kerr of the brief pullback in 2008-2009, which was a hiccup in the decade-long bull market. He sees much more upside in the long-term, and names three ways to profit from the rebound in agriculture. [read more]

Finding Safety in Dividend Stocks

As global investors search for safety in the markets, they’re piling into U.S. Treasuries, sending yields to record-low levels. Nilus Mattive argues that this is misguided, and dividend-paying U.S. stocks offer much better value and growth potential. [read more]

The Flight to Safety and the Dollar Rally

Jack Crooks sees the slide in gold, copper, the Australian dollar and the Brazilian real as a flight to liquidity, caused by economic uncertainty and a lack of more Fed stimulus. He says this could be the start of a major shift into the U.S. dollar. [read more]

Protecting Yourself from the Market Crash

The Federal Reserve’s lack of substantive action to boost the economy has sent equity investors rushing for the exits. Mike Larson has been warning of this selloff for months, and he tells you how to protect yourself and even profit from it. [read more]

Navigating Europe With ETFs

With the European sovereign debt crisis entering a more ominous phase, Ron Rowland offers three tips to ETF investors: The euro currency is at a crossroads, no European stock market is safe, and inverse and leveraged ETFs may not work like you think. [read more]

Going for the Gold!

Gold has had an incredible run over the last decade, but Kevin Kerr says $2,000 an ounce may only be a rest stop before the real parabolic move begins. He cites the deteriorating global economy, and the move out of fiat currencies by central banks. [read more]