SKARBECK: Big banks still face issues over soured mortgages
The U.S. banking system continues on its path toward healing—with many thanks to the ongoing generosity of U.S. taxpayers.
Investing Column
Articles
HAUKE: After decade-long run, gold continues to glitter
Obviously, I am not the only human to have an interest in gold, as it has been the obsession of entire cultures during certain historical periods.
SKARBECK: Deficits turn up pressure on unions, politicians
One sure bet this year is that Americans can expect to see a number of high-profile battles across the country between municipal or state governments and public-employee unions.
HAUKE: Internet sites make splash without public markets
There is an interesting twist to all these newly discovered pots of Internet gold. They are not public, but almost anyone can buy stock in these companies in the private market if you hunt around enough.
SKARBECK: Regulators and ‘experts’ failed to stop scammers
Most people find it incomprehensible that there are hundreds of con men around the country who wake up every morning with the objective of looting people who have placed their trust in them.
HAUKE: Federal Reserve remains on dangerous course
The debate over whether we even need a central bank—which is what the Fed is today—began shortly after the founding of our country.
SKARBECK: Brokerage soft costs under tighter scrutiny
Many investment firms, hedge funds and mutual funds participate in this less-than-desirable industry practice.
HAUKE: History tells us that bull will stay here a while
American stock market history goes back far enough to give us a lot of data and reference points we can use to help us understand the future.
SKARBECK: GM’s return to market not your usual IPO
This unusual taxpayer-owned IPO did create some interesting conflicts.
HAUKE: Fed pulling out all stops to keep inflation down
U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke wants the entire world to believe that the United States is in a deflationary economic cycle and, therefore, the drastic, insane steps he is taking are justified.
SKARBECK: Benchmarks helpful, but have their problems
Benchmarking has exploded with the industry’s propensity to slice and dice and categorize every segment of the overall investment pie.
SKARBECK: Changes on horizon for mutual fund fees
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is proposing significant changes to the structure of the annual marketing or distribution fee on mutual funds known as a 12(b)-1 fee.
HAUKE: Lofty expectations sting some high-profile stocks
Sometimes the inner workings of Wall Street confound the wily and the wise.
SKARBECK: Short sellers maligned, but play a useful role
True professional short sellers are typically intelligent, above-board investors who often alert the markets and investors to overvalued securities and, in some cases, to fraud.
SKARBECK: Expect more battles over public pensions
This year, 15 states have enacted legislation to reduce future public pension obligations.
HAUKE: Examining the virtues of a successful investor
I went back to ancient Greece and Rome and found long-running philosophical discussions about The Virtues.
HAUKE: Stock market not ready for bear quite yet
I continue to believe the April 23 high was not the end of the bull market that began in March 2009.
HICKS: Most majors pay off, but some a lot more than others
There is clearly something important about the totality
of what is learned in college, but, if you want to apply all those upper-level classes in your major, you’d better study
hard or pick the right field.
SKARBECK: Investors may miss mark by switching to bonds
It seems more likely that bond investors today are making the same mistake stock investors made back at the peak of the stock-market bubble.
HAUKE: Research, not gut, should drive market decisions
The greatest investors I know all use time-tested principles and apply them rigorously in their activities.