SKARBECK: Financial reform should start with derivatives
At the very least, regulators need to get control of derivative trading—transactions need to be more transparent and carried
out on an exchange.
Investing Column
Articles
HAUKE: Letter to David Simon: Be careful with General
Simon is at a crossroads where many other CEOs have found themselves, with most of them getting caught up in the circus, only to find destruction in their wake.
SKARBECK: Economic Greek tragedy could play out globally
Fears that Greece may default on its government debt have kept global markets on edge.
HAUKE: Learn to read the map to navigate market waters
Over the last 100-plus years, bull and bear markets in the United States have broken down into different stages.
SKARBECK: Biglari’s ambitious, but he’s no Buffett
While Sardar Biglari’s effort to duplicate Warren Buffett is clear, some of the Steak n Shake chief’s moves have been superficial.
HAUKE: It’s too early to panic about latest market woes
The market gets a little roughed up and, all of a sudden, everyone is scurrying into the corner like roaches when the lights
are turned on.
SKARBECK: Stocks that pay dividends can provide yield, safety
These are challenging times for savers who demand a high level of safety from their investments.
HAUKE: Indicators point toward bearish bond market
There is a real possibility that the highs for the bond market have been reached, and we are in the early stages of what may turn into a powerful, sustainable and long-term bear market for government bonds.
SKARBECK: Looking at stocks, 10 years at a time
During this century’s first decade, investors had to cope with the uncertainties surrounding 9/11; huge corporate failures
including Enron, Worldcom, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Lehman Brothers; and volatility wrought by both the tech and housing
bubbles.
HAUKE: Pirates not only ones chasing precious metal
Gold has maintained its long-term bull-market run that began in 2001, and it doesnâ??t look like any major interruption is coming soon.
SKARBECK: What we need is a tax on stock transactions
The word “tax” tends to immediately raise the blood pressure of most Americans. And while the purpose of most
taxes is to raise revenue for the assessing government body, taxes can also be targeted toward changing individual and corporate
behavior.
HAUKE: Unusual times mean tough money decisions
One of the strongest messages the broad market is sending us today is that investors are looking for liquidity.
HICKS: Short-term thinking won’t yield long-term payoffs
Macroeconomic forecasting is a tough â??science.â?? One may have the economy completely right, but that doesnâ??t mean it will make you any money as an investor.
SKARBECK: Even more investigations increase market cynicism
As if Wall Street needs another black eye, an expanding probe into insider trading threatens to elevate public cynicism
over whether there’s a level playing field in public markets and raise skepticism about the ability of regulators to
police them.
HAUKE: Great ideas not as good as excellent timing
The market often stays wrong much longer than the early investors stay solvent.
SKARBECK: Getting a good price hinges on stock’s value
Making investment decisions based on where a stock price has been in the past or betting on where it may go in the future is futile and foolish unless the investor has determined the value of the stock.
HAUKE: Apple faces competition in mobile phone wars
For a while, everyone seemed to think the iPhone was unassailable, but Motorola, Google and Verizon are about to give it their best shot. And investors are placing their bets now.
SKARBECK: Lenders still not serious about serious reform
The early signs point to meek efforts by the Obama administration to address gaping regulatory issues.
HAUKE: Sinking of dark pools may have consequences
If I were working with the SEC, I would exercise some caution before issuing new regulations about these dark pools.
SKARBECK: Market a bright spot amid worrisome economy
The financial media have the corks ready to pop as the Dow Jones industrial average re-crosses what pundits claim is the â??psychologically importantâ?? 10,000 level.