HAUKE: October likely to avoid much-predicted scariness
The two largest stock market crashes occurred in October.
Investing Column
Articles
SKARBECK: Trading in failed firms really isn’t ‘investing’
Who is “investing” in these stocks and why? It is safe to say they are not
investors who have done the exhaustive work of valuing the assets and liabilities, who then reached a conclusion that they
were getting good value for their money.
HAUKE: Market the moodiest of economic indicators
Hello, operator? Yes, we seem to have a disconnect. Everyone still has their foul-weather gear on, but the stock market
is calling for blue skies. Can you try the line again, please?
SKARBECK: Iceland offers case study of economy out of control
Nowhere else on the stage of global economics was financial boom and bust more surreally scripted than in the small isolated
country of Iceland.
HAUKE: Some lessons to share as personal milestones approach
This September
will give me 15 years as a professional in the securities industry. My firm will celebrate 10 years this November.
SKARBECK: For numerous banks, times still troubling
Every Friday after the markets have closed, my e-mail starts getting dinged by the FDIC. That is when the government agency
publicly announces the names of banks that failed during the past week.
HAUKE: Storybook market may last a bit longer
People keep asking me
to explain the stock market advance over the past five months. There are usually comments at the end of the question, like,
“The economy sucks. How can the market go up when there is nothing going on out there?”
SKARBECK: Tax-haven crackdown starts getting serious
If you never got around to opening that Swiss bank account, you might want to wait a bit longer—at least until after
Sept. 23. That is the date the IRS has set for any tax-evading American to come forward regarding 52,000 accounts held at
Swiss banking giant UBS under a Voluntary Disclosure program.
HAUKE: Investing lessons a turtle would love
I have learned a lot about sea turtles since last
night, and I believe a few of these things belong in any long-term discussion about investing.
SKARBECK: Growth of private trading should have us all worried
It is ironic that in the aftermath of the credit crunch, with investors calling for more market transparency from Wall Street,
opaque trading markets are thriving.
INVESTING: Looming debt problems present an opportunity
Whenever this bear market bottoms—and there is a growing possibility that we will see new lows in coming months—millions of investors will be throwing all kinds of assets away for pennies on the dollar. The discounts so far could pale in comparison. So, be patient, be prudent and be ready.
INVESTING: High-frequency trading comes under scrutiny
A developing case of technology theft has shed light on the proprietary systems Goldman Sachs and other investment firms
use to make millions of dollars. A 39-year-old former employee at Goldman has been accused of stealing computer
code used in the company’s high-frequency trading system.
INVESTING: Microsoft a good bet to outperform market
In the not-too-distant past, Microsoft was the most dominant company on the planet. In 25 years, it had spawned the world’s
richest man along with products that became as ubiquitous as water.
SKARBECK: More reforms sought for target-date funds
Target-date mutual funds, a popular investment vehicle in 401(k) plans and college savings plans, have recently come under
scrutiny by Congress and regulators. Investors are in an uproar over the recent poor performance of funds nearing their target
date.
HAUKE: Lower trading volumes suggest trouble ahead
We are not in peak vacation time yet and already volume is disappearing faster than a hermit crab being chased by a group
of 10-year-old boys. This s especially troubling if you are a bull.
SKARBECK: Chrysler deal succeeded thanks to fed intervention
In the midst of the U.S. government’s plan to fast-track Chrysler through bankruptcy, Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock waged
a lonely and unpopular battle.
HAUKE: Market looking better, but remain cautious
Don’t go all in in the market just yet, and stay in liquid investments.
SKARBECK: Are bailouts creating a ‘moral hazard’?
Will individuals and institutions take excessive risks in the future, operating on the belief that the government will step
in to rescue them if they encounter problems?
As debt weakens dollar, commodities get boost
There is one commodity that may have more potential over the next several years than all else: natural gas.
Top investment minds weigh in on erratic market
In recent weeks, two of the planet’s most respected investment minds have weighed in with their thoughts on the state of the world’s financial affairs—Bill Gross at PIMCO in southern California and Jeremy Grantham of GMO LLC in Boston. It is always worthwhile to examine their thoughts and the logic behind them. As investor hopes […]