How would you like a little insurance in case one of your stocks takes a turn for the worse? If that sounds appealing, consider a protective put. At its core, a protective put is exactly what it sounds like—protection. It allows you to hang on to the potential gains from a stock you own, while setting a floor beneath your…
Many investors take their lead from the so-called “smart money” in order to avoid market pitfalls and tap into outsized returns. This involves combing through analyst reports to see what the biggest shops on Wall Street are buying, and why. There’s no guarantee that even the “strong buy” stocks that are identified by market pros are going to go up,…
Buying low and selling high is what investing comes down to. Often, however, investors get spooked when prices are low and avoid struggling stocks, thinking that they are destined to go even lower. But when it comes to quality businesses, you should relish the opportunity to buy stocks when their prices are low as it can mean great returns later…
Over the past 9 years, gold prices have soared nearly 200%. And this run may not even be close to done. Last month, JP Morgan put out an investor note suggesting that gold prices will cross $4,000 per ounce. This, based on increased recession probabilities as a result of Trump’s trade war. Analysts from the investment bank expect gold to…
We’ve all been known to flip-flop on occasion. As a protestor outside nuclear power plants during the 1970s, I used to chant “Hell no, we won’t glow!” The bumper sticker on my Volkswagen Beetle declared: “Split wood, not atoms.” Yet here I am, decades later as a financial analyst, avidly recommending investments in the nuclear industry, for both moral and…
After back-to-back years of 20%-plus gains in 2023 and 2024, the S&P 500 is off to a sluggish start to 2025. Investors are dealing with a number of macroeconomic uncertainties, including a trade war, federal layoffs, slowing economic growth, high interest rates, and the possibility of stagflation. In other words, stock selection may be critical in 2025. The 10 best stocks…
One way to earn excellent returns over a long period is to invest in shares of top companies that are helping drive significant technological (or other) changes. That describes Uber Technologies (UBER) and Fiverr (FVRR) well. These two leaders in disruptive industries have had their share of headwinds, but both could deliver outsized returns to investors who hold onto their stock over the next decade. Let…
The words dividend cut strike fear into the hearts of even the most hardened investor. Not only do they reduce future income, but they also typically trigger capital losses as investors abandon the shares. That’s a painful double-whammy. So it’s important to look for some of the telltale signs. After all, avoiding a loss is just as important as booking a gain.…
Oil prices fall and oil prices rise. But if you’re smart, you can make money from both scenarios. On January 15th, oil topped out at $80.77. Monday, they hit a low of $55.30. In less than 4 months, the price of oil has plummeted more than 37%. Not great for oil bulls, but an excellent opportunity for those who saw…
The fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act calls for $923.3 billion in U.S. military spending, up 4.1% from 2024 levels. The ongoing war in Ukraine; tensions between China and Taiwan; and conflicts between Israel and Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas may force the U.S. government to increase defense industry investment in the coming years, which could serve as a tailwind for…