Active strategies, diversification work and are necessary
Today: Who will be happy with Obama's budget blueprint? Plus, a contrarian idea for stocks, tapering already, gold, GMATs and g-forces.
<i>Friday's menu:</i> Gold rides high on the taper effect, playing smart defense with a wide-moat ETF, blaming cold weather in February, stirring the income inequality pot, why you should complete your LinkedIn profile, and the SEC shows some love.
As strategists warned of calamity, investors dropped $3B a week into emerging-market funds.
<i>Breakfast with Benjamin:</i>The Bond King: China's a big risk. Plus: JPMorgan goes on a settlement binge, finance industry tells investors to stay calm, Obama administration catches a CBO boomerang, and some healthy balance sheets for the New Year.
CEO says long-term investors staying the course, blames hedge funds for volatility.
Slight economic improvement keeps central bankers on track as they commit to keeping target interest rate near zero.
Investors shifted record amounts out of U.S. stock funds and into bonds in seven-day period ended Feb. 5, while withdrawing money from emerging-market equities for a 15th straight week.
After a rocky first month of the year and a downright awful start to February, one could be forgiven for wondering whether the stock market is correcting or beginning a longer-term slide. Advisors Asset Management's Scott Colyer takes a look at the bearish case and the bullish case.
Friday's menu: All eyes on the jobs report as investors pull cash from stocks, what the frigid winter in the U.S. could wreak, what is Apple up to (aside from buying back its stock) and at long last, the Winter Olympics in Sochi begin.
<i>Breakfast with Benjamin:</i> What's with the Oracle of Omaha's hedge fund bet? Plus: Friday's freaky jobs report preview, public pensions gained 16% last year, Twitter earnings raise concerns, and investing in income inequality.
Dr. Daniel Crosby explores the problems of surrounding yourself with “yes people.” Sometimes it's natural and healthy, but it can lead to dangerous 'groupthink.'
Citing weak but recovering economy, monetary policy, Nuveen's Doll says, "We have been in the sweet spot for some time, and it is likely to continue."
<i>Breakfast with Benjamin:</i> Janet Yellen's Fed is sticking with tapering but more econ data today could change the conversation. Plus: Stocks are down big so is it the overdue correction? And Japanese stocks fell 4% overnight, the case for index funds, BofA rate traders see smaller bonuses, and tracking short sales.
Worst January since 2010 as S&P 500 loses 3.6%, first monthly decline since August 2013.
Today's <i>Breakfast with Benjamin:</i> If rates rise, gold won't. Plus: Warren Buffett's $1B tease, a new twist on stock valuations, bitcoin marches on, another solar energy push and, what's good about hoping for a flat market.
Super Bowl predictor may be irrational but has better track record than many stock pickers.
<i>Breakfast with Benjamin:</i> January was rough, and though Seattle winning the Super Bowl is a good omen for stocks, it's going to be a bumpy ride. Also: How defined contribution assets surged, celebrating 25 years as a top PM, who to thank (or blame) for 401(k)s, finding gems in the emerging markets and who won the Super Bowl of advertising?
<i>Breakfast with Benjamin:</i> Big news from two tech giants: strong earnings and a gamechanging sale. Plus two questions: Should you worry about the rout in emerging markets and is your technology working for or against you? Also: A super price for a Super Bowl suite.
