Weekly Newsletter December 23rd - December 29th

Current Events: Stocks slid last week and gave back solid progress made during the month of December as the heavily publicized fiscal cliff draws near. This after the U.S. markets made a steady rebound from a sharp October-November dip.

What to Look for This Week

The holiday season is in full bloom and with the NYSE and other popular exchanges closed on December 25th in observance of Christmas, there is little on the docket this week from an earnings and economic reports perspective to distract investors from the saga that is the fiscal cliff countdown.

News Affecting the Markets

Although President Obama and his family are spending the holiday in Hawaii, the House and Senate are due back in Washington on Thursday, after their Christmas break. All sides are publicly stating that they are willing to talk and do what is best for the American people, yet a comprise may not be reached in time as the fiscal cliff is now just a week away.

Smart Investing

Taxing a Retirement Plan - Now or Later? : Deciding which type of 401K plan you wish to open is a matter of preference. It should be decided based on how you are willing to save for your future. The most popular types of retirement accounts are the Traditional 401K and the Roth 401K. In a nutshell the main difference between these two types of accounts is in the way in which they are taxed. To determine which one the right one is for them many people ask the famous question “Do I want to eat my cake now, or later?” This question refers to the time value of money. We should all be aware that inflation and taxes affect the future value of the dollar. This is why when you are thinking about opening a 401K account you need to decide if you want more money now or later?

Earnings for the Week

Monday: No major announcements scheduled.

Tuesday: No major announcements scheduled.

Wednesday: No major announcements scheduled.

Thursday: No major announcements scheduled.

Friday: No major announcements scheduled.
* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

Monday
No major announcements scheduled.

Tuesday
No major announcements scheduled.

Wednesday
MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 12/22 (Est. = n/a, Prior = n/a)
Case-Shiller 20-city Index @ 9:00 AM for October (Est. = 3.0% to 3.9%, Prior = 3.0%)

Thursday
Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 12/22 (Est. = 365K to 371K, Prior = 361K)
Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 12/15 (Est. = 3200K, Prior = 3225K)
New Home Sales @ 10:00 AM for November (Est. = 379K to 390K, Prior = 368K)
Consumer Confidence @ 10:00 AM for December (Est. = 68.0 to 70.0, Prior = 73.7)
Natural Gas Inventories @ 10:30 AM for 12/22 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -82)

Friday
Chicago PMI @ 9:45 AM for December (Est. = 51.0, Prior = 50.4)
Pending Home Sales @ 10:00 AM for November (Est. = 1.0%, Prior = 5.2%)
Crude Inventories @ 11:00 AM for 12/21 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -0.964M)

Weekly Newsletter December 16th - December 22nd

Current Events: With the infamous fiscal cliff just two weeks away, the financial world looks to lawmakers to save the economy from a disaster. If an agreement is not made by leaders before the first of the New Year the U.S. economy will undoubtedly suffer and negatively impact the U.S. markets.

What to Look for This Week

Scattered throughout this week set to announce earnings are some popular household names such as FedEx, General Mills, Oracle, and Nike. Along with earnings, interest will surround the multitude of economic data on housing as investors gauge the health of the sector and its attempt to rebound. However, the major focus this week will be on Washington as investors seek progress from politicians on structuring a deal that will aid the U.S. in avoiding a fiscal cliff.

News Affecting the Markets

Japan's Nikkei Stock Average surpasses the 10,000 level for the first time in over 8 months. Japanese giants, Nissan, Cannon, Honda, and Sony have all witnessed strength as of late in large part due to a weakening yen which have lead many to expect further easing by the Bank of Japan in the near future.

Smart Investing

 Leveraged ETFs:  A leveraged ETF generally will invest in a variety of instruments to amplify the exposure to an underlying index. In addition to equities, leveraged ETFs may use derivatives to gain exposure. Futures allow investors to gain exposure to a benchmark without direct ownership. These products are standardized contracts between two parties that agree to buy or sell an underlying index at a future date. Leveraged funds are often used to help manage risks in other investments and allow investors to hedge their exposure to sectors they are overweight in. They are also often used to capture returns while eliminating market or sector exposure or to overweight a particular sector by using minimal amounts of cash. Remember, you can never lose more than your initial investment when using leveraged funds. This is in stark contrast to buying on margin or selling stocks short, a process that can cause investors to lose far more than their initial investment.

Earnings for the Week

Monday: No major announcements scheduled.

Tuesday: Jefferies Group Inc (JEF), Oracle Corp (ORCL) {after the close}

Wednesday: Accenture PLC (ACN) {after the close}, FedEx Corp (FDX), General Mills Inc (GIS), Jabil Circuit Inc (JBL) {after the close}, Navistar International Corp (NAV)

Thursday: Carmax Inc (KMX), Carnival Corp (CCL), ConAgra Foods Inc (CAG), Darden Restaurants Inc (DRI), Discover Financial Services (DFS), KB Home (KBH), Micron Technology Inc (MU), Nike Inc (NKE) {after the close}, Red Hat Inc (RHT), Rite Aid Corp (RAD), The Shaw Group Inc (SHAW)

Friday: Walgreen Co (WAG)

* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

Monday
Empire Manufacturing @ 8:30 AM for December (Act. = -8.1, Est. = 2.0, Prior = -5.2)

Tuesday

NAHB Housing Market Index @ 10:00 AM for December (Act. = 47, Est. = 47, Prior = 45)

Wednesday

MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 12/15 (Est. = n/a, Prior = 6.2%)

Housing Starts @ 8:30 AM for November (Est. = 850K to 875K, Prior = 894K)

Building Permits @ 8:30 AM for November (Est. = 870K to 876K, Prior = 866K)

Crude Oil Inventories @ 10:30 AM for 12/15 (Est. = n/a, Prior = 0.843M)

Thursday

Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 12/15 (Est. = 345K to 365K, Prior = 343K)

Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 12/08 (Est. = 3192K to 3200K, Prior = 3198K)
Existing Home Sales @ 10:00 AM for November (Est. = 4.90M, Prior = 4.79M)
Philadelphia Fed @  10:00 AM for December (Est. = -1.3 to 2.0, Prior = -10.7)
Leading Indicators @ 10:00 AM for November (Est. = -0.3% to 0.2%, Prior = 0.2%)
FHFA Housing Price Index @ 10:00 AM for October (Est. = n/a, Prior = 0.2%)
Natural Gas Inventories @ 10:30 AM for 12/15 (Est. = n/a, Prior = 2)

Friday
Personal Income @ 8:30 AM for November (Est. = 0.3%, Prior = 0.0%)
Personal Spending @ 8:30 AM for November (Est. = 0.3% to 0.4%, Prior = -0.2%)
Durable Orders @ 8:30 AM for November (Est. = -0.2% to 0.2%, Prior = 0.5%)
Michigan Sentiment @ 9:55 AM for December (Est. = 72.0 to 74.8, Prior = 74.5)

 

 

Weekly Newsletter December 9th - December 15th

Current Events: With hopes of a diverted fiscal cliff growing on Wall Street, the Dow Jones and S&P 500 reach levels not seen since Election Day. While it is just speculation, investors are growing confident that lawmakers will do what it takes to avoid a New Year catastrophe which would bring on widespread tax increases and spending cuts.

What to Look for This Week

Thursday's Retail Sales numbers are sure to catch the attention of many this time of the year as savvy investors seek to gauge the pulse of U.S. consumers this holiday season. The health of the American buying spirit will be on display and lead many to speculate as to what the rest of the winter season has in store.

News Affecting the Markets
The costly and unfruitful $182 billion U.S. government bailout of AIG appears to have come full circle as the U.S. Treasury announced its plans on Monday to sell the remaining 16% of its shares in a public offering. Many top financial companies, such as Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan, have been retained as join book-runners during the offering.

Smart Investing

A Word from the Wise of Value Investing: Warren Buffet states that any company that enjoys a sustainable competitive advantage is likely to invest a nominal amount into research and development and new plant and equipment. This would free up cash for other investing purposes such as expansion that would allow the business to increase its sales and profitability. The accessibility of cash is also likely to thwart the company from taking on debt and incurring the cost associated with servicing of debt. A company that enjoys a durable competitive advantage is likely to have high amounts of free cash flow which could be passed on to shareholders.

Earnings for the Week

Monday: No major announcements scheduled.

Tuesday: Dollar General Corp (DG)

Wednesday: Joy Global Inc (JOY)

Thursday: Adobe Systems Inc (ADBE) {after the close}, Ciena Corp (CIEN), Hovnanian Enterprises Inc (HOV), Pier 1 Imports Inc (PIR), Quiksilver Inc (ZQK), VeriFone Systems Inc (PAY)

Friday: No major announcements scheduled.
* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

Monday
No scheduled announcements.

Tuesday
Trade Balance @ 8:30 AM for October (Est. = -$42.8B to -$43.0B, Prior = -$41.5B)
Wholesale Inventories @ 10:00 AM for October (Est. = 0.3% to 0.4%, Prior = 1.1%)

Wednesday
MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 12/08 (Est. = n/a, Prior = 4.5%)
Crude Oil Inventories @ 10:30 AM for 12/08 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -2.357M)
FOMC Rate Decision @ 12:30 PM for December (Est. = 0.25%, Prior = 0.25%)
Treasury Budget @ 2:00 PM for November (Est. = -$113.0B, Prior = -$137.3B)

Thursday
Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 12/08 (Est. = 375K, Prior = 370K)
Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 12/01 (Est. = 3200K to 3250K, Prior = 3205K)
Retail Sales @ 8:30 AM for November (Est. = 0.4% to 0.6%, Prior = -0.3%)
PPI @ 8:30 AM for November (Est. = -0.5%, Prior = -0.2%)
Business Inventories @ 10:00 AM for October (Est. = 0.3% to 0.4%, Prior = 0.7%)

Friday
CPI @ 8:30 AM for November (Est. = -0.2%, Prior = 0.1%)
Industrial Production @ 9:15 AM for November (Est. = 0.3% to 0.5%, Prior = -0.4%)
Capacity Utilization @ 9:15 AM for November (Est. = 78.0%, Prior = 77.8%)

Weekly Newsletter December 2nd - December 8th

Current Events: A strong final two weeks of November has the U.S. markets flirting with a reversal from the negative trend which has weighed on all major equity indexes since the first week of October. However, with the fiscal cliff less than a month away true strength in the markets is difficult to develop as economic uncertainty remains.

What to Look for This Week

With multiple employment reports scheduled to be released this week investors will have a slew of data that can be used to gauge the health of the job market and the U.S. economy as a whole. Current estimates project a rise in the unemployment rate; however, in recent months the report has surprised analysts.

News Affecting the Markets

While House Speaker John Boehner and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner each making public statements Sunday solidifying their stances on the fiscal cliff on Sunday, most, including the Treasury Secretary, predict Republicans will accept higher tax rates on the top 2% of Americans to reach a budget deal before the end of the year deadline.

Smart Investing

Opening a Managed a Forex Account: Before deciding to open a managed forex account you must be realistic about the amount of "risk capital" you have to invest. Risk capital is referred to as the capital that you can afford to lose without any major impact on your lifestyle or growth of your money. For a number of reasons some forex investment funds will require that funds be sent directly to the bank accounts and while other Forex Managed Account providers allow you to invest directly with their broker. And the preferable one is that scenario that you invest directly with the broker which is giving you more control over your own funds. Allowing you to deposit or withdraw your funds as well as revoke the right of the money manager to trade your account. A solid manager needs to have money management skills, and disciplined trading is necessary. And it is wise to invest with a managed account program run by a team of professionals that give you a peace of mind.

Earnings for the Week

Monday: LDK Solar Co Ltd (LDK)

Tuesday: Autozone Inc (AZO), Big Lots Inc (BIG), Pandora Media Inc (P) {after the close}, Toll Brothers Inc (TOL)

Wednesday: Men's Wearhouse Inc (MW) {after the close}

Thursday: H & R Block Inc (HRB), Smithfield Foods Inc (SFD)

Friday: No major announcements scheduled.
* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

Monday
ISM Index @ 10:00 AM for November (Est. = 50.0 to 51.2, Prior = 51.7)
Construction Spending @ 10:00 AM for October (Est. = 0.3% to 0.4%, Prior = 0.6%)
Auto Sales @ 2:00 PM for November (Est. = n/a, Prior = 5.2M)
Truck Sales @ 2:00 PM for November (Est. = n/a, Prior = 6.0M)

Tuesday
No scheduled announcements.

Wednesday
MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 12/01 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -0.9%)
ADP Unemployment Change @ 8:15 AM for November (Est. = 0.0% to 0.1%, Prior = 0.8%)
Factory Orders @ 10:00 AM for October (Est. = -0.1% to -0.5%, Prior = 4.8%)
ISM Services @ 10:00 AM for November (Est. = 53.0 to 53.7, Prior = 54.2)
Crude Oil Inventories @ 10:30 AM for 12/01 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -0.347M)

Thursday
Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 12/01 (Est. = 395K to 400K, Prior = 410K)
Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 12/24 (Est. = 3350K to 3275K, Prior = 3287K)

Friday
Nonfarm Payrolls @ 8:30 AM for November (Est. = 50K to 120K, Prior = 184K)
Unemployment Rate @ 8:30 AM for November (Est. = 8.0% to 8.1%, Prior = 7.9%)
Michigan Sentiment @ 9:55 AM for December (Est. = 82.0 to 82.4, Prior = 82.7)
Consumer Credit @ 3:00 PM for October (Est. = $8.0B to $9.9B, Prior = $11.4B)

Weekly Newsletter November 25th - December 1st

Current Events: Bullish investors are hoping that the record-breaking shopping weekend witnessed bodes well for the U.S. markets. While fears of a fiscal cliff concern even the most bullish of investors, consumers seem unaffected by the stalemate between U.S. lawmakers on how to resolve the issue.

What to Look for This Week

A relatively light week for earnings awaits for all industries except one. The retail industry will catch the attention of investors this week as many shopping mall regulars are set to announce earnings. American Eagle, Ann Taylor, Tiffany & Co., and Express are a few of the popular retailers sure to capture some heavy trading volume.

News Affecting the Markets

3 million more Americans shopped on Black Friday this year compared to last as a record high 89 million shopped online and in stores, according to the survey conducted by BIG insight for the National Retail Federation released on Sunday. It was also a record four-day holiday weekend as 247 million Americans shopped in person and electronically, compared to the 226 million last year during the same period.

Smart Investing

A Shiny Investment: Diamonds have an intrinsic value. These gems come with numerous unique properties. Their objective and primary advantage lies in the reality that they are one of the hardest substances on earth, and they can last practically forever. Diamonds are very portable. With all their value, diamonds are easy to carry and conceal, even through the times of war. Diamonds are money, and they hold and carry their value in all parts of the world. Unlike any other asset, diamonds are not priced on a simple price-per-gram system. Instead, according to weight, carat, clarity, cut, color, and other parameters, their price is based on an international pricing system. The higher the grade, the higher the value of the diamond will be. Nonetheless, mid-range diamonds are also the most bought and sold, making it more liquid compared to the top-grade diamonds. Long-lasting and tangible assets with elevated intrinsic value; diamonds are exceptional value holders that make for a smart investment. They retain and increase their value, especially during inflation and uncertain times. Though they may not be a practical choice for those who want a quick profit, a patient and wise investor reaps generous returns if he or she takes advantage of this unique potential.

Earnings for the Week

Monday: Big Lots Inc (BIG)

Tuesday: ADT Corp (ADT), Analog Devices Inc (ADI) {after the close}, PVH Corp (PVH) {after the close},

Wednesday: Aeropostale Inc (ARO) {after the close}, American Eagle Outfitters Inc (AEO), Ann Inc (ANN), Express Inc (EXPR), GUESS? Inc (GES), TiVo Inc (TIVO)

Thursday: Barnes & Noble Inc (BKS), Kroger Co (KR), Tiffany & Co (TIF)

Friday: No major announcements scheduled.
* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

Monday
No scheduled announcements.

Tuesday
Durable Orders @ 8:30 AM for October (Est. = 0.4% to 0.5%, Prior = 9.8%)
Case-Shiller 20-city Index @ 9:00 AM for September (Est. = 2.5% to 3.1%, Prior = 2.0%)
Consumer Confidence @ 10:00 AM for November (Est. = 73.0, Prior = 72.2)
FHFA Housing Price Index @ 10:00 AM for September (Est. = n/a, Prior = 0.7%)

Wednesday
MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 11/24 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -2.2%)
New Home Sales @ 10:00 AM for October (Est. = 388K to 395K, Prior = 389K)
Crude Oil Inventories @ 10:30 AM for 11/24 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -1.466M)
Fed's Beige Book @ 2:00 PM for October

Thursday
Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 11/24 (Est. = 395K to 400K, Prior = 410K)
Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 11/17 (Est. = 3325K, Prior = 3337K)
Pending Home Sales @ 10:00 AM for October (Est. = 1.0%, Prior = 0.3%)

Friday
Personal Income @ 8:30 AM for October (Est. = 0.0% to 0.2%, Prior = 0.4%)
Personal Spending @ 8:30 AM for October (Est. = 0.0% to 0.1%, Prior = 0.8%)
Chicago PMI @ 9:45 AM for November (Est. = 50.0 to 50.7, Prior = 49.9)

Weekly Newsletter November 18th - November 24th

Current Events: A sudden increase in confidence that the White House and Congress will eventually reach a U.S. budget deal has helped the financial markets snap out of a lasting negative trend.

What to Look for This Week

The U.S. financial markets will likely see trading volume fade as the Thanksgiving Day holiday approaches. However, any insights or updates on the likelihood of a fiscal cliff occurring will instantly pour in heavy trading.

News Affecting the Markets

Bullish news from the National Association of Home Builders index helped continue the U.S. markets rally on Monday as builder confidence increased in November to a six year peak.

Smart Investing

The Power of Financial Knowledge: Financial freedom and growth both begin with financial literacy. Choosing the paramount and the most suitable investment vehicle for you and your hard-earned money could allow you to jumpstart you search for such investment ventures. Whether or not you wish to go short term or long term basis, you always have to keep in mind that you need to focus on your financial objectives. Adjust your targets and see how you could hit the note exactly the way you wish to – succeeding in your investments through the help of your options trading strategies. Increasing the value of your assets while minimizing liabilities, one must learn how to handle his or her finances.

Earnings for the Week

Monday: Agilent Technologies Inc (A) {after the close}, Brocade Communications Systems Inc (BRCD) {after the close}, Lowe's Companies Inc (LOW), Tyson Foods Inc (TSN), Urban Outfitters Inc (URBN) {after the close}

Tuesday: Campbell Soup Co (CPB), Chico's FAS Inc (CHS), Eaton Vance Corp (EV), H.J. Heinz Co (HNZ), Hewlett-Packard Co (HPQ), Medtronic Inc (MDT), Salesforce.com Inc (CRM), Trina Solar Ltd (TSL), Zale Corp (ZLC) {after the close}

Wednesday: Deere & Co (DE)

Thursday: No major announcements scheduled.

Friday: No major announcements scheduled.
* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

Monday
Existing Home Sales @ 10:00 AM for October (Act. = 4.79M, Est. = 4.50M to 4.70M, Prior = 4.70M)
NAHB Housing Market Index @ 10:00 AM for November (Act. = 46, Est. = 42, Prior = 41)

Tuesday
Housing Starts @ 8:30 AM for October (Est. = 815K to 840K, Prior = 872K)
Building Permits @ 8:30 AM for October (Est. = 870K to 900K, Prior = 894K)

Wednesday
MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 11/17 (Est. = n/a, Prior = 12.6%)
Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 11/17 (Est. = 423K to 435K, Prior = 439K)
Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 11/07 (Est. = 3400K, Prior = 3334K)
Michigan Sentiment @ 9:55 AM for November (Est. = 84.0 to 84.5, Prior = 84.9)
Leading Indicators @ 10:00 AM for October (Est. = 0.1% to 0.2%, Prior = 0.6%)
Crude Oil Inventories @ 10:30 AM for 11/17 (Est. = n/a, Prior = 1.089M)

Thursday
No scheduled announcements.

Friday
No scheduled announcements.

Weekly Newsletter November 4th - November 10th

Current Events: The market's spike on Thursday provided little relief to the slowly sliding U.S. indexes. Investors have patiently waited for Election Day which will aid in the forecasting of directions to be taken by the government, as well as businesses, over the next four years.

What to Look for This Week

As states across the northeastern coastline slowly recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy, volatility in the commodity markets such as crude oil and gold is expected to continue. While there is a heavy dose of earnings to be reported this week from retail giants, such as Nordstrom, J.C. Penney, and Kohl's, the U.S. presidential election will undoubtedly still the show.

News Affecting the Markets

The debt-laden country of Greece may be forced out of the euro zone warns Greek prime minister if the country's parliament does not proceed with a new round of austerity measures. The critical vote is scheduled for Wednesday. Greece must approve its 2013 budget to receive aid from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, along with a package involving severe spending cuts and tax hikes totaling 13 billion euro.

Smart Investing

The Importance of Forecasting: Whatever the reason one has for trading in the futures and commodities, or the stock markets, everyone can agree that in order to trade profitably you must buy low and sell high, or sell high and then buy back low. It is a straightforward reality that deserves no debate. Forecasting the futures and commodity, and stock markets has much to do with simply determining when the market is 'most likely' to move in the anticipated direction. Anyone who uses any form of technical or fundamental analysis to make a determination of direction or market timing is in fact involved in a work of forecasting. Call it what you want, but if you are worth your salt as a trader you need to plan your entry and plan your exit. You need to decide, ahead of time, what the market is likely to do and what you are going to do. In addition, you need to plan on what you are going to do if the market does not do what you planned. But that is a different subject altogether.

Earnings for the Week

Monday: CF Industries Holdings Inc (CF), Consolidated Edison Inc (ED), Entergy Corp (ETR), EOG Resources Inc (EOG) {after the close}, Fidelity National Financial Inc (FNF) {after the close}, Fidelity National Information Services Inc (FIS) {after the close}, Health Net Inc (HNT), Humana Inc (HUM), LeapFrog Enterprises Inc (LF) {after the close}, McDermott International Inc (MDR) {after the close}, Rockwell Automation Inc (ROK), Southern Co (SO), Transocean Ltd (RIG), Walter Energy Inc (WLT) {after the close}, Weight Watchers International Inc (WTW) {after the close}, XL Group PLC (XL) {after the close}, Zillow Inc (Z) {after the close}

Tuesday: AOL Inc (AOL), Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc (ARNA) {after the close}, Cablevision Systems Corp (CVC), Computer Sciences Corp (CSC), CVS Caremark Corp (CVS), Directv (DTV), DISH Network Corp (DISH), Emerson Electric Co (EMR), Marathon Oil Corp (MRO), Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc (MMC), Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp (MRX), Office Depot Inc (ODP), OfficeMax Inc (OMX), Quicksilver Resources Inc (KWK), StemCells Inc (STEM){after the close}, {after the close}, {after the close}, {after the close}, {after the close}, {after the close}, {after the close}, {after the close}, {after the close}, {after the close}, {after the close},

Wednesday: Becton Dickinson and Co (BDX), Devon Energy Corp (DVN), Dillard's Inc (DDS), Energy Transfer Partners LP (ETP), Macy's Inc (M), MBIA Inc (MBI) {after the close}, Molson Coors Brewing Co (TAP), Prudential Financial Inc (PRU) {after the close}, Sodastream International Ltd (SODA) {after the close}, Strategic Hotels and Resorts Inc (BEE) {after the close}, Time Warner Inc (TWX), Titanium Metals Corp (TIE), WellPoint Inc (WLP)

Thursday: Advance Auto Parts Inc (AAP), Assured Guaranty Ltd (AGO) {after the close}, Dean Foods Co (DF), Duke Energy Corp (DUK), Firstenergy Corp (FE), International Game Technology (IGT) {after the close}, Kohl's Corp (KSS), Monster Worldwide Inc (MWW), Nordstrom Inc (JWN) {after the close}, PPL Corp (PPL), Sotheby's (BID), The Wendy's Co (WEN), Walt Disney Co (DIS) {after the close}, Windstream Corp (WIN)

Friday: Covidien PLC (COV) {after the close}, J C Penney Company Inc (JCP), MGIC Investment Corp (MTG)
* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

Monday
ISM Services @ 10:00 AM for October (Actual = 54.2, Est. = 54.5 to 55.0, Prior = 55.1)

Tuesday
No scheduled announcements.

Wednesday
MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 11/03 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -4.8%)
Crude Oil Inventories @ 10:30 AM for 11/03 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -2.045M)
Consumer Credit @ 3:00 PM for September (Est. = $10.0B to $10.6B, Prior = $18.1B)

Thursday
Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 11/03 (Est. = 370K, Prior = 363K)
Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 10/27 (Est. = 3250K, Prior = 3263K)

Friday
Michigan Sentiment @ 9:55 AM for November (Est. = 83.0 to 83.5, Prior = 82.6)
Wholesale Inventories @ 10:00 AM for September (Est. = 0.4% to 0.7%, Prior = 0.5%)

Weekly Newsletter October 28th - November 3rd

Current Events: The market took a hit last week as Tuesday's slide deflated all three major U.S. indexes. With September's gains all but washed away, investors will look to see if the market can rebound this week. However, most will undoubtedly be distracted, at least during the early parts of the week, by the monstrous storm attacking the eastern coastline of the U.S.

What to Look for This Week

An interesting week awaits for investors as the presidential election is just over a week away. Key economic data, such as the unemployment rate and consumer confidence, will likely have some impact on the market, as well as the election. Overall volume may be muffled though due to a quiet week of earnings and Hurricane Sandy's presence on Wall Street during the early part of the week.

News Affecting the Markets

With sandbags layered outside the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in an attempt to protect the Mecca of the financial world from the affects of Hurricane Sandy, floor trading on Monday has been cancelled until the danger of the powerful storm passes. States of emergency have been declared in 12 states along the east coast thus far as the U.S. coastline bunkers down for potentially life-threatening storm-surges.

Smart Investing

Investing in Gold and Silver: When a business is suffering financial problems such as the automobile industry has of late, often these companies offer buyout retirement options that prove interesting enough that the employees take on early retirement. The typical U.S. severance package often includes a small amount of weeks of pay decided by every year the person was an employee, plus they may add the unused vacation time, a few months of health insurance coverage, and/or allow a lump sum payout of entitled pension benefits. Whether or not a person should accept these buyout retirement options centers on many different factors, these factors include but are not limited to the time that the person actually has before nearing their objective retirement age, the condition of their health, other income, the amount of savings they have, how long it will take to get another job should they need to, and finally the cost of interim health care either before filing for Medicare or being carried by insurance at the next job.

Earnings for the Week

Monday: Anadarko Petroleum Corp (APC) {after the close}, Baidu Inc (BIDU) {after the close}, Burger King Worldwide, Inc. (BKW), CNO Financial Group Inc (CNO) {after the close}, EXCO Resources Inc (XCO) {after the close}, Forest Oil Corp (FST) {after the close}, Harris Corp (HRS), Herbalife Ltd (HLF) {after the close}, Hertz Global Holdings Inc (HTZ) {after the close}, Life Technologies Corp (LIFE) {after the close}, Loews Corp (L), Mannkind Corp (MNKD), Masco Corp (MAS) {after the close}, New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc (EDU), Northeast Utilities (NU), Oceaneering International Inc (OII) {after the close}, Overseas Shipholding Group Inc (OSG), PG&E Corp (PCG), Plum Creek Timber Company Inc (PCL) {after the close}, Senior Housing Properties Trust (SNH), Titanium Metals Corp (TIE), UDR Inc (UDR), Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (VRTX) {after the close}, Weingarten Realty Investors (WRI)

Tuesday: No major announcements scheduled.

Wednesday: No major announcements scheduled.

Thursday: No major announcements scheduled.

Friday: No major announcements scheduled.
* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

Monday
Personal Income @ 8:30 AM for September (Est. = 0.5% to 0.6%, Prior = 0.1%)
Personal Spending @ 8:30 AM for September (Est. = 0.4% to 0.6%, Prior = 0.5%)

Tuesday
Case-Shiller 20-city Index @ 9:00 AM for August (Est. = 1.5% to 1.7%, Prior = 1.2%)
Consumer Confidence @ 10:00 AM for October (Est. = 72.5 to 73.0, Prior = 70.3)

Wednesday
MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 10/27 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -12.0%)
ADP Employment Change @ 8:15 AM for October (Est. = 135K to 140K, Prior = 162K)
Chicago PMI @ 9:45 AM for October (Est. = 50.0 to 50.4, Prior = 49.7)
Crude Oil Inventories @ 10:30 AM for 10/27 (Est. = n/a, Prior = 5.896M)

Thursday
Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 10/27 (Est. = 375K, Prior = 369K)
Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 10/20 (Est. = 3249K to 3250K, Prior = 3254K)
ISM Index @ 10:00 AM for October (Est. = 50.5 to 51.0, Prior = 51.5)
Construction Spending @ 10:00 AM for September (Est. = 0.8% to 1.0%, Prior = -0.6%)
Auto Sales @ 2:00 PM for October (Est. = n/a, Prior = 5.3M)
Truck Sales @ 2:00 PM for October (Est. = n/a, Prior = 6.3M)

Friday
Nonfarm Payrolls @ 8:30 AM for October (Est. = 125K to 135K, Prior = 114K)
Nonfarm Private Payrolls @ 8:30 AM for October (Est. = 125K to 145K, Prior = 104K)
Unemployment Rate @ 8:30 AM for October (Est. = 7.9%, Prior = 7.8%)
Hourly Earnings @ 8:30 AM for October (Est. = 0.2%, Prior = 0.3%)
Factory Orders @ 10:00 AM for September (Est. = 4.5% to 5.0%, Prior = -5.2%)

Weekly Newsletter October 21st - October 27th

Current Events: Investors witnessed a considerably rocky week unfold in all three major U.S. indexes as various reports throughout the week painted vastly different outlooks on the future of the economy.

What to Look for This Week

Another big week kickoffs Monday for the U.S. financial markets as internet giant Yahoo! announces earnings. Investors will look to tech leader Apple and others within the sector for positive news and solidarity this week.

News Affecting the Markets

With just over two weeks left before the presidential election, investors will scrutinize the final presidential debate on Monday evening, and subsequent polls, in an effort to determine what policies and direction will the U.S. pursue in hopes of improving the economy.

Smart Investing

Investing in Gold and Silver: A direct-investment in gold and silver or in an index exchange traded fund of either can be a good investment in the right conditions. Such funds are an excellent means of diversifying a portfolio against risks. Gold can be a good protection against inflation because it retains and even gains value under many common circumstances. Gold mining companies often do well during bull markets. While silver is more volatile and cannot be relied upon to protect against inflation. Hedged ETFs for the most part are poor investments and must be traded on a short term basis. An individual should only put a percentage of his or her investment funds in such vehicles since they are often more volatile and less likely to preserve value.

Earnings for the Week

Monday: Caterpillar Inc (CAT), Celanese Corp (CE) {after the close}, Chimera Investment Corp (CIM), Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc (FCX), Hasbro Inc (HAS), Health Management Associates Inc (HMA) {after the close}, Las Vegas Sands Corp (LVS), MGIC Investment Corp (MTG), Monster Worldwide Inc (MWW), Nielsen Holdings NV (NLSN), Peabody Energy Corp (BTU), Senior Housing Properties Trust (SNH), SunTrust Banks Inc (STI), Swift Transportation Co (SWFT) {after the close}, Texas Instruments Inc (TXN) {after the close}, Veeco Instruments Inc (VECO) {after the close}, W. R. Berkley Corp (WRB) {after the close}, Western Digital Corp {after the close}, Yahoo! Inc (YHOO) {after the close}

Tuesday: 3M Co (MMM), ACE Limited (ACE) {after the close}, Aflac Inc (AFL) {after the close}, AK Steel Holding Corp (AKS), Ametek Inc (AME), Amgen Inc (AMGN) {after the close}, Chicago Bridge and Iron Company NV (CBI) {after the close}, CIT Group Inc (CIT), Coach Inc (COH), E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co (DD), Facebook Inc (FB) {after the close}, FMC Technologies Inc (FTI) {after the close}, Harley-Davidson Inc (HOG), Illinois Tool Works Inc (ITW), Juniper Networks Inc (JNPR) {after the close}, Lexmark International Inc (LXK), Nabors Industries Ltd (NBR) {after the close}, Netflix Inc (NFLX) {after the close}, Newfield Exploration Co (NFX) {after the close}, Norfolk Southern Corp (NSC) {after the close}, Prologis Inc (PLD), RadioShack Corp (RSH), Reynolds American Inc (RAI), Ryder System Inc (R), Tempur-Pedic International Inc (TPX) {after the close}, Total System Services Inc (TSS) {after the close}, United Parcel Service Inc (UPS), United Technologies Corp (UTX), VMware Inc (VMW) {after the close}, Whirlpool Corp (WHR), Xerox Corp (XRX)

Wednesday: Allegheny Technologies Inc (ATI), Ameriprise Financial Inc (AMP) {after the close}, AT&T Inc (T), Boeing Co (BA), Boyd Gaming Corp (BYD), Brinker International Inc (EAT), Bristol-Myers Squibb Co (BMY), Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (CLF) {after the close}, Corning Inc (GLW), Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL), Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc (DPS), Eli Lilly and Co (LLY), EMC Corp (EMC), Equifax Inc (EFX) {after the close}, Equity Residential (EWR) {after the close}, General Dynamics Corp (GD), Kimberly-Clark Corp (KMB), Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT), Lorillard Inc (LO), LSI Corp (LSI), New York Community Bancorp Inc (NYB), Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC), Owens Corning (OC), Owens-Illinois Inc (OI) {after the close}, Praxair Inc (PX), Ryland Group Inc (RYL) {after the close}, Superior Energy Services Inc (SPN) {after the close}, Teradyne Inc (TER) {after the close}, Terex Corp (TEX) {after the close}, The Jones Group Inc (JNY), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc (TMO), Trinity Industries Inc (TRN) {after the close}, US Airways Group Inc (LCC), Wyndham Worldwide Corp (WYN)

Thursday: 3D Systems Corp (DDD), Acme Packet Inc (APKT) {after the close}, Aetna Inc (AET), Altria Group Inc (MO), Amazon.Com Inc (AMZN) {after the close}, Apple Inc (AAPL) {after the close}, Brunswick Corp (BC), Bunge Ltd (BG), CA Inc (CA) {after the close}, Cabot Oil & Gas Corp (COG) {after the close}, Chubb Corp (CB) {after the close}, CME Group Inc (CME), Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc (CCE), Colgate-Palmolive Co (CL), ConocoPhillips (COP), CONSOL Energy Inc (CNX), Deckers Outdoor Corp (DECK) {after the close}, DeVry Inc (DV) {after the close}, Dominion Resources Inc (D), Dow Chemical Co (DOW), Eastman Chemical Co (EMN) {after the close}, EQT Corp (EQT), International Paper Co (IP), Janus Capital Group Inc (JNS), JetBlue Airways Corp (JBLU), National Oilwell Varco Inc (NOV), Occidental Petroleum Corp (OXY), Old Republic International Corp (ORI), Power-One Inc (PWER) {after the close}, Procter & Gamble Co (PG), PulteGroup Inc (PHM), Raytheon Co (RTN), Realty Income Corp (O), Regal Entertainment Group (RGC) {after the close}, Reliance Steel and Aluminum Co (RS), Revlon Inc (REV), Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL), Safeguard Scientifics Inc (SFE), Sherwin-Williams Co (SHW), Simon Property Group Inc (SPG), Sprint Nextel Corp (S), Standard Pacific Corp (SPF) {after the close}, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc (HOT), Tenneco Inc (TEN), The Hershey Co (HSY), Under Armour Inc (UA), United Continental Holdings Inc (UAL), Varian Medical Systems Inc (VAR) {after the close}, Wynn Resorts Ltd (WYNN), Xcel Energy Inc (XEL), Zimmer Holdings Inc (ZMH)

Friday: No announcements scheduled.
* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

Monday
No reports scheduled for release.

Tuesday
No reports scheduled for release.

Wednesday
MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 10/20 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -4.2%)
New Home Sales @ 10:00 AM for September (Est. = 385K, Prior = 373K)
FHFA Housing Price Index @ 10:00 AM for August (Est. = n/a, Prior = 0.2%)
Crude Oil Inventories @ 10:30 AM for 10/20 (Est. = n/a, Prior = 2.860M)
FOMC Rate Decision @ 2:15 PM for October (Est. = 0.25%, Prior = 0.25%)

Thursday
Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 10/20 (Est. = 375K, Prior = 388K)
Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 10/13 (Est. = 3237K to 3275K, Prior = 3252K)
Durable Orders @ 8:30 AM for September (Est. = 7.4% to 12.0%, Prior = -13.2%)
Pending Home Sales @ 10:00 AM for September (Est. = 1.0% to 2.4%, Prior = -2.6%)

Friday
Michigan Sentiment @ 9:55 AM for October (Est. = 82.5 to 83.1, Prior = 83.1)

Weekly Newsletter October 14th - October 20th

Current Events: The U.S. markets slid heavily last week recording one of the largest weekly losses in four months as the third quarter earnings season began. Confusion and uncertainty appears to be surrounding the financial markets as the upcoming presidential election, a controversial QE3, euro-zone debt concerns, and mixed economic reports all have caused investors to waiver. Bullish investors are seeking positive news from a busy earnings week as almost half of the Dow components are set to report over the next five business days.

What to Look for This Week

Monday begins the second week of earnings for the season and with that a slew of big names across most major sectors and industries. Financial giants Bank of America, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley are just some of the earning reports investors will keen in on this week. Other popular companies sure to vie for attention this week include Microsoft, IBM, and United Healthcare.

News Affecting the Markets

Last week's downsized earnings forecast from Chevron casted a negative shadow across the oil sector, reminding investors that weaker crude prices and a stronger dollar will likely be a bearish theme running through the third-quarter results of major production and exploration companies. Hurricane Isaac, which tore through the Gulf of Mexico, was highlighted as one of the main culprits for the reduced production levels by Chevron. Apache, Royal Dutch Shell, and BP each have reported similar deficiencies in production due to the high winds of Hurricane Isaac experienced in the Gulf of Mexico during the month of August.

Smart Investing

Importance of Financial Awareness: Whether young or old, it is essential to first invest in your financial awareness before pursuing any form of investments. Having good financial Awareness is not about saving tons of money or dumping them into mutual funds. It is developing a healthy relationship with money and building a wealth of assets that will generate you money. What does it take to develop your financial awareness? Well anyone is capable of creating wealth. When you take a old car and give it an overhaul, paint it with a new coat of paint, and change a few more parts to make it start running again, you could sell that car for more money than if it was just a beat up old car. You would have created wealth in the process. How about a land? If you turn a empty land into a country home, getaway resort, wouldn’t the value of the land increase? It is the same principle for chefs, programmers and craftsmen. The sum of the whole is greater than the parts. We are all capable of creating wealth even out of thin air and that is the first step to getting our creative juices flowing. Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone and pay the price for financial awareness or ignore the signs of the times and expect your boss, the government, and/or the bank to take care of you financially for the rest of your life, living below your means and never taking risks?

Earnings for the Week

Monday: Charles Schwab (SCHW), Citigroup (C), Gannett (GCI)

Tuesday: Apollo Group (APOL), The Coca-Cola Company (KO), Domino's Pizza (DPZ), Forest Labs (FRX), Fortinent (FTNT), IBM (IBM), Intel (INTC), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Linear Technology (LLTC), Mattel (MAT), Omnicom Group (OMC), PNC Financial (PNC), State Street Corporation (STT), United Rental (URI), United Healthcare (UNH), Wolverine World Wide (WWW)

Wednesday: Abbott Labs (ABT), American Express (AXP), Amphenol Corp (APH), Bank of New York Mellon (BK), Bank of America (BAC), Blackrock (BLK), Check Point Software (CHKP), Comerica (CMA), Dover Corp. (DOV), EBAY Inc. (EBAY), Halliburton (HAL), Knight Capital (KCG), Noble Corp. (NE), Pepsico (PEP), St. Jude Medical (STJ), Stanley Black & Decker (SWK), Textron Inc. (TXT)

Thursday: Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Alliance Data Systems (ADS), Baxter International (BAX), BB&T Corp (BBT), Blackstone (BX), Boston Scientific (BSX), Capital One Financial (COF), Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG), Danaher (DHR), Diamond Offshore (DO), E*Trade Financial (ETFC), Genuine Parts Company (GPC), Google Inc. (GOOG), KeyCorp (KEY), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), Morgan Stanley (MS), Nucor Corp. (NU), Phillip Morris International (PM), PPG Industries (PPG), Rambus (RMBS), Sandisk (SNDK), Southwest Airlines (LUV), Supervalu (SVU), Travlers (TRV), Union Pacific Corp. (UNP), USG Corp. (USG), Verizon Communications (VZ), Wesco International (WCC)

Friday: Cooper Industries (CBE), Honeywell International (HON), Ingersoll-Rand (IR), Kansas City Southern (KSU), Kinder Morgan (KMI), McDonald's (MCD), Patriot Coal (PCX), Schlumberger (SLB), Wynn Resorts (WYNN)
* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

Monday
Retail Sales @ 8:30 AM for September (Est. = 0.7% to 1.0%, Prior = 0.9%)
Empire Manufacturing @ 8:30 AM for October (Est. = -2.0 to -2.8, Prior = -10.4)
Business Inventories @ 10:00 AM for August (Est. = 0.5%, Prior = 0.8%)

Tuesday
CPI @ 8:30 AM for 10/06 (Est. = 370K to 375K, Prior = 376K)
Industrial Production @ 9:15 AM for September (Est. = 0.0% to 0.2%, Prior = -1.2%)
Capacity Utilization @ 9:15 AM for September (Est. = 78.2% to 78.3%, Prior = 78.2%)
NAHB Housing Market Index @ 10:00 AM for October (Est. = 42, Prior = 40)

Wednesday
MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 10/13 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -1.2%)
Housing Starts @ 8:30 AM for September (Est. = 765K to 768K, Prior = 750K)
Building Permits @ 8:30 AM for September (Est. = 815K, Prior = 803K)
Crude Oil Inventories @ 10:30 AM for 10/13 (Est. = n/a, Prior = 1.672M)

Thursday
Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 10/13 (Est. = 360K to 370K, Prior = 339K)
Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 10/06 (Est. = 3275K, Prior = 3273K)
Philadelphia Fed @ 10:00 AM for October (Est. = 0.0 to -0.1, Prior = -1.9)
Leading Indicators @ 10:00 AM for September (Est. = 0.1% to 0.2%, Prior = -0.1%)

Friday
Existing Homes Sales @ 10:00 AM for September (Est. = 4.70M to 4.90M, Prior = 4.82M)

Weekly Newsletter October 7th - October 13th

Current Events: The market's initial reaction to Friday morning's shocking news of an unexpected significant drop in the unemployment rate from 8.1% to 7.8% was not enough to sustain all three major U.S. indexes for the day; however, the economic report did produce enough firepower to keep all three indexes positive for the week.

What to Look for This Week

With the earnings of aluminum giant, Alcoa, set for announcement after the closing bell Monday the official start to another round of earnings will be underway. Popular names, such as JP Morgan Chase, Costco, and Chevron, are all scheduled to announce earnings this week. This earning season investors will be eager to see if stocks can support the recent gains witnessed as a result of the Federal Reserve's infusion of a third round of quantitative easing, more commonly known as QE3.

News Affecting the Markets

The Labor Departments jobs data released on Friday was welcomed with mixed reviews and debates surrounding the data have already ensued. While the unemployment rate is the lowest it has been since 2009, many discredit the progress as most of the 114,000 news which were created are government jobs. Although bullish investors have little to complain about at the moment as all three major U.S. indexes (the Dow Jones, Nasdaq, and S&P 500) are all quickly approaching towards 52-week highs.

Smart Investing

Commercial Mortgage Fine Print: Commercial mortgage loans are used when purchasing structures such as office buildings, apartment complexes, health care facilities and retail outlets. Whether interested in acquiring something as vast as a hi-rise tower or a more practical family-owned restaurant, typically additional funding is needed for buyers to complete the transaction. Similar in many ways to residential loans, commercial mortgages require far more paperwork and getting lost in the fine print becomes a greater risk. When applying for a commercial mortgage, make sure to ask about the Early Redemption Charge. Bear in mind, lenders make money off the interest on the loan. When the loan is repaid in full sooner than anticipated, the lender loses money. To avoid losing money, lenders often include an Early Redemption Charge which can amount to a substantial, one-time sum. If you discover an Early Redemption Charge in the fine print, try to renegotiate. Applying for a commercial mortgage means that you are about to make a serious investment. You have a right to ask questions, renegotiate more favorable terms and do whatever else you feel is necessary.

Earnings for the Week

Monday: Alcoa (AA) {after the close}

Tuesday: Chevron (CVX), YUM! Brands (YUM)

Wednesday: Costco Wholesale (COST), Host Hotels (HST), Progressive Group (PGR)

Thursday: Safeway (SWY)

Friday: JP Morgan & Chase (JPM), Wells Fargo & Co. (WFC)
* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

Monday
No announcements scheduled.

Tuesday
No announcements scheduled.

Wednesday
MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 10/06 (Est. = n/a, Prior = 16.6%)
Wholesale Inventories @ 10:00 AM for August (Est. = 0.5% to 0.6%, Prior = 0.7%)
Fed Beige Book @ 2:00 PM for September

Thursday
Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 10/06 (Est. = 370K to 375K, Prior = 376K)
Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 09/29 (Est. = 3275K, Prior = 3281K)
Trade Balance @ 8:30 AM for August (Est. = -$43.8B to -$44.6B, Prior = -$42.0B)
Crude Oil Inventories @ 11:00 AM for 10/06 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -0.482M)

Friday
PPI @ 8:30 AM for September (Est. = 0.5% to 0.8%, Prior = 1.7%)
Michigan Sentiment @ 9:55 AM for October (Est. = 78.5 to 80.0, Prior = 78.3)

Weekly Newsletter September 30th - October 6th

Current Events: The Federal Reserve's recent move to go forward with quantitative easing for a third time has already caused a few ups and downs for the market. Tuesday's large slide was the latest substantial move experienced in the U.S. markets due to the Fed's purchasing program commonly known as QE3. Many high ranking officials and financial experts have voiced concerns over the Fed's decision, but Bernanke and team have repeatedly expressed their strong belief that the Fed should step in to support the economy.

What to Look for This Week

As expected, Friday's unemployment rate will be one of the most heavily anticipated and scrutinized reports this week. Some investors are even boldly expecting a rise in unemployment by a tenth of a percent, something that has not occurred for quite some time, which could quickly turn the market sour.

News Affecting the Markets

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will likely utilize Monday afternoon's meeting to promote the benefits of quantitative easing. This comes just days after the stock market reacted negatively to a strong rebuke of bond purchases from noted hawk Charles Plosser, the president of the Philadelphia Fed Bank. Plosser supported his actions stating the program (QE3) wouldn’t create jobs and risked the Fed’s credibility.

Smart Investing

Following Insider Decisions:  Many investors like to track what insiders are doing and mimic what they do by buying shares in a company when the insiders do. The thinking being that insiders are the best placed individuals to know what truly is happening in their own company and thus they only buy shares when they are confident that the projections are good. This logic is actually based on historical evidence which does indicate abnormal gains in such scenarios. Insiders' trading signals clearly generate significant positive abnormal returns on the buy side and small, less significant returns on the sell side. Larger abnormal returns are concentrated in smaller value stocks in particular. If you want to track insiders' buys, remember they will buy at a better price than you will get, because once it becomes known that insiders have been buying, the share price quickly goes up. So is it a good strategy to track share buys by company Insiders? Typically yes, provided they have bought a significant amount and only if you can buy your shares at something close to what the Insiders paid for theirs.

Earnings for the Week

Monday: No major announcements.

Tuesday: No major announcements.

Wednesday: Family Dollar Store (FDO), Marriott International (MAR), Monsanto (MON) {after the close}

Thursday: No major announcements.

Friday: Constellation Brands (STZ)

* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

Monday

ISM Index @ 10:00 AM for September (Est. = 49.2 to 49.7, Prior = 49.6)

Construction Spending @ 10:00 AM for August (Est. = 0.1% to 0.4%, Prior = -0.9%)

Tuesday

Auto Sales @ 2:00 PM for September (Est. = n/a, Prior = 5.3M)
Truck Sales @ 2:00 PM for September (Est. = n/a, Prior = 6.3M)

Wednesday

MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 09/29 (Est. = n/a, Prior = 2.8%)
ISM Services @ 10:00 AM for September (Est. = 52.0 to 53.0, Prior = 53.7)
Crude Oil Inventories @ 10:30 AM for 09/29 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -2.446M)
FOMC Minutes @ 2:00 PM for 9/12

 Thursday

Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 09/29 (Est. = 365K to 370K, Prior = 359K)
Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 09/22 (Est. = 3273K to 3275K, Prior = 3271K)
Factory Orders @ 10:00 AM for August (Est. = -5.5% to -6.0%, Prior = 2.8%)

Friday

Non-farm Payrolls @ 8:30 AM for September (Est. = 120K, Prior = 96K)
Unemployment Rate @ 8:30 AM for September (Est. = 8.1% to 8.2%, Prior = 8.1%)
Consumer Credit @ 3:00 PM for August (Est. = $5.0B, Prior = -$3.3B)

 

 

Weekly Newsletter September 23rd - September 29th

Current Events: The controversial decision made by the Federal Open Market Committee on September 13th to begin an open-ended program of monthly purchases of $40 billion in mortgage-backed securities has witnessed its ups and downs since its announcement. While substantial gains were witnessed upon announcement, some question if the recent slide is a sign of what is to come.

What to Look for This Week

A slew of housing data coupled with earnings reports from popular names, such as Nike and Carnival Cruise Lines, will keep traders and investors focused on U.S. matters this week. Key data on the health of the U.S. consumer will also provide insight on the overall economy.

News Affecting the Markets

Not all have received the recent decisions of central banks around the world to pursue quantitative easing favorably. This week UBS chairman, Alex Weber, spoke out negatively on such moves, going as far as to say central bank action to support economies by printing money is distorting market prices and may create asset bubbles. While the U.S. Fed's decision to go ahead with QE3 immediately sparked massive gains across all major indexes, many question if such a drastic move is warranted, authentic, and sustainable.

Smart Investing

Riding the ETF Boom: Advisors and specialized investors are motivating the growth of exchange traded funds (ETFs), one of the newest investment tools. The investment community has described exchange traded funds (EFTs) as the most successful financial product in the past two decades, and the gap between unlisted managed funds and listed ETFs will undoubtedly narrow in coming years. Product innovation, a desire for more transparent, low-cost products, and greater use of ETFs by financial advisers is driving growth. With global ETFs assets topping $1 trillion (US) for the first time, it's clear that investor interest in exchange traded funds is swelling. Global ETF assets have continued to grow despite the financial crisis and subsequent rally. Experts say there are no signs that investor interest in ETFs is fading and that investors are finding ETFs are products that work well in every market environment.

Earnings for the Week

Monday: Lennar Corp (LEN), Red Hat Inc (RHT) {after the close}
Tuesday: Carnival Corp (CCL), Jabil Circuit Inc (JBL) {after the close}
Wednesday: Worthington Industries Inc (WOR) {after the close}
Thursday: Accenture PLC (ACN), Discover Financial Services (DFS), Global Payments Inc (GPN) {after the close}, McCormick & Company Inc (MKC), Micron Technology Inc (MU), Nike Inc (NKE) {after the close},
Friday: No major announcements.
* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

Monday
No scheduled announcements.
Tuesday
Case-Shiller 20-city Index @ 9:00 AM for July (Est. = 0.8% to 1.5%, Actual = 1.2%)
Consumer Confidence @ 10:00 AM for September (Est. = 62.0 to 63.0, Actual = 70.3)
FHFA Housing Price Index @ 10:00 AM for July (Est. = n/a, Actual = 0.2%)
Wednesday
MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 09/22 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -0.2%)
New Home Sales @ 8:30 AM for August (Est. = 380K to 390K, Prior = 372K)
Crude Oil Inventories @ 10:30 AM for 09/22 (Est. = n/a, Prior = 8.534M)
Thursday
Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 09/22 (Est. = 379K to 380K, Prior = 382K)
Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 09/15 (Est. = 3270K to 3300K, Prior = 3272K)
Durable Orders @ 8:30 AM for August (Est. = -5.0% to -6.5%, Prior = 4.1%)
Pending Home Sales @ 10:00 AM for August (Est. = 0.5% to 2.05, Prior = 2.4%)
Friday
Personal Income @ 8:30 AM for August (Est. = 0.1% to 0.2%, Prior = 0.3%)
Personal Spending @ 8:30 AM for August (Est. = 0.5% to 0.6%, Prior = 0.4%)
Chicago PMI @ 9:45 AM for September (Est. = 52.0 to 52.9, Prior = 53.0)
Michigan Sentiment @ 9:55 AM for September (Est. = 79.0, Prior = 79.2)

Weekly Newsletter September 16th - September 22nd

Current Events: 52-week highs in both the Dow Jones Industrial and S&P 500 can be credited to the decision made on late Thursday by the Federal Reserve to commence a third round of quantitative easing. The announcement of the Fed's plan to buy $40 billion worth of mortgage-backed securities per month quickly triggered a sharp rally in the U.S. markets.

 

What to Look for This Week

The most important numbers to be released this week for investors will certainly be involving housing data, especially considering the lack of earnings and economic announcements scheduled. Statistics from the NAHB Housing Market Index and Housing Starts reports will help investors evaluate the health status of the slowly rebuilding U.S. housing market.

News Affecting the Markets

Last week, in an effort to provide much needed reassurance and support to onlookers concerning the euro zone debt crisis, the European Central Bank pledged to provide unlimited funds to rein in the debt crisis via its own bond-buying program. However, assistance cannot be extended unless a country asks for help. This is something that Spain has neglected to do till date.

Smart Investing

Fear Can Lead to Poor Retirement Choices: When considering retirement it is important to reflect on what changes need to occur to move from where you are now to where you'd like to be in 10 years. Will keeping your current jobs get you where you want to be? Will starting a business help you succeed? What do you need to do to get to where you want to be and reach all your goals, personally and financially? Many boomers have a lot of fears about retirement. Determine what your fears are. The stock market has played havoc on many boomers' retirement nest eggs. Cutbacks on savings plans at work, as well as having to contribute more to healthcare costs, less pay raises and even pay cuts have created fears about having enough money to retire. Some say we can't even truly rely on social security anymore as national debt concerns rise. Fear of not enough money can cause problems with your life today, as well as create a lot of fear based choices that might not be the best for you or your family. Pay off debt before retirement. Zero debt working on a cash basis should be your goal for retirement days.

Earnings for the Week

Monday: No major announcements.
Tuesday: No major announcements.
Wednesday: No major announcements.
Thursday: No major announcements.
Friday: No major announcements.
* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

Monday
Empire Manufacturing @ 8:30 AM for September (Est. = -3.0, Prior = -5.9)
Tuesday
NAHB Housing Market Index @ 10:00 AM for September (Est. = 38, Actual = 37)
Wednesday
MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 09/15 (Est. = n/a, Prior = 11.1%)
Housing Starts @ 8:30 AM for August (Est. = 0.0% to 0.3%, Prior = -0.2%)
Building Permits @ 8:30 AM for August (Est. = 0.0% to 0.3%, Prior = -0.2%)
Existing Home Sales @ 10:00 AM for August (Est. = 0.0% to 0.3%, Prior = -0.2%)
Crude Oil Inventories @ 10:30 AM for 09/15 (Est. = n/a, Prior = 1.994M)
Thursday
Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 09/15 (Est. = 375K, Prior = 382K)
Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 09/08 (Est. = 3292K to 3300K, Prior = 3283K)
Philadelphia Fed @ 10:00 AM for September (Est. = -5.0, Prior = -7.1)
Leading Indicators @ 10:00 AM for August (Est. = 0.0%, Prior = 0.4%)
Friday
No scheduled announcements.

Weekly Newsletter September 9th - September 15th

Current Events: Credit a very strong Thursday for last week's big gains in all major U.S. equity indexes, including the Dow Jones, Nasdaq, and S&P. Gold, which has shown some signs of life over the last two months, also had a very strong week in the markets.

What to Look for This Week

All eyes will be on the Fed this week as the U.S. and the world a wait to see if QE3 will take place. Another round of quantitative easing is being heavily debated as many investors worry such drastic measures may hurt the overall health of the U.S. more than it will benefit from the move. While serious discussions will take place this week on the hot topic, it is unlikely that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will give the go ahead on QE3 this week.

 News Affecting the Markets

 Lackluster August jobs data surprisingly fueled the markets last week as speculation grew that the Federal Reserve may start another round of monetary stimulus. This stir in the markets helped U.S. equities finish modestly higher Friday, following Thursday's massive surge. Such speculation, coupled with relatively favorable progress being made within euro zone, has boosted major indexes to their highest levels in years.

Smart Investing

 Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRIPS):  Dividend Reinvestment Plans (also known as DRIPS) are investment plans that allow individuals to reinvest dividends and to use dividends to buy more stocks without paying brokerage commissions. Some Dividend Reinvestment Plans allow purchasing additional stocks, also without paying brokerage commissions. Usually Dividend Reinvestment Plans don't charge commissions. On the other hand the company might give you a discount of 2-5%. To sign in to the Dividend Reinvestment Plans you should already have at least one share of the company on your name. Some companies request owning a minimal number of shares in order to sign in to their Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Therefore, you must use a broker to buy the first shares, or buy them directly from the company. Note that not all companies allow direct purchasing. Usually a company that allows direct purchase allows Dividend Reinvestment Plans.

Earnings for the Week

 Monday: No major announcements.

Tuesday: No major announcements.

Wednesday: No major announcements.

 Thursday: No major announcements.

Friday: No major announcements.
* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

Monday

Consumer Credit @ 3:00 PM for July (Est. = $8.0b to $10.0B, Prior = $6.5B)

Tuesday

Trade Balance @ 8:30 AM for July (Est. = -$44.0B to $-46.0B, Actual = -$42.9B)

 Wednesday

MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 09/08 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -2.5%)
Wholesale Inventories @ 10:00 AM for July (Est. = 0.0% to 0.3%, Prior = -0.2%)
Crude Oil Inventories @ 10:30 AM for 09/08 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -7.426M)

 Thursday

Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 09/08 (Est. = 369K to 370K, Prior = 365K)

Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 09/01 (Est. = 3315K to 3300K, Prior = 3322K)

PPI @ 8:30 AM for August (Est. = 1.2%, Prior = 0.3%)

FOMC Rate Decision @ 12:30 PM for September (Est. = 0.25%, Prior = 0.25%)

 Friday

Retail Sales @ 8:30 AM for August (Est. = 0.7% to 1.0%, Prior = 0.8%)
CPI @ 8:30 AM for August (Est. = 0.6%, Prior = 0.0%)
Industrial Production @ 9:15 AM for August (Est. = 0.2% to 0.3%, Prior = 0.6%)
Capacity Utilization @ 9:15 AM for August (Est. = 78.9% to 79.2.%, Prior = 79.3%)
Michigan Sentiment @ 9:55 AM for September (Est. = 73.0 to 73.3, Prior = 74.3)
Business Inventories @ 10:00 AM for July (Est. = 0.2% to 0.4%, Prior = 0.1%)

Weekly Newsletter September 2nd - September 8th

Current Events: A choppy and somewhat stagnant market attempts to hold on to gains experienced earlier in the year, even following a poor August showing in both performance and volume. With U.S. elections just around the corner, decisive help may not come soon enough as uncertainty appears to reign supreme, at least for the time being.

What to Look for This Week

Key data on the health of the U.S. job market set to be released early Friday morning will greatly impact U.S. markets, with for investors undoubtedly focusing in on the unemployment rate. While the unemployment rate has be stuck at 8.3% for some time now, some analysts are forecasting a slight improvement in this week's report.

News Affecting the Markets

A two-week high for the NYSE composite in terms of volume is a glimmer of hope for eager investors looking to jump back into the relatively lackluster U.S. markets. Tuesday, September 4th marked the largest volume trading day for the exchange since August 21st with 3.06 billion shares traded on the day. While the average daily volume for the year has been roughly 3.63 billion shares a day, the up-tick in volume is certainly hungry investors can hang their hats on as a sign of progress. The Nasdaq also experienced its largest volume day on Tuesday since August 21st, as well, reaching 1.49 billion shares on the day.

Smart Investing

The World of Investing: Governments do it. Companies do it. Fund managers do it. Millions of ordinary working people, from business owners to factory workers, do it. Housewives do it. Even farmers and children do it. 'It' here is investing: the science and art of creating, protecting and enhancing your wealth in the financial markets. Getting involved with investing can seem challenging, confusing, and very risky to someone looking from the outside in. In fact, to some actually involved with investing it too seems that way. However, the process and methodology of investing can be quite manageable and practical if taken step by step. Two key things that must be considered prior to beginning the process of investing are goals and resources. First it is important to determine what is the ultimate goal; is to gain security, income, wealth, or a combination of the before-mentioned. The second is to determine what amount is truly disposable income, what amount is desired, and what amount is needed to survive. Often individuals fail to decide on these and unclear, unrealistic expectations lead them into avoidable mistakes. Thus, map out what your goals are for investing and how much financial backing you have to accomplish these goals prior to jumping into the world of investing.

Earnings for the Week

Monday: No major announcements.

Tuesday: Campbell Soup Co (CPB), Pep Boys-Manny Moe and Jack (PBY) {After the Close}, Smithfield Foods Inc (SFD)

Wednesday: Dollar General Corp (DG), H & R Block Inc (HRB) {After the Close}, Men's Wearhouse Inc (MW) {After the Close}, VeriFone Systems Inc (PAY) {After the Close}

Thursday: Hovnanian Enterprises Inc (HOV), Navistar International Corp (NAV), Quiksilver Inc (ZQK) {After the Close}, Smith & Wesson Holding Corp (SWHC) {After the Close}, Ulta Salon Cosmetics and Fragrance Inc (ULTA) {After the Close}

Friday: Kroger Co (KR)
* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

Monday
No announcements scheduled.

Tuesday
ISM Index @ 10:00 AM for August (Est. = 49.0 to 50.0, Actual = 49.6)
Construction Spending @ 10:00 AM for July (Est. = 0.5%, Actual = -0.9%)
Auto Sales @ 2:00 PM for August (Est. = n/a, Prior = 5.0M)
Truck Sales @ 2:00 PM for August (Est. = n/a, Prior = 6.0M)

Wednesday
MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 09/01 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -4.3%)

Thursday
Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 09/01 (Est. = 373K to 375K, Prior = 374K)
Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 08/25 (Est. = 3300K, Prior = 3316K)
ISM Services @ 10:00 AM for August (Est. = 51.0 to 52.4 Prior = 52.6)
Crude Oil Inventories @ 11:00 AM for 09/01 (Est. = n/a, Prior = 3.778M)

Friday
Unemployment Rate @ 8:30 AM for August (Est. = 8.2% to 8.3%, Prior = 8.3%)

Weekly Newsletter August 26th - September 1st

Current Events: The battle for the White House has become a growing factor in the market. With little news coming from earnings, economic data, or abroad, many investors will look to U.S. politics to gauge the current health of the economy.

What to Look for This Week

For the 10th day this month, NYSE volume has come in below 3 billion shares traded for the day. The last time such an occurrence was recorded in the NYSE was September 2007. At this pace, this month will be the lowest volume of the year.

News Affecting the Markets

With Hurricane Isaac hitting Louisiana today as a category 1 hurricane oil futures are quickly rising. The spike is undoubtedly tied to concerns that the hurricane is affecting oil production out of the Gulf of Mexico.

Smart Investing

Control Credit Cards before Investing: Any profitable trader or investor knows that you must only use disposable income when aggressively participating in the markets. However, for some it's not that easy as credit card debt has eliminated such options. For this reason it is clear that if you want to get ahead financially you want to use credit cards and not let credit cards use you. Of course, as mentioned, this is easier said than done. Try to only spend money that you have. If you struggle with spending control, keep your credit limit low. Utilize only relevant credit card rewards and pay off your balance every single month. Do not let your balance become outstanding as this compiles quickly. If credit card debt is a struggle even after wise adjustments, be weary of seeking financial resolve from participating aggressively in the markets as buy and sell decisions can be clouded.

Earnings for the Week

Monday: Perfect World Co Ltd (PWRD) {After the Close}, PVH Corp (PVH), Seadrill Ltd (SDRL), Tiffany & Co (TIF)

Tuesday: Brown Shoe Co Inc (BWS)

Wednesday: Collective Brands Inc (PSS), H.J. Heinz Co (HNZ), JA Solar Holdings Co Ltd (JASO), Joy Global Inc (JOY), Pandora Media Inc (P) {After the Close}, Vera Bradley Inc (VRA) {After the Close}

Thursday: Ciena Corp (CIEN)

Friday: Rosetta Genomics Ltd (ROSG)
* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

Monday
No announcements scheduled.

Tuesday
Case Shiller 20-city Index @ 9:00 AM for June (Est. = -0.3%, Actual = 0.5%)
Consumer Confidence @ 10:00 AM for August (Est. = 65.7 to 66.5, Actual = 60.6)

Wednesday
MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 08/25 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -7.4%)
Pending Home Sales @ 10:00 AM for July (Est. = 0.0%, Prior = -1.4%)
Crude Oil Inventories @ 10:30 AM for 08/25 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -5.412M)
Fed Beige Book @ 2:00 PM for August

Thursday
Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 08/25 (Est. = 370K, Prior = 372K)
Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 08/18 (Est. = 3300K, Prior = 3317K)

Friday
Chicago PMI @ 9:45 AM for August (Est. = 53.0 to 53.8, Prior = 53.7)
Michigan Sentiment @ 9:55 AM for August (Est. = 73.6 to 74.0, Prior = 73.6)
Factory Orders @ 10:00 AM for July 8 (Est. = 2.0% to 2.1%, Prior = -0.5%)