The land of the rising sun’s economic fortunes are turning around. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s aggressive monetary policies, known as “Abenomics,” are starting to work their magic on the economy, creating an opportunity for forward-thinking stock investors.#-ad_banner-# First-quarter results indicate Japan’s gross domestic product grew 3.5%, sparking hopes that a recovery is underway. Exports grew 3.8%, driven by strong auto sales and the weaker yen, which has fallen 20% against the U.S. dollar since… Read More

The land of the rising sun’s economic fortunes are turning around. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s aggressive monetary policies, known as “Abenomics,” are starting to work their magic on the economy, creating an opportunity for forward-thinking stock investors.#-ad_banner-# First-quarter results indicate Japan’s gross domestic product grew 3.5%, sparking hopes that a recovery is underway. Exports grew 3.8%, driven by strong auto sales and the weaker yen, which has fallen 20% against the U.S. dollar since November. Abe’s policy of weakening the yen, major fiscal spending and generating 2% inflation by 2014 has sent the Japanese stock markets soaring higher. The Nikkei has jumped 46% since Abe took office. Leading Japanese economists are projecting strong growth for the next three years thanks to Abe’s policies. I think these changes are strong signals for investors to look for opportunity within Japan. My eyes are on this pair of leading Japanese companies. Canon (NYSE: CAJ) Boasting a… Read More

As Europe emerges from recession, investors are flocking to the region’s stocks to take advantage of current low valuations. Since July, when European bankers pledged to prevent a eurozone collapse, funds flowing into European stocks have risen by $5.5 billion, which is nearly equal to the total investment last year and the first year of big inflows into European stocks since 2007.#-ad_banner-# Part of the appeal is the… Read More

As Europe emerges from recession, investors are flocking to the region’s stocks to take advantage of current low valuations. Since July, when European bankers pledged to prevent a eurozone collapse, funds flowing into European stocks have risen by $5.5 billion, which is nearly equal to the total investment last year and the first year of big inflows into European stocks since 2007.#-ad_banner-# Part of the appeal is the possibility of further interest-rate cuts. This month, the European Central Bank lowered its main rate to a record low. A weak currency also helps European exports. In the past five years, the euro has depreciated 20% against the U.S. dollar. The main appeal, however, is the bargain prices on some blue-chip European stocks, which currently trade at average price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.5 and well below the S&P’s P/E of 19. Income investors can take… Read More

As Europe emerges from recession, investors are flocking to the region’s stocks to take advantage of current low valuations. Since July, when European bankers pledged to prevent a eurozone collapse, funds flowing into European stocks have risen by $5.5 billion, which is nearly equal to the total investment last year and the first year of big inflows into European stocks since 2007.#-ad_banner-# Part of the appeal is the… Read More

As Europe emerges from recession, investors are flocking to the region’s stocks to take advantage of current low valuations. Since July, when European bankers pledged to prevent a eurozone collapse, funds flowing into European stocks have risen by $5.5 billion, which is nearly equal to the total investment last year and the first year of big inflows into European stocks since 2007.#-ad_banner-# Part of the appeal is the possibility of further interest-rate cuts. This month, the European Central Bank lowered its main rate to a record low. A weak currency also helps European exports. In the past five years, the euro has depreciated 20% against the U.S. dollar. The main appeal, however, is the bargain prices on some blue-chip European stocks, which currently trade at average price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.5 and well below the S&P’s P/E of 19. Income investors can take… Read More

Successful investors are a naturally curious breed, and the search for profit-producing investments can be a great outlet for high curiosity levels. Unfortunately, many investors are stymied by a one-track mindset, often because of past success in a particular area. For instance, I know… Read More

Despite the recent market correction threatening the four-year bull market, investors should be partying like it’s 2006. Easy-money programs from the world’s central banks and a recovering global… Read More

China doesn’t want your manufacturing dollars anymore. It’s set out on a five-year plan to shift its economy away from an export model to one based on consumption. That’s good — because the business world may not want China anymore, either. Read More

When I visited Cyprus several years ago, I had no idea this tiny, beautiful nation would one day play a pivotal role on the international financial stage. This country is slightly larger than Delaware, yet its debt… Read More

Although the previous decade heralded the arrival of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) nations, the current decade has a new class of emerging markets favored by investors. In fact, those markets, which are also known by a handy acronym — CIVETS… Read More

Even as you keep an eye on our ever-rising stock market, it also pays to monitor global economic trends. And looking at the economic reports coming out of Europe and China, there is a growing cause for… Read More

Fighting trends in the market without solid reasoning is a good way to go broke quickly. But the contrarian strategy of buying at the bottom and selling at the top has earned huge sums of… Read More