The U.S. economy sure looks dicey. This week’s trading kicked off with news that the Institute of Supply Management’s (ISM) index of manufacturing activity came in well short of forecasts — just another sign the economy has slowed. You may think… Read More

The late Baron Rothschild had a deceptively simple philosophy: “Buy when you hear the cannon. Sell when you hear the violins.” Easier said than done. The old baron had a steady hand and made a fortune during the Napoleonic Wars. Today, ill winds blow through the most… Read More

When investors think about “swinging for the fences,” they usually need to seek out risky small companies that are undiscovered and poised to take Wall Street by surprise. Yet there’s another way to find a “home-run stock” — by looking for large, well-established companies that have moved deeply out of… Read More

By the end of 2011, the world’s population should reach 7 billion. Through 2050, it is estimated to grow by 150,000 people daily and reach 9 billion. As a result, there will be billions more mouths to feed. It will also be even more crucial than ever to lessen the… Read More

Commodities are on a tear. Whether we’re talking about precious metals or energy futures, commodities have posted strong gains during the past 10 years. Take silver for example. It’s up 127% this year alone. Oil touched $100 per barrel on July… Read More

If you sat in the corner office at Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) a few years ago, you’d have ample reason to gloat. The company’s key rival in microprocessors, AMD (NYSE: AMD), was headed for oblivion, choking under $5 billion in debt and a weakening product lineup. All Intel had to do… Read More

If you’re in the market for an auto stock, chances are Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) is among the companies you’re considering. And why not? Toyota is one of the best names in motor vehicle manufacturing. Plus, shares are expected to rebound in the… Read More

Investors have short memories. Every time the airline industry starts to rebound, they forget many major airlines only recently flirted with the prospect of bankruptcy. But airlines have been trying to change this perilous dynamic. In recent years, they’ve been joining forces to cut costs and improve their competitive positioning. Read More

The rally in gold prices over the past 10 years has been nothing less than amazing, with the precious metal running from $300 per ounce in mid-2001 to more than $1500 now. The SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD)… Read More

What will the U.S. economy look like in 12 months? The crystal ball, as they say, is hazy. The odds seem balanced between a renewed recession and a long-awaited upturn. With such uncertainty, it’s wise to focus on stocks with… Read More