Most businesses hate to see rising interest rates. Higher rates make it more expensive to borrow money. Not every business though. This company welcomes and profits from increases in interest rates. Paychex (Nasdaq: PAYX) collects payroll for its clients’ employees, and sits on the money for a… Read More

Know when to hold ’em, Kenny Rogers taught us. Know when to fold ’em. Know when to walk away. And know when to run. Northrop Grumman CEO Wes Bush evidently knows the song. Mr. Bush has decided to… Read More

Anyone can get lucky once in a while. The same goes for the so-called “experts” on Wall Street. But when the overwhelming majority of experts agree on a handful of stocks, investors should take notice. When a stock has, say, 20 analysts covering it — and all 20 think the… Read More

Interesting data from your federal government: The average wage of the 15.2 million employees in California, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $48,090. That’s about $23.12 an hour. Very low on the scale: Private security guards, at $25,950. Also bailiffs, who… Read More

The trend toward increased worldwide industrialization is undeniable. The growth of China and other emerging markets has exponentially and permanently increased industrial production across the globe. In the past decade, world trade has exploded to a level far beyond what the… Read More

Insurance stocks often look like lousy investments in a slow economy. Demand for policies can shrink as unemployment rises, and rivals undercut each other on price to snag whatever market share still remains. But you want… Read More

We can all be thankful for the remarkable rebound in the stock market, which has helped to rebuild many portfolios during the past 11 months. Stocks may power yet higher if the economy is indeed on the mend, but concerns remain that we’re due… Read More

There are more than 4.5 million hotel rooms in the United States. When you stay at any one of these rooms you can usually expect — no matter how many stars are next to the hotel’s name — a bed, a bathroom, a television, and a Gideon’s Bible. Read More

In a highly uncertain environment, one thing is clear. The demand for health care will not merely continue… It will dramatically increase in the years to come. Health care has always been a “defensive” industry, as people get sick no matter… Read More

Managing a large business can prove daunting when the many moving parts fall out of synch. Yet a fresh set of eyes can help to chart a new course, getting all the pieces moving in harmony. That lesson applies for investors in Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH). New management has begun… Read More