There is a current raging debate about the merits of government support for Big Oil compared with support for clean-energy technologies such as wind and solar power. The clean-energy crowd is adjusting to a world of fewer government subsidies, but these “green” advocates insist that wind, solar and other technologies… Read More

This tech stock tells of a classic “dot bomb” recovery story. But unlike most of its peers that recovered in the early years of the past decade, this stock is just now blooming, thanks to a recent surge in demand for its cloud-based communications services. This late recovery gives savvy… Read More

It’s an open secret that Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) can’t seem to find meaningful growth opportunities. The massive retailer’s sales grew just 1% in fiscal (January) 2010, 3% in fiscal 2011 and will be hard-pressed to grow much more in fiscal 2011 and 2012. Tepid growth explains why shares have… Read More

Where’s an income investor to go for a decent yield these days? Money markets are obviously out. So are U.S. government bonds, unless you’re willing to tie up your money for a few decades. Corporate and emerging-market bond yields have shrunk to… Read More

This stock’s story started in 1972 with a nagging stomachache. To ward off chronic discomfort, a Utah school teacher put a spoonful of cayenne pepper into an easy-to-swallow gelatin capsule. He felt immediate relief, but perhaps more importantly realized his remedy also had business potential. Shortly after,… Read More

“If you grow it, biofuel will come,” isn’t much of a slogan. So let me be blunt: Biofuel is important because we need it. My current prediction: Oil prices will hold fast and end 2011 above $100, and this will keep biofuel an important ongoing business and… Read More

In this current tough stock market, it pays to play defense with value-oriented stocks. But you should always make sure you have exposure to the more dynamic investment opportunities as well by holding at least a few names that carry major upside potential. Taking this approach, I… Read More

Despite the market’s miserable performance during the past five weeks, corporate earnings as well as the overall economy have been improving on a quarter-to-quarter basis since mid-2009. The growth pace may be slowing now, but progress is still being eked out. Interestingly though, a few… Read More

Sometimes the best dividend yields can be found by looking for stocks that few analysts follow. There are dozens of otherwise good quality companies out there which analysts simply don’t talk about, either because the company is too small, too new or occupies a one-of-a-kind niche. Analysts don’t cover these… Read More

This stock passes the “Pink Slip” test. I first told you about the company back in March, in my article “The One Dividend Payer I Want to Hold in any Market.” #-ad_banner-#Back then, I called it “the most boring business I’ve ever researched.”… Read More