Gold and silver have appreciated about 30% and 130%, respectively, in the past year. Given the returns, a pullback or correction in precious metals-related stocks would not be surprising. However, should the rally in precious metals continue to have legs, I have three… Read More

One of the real charms of energy sector is the potential for fast gains. Unlike staid utility stocks, energy stocks are so volatile that a six or 12-month price target can be secured in a matter of months. My “Better than Exxon” pick of Sandridge Energy (NYSE:… Read More

The Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A) (NYSE: BRK-B) shareholder meeting takes place each year during the first weekend in May in Omaha, Neb. The 2010 meeting, held this past weekend, was attended by an estimated 40,000 loyal shareholders, many of which have held shares of Berkshire for decades and have become wealthy due to Warren Buffett’s ability to grow money at one of the most rapid rates in history. Since Berkshire’s start in 1965 and running through 2010, Berkshire has experienced a 20.2% annual growth rate in… Read More

The Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A) (NYSE: BRK-B) shareholder meeting takes place each year during the first weekend in May in Omaha, Neb. The 2010 meeting, held this past weekend, was attended by an estimated 40,000 loyal shareholders, many of which have held shares of Berkshire for decades and have become wealthy due to Warren Buffett’s ability to grow money at one of the most rapid rates in history. Since Berkshire’s start in 1965 and running through 2010, Berkshire has experienced a 20.2% annual growth rate in book value. This is more than double the 9.4% annual growth rate in the stock market, as measured by the return of the S&P 500 Index. Over this period, this means that Berkshire has returned 490,409% — while the market is up 6,262%. Both rates of growth have been impressive, but Berkshire’s qualifies as spectacular. #-ad_banner-#Buffett has relayed numerous times that future growth rates at Berkshire will fall below its historical growth trends, but there is still potential for investors to earn above-average returns by investing in the stock. Just… Read More

I remember how nutty investors were for shares of the big pharmaceutical companies 15 years ago. Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) had just put the spark back into middle-aged marriages, thanks to its failed blood pressure med that had a surprisingly pleasant side affect. Other companies followed suit with similar… Read More

Some things still aren’t discussed in polite society. Obesity and erectile dysfunction are among them. But if I abided by this convention, then you’d miss out on what could be the next-big-thing in the drug stock space. Instead, in the interest of your portfolio, I’m willing to… Read More

If you’ve read my wife, Carla Pasternak’s High-Yield Investing newsletter or her free Dividend Opportunities publication, you know she spots investment trends with uncanny accuracy. Carla’s trend-spotting ability also carries over to her fashion choices. She prefers the latest styles — especially when hitting the gym,… Read More

The most active traders, which usually man Wall Street’s trading desks, can alter market sentiment by either their presence or absence. As the weather warms, these traders take ever longer lunch breaks, which morphs into “Friday-free weekends,” culminating in their absence for decent chunk of the month of August. When these traders leave their desks, it’s a sign for the rest of us to cool off as well, in case thin trading volume causes one of our holdings to suddenly spike or plunge. Hence, the old-adage: “Sell in May and then go away.” (Until… Read More

The most active traders, which usually man Wall Street’s trading desks, can alter market sentiment by either their presence or absence. As the weather warms, these traders take ever longer lunch breaks, which morphs into “Friday-free weekends,” culminating in their absence for decent chunk of the month of August. When these traders leave their desks, it’s a sign for the rest of us to cool off as well, in case thin trading volume causes one of our holdings to suddenly spike or plunge. Hence, the old-adage: “Sell in May and then go away.” (Until the fall…) Is it a wise move? Let’s look. Well, we know April surely gives the impressions of a solid market rally. The S&P 500 rose, 4%, 4% and 10% respectively in each of the past three years and is up another 2.2% this month. That rally has recently extended into May, as the S&P 500 has rallied an average of 3% in the past three years. But by the end of May, the party seems to end.   The market has fallen in six of the past 10 Junes of the past decade,… Read More

If you invest for growth, I’ll bet you hardly ever bother to check out the utilities sector. Why would you? Utilities are mainly for income, right? It all depends on where you look. If you expand your search to other continents, you may uncover utility stocks offering… Read More

Before the first word was uttered in the national health care debate, a significant change was put into motion to remake the U.S. health care system. It was nothing short of revolutionary, and the first major elements of that change are about to go into effect. Few… Read More

In late March, I wrote an article in which I explained why General Motors (NYSE: GM) can rally more than 50% from current levels. I still think that to be the case, but since then, turmoil in the Middle East and specifically a NATO-led military campaign in Libya that started… Read More