FeedPosted Oct 29th 2009 1:10PM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: Newsletters, ETF Investing, Commodities, Oil, Stocks to Buy
"There is a very interesting situation developing in the oil and gas industry," says Mike Turner. In the Trade of the Week advisory, he looks at the Oil & Gas Ultra ProShares (NYSE: DIG).
"Even though global economies are not rapidly recovering (although they do seem to be on a positive upslope), and even though there seems to be a bit more supply than demand in the energy markets, oil and gas stocks continue to move higher. What's behind this move?
"Oil has become the inverse proxy to the U.S. dollar. As the dollar weakens, the price of oil is moving higher. With the burgeoning debt piling up in the U.S., the dollar looks to be under pressure to move lower for the foreseeable future.
Continue reading DIG this oil and gas ETF
Posted Oct 27th 2009 2:00PM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: International markets, Brazil, Newsletters, ETF Investing, Commodities, Oil, Agriculture, Stocks to Buy
"Brazil has long been our favorite of the BRIC countries," says Carl Delfeld. In his Chartwell Global Wealth Letter, the advisor looks at two favored Brazilian equity ETFs.
"Brazil seems to have confounded its critics, who view it as a boom and bust economy; the country has been upgraded to investment grade status by Moody's.
"The US ratings agency cited the resilience of the Brazilian economy to the financial crisis for the upgrade of its sovereign debt ratings one notch to Baa3, its lowest investment grade rating.
"This elevation of quality is well earned after years of reform in the country that led to lower inflation and a stronger currency as well as lower levels of government debt.
Continue reading ETF expert bets on Brazil
Posted Oct 16th 2009 1:20PM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: Newsletters, Mutual funds, ETF Investing, Stocks to Buy
"It's time to take some profits and play defense for a while," says Glenn Rogers, adding, "Fortunately, we can hedge our bets by taking some profits and building cash reserves and reinvesting in more defensive securities."
In The Internet Wealh Builder, the advisor suggests, a trio of conservative dividend-focused exchange-traded funds.
He explains, "Everybody I talk to these days is nervous, although for different reasons. Some are nervous because they feel left behind. They sat on the sidelines and missed the incredible rally we've had since March. Now they're afraid they won't have a chance to participate because the market has been refusing to correct.
"Others are nervous because they made a pot of money in the rebound and they're afraid they could lose it all in a replay of last year's meltdown. Meanwhile, there some relatively low-risk ETFs where you could park some money while we see how all this plays out.
Continue reading Defensive bets: A trio of dividend funds
Posted Oct 15th 2009 9:50AM by Alex Salkever (RSS feed)
Filed under: ETF Investing, Stocks to Buy, Green Stocks

Investors hoping to ride the climate change bandwagon have had a roller coaster ride over the past two years. Greentech stocks soared with the oil spike in 2007 and 2008, then crashed with stock market and commodity price declines in 2009. Since then, some of the most obvious stock plays have strongly rebounded. Many solar stocks have posted high double-digit gains since rebounding off year-to-date lows in March 2009.
The leading solar panel manufacturer, FirstSolar (NASDAQ:
FSLR) has appreciated by 45% from lows of near $100 to a closing price of $154 on October 14. "I wouldn't be stepping into buying these stocks right now," says Pacific Crest senior analyst Mark Bachman, who covers solar stocks. Still, he rates FirstSolar as a market perform and considers it the best solar stock at present on his coverage list.
Continue reading With solar overheated, here are two indirect ways to play climate change
Posted Oct 1st 2009 10:50AM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: International markets, Newsletters, ETF Investing, Commodities, Stocks to Buy
"Silver may become the next commodity China runs up in price, just as it's done with oil, copper and uranium," exp,ains Peter Krauthis.
Here, the 20-year gold market veteran -- and newest member of The Money Map Reporter team -- looks at the outlook for silver, and the best way to invest in the metal: iShares Silver Trust (NYSE: SLV).
"After 50 years of forbidding precious metals ownership, China's government is now taking the opposite path -- encouraging its citizens to invest in silver. Chinese investors can now buy silver bullion in 500 gram, 1, 2, and 5 kilo bars.
Continue reading Money Map leads to silver
Posted Sep 30th 2009 11:00AM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: Newsletters, ETF Investing, DJIA, Stocks to Buy, Israel
"Reflecting the stability and maturity of its economy and financial markets, Israel was recently upgraded to developed-market status," says fund expert Mark Salzinger.
In The Investor's ETF Report, he looks at iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market ETF (NYSE: EIS), noting, "For a nation of just more than seven million people, Israel generates exceptional economic productivity."
"GDP per capita was recently $28,200, good for 49th in the world, very close to established developed markets like New Zealand and Italy.
Continue reading Shalom: Say hello to the first all-Israeli ETF
Posted Sep 23rd 2009 6:00PM by Mitch Tuchman (RSS feed)
Filed under: ETF Investing, Personal finance
With ever growing uncertainty whether our economy will face inflation or deflation in the months to come given recent government spending, what is certain is that no one wants to see their fixed income lose purchasing power. Unlike most bonds that pay out a fixed dollar amount in interest, treasury inflation protected bonds (TIPs) pay out a fixed amount over the consumer-price index (CPI), making them a popular choice for investor anticipating the economy to experience inflation. If inflation is higher than projected, the government adds to your principal on a TIP and makes up the difference!
Not only does owning TIPs allow one to keep up with monthly bills that are increasing in step with inflation, they are an important asset class to consider when determining an asset allocation strategy. TIPs enable one to further diversify a portfolio. Bonds are ideal for those not able to stomach much risk and TIPs in particular protect one's fixed income from eroding.
Continue reading Inflation worries got you down? Buy TIP, a Treasury Inflation Protected ETF
Posted Sep 22nd 2009 1:30PM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: International markets, China, Newsletters, ETF Investing, Stocks to Buy, China Mobile Limited (CHL)
"We're seeing tremendous opportunities in China, which should move up regardless of U.S. market gyrations," says Richard Schmidt. In Stellar Stock Alert, he offers his current favorite China plays.
In addition, Jim Trippon, editor of The China Stock Alert, discusses the latest addition to his model portfolio, China's largest life insurance company -- and one with large exposure to Chinese equities.
And finally, fund expert Jim Lowell -- editor of Fidelity Investor -- says, "Investors should be buying Chinese stocks, Hong Kong real estate and Taiwanese technology." He offers some favorite funds for China region exposure.
Continue reading China stocks and funds: Top picks from three advisors
Posted Sep 22nd 2009 11:10AM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: International markets, Newsletters, ETF Investing, Commodities, Stocks to Buy
"While global climate change may be over-politicized, there's no disputing that the issue is real," says Larry Edelson. In his Real Wealth, he looks at two favorite exchange-traded funds that invest in the water sector.
He explains, "Food shortages and the lack of fresh drinking water are likely the most acute and immediate problems. For example, Northwestern India is running out of water, China is raising water prices to curb use and Mexico recently restricted the water supply amid a shortage.
"Domestically, unbridled use of groundwater in Arizona is a potential disaster. The problem is pipelines and canals don't extend far enough to deliver water to everyone. And unrestrained drilling in outlying areas is draining the supply.
Continue reading ETFs for water woes
Posted Sep 21st 2009 11:00AM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: International markets, China, Newsletters, ETF Investing, Commodities, Oil, Obama Picks
"Coal accounts for more than 70% of China's electricity," says Tony Sagami. In Uncommon Wisdom, he looks to an ETF poised to benefit from long-term rising coal demand.
The advisor explains, "China's coal consumption is growing, and it is building coal-powered power plants at a breakneck pace.
"Why? Because they are much cheaper to build and operate than any other power-producing option. China is power starved, and coal is the main resource used for generating electricity in the country.
Continue reading Fired up over coal ETF
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