"I'm always looking for market leadership; right now, biotechnology stocks are moving up faster than most anything else," says Ron Rowland. In Money & Markets, he eyes biotech ETFs.

"Biotechnology is a fascinating sector, one that's made (and lost) a lot of money for millions of investors in recent decades. That's why, in my opinion, you should become familiar with this industry.

"Broadly speaking, it's the application of technology to biological materials - plants, animals and people.

"Nowadays a lot of biotechnology involves manipulating genetic material: The DNA that forms the basis for life. The goal is to produce new and useful substances that make life better and, of course, turn a profit along the way.

Continue reading The best ETFs for betting on biotech

The best ETFs for betting on biotech originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Although equities tend to have attractive multi-year growth rates, there is always risk," caution Ron Rowland and Brandon Clay.

In their Invest with an Edge, they explain, "That's why investors have been taking a second look at bonds, specifically municipal bonds." Here's an ETF offering exposure to the muni bond sector.

"Affectionately called 'munis', municipal bonds have enjoyed a resurgence among retail investors, who are buying munis for three reasons:

1) Munis Have High Yield & No Taxes in Difficult Markets

"Municipal bonds are unique investment vehicles. They offer yields, but the interest is not taxed by the IRS. That way, the 'effective' yield for the muni is often higher than on taxable bonds. Moreover, as prices for munis have been falling, yields have been rising.

2) Munis Are Relatively Safe Investments

"When you're buying a muni bond, you're actually loaning to a state/local government or their agencies. Although cities can go bankrupt - thus preventing you from receiving back your initial investment - at least we can vote on governors and mayors.

"As a result, munis are a safer investment than many corporate bonds. Munis are one way for investors to find safety in this market.

Continue reading For stable income consider muni bond ETF

For stable income consider muni bond ETF originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a report entitled "Six-pack of technology favorites." You can read about the other top tech stock picks here.

"To play the classic semiconductor-cycle (buying on a down-cycle and selling after an up-cycle), go with NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ: NVDA)," say Ron Rowland and Brandon Clay.

The editors of All Star Investor explain, "This graphic chip manufacturer stumbled earlier this year, but we find a compelling a turnaround story." Here's his review.

"This is a difficult environment for short-term investors. When the Dow jumps up 200 points one day, and crashes 200 points the next, it's hard to tell where to turn. Calling bottoms is nearly impossible

"In this market, we have become value investors -- seeking an inexpensive company that's almost-undiscovered by mainstream investors.

"Technology is not typically known as a place for value. In fact, quite the opposite. Since the Tech crash, a shift has happened. Certain semiconductors have been hammered over the past several years -- especially in the last 12 months.

"One of those, a leader in graphics chips, has been especially beaten down. NVIDIA fell from a 52-week high of $39.67 last October. The Santa Clara-based chip designer is now trading around $12.00 today. Did it really deserve the punishment the market delivered? We don't think so.

Continue reading NVIDIA (NVDA): A 'classic' turnaround for graphics chip maker

NVIDIA (NVDA): A 'classic' turnaround for graphics chip maker originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

With concerns over recession, turmoil in the financial sector, fear of rising rates, high market volatility and a rising aversion to risk, many investors have been avoiding technology stocks.

Investors have feared that these economic headwinds will dampen both consumer spending for technology products and reduced capital expenditures for technology in the corporate sector.

Despite these concerns, some of the newsletter industry's leading advisors are looking beyond the current malaise and seeing longer-term value in some of the tech sector's leading players. They believe that much of the "bad news" is already reflected in the price of the shares, with little recognition being given to their longer-term potential.

For those willing to go against the crowd and buy, as they say, "while blood is running in the street," we offer a six-pack of technology stocks that the some top advisors considers to be among their favorite ideas.

Continue reading A six-pack of technology favorites

A six-pack of technology favorites originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"What is one thing you can't live without?" asks Brandon Clay and Ron Rowland. "Take away that glass of cool, clean drinking water from your diet, then it's a matter of days before you dehydrate and die." ons

In All Star Investor, they explain, "Water is essential to our survival." And for investors, they add, "Powershares Water Resources Portfolio (ASE: PHO) is a perfect play on the global demand for water technology."

"The essential nature of water is the same for the 6.67 billion people on this planet. With Latin America and Asia entering the modern world at an unprecedented pace, water is becoming even scarcer.

"Improving diets and growing industry have pushed this diminishing resource further from the reach of many people. Yes, people are still drinking water, but at what cost?

"Water covers most of our planet. Still, less than 2% is fresh water. That makes water a limited resource. Consumption is growing with 6,000 cubic meters per inhabitant used every year. That's the equivalent of draining Lake Superior - the biggest lake in the world - twice. Since the water cycle is not replenishing growing demand, water sources are being depleted.

Continue reading Powershares Water (PHO): The one essential for life

Powershares Water (PHO): The one essential for life originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.