High-end retailers have taken a beating as global woes have weighed on consumers, causing many to forgo non-essentials like luxury goods. Handbag maker Coach (NYSE: COH) peaked at multi-year highs just before the euro concerns reemerged this spring. The overall market has… Read More

For several years, we’ve read about the deep level of distress among consumers. A tough job market, coupled with the need to pay off debts incurred during the last housing bubble means that few have the spare cash to shop with abandon. Yet… Read More

Although many voters have traditionally seen the Republican Party as “pro-business” and the Democratic party as “pro-consumer,” the reality on the ground isn’t quite so clear. Democrats in Washington are courted by the same business lobbyists as their GOP counterparts. And Republicans, for their part, are well aware of the… Read More

When a stock runs up fast, it’s natural for investors to want to just close their eyes, hang on and hope it’ll go even higher. And a lot of times it does. But we all know we’re taking a chance if we play investments like that. Surging stocks are often… Read More

I’ve said it at least a hundred times, and I’ll say it at least a hundred more… the vast majority of the world’s best high-yield stocks are not based in the United States… Don’t believe me? Consider this… Of the 244 companies that pay dividend yields of more than 12%,… Read More

Just as a shark that keeps swimming — even when it sleeps — companies are constantly on the prowl for ways to boost per-share profits. New products can help, as can acquisitions or cost cuts. But the clearest way to boost earnings… Read More

The ancient city of Istanbul is one of my favorite places in the world. The beauty, commerce and dining opportunities of this famous port city are unmatched. Considered a central hub between the Eastern and the Western economies, Istanbul thrives on diversity… Read More

Throughout the first eight months of 2012, investors could not be dissuaded from buying stocks. Bad news was met with a shrug, while good news were heartily embraced. These days, the half-full glass is now perceived as half-empty. Case in point: A solid employment report from the Department of Labor… Read More

The investment takeaway from this earnings season is unmistakable: Growth is slowing as companies do their best to ensure that current sales don’t fall below the levels seen in late 2011. And this changing growth dynamic is slowly causing investors to… Read More

Overleveraged homeowners combined with falling home prices created a perfect storm that caused untold financial damage to many who depended on their home value for a savings or retirement plan. But this storm appears to have finally blown itself out and now the housing… Read More