It’s an idea that the richest and most powerful people in the business world almost never say out loud. But takeover king Wilbur Ross knows it. So does Herb Allen, the most exclusive banker in the world. And you can bet your boots that billionaire Warren Buffett knows what I’m… Read More

Circle your calendar for Sept. 13. That afternoon, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will decide whether the economy (and by extension the stock market) will need a major boost with another round of monetary easing measures. If he… Read More

I keep track of indicators that often signal warnings before market crashes. In reviewing the current market, there are a number of sectors that seem to be in danger of a collapse. But most worrisome is that two sectors that are considered… Read More

The financial world is full of acronyms. Almost everything from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to select equity indexed notes (SEQUINS), have been reduced to a simple acronym.  Not only does this make long phrases friendlier and easier to use in everyday… Read More

Take your mind to 2003. The United States has just sent troops into Iraq, Alex Rodriguez has just swatted 47 home runs for the Texas Rangers and “Hey Ya” by Outkast was just hitting the airwaves.#-ad_banner-# If you were at a dinner party then and predicted Apple… Read More

I am a value investor through and through, so it is extremely rare that a stock trading at 52 times next year’s expected earnings would grab my attention. The company would have to be seeing extraordinary growth and be a… Read More

Among the biggest losers in Monday’s early trading are Vera Bradley (Nasdaq: VRA), Universal Display (Nasdaq: PANL) and Arkansas Best (Nasdaq: ABFS). Read on for our instant analysis… Vera’s tough report? Investors continue to dump shares of Vera Bradley, a… Read More

Among the biggest winners in Monday’s early trading are Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL), Nokia (NYSE: NOK), Avis Budget (NYSE: CAR) and Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF). Read on for our instant analysis… The Apple/Samsung fallout  The Apple juggernaut continues. A key legal verdict handed down this… Read More

Dec. 31, 2012… Mark it on your calendar. On that day, the “Bush era” tax cuts are set to expire. If Congress decides not to renew the cuts, then starting in 2013, the dividends you receive from your income investments will be taxed at your… Read More

It’s easy to see the appeal of banking stocks. Many of them sport low price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios while trading below tangible book value. My favorite bank stock — Citigroup (NYSE: C) — for example, still… Read More