Investing in a huge, well-known company that’s an industry leader and pays a nice dividend might seem like a no-brainer, especially if the stock looks reasonably priced. But like the famous George Gershwin song says, “It ain’t necessarily so.” There’s nothing… Read More

We’re now more than a dozen years removed from the stock market meltdown that heralded the end of dot-com era. A number of e-commerce stocks went on to disappear after the boom ended, though the companies that survived grew stronger over time. Companies… Read More

There is no question that smoking is a dirty, unhealthy habit. I can remember back when smoking was popular. The smell of cigarette smoke permeated nearly everything, particularly public spaces and offices. Even in high school, where it was banned inside, there was a smoking area outside the cafeteria and… Read More

In April 2009, the S&P 500 had lost more than a third of its value over the prior year. As recalls, “No one knew if the worst was over — or had just begun,” recalls Stock of the Month’s Amy Calistri. There’s no doubt it was a… Read More

What would compel insiders to buy up company stock? After all, they typically receive shares anyway through annual stock option grants — for free. Some market watchers suggest that these folks buy… Read More

Rail shippers are one of the few industries benefiting from higher energy prices. That’s because rising crude and gasoline prices have caused many companies to switch from trucking to more cost-effective rail services to ship their goods. That fundamental shift in the shipping landscape has been a… Read More

With June’s quarterly results now in, I have a fresh take on three of my $100,000 Portfolio picks that I wanted to share with you. Cree Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE), Echelon (Nasdaq: ELON) and Exide Technologies (Nasdaq: XIDE) have all announced results that reflect a very tough… Read More

It came down to an esoteric measure that maybe one investor in 100 gives a hoot about. It didn’t have to be like this. I was interested in insurance, notably Aon (NYSE: AON) and Marsh McClendon & Co. (NYSE:… Read More

I can’t tell you how many times a client walks out of my office with my last pen, drains my last bit of ink asking for an extra report, or I find myself one or two envelopes short for a client mailing. I’m left jumping into my car for a… Read More

More than two decades ago, Japan sported the most dynamic economy in the developed world. The country’s Nikkei stock market index was soaring to new heights, and… Read More