The trend toward increased worldwide industrialization is undeniable. The growth of China and other emerging markets has exponentially and permanently increased industrial production across the globe. In the past decade, world trade has exploded to a level far beyond what the… Read More

Less than a month ago I told you about what amounted to a rule change at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Obama administration adjusted an output timetable for the production of cellulosic ethanol, an advanced biofuel. Now, if you didn’t hear this gripping news from me,… Read More

Microcap companies often scare off a lot of investors. Companies with market capitalizations of less than $300 million are seen as volatile and risky. While that’s true for many of them, every once and a while a quality microcap stands out from the crowd. In fact, this little company not… Read More

As a self-confirmed needle-phobe, I try not to glance at those opaque bins in the doctor’s office that are full of used syringes and other such instruments. But looking in the other direction doesn’t change the fact that healthcare facilities go through a mountain of “sharps” every single day. Read More

Insurance stocks often look like lousy investments in a slow economy. Demand for policies can shrink as unemployment rises, and rivals undercut each other on price to snag whatever market share still remains. But you want… Read More

If you’re like the majority of investors, I’d bet you have a negative view of stocks trading on the “pink sheets.” Most people conjure up thoughts of risky penny stocks that are more gambles than investments. In fact, many brokers provide… Read More

We can all be thankful for the remarkable rebound in the stock market, which has helped to rebuild many portfolios during the past 11 months. Stocks may power yet higher if the economy is indeed on the mend, but concerns remain that we’re due… Read More

There are more than 4.5 million hotel rooms in the United States. When you stay at any one of these rooms you can usually expect — no matter how many stars are next to the hotel’s name — a bed, a bathroom, a television, and a Gideon’s Bible. Read More

When a hot new technology shoots out of the gate, investors often get spoiled. They expect demand to keep growing and growing, and have little patience when the industry hits an inevitable speed bump. In recent years, carbon fiber garnered considerable buzz, as the lightweight — yet super-strong — material found its… Read More

In a highly uncertain environment, one thing is clear. The demand for health care will not merely continue… It will dramatically increase in the years to come. Health care has always been a “defensive” industry, as people get sick no matter… Read More