Tag: street authority

Marijuana Will Be Fast Tracked For 50-State Legalization In 2015

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It's that time of the year again...

Game-Changing Stocks editor Andy Obermueller has just released his annual "shocking predictions report" for 2015.

If you aren't familiar with Andy or his shocking predictions report, then you're missing out on one of the most controversial (yet insightful) pieces of research that our company regularly publishes.

​As StreetAuthority's resident expert in what he calls "the next big thing," it's Andy's job to track down and find the market's hottest growth opportunities -- especially ones that aren't on most investors' radars yet.

We're talking about the kind of returns you've dreamed of since first learning of the stock market... Andy won't even consider making a recommendation unless it offers "10-bagger" (i.e. 4-digit gain) potential.

That's why once a year Andy publishes his shocking predictions list. This report gives him the chance to showcase some of his unorthodox -- yet most promising -- growth opportunities for the coming 12 months.

Over the years these predictions have proven convincingly accurate... Continue reading "Marijuana Will Be Fast Tracked For 50-State Legalization In 2015" →

Next Gold Buying Opportunity May Be Just Around the Corner

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By: John Kosar of Street Authority

Major U.S. indices closed mixed last week, with the broad-market SP 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 closing higher and the blue-chip Dow industrials and small-cap Russell 2000 closing lower. The bigger takeaway to last week's lack of direction is that the bellwether SP 500 has been moving sideways for the past month and is essentially unchanged since July 1.

This recent loss of upward momentum suggests some distribution/profit-taking has been occurring and defines a near-term decision point in the index, bordered by 1,986 on the upside and 1,953 on the downside, from which its 2014 advance must resume if still healthy and intact.

Small Caps, Volatility Will Be Key Again This Week
In the July 14 and July 21 Market Outlooks, I pointed out that the Russell 2000 and the Vanguard Small Cap Growth ETF (NYSE: VBK) were situated right on top of major support levels and amid favorable conditions to resume their 2014 advances -- if they were still valid. Following initial rebounds, Friday's sharp decline positioned both back on top of these levels -- 1,143 on the Russell 2000 and $121.53 on VBK. Continue reading "Next Gold Buying Opportunity May Be Just Around the Corner" →

Why The Next Stock Market Crash Could Happen Any Day Now

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By: Nancy Zambell of Street Authority

A "follow-up" market crash could be coming.

I don't mean to scare you, but it's only a matter of time...

The past two happened like clockwork -- seven years apart. One happened just before 2001, after the dot-com burst. The other came with a vengeance in 2008, right after the housing collapse.

It's getting close to another seven years... so what about this time?

Are we headed for a "follow-up" market crash?

 

The very idea of losing more than half of your invested wealth in a market downturn is daunting.

Market analysts claim to know exactly where the market is going, and act like they know exactly when to buy or sell stocks. But how many analysts do you remember saying months before the 2008 financial crisis that the market was going to go down by 57%? Can you name one? Continue reading "Why The Next Stock Market Crash Could Happen Any Day Now" →

After The World Cup, Nothing Can Save Brazil

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By: Joseph Hogue of Street Authority

Shares of Brazilian companies listed on U.S. exchanges have made a remarkable comeback since March. The reasons given in the financial press would be comical if they were not so ridiculous.

For instance, one pundit says the World Cup, though well over budget and a spectacular failure for the home team, will mean faster economic growth in the second half of the year.

That's just a sample from a list that goes on and on... but nobody's acknowledging the economic reality that is poised to bring stocks down again.

Stocks Bounce -- But Not For Long
In November, I examined the country's deep fiscal problems and predicted lower economic growth on higher rates. Since then, analysts have downgraded estimated 2014 economic growth to just 1.2%, down from expectations well above 2% last year. In March, the country's debt was downgraded to BBB- (one level above junk) by Standard Poor's, and the government will likely miss budget targets this year.

Shortly after my article came out, Brazilian stocks plummeted, with the iShares MSCI Brazil Fund (NYSE: EWZ) falling 18% in just three months. Shares of Petrobras (NYSE: PBR), forecast to be the hardest-hit for its role as state-controlled piggy bank, fell almost 38% over the period.

While Rousseff's approval ratings have been dropping, investors are underestimating the power of her political base and the government's ability to manipulate the electorate with social programs. The government has boosted cash transfers to the poor and increased tax exemptions. Price controls have lowered electricity by 30% and bus fares by 20% over the past year. Continue reading "After The World Cup, Nothing Can Save Brazil" →

The Absolute Best Way To Choose The Right ETFs

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By: David Sterman of Street Authority

The rapid proliferation of the exchange-traded fund (ETF) industry has been a boon for investors.

Many folks now simply focus on a key sector or trend, and buy the most suitable ETF to hit their target. For these folks, the time and energy of individual stock research just isn't worth it. Yet the process of picking the right ETF can be downright confusing.

Let's say you want to own an ETF that focuses on industrial companies. Do you choose the SPDR Industrial Select Sector ETF (NYSE: XLI), the Vanguard Industrials Index ETF (NYSE: VIS) or the iShares Dow Jones U.S. Industrial Sector Index ETF (NYSE: IYJ)? Before you answer that question, know that there are also more than a dozen other industrial ETFs, with a niche focus on China, multinationals, small caps... the list goes on.

Frankly, we may have reached a point of too many ETFs, and some funds will simply wither away from a lack of interest. According to XTF.com, investors can now choose from more than 1,600 ETFs that collectively control more than $150 billion in assets. In just the month of June, 24 new ETFs were launched. It's getting hard to keep score.

Many new ETFs are falling under the category of "smart beta," which I discussed a few months ago. These funds tend to be pricier than traditional passive ETFs, which have less portfolio turnover and, typically, much lower expense ratios. Continue reading "The Absolute Best Way To Choose The Right ETFs" →