Thursday, July 31, 2014

Why Thursday's Sell-Off Matters | Seeking Alpha

Why Thursday's Sell-Off Matters | Seeking Alpha



Eric Parnell has written an outstanding article about the 2% stock market decline on July 31.  Usually in stock pullbacks, non-correlated stocks like TLT, long term bonds, will go up while stocks go down. This time was vastly different.  As Eric mentioned in his article, some big time investors were liquidating everything instead of running to bonds.  This may be a sign that a new bear market is arriving, and cash will be the safest asset.


Top 5 Stocks That Pay A Dividend Every Single Month | Seeking Alpha

Top 5 Stocks That Pay A Dividend Every Single Month | Seeking Alpha



This is a good article on five monthly paying dividend stocks.  The most important stock on the list is Prospect Capital (PSEC).  They pay an annual dividend of around 12% depending on where the stock price is.  The only thing you have to watch is that the stock will occasionally drop in price.  If you are using PSEC just for income, the volatility should not bother you.  We definitely need dividend stocks in our portfolios for some diversification and income no matter what the stock market does otherwise.


Market Commentary: DOW Off 300 Points, 50 DMA's Crossed And Supports Broken

Market Commentary: DOW Off 300 Points, 50 DMA's Crossed And Supports Broken



This is another article on the big down day on July 31, 2014.  Besides being the last day of the month, we had several bearish factors pushing down the market.  Gary included the numbers from a number of important stock market indicators like $NYMO being -52, and we have not seen this much negativity in a long time.  The main question is that we don't know how far the market will fall.  I sold SPXL today because the S&P 500 has been struggling too much lately even before the fall.  We have to take profits at some point or take steps to prevent losses and move on to other opportunities.


This market tizzy is all about Russia- MSN Money

This market tizzy is all about Russia- MSN Money



Here is an excellent article by Jim Cramer about why the Dow fell 317 points on Thursday.  The tensions between Russia, Europe, and America have gotten worse, and there is no sign of a solution.  The economic nightmare in Europe will be felt in the U.S. especially among global companies.  We don't have many places to hide either. Even TLT, the 20+ year treasury bond ETF, fell along with the market today.  High-yield ETFs also declined.  This is one time when cash is actually the king.


Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Top 3 ETFs That Pay A Dividend Every Single Month | Seeking Alpha

Top 3 ETFs That Pay A Dividend Every Single Month | Seeking Alpha



This is a great article about investing in dividend ETFs which pay on a monthly basis.  One of the stocks that the author mentioned was SDIV, and I happily own that stock myself.  The yield is almost 6% annually, you get paid monthly, and SDIV has gained almost 15% in the past year in its stock price.



The author also discusses the value of compounding your money over time.  You can start with just investing $5,000 and if you add $200 per month and gain just 7% each year, you would have over $117,000 in 20 years.  The author actually used a different 7% savings scenario, but I followed his Compound Interest Calculator link to a website where I entered values that would apply to me.  Of course, I am expecting to gain 15% or more with my current stock investing, and using 15% as my annual gain over 20 years would net me more than $327,000.  So, the average annual "percent of gain" matters a lot in the compounding.



The author mentioned DIA, the Dow Jones ETF, as one of his other picks.  It only pays 2% annually, but you will get a higher capital gain over SDIV since the Dow Jones stocks are the top blue chip stocks in the market.  You will also have the maximum safety here, and the Dow stocks are spread among several different sectors such as industrials, information technology, financials, healthcare, energy, and other areas.



The third excellent ETF that the author mentioned was HDV, an iShares high dividend ETF.  The stock only pays around 3% in dividends annually, but the capital gain over the past three years has been more than 16%.  The ETF also contains quality companies like AT&T, JNJ, CVX, PG, and Pfizer.  So, these three ETFs are all very good picks, and you get important diversification along with dividends and capital gains.






Tuesday, July 29, 2014

MeetMe: Recent Pullback Represents Attractive Buying Opportunity - MeetMe, Inc. (NASDAQ:MEET) | Seeking Alpha

MeetMe: Recent Pullback Represents Attractive Buying Opportunity - MeetMe, Inc. (NASDAQ:MEET) | Seeking Alpha



This is a good article on MeetMe (MEET), another interesting social networking company.  Revenues are increasing, and it was ranked number one among the fastest growing internet companies in 2013. MEET is an easy way to hook up with people by facial recognition.


Monday, July 28, 2014

iPhone 5c causes second-degree burns | Komando.com

iPhone 5c causes second-degree burns | Komando.com



Here is another smartphone story about how phones can be flammable.  You should not stick them in your back pocket where they will not get sufficient air flow.  Lithium ion batteries can be very dangerous, and we need to be safe at all times.  We need to protect ourselves as well as our smartphones.


One smartphone could burn your house down! | Komando.com

One smartphone could burn your house down! | Komando.com



This is an outstanding article about smartphone safety with burnt pictures included.  I own a Samsung smartphone similar to the one in the article, but I have not had any problems with my phone.  It turned out that the girl in the story fell asleep with the phone under her pillow, and Samsung states in their user guide that you should not cover your phone with bedding material or anything else that would restrict air flow.  This could cause a fire.  On top of that, the girl was using a 3rd party battery instead of a Samsung battery.



So, it is not worth saving a few extra dollars to buy non-standard batteries.  When you are charging your phone, it should be on a flat flame resistant surface with no flammable material nearby.  You should also not use a fast charger because that could be a fire hazard, too.  I charge my smartphone at night on a dresser with nothing nearby.  A few standard safety rules will prevent fires and enable your smartphone to last a long time.

  

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Bloomberg United States Financial Conditions Index Analysis - BFCIUS - Bloomberg

Bloomberg United States Financial Conditions Index Analysis - BFCIUS - Bloomberg



Here is another good indicator for knowing whether to be in or out of the stock market.  The Bloomberg Financial Conditions Index will show how the credit markets are performing, and if the value is less than .75 on the chart, there is a good chance that a correction will follow like we had in February of 2014.  We need to use several different indicators to be sure we are on the right side of the trade in the stock market.

Is A Stock Market Correction Imminent? | Seeking Alpha

Is A Stock Market Correction Imminent? | Seeking Alpha



Eric Parnell has written a very good article about why we are probably near a stock market correction.  He showed a picture of the S&P 500 where stocks were continuing to rise in price but the Chaikin Money Flow has dramatically decreased.  Moreover, small caps stocks have diverged to lag since April, and mid-caps recently started to separate downward from the S&P upward trend.  This all means that large caps will probably correct sometime in the near future. Eric also gave a helpful list of exactly what percent of loss will occur when the S&P falls to various support lines.  For example, if the S&P falls to 1879 and its 150-day moving average, that will be a -5% correction. The 150-day line is where the S&P rebounded during the February 2014 correction.


Fed May Help Open Crack In Correction Door | Seeking Alpha

Fed May Help Open Crack In Correction Door | Seeking Alpha



Chris Ciovacco has written a great article about why we may be near a stock market correction.  He included a chart from the NYSE Composite Index (NYA) to illustrate that stocks are basically going nowhere now compared to going up in the first part of July.  The transportation index (IYT) is doing okay, but that will not be enough to send the market up as a whole.  Chris added TLT, the long treasuries ETF, to his portfolio as a result of stocks just treading water recently.  I also hold TLT as well as TMF, which is a 3x TLT ETF.  Of course, I am still long on a lot of stocks, but I am very cautious about it.  We need to be ready for anything.


Saturday, July 26, 2014

Lithium Sector Powering Up To New Highs On Major Mergers And Acquisitions Deals - Global X Lithium ETF (NYSEARCA:LIT) | Seeking Alpha

Lithium Sector Powering Up To New Highs On Major Mergers And Acquisitions Deals - Global X Lithium ETF (NYSEARCA:LIT) | Seeking Alpha



Jeb Handwerger has written an excellent article about the growing lithium industry.  You can own the three largest lithium miners through the ETF called LIT.  You also get the battery maker Panasonic as well as other interesting companies.  The only problem I see currently with LIT is low volume trading.  Electric cars and smartphones are here to stay, though, and they require lithium.  So, companies involved with lithium will eventually rise significantly.


Returning To High School, Investment Style | Seeking Alpha

Returning To High School, Investment Style | Seeking Alpha



Cam Hui has written an outstanding primer on bonds and how to relate them to the stock market.  Risk appetite in the market can be measured in a number of ways to determine whether you should be in or out of stocks on the long side.  Unless we are in a bear market, I think there should always be exposure to both stocks and bonds.  The question is what is the best mix to achieve the largest and safest return.



Going back to market risk appetite, Cam suggested one very good way to determine if your main bias is risk on for stocks.  He compared HYG, corporate bonds, to IEI, intermediate treasuries, as a risk parameter since both bond types have a duration of around 4 years.  If the chart of HYG:IEF is going up, then all is well with the stock market.  If the chart trend gets broken, then stocks could become a risk off situation.



Cam also mentioned that a comparison of HYG:TLT can be a false alarm.  You might get out of stocks too soon if you look for a broken uptrend there.  For example, the HYG versus TLT (long bond treasuries) chart uptrend was broken months ago while the S&P 500 has continued to rise.  You would have lost money by sitting on the sidelines in 2014.



Moreover, Mr. Hui brought up another comparison between Emerging Market Bonds (EMB) and 7-10 year treasury bonds (IEF).  Both of these ETFs have a duration of a little over 7 years.  So, they are good for risk on/off statistics.  The volatility of these bonds is much greater than shorter term bonds, but the upward trend has not been broken.  Hence, the stock market is still safe with this 3rd bonds versus treasuries comparison.  The trend lines in all cases were determined from the pullback lows of the charts.






Friday, July 25, 2014

Facebook: Reiterating Buy And Targeting $92 - Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) | Seeking Alpha

Facebook: Reiterating Buy And Targeting $92 - Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) | Seeking Alpha



This is another good article on why Facebook (FB) is a buy.  Markos is putting a $92 price target on Facebook in the next 12 months, and I agree that the target is conservative.  I also think that the S&P 500 will only make a small gain during the same time period.  Revenue increased 61% year over year.  Mobile advertising revenue grew 151% year over year.



Markos is a former colleague of Jim Cramer at RealMoney.com, and he said Jim Cramer agrees with him on the pricing power of Facebook.  The company also said Facebook claims 40 minutes per day in an American's digital life, and I think that is probably correct. Markos expects Facebook to gain 23% in reaching his $92 target, and Cramer has a $90 + target, too.  The article had excellent comments after it also.  I own FB myself, and I plan to buy more of the company.


What Caused Facebook's Profit Explosion? - Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) | Seeking Alpha

What Caused Facebook's Profit Explosion? - Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) | Seeking Alpha



This is a great article about Facebook (FB) and why it will continue to rise.  The author compared the stock to a book on spontaneous combustion called Ablaze!  There are underlying reasons for why Facebook has turned around.  Revenues, earnings, and margins are improving.  If you had bought Facebook when it was selling for less than $20, you would already be sitting on a 4-bagger stock.  FB is a buy now and especially on any pullbacks.



 

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Kandi Technologies: Concerns Over Recent 10-Q Have No Merit - Kandi Technologies, Corp (NASDAQ:KNDI) | Seeking Alpha

Kandi Technologies: Concerns Over Recent 10-Q Have No Merit - Kandi Technologies, Corp (NASDAQ:KNDI) | Seeking Alpha



Here is a very good article responding to recent false accusations against Kandi (KNDI).  I own shares of the stock, and I will probably buy more shares during the unjustified correction.  Jay Yoon does a good job of refuting the false assumptions against the company.  He presented an organizational chart of the company along with excellent arguments that the company is operating soundly and very profitably.  The success of Kandi will most likely continue and those who short the stock will certainly lose a lot of money.


Has The Transportation Industry Reached Its Final Destination: Under The Hood Of The Dow Jones Transportation Avg ETF - iShares Transportation Average ETF (NYSEARCA:IYT) | Seeking Alpha

Has The Transportation Industry Reached Its Final Destination: Under The Hood Of The Dow Jones Transportation Avg ETF - iShares Transportation Average ETF (NYSEARCA:IYT) | Seeking Alpha



This is an outstanding article about IYT and further upside for transportation stocks.  The author estimates a revenue increase of 9% per year over the next five years with a growth in earnings of 20%.  I agree with the author that revenue and earnings will continue to increase in transportation stocks as long as the economy is doing well.  I own Covenant Transportation (CVTI) myself, and its stock price has gained 120% in the past year.


Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Deer Whistles: Do They Really Work? An In Depth Report By Fred Rau » Indian Motorcycles | Victory Motorcycles: Motorcycle Forums, Indian Chief, Victory Vision, Victory Kingpin, Victory Vegas, Victory Hammer, Arlen Ness, Victory Cross Roads, Victory Cross Country, Victory High-Ball

Deer Whistles: Do They Really Work? An In Depth Report By Fred Rau » Indian Motorcycles | Victory Motorcycles: Motorcycle Forums, Indian Chief, Victory Vision, Victory Kingpin, Victory Vegas, Victory Hammer, Arlen Ness, Victory Cross Roads, Victory Cross Country, Victory High-Ball



As I occasionally do, I will talk about subjects other than the stock market.  The link above is for an extensive article about deer whistles.  This is a very important issue for me because I see deer often, three deer alone in the past week.  I have also experienced a front end collision with a deer that disabled my car and cost almost $4,000 to fix.  So, this deer whistle article was very interesting for me.  The electronic deer whistles work the best, and they cost more also.  If a $40 deer whistle saves you from a $4,000 accident or loss of life, I think it is worth it.  I have found that high-beam headlights and slowing down help, too.  The high beams will freeze the deer, and slowing down will give them more time to avoid you.

Monday, July 21, 2014

SKYWORKS

SKYWORKS



Here is a link to Skyworks (SWKS), another hot stock that should be a part of everyone's portfolio.  It is obvious that smart phones will continue to be sold in great quantities.  This is where Skyworks comes in big.  They enable mobile connectivity through their large line of electronic chips.  The company is very much involved with WiFi computer and tablet connections also.  Moreover, Skyworks manufactures chips for the automotive industry in key-less entry, collision sensors, and other areas.  This is a multi-bagger stock, and it is my biggest holding.

 

Kandi Technologies Dominates China's Electric Car Market - Kandi Technologies, Corp (NASDAQ:KNDI) | Seeking Alpha

Kandi Technologies Dominates China's Electric Car Market - Kandi Technologies, Corp (NASDAQ:KNDI) | Seeking Alpha



This is an excellent article about Kandi (KNDI), one of the hottest stocks in the market today.  Kandi is the leading electric car manufacturer in China, and electric cars will continue to boom there. The company will be earning large amounts of money from government subsidies and mass production.  China has also mandated 30% electric government vehicles by 2016.  This is a win-win situation for economic transportation and less smog in China. There is no telling how high Kandi's stock price will go.


Sunday, July 20, 2014

Marley Coffee | Coffee (ALL) - Marley Coffee

Marley Coffee | Coffee (ALL) - Marley Coffee



This is a link to the Marley Coffee website.  The company trades on the stock market as Jammin Java (JAVN).  I own shares of the company, and I think it is a great penny stock for investment.  The company is growing, and the distribution of the coffee should increase a lot more in grocery stores and other outlets.  If you don't have a grocery store that stocks Marley coffee, you could buy it online from Amazon, Office Depot, and other places.  The Jamaican Blue Mountain and Ethiopian coffee that the company sells can be purchased in regular coffee bags, coffee filter pods, and Keurig single cup servings.  I highly recommend the coffee and the company.


Focus Graphite Is Highly Undervalued And Positioned To Profit From Rising Graphite Demand - Focus Graphite, Inc. (OTCMKTS:FCSMF) | Seeking Alpha

Focus Graphite Is Highly Undervalued And Positioned To Profit From Rising Graphite Demand - Focus Graphite, Inc. (OTCMKTS:FCSMF) | Seeking Alpha



Here is a good article on Focus Graphite (FCSMF).  The company will be producing high quality flake graphite that can be used in the batteries of hybrid and electric vehicles.  The author believes there is 75% upside in the stock price, and I think it could be more than 100% if Focus gets better and graphite demand increases as expected.  It is also very important that Focus already has a contract buyer for 90% of their graphite over ten years.  The only question is how long do you want to wait?


13 Alternatives to Viagra That Won't Fall Flat | GreenMedInfo | Blog

13 Alternatives to Viagra That Won't Fall Flat | GreenMedInfo | Blog



As I occasionally do, I will talk about subjects other than the stock market.  The link above is for a great article about safe alternatives to Viagra.  L-Arginine is an amino acid that is well known for vasodilation.  Pycnogenol is a surprise substance that made the list. Tongkat Ali, Ginseng, Saffron (200 mg), Green Tea, and a sense of humor were also included on the list.  The supplement quality is also very important.





Official site of the OTCQX, OTCQB and OTC Pink Marketplaces featuring Free Stock & Bond Quotes, Trade Prices, Chart, Financials and Company News & Information.

Official site of the OTCQX, OTCQB and OTC Pink Marketplaces featuring Free Stock & Bond Quotes, Trade Prices, Chart, Financials and Company News & Information.



Here is a link to the over-the-counter website where you can obtain valuable information about penny stocks.  Naturally, micro-cap stocks are dangerous to trade, but if you decide to take the risk it is a good idea to check with the OTC website to see which stocks are worthwhile and which ones could be bad.  You can see the number of trades actually happening in these small stocks also, and it would be best to avoid low volume stocks.  If you see a death symbol on a stock during a search, that means you cannot get in or out of that stock. Quotes will be blocked.




Trading Suspensions

Trading Suspensions



This is a link to the SEC stock trading suspensions web page.  You will see here a list of mostly microcap stocks that the SEC suspects of wrongdoing.  It is best to stay away from any stocks you see on the list.  Even after a trading suspension is lifted, you may not be able to get out of a bad stock because trading will be limited.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Making Money With Math Has Been Too Easy For Too Long | Seeking Alpha

Making Money With Math Has Been Too Easy For Too Long | Seeking Alpha



This is a very good article by Harry Long about how to win with stocks through mathematical systems.  I especially like Harry's plan with XIV (non-volatility) and TMF (long term bonds) as a pair.  XIV is rising because there is almost no volatility in the stock market now.  TMF is going up because some people think the stock market is at a top, and they are buying bonds to be defensive.  So, we have a win-win situation for an old bull market that could keep going for another two years maybe.

Some key statistics

Some key statistics



Here is a link to a great website which contains a lot of different statistics.  For example, a narrowing yield curve between 10 year bonds versus the 3-month T-bill rate is an outstanding predictor for a recession, and we know that stocks fall when the economy goes down. The website has a link to Commitment of Traders (COT) charts which could be useful in stock trading.  Another link provides charts from the Federal Reserve.  The bottom line is that we need to pay attention to statistics to make sure our investments are sound.

New Dow Theory Signal - What Does It Mean? | Seeking Alpha

New Dow Theory Signal - What Does It Mean? | Seeking Alpha



Chris Ciovacco has written another excellent article about why the stock market will probably continue to rise.  He used 50-day charts comparing 2014 to the correction of 2011 and the bear market of 2008-2009.  We currently have an upward sloping 50-day line in 2014 while the 2011 and 2008 charts showed trouble in the market.



Chris also talked about how the Transportion Index (IYT) has confirmed that stocks will continue the bull trend.  Since transportation stocks and the Dow stocks are tied together by infrastructure, the upward bias of both indexes provides bullish confidence.  Like Chris said, reversals tend to be a process rather than a one day event.  So, don't be spooked out of the market when bad news happens because it will usually be resolved in a reasonable manner as long as the economy is doing okay.


Thursday, July 17, 2014

Why Good Is The New Bad And Why You Should Buckle Up This Fall | Seeking Alpha

Why Good Is The New Bad And Why You Should Buckle Up This Fall | Seeking Alpha



Chris Puplava has written an outstanding article about a very certain market correction when the Federal Reserve starts to raise its target funds rate.  He included labor statistics and inflation charts to prove that we are getting near the time when the Fed will raise interest rates.  Then, Chris presented charts about the stock market's reaction on the initial interest rate increases.  So, we will most likely have a significant stock market correction due to these factors in the next nine months although Chris thinks the pullback could be as early as this fall.  Of course, in July, we are having Ukraine and Middle East war fears that could cause a market decline sooner than anything the Federal Reserve does.  The bottom line is that we need to have a good defensive plan for at least part of our portfolio.


Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Oil Markets In U.S. Increasingly Supplied By Permian Basin | Seeking Alpha

Oil Markets In U.S. Increasingly Supplied By Permian Basin | Seeking Alpha



Jennifer Warren has written a great article about oil in the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico.  She provided excellent illustrations about where oil exists in the Permian area and which companies are involved in producing the oil.  These companies along with those in the Eagle Ford and Bakken areas will be sure winners in the future if they continue to execute well.  I like Pioneer (PXD) in the Permian Basin and Continental (CLR) in the North Dakota Bakken area.


Sunday, July 13, 2014

Don't Count On Dividend ETFs To Play Defense | Seeking Alpha

Don't Count On Dividend ETFs To Play Defense | Seeking Alpha



This is an excellent article about what works and what does not work in bear markets and downturns.  The author showed charts of how dividend ETFs and the S&P 500 fared during the 2009 bear market and the severe 2011 correction.  The bottom line was that they all fell about the same.



However, the writer brought up defensive plans that will do well in downturns.  First, you need to have trailing stops on your stocks. Secondly, you can buy BIV, Vanguard's intermediate-term bond ETF. Third, you can buy XLP, the staples ETF which is composed of defensive stocks like PG and WMT.  The downside of XLP will be a lot less than the overall market.  So, it might be a good idea to allocate part of your portfolio to defensive tactics now in case we have a sudden severe correction or an outright bear market in the near future.

 

Buy-Write CEFs Are An Alternative To An S&P 500 Dividend Fund | Seeking Alpha

Buy-Write CEFs Are An Alternative To An S&P 500 Dividend Fund | Seeking Alpha



Here is an outstanding article on buy/write CEFs.  ETV, an Eaton Vance buy/write CEF with positions in the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq led the pack.  The stock yields around 9%, and it had a capital gain of more than 28% in the past year.  ETV is on my buy list for investment as soon as possible.  I doubt the S&P 500 total gain will be able to match or beat ETV in the foreseeable future.




Read This Before You Buy A Gold-Mining Stock - Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSEARCA:GDX) | Seeking Alpha

Read This Before You Buy A Gold-Mining Stock - Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSEARCA:GDX) | Seeking Alpha



This is a good article on gold mining stocks.  You are better off buying a gold ETF compared to buying most gold miners.  As the author mentioned, gold mining costs are huge, $1500 per ounce for a lot of miners.  I know some miners who can get the job done for around $1300 or less, but that is too close to the gold break even point to make gold miner investing profitable.  Also, people don't really want to pay more than $1300 per ounce for gold.  Gold has experienced demand destruction just like oil did several years ago when oil was around $150 per barrel.  So, gold is only a trade, and you must pick the right stock as well to avoid losing money.

 

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Aging Bull Market Ideas

Nobody knows when the current bull market will end, and it is wise to have a diversified portfolio to be prepared for whatever happens.  I own bond stocks like TLT, dividend stocks like CEFL and SDIV, and long stocks and ETFs such as SPXL, XLK, and JAMN, a coffee company stock.

SDIV pays almost 6% each year in dividends, and you get a distribution every month.  Surprisingly, SDIV has also achieved a capital gain of almost 17% in the past year.  This is a good stock to own in an aging bull market.  Click on the chart below to expand it.

XLY, the consumer discretionary ETF, is a good stock to own nowadays as long as the economy remains in fairly good shape.  I recently found out that XLY has beaten the S&P 500 handily in the last five years.  If you look at the top ten holdings of XLY, you will find four entertainment stocks like Comcast and Disney.  Ford is also there because cars are selling.  Priceline is there because people are traveling.  Amazon is on the list because people are shopping.  So, XLY is a stock I plan to add to my portfolio soon since we need to make money whenever we have the opportunity to do it safely and in a diversified way.


An investor’s guide to cyclical and counter-cyclical industries - Yahoo Finance

An investor’s guide to cyclical and counter-cyclical industries - Yahoo Finance



This is a good article comparing cyclical stocks (XLY) to defensive stocks like (DEF) and (JNK).  XLY has outperformed defensive stocks and the S&P 500 (SPY) over the past five years.  I was really surprised to find out the XLY beat SPY by 50% over a five-year period. Comcast, Disney, Amazon, and Ford are some of the top holdings in XLY.  If consumers feel good about the economy, they will spend money.  XLY will probably continue to beat the broad market S&P 500 as long as the economy stays in good shape.

The Bond Rally Is Not A Good Omen For The Stock Market | Seeking Alpha

The Bond Rally Is Not A Good Omen For The Stock Market | Seeking Alpha



Here is an excellent article about bonds and the stock market. Indeed, it is unusual for stocks and bonds to be advancing at he same time, but this is possible because a lot of people are wary of this aging bull market and they are buying government bonds and bond ETFs like TLT.  This is happening while other people are still buying stocks on low market volumes.



I'll have to admit I belong to both groups above.  I own TLT and other bond stocks.  Yet, I am also continuing to buy stocks that I think are worthwhile like SPXL, XLK, JAMN, and others.  In addition, I am holding several dividend stocks like CEFL, a stock that pays 16% annually with distributions each month.  We don't know when the stock market top will occur, and there is only so much time to accumulate wealth.  However, we must also be defensive to prevent large losses at the top whenever it happens.

Execution Helping Hudbay Minerals Get Its Due - Hudbay Minerals Inc Ordinary Sh (NYSE:HBM) | Seeking Alpha

Execution Helping Hudbay Minerals Get Its Due - Hudbay Minerals Inc Ordinary Sh (NYSE:HBM) | Seeking Alpha



This is an interesting article on Hudbay Minerals (HBM).  They recently bought out Augusta Resources (AZC), and I was a previous shareholder of AZC due to their large copper deposit in Arizona.  At first, I was resentful of Hudbay aggressively taking over Augusta, but the author pointed out that AZC simply didn't have the money to wait out the environmental concerns in Arizona.  So, I have become a fan of Hudbay after finding out more about the company.  I don't know when I will buy stock in HBM yet, but the company is certainly on my radar because bargains are few and far between in the stock market nowadays.


Thursday, July 10, 2014

UBS-Keyinvest - Products

UBS-Keyinvest - Products



Here is a list of ETNs offered by UBS.  A number of the stocks offer a higher than normal annual yield.  The web page lists the current price of the ETNs along with the present yield.  I own CEFL and MORL, and I get paid monthly to own the stocks.  CEFL is paying over 16% annually now, and MORL is yielding 20%.  These stocks are a great way to diversify your portfolio and make a significant amount of money also.


UBS-Keyinvest - ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Diversified High Income ETN

UBS-Keyinvest - ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Diversified High Income ETN



UBS has a number of monthly pay ETNs where you can get paid annually more than 10%, and you get a portion of the yield each month.  This web page specifically covers DVHL, the diversified leveraged high income ETN.  Currently, it is paying more than 13% annually.  If you look on the left-hand side of the page, you will see other UBS ETNs that you might want to investigate.  Making more than 10% annually on your money is a big deal especially since stocks in general probably will not make double-digit gains in the future.


Credit Suisse Announces May Monthly Coupon Payments of $0.0939 per ETN on its Gold Shares Covered Call ETN (ticker symbol "GLDI") and $0.1328 per ETN on its Silver Shares Covered Call ETN (ticker symbol "SLVO") - MarketWatch

Credit Suisse Announces May Monthly Coupon Payments of $0.0939 per ETN on its Gold Shares Covered Call ETN (ticker symbol "GLDI") and $0.1328 per ETN on its Silver Shares Covered Call ETN (ticker symbol "SLVO") - MarketWatch



This is a short article about Credit Suisse making monthly coupon payments on its gold ETN (GLDI) and the silver ETN (SLVO).  This is basically a dividend payment although it is not guaranteed. Currently, GLDI is making 8% per year while SLVO is yielding more than 10%.  The money is generated through the sale of options.  These ETNs may be worthwhile for holding if we get in a situation where stocks are only gaining in low single digits due to a stock market top.




Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Tesla's Fuel Cell Threat - Tesla Motors (NASDAQ:TSLA) | Seeking Alpha

Tesla's Fuel Cell Threat - Tesla Motors (NASDAQ:TSLA) | Seeking Alpha



This is a great article about fuel cell cars and how they might disrupt the growing electric car market.  Both positive and negative aspects of fuel cells are presented in the article.  So, this is very worthwhile to read about where fuel cells and electric cars might be going in the future.  The bottom line involves investment dollars as well as possible personal transportation choices in the future.


Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF: XLK's 2014 Halftime Report And Seasonality - Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSEARCA:XLK) | Seeking Alpha

Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF: XLK's 2014 Halftime Report And Seasonality - Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSEARCA:XLK) | Seeking Alpha



This is a good article about the State Street Technology Sector ETF (XLK).  The author tells how XLK has beaten SPY (S&P 500) so far this year, but XLU (utilities) has been the best SPDR sector in 2014. People are getting defensive in our aging bull market.  The article also discusses the top holdings of XLK such as Apple, Verizon, and AT&T. Moreover, the author discussed how XLK historically performs in each quarter.  The 3rd quarter will most likely be weak for XLK, but the 4th quarter should be very strong.  I own both XLK and XLU, and I plan to hold both ETFs for a while.

TransCanada's Energy East Pipeline Could Enhance Long-Term Revenue Growth - TransCanada Corporation (NYSE:TRP) | Seeking Alpha

TransCanada's Energy East Pipeline Could Enhance Long-Term Revenue Growth - TransCanada Corporation (NYSE:TRP) | Seeking Alpha



Here is an interesting article on TransCanada (TRP).  It sounds like the Canadian oil pipeline for the far East will indeed happen.  The medium-level dividend also helps while we wait.  Then, if Keystone gets approved, we will have yet another reason for TRP to surge in price.  I believe the company is a good long-term investment.


Monday, July 7, 2014

Welcome to Clean Coal Technologies, Inc.

Welcome to Clean Coal Technologies, Inc.



This is a link to Clean Coal Technologies (CCTC) website.  America and the world will still be dependent on coal for years to come.  The fact that the EPA is requiring cleaner air is a great opportunity for Clean Coal Technologies.  Three insiders have recently purchased shares in the company, and I bought shares myself today.  CCTC is also very much involved in Asian markets.  I believe the company is worth owning for a portion of my portfolio because good opportunities will be limited in the general stock market due to overbought conditions.


Sunday, July 6, 2014

Pistachio nuts nutrition facts and health benefits

Pistachio nuts nutrition facts and health benefits



As I occasionally do, I will talk about subjects other than the stock market.  This is a link to a website that talks about the healthy benefits of pistachios.  These nuts not only taste good, but they lower bad cholesterol and raise the good cholesterol HDL.  Pistachios contain mono-unsaturated oliec fatty acid.  This type of oil helps prevent heart disease and strokes.



Pistachios also contain large amounts of antioxidant Vitamin E.  This lipid vitamin helps to maintain healthy skin and mucus membranes. In other words, pistachios could keep you looking younger longer. The nuts prevent skin dryness.  Moreover, important B vitamins are in the nuts like riboflavin, niacin, thiamine (72% RDA per 100g), pantothenic acid, B6, and folates.  One-half to three quarters of a cup of pistachios would equal the standard 100 gram serving.



In addition, 100 grams of pistashios provide 144% of your daily requirement for copper.  Manganese, magnesium, zinc, and selenium are also present.  Copper is essential for nerve transmission, metabolism, and for making red blood cells.  Pistachios contain 20 grams of protein for each 100 gram serving, and a lot of people do not get enough protein daily to rebuild their bodies.  So, these nuts may be the solution for those people who are not getting enough necessary nutrients to stay healthy.






The Rockefeller REITs, The Ones That Pay Monthly | Seeking Alpha

The Rockefeller REITs, The Ones That Pay Monthly | Seeking Alpha



Here is an excellent article about monthly pay stocks.  The author listed 17 stocks that pay dividends on a monthly basis.  His highest paying stock was ARR, Armour Residential, a real estate investment trust.  I also own ARR, and the company is paying 14% annually in dividends.  In addition, I own two other high paying monthly dividend stocks that the author did not mention.  One stock is CEFL, a 2x closed-end fund ETF, that pays 16% annually.  The other stock is MORL, a 2x REIT ETF, that pays around 20% annually.  Monthly pay stocks should definitely be a significant part of a diversified portfolio.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Interested In A 100%+ Annual Rate Of Gain 7 Times Out Of 8, With Worst-Case Risk At -10%? - Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares ETF (NYSEARCA:MIDU) | Seeking Alpha

Interested In A 100%+ Annual Rate Of Gain 7 Times Out Of 8, With Worst-Case Risk At -10%? - Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares ETF (NYSEARCA:MIDU) | Seeking Alpha



Peter Way has written an outstanding article about how to make 100% per year on MIDU, the 3x mid-cap ETF.  You simply buy low and sell high, and you can do that by efficient charting.  The rules also include closing out the position every three months regardless of the outcome if you have not made a profit by then.  I believe Peter's strategy is a good thing to do with part of your portfolio.  Perhaps as you increase your success with his plan, you could allocate more money to it.  We only have so much time to make money in the stock market, and opportunities that are lost are the same as losing money otherwise.




Wednesday, July 2, 2014

A Discretionary ETF Worth Shopping For | ETF Trends

A Discretionary ETF Worth Shopping For | ETF Trends



This is a good article on discretionary ETFs that are worth investment money at various times.  Since we are near a stock market top, these choices may not be good for now, but I am bookmarking them for later.  The star discretionary ETF mentioned in this article is FXD, First Trust Consumer Discretionary.  It is beating XLY this year, and FXD has gained over 60% in the past two years and more than 220% in the last five years.  So, this is an ETF that I plan to watch for a good buying opportunity even if it is only a trade.


Bakken Junior Emerald Oil Is Worth A Strong Look - Emerald Oil, Inc. (NYSEMKT:EOX) | Seeking Alpha

Bakken Junior Emerald Oil Is Worth A Strong Look - Emerald Oil, Inc. (NYSEMKT:EOX) | Seeking Alpha



This is a great article on Emerald Oil (EOX), an oil company that is doing great in the Bakken area of North Dakota.  They are debt free and have 85,000 acres of territory.  The company also has plenty of cash on hand.  The average analyst believes EOX will have earnings per share increases of over 40% for the next five years.  EPS growth rates for 2014 and 2015 are over 100% for both years.  Now is the time to buy EOX while it is near its annual low because the company will probably rise significantly from here.  Year over year oil production growth is more than 100%.  I am buying shares of the company tomorrow.



How Marley Coffee Can Replicate The Growth Of Monster Energy Drink - Jammin Java Corp. (OTCMKTS:JAMN) | Seeking Alpha

How Marley Coffee Can Replicate The Growth Of Monster Energy Drink - Jammin Java Corp. (OTCMKTS:JAMN) | Seeking Alpha



Jammin Java (JAMN) is a specialty coffee company that is one of the best speculative stocks on the market.  I love coffee, especially the quality brands like Gevalia and Starbucks.  I have not yet tried Jammin Java coffee, but I intend to do so in the near future.  One of their products is Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee.  Coffee beans from this mountain have long been known as the best in the world by some accounts.  Blue Mountain coffee has almost no bitterness and a smooth rich flavor.  Moreover, net revenues have increased 211% during the past fiscal year.  Quarter over last year's quarter sales have increased 143%.



The company currently sells coffee at 86 locations and has a good relationship with Albertson's grocery stores.  The author estimated that sales could grow ten times just by expanding in Albertson's stores alone, and JAMN has recently made partnerships with other grocery store chains like Safeway and Kroger.  The stock could become a ten-bagger through a number of different avenues, and it could happen in the next three years.  I bought shares in the company this morning, and I will probably buy more shares as I see JAMN make progress.

  




Ucore Rare Metals: Clear Path To Production And Definitive Financing Source Make This A 'Strong Buy' - Ucore Rare Metals, Inc. (OTCMKTS:UURAF) | Seeking Alpha

Ucore Rare Metals: Clear Path To Production And Definitive Financing Source Make This A 'Strong Buy' - Ucore Rare Metals, Inc. (OTCMKTS:UURAF) | Seeking Alpha



Here is an excellent article on Ucore (UURAF), a rare earth mining company in Alaska.  The company is worth considerably more than Molycorp because Ucore possesses more of the heavy earth elements that are used in electric car motors such as neodymium and dysprosium.  Ucore is supported very much by the state of Alaska even to the extent of financing.  So, this is a company that is almost certain to succeed.  The author also stated that in an optimistic scenario Ucore is worth around four times its current price.  I am buying Ucore today when the stock market opens.

 

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Why Ur-Energy Could Be A Very Attractive Play - Ur-Energy Inc. (NYSEMKT:URG) | Seeking Alpha

Why Ur-Energy Could Be A Very Attractive Play - Ur-Energy Inc. (NYSEMKT:URG) | Seeking Alpha



This is a very good article on Ur-Energy (URG).  I own shares of the stock, and I have followed the company for years.  I am a fan of nuclear power, and it has been discouraging the last few years after the Japan incident and with a supply glut of uranium.  Hopefully, the author is correct that demand will soon outweigh supply of uranium. I have been waiting a long time for a nuclear revival.  It is also great that URG was able to get contracts above the spot price of uranium. Now is the time to buy Ur-Energy.