As was to be expected, the markets continued to face some headwinds yesterday in the form of HP’s poor quarterly results and continuing civil unrest in Libya. The day could have been a lot worse, but the S&P; 500 found support mid-day at the psychologically important 1,300 level, rebounded and managed to cut into its losses. Crude oil was the …
Tripoli Turmoil
All weekend long, the Libyan uprising had been gaining steam and made front page news, especially after the turmoil turned bloody, which spread concerns of this becoming an all-out civil war. The futures pointed to a lower opening Monday night, and the markets obliged by heading south during yesterday’s session with the S&P; 500 losing over 2%. The markets were …
Income Plays
For income investors, the recent past has been anything but kind. Ever since the Fed’s Quantitative Easing program, which started in September 10, interest rates have headed higher and bond prices have turned south. Munis have been on a downward swing as well and may face more fundamental problems as States and Counties are mired in budget woes. Bucking the …
Reader Q+A: 2008 Stop Loss Observations
I have had some email exchanges with reader Ken, and he commented as follows: Thanks for your response and your very valuable information. I would just like to relay my experience with your approach to stop losses. When the market takes a tumble as in 2008, you could experience a 30% or greater loss before being able to activate a …
Sunday Musings: Reader Feedback On Complacency
As the markets have ratcheted higher over the past few months, I have repeatedly commented about investor complacency setting in. Some of the feedback I received even had a touch of arrogance as some seem to have thrown caution to the wind by jumping aboard of only the fastest moving ETFs. Reader Steve had his experiences and shared the following …
Reader Question: Which High Point Is Right When It Comes To Sell Stops?
Amazingly, there is always a question that has not been asked, although I thought I had heard them all. Here’s what reader Gary had to say: In using a high, from which to calculate a 7% or 10% stop, it’s pretty easy with a mutual fund, because there is only one price per day. But for ETFs, there is an …