As the Chief Investment Strategist for Personal Finance, I am often asked by our readers what stocks are the best to own when the market doesn’t know where’s going. And with the S&P 500 going almost nowhere since July, that’s a question I hear quite a bit.However, not all… Read More

Two weeks ago we criticized the appalling lack of accountability by senior management at Wells Fargo (“Wells Fargo Sins, But…”). Looks as though others agree with me. Just yesterday Wells CEO John Stumpf morphed from bank executive into a blue-suited, silver-haired piñata before the House Financial Services Committee. And not only has… Read More

I’ll give this to the Federal Reserve, it is independent. The Fed turned a deaf ear to a growing chorus of economists and Wall Street analysts saying that the economy can withstand a modest uptick in short-term interest rates, and it didn’t feel compelled to raise rates this week.  Instead… Read More

It's still a strong company, and buying on dips will be profitable. Read More

Like most people, I listen to music while on the treadmill at the gym. What I don’t enjoy is untangling the knot of headphone cords that somehow forms during the five minute walk from my house to the YMCA.It’s not a major aggravation, but I have considered wireless headphones to… Read More

For a company built around the idea of democratizing the cost of travel, The Priceline Group (PCLN) doesn’t like democracy too much when it comes to shareholders. And it also doesn’t want to pay dividends. Not only does it sport the second highest share price of all companies in the… Read More

At some point not enough bogeymen exist to justify keeping the U.S. economy from operating under normal conditions.But on the heels of July’s surprisingly strong employment report, Fed chair Janet Yellen may feel compelled to raise interest rates next month if the rest of the economy remains on track. Inflation is also… Read More

It was the best of Apples, it was the worst of Apples—depending on what type of investor you are. At the same time a high-profile hedge fund manager was reducing his position in Apple during the second quarter of this year, legendary investor Warren Buffett was increasing his stake by 55%. Read More

We have to be careful when drawing conclusions about a president’s affect on stock market and the economy. For example, traditionally the pro-business Republican Party is regarded as good for the stock market, while the more regulatory-minded Democratic Party is viewed as an impediment to economic growth. However, no evidence supports those… Read More

Shares of Personal Finance Growth Portfolio holding Gilead Sciences (GILD) dropped nearly 9% in early trading on Tuesday after the company released its third quarter earnings report that fell short of last year’s results. Quarterly revenue of $7.8 billion this year was less than last year’s sales of $8.2 billion,… Read More