Less than three months ago global markets teetered on the news that the U.K. had voted to exit the European Union. Talking heads fretted that the already struggling European economy would grind to a halt.But on Monday a survey showed a powerful rebound in the U.K. service sector, surprising investors… Read More

Tech companies say activists are modern day pirates but at least they don’t bury their treasure. Back in the mercantilist days of the 18th century, when most goods were transported by ship over the high seas, pirates were the bane of a merchant’s existence. Marauders would appear out of nowhere… 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’s not just Olympians going for the gold. Read More

In my most recent Technical Nuggets column, (August 1, 2016) I noted: “Lower interest rates have created momentum conditions where higher prices continue to bring in buyers.  This momentum dynamic has pushed this bull market much further than anyone could have expected and the current trend remains up but… Read More

I usually avoid discussing politics in these columns, given the odds of getting nasty emails from one side or the other (sometimes both). But it’s election time and we can’t ignore the elephant and the donkey in the room: who’ll be sitting in the White House next year. I believe… 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

July is typically a slow month for real estate, but I recently heard a local realtor say she had to hire police officers to control the traffic at an open house last month. National numbers echo this strength. So much for the dog days of summer—at least in the housing… Read More

The U.S. stock market is set for a big move as it lumbers through the traditionally dull “dog days of summer” and traders assess the post Brexit rally world.  The big question is whether a continuation of the current rally can last as the poor earnings season continues and the… Read More