Although I still expect the Chinese economy will see more negative developments before it rebounds in earnest, the January PMI indicates a turnaround is much closer than market participants currently anticipate. At any rate, the economic freefall has stabilized for now, and the rehabilitation process is beginning. Read More

Uncertainty is what prohibits many investors from looking for a turn in the global economy; everyone is busy downgrading their previously elevated predictions. True, fundamentals are not ideal, and a lot of things can go wrong, but if the world economy has a chance of getting out of this, allocating funds while the majority sits isn’t a bad idea. Read More

The bull is considered hard-working, knowing that intense effor will help him to move forward and succeed. And this is how 2009 should play out. It will be a difficult year for easy money, but hard work should produce decent results. Read More

The headline is a direct quote from former President George W Bush, referring to the US economy while the government was negotiating bailout terms. There may be a lot of truth to these words, as the whole world looks on in amazement while the US financial system implodes like a quasar. Read More

Despite the strong market performance off last year’s lows, investors remain pessimistic. Granted, the economic recession will be severe, but the negativity is overdone. This is a good time to buy solid companies at reasonable valuations. Read More

My expectation remains that the market will begin 2009 in a positive way. The strong December can easily carry into January, and if no major blowups happen, a strong rally can emerge. The rally could be substantial if credit markets continue to improve. Read More

At the height of the emerging markets boom, some investors and analysts were especially vociferous in their claims that China and its brethren had already experienced such a decoupling--a shortsighted supposition jaded by equally dubious motives. I can’t emphasize enough that this decoupling process will occur gradually over time and is wholly unrelated to the desires of inexperienced analysts and market observers. Read More

There’s no question Asia will remain the world’s factory for the long term. The factories are built and have the capacity and technology to produce valuable goods for years to come. Once the global economy starts to grow again, these factories will return to full capacity. This is a long-term positive for Asia, too, but the development of a sustainable domestic demand driven economy--a burgeoning middle class--will be the real game-changer. Read More

The only places to find growth in 2009 will be the emerging market economies. All the developed nations are most likely looking at negative GDP growth next year. Read More