Growth Portfolio holding Frontline (NYSE: FRO) posted disappointing third-quarter results after taking a mark-to-market loss of $29.3 million on securities of Overseas Shipholding Group (NYSE: OSG). Analysts had forecast earnings of $144 million, but net income totaled only $107.8 million after the aforementioned charge. Read More

After posting respectable gains on what retailers refer to as Black Friday, US stocks sold off spectacularly on what can only be described as Red Monday. Concerns about shrinking consumer confidence and access to credit--not to mention the realities of a global economic slowdown--once again weighed heavily on investor sentiment. Read More

This recession has already lasted longer than the 11-month average for post-war contractions. Given continued deterioration in economic data, my bet is that this contraction could be the longest since the Great Depression, lasting as long, or longer, than the 1974 contraction. Nonetheless, despite the current gloom, it’s highly likely we’ll see the beginnings of an economic recovery at some point next year. Read More

Right now we’re all hungry for an industry that can keep growing even in recession. And our recipe is one of the basics--food, glorious food. Read More

Uncle Sam, Inc. has pledged hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars to stabilize the ailing financial sector. We look at the bank preferreds that will put some of this cash back in your hands. Read More

With US equity indexes swinging as much in a day as they once did in a year, investors are increasingly focused on avoiding whipsaws. Read More

We adhere to a time-tested method to evaluate the stocks, bonds and funds we’re telling you to buy and sell.  Read More

Never buy a preferred stock or bond of any company if you wouldn’t want to own its common stock. Basically, income and growth never exist without the other for very long. And a sweet yield can bring a very sour consequence, particularly when market and economic conditions are as unsettled as they are now. Read More

For most of September and October investors remained focused on global credit markets. The failure of Lehman Brothers on Sept. 14 touched off the systemic risks that had long been feared. Banks began to doubt the financial stability of other financial institutions and refused to lend money, even for short periods of time. As banks hoarded cash, the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)--a measure of interest rates in the bank-to-bank market--soared to punitive levels. Read More

The holidays are just around the corner, and the hunt is on for the perfect gift for your friends and loved ones. In this season of giving, we'd like to give you a gift for giving to your friends. If you buy one PF subscription for a friend or loved one at our low holiday rate of $49.95 for 24 issues, we’ll give you A YEAR’S SUBSCRIPTION FREE. And we'll send a card notifying the recipient of your generosity. To take advantage of this offer, call 800-832-2330 and ask for special offer KO1147. Read More