Defense policy continues to be a contentious point in the US presidential campaign, creating a drag on share prices for defense-related businesses, but contractors offering unique products that also have civilian applications continue to perform well. Read More

A few weeks ago the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) unveiled a roadmap for transitioning away from the parochial system of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in favor of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), a system instituted by almost 100 countries worldwide. Read More

Although emerging markets aren’t too attractive these days, there are companies within the BRIC markets that will endure through the market malaise and bring long-term growth to your portfolio. The four BRIC markets boast the largest economies and possess some of the largest populations among emerging-market countries. And companies from BRIC countries have large, competitive domestic markets, so they’re already globally competitive when they venture abroad. Read More

US stocks finished the day mixed, as uncertainty surrounding the administration’s bailout plan offset any positive sentiment engendered by Berkshire Hathaway’s investment in Goldman Sachs. Read More

The three major US stock indexes finished lower amid uncertainty over the timing and ultimate form of the government’s proposal to purchase troubled assets and resuscitate the credit markets. Read More

Just as many of you were looking up at the sky rise towers of the big banks around the nation to make sure that you aren't going to be squashed like a bug by defenestrated bank executives, the government has stepped in with a fix for the whole credit market fiasco. Read More

The three major US stock indexes sold off sharply today, with banks and retailers leading the plunge. Meanwhile, a surge in oil prices did little to boost investor confidence, especially as concerns about a weakening US economy continued to intensify. Read More

Just as many of you were looking up at the sky rise towers of the big banks around the nation to make sure that you aren't going to be squashed like a bug by defenestrated bank executives, the government has stepped in with a fix for the whole credit market fiasco. Read More

US stocks rallied to flatten out for the week, as news of Treasury Secretary Henry Poulson’s announcement that he and congressional leaders will work through the weekend to sketch out an aggressive plan to end the country’s financial crisis boosted investor confidence. Read More

Our core collection of closed-end bond funds has taken a hit this week as stocks have sold off, despite the fact that our funds are backed up ultra-secure bonds. As always happens in times of crisis, investors throw the baby out with the bathwater, unloading anything stock-like they may own.   Read More