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

The US fear-driven market soared today, battling back from Thursday’s sharp losses as investors considered the potential impact of tens of billions of dollars getting pumped into the financial system by central banks around the world. Although this short-term rally was certainly welcomed, there looks to be more volatility ahead. Read More

US stocks plumbed new depths today after the Federal Reserve’s bailout of American International Group exacerbated already strained credit conditions and heightened concerns that other large financials might fail. Read More

Despite the hangover from Lehman Brothers’ (NYSE: LEH) bankruptcy filing, US stocks rallied today, bolstered by speculation that the Federal Reserve might come to the aid of ailing insurer American International Group (NYSE: AIG). Read More

Embattled investment bank Lehman Brothers is now in liquidation mode. Regulators and what’s left of the street are hoping for a workout or, for some in the latter group, licking their chops like vultures over carrion. Read More

US stocks posted abysmal returns today, as any positive sentiment evaporated in the wake Lehman Brothers’ (NYSE: LEH) bankruptcy. Read More

Coal mining stocks have not been immune to the broader selloff in commodities. In our view, the correction in these stocks is not driven by deterioration in fundamentals for the group. But given the market selloff, the Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU) has hit our stop price; we are issuing a sell call for the shares held in the Advantage Portfolio. Read More