A change in the tax code and laws has made it easier for investors to rollover a 401k into a Roth IRA. Instead of the old two step process of opening two IRAs, investors should now be able to make the rollover in one fell swoop. Read more…
Dividend investors had a rough and tumble 2009, but as 2010 grabs momentum dividend investors may be back in business. Yields on CDs, bonds and other fixed income investments have created a new desire to hold dividend yielding stocks, many of which produce as much, if not more, income than bonds and CDs. Read more…
I’ve long said that I don’t want to turn this blog political. My first love, of course, is in the markets, but to avoid what is happening in Washington DC is nothing more than a poor investing strategy. More than ever the government plays an important role in business, generating 25% of the economic output of the nation and making rules and regulations that affect the other three-fourths. Read more…
Be careful, 2010 corporate earnings may be unusually weak due to new taxes and higher costs thanks to health care reform legislation passed last weekend. Several large companies have already gone public, forecasting charges ranging from $100 million to as much as $1 billion. Read more…
Irony alert! The Federal Reserve, which has long been the source of most bubbles, is going to complete its own internal investigation as to why speculative bubbles form. Unfortunately, the early answer from the FED is that regulations can end bubbles. They couldn’t be more incorrect. Read more…
When it comes to the alphabet AAA and AAA are exactly the same. But when you compare US debt to that of American businesses, investors aren’t so willing to say AAA and AAA are exactly the same. Read more…
While Congress looks ready to act on health care reform, another bill of near equal magnitude is making its rounds through the Congress. Financial reform could ruin health care reform, though, if government force crushes the derivatives market. Read more…
The physical products space is being taken over. Not by a new competitor, not by some heavily branded super-retailer, and not by online delivery. Nope, digital products are taking the world by storm! Can physical delivery of data survive the oncoming onslaught? Read more…
Investors can’t afford not to keep a watchful eye on lending levels which have a direct impact on inflation with how much in reserves has been added to the banking system. Luckily for us, and the economy, consumers still aren’t willing to take on negative-carry debt to fund consumption spending. Can we get a big hell yeah? Read more…
I’ve long been a proponent of using frequent flier miles, cash back cards, and even super low balance transfers to the advantage of your personal finances. However, this guy is taking it to a whole new level. After being laid off his executive job, and having amassed millions in frequent flier miles, Jim Kennedy is now using his frequent flier miles to cover his expenses. Read more…
Banking stocks have been all over the place in recent days as investors find themselves in a toss up of whether or not to own financial shares going into what could be a new tax on the largest banks. In an attempt to recover lost TARP money, the administration is considering a new bank tax on firms with over $50 billion in assets to make up for unreturned bailout funds. Read more…
General Motors may be down, but its not out. After telling some 2000 dealers it would not renew their franchise agreements last October, the company will bring back 600 dealers to its network. Looks like good news following Toyota’s huge recall problems… Read more…
Where there’s controversy and problems in the market you’re sure to find Goldman Sachs. This investment bank just can’t stay out of the spotlight—a problem that’s not going away any time soon. This time at least Goldman wasn’t in the wrong. Read more…
