October 22nd, 2011 Written by Z
Investors tend to stick with price-to-earnings ratios, or return on equity calculations to see how their favorite firms are performing. But earnings can be easy to manipulate, and any calculation gleaned from net earnings might not give investors a real representative look into a company.
So, when making decisions matters, and accuracy of information is paramount, investors often turn to free cash flow figures to find good investments.
Free Cash Flow
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Investing, Stocks cash flow, fcf, free cash flow
October 16th, 2011 Written by Z
EGShares is a relatively new entrant to the exchange-traded fund industry, but a new fund from the company could prove to be invaluable to long-term investors.
The EGShares HILO exchange-traded fund has a very noble goal—increase the yield available to investors in emerging markets while reducing volatility. The fund seeks out companies that pay attractive dividend yields, while offering the natural growth of the emerging market countries.
The fund also hopes to calm investors’ minds by seeking to eliminate volatility, which typically affects emerging market countries and their respective industries more than US-based equities.
High Yield and Low Beta
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Economy, Investing, Stocks dividends, egshares, emerging markets, hilo, hilo etf
October 12th, 2011 Written by Z
With Wall Street always unhappy about the jobless recovery, one has to wonder how many more jobs does the US need to end the recession?
According to the Wall Street journal, it would take some 6.6 million new jobs to return the economy to pre-recession levels. The report showed joblessness in America after the most recent recessions, and no recession to date has been as deep as this one.
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Economy
October 10th, 2011 Written by Z
Dollar cost averaging is one of the most respected investment perspectives in all of personal finance. In dollar cost averaging, an investor makes routine, ordinary investments in their favorite stocks, bonds, or other portfolio assets.
Dollar cost averaging is particularly popular because it works! Because stocks can be over or undervalued at any time, a dollar cost averaging strategy means that you buy deeply discounted and vastly overpriced stocks only occasionally. Most purchases are made at a very reasonable average price.
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Investing
October 3rd, 2011 Written by Z
A new policy enacted by the Federal Reserve sought to remove the burden of debit card fees on small business owners. Previously, banks were free to set their own debit card swipe fees, which often cost businesses as much as 3% of the total purchase price. Now that a new policy is in place to limit the impact of debit card fees at point of sale locations, banks are passing on fees to consumers to increase revenue.
The Fed policy restricts banks to only 21 cents per swipe of a debit card, plus 1/20th of 1 percent in total purchase price. Thus, a $5 purchase costs the retailer 21.25 cents. A $500 purchase would cost the retailer $.46. Previously, a $500 purchase could create $10-15 in service fees for banks.
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Business debit card fees, fees for debit cards, monthly debit card fees
October 1st, 2011 Written by Z
It seems that everyone is predicting a US recession in 2012. Due to the slowdown in Europe, concerns over growing national debt figures, and a jobless recovery in place, the prospect of a new US recession in 2012 looks probable.
In fact, the financial markets are already predicting recession is certainty.
US Recession: The Facts
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Economy us recession, us recession 2012
September 28th, 2011 Written by Z
Who knew that water could be as valuable as it is. Most of us wake up each morning, take a shower (which consumes gallons of water), brush our teeth (which takes at least a gallon or two) and then go about our day.
The rest of the day consumes plenty of water resources, as well. Washing clothes, our cars, dishes, and even going to the bathroom creates a serious drain on our world’s natural resources. Even though water is a renewable resource, turning dirty water into clean water (and thus making it more valuable) is a very profitable business.
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ETF, Futures and Commodities commodity, investing in water, water, water etfs, water shortages
September 24th, 2011 Written by Z
Investors who chase yield want to know where they can find the safest investments with the highest returns.
Chasing yield is not at all a new process to the markets. With interest rates now at record lows going all the way out to 30-years, safe investments with high returns are almost laughable. How can investors protect their capital, enjoy safety, but also bring home some cash flow? We’ll try to answer.
Dividends Safe, Moderate Returns
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Investing, Stocks high returns, safe investments, safest investment high returns
September 19th, 2011 Written by Z
General Motors (NYSE: GM) is an American icon, a company which was once one of America’s largest employers. Over time, the lofty wages and pension programs offered to employees were too much for the All-American firm in a story that later ended in a government bailout, bankruptcy, and a relaunch.
Today, the new GM is nothing like the old. Sure it makes many of the same cars, and its logo is still unchanged. However, on the balance sheet, the new GM clearly distinguishes it from its first life as an automotive maker. Read more…
Business general motors, GM, union contracts
