Informatica (INFA): The Next Cloud Computing Winner?
With the Nasdaq poised to resume leadership among U.S. stock indexes, technology looks like a sector with bullish potential. Even so, smart investors know that picking the right stock will still be extremely important. One niche we like is cloud computing. We’ve previously highlighted the cloud...
India Offers Opportunity For Investors (EPI)
When it comes to emerging markets, investors focus a lot of attention on the BRIC nations, Brazil, Russia, India and China. When it comes to BRIC, Brazil and China get most of the attention. China is a once-in-a-lifetime growth story, and Brazil has become the tenth largest economy in the world due...
EUO: Profit as The Euro Plunges
The Euro, currently used by 22 countries, is one of the most important world currencies. It was introduced to global financial markets in 1999 and reached major-currency status in record time. The Euro is now the second-most heavily traded currency in the foreign exchange (forex) market next to the dollar. Now...
Rightnow Technologies (RNOW): The Right Play On The Cloud Computing Boom?
A few weeks ago, we talked about cloud computing, a phenomenon some market observers believe to be the “next big thing” in the technology world. I mentioned some of the bigger players in cloud computing: Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), IBM (IBM), Intel (INTC) and Microsoft (MSFT) among others. These are...
AET: Seeing Opportunity Through the Controversy
If you follow events in our nation’s capital, you know President Obama’s health care reform package is controversial. The argument over a bill whose price tag could top $1 trillion has had a profound impact on the health insurance sector. Stocks like Aetna (AET) alternately suffered and...
IVV: Buying the S&P 500 Without Commissions
Investors have plenty of ETF options to track major U.S. asset classes. The benchmarks sometimes have significant overlap, and in some cases more than one ETF follows the same index. How do you tell which one is better? One important factor is expenses. Take two ETFs designed to track the S&P...
MINT: A Conservative Way to Stash Cash
Investors are often conditioned to believe that cash is king, or that it is at least a good idea to keep some of your assets in cash to preserve your portfolio’s liquidity. After all, emergencies and unforeseen expenses happen. While this all makes sense, most cash investments offer meager rates...
DELL: Sleeping Giant or Tech Dinosaur?
Investing in Dell Inc. (DELL) stock used to be very profitable. Texas-based Dell revolutionized the way consumers purchased personal computers. Dell was in the right place at the right time, offering customers the ability to pick and choose what they wanted in their computers. This approach was rewarded...
IYT: Transport Provides Clues to Recovery
Investors typically favor stocks and sectors that they view as somehow glamorous or sexy. This could mean high-flying tech stocks like Apple (AAPL) or Google (GOOG) or high-beta commodities and materials stocks like Freeport-McMoRan (FCX). Such an approach can be rewarding, but if you’re looking...
CZZ: Buying Brazilian Sugar
Most investors stick with one game. Stock investors trade stocks. Foreign exchange connoisseurs trade currencies. Most investors stay away from commodities entirely. The low margin requirements and additional risk tend to attract speculators and repel the everyday investor. On the other hand, you...
