Economic Folk | Business News, Real Estate and Stock Market: October 2010

Closing Bell: Stocks Seesaw on GDP Report (FSLR, PWER, HAL, FMR, VVUS

Stocks opened lower this morning before getting a boost from the report that US GDP growth in the third quarter tallied an expected 2%. Then a report on consumer confidence sent the market sharply lower before it rebounded again to positive territory before heading slightly lower again.

On this final trading day of October -- and the 81st anniversary of the crash of 1929 -- stocks are poised to maintain their gains for the month. The DJIA is up about 3% in the month, while the S&P 500 is up 3.7%. The dollar weakened slightly today, down 0.1% against a basket of six other currencies. All eyes are now focused on next Tuesday's elections and Wednesday's meeting of the Fed's open market committee.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Stocks Seesaw on GDP Report (FSLR, PWER, HAL, FMR, VVUS

Closing Bell: Stocks Seesaw on GDP Report (FSLR, PWER, HAL, FMR, VVUS originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Full story at http://www.pheedcontent.com/click.phdo?i=72404b86a8609b847eabc3b3d37b8a01

Comfort Zone Investing: Keep It Simple ... Very Simple

Filed under: Microsoft (MSFT), Comfort Zone Investing

Comfort Zone Investing While investing can be as complicated as you'd like to make it (stochastics anyone? perhaps collateralized debt obligation swaps instead?), the basics are very simple, especially for stock investors. Here are a few questions you can consider before buying or selling any stock.

1. Does the company sell anything? Laugh all you want, but this one question (and its answer) can save you lots and lots of money ... and grief. If you look at most biotech companies, they don't sell anything except hope. They have no revenues, but their stories are fantastic. Investors can get carried away with the promise (not the revenues or profits) of these sometime miracle producers. Most often, the promise turns to pffffft; the stock goes to zero. If a company doesn't have revenues, it doesn't mean you don't buy it (though you should have very good reasons), it only means you buy very little of it ... if you must, and you can't help yourself, and you've temporarily lost your investing compass.

Continue reading Comfort Zone Investing: Keep It Simple ... Very Simple

Comfort Zone Investing: Keep It Simple ... Very Simple originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 30 Oct 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Full story at http://www.pheedcontent.com/click.phdo?i=432d1f88c6648057e25f0651c4f99f3e

IMAX: Is It Too High to Buy?

Filed under: Earnings Reports, Time Warner (TWX), Film

IMAX (IMAX) has been a wonderful stock to own. Admit it, you wish you had this one displayed on your broker's positions page (I know I do). On Friday, it closed at $21.65, not far from the new 52-week high of $21.95, which was reached during the intraday session. The one-year chart is an amazing image to behold for a couple reasons. First, there is the simple matter of the uptrend. Second, the stock already experienced a pullback before breaking through to fresh heights.

However, this brings to mind a valid concern: is the stock now a sell? Has it gone too far? You can't help but ask such questions. In fact, Theflyonthewall reported Friday that Craig-Hallum issued a downgrade on the shares. On the other hand, Theflyonthewall also mentioned some good news from Wedbush: that firm raised its rating for the theater entity.

Continue reading IMAX: Is It Too High to Buy?

IMAX: Is It Too High to Buy? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 30 Oct 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Full story at http://www.pheedcontent.com/click.phdo?i=03f76633e17d9112fbb5c63914e77fe3

Happy Halloween: Here Are The 100 Richest, Safest Neighborhoods In America

halloween trick treat

Everyone knows you get the best candy in rich neighborhoods.

But if you really want to know the statistically best neighborhood to go trick or treating, you've got to account for safety, density, walkability and home values.

Real estate site Zillow.com has made the definitive index to name the 20 best cities and best neighborhoods in each city.

Click here to see the list >

Join the conversation about this story »