Stocks

Good News = Good Day for Stock Markets
<p>The surprising good news about gains in manufacturing sent the stock market soaring today. All three major indexes posted good gains.</p> <p>But how do you know this wasn't a fluke? Was this a solid gain or the expansion of a bubble?</p> <p>One way to tell is to look at the advance/decline indicator. This tool tells you whether most of the market was moving in the same direction or whether just a few key stocks pushed indexes up.</p> <p>The advance/decline indicator tells you the strength behind the move. The indicator compares the number of stocks up for the day against the number of stocks that were down.</p> <p>Wednesday's rally saw winners out pace losers six to one. Does this mean the stock market will gain tomorrow? No, but it does tell you something important. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/od/marketindicato2/a/advdec012405.htm">Read what...</a></p> <p><em>Follow me on </em><a href="http://twitter.com/stocksguide"><em>Twitter</em></a></p> <div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 105px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;"><i></div> <div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 105px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/stocksguide">Twitter</a></i><em>Follow me on </em><em><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://twitter.com/stocksguide">Twitter</a></em></div><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/09/01/good-news-good-day-for-stock-markets.htm">Good News = Good Day for Stock Markets</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/">About.com Stocks</a> on Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 at 20:24:54.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/09/01/good-news-good-day-for-stock-markets.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/09/01/good-news-good-day-for-stock-markets.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://stocks.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/09/01/good-news-good-day-for-stock-markets.htm&zItl=Good News = Good Day for Stock Markets">Email this</a></p>

Write a Review: Why I Love/Hate My Online Stock Broker
<p>Now is your chance to tell the world how you feel about your stock broker.</p> <p>Write a review telling us why you love (or hate or something in between) your stock broker. It's easy to complete the quick online form.</p> <p>Fellow investors will appreciate your thoughts, whether they agree with them or not.</p> <p><em>Follow me on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://twitter.com/stocksguide">Twitter</a></em></p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/31/write-a-review-why-i-lovehate-my-online-stock-broker.htm">Write a Review: Why I Love/Hate My Online Stock Broker</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/">About.com Stocks</a> on Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 at 20:43:33.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/31/write-a-review-why-i-lovehate-my-online-stock-broker.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/31/write-a-review-why-i-lovehate-my-online-stock-broker.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://stocks.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/31/write-a-review-why-i-lovehate-my-online-stock-broker.htm&zItl=Write a Review: Why I Love/Hate My Online Stock Broker">Email this</a></p>

Is There a Fall Stock Rebound in the Air?
<p> Many children will start the new school year this week marking the economic transition from Summer to Fall. It still may be hot and muggy where you live, but the economic beginning of Fall holds hope for a rebound in stock prices before the end of the year. </p><p> That's the optimistic view. The pessimistic view sees a rocky stock market at best with the possibility of further slippage. </p><p> The optimists tend to consider those things that change in the economy as we move into fall such as a rise in consumer spending for back-to-school clothes and supplies. Stores will be (or already have) placed orders for the holiday shopping season. </p><p> As businesses place orders for holiday shopping season, manufacturers and distributors ramp up supplies to meet the orders. This, hopefully, will lead to some jobs growth, which should help consumer spending. </p><p> On the other side of the coin, pessimists look at the numbers and there is no pre-holiday cheer to be found. </p><p> The Dow (as a proxy for the stock market) is almost a 1,000 points off the high for the year and down more than 430 points from where it started 2010. </p><p> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/od/whatmovesthemarket/a/120808jobs.htm">Unemployment remains high</a> and consumer spending stagnant (the latest jobs figures come out Friday). If people don't have jobs or are afraid of losing theirs, it is doubtful stocks will find any comfort in pushing higher. </p><p> Mid-term elections in November will alter the political balance in Congress, almost guaranteeing nothing significant will be done for the next two years. </p><p> Still, any signs of encouraging news (no matter how strained) may push the market up. </p><p> That's on my holiday wish list. </p><p> Follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/stocksguide">Twitter<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/30/is-there-a-fall-stock-rebound-in-the-air.htm">Is There a Fall Stock Rebound in the Air?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/">About.com Stocks</a> on Monday, August 30th, 2010 at 09:56:56.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/30/is-there-a-fall-stock-rebound-in-the-air.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/30/is-there-a-fall-stock-rebound-in-the-air.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://stocks.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/30/is-there-a-fall-stock-rebound-in-the-air.htm&zItl=Is There a Fall Stock Rebound in the Air?">Email this</a></p>

Tough Choices for Stock Investors Facing Retirement
<p> While the stock market has performed well over the long term (even when you include the 2008-09 meltdown), it can be brutal in the short term. </p><p> It is this timing issue that poses the greatest threat to retirement incomes. The conventional wisdom is that you should reduce your exposure in stocks as you approach and enter your retirement. </p><p> This is still good advice, however <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/od/retirementinvesting/a/082610-Tough-Choices-For-Stock-Investors-Facing-Retirement.htm">it is not that simple</a> - few things are these days. </p><p> Follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/stocksguide">Twitter</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/26/tough-choices-for-stock-investors-facing-retirement.htm">Tough Choices for Stock Investors Facing Retirement</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/">About.com Stocks</a> on Thursday, August 26th, 2010 at 21:33:33.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/26/tough-choices-for-stock-investors-facing-retirement.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/26/tough-choices-for-stock-investors-facing-retirement.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://stocks.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/26/tough-choices-for-stock-investors-facing-retirement.htm&zItl=Tough Choices for Stock Investors Facing Retirement">Email this</a></p>

How to Spot Stock Market Trends
<p>How do stock investors know which way the stock market is headed?</p> <p>The short answer is: they don't. No one knows exactly what the stock market will do tomorrow. However, the stock market does give investors some clues.</p> <p>One of the clues the suggests what the market is thinking is volume and price. These two pieces of information can give you a peek at <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/od/advancedtrading/a/Martrend083005.htm">where the market is headed</a>.</p> <p>Follow me on<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://twitter.com/stocksguide"> Twitter</a></p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/24/how-to-spot-stock-market-trends-2.htm">How to Spot Stock Market Trends</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/">About.com Stocks</a> on Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 at 19:02:45.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/24/how-to-spot-stock-market-trends-2.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/24/how-to-spot-stock-market-trends-2.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://stocks.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/24/how-to-spot-stock-market-trends-2.htm&zItl=How to Spot Stock Market Trends">Email this</a></p>

Is the Stock Market Riskier or Does It Just Seem That Way?
<p>Investing in the stock market has always involved some risk. A question stock investors must re-answer on a regular basis is how much risk is too much?</p> <p>In many ways, risk is a subjective, personal determination. What is <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/od/understandingstocks/a/082210-Is-The-Stock-Market-Riskier-Or-Does-It-Just-Seem-That-Way.htm">too risky for you may be just right for me</a>.</p> <p><em> </em></p> <p><em> <p>Follow me on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://twitter.com/stocksguide">Twitter</a></p> </em></p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/23/is-the-stock-market-riskier-or-does-it-just-seem-that-way.htm">Is the Stock Market Riskier or Does It Just Seem That Way?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/">About.com Stocks</a> on Monday, August 23rd, 2010 at 11:26:56.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/23/is-the-stock-market-riskier-or-does-it-just-seem-that-way.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/23/is-the-stock-market-riskier-or-does-it-just-seem-that-way.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://stocks.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/23/is-the-stock-market-riskier-or-does-it-just-seem-that-way.htm&zItl=Is the Stock Market Riskier or Does It Just Seem That Way?">Email this</a></p>

When Company Executives Stumble Watch Stock Prices
<p>We're all human and make mistakes and that includes executives of companies. When company leaders stumble, watch the price of the company's stock for long-term trouble.</p> <p>Of course, a "mistake" is not some accidental consequence, but a decision to choose one action over another. In some cases, the mistake involves something out of an executive's private life - a messy divorce, inappropriate relationships at work and so on.</p> <p>However, there are "mistakes" that can seriously damage a company's future and those are the ones that long-term stock investors <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/od/evaluatingstocks/a/081710When-Company-Executives-Stumble-Watch-Stock-Prices.htm">must fear.</a></p> <p><em><br /> Follow me on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://twitter.com/stocksguide">Twitter</a></em></p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/20/when-company-executives-stumble-watch-stock-prices.htm">When Company Executives Stumble Watch Stock Prices</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/">About.com Stocks</a> on Friday, August 20th, 2010 at 11:03:32.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/20/when-company-executives-stumble-watch-stock-prices.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/20/when-company-executives-stumble-watch-stock-prices.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://stocks.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/20/when-company-executives-stumble-watch-stock-prices.htm&zItl=When Company Executives Stumble Watch Stock Prices">Email this</a></p>

Stocks Stuck in Rut
<p>Stocks posted the first gain Tuesday after four consecutive losing sessions. The optimists hope this signals a rally in the making.</p> <p>Pessimists see nothing but gloom (as least for the traditionally unsettled August market).</p> <p>Where are stocks in the real world?</p> <p>The market (defined by the Dow for this purpose) is slowly sinking for the year. The Dow is down about 178 points for the year and 622 from the high. It is almost 900 points above the low so far in 2010.</p> <p>What does all this mean? For long-term investors, nothing.</p> <p>At least, that's the traditional thinking. Unfortunately, counting on a 10-year average return of 8% to 10% (which is the range most quote as the historical average) may not be working so well.</p> <p>At the close of 2000, the Dow was 10,787. Tuesday's close was 10,405, which means you don't even need a calculator to see for the past 10 years, the Dow is essentially flat. (Actually, if you factor in inflation, the loss is even greater.)</p> <p>The point is long-term investing is still the only answer for most investors, even if you will not be able to count on a steady historical growth factor.</p> <p>Find an up market (hopefully) as you approach the date five years before you need the money and bail out of stocks. Put your money in high-grade bonds (commercial or Treasury) and bank CDs.</p> <p>Be happy with holding on to what you got.</p> <p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/od/understandingstocks/a/Indexes102704.htm">Market indexes</a> are helpful, but only if you understand what they can and cannot tell us.</p> <p>Follow me on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://twitter.com/stocksguide">Twitter</a>.</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/17/stocks-stuck-in-rut.htm">Stocks Stuck in Rut</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/">About.com Stocks</a> on Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 at 21:28:08.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/17/stocks-stuck-in-rut.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/17/stocks-stuck-in-rut.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://stocks.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/17/stocks-stuck-in-rut.htm&zItl=Stocks Stuck in Rut">Email this</a></p>

Cash and Context - Important to Stock Investors
<p>Investors in the stock market love numbers or, at least they should be familiar with some of the most important ratios and indicators.</p> <p>It is also important that stock investors understand the context of any internal number.</p> <p>Here are <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/od/evaluatingstocks/a/081510Cash-And-Context-Important-To-Stock-Investors.htm">three indicators</a> that you should check before buying (or selling) any stock.</p> <p><em><br /> Follow me on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://twitter.com/stocksguide">Twitter</a></em></p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/16/cash-and-context-important-to-stock-investors.htm">Cash and Context - Important to Stock Investors</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/">About.com Stocks</a> on Monday, August 16th, 2010 at 01:44:15.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/16/cash-and-context-important-to-stock-investors.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/16/cash-and-context-important-to-stock-investors.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://stocks.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/16/cash-and-context-important-to-stock-investors.htm&zItl=Cash and Context - Important to Stock Investors">Email this</a></p>

GM's IPO and Its Return to Profitability
<p>General Motors, the once proud symbol of America's manufacturing might, reported its second consecutive quarterly profit Thursday the day before its expected filing of papers for an initial public offering. </p><p> Investors in the stock market anticipate the initial public offering (IPO) could be the largest in U.S. market history. If you find a GM IPO a bit ironic, you're not alone. The company had been publicly traded for decades before collapsing into bankruptcy in 2009. </p><p> The bankruptcy wiped out GM stockholders and left ownership in the hands U.S. taxpayers (government loans to GM were converted to common stock), Canada, some bondholders and unions. </p><p> After stripping most of the debt out of the company (and shedding some 23,000 jobs), GM came out leaner and with a mandate to make a profit. The company has turned in two impressive quarters of profits. </p><p> The IPO will offer stock to the public and give the government a chance to reclaim some of the billions it pumped into GM to keep it afloat through the bankruptcy. </p><p> Will the GM IPO be a good deal for stock investors? Normally, IPO can be risky because they are usually associated with young, unproven companies whose products may not be fully accepted in the market. </p><p> In GM's case, every stock investor knows the company and its products. The question for stock investors is can GM maintain its lean profile and profitability? Undoubtedly, there will be many opinions on these questions as the IPO nears. </p><p> If you are interested in the GM IPO, it is important that you <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/od/advancedtrading/a/UnderstandIPO.htm">understand IPOs and how they work.</a> </p><p> Follow me on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://twitter.com/stocksguide">Twitter</a><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/12/gms-ipo-and-its-return-to-profitability.htm">GM's IPO and Its Return to Profitability</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/">About.com Stocks</a> on Thursday, August 12th, 2010 at 10:23:53.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/12/gms-ipo-and-its-return-to-profitability.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/12/gms-ipo-and-its-return-to-profitability.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://stocks.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://stocks.about.com/b/2010/08/12/gms-ipo-and-its-return-to-profitability.htm&zItl=GM's IPO and Its Return to Profitability">Email this</a></p>