Bear markets begin in good times. Bull markets begin in bad times.

By: Harvey Sax I haven’t been able to conclusively cite the origin of the above quote, 'Bear markets begin in good times.  Bull markets begin in bad times’ but undoubtedly it was from an investor who…


China cuts Iranian oil imports, says IEA - FT.com

China cuts Iranian oil imports, says IEA By Guy Chazan and Javier Blas China is buying about 50 per cent less Iranian oil than it did last year, as international sanctions strengthen its bargaining…


Are You Aggressive or Conservative? Better Check Your Beta..

By: Harvey Sax   A lot of that depends on the beta of your portfolio.  But before we get into all of that, let’s go over just what beta is. Stock Beta is a ratio that indicates how a stock…


Use Google? YouTube? Have a Gmail account? Worried? Maybe You Should Be: Part 3

It's here.  Google's new simplified privacy policy popped up today when I opened my Reader account, (if you don't follow, here's Part 1 and Part 2) and after 30 minutes or so I came to a single…


CBOE - Index Option Strategies - Buying Index Puts to Hedge

Calculating Index Contracts to Hedge a Portfolio Stock prices tend to move in tandem in response to the overall stock market as measured by the S&P 500 Index (SPX). The 500 stocks that comprise…


Are you agressive or conservative?

A lot of that depends on the beta of your portfolio.  But before we get into all of that, let's go over just what beta is. Stock Beta is a ratio that indicates how a stock fluctuates with relation…


Greece: 20% Cut in Minimum Wage and 15,000 Public Sector Jobs Lost? Ouch..

Prime Minister Papademos, Finance Minister Venizelos, and Greek Bank Governor Provopoulos are expected to sign a draft agreement to secure a $172 billion dollar rescue plan desperately needed by the…


Diamond Foods Now Cooks! ...their books. CEO and CFO Out, Forced to Restate Earnings

Diamond Foods is getting crushed after hours, (down over 43%) on the announcement that they, like an alarming number of corporations, have trouble following longstanding GAAP (Generally Accepted…


Do Your Homework and Stop Looking for the Easy Way Out

The WSJ released an article last night on Nouriel Roubini, nicknamed Dr. Doom for his consistently bearish outlook that happened to accurately foresee the 2008 crisis.  Apparently, he's changed his…