Markets have been off to a rough start in 2010 with most major benchmarks falling more than 5% year-to-date and sparking fresh fears over a double-dip recession. Relatively few asset classes have gone unscathed as equities, both domestic and international equities have dropped in tandem with commodities. While some see this as a long-overdue downward correction, others see a possible buying opportunity to scoop up quality funds at discount prices. [click to continue…]
When domestic and international equity markets tumbled in the first three months of this year, bargain hunters were overwhelmed with possibilities. As price-to-earnings ratios plunged into the single digits, those who follow the Buffett mantra “be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful” were presented with one of the best buying opportunities in recent memory. But since March, equity markets have staged impressive recoveries, making good values hard to come by. [click to continue…]
Thanks to strong economic recoveries in Germany and France, the 16-country euro zone has now officially exited its worst recession in a half century. According to data released on Friday, the euro zone grew by 0.4% in the third quarter, compared with a 0.2% decline in the second quarter. Although the news strengthened hopes of [...]
The turmoil that has plagued U.S. equity markets over the last two years will no doubt have several lasting effects. Regulation of the financial sector has been permanently changed. The role of the government in the private sector has been escalated to levels never before imagined. And the wisdom of allocating nearly all of one’s [...]
Over the past several months, concerns over the fallout from the massive stimulus plans, rising unemployment, and continued weakness in corporate earnings have left many investors rethinking their allocations to U.S. equities. Once considered an essential element of any portfolio, American stocks have fallen out of favor with some investors who have shifted assets towards [...]
