Evidence is mounting that the U.S. housing market may be deteriorating faster than it did in the 2008 recession. This has sparked speculation that home prices may be in for a more brutal pullback than many economists projected. Perhaps most startling is the price-to-income (PI) ratios on homes. Using a median new home price of $438,067 and average hourly earnings…
Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is found in underground rock formations. It is composed of methane, ethane, propane, and butane. Natural gas is important because it is a very efficient fuel source. It is also a very clean-burning fuel. This means that it produces less air pollution than other fossil fuels such as coal and oil. Moving along,…
U.S. stocks face a laundry list of problems. But let’s zero in on one in particular – one that was responsible for billions of losses in Q2 earnings. This is a widespread issue. In fact, the investment research shop LPL estimates it lowered Q2 revenue for the entire S&P 500 by two to two-and-a-half percentage points. That’s billions of dollars,…
Healthcare stocks have been on the rise in recent years, as investors have become more interested in the sector. Healthcare stocks are typically seen as defensive investments, as they tend to perform well even during periods of economic uncertainty. Furthermore, the aging population is expected to drive continued growth in the healthcare sector, making it an attractive investment option for…
The third consecutive 75-basis-point (0.75%) interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve is in the rearview mirror. The move, which was generally expected by the market, still drove stocks lower. That’s mostly because comments from Fed Chairman Jerome Powell were more hawkish than expected. Indeed, his comments around shelter inflation have raised investor eyebrows, as consumer price index (CPI) numbers…
As the announcement came that interest rates would see yet another 75-basis-point hike at Wednesday’s Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, the stock market did something predictable: it fell. It’s no secret that equity markets have been on a downward slide for most of this year. What flies under the radar, however, is the Federal Reserve’s role in the…
I just did some research and wrote about it. I should be clear that you may find this article a little unsettling if you are nearing retirement or have already retired. On the other hand, it’s an eye-opener because the financial markets and different asset prices paint an interesting picture. But, I believe being armed with the proper information and…
Hydrogen stocks are a type of energy stock that represents companies involved in the production and distribution of hydrogen fuel. For the uninitiated, hydrogen is a clean-burning energy source that can be used in a variety of applications, including transportation, power generation, and industrial uses. While hydrogen fuel has many potential benefits, it remains a relatively new technology. As a…
Some people seem to believe that “the market” is all-knowing. But that’s far from the case. In fact, “the market” often greatly overestimates and underestimates companies. Because of the latter phenomenon, it’s quite possible to identify stocks under $2 that can, in a few years, rocket to $20 or even higher. If you’re looking for a recent example, consider Plug…
Recent CPI/Inflation data suggests the current wave of global inflation is far from “transitory” and may persist for many months – possibly years. Some believe it is primarily a supply-side issue related to the COVID shutdowns. I think it is a combination of factors driving higher inflation right now (capital creation, stimulus, a broad speculative phase that existed after COVID,…