A divided FOMC decided to hit pause in its easing cycle following a rate cut at its October meeting offered little guidance on what would cause policymakers to change their minds on the outlook, minutes of the central bank’s last policy meeting showed. The readout released on Wednesday of the Oct. 29-30 policy discussion, at which […]
It is no secret that California’s affordable housing crisis and worsening wildfire season are driving some residents out of The Golden State. But in case you need an extra incentive to leave, the here a list of cities and states that are paying people to move in. Those places include: Vermont, whose Remote Worker Grant Program funds grants of up […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $USD, $VXX This week the Fed cut interest rates for the 2nd time since the Great Recession, and found its hands full with another event with potentially catastrophic implications for the economy. In short, liquidity in the repo markets, a critical cog in the financial system machine seized Tuesday. In response, […]
$XAU, $XAUUSD, $GLD FLASH: The Gold markets pulled back during the week, but then found enough support at the uptrend line of the ascending triangle to reverse and break above the Key $1450 mark Friday, US Gold futures settled near 6-year highs +1.8% at $1,457.50 oz, helped along by prospects of safe-haven investments,trade threats from […]
The Fed’s FOMC is set to cut interest rates by at least 25 basis points at its policy meeting at the end of this month. Will it settle on a cautious approach or be aggressive to monetary easing despite political pressure for deeper stimulus is the Big Q. There is a case for an aggressive […]
$XAU, $GLD, $SLV, $USD Gold fell 1%+ Monday to its lowest in more than a week as USD strengthened and investors opted for riskier assets after the US and China agreed to restart trade talks. Spot gold was down 1.3% at $1,391.29 oz, as of 0411 GMT, US gold futures dipped 1.3% to $1,394.90 oz. […]
FLASH: The market is leading the Fed Funds rate lower, signaling a rate cut soon. “We have tracked the Fed’s interest rates decisions for years,” writes Steven Hochberg, Elliot Wave theorist. In December, he wrote an article titled “Interest Rates Win Again as Fed Follows the Market,” where he observed that although most pundits believe that central […]
Many people have their speculations about where charity money really goes. While charities received a staggering $ 410.02 billion in 2017, up from recent years, the number of people donating continues to plummet. In 2000, more than two-thirds of Americans donated to charity, while just 55.5% gave to charitable causes in 2014. Are organizations just making […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: This Bull market has more room to Run, retail investors still on the sidelines. As investors bet on strong returns in cyclical sectors, they are also confident that US stocks at large will continue their historic Bull run. That run could be extended, we believe, as investors who remain […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: US inflation is falling again, and this time Fed officials may feel compelled to respond. After a gauge of price pressures central bankers watch closely finally rose above their 2% target last Summer marking the 1st time North of it since 2012 it moderated to 1.8% in January, and […]
By Harvey Bezozi Most Americans this year will feel the effect of the new tax law, in one way or another, on their personal financial positions. Some will benefit thanks to lower tax rates, higher alternative minimum tax (AMT) exemptions, and increased deductions. Others will be penalized due to the new restrictions on state and […]
$GLD.$USD, $JPY FLASH: Last week gold posted its 3rd consecutive weekly gainer and rose 1%, the most since the week ending 1 February. The fundamentals Spot gold up 0.1% at $1,314.21 oz as of 0128 GMT. US gold futures up 0.2% at $1,314.40 oz. Investors sold shares Monday moving to the safety of bonds, while […]
FLASH: No matter what the Fed Fund’s rate is they cannon make people borrow. The Big Q: What happened with Wednesday’s Fed announcement? The Big A: The Fed followed the market again. The chart below: the red line is the Federal Funds rate, the yellow line is the rate on the 3-month US T-Bill and […]
$HGC1, $CU FLASH: Managed Money Driving Explosion in Copper (CU) Options in Big Bet on Prices A persistent Copper shortage has spurred a 32X explosion in the COMEX options market over the last 2 years as hedge funds and other speculators move to cash in on rising prices. Copper at the close in Chicago Tuesday: […]
$NDAQ, $BRK.A, $BRK.B, $CIIT, $YBAO FLASH: Think Big with Small Cap Stocks! We here at HeffX-LTN often feature small-cap and low price stocks, when we do we fully evaluate risk/reward and have done a full due diligence review. Currently we are focused on small-cap and low priced stocks under $5/share that trade on the OTC […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ FLASH: 10 years Friday the US stock market hit the bottom of the Great Recession. Today, 10 years later, the US stock market is acting as if the economic expansion, now in its 117th month, is going to continue and likely accelerate. The S&P 500 is up 10% YTD The benchmark index […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX FLASH: “Machines are only as smart as their human programmers” Hedge fund investors learned that the hard way last year when data-crunching computers that invest $220-B based on historical price trends did worse than most human managers. The losses were so bad that investors pulled billions of dollars out of […]
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX FLASH: The Pain Trade is Higher! Professional investors who have missed this global stock rally this year, are still worry about getting on the bandwagon too late Money managers are strategies including derivatives, defensive and/or dividend stocks are being touted as a way out. Fund manager have pulled over $30-B from […]
$GLD, $SLV, $GDX, $USD Gold prices climb as those savvy investors uncertain about global growth outlook hedge their portfolios. Gold prices have surged 14% since September, when in this column I signaled a buy signal for the precious Yellow metal, just as the major US stock market indexes were making record Tops. Gold-focused ETFs saw […]
President Trump signed an executive order Thursday pushing those who receive federal funds to “Buy American.” The aim is to boost US manufacturing across the board. Peter Navarro, director of the White House National Trade Council, told reporters during a telephone briefing the policies are helping workers who “are blue collar, Trump people.” Later he […]
US fund investors charged into high-yield corporate bonds during the latest week, shoveling $3.3-B, the most cash flowing into that market since late Y 2016, Lipper said Thursday, boosted by dovish words from Fed Chairman Powell. Underscoring investors’ appetite for some risk-taking, investors pulled $15-B net cash from US-based money market funds, according to the […]
$TWTR Twitter (NYSE:TWTR) is blocking the petition, and the triple amputee was attacked by Jimmy Kimmel and Alyssa Milano personally triggering an outpouring of attacks. So far, having raided over $17-M in only 8 days via crowd funding for “We The People Will Fund The Wall,” distinguished USAF Vet Brian Kolfage writes that he is […]
$RACE Hedge fund managers often reap large profits for their investors, which is why piggybacking their stock picks may provide us with significant returns as well. Many hedge funds are pretty secretive, but we can still get some insights by analyzing their Quarterly 13F SEC filings. One of the best sectors for large returns is […]
Mexico’s New President Pledges to Govern as “a common man” Mexico’s newly inaugurated president hit the ground running Monday with his pledge to govern as a common man and end decades of secrecy, heavy security and luxury enjoyed by past presidents. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador aka AMOL, sported slightly ruffled hair at his first early […]
Ferrari (NYSE:RACE) Reports on Completing Its Stock Buyback Program $RACE Ferrari (NYSE:RACE) announced Wednesday that under the common share buyback program announced on 9 February 2018, the Company has purchased additional common shares; reported in aggregate form, on daily basis – on the Italian Stock Exchange (MTA) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as in […]
President Trump, ‘Totally Be Willing’ to Shut Down Govt to Get Border Wall Funds US President Donald Trump said he would “totally be willing” to shut down the government if Congress does not send him a bill approving $5-B for his proposed Wall on the US southern border with Mexico. His comments came during an […]
“Growth ‘Cracks’ Will Shape Fed Funds Rate Debate” $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX For the past 2 years we have seen the Fed move ahead with steady rate increases in an economy that has done better than many had expected, boosted by government spending, tax cuts, and global growth. The easy part may be over, […]
National Mandate for a Big GOP Victory in November, Brings Overseas Investors to US $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX The 2018 midterm elections only 17 days away, + the political and earnings seasons are in full swing with the S&P 500 numbers coming in higher that expected with 20% of the member reported. The Big […]
This is All You Need to Know About Bitcoin and Blockchain $BTCUSD, $BLCN Bitcoin and the alternative cryptocurrencies, aka altcoins, are cryptic to say the least. Some people consider bitcoin a currency, others an investment and still others a store of value. Even government agencies cannot agree on what bitcoin really is. The IRS treats it […]
S&P 500 ($SPY) Will Still Hit 3,000 Despite Fed Rate Hikes $SPY, $BX Blackstone’s (NYSE:BX) Byron Wien says the S&P 500 will still rise to 3,000 by year’s end despite the Federal Reserve’s plan to continue hiking interest rates. “At the beginning of the year, I said the market would reach 3,000 on the S&P […]
American’s Taxes Should the Dems Take the Congress This November Republicans will make the historic Trump tax overhaul that slashed taxes 1 of their Key campaign selling points ahead of November elections. Democrats on the other hand are talking about how they want to undo it. In their bid to retake control of Congress, many […]
Where is the ‘420’ Money Coming from Elon? $TSLA Tesla’s (NASDAQ:TSLA) CEO Elon Musk still has not said where the Money to take Tesla private at ‘420’ would come from. Tuesday, Elon Musk did not just say he was considering taking Tesla private Tuesday. He said the funding to do so was “secured.” No one knows […]
Most Investors Pick Stock Funds as Best Long-Term Investment $SPY Investors have selected stock index or mutual funds over 5 other investments as the best for the long term results, according to the latest Wells Fargo/Gallup Investor and Retirement Optimism survey. Real estate and individual stocks are a distant second. Fully 54% of investors choose […]
US Labor Market Tightens, Jobless Claims Fall $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $RUTX, $VXX The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week, pointing to a further tightening in labor market conditions. The robust US labor market and firming inflation have cemented expectations the Fed will raise interest rates next week at the FOMC meeting. […]
Investors are Pouring Money into Stock Funds $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Investors poured money into US ETFs (stock exchange-traded funds) during the latest week, restoring a Key pillar of support for markets, data from the Investment Company Institute showed. US-based equity ETFs collected $11.2-B during the week through 16 May, according to the ICI trade group, the […]
Bitcoin, Using it as Money to Buy Stuff $BTCUSD, $SQ, $MSFT, $EXPE, $DISH, $ETSY Bitcoin is an investment asset, and it is also ‘Money’. And businesses that accepts Bitcoin payments are becoming closer to the mainstream you than you may think. Most people that I talk to look at cryptocurrencies an investment, a tradable asset, a […]
Abu Dhabi to Combine Sovereign Wealth Funds Creating $250-B ‘Behemoth’ Together Mubadala and Abu Dhabi Investment Council will be the world’s 11th largest sovereign wealth fund. The UAE emirate of Abu Dhabi is to combine two of its largest sovereign funds to create a behemoth with estimated assets of nearly $250-B. UAE President and Abu […]
Bitcoin, How to Get to Yes Safely… $BTCUSD This week a Top division chief at the SEC outlined the commission’s concerns about the volatile-trading for cryptocurrency investments in a letter to 2 trade groups representing fund managers who have proffered a wide range of proposals for funds holding Bitcoin or related assets. The SEC’s division […]
So Far This Year Savvy Investors Poured $24-B Into Stock Funds Friday, it was reported that stock funds took in $24-B in the 1st week of Y 2018, the 6th-biggest inflow ever and the most in at least 6 months. Stock-based funds raked in $24.4-B for the week through Wednesday, a total that Bank of […]
Fine Arts Investing in 2018 and Beyond $BAC, $SCHW Global managed money, US hedge funds and some of the world’s biggest banks have embraced the predictive properties of machine learning to spot patterns and guide their investment decisions. Could this branch of AI (artificial intelligence) be used to divine the vagaries of the fines arts […]
1 Year Into Trump Presidency, Investment Funds Show Strong Growth $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Assets managed by US-based funds have grown substantially, led by equity funds, since Donald Trump won the US Presidency 1 year ago. Though financial markets have been broadly skeptical about the ability of The Trump Presidency to pass significant political reforms […]
Bitcoin Futures Could Open the Way Into Crypto Markets $BTCUSD Bitcoin is spiking to a record after CME Group Inc.(NASDAQ:CME) said it’s planning to launch Bitcoin futures as the move could open the way for investors who have been standing on the sidelines as Bitcoin soared over 500% YTD. The cryptocurrency marked a high at […]
Morningstar’s Fund Ratings are a Failure at Predicting Winners $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Those 5 Star ratings are meaningless predictors of future performance. Heffernan Capital Management does not buy or rely on any data published by Morningstar Morningstar Inc. a US publisher of mutual fund ratings that investors use to decide which investments to make, does […]
Soros Lost His “War” on America, Has Moved On to Destroy Israel The billionaire’s news agenda is to destroy the Jewish state The recent hack of George Soros’ “charitable” giving revealed nothing new. The man who told journalist Steve Kroft in a televised interview that roaming the streets of Budapest with his faux godfather to confiscate the […]
Macquarie Group, Australia’s leading investment bank, has a hole to fill. In the years after the global financial crisis, the bank’s Corporate and Asset Finance (CAF) unit – an opaque business analysts call a “black box” – accounted for almost a third of Macquarie’s earnings, driving growth fueled by a A$33 billion ($26.18 billion)-plus bet […]
A Falling Stock Market, A Easing USD: That Brings Us Back to Gold $GLD, $SLV, $ABX, $GG, $EXCFF, $WPM As the USD falls from the Fed’s continuation of loose money policies, it will lift up Gold prices to unprecedented highs. Plus, recessions are a great environment for Gold During the last 2 recessions, Gold prices […]
Sell in May, Go Away, Fact or Fiction $SPY With April in the scrapbook, we have entered into the seasonally weak 6-month period of the year. And the debate over the Wall Street axiom “Sell In May And Go Away,” starts again. The data […]
Chicago Agriculture Commodities Finished Up on the Week $CORN, $WEAT, $SOYB Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) agriculture grains futures finishes higher on the week which ended 13 April, mostly on fund Short-covering and wet weather. Corn ended 11 cents higher weekly, settling at the highest mark since early March. Fund short covering was featured, and […]
President Donald Trump, GOP Congress Post a Pro-Live Victory President Trump signs resolution allowing states to block family planning funds Thursday President Trump signed a resolution that will allow US states to restrict how federal funds for contraception and reproductive health are spent, a move cheered by anti-abortion campaigners. “This is a major pro-life victory,” […]
US Justice Department Cracking Down on Sanctuary Cities The US Justice Department to use all “lawful authority” it has to make sure state and local officials follow federal laws on immigration, including laws surrounding sanctuary cities, and those who do not could be in risk of losing federal grant funds, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said […]
Home on The Street, Retail Investors Come Off of the Sidelines $SPY Retail investors plowed more cash into the markets last week, delivering US-based taxable-bond and international stock funds their 14th week running of inflows, the data showed Wednesday. Stock mutual funds and ETF’s (exchange-traded funds) netted $9.1-B during the week ended 8 March 8, […]
ETFs Beating Hedge Funds W/O High Fees Jack Bogle, the founder of low-cost fund pioneer Vanguard Group, says investors are taking notice of the wide difference between inexpensively managed ETFs (exchange-traded funds) and hedge funds with high fees and slim returns. “There is deep disenchantment with hedge funds among large investors,” he said at the […]
Chicago Agriculture Commodities Finish Higher $CORN, $WEAT, $SOYB Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) agriculture grains futures finished higher Tuesday with corn futures rising about 3%. Wheat and Soybean futures were also higher. Investment by commodity funds at the end of the month and ahead of the US planting season added support, agriculture analysts said. The […]
Investors Seek Safe Haven from Currency “Pain” in Gold $GLD, $EUR, $JPY, $GBP The other side of declines in the EUR, JPY and GBP in recent months has been a massive increase in gold buying as investors in Asia and Europe try to protect their wealth. The hunger for bullion is so strong that purchases […]
Some of the Best Plays for Risk Adverse Investors Now $VFIAX, $FUSEX, $SPY Many investors do not want to take any non-market risk in specific stocks or even in specific sectors. That leads them into the S&P 500 mutual funds or ETFs. The Big Q: What S&P 500 Index fund is the best? Below is […]
The Quest for Good ‘Large Cap’ Stocks in a Record High Bull Market $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $AAPL, $WMT, $FB Large cap refers to large market capitalization. “Large Cap” is a term used by the investment community. Cap size has changed over time, so it is important to take scaling into consideration. What was considered a […]
Chicago Agriculture Commodities Finished Lower Friday $CORN, $WEAT, $SOYB Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) agriculture grains futures finished lower Friday, as traders liquidated long positions ahead of a US holiday weekend, and following a fund-driven rally seen as lacking fundamental drivers The most active Corn contract for March delivery fell 5.25 cents, or 1.41%, to […]
Chicago Agriculture Commodities Finished Lower $CORN, $WEAT, $SOYB Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) agriculture grains futures finished lower Thursday, retreating from early strength on profit-taking after each market set multi-month highs. The most active Corn contract for March delivery fell 5.25 cents, or 1.39%, to 3.735 bu. March Wheat delivery fell 7 cents, or 1.54%, […]
Chicago Agriculture Commodities Finished Mixed $CORN, $WEAT, $SOYB Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) agriculture grains futures finished mixed Monday with wheat futures rallying for the 5th day running as investment funds continue to add the grain to their portfolio despite ample global supplies. Corn futures also firmed on a technical bounce and signs of strong […]
California’s Risks Federal Funds Declaring it a “Sanctuary State” US President Donald Trump said he will consider pulling federal funds from California if it follows up on its threat to become a “Sanctuary State” but says he would rather not be forced to take such a drastic measure. “I think it’s ridiculous, sanctuary cities,” President Trump […]
Chicago Agriculture Commodities Finished Mixed $SOYB, $CORN, $WEAT Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) grains futures settle mixed Wednesday with Soybean futures rising for 4th session running, notching a six-month high on worries that recent heavy rains could damage crops in Argentina. The most active Corn contract for March delivery fell 0.5 cents, or 0.14%, to […]
Trading Terminology: The Cash Account When opening a brokerage account participants have the option of different types of accounts depending on what they look to do. Some of the kinds of accounts are: a joint account, individual account, cash account, and margin account. This is about The Cash Account. This is an account that allows […]
Investors Rotating Cash from Bonds to Stocks $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ US-based stock funds pulled in $11.8-B in the week ended 28 December data showed Thursday, ending Y 2016 with an penchant for stocks that had been seen for the better part of the year. Investors pulled $775-M from taxable bond mutual funds and exchange-traded funds […]
The Case of Hillary and The Clinton Foundation Hillary Clinton’s real problem is the Clinton Foundation, as the ClintonFoundation is under investigation by the FBI. Congressional inquiries on the function of The Foundation, and whether it engaged in so called “pay-to-play” transactions in which donors to the foundation received preferential access to Hillary Clinton’s state […]
Cash is an Asset, the Bulls are Hoarding It $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX Stocks are stuck in a trading range, and active funds are hemorrhaging assets. To The Bulls, a stock market that is suddenly making distinctions between Winners and Losers is just the thing to draw in cash that by some measures is the […]
Fed Goes Slow, Gold Price Goes Up $GLD Gold is set to advance by as much as 15% before the end of Y 2017 as the Fed goes slow on increasing interest rates and the USD remains subdued, buoying bullion demand, according to Templeton Emerging Markets Group. “The Fed is going to increase the rates […]
Malaysian Financial Scandal Surrounds Leo DiCaprio Leonardo DiCaprio says he’s awaiting direction from the US Justice Department (DOJ) regarding any ill-gotten funds that may have supported his environmental foundation or Y 2013 film “The Wolf of Wall Street.” The award winning actor released a statement through his representatives Tuesday saying he will return any gifts […]
Chicago Agriculture Commodities Finished Higher Friday $SOYB, $CORN, $WEAT Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) grains futures finished higher Friday, with Soybean futures rising led by a surge in Soyoil tied to firm domestic cash values and rising global vegetable oil prices The most active Corn contract for December delivery rose 4.75 cents, or 1.36%, to […]
Chicago Agriculture Commodities Finished Mixed $CORN, $SOYB, $WEAT Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) grains futures finished mixed Monday, with Corn and Soybean futures rising, and Wheat declining after Friday’s quarterly grain stockpiles report. The most active Corn contract for December delivery rose 9.25 cents, or 2.75%, to 3.46 bu. December Wheat delivery dropped 6.5 cents, […]
Actively Managed US Mutual Funds Fail to Preform, “it is Embarrassing” $SPY, $IWM A respected semi-Annual survey has revealed that 90% of actively managed equity funds failed to beat their benchmark indexes. The data is sure to put more focus on an argument which has divided Wall Street into “active” and “passive” investment-strategy advocates. The […]
Jeffrey Gundlach, “This is a Big, Big Moment” Last Thursday DoubleLine Capital’s CIO Jeffrey Gundlach, 56 anni, said it is time for fixed-income investors to prepare for rising interest rates and higher inflation by reducing their positions, moving money into cash and protecting against volatility. “This is a Big, Big Moment,” Mr. Gundlach said during […]
VC Investors are Emerging from the GCC Arab Angel Fund founder Kyle Hendrick explores how Gulf investors can make the most of the United States’ tech start-up scene In cafes and conference rooms across the world’s leading and emerging technology capitals, it is not uncommon to hear the same conversation-starter. Members of the investment community […]
Crowdfunding for the Benefit of the Public Crowdfunding platforms offer a rich vein of inquiry about the implications of digital infrastructure for civil society. Since their early development in the creative arts during the mid-2000s, these online systems for funding projects via smallcontributions from many peoplehave grown in number and reach. The best-known examples in […]
The World’s Largest Sovereign Wealth Funds In the midst of collapsing Crude Oil prices, Oil-funded sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) are under pressure to liquidate assets, according to political risk advisory firm GeoEconomica. There was roughly a 20% fall over the past year in the deposits and reserves stored in the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) […]
The Gold Step Sum Indicator Giving Strong Buy Signal I have not published this Bear’s Eye View (BEV) chart for the Dow Jones since last February; time for a review. Here is the frequency distribution for the below BEV series (left table) with a frequency distribution of the same data going back to 2 January […]
Bear Market “Radar” on High Alert $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX The US Securities and Exchange Commission is set on putting a stop to the accounting methods that artificially inflate company profits. According to an industry notice he SEC is getting ready to step up its scrutiny of companies’ “homegrown earnings measures,” signaling it plans to […]
Barack Hussein Obama is a Politically Correct “Nutter” The Obama administration transgender toilet directive is politically correct madness. Friday, Mr. Obama issued a decree to every public school in America demanding that they change their public toilet policies, demanding that every public school now allow grown men and boys into little girls rest room. This […]
How Companies Approach Going Public in Today’s Market Not until Y 2009 did the market see a pre-IPO company reached a $1-B valuation. The majority of today’s Unicorn companies reached that valuation level in just the past 18 months. They move in a few distinct herds, as follows: About 35% of them are in the […]
Chicago Agriculture Commodities Finished Mixed $CORN, $WEAT, $SOYB Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Corn extended losses Wednesday, while Wheat and Soybean rebounded slightly on technical buying. The most active Corn contract for July delivery fell 3 cents, or 0.79%, to close at 3.7675 bu. July Wheat delivery added 0.5 cents, or 0.11%, to close at […]
Chicago Agriculture Commodities Finished Mixed $CORN, $WEAT, $SOYB Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Corn and Wheat finished higher Monday, Soybean fell on profit taking to open this week. The most active Corn contract for May delivery added 2.50 cents, or 0.66%, to close at 3.81 bu. May Wheat delivery advanced 13 cents, or 2.83%, to […]
