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Greece on the Brink
16 January 12 01:21 PM | Brian Dightman

On Friday the 13 th global investors received two pieces of disturbing news. S&P downgraded nine of the 17 countries in the euro zone, including AAA rated France, and Greece was unable to get private bond holders to renegotiate terms. The posturing...

Filed under: World Economy, S&P 500, IMF, Developed Markets, Credit Crisis, Risk Management, U.S. Bonds

Ideas for Investors on Potential EMU Deterioration
11 November 11 09:03 AM | Brian Dightman

The fabric of the EMU is seriously frayed and could tear. Volatility in global stocks has been very high recently signaling uncertainty by investors. In additional to the European debt issues, the U.S. Super Committee results and the woefully slow and...

Filed under: Inflation Data, World Economy, Gold, Cash, Credit Crisis, Dividends, U.S. Bonds

Market Signals Rally Confirmation
20 July 11 12:58 PM | Brian Dightman

Stocks confirmed an uptrend on Tuesday's strong rally. We have seen other rallies fizzle recently so it may be short lived but the market appears to be showing signs of wanting to move higher. As earnings season shifts into gear many reports are beating...

Filed under: World Economy, S&P 500 Earnings, Buy & Hold, Bear Market, Credit Crisis, Stock Leadership

Economic Policy Reset
25 February 11 08:38 AM | Brian Dightman

You may recall early in the Obama administration Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, offering a "reset" button to Russian leaders regarding U.S. diplomatic efforts. I would like to ask the administration, are you ready to offer the American...

Filed under: World Economy, Crude Oil, Emerging Markets, Credit Crisis, The Fed

Looking Ahead to 2011
12 January 11 02:23 PM | Brian Dightman

After successfully avoiding a double dip recession in 2010, the U.S. and much of the global economy is still working through a credit contraction that is likely to take several more years to complete. Personal and public debt is at unsustainable levels...

Filed under: World Economy, Credit Markets, Credit Crisis, Business Cycle

Good Time To Hedge Investments
16 August 10 09:53 AM | Brian Dightman

Since the credit crisis started U.S. investors have been warned to prepare themselves for an extended period of sub-par returns based on lower economic growth from investment luminaries like Bill Gross of Pimco. There is little doubt we are in a very...

Filed under: Inflation Data, World Economy, S&P 500 Earnings, Credit Crisis, Secular & Cyclical Markets, Hedging Strategies

Debt, Earnings & The Euro
18 May 10 10:46 AM | Brian Dightman

Stock markets have come under pressure recently as concerns over debt levels of governments around the world take center stage. Policy makers are at a difficult juncture. They must support global economic growth or risk losing much-needed tax revenue...

Filed under: World Economy, S&P 500 Earnings, IMF, Credit Crisis, Cyclical Markets

Partial Profits and Toxic Debt
24 March 09 04:06 PM | Brian Dightman

Markets made the most of the details released Monday on how the government plans to deal with toxic debt at banks. The new information helped continue the rally started March 9th. The action overall, however, is suspect. Consider the following: The rally...

Filed under: Inflation Data, World Economy, Credit Markets, Global Banks, Credit Crisis, Leading Economic Indicators, U.S. Real Estate, Risk Management

Important Week Ahead
30 November 08 05:24 PM | Brian Dightman

As the month of November came to a close stocks rallied and in the process gain 19% in the last 5 trading days to close down only 7.5% for the month. November 21st kicked the rally off but the day ended with Nasdaq volume falling 4%, generally not the...

Filed under: Inflation Data, World Economy, Bear Market, Credit Crisis, Leading Economic Indicators, U.S. Real Estate, Stock Leadership

President Elect Obama & Investors
06 November 08 08:58 AM | Brian Dightman

With the elections over we can now turn our attention to how President Elect Obama is going to potentially affect our investments. Given the magnitude of the economic challenges his administration will face, it will be interesting to see how President...

Filed under: World Economy, S&P 500 Earnings, Energy, Crude Oil, Credit Markets, Global Banks, Alternative Energy, Clean Energy, Emerging Markets, Credit Crisis, Income Investing, Dividends, Taxes