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2011 Reflection, 2012 Projection
03 January 12 08:15 AM | Brian Dightman

After delivering about break-even performance for 2011, the S&P 500 is off to a strong start in 2012. Unfortunately small U.S. company , international developed country, and emerging country stocks all suffered significant declines in 2011. This will...

Filed under: S&P 500, China, Credit Markets, Buy & Hold, Developed Markets, Emerging Markets, U.S. Real Estate

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

Investing Curves
27 September 10 08:56 AM | Brian Dightman

One of the basic principles in bond investing is the relationship between bond prices and changes in the yield curve. You would be hard pressed to find a money manager who would not agree that interest rates are likely to rise at some point in the future...

Filed under: Credit Markets, Income Investing, Yield Curve

Interest Rates Jump On Weak Treasury Auction
24 March 10 01:46 PM | Brian Dightman

A sharp jump in interest rates took place today amid concerns over sovereign debt in Europe and a weak auction for U.S. Treasuries. Markets may be signaling concern over swelling government deficits, a problem that could get worse if the current economic...

Filed under: Inflation Data, Credit Markets, Credit Crisis, Income Investing, Risk Management

Credit & Real Estate Remain Key
23 November 09 08:07 AM | Brian Dightman

After easily topping low Q3 earnings expectations, stocks are finding it difficult to advance from highs reached in October. Hesitation may be coming from new reports of continued struggles in the housing market where mortgage delinquencies continue to...

Filed under: S&P 500 Earnings, Credit Markets, Global Banks, U.S. Real Estate, Stock Leadership, Major U.S. Markets

An Easter Basket of Stocks
09 April 09 04:39 PM | Brian Dightman

This week's trading ended a day early and with strong action marking the 5 th consecutive week of gains. U.S. stock markets will be closed tomorrow for Good Friday. While I still have doubts about the sustainability of the current market advance,...

Filed under: NASDAQ 100, Credit Markets, Developed Markets, Emerging Markets, Leading Economic Indicators, Dividends

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

Is A Santa Claus Rally Underway?
17 December 08 05:06 PM | Brian Dightman

The first trading day of December started off with the Grinch in control of stocks. Only a day later stocks rallied and accomplished a follow-through day and as the month progressed stocks continued the rally that was launched from lows hit in late November...

Filed under: Crude Oil, Credit Markets, Metals and Mining, Bear Market, Dividends, Stock Leadership, Real Yields

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

Failures at Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac
13 October 08 12:30 PM | Brian Dightman

In the midst of our current economic crisis it is natural for many people to lay the blame at the feet of the most convenient targets; perhaps as an emotionally driven response to an emotion filled situation, but as Americans we would be better served...

Filed under: IBD, Investors Business Daily, Credit Markets, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Credit Crisis

Credit Crisis Resolution
30 September 08 09:51 PM | Brian Dightman

I limited my commentary over the summer and as fall approached developments were moving at a rapid pace. There was not much of a point in posting since the defensive work in our portfolios had already been done. We spent most of the 3 rd quarter with...

Filed under: Inflation Data, Credit Markets, Cash, Bear Market

Stocks Under Increasing Pressure
21 June 08 03:56 PM | Brian Dightman

WORLD MARKETS Both domestic and international stocks have started another leg down and appear headed for a test of the March lows. Unlike previous weeks of selling, current market leaders recently suffered sharp declines. Commodities are one of the few...

Filed under: Commodities, Inflation Data, Oil and Gas Exploration and Production, Credit Markets, Water, Metals and Mining, Alternative Energy, Clean Energy

Credit Markets, Commodities, U.S. Factory Data & Stocks
04 June 08 02:12 PM | Brian Dightman

If you have been following the credit market mess you probably saw the news yesterday that Lehman Brothers may need to raise more cash. That is really no surprise to people following credit market developments. I posted on the subject May 23rd. Strength...

Filed under: Commodities, NASDAQ 100, S&P 500, Investors Business Daily, Credit Markets, Global Banks, Agriculture

A Global Credit Market Update
23 May 08 02:00 PM | Brian Dightman

Since stock market lows in March, the S&P 500 has rallied 12%. Which leads to the question, are we through the worst of the credit market crisis? To answer that question we should look at current data on the extent of the credit crisis and how much...

Filed under: NASDAQ 100, IMF, Fitchs, Gold, Credit Markets, Global Banks