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Productivity Growth vs. Demand Growth
30 December 09 12:33 PM | Brian Dightman

After a tremendous rally from lows hit in March, stock investors want to know if the rally will continue into 2010. Leading economic indicators produced by the private firm, Economic Cycle Research Institute (ECRI), suggest the economic expansion that...

Filed under: developed markets, emerging market stocks, leading economic indicators, stock leadership, Major U.S. Markets

Cyclical Bull, Secular Bear?
20 July 09 03:19 PM | Brian Dightman

Just as stocks looked like they were going to move to the downside after a consolidation period in June and early July, stocks made a strong advance to the upside last week. On July 13 the S&P 500 advanced 2.5%; one of its strongest days in weeks...

Filed under: IBD, leading economic indicators, Secular & Cyclical Markets

Stock Market Trading Range Targets
01 July 09 11:44 AM | Brian Dightman

More evidence of an improved economic environment was delivered last week when ECRI announced the growth rate of their leading economic indicator for the U.S. broke into positive territory delivering the highest weekly growth reading since August 10th...

Filed under: NASDAQ 100, S&P 500, Investors Business Daily, leading economic indicators, stock leadership

Earnings & The Economy
05 May 09 11:18 AM | Brian Dightman

We are well into Q1 earnings season; overall earnings are down about 35% but many firms are beating lowered targets. We are also starting to see forward guidance improve, a signal to some the worst may be behind us. So far it appears cost cutting has...

Filed under: S&P 500 Earnings, Investors Business Daily, Global Banks, bear market, Credit Crisis, leading economic indicators, stock leadership

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 market stocks, 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

Fiscal Stimulus, Stocks, & Interest Rates
19 January 09 01:52 PM | Brian Dightman

Many market commentators are hoping for a stock market rally as the Obama Administration takes the helm of our great country. And for good reason, a roughly $850 billion dollar fiscal stimulus could be just the shot in the arm the U.S. economy needs....

Filed under: TED SPREAD, S&P 500 Earnings, Energy, Global Banks, metals and mining, developed markets, Credit Crisis, leading economic indicators

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

Time To Buy?
18 October 08 12:34 PM | Brian Dightman

Many investors are wondering if we have found a market bottom. With Warren Buffett out buying stocks, shouldn’t all investors be doing the same? The risk of entering the stock market at this point has declined. However, the major bias is still down. During...

Filed under: TED SPREAD, Inflation Data, Energy, bear market, Credit Crisis, income investing, leading economic indicators, U.S. Real Estate, dividends, stock leadership, risk management, gifting