Housing Tax-Credit Hangover
6/24/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
New and existing home sales data for May disappointed—but the expiring housing tax credit likely played a role.
Crisis-Gate
6/4/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
“Crisis” has worked its way into our lexicon all too frequently in the recent past—so frequently that its meaning has been lost.
A Crisis of Irony
5/28/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Eurozone debt concerns have led to a lot of speculation, rumor, and talk lately—some of it rather ironic hot air.
Upbeat on Unemployment
5/6/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Unemployment news recently is trending more positive—but expect the unemployment rate to remain high for awhile as more people start seeking jobs.
To Burn or to Stone…
4/23/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Bankers deserve their share of the blame for 2008, but why solely them?
Greece Got Your Goat?
4/8/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Greece is once again making headlines, with government bond yields hitting historical highs this week.
Whose Side Are Yuan?
4/6/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Is all the fuss over China’s currency policy warranted?
Remind Me
2/16/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Amid recent stock market volatility, it’s easy to forget why this bull market will continue. Allow us to jog your memory.
Gold’s Safety Blanket Myth
2/12/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Gold can be emotionally comforting when markets get volatile, but it boasts poor long-term returns compared to stocks.
A Tale of Two Surveys
2/8/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Friday’s employment report might seem a mixed bag, but it shows progress overall.
Flipping the January Argument on Its Head
2/2/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Markets finished January in the red, but that doesn’t tell investors much about the year.
Pessimism of Disbelief
1/25/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Sad news is everywhere, but don’t believe everything you read.
Another Brick in the Wall
1/11/2010 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
December’s job losses may discourage, but they’re just another brick in the bull market’s wall of worry.
TARP Controversy
12/10/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
TARP’s extension Wednesday was largely irrelevant—along with other emergency programs, it’s already prevented the worst-case scenario.
The Ol’ Pension Blues
12/2/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
The ol’ pension blues are back—but they needn’t rob investors of holiday cheer.
More Countries, More Problems
11/12/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
European worries over Greece’s large deficit underscore some of the EU’s structural issues and possible risks surrounding the euro.
Bedtime Stories to Scare Investors
11/3/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
CIT’s bankruptcy filing is a story reminiscent of last year’s financial horrors—one with less power to move markets.
Fall Classic
11/2/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
The global stock rally busted many investing myths so far this year, but don’t expect universal acknowledgment any time soon.
Change Ain’t Easy in DC
10/15/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Some Democrats want to expand the current stimulus—but investors needn’t fear, it’s unlikely any sweeping new stimulus measures will get approved anytime soon.
The Dollar’s Doom Looms?
10/8/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Rumors are flying that a few countries want to stop pricing oil in US dollars, raising fears about the dollar as the world’s dominant currency.
FDIC Out of Cash?
9/3/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
The financial crisis was a big test, but there's little need to fear the FDIC will run out of money—even as bank failures continue rising.
Stay in September
8/28/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Despite investing myths to the contrary, September isn’t a cursed month for investors.
Alphabet Soup Recovery
8/20/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Contrary to popular belief, the stock market and the economy don’t move in lockstep. Markets can recover in a V—even while the economy L’s, W’s, or Q’s for a bit.
Bangladeshi Butter Indicator
8/11/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Beware extrapolating past stock returns to predict future ones.
Attack of the Machines!
8/6/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Relax, high-frequency trading isn’t necessarily an enemy to everyday investors.
Misleading Milestones
7/24/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Investors would do well to ignore silly, numerical milestones.
CIT’s Private Reprieve
7/21/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
CIT may have secured a reprieve from bankruptcy court—for now—but the bigger news is its rescue is being backed by private financing rather than the government.
A Dose of Reality
7/14/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
China swallowed a hard dose of reality as two recent government debt auctions failed to attract enough investors.
Out With a Thud
5/28/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Bankruptcy looks inevitable for GM.
Small Potatoes
5/22/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
The UK risks losing its AAA sovereign credit rating due to rising public debt, but worrying over credit ratings is small potatoes next to righting the economy.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
5/20/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
You can sweat the small stuff—or look at the bigger picture.
Pop Quiz, Hotshot
5/6/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Investors should ignore seasonal investing myths.
This Little Piggy
4/28/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Investors reacting to swine flu fears is an example of markets trading on sentiment, not fundamentals.
Packing on the Pounds
4/23/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
The UK budget isn’t bloated—substantial government spending is appropriate in today’s economic environment.
Fool’s Errand
4/2/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Focusing on today’s negative data to gauge economic progress is a fool’s errand.
Debt-jà Vu
3/18/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Concerns foreigners will cease to finance the US’s growing debt are nothing new.
Odds Are
2/26/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Markets falling to previous lower levels doesn’t necessarily portend poor returns ahead.
Housing Wobble
1/26/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
The heavy emphasis on the latest housing data belies its light GDP weight.
Made in _______
1/13/2009 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Current protectionist talk is likely no more than political huffing and puffing.
What You See May Not Be What You Get
12/29/2008 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Those seeing negative economic data today should remember the stock market prices in future expectations.
Fisher Investments MarketMinder: Shifted Balance
12/26/2008 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
During crises, it’s not surprising to see balance shift in favor of government over capitalism. But ultimately, capitalism, not government, drives most economic progress.
Toxic Mortgages: Act II?
12/23/2008 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Looming rate resets on various adjustable rate mortgages are causing some to fear another subprime-like fallout.
To Err Is…
12/16/2008 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
The Madoff scandal is an unfortunate demonstration of Wall Street hucksterism, but red flags were aplenty.
There Are Positive Earnings
10/23/2008 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Despite the gloomy headlines, there are plenty of companies reporting positive earnings.
The Benefit of Bad Memories
10/8/2008 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
Though today’s financial panic may seem Great Depression-like, the real economic consequences don’t have to be.
It Could Happen to You
9/4/2008 By Fisher Investments Editorial Staff
“Could” and “might” aren’t news. Investors should be wary of opinions masquerading as journalism.
What Now?
7/22/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Investing based on how you wish you could have six months ago is typically a good way to make a larger error.
The Paradox of Pursuit
7/3/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
For this year’s celebration of independence, it’s time to ask why we feel so bad while the world keeps getting better.
Bye-Bye Bear Stearns
5/30/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
The approval of Bear Stearns’ sale to JPMorgan turned out to be a snooze-fest, revealing the true shallowness of the so-called financial crisis.
Analyzing Analysts’ Analysis
4/23/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Analysts play an important role in capital markets’ evolution. However, their end result—ratings, estimates and price targets—should be taken with a grain of salt.
Everyone’s a Critic
4/18/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Take criticisms of current CEOs and Fed activity with a grain of salt—especially when coming from predecessors.
The Good, the Bad, and the Not So Bad
4/3/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Ben Bernanke’s congressional testimony on Wednesday seemingly supports calls for recession in 2008. Scaling the problems reveals slower growth, but a recession remains unlikely.
The Trouble with Carlyle
3/7/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Investors fear Carlyle Capital’s troubles signal larger problems surrounding agency mortgage securities, but Carlyle’s woes aren’t systemic.
Never A Dull Moment
2/29/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
A dead cat bounce or a renewed bull? Whatever it is, investors will never escape uncertainty.
Conspiracy Theories
2/21/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Today’s economic headlines contain all sorts of conspiracy theories and superstitions, but don’t use them to make investment decisions.
Junk Bonds and Green Skies
1/9/2008 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Predictions about rising bond default rates seem too dour and highly unlikely.
Top Market Stories of 2007
12/31/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
A look back at the top market stories of 2007.
Did Nothing
12/21/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
2007 was a year of political rhetoric in the US where virtually nothing got done.
Feel the Flow
12/11/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Investors dread decreasing home prices will translate to lower net worth and slower consumer spending. But the Federal Reserve’s latest report on the US household reveals the largely unappreciated strength and vigor of the American consumer.
Super Ben, Part Deux
12/3/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
As the FOMC prepares to meet, the media predicts they’ll drop rates again to help “save” the economy from a credit crunch. We continue to view credit crisis fears as overblown and largely psychological.
Credit Crunch II: A Box Office Flop!
11/6/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
A new narrative has emerged from the media hype machine: Credit Crunch Part II. Like all bad sequels, this one has even less substance than the original.
The Real Credit Story
10/22/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Long-term rates have been moving lower lately, a remarkable story almost entirely ignored by the media.
Same Old Song and Dance
10/16/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Two days of stock market weakness spawned resurgence in well-worn fears…and little more.
Ghost of October Past
10/15/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Similarities between today and October 1987 abound. But for as many superficial similarities the media highlights, there are as many or more fundamental differences.
What a Week!
10/5/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
While headlines about Britney losing custody of her kids dominated front pages, few are taking note of stocks’ stellar run. But it’s not all good news—rising protectionist sentiment is also lurking in the background.
October Horrors
10/1/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Is another Black Monday waiting for investors this October? Probably not, but expect to see endless headlines warning of coming trouble tied to the 20th anniversary.
Ask the Question
9/25/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Questioning common media storylines can prevent some potentially costly investing errors. Frequently, news stories are built on hype and conjecture, not historically valid data.
Hug a Journalist
9/21/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
The media’s sentiment hasn’t improved, which is good news for a market driven by strong positive fundamentals.
The Could Headlines
9/20/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
With the faux credit crisis quickly becoming yesterday’s news, the financial press is scrambling to find the next great fear-mongering and speculative story.
Britain Rocked
9/17/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Troubled British lender Northern Rock isn’t evidence of systemic woes in Britain or elsewhere.
Main Street, Bling Street?
9/10/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
The media’s contradictory views are driven more by fear than fundamentals. Investors are better served by focusing on fundamentals over the long term.
Belaboring Labor
9/7/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Today’s jobs report was indeed negative, but when the hype is cleared away it doesn’t amount to much.
Our Callous Economy
9/6/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
News about increasing foreclosures may not be as bad as you think because weakness in the housing sector isn’t enough to materially hamper America’s economy.
Peeling the Onion
9/5/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
When media gloom disengages from positive economic reality (like today), it’s usually a great time to buy stocks.
Recession Risks? Inconceivable!
9/4/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
No matter what the media claims, recession is not in the eye of the beholder.
Partners in Debt
8/29/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Think the US or UK has too much debt? Think again.
Grumpy Journos, Happy Market
8/28/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
When media headlines are uniformly dour, it’s not proof of hard times ahead. Rather, it’s likely just the opposite!
They’d Rather Be in the Casket
8/27/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
A recent survey shows folks fear an impending credit crunch more than the specter of terrorism. Meanwhile, T-bill rates are climbing back toward the Fed Funds rate—both very bullish signals.
Jump the Shark
8/22/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Has the market jumped the shark? Tune in to find out.
Market Efficiency and the Bard
8/15/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Every so often, when financial headlines become particularly histrionic, it’s good to revisit MarketMinder’s principles for navigating the media.
In the Meantime
7/31/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
As the stock markets work through jitters about a credit crunch and subprime, recent aggregate economic news has been very encouraging.
The (Credit) Party We Weren’t Invited To
7/27/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
For all of this week’s hubbub about credit problems and their wider implications for the economy, a dearth of real facts have emerged to corroborate the notion. Corporate balance sheets are in great shape and liquidity remains plentiful.
News Update
7/17/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Meaningful bullish news emerged from just about all corners of the economy today. Remember talk just six months ago about a recession? Hard landings? Soft landings? Those stories seem to be a thing of the past.
Wall of Worries
7/16/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Markets climb a wall of worry, but how can investors tell worries to ignore from legitimate worries?
Anecdote Is no Antidote
6/21/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
We’re pretty hard on the media here at MarketMinder.
Kaizen!
6/12/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
The investing worry du jour is the arrival of global inflation.
Yen Carry What?
5/29/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Remember Y2K? Or rather, remember the Y2K hysteria? Planes would fall out of the sky, ATMs stubbornly refuse to cough up cash, computers melt, and all of modern life’s little conveniences suddenly implode in one, awesome, anarchy-inducing ball of over-digitized apocalyptic flames.
Group Dynamics
5/23/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Outlined against a blue-gray October sky .
I Dream of China
5/11/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Today, Chinese officials announced Chinese commercial banks will be allowed to make foreign stock investments.
Flying Off a Cliff
5/8/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Just about every time the markets hit new highs the financial media dig up a veritable cornucopia of old stories from the last time it happened, change the numbers around a bit, and republish them almost verbatim.
Dead Horse. Stick.
4/18/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Remember the kerfuffle over the pesticide DDT? Turns out, DDT doesn’t hurt you, your pets, or anything at all, except mosquitos.
Stagflation and Lava Lamps
4/12/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Stagflation.
Jelly Bean Investing
4/5/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!" says Homer Simpson, one of our favorite sages. Rarely has such wisdom come from one so yellow and two-dimensional.
A Pandemic of Fear
4/2/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
In 1918, a few cases of the flu meandered out of a Kansas army camp, ended a war, paralyzed commerce, and slaughtered tens of millions.
A Conspiracy of Hammers
3/26/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
We’re not much for conspiracy theories.
Retired Presidents Society
3/20/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
As one of the financial community’s most prominent retirees, Alan Greenspan can’t seem to let the spotlight go.
Fun With Numbers
2/22/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
- Over 100 million Americans drink coffee every day…that’s over 36.5 billion cups in a year! At about 50 beans per cup, that’s over 1,825,000,000,000 beans a year! At that rate, how could we possibly hope to re-grow enough beans for the next year’s brew? It’s too much of a strain!
When Things Go Too Well
2/21/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
We’ve been noticing a common theme emerging in the popular press lately, one that we can’t quite get our heads around.
Still In Flight
1/31/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Back in November, we provided a list of worries keeping overall sentiment cautious about the economy (see our past commentary "Skyscraper of Worry" for the full list).
As Sure as the Sunrise
1/30/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Some things you just don’t question in life.
Ben's Doomsday Prediction
1/18/2007 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Dominating headlines today is our bearded buddy Bernanke’s Congressional testimony about the dangers of a retiring baby boomer generation.
Burning Questions; Scorched Investors
12/26/2006 By MarketMinder editorial staff
The WSJ Online recently held an online survey to answer this burning question: "What proportion of your holiday gift spending did you do online this year?" The results? As of December 26th: - 31% of shoppers do 75% to 100% of their shopping online
- 24% of shoppers do 50% to 75% of their shopping online
- 15% of shoppers do 25% to 50% of their shopping online
- 30% of shoppers do less than 25% of their shopping online
So, according to the survey, over 70% of people do some shopping online for the holidays, and well over half do more than 50% of their shopping online! Given such strong numbers, we ought to go out and buy up all the internet retailers like Amazon and ebay, right? Maybe.
Rise of the Supervillains
12/18/2006 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Remember the good old days, where every CEO was a visionary, a patriot, an innovator…a superhero! In the late 90s, triumphant executives would grace the covers of business periodicals with big smiles and statuesque poses.
Bamboozled by Bogus Bubbles
11/22/2006 By MarketMinder editorial staff
What’s a bubble? A small globule, typically hollow and light? A small body of gas within a liquid? Well, technically yes.
No News is Good News
11/3/2006 By MarketMinder editorial staff
Here’s a smattering of today’s mass-media, front-page headlines:
"Study: Ocean's edible species fading," USA Today
"Wildfire Murder Charges Filed," cnn.
The Savings Rate Myth
11/2/2006 By MarketMinder editorial staff
We’re a bit tired of hearing of the over-extended consumer.