The third quarter earnings season begins Oct. 11 with the Alcoa earnings report at the market close. It should definitely be an interesting earning season to say the least. As earnings reports battle with the European debt crisis and the political environment, I don’t expect this season to go smoothly. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see stocks fall on great earnings reports, when news comes out of Europe.
The Third Quarter Review
The story for the past three months has been defense. We’ve seen the Dow drop from its highs of the quarter, about 12%. The worst single quarter decline since Q1 2009, thanks to the debt ceiling crisis, political infighting, and increased global economic fears. The market’s been extremely volatile for much of the quarter. Even those with iron stomachs must have felt squeamish at times.
After the initial August plunge from the US debt downgrade, the markets were on a steadily declining trading range based entirely on European economic woes and mixed US economic data. Fairly nauseating to say the least and I for one am hoping for calmer waters ahead. Continue Reading…
Bank of America took a big leap last week, jumping head first into the monthly debit card fee ring. Starting the next round of additional banking fees introduced to counteract the new limits on debit card swipe fees which took effect Oct 1st. Which has not made me and a few million other BofA customers happy campers. But don’t fret, there are still options available to avoid them.
“Significant” was the word of the day. As in “significant downside risks to the economic outlook.” The day was not, however, sponsored by any letter and number.
Gambling and investing tend not to fall in the same sentence, yet the line between the two can be blurry at times. Each can force images of losing it all or winning it big in a single moment. When you picture gambling, it’s the 24 hour gambling mecca of Vegas, a cheering craps table, the alarms of the slot machine. A place to let loose, have some fun, spend some money.
Having a job is a necessary reality for the majority of us. For many it’s a means to an end, a way to support themselves, their family. It covers the bills, puts food on the table and a roof over their head. Where the best part of the week is getting home or the weekend. How many can actually say they are working their dream job? And if they can’t, what would it take to get the opportunity? The reason I ask all this is a story I came across earlier in the week.
There are many reasons people choose to avoid stock investments. With so many stocks to choose from finding the right ones to invest in can be overwhelming. Even knowing where to begin can be difficult. But it shouldn’t be. Finding potential stock investments abound everywhere and can come from the most unconventional sources including