Many ETFs now present unique approaches to stock and bond investing by tweaking popular and widely-followed benchmarks. The very first ETF, the S&P 500 SPDR (SPY), remains by far the largest U.S.-listed ETF, reflecting investor familiarity with the underlying benchmark, but there are now approximately 30 other issuers now competing for a slice of this still-growing pie. Words: 789

While there will be some corrections in the medium term as Beijing tries to balance growth and inflation to curb potential bubbles these pullbacks should prove to be good entry points for long term investors. Words: 631

Looking forward, our formula for working out of the current deficit pattern would be to have the Republicans regain control of one house of Congress (but not both houses of Congress plus the White House). The economy fully recovers. I’m not ready to forecast surpluses to come, but I can envision the deficits coming down to reasonable magnitudes. Words: 1438

The final phase will be a time of higher savings and flight back to the U.S. dollar, i.e. more aversion to risk. It's also a period that begins the healing of economies and it's driven by austerity. This means higher taxes, higher savings, a stronger dollar and a lower standard of living. In short, it's a period of rebalancing and rebuilding. Words: 555

Since the economic recovery began, many investors have looked to Asia to drive growth and stimulate global demand. China has grabbed most of the headlines, as tremendous growth in the world’s most populous nation has essentially pulled this emerging market into a tie with Japan as the world’s second-largest economy. While China’s growth has been impressive, however, recent data releases have shown that Asia isn’t a one-trick pony. Words: 781

Real yields on TIPS are very good indicators of the bond market's growth and inflation expectations. Currently they are telling us that the bond market expects sub-par growth and no significant increase in inflation. Words: 401

There is probably going to be more speculative money flowing into commodity markets again in 2010 but considering the supply/demand situation, we think soft commodities could easily go up 30%+ in 2010 and still not look overly expensive. Words: 436

As inflation rears its ugly head and future demand for gold promises to overwhelm mine supply, gold’s price will launch a parabolic rise from current levels in the near future. Gold has much, much further to go. Words: 536

Ultimately, the Fed’s official inflation containment strategy is to always be able to offer banks a better deal than any private investment alternative. A better deal means the bank taking in more income, which means the banking executives involved get bigger bonuses. The source of funding for this ability to always pay more than the private markets is the ability to directly create a limitless amount of money. At this point it is a very low interest rate, but the rate can go as high as needed, when inflationary pressures build. Words: 2735

Anyone who sees a rising pool of millions of delinquent mortgages as the foundation of a recovery in housing valuations isn't considering the feedback loop which is now firmly in place. The foreclosure pipeline will be full for years to come precluding any "recovery" in housing valuations as supply will swamp demand. Words: 385