Stock Indices

This article describes what led up to the stock market crash of 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression:

I expect the current bear market cycle to trough between 1876 and 1464.

VIX calculates the implied volatility of options on the S&P 500 index for the next 30 calendar days. Below is some introductory material on the VIX offered up in a question and answer format.

Research has found that investors using technical analysis had some performance advantage over those who didn’t use these methods. The research also found that the performance advantage was more evident during down markets. If that has piqued your interest, read on to learn more about a few of the more popular types of technical analysis.

Investors are not only worried about the effects of the U.S. - China trade war on global trade, they are also concerned it is weighing on global economic growth. What can shipping statistics tell us about where the economy is heading? What effect would a slowing economy have on equities. This article answers those questions and more. Read on.

The Web is crawling with technical analysis (TA)...[and,] given its popularity, [begs the questions as to whether or not there] really is something to it. [Based on our research,] the short answer is no, not really, at least not in developed markets like the US or the UK... Furthermore, most of the popular TA indicators that are bandied around are nonsense jargon and should be ignored as useless noise. [Let us explain our position.] Words: 2143

Individuals are long-term investors only as long as the markets are rising. Despite endless warnings, repeated suggestions and outright recommendations - getting investors to sell, take profits and manage...[their] portfolio risks is nearly a lost cause as long as the markets are rising. Unfortunately, by the time the fear, desperation or panic stages are reached it is far too late to act and I will only be able to say that I warned you [- unless you take the time to read, and study the contents of this article]. Words: 1945; Charts: 10; Tables: 1

What hope can there be for motivated stock pickers to outperform the low-cost index funds that simply mechanically track the market? Well - in spite of the absurd rise of the Nobel-acclaimed, and highly promoted, Efficient Market Hypothesis that claims that individual investors can't beat the market - it turns out there is plenty! [Let me explain.] Words: 1574

The S&P 500 Index increased more than 31% in 2019, putting last year among the very best going all the way back to 1928. Is it now time for investors to de-risk, or should they continue to hold their positions?

I know, I know, no one likes the bearer of bad news — especially when it comes to stock prices - but someone needs to remind you what usually happens to stocks when the Fed raises rates so it might as well be me. They drop. Let me explain.