Investing Articles

Will Kinder Morgan (KMI) Close on El Paso or is the Deal Facing Headwinds

Sun, 13 May 2012 08:51:08 +0000

One of the best Stocks in my Portfolio is KMP. I have never heard negative sentiment towards the company, outside of general negative sentiment towards pipelines in general, and they always deliver good results. Richard Kinder, the CEO is a logical person and aggressive delivers results meeting the transportation and storage needs for some of our Nation’s most important and used energy resources. The last conference call and a resent downgrade on one of the Pipelines made me speculative about closing on the El Paso Pipeline deal (EP).

I'm Still Slightly Optimistic on Frontier Communications

Sat, 12 May 2012 06:14:18 +0000

Frontier has been on a long road towards growth and stability. Taking a look at the stocks history, the long road is reflected in the volatility in price. There is a new 52wk low now, $3.06. The Dividend, despite a recent reduction, is once again nearing the 20% range, as investors continue to sell feeding a downward trend.

There are information sources I like to look at, when assessing a company. First, it’s the information furnished by the company. For example, their reports like Cash Flow, Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Annual Report, Quarterly Reports, and filings. The other is from the Market. I am a firm believer that we have to find solid investments at a bargain price, and often that occurs with companies like Frontier Communication. However, losing money is not the basis of our investing and getting some of these bargains can be frightening. The risk is elevated but the rewards will be great, if it’s a hit.

Frontier Communication Company (FTR): Buy Sell or Hold

Mon, 7 May 2012 11:02:07 +0000

I will admit this, “I bought Frontier Communications (FTR) based upon the sector and the Dividend alone”. The investment funds came from the sale of General Electric (GE), at their 52 week high. I felt it was perfect timing. I felt GE had a stale dividend slightly below the inflation rate and not offering much growth. Surely, there are better dividend stocks out there paying dividends. Well, now I am feeling the pain of a bad move.

Investment decision - Pepsi vs. Coca-Cola - The Financial Taste Test

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 09:13:30 +0000

Both of these companies offer a lot of promise and are excellent choices for a long-term investment. I do not believe anyone regrets purchasing stocks in either of these companies nor will they in the future. They are solid with a global impact. They pay their employees competitive salaries with retirement and benefits while maintaining profitability. Personally, I have chosen to invest in Pepsi this year but a slight fluctuation in price would lead me towards Coca-Cola. KO is not in my Portfolio but more than likely will be in the future. Both KO and PEP are excellent symbols to have in your portfolio, good to the end! But as outlined above, we must remember there is security in Diversity!

Mutual Funds or Common Stocks - Strength and Weakness Between these Investment Options

Thu, 1 Mar 2012 04:52:59 +0000

When it comes to investing, few options presently offer desirable returns. Because of low interest rates, most people wanting their money to grow have two obvious solutions – Stocks and Mutual Funds (stock funds). Neither of these investment options are FDIC insured, creating a risk of loss. However, it’s obvious many people are willing to take the risk because the DOW has reached a new high, $13k. The Market is almost back to the $14k value it reached in 2007. Still, before anyone decides which of these options, if either, to pursue they should know the strengths and weaknesses of both. Surprisingly, what one may see as strength, in either Common Stock or Mutual Fund Investing, another may see as weakness.

Should you be investing in phone companies - Phone TV and Internet -what is ahead

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:16:17 +0000

Historically, some of the best investments have been telephone companies. Their demand exceeds other sectors because communication is an important aspect within society. Moreover, it is vital for operating a business. But today's investors and consumers are realizing changes are on the horizon. There are many signs causing confusion as technology advances. One of the safe havens, with progress as the main focus, seems to be mobile technology. One of the most recognized signs is that recently many people have no wireline service in their house while every occupant has their own cell phone. Put this in perspective, people are paying more for communication as a household but seeing greater value in the service.

Income Statement breakdown - Fire Your Broker: Part 2

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 07:55:14 +0000

This rant is over the coveted Income Statement, once called the Profit and Loss Report. I do not urge anyone to execute long-term investments based upon the Income Statement alone but I would not urge anyone to make them without first reviewing it either. The Income Statement is a very important declaration showing a Company’s earnings (or losses) over a specific period of time.

Balance Sheet Breakdown - Fire Your Broker Part One

Sun, 8 Jan 2012 07:33:25 +0000

Often, when discussing Stocks, I’m asked, “What do you think about such-and-such stock?” So I’m using this White-space to try giving enough light to walk through the dark scary Woods, with assessing the strength and outlook of a Company. I’m going to rip down three key financial declarations and try explaining them in detail in January. Investors might not be able to fire their Stock Broker but they should be able research an investment from concrete data (Integrity of CEO and Execs required). Generally, when someone asks me about a Stock I ask about the Numbers, assuming the other person analyzed the Company’s Statements. Often they don’t know and start mentioning a product line. I’ve read many financial posts discussing Numbers over the years. I think most investors encountered investment’s Numbers, at some point. They are on every Website and usually on a Company’s Investor Relations Webpage. Numbers still seem to elude or confuse the common investor. However they are vitally important and should be analyzed as they are released.

Use a Stop Loss Order to Limit Losing Money with Stocks

Tue, 8 Nov 2011 05:54:03 +0000

People have been trading stocks for a longtime. During the course of time Brokerages developed a lot of tools to help investors. There are many useful tools for today’s Investor to use for assessing investments or safeguards against loss. They include trailing twelve month statistics, most recent quarter analytics, book values and more. However, the most important tool comes in the form of protection. It is a Stop Loss Order.

Thirties is not Late to Start Preparing for Your Retirement

Sat, 8 Oct 2011 02:44:31 +0000

Everyone has a different idea in regards to making it in the world, especially after retirement. While some view success as having the ability to provide for needs, and maybe some wants, others view it as having everything desired. I think most will agree, we need to set attainable goals in life and the first should be sustainability of our needs. There are different views regarding investments. While some are quick to dump large amounts of money, all at once, into a Stock, others follow a disciplined approach of slow and steady growth. What is better for retirement goals? Moreover, what are our retirement needs?

Kinder Morgan: Assessing the Company and two Investment Options KMR vs KMP

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 10:29:17 +0000

Anyone watching the Stock Market can see volatility. For younger investors, the volatility smells like one thing, opportunity. Although there has been a lot of decline in price, energy stock is heavily weighted. However, Kinder Morgan, despite the inflated price per share, still has a lot of promise for the future. In addition, they have two attractive options to consider, for different groups of investors.

Refocus - Small Sacrifices for Long Term Financial Gains

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:42:58 +0000

Once, I was given a clear comparison between saving and investing money. My father and I attended a seminar. Someone was seeking investors for an Online Auction. No, it wasn’t Ebay (I wish), it was a twisted concept best explained by merging Sam’s Club with Ebay. Closing the presentation, the speaker evoked hype followed by urgency. It went something like this, “Saving your money is putting it someplace with no-risk and pretty-much no-return. Investing, you take the risk and you get the big return. Today only, we are offering a chance for a return on your money”.

Investing with Government Incentives - Qualified Dividends

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 11:50:36 +0000

For the average American, we are living in a time of financial fear and confusion. Unemployment has been at alarming levels for an extended period of time. Housing Markets collapsed imprisoning families in homes, “Underwater”. Banks, Airlines, and Automotive Manufactures fell, but kept afloat by the Government. Then the, “Government Bubble,” emerged evoking a Media frenzy exposing our poorly budgeted leadership. In addition, the Media often reports layoffs of a staggering proportion and many feel the worst is still to come.

Wealth Building Non-Dividend Stocks or Dividend Paying Stocks

Thu, 2 Jun 2011 10:03:07 +0000

There are few people that can argue this point, there is a lot of confusion in regards to purchasing stocks. Scratching the surface of the investing world we reveal the simple saying, “Buy Low and Sell High”. Clearly, that is the formula to make money, even if you’re buying and selling cars. However, investing in Stocks brings a lot more understanding to the roundtable.

Motorola Mobility Announces Intent to Acquire Dreampark

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 09:47:07 +0000

Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Dreampark, a leading IPTV software provider based in Norrköping, Sweden. The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2011. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Ford Honors Global Suppliers for Strong Performance in 2010

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:05:26 +0000

Ford Motor Company recognized its 2010 top performing global suppliers Wednesday evening with the World Excellence Awards, the company’s highest recognition for its suppliers across the globe. Forty-seven suppliers representing 16 countries were recognized at the 13th annual event.

Pink Sheets Penny Stocks - Find Penny Stocks

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 08:23:14 +0000

Pink Sheets is often a place people go to find cheap stocks. Picking penny stocks can be difficult if you want to find penny stocks that are good speculations. I am going to give you a little here on how to find penny stocks.

Penny Stock Investing: Four Basic Rules

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 08:11:10 +0000

Developing a mindset for penny stock trading comes with time. They are risky investments for any investor whether you've got 1 or 20 years trading experience. Regardless, the concept is the same, the penny stock market (OTCBB & Pink Sheets) can provide huge short-term trading opportunities. However, you MUST know you could lose every nickel of a trade if you don't embrace what I believe are the four basic rules. Even then, the risks can be overwhelming.

Online Stock Trading - Who Else Wants to Finally Get Profits?

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 07:31:33 +0000

Investing in conservative blue chip stocks may not have the allure of a hot high-tech investment, but it can be highly rewarding nonetheless, as good quality stocks have outperformed other investment classes over the long term.

Understanding Your 401(k), IRA and Other Pre-Tax Investments

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 10:11:20 +0000

Yes, the values of various stock are falling every day and the media can not make up its collective mind if we are coming out of the recession or if there is still a long road ahead. What does all of this mean to you, the average investor. Well, if you are still working and contributing to your pre-tax 401(k)'s, 403(b)'s, or IRA savings your strategies for salvaging your retirement will include reviewing all of the investment options found in your 401(k), etc.

No relief as tech stocks slump behind Apple, IBM

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 07:50:28 +0000

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Tech stocks put in a roundly disappointing performance Tuesday, led by losses from Apple Inc. and IBM Corp., and the sector also felt some impact from a broad market retreat spurred on by losses reported by one of the nation’s banking giants.