Insiders Corner with Michael Brush

Another Way to Slip Under the "Halo" of a Powerful Biotech Investing Duo

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:00:00 PDT

As expected, being in stocks "protected" by the halo of ownership by a powerful biotech investing duo known as the Baker brothers has kept investors away from the harsh declines in this terrible market so far this year.

Three Broadcast Plays Insiders Like for a Rebound

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:00:00 PDT

Are the "mainstream media" finally in the last throes of a long and painful demise?

Let Courteney Cox Brighten Up Your Stock Portfolio

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:00:00 PDT

A small drug company called Valeant offers something we don't see much of in this grim market. Its stock is in a decided uptrend -- and insiders are buying a lot on the strength.

Insiders Roll the Dice on Regional Casino Company Rebound

Thu, 13 Jun 2008 06:00:00 PDT

Like other consumer-facing stocks, casino shares have been crushed.

Two Great Retail Plays on a Consumer Rebound

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 06:00:00 PDT

I'm not sure when employment trends will start to firm up and gasoline prices will begin to ease enough to get consumers to open their wallets again.

Oil Pullback Will Boost Two Refiners Favored By Insiders

Thu, 29 May 2008 06:00:00 PDT

When gasoline nears $4 a gallon, drivers naturally lash out at "big oil."

Three Ways to Hedge Those High Prices at the Pump

Thu, 22 May 2008 06:00:00 PDT

It's not often that we see significant insider buying in a group that's run as far and as long as energy has.

Three Ways to Play the U.S. Export Boom, posted May 16, 2008 (CFX, BRKR, ACIW)

Thu, 15 May 2008 06:00:00 PDT

You can usually tell when we are at extremes in the market - because obviously nonsensical ideas begin to circulate widely and masquerade as intelligent analysis.

Insiders See Gains Ahead at Three Micro Cap Chip Plays

Thu, 08 May 2008 06:00:00 PDT

One of my favorite newsletter writers, George Putnam who pens the Turnaround Letter, recently told his readers to get exposure to the beaten-down chip sector through the iShares SandP GTSI Semiconductor (IGW) exchange traded fund (ETF) -- for solid diversification.

Free Again, U.S Water Works Play Holds Promise

Thu, 01 May 2008 06:00:00 PDT

In the game of Monopoly, Water Works sits precariously between "Go to Jail" and a railroad called B.and O. It's nestled in among a bunch of middling Atlantic City properties.

Two Better-Late-Than-Never Plays on China Growth and Natural Gas

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:00:00 PDT

Spend enough time hunting for investment ideas, and inevitably you will look back in awe at the ones that "got away."

Warming Up to Cold Turkey

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:00:00 PDT

A running gag in Hollywood has press agents putting celebrity clients into rehab to shift the spot light off an embarrassing public gaff - whether or not the faux pas had anything to do with substance abuse.

Despite Energy Mania, Insiders Buy Two Natural Gas Plays

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 06:00:00 PDT

With energy and many energy related stocks trading at or near all time highs, we haven't noticed much buying in this sector for a while.

Some Nutty Growth in a Nutty Economy

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 06:00:00 PDT

A great benefit of tracking insiders closely is that they regularly lead you to obscure corners of the economy where few sane people would ever consider searching for growth.

Five Quick Reversal Plays for a Tough Market

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 06:00:00 PDT

One thing I like to look for with insider patterns is a quick reversal to buying after what I'd call a big wall of selling at much higher prices.

Let's Go to Bat With the Hank Aarons of Insiders

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:00:00 PDT

It's such a treacherous market out there, when following insiders I'd stick with those who have an excellent record over several years for buying and selling at the right time.

Six Reasons to Love Crocs (Again)

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 06:00:00 PDT

Crocs are those ugly shoes that everyone loves to hate...or love, depending on your tastes.

Lick the Market Blues with Stamps.com

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 06:00:00 PDT

The U.S. post office keeps raising rates. But that hasn't helped Stamps.com (STMP), an Internet-based service that allows customers to print stamps for a monthly fee.

Insiders Bucking the Trend Again

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:00:00 PDT

Once again this past week insiders were placing bets on beaten-down cyclical names - the kind that aren't supposed to do well because the economy is meant to weaken further.

Insiders Aren't Nuts, They Just Look That Way

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 06:00:00 PDT

Some of the most remarkable insider buying in the past week was going on in precisely the sectors that should do the worst if we really are headed for economic disaster.

Come Join the Million Dollar Club

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 06:00:00 PDT

In late January I suggested one great way to get a clear signal in these confusing times is to go with the super insiders.

Insiders Flock to Five "Defensive" Plays as Economy Weakens

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:00:00 PDT

When a recession looms, many investors move to "defensive" names.

Time to Start Believing Insiders in the Financial Sector Again

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 06:00:00 PDT

Insiders in the financial sector did a lousy job of alerting us to the subprime-induced credit crisis that would take out the market. Instead, they gave us plenty of false signals.

Who You Gonna Call? Try the Super-Insiders

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 06:00:00 PDT

So many market commentators are in such a state of sheer panic and fear, it doesn't seem like they can offer much sound advice on what to buy if you think we are near a wash-out bottom for stocks.

Out of Intensive Care, Getting Ready For Solid Foods

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 06:00:00 PDT

The hospital company Tenet Healthcare still bears the scars typical of a one-time hot shot from the bubble days that got taken out by scandal.

They Sell the Handshakes, You Book the Profits

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 06:00:00 PDT

As regular readers know, when a beaten-down, small-cap stock with solid insider buying picks up the endorsement of a value shop with a good record, that can be a winning combo.

Three Hidden Ways to Play $100 Oil

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 06:00:00 PDT

One of the best ways to play $100 oil right now might also be the least expected - through natural gas stocks.

Three Stocks to Buy Now for January Effect Gains and More

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 06:00:00 PDT

It's that time of year again when holiday joy spreads through your circle of family and friends, we all reflect on a year gone by while making plans for a better one ahead - and doggie stocks get unceremoniously dumped from portfolios around the nation.

Time to Take Advantage of Discount on Flat-Panel TV Maker

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 06:00:00 PDT

Flat-panel TVs are once again the hot ticket item this holiday season. They are flying off the shelves

Insiders Say Coal-Powered Spin Off Holds Promise

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 06:00:00 PDT

Investors often make big money in corporate spin-offs when they buy them right out of the gate. The odds of success improve when insiders purchase in the opening days, as well.

Three Small-cap Stocks for the Next Leg Up

Wed, 30 Nov 2007 06:00:00 PDT

Just like during the darkest moments in the stock market last August, insiders are telling us that now would be a bad time to lose faith and sell.

Get One Up on the "Smart Money" with GateHouse Media

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 06:00:00 PDT

By now, there are entire websites dedicated to tracking every move of the "smart money" - those geniuses at hedge funds and private equity shops who get paid top dollar to produce better returns.

Biotech Wizards Load Up on Two Biotech Stocks; Insiders Bullish on the Pullback; Plus One High-Risk Trade

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 06:00:00 PDT

The last time we checked in on two secretive hedge fund managers known as the Baker brothers, it was because they were buying boatloads of a biotech company called Genomic Health (GHDX) back in February.

Insiders Place Big Contrarian Bet on North Carolina Textile Mills

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 06:00:00 PDT

Insiders have to be the ultimate contrarians. After all, who in their right mind would invest in North Carolina textiles mill right now?

The QT on QLT: Despite Apparent Problems Insiders Love This Biopharmaceutical Company

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 06:00:00 PDT

The tiny Vancouver-based biopharmaceutical company QLT (QLTI) appears to be spinning out of control.

Insiders Snap Up Shares of Another Global Warming Victim

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 06:00:00 PDT

Given the concerns about potential consumer weakness - thanks to higher energy prices, declining home values and a tightening in the credit markets - it's no surprise to see time and again that retailers get hit hard these days when they fess up to problems.

Insiders Spy Diamond in the Rough in Ruby Tuesdays

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 06:00:00 PDT

For Ruby Tuesday (RT) investors, almost every trading day is like Black Monday.

Earn Real Profits From Virtual Colonoscopy Technology

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 06:00:00 PDT

Colon cancer is the second most prevalent cancer. It's also a highly lethal. Lung cancer is the most common and most lethal form of all cancers, accounting for 17% of all cancer deaths around the globe.

Try a Little Turnaround Magic at Two Retailers

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 06:00:00 PDT

This is supposed to be a bad time to own retail stocks - think sub-prime mortgage disasters, high gasoline prices, and a supposedly slowing economy.

Insiders Like Two Out of Favor Energy Services Companies

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 06:00:00 PDT

With oil prices near all time highs, energy production is booming. But that doesn't mean trends are great for all energy services companies - the businesses that rent out equipment to the major oil producers and help them work their wells.

Three Stocks That Will Ride the Rate Cut Wave

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 06:00:00 PDT

Though the market has already rallied sharply since the Fed cut rates, it's still not too late to join the party.

A Healthier Way to Juice Your Portfolio

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 06:00:00 PDT

Lots of consumer trends get their start in California. Now, a retail juice bar called Jamba Juice (JMBA) hopes that will be the case with fresh fruit drinks.

Insiders Hang Tough: A Dozen Stocks They Like The Most

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 06:00:00 PDT

For the fourth week in a row, insiders continued to take down large chunks of stock during the past week. Not only that, they were buyers across the board again in technology, retail, energy, and health care.

Insiders Stay Bullish: Buy the Cyclicals

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 06:00:00 PDT

Insider's continued to sop up stock this past week - even if they backed off a bit from their hand-over-fist buying as the market showed signs of firming.

Insiders' Guide to Buying the Pullback Part III

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 06:00:00 PDT

Insiders are buying so fast and furious now it is almost impossible to keep up with them. It's almost impossible to examine all the trades to see if they have merit.

Insider Guide to Buying the Pullback, Part II

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 06:00:00 PDT

Given the big volatility in a market that seems to change mood by the hour, it's clear that investors are uncertain, to say the least. But insiders have little doubt about what to do.

A Half Dozen Stocks Insiders Say You Should Buy in This Pullback

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 06:00:00 PDT

Pssst...Insiders are saying it's safe to go back in the water. While investors panic about how far damage from sub-prime loan problems will spread through the financial sector and the economy, a new optimism among insiders tells me the overall damage won't be too bad.

Seven Natural Gas Plays to Buy in the Upcoming Turbulence

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 06:00:00 PDT

Here we go again. Just like last fall, the weather is not cooperating with investors in natural gas stocks - and the weather is winning.