Wednesday, September 11, 2013

60 Minutes on the Robot Job Threat


If you are not yet convinced automation is a big factor in the creation of America’s jobless future (and the planet’s), you probably missed the 60 Minutes report on robots’ impact on jobs (Sept. 8, 2013). No matter. You can see it here:

I mention the program because it presents the case that man’s ever-quickening march into a world of automated solutions is creating an economic problem that is fast becoming an economic disaster. As many more people give up their jobs to machines that work better, faster, and cheaper, they will need new sources of income.

For your family and mine, the most-practical solution is to develop investment skill. We can’t count on an early rescue by the development of an entirely new economic system. (Eventually, yes we can.)

Meanwhile, the poor will continue to get poorer and the rich will continue to get richer because investors will be the beneficiaries of our increasingly jobless economy. Automated machines will continue to make corporations ever more profitable, and shareholders will continue to own the corporations and collect their stock dividends. 

Yes, there’s some good news. The internet now provides the resources needed by those who are willing and able to learn to be skilled, successful investors.

Here’s your first lesson: To enter the investment world, you’ll need to redirect money saved. Savings are victims of inflation by giving up about half their purchasing power every 15-20 years. To overcome inflation, the cash you and your family accumulate must be invested and each of us must know how to get the job done.

Many more lessons are in this blog—for free. They can direct you, your family, and your friends to where you need to be by telling you what you need to know and what you need to do. (This is my 263rd blog post.)

I did write an e-book not long ago, and it includes consideration of the questions our alert politicians and innovative thinkers need to wrestle with. You can find it in the big online bookstores.

If you wish, visit Amazon for a review of the book:

http://www.amazon.com/My-America-1931-2031-Astonishing-ebook/product-reviews/B00BPD0TUM/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1


My ETF of the Day: RYT


Guggenheim S&P 500 Eq Weight Technology (RYT) is one of the three exchange-traded funds mentioned in my posts of two days ago, Sept. 9. It is profiled at:

http://finance.yahoo.com/q/pr?s=RYT+Profile


My 5-year Yahoo chart for RYT shows a remarkable up trend since the 2008-2009 market collapse:

http://finance.yahoo.com/q/ta?s=RYT&t=1y&l=on&z=l&q=l&p=m50,m100,m200&a=m26-12-9,r14&c=


My 3-month chart suggests RYT may now be a buying opportunity:

http://finance.yahoo.com/q/ta?s=RYT&t=3m&l=on&z=l&q=l&p=m20%2Cm50%2Cm100%2Cp&a=m26-12-9%2Cr14&c=


I hope you will send this post to your investor-friends and relatives, with a suggestion they visit my website for lots more research I share for free with do-it-yourself portfolio managers:

I have neither goods nor services to sell to them or to you. I’m retired. Phil Balliett and I used to manage investments totaling $200,000,000 for our clients. Now, I continue to research stocks, funds, and the economy for my own portfolios, and for fun I write my blog for relatives, friends, and DIY portfolio managers I have never met.

I hope you will send this post to your investor-friends and relatives, with a suggestion they visit my blog for lots more research I share for free with do-it-yourself portfolio managers:


Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Zacks’ Case for Momentum Investing


Writing for Zacks last week, Steven Reitmeister opened with reasons why the stock-selection strategy buy low, sell high is sometimes a bad idea—largely because a scary reason accounts for the low price:

In our 29-year career as portfolio managers, Phil Balliett and I did well in our buy low, sell high selections because fundamental analysis identified the better, safer selections for us. But we scored even better with our alternate strategy, stocks on the move in industries on the move. He created the software that identified such stocks for us.

Steve is the guiding light behind Zacks. He seems to be making it better and better as time marches on.

Zacks #1 Rank Top Movers for Sept. 10, 2013, are FBHS, FENG, GMCR,  HY, NUS. See:

If you wish, visit Amazon for a review of my 14th book:

My ETF of the Day: FXD


First Trust Consumer Disc AlphaDEX (FXD) is profiled at:


My 5-year Yahoo chart for FXD shows a robust recovery from the 2008-2009 market collapse:

My 3-month chart suggests FXD is into a buying opportunity right now:

I hope you will send this post to your investor-friends and relatives, with a suggestion they visit my website for lots more research I share for free with do-it-yourself portfolio managers:

I have neither goods nor services to sell to them or to you. I’m retired. Phil and I used to manage investments totaling $200,000,000 for our clients. Now, I continue to research stocks, funds, and the economy for my own portfolios, and for fun I write my blog for relatives, friends, and DIY portfolio managers I have never met.

I hope you will send this post to your investor-friends and relatives, with a suggestion they visit my blog for lots more research I share for free with do-it-yourself portfolio managers:

I have neither goods nor services to sell to them or to you. I’m retired. Phil and I used to manage investments totaling $200,000,000 for our clients. Now, I continue to research stocks, funds, and the economy for my own portfolios, and for fun I write my blog for relatives, friends, and DIY portfolio managers I have never met.

Monday, September 9, 2013

3 ETFs For an Improving Economy


Writing for Zacks, Neena Mishra makes the case for these three: IYJ, RYT, and FXD. See:

IShares Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (IYJ) tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Industrials. Yahoo profiles the fund at:

Thus far in 2013, the technology sector has won little investor attention because some of the mega players reported uninspiring results. As a result, the sector now looks attractive from valuation perspective. Tech stocks reporting higher earnings figure to do well as the economy continues to improve. 

Guggenheim S&P Equal Weight Technology ETF (RYT) is profiled at:

First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX Fund (FXD) has been doing well in 2013 because the consumer discretionary sector has been outperforming the broader market.  It has historically rewarded investors with outsized returns when economic picture improves. See:

If you wish, visit Amazon for a review of my 14th book:

My ETF of the Day: IYJ


My 12-month Yahoo chart for IYJ shows an attractive up trend since the 2008-2009 market collapse.

My 5-year Yahoo chart for IYJ shows significant buying opportunities in the first quarter of 2009 and again in the second half of 2011. See:

My 3-month chart suggests IYJ may now be in another buying opportunity, warranting daily visits to its 3-month chart:

I hope you will send this post to your investor-friends and relatives, with a suggestion they visit my website for lots more research I share for free with do-it-yourself portfolio managers:

have neither goods nor services to sell to them or to you. I’m retired. Phil and I used to manage investments totaling $200,000,000 for our clients. Now, I continue to research stocks, funds, and the economy for my own portfolios, and for fun I write my blog for relatives, friends, and DIY portfolio managers I have never met.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Be Strongly Defensive? Or Aggressive?


Writing for Seeking Alpha, Peter F. Way explains why newsletter spam is pitched so much more toward fear than greed: Fear is the better motivator. He points out:

“The pitch is, of course, that the vendor has a common-sense set of solutions that he will sell you for a pittance, but you better hurry up because he can only save 5,000 folks a month, and you sure don't want to be writhing outside when the "bunker" door of opportunity slams shut—until the next month's opportunity comes?.”

Peter’s conclusion is that diversification is good, extremism is bad. See:

If you wish, visit Amazon for a review of my 14th book:

http://www.amazon.com/My-America-1931-2031-Astonishing-ebook/product-reviews/B00BPD0TUM/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1


My 2 Stocks of the Day: ESL, GILD


Esterline Technologies (ESL) is profiled by Yahoo at:

My 5-year Yahoo chart for ESL shows a decent recovery from the market collalpse of 2008-2009:

My 3-month chart suggests ESL is nearing a good buying opportunity and thus deserves daily attention:

Gilead Sciences (GILD) is profiled at:

My 5-year Yahoo chart for GILD shows lots of sideways movement from the end of the 2008-209 market collapse until   meaningful buying opportunity finally appeared in the closing days of 2012.

My 3-month chart suggests GILD shows its latest good buying opportunity was late in May of 2013 and suggests uncertainty just now because of weakness in its 20-day moving average and its MACD reading.

I hope you will send this post to your investor-friends and relatives, with a suggestion they visit my website for lots more research I share for free with do-it-yourself portfolio managers:

I have neither goods nor services to sell to them or to you. I’m retired. Phil and I used to manage investments totaling $200,000,000 for our clients. Now, I continue to research stocks, funds, and the economy for my own portfolios, and for fun I write my blog for relatives, friends, and DIY portfolio managers I have never met. Phil is assisting a local nonprofit organization and writing apps. 


Saturday, September 7, 2013

All We Need to Know About Picking Stocks



In one remarkable article published in 2010 by the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII), Michael Kahn tells its members everything we need to know about picking winners. 

 “When both fundamentals and technicals line up,” he says, “investors can buy with confidence.”

He is the same Michael Kahn who writes the twice-weekly Getting Technical column for Barron’s Online (www.barrons.com) and the daily Quick Takes Pro newsletter (www.quicktakespro.com).

Also, in its July 2013 issue of the Journal, AAII presents its members Michael’s marvelous article on “Knowing When It’s Time to Sell.”

In just those two AAII articles, he has given us DIY portfolio managers just about everything we need to know about investing in stocks. See:

Also see the second article:

If you wish, visit Amazon for a review of my 14th book:

http://www.amazon.com/My-America-1931-2031-Astonishing-ebook/product-reviews/B00BPD0TUM/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1



Stock of the Day: Toyota Motors (TM)




Yahoo profiles the company at:

My 5-year Yahoo chart of TM shows a choppy recovery from the market collapse of 2008-2009 and an outstanding buying opportunity late in 2011, followed by a substantial up trend:

My 3-month chart suggests TM may now be developing a buying opportunity. Look for the green 20-day moving average to edge above the red 50-day m.a. See:

There’s way too much serious stuff going on this week. We deserve a fun break:

Never forget: All investments and savings are gambles on the unknowable future and thus subject to loss as well as gain.

I hope you will send this post to your investor-friends and relatives, with a suggestion they visit my website for lots more research I share for free with do-it-yourself portfolio managers:

Friday, September 6, 2013

I Like AlphaClone Research Service



AlphaClone provides online cloning. Its explanation:

“A clone is a portfolio of stocks created based on the stock ideas of one or more fund managers.” For more, see:

AlphaClone’s brief discussion of creating and backtesting your own investment strategies provides a cloning example:

“You could simulate investing in Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway ten largest holdings. Then, with a single click, learn that this strategy outperformed the S&P 500 Total Return Index by 141% over the past ten years (as of 4/30/10).” See:

At GuruFocus, we find another example of stocks worthy of a DIY portfolio manager’s attention: the “Top Five Stocks Held By International Gurus”—Nestle SA (XSWX:NESN), British American Tobacco PLC (LSE:BATS), Toyota Motor Corp. (TSE:7203), Roche Holding AG (XSWX:ROG), and Honda Motor Co (TSE:7267)

Never forget: All investments and savings are gambles on the unknowable future and thus subject to loss as well as gain.

I hope you will send this post to your investor-friends and relatives, with a suggestion they visit my website for lots more research I share for free with do-it-yourself portfolio managers:

I have neither goods nor services to sell to them or to you. I’m retired. Phil and I used to manage investments totaling $200,000,000 for our clients. Now, I continue to research stocks, funds, and the economy for my own portfolios, and for fun I write my blog for relatives, friends, and DIY portfolio managers I have never met.


My Stock of the Day: NESN.VX


As a determined chocoholic, I am delighted to bring you Yahoo’s summary report on Nestle (Switzerland’s supplier of cocoa to the world):

 My 5-year Yahoo chart for NESN.VX shows the stock fell off a cliff in 2008 but early in 2009 began a modest but steady up trend with one good acquisition opportunity in 2011 and perhaps another now or soon. See:

My 3-month chart shows another cliff fall by Nestle, this one late in July. Both MACD and RSI portions of the chart suggest another buying opportunity may be near. A cautious entry might be achieved by buying shares soon after the green 20-day moving average rises barely above both the 50-day m.a. and the 100-day m.a. See:

Thursday, September 5, 2013

I Like Zacks for DIY Portfolio Managers


I especially like Zack’s Research Wizard, recommendations of dividend-paying stocks, and market-timing service. 

Also, it has a load of features for free and worthy additions for a $5 monthly registration fee. Listen to Steve Reitmeister’s explanation of Zacks’ services at:

Then, too, I like Zacks assessment of what’s driving the market and what to look for today and tomorrow. It’s by the Zacks director of research, Sheraz Mian. See:

Zack’s Bull of the Day: DXYN


Zack’s No. 1 pick for today, Dixie Group (DXYN), makes carpeting for upscale homes. See:

Also, today Zacks likes BIIB, CATM, FENG, MEI, and SFUN (“top movers”) and ANDE, ARW, CIEN, CWYCY, and GWRE (“Zacks #1 additions”). See:

My 5-year Yahoo chart for DXYN shows modest progress to 2013 from the market collapse of 2008-2009, with a sharp up trend in 2013.  See:

My 3-month chart shows a buying opportunity for DXYN late in July 2013 and need for caution just now. It’s a stock worthy of a daily look for signs of another buying opportunity. See:

Never forget: All investments and savings are gambles on the unknowable future and thus subject to loss as well as gain.

I hope you will send this post to your investor-friends and relatives, with a suggestion they visit my website for lots more research I share for free with do-it-yourself portfolio managers:

I have nothing to sell to them or to you. I’m retired. I used to manage investments totaling $200,000,000 for my clients. Now, I continue to research stocks, funds, and the economy for my own portfolios, and for fun I write my blog for relatives, friends, and DIY portfolio managers I have never met. 

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

I’m a Fan of Actively Managed ETFs


Fidelity has a free lesson on actively managed exchange-traded funds. 

I believe ETFs are much more than just another kind of ETF. 

I think they are model portfolios managed by house professionals much as your own investment advisor might buy and sell for your personal portfolio or mine.

To me, actively managed ETFs are much more than the next best thing for individual investors. I think they are the best thing, here and now. Even so:

Categorically, I don’t prefer active over passive funds. Each group has worthy candidates.

Fidelity discusses the advantages and disadvantages of active ETFs at:

At ETFdatabase, you’ll find a complete list of active ETFs:

If you wish, visit Amazon for a review of my 14th book:

http://www.amazon.com/My-America-1931-2031-Astonishing-ebook/product-reviews/B00BPD0TUM/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1


My ETF of the Day: TBT


I like TBT’s one-year Yahoo performance. See:

Yahoo suggests TBT and three other ETFs are worthy of a do-it-self portfolio manager’s time and attention: FM, FXE, TBT, TMV.

Yahoo calls them “ETFs that currently offer attractive buying opportunities.” See why:

Also, Yahoo recommends ETFdb as an advanced resource for ETFs. As of this morning, ETFdb paid special attention to these six funds, which it called “attractive buying opportunities”:
EWD, FM, FXE, TBT, TMV, IMV. See:

Buy none without doing your analytic due diligence.

Never forget: All investments and savings are gambles on the unknowable future and thus subject to loss as well as gain.

If you wish, suggest that your investor-friends and relatives visit my website for greater insight into investing for fun and profit:

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Top 10 Emerging Technologies in 2013


It’s a list that makes my eyes light up. World Economic Forum is its resource. My favorite: “Enhanced nutrition to drive health at the molecular level.

“Even in developed countries millions of people suffer from malnutrition due to nutrient deficiencies in their diets. Now modern genomic techniques can determine at the gene sequence level the vast number of naturally consumed proteins which are important in the human diet.

“The proteins identified may have advantages over standard protein supplements in that they can supply a greater percentage of essential amino acids, and have improved solubility, taste, texture and nutritional characteristics.

“The large-scale production of pure human dietary proteins based on the application of biotechnology to molecular nutrition can deliver health benefits such as muscle development, managing diabetes or reducing obesity.”

Other emerging technologies on the list of 10 include self-healing materials and also energy-efficient water purification.See:

We’re overdue for a fun break. Let’s look in on a selection of performances by George (xxx) Carlin:

If you wish, tell your DIY-investor friends and relatives they ought to visit my blog posts at:
http://balliettinvestor.blogspot.com/