As the 2024 presidential election approaches, investors are looking closely at the potential for small-cap stocks to deliver substantial returns, particularly through vehicles such as the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). Historically, small-cap companies have shown a tendency to outperform larger firms in the wake of presidential elections. This trend…

In the current investment landscape, five remarkable stocks have surged over 200% this year, demonstrating how momentum can play a significant role in stock performance. Despite my previous inclination to avoid stocks on a rapid ascent due to skepticism about their sustainability, the success of these companies serves as a…

On Tuesday, voters in Arkansas and across the U.S. will address a historic number of education-related ballot measures. Michelle Exstrom, director of the education program at the National Conference of State Legislatures, notes increasing ballot topics related to funding for K-12 schools, community colleges, and school choice initiatives. However, passing…

Donald J. Trump’s (DJT’s) stock journey took a dramatic turn recently, as it plummeted by $20, equivalent to a steep 40% decline within just a week. This sharp decrease can be attributed to several key factors that reveal both technical and fundamental challenges. The first significant barrier that DJT faced…

In a recent commencement address, an influential business leader reflected on a pressing theme among graduating students: the concept of regret. As students shared their insights, many expressed a common concern about missed opportunities and the impact of fear on their future decisions. This dialogue inspired a profound shift in…

Navigating today’s tumultuous financial landscape requires investment strategies that prioritize stability and income amidst uncertainty, characterized by election cycles, economic fluctuations, and social unrest. In this context, investors are increasingly drawn to low-beta stocks, known for their lower volatility. A stock’s beta indicates how its price fluctuates relative to the…

The recent spotlight on BlackRock’s buyback program for closed-end funds (CEFs) has drawn the attention of investors looking for strategic ways to enhance profits. At the “Il Salone del Risparmio” event in Milan, this approach was highlighted as a mechanism to address the discounts to net asset value (NAV) that…

The allure of high dividend yields can be enticing for investors looking to generate income. However, as experienced contrarians know, these yields are often accompanied by red flags that require deeper analysis. A high yield can reflect declining share prices rather than the positive signal of increasing payouts. For instance,…

In October 2024, the stock market experienced a downturn, concluding the month with disappointing performance, particularly for small-cap stocks that had previously shown promising gains. The decline was attributed to various economic factors, including investor uncertainty surrounding upcoming economic indicators and corporate earnings reports. Small-cap stocks, often seen as risky…

In the current investment landscape, the S&P 500 is trading at price-to-earnings (P/E) levels reminiscent of the dot-com bubble, posing significant challenges for investors. The S&P 500’s increasing concentration around a few mega-cap stocks amplifies the difficulties faced by traditional mutual funds that often fail to outperform their benchmarks. According…

In the past week, Asian equities displayed mixed but predominantly lower performance, with notable outperformance from Pakistan, India, and Japan, while mainland China, India, and the Philippines lagged. Deputy Minister of Finance Liao Min’s optimistic stance regarding the upcoming National People’s Congress (NPC) meeting, scheduled for November 4th in Beijing,…