Archives for December 2014

December 2014 - Money Morning - Only the News You Can Profit From

Crude Oil Price Charts Compare 2014 to 2008

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Oil hit its lowest point in more than five years this week, continuing 2014's huge drop. This WTI crude oil price chart and Brent oil chart show how large the oil crash of 2014 has been.

In June, WTI oil futures traded as high as $101.33 per barrel. This week they touched $52.51.
That's a drop of 48.2% in just six months.

Here's how that compared to another historic crash in oil prices...

Stocks to Buy - and Stocks to Avoid - in 2015

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The list of stocks to buy in 2015 is growing – but so too is the list of stocks to avoid in 2015.

Among those to buy is Alibaba stock. Despite the hype surrounding its IPO, the pullback from November highs has made it a bargain buy.

Our Technical Trading Specialist D.R. Barton offers his take, as well as stock you should stay away from in the new year

Five Rags-to-Riches Stories That Would Make Hit Movies

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Rags-to-riches stories are rare. Nine out of every 10 startup businesses fail, and 45% of U.S. companies flop within four years.

But once in a while, an underdog emerges from obscurity as a successful – and rich – entrepreneur. These are the people we like to read about. We want to know where they came from and, more importantly, how'd they do it?

These five compelling rags-to-riches stories have "hit movie material" written all over them...

Three of the Best High-Yield Investments for 2015

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As bond yields continue to decrease, high-yield investments become more attractive every day.

There are several reasons for declining bond yields today. Both the ruble crisis in Russia and falling global oil prices have been major contributors.

That's why high-yield investments offer a better profit opportunity now.

Not only do these three picks operate in growing industries, they reward investors every quarter...

How to Invest Like a CEO - and Beat the Market by 40%

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If you've ever seen the movie "All the President's Men," then you know that maxim of investigative journalism – Follow the money.

The same idea applies to investing, of course, and today we're going to follow the money CEOs plan to spend over the next half-decade – and then use that knowledge make some cash ourselves.

According to a survey I just read, our nation's top executives plan to spend a lot of money on technology that will help them attract, retain, and understand customers.

That may sound, at first, somewhat vague. After all, there is no "retaining customers" tech sector.

But after digging into the survey – doing a little "investigative investing" – I figured out exactly where those CEOs will be spending their dollars in the next five years.

And today I'll show you an investment that takes advantage of these long-term spending trends in a way that beats the market by 40%....

How Wall Street Wins Its No-Lose Trades

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Wall Street manipulators are at it again – they've found a new way to make huge profits from troubled companies.

Imagine everyone in your neighborhood taking fire insurance out on your house. Sooner or later, someone might toss in a lit match your way. That's what the puppet masters are up to.

What's worse? It's 100% legal and the rewards are limitless...

Dividend-Paying Stocks List: T, BA, PFE, plus 22 More

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Dividend hikes continue to roll in as 2014 comes to a close – just take a look at our new dividend-paying stocks list.

Over the last two weeks, 58 companies sweetened payouts, including AT&T (NYSE: T), Boeing (NYSE: BA), and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE).

Following are 25 of the most notable, recent dividend stock hikes.

Stock Market Today Closes 2014 with These Top Stories

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Good morning! Futures indicate the stock market today (Wednesday) will open up slightly on the final day of trading in 2014. Today, the markets will close at 2 p.m. ahead of the New Year's Holiday.

What to Watch Today: The markets are reacting to weekly jobless gains, which came in higher than expected at 298,000. European markets remained balanced this morning despite ongoing drama from Greece, where its political future remains uncertain.

Here's what else you should know about the stock market today - including your "Money Morning Tip of the Day" - to make it a profitable Wednesday:

This American Design Classic Is a Great Stock to Buy in 2015

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Believe it or not, there are still a few U.S. companies that do not rely on debt, manipulative accounting, and massive stock buybacks to generate strong earnings and a high stock price in today's overpriced stock market. 

Some companies, like the one I'm about to show you, still make money the old-fashioned way: selling a well-made product, managing their balance sheet, and finding and keeping management talent for the long haul. 

When investors find such a company, they should jump all over it….

I've found one that's positioned for the long term, both fiscally sound and virtually immune to economic cycles.

Indeed, this company's stock is a foundational buy heading into 2015...