The Re-Birth of the American Automaker

I rarely think the market is right. I believe non dividend stocks aren’t much more than baseball cards. They are worth what you can convince someone to pay for it.

- Mark Cuban

People spend all this time trying to figure out "What time of the year should I make an investment? When should I invest?" And it's such a waste of time. It's so futile.
- Peter Lynch

There was good news today in the land of Japanese automakers. The feds have approved the proposed “fix” for those cars with potential gas pedal issues. Dealers in the states could start receiving the parts by the end of the week.

With news of a potential recall from Honda as well, this may just be what the American automakers need. They have worked extremely hard to pull their metal shells out of the ashes over the last couple of years. It was just a year ago that analysts asked if the American car industry was dead.

With a renewed dedication in the small car, we are seeing more and more Cobalts and Fusions on the roads. It may not stay that way, but the playing field has flattened a bit more than usual. Hopefully the American companies can build on that.

Glen Ring’s View on Futures Daily Update packs a lot of punch. Out of Cedar Falls, Iowa, this one-page daily gives a tremendous amount of information and insight on a daily basis. At a quick glance one can see where he is on March corn and soybeans or April cattle. Currencies, t-bonds, coffee, cotton, OJ, you name it. If the futures market is your playground, then this is the publication for you.

Schaeffer’s Daily Bulletin is another publication that keeps your finger on the pulse of the markets. This piece gives you quarterly earnings news, comments on the different markets and changes to their portfolio. The last release gives it’s take on the confirmation of Ben Bernanke as well.

Keep your eyes on the rebirth of the American car. Gone are the days of the Pinto and the Gremlin. Can they overtake the Toyotas and Hondas of the world? Maybe not, but at least they can be in the same conversation again.

For more information, please go to http://www.zepinvest.com.

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The Re-Birth of the American Automaker

I rarely think the market is right. I believe non dividend stocks aren’t much more than baseball cards. They are worth what you can convince someone to pay for it.
- Mark Cuban

People spend all this time trying to figure out "What time of the year should I make an investment? When should I invest?" And it's such a waste of time. It's so futile.
- Peter Lynch

There was good news today in the land of Japanese automakers. The feds have approved the proposed “fix” for those cars with potential gas pedal issues. Dealers in the states could start receiving the parts by the end of the week.

With news of a potential recall from Honda as well, this may just be what the American automakers need. They have worked extremely hard to pull their metal shells out of the ashes over the last couple of years. It was just a year ago that analysts asked if the American car industry was dead.

With a renewed dedication in the small car, we are seeing more and more Cobalts and Fusions on the roads. It may not stay that way, but the playing field has flattened a bit more than usual. Hopefully the American companies can build on that.

Glen Ring’s View on Futures Daily Update packs a lot of punch. Out of Cedar Falls, Iowa, this one-page daily gives a tremendous amount of information and insight on a daily basis. At a quick glance one can see where he is on March corn and soybeans or April cattle. Currencies, t-bonds, coffee, cotton, OJ, you name it. If the futures market is your playground, then this is the publication for you.

Schaeffer’s Daily Bulletin is another publication that keeps your finger on the pulse of the markets. This piece gives you quarterly earnings news, comments on the different markets and changes to their portfolio. The last release gives it’s take on the confirmation of Ben Bernanke as well.

Keep your eyes on the rebirth of the American car. Gone are the days of the Pinto and the Gremlin. Can they overtake the Toyotas and Hondas of the world? Maybe not, but at least they can be in the same conversation again.

For more information, please go to http://www.zepinvest.com.

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The January Barometer Theory

The economic repercussions of a stock market crash depend less on the severity of the crash itself than on the response of economic policymakers, particularly central bankers. - Ben Bernanke

I’d be a bum on the street with a tin cup if the markets were always efficient. - Warren Buffett

How much credence do you put in the “January Barometer Theory.” If the year truly does go the way this month does, investors are going to take their lumps this year. After finishing the worst month we’ve seen since February ’09, some are already feeling bruised. Does anybody change their trading habits based on this? It seems choppy waters are ahead, and if analysts’ predictions are an indicator of what’s to come, hold onto your hats. Here are just a few predictions that have either come out of the ZepInvest publications or have been seen elsewhere:

• We will see the first 1,000 point down day on the Dow in history.
• We will have a correction of 25-50% off the recent highs.
• Oil will crawl up to and settle around $100/barrel.
• The Dow will reach 12,000 this year.

Those are bold claims and if we get even close to any of them, it will be an interesting year.

The people over at Shark Biotech were busy today. This daily publication focuses on companies most of us have never heard of but will probably benefit from at some point in our lives. They had not one, but two alerts come out today. If you are interested in this sector, you need to follow Dan Rosenblum and his staff. The two alerts out today covered a buy and sell based on recent news and earnings from these companies.

Gerald Appel’s Systems and Forecasts has offered a “Market Update.” This daily piece is keeping an eye on QQQQ. They are pretty convinced that it is going to move in a specific direction. Which way and the trading point is something to read about in the latest piece from the staff up in Great Neck, NY.

Ladies and gentlemen, whether you believe that the market is going to follow January’s lead or find some legs and run, the one thing that is guaranteed is that the ZepInvest Publishers will be there, every step of the way.

For more information, please go to http://www.zepinvest.com.

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State of Apple Address

The investor’s chief problem-and even his worst enemy is likely to be himself. - Peter Lynch
A stock broker is one who invests other people’s money until its all gone.
- Woody Allen
Stocks are bought on expectations, not facts. - Gerald M. Loeb

Apple-mania is sweeping the world now that the highly anticipated iPad has been introduced. People will flock to stores to buy this item with money they don’t have for no reason other than to say they own one. The attention to these Apple products borders on a cult-like hysteria. The important question for our purposes is whether the expected sales will translate into investment success. Based on how the company has fared in the past with product releases, the future is bright.

Joseph Klock would like to discuss “Buy and Hold and Technical Analysis.” While the “buy and hold” world has been under fire over the past few years, the “Common Sense Investment” newsletter doesn’t necessarily think excessive trading is the answer either. Come read what Klock has to say and take a peek at the Common Sense Portfolio while you are there.

Richard Schwartz’s daily newsletter, “Principles of the Stock Market,” is filled with great information and insight. Take advantage as he digests the vast amounts of news coming from multiple avenues. Whether it’s Birinyi on Bloomberg or Cramer on Mad Money, Schwartz catches it all and gives his take on everything heard.

As I finish this post up, President Obama’s State of the Union Address is just minutes away. Things have not gone as planned for the President, or the rest of us for that matter. Hopefully we will all hear something this evening that can help us all move forward. Hey, it’s possible.

For more information, please go to http://www.zepinvest.com.

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The Jets Banner Flies at Half Mast

Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.
- John Maynard Keynes

The four most dangerous words in investing are, it’s different this time.
- Sir John Templeton

It has been a sad couple of days. The emotional roller coaster of a sports fan can be an extremely volatile one, not unlike the stock market. The Jets gave me that ride on Sunday, and while the future seems to be bright for that team, one can’t help that a trip to Miami was right there in our hands. One little bit of solace was watching Brett Favre come through with a horrific interception that forced the Vikings into an early vacation. Good luck to the Colts and Saints. I’m sure it will be an interesting game.

Harloff’s The Intelligent Fund Investor is making an appearance to the ZepInvest Blog for the first time. This monthly newsletter ranks the world indices using technical analysis as well as trading suggestions using mutual funds. Editor Gary J. Harloff also offers model portfolios. In his latest release, Harloff says “Sell: World Wide Correction.” He is reporting “sell signals” on many sectors and indices based on their own analysis, but there are also buying opportunities. To find where, come read the piece.

Josh Peters is reminiscing at the Morningstar Dividend Investor. After five years, they have a “Template for Success.” The S&P was higher five years ago when this newsletter started than it is now. Dividends have been the only thing keeping the index afloat. Finding the right mix of equities that can supplement their growth (or lack thereof) can be the key to long term success. Morningstar has long been known for their research and analysis. Do yourself a favor and take advantage of it.

I am consistently amazed at what we have available at ZepInvest. Gary Harloff and Josh Peters are just two of the amazing minds right at your fingertips. Just one idea, tip, piece of analysis or educational article could drive your portfolio to levels you never dreamed of. Don’t miss out.

For more information, please go to http://www.zepinvest.com.

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For Some the Trip Ends Tomorrow

The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer. - John Madden

There's no substitute for guts. - Paul "Bear" Bryant

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will. - Vince Lombardi

This is Conference Championship weekend in the NFL, and since we have already covered the 4% drop by the market this week, let’s quickly discuss the final four. The last two standing in the AFC are the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Jets. The Colts were perfect all season until they made a decision to rest their starts in the second half of a game with these same Jets. While there was a huge uproar about the team giving away a perfect season, what most people forget is that the game was very close at the time the starters took a seat. The Jets game plan is the perfect match for a Peyton Manning powered offense. The two deciding factors are whether the Jets defense can get to manning and will the rookie QB for the Jets continue to play mistake-free football.

The NFC pits two high powered offenses against tenacious defenses. The New Orleans Saints are ready to come after Brett Favre and his Minnesota Vikings. The Purple People Eaters from up North may be without rookie Percy Harvin and Favre is overdue for a huge interception that could just be the game changer tomorrow. So who goes to Miami? My prediction is Saints vs. Jets on February 7th.

OK, so here we go. The Real Wealth Report would like to share their “Top Five Forecasts for 2010.” Larry Edelson and his crew cover the Fed, the dollar, global investing, gold and China. Find out what these forecasts are and how you can prepare and benefit from them by reading this report.

The Turnaround Letter by George Putnam III would like to discuss “Where Have We Been? Where Are We Now? Where are We Going?” He and his staff are firm believers in the philosophy that one must study the past in order to predict the future. Come read his commentary and check out the trading recommendations he has on such stocks as Winn-Dixie Stores (WINN), Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Valero Energy (VLO) among others.

By Monday, we will be down to the final two teams in the NFL, and for those who could care less, our regularly scheduled broadcast. Let’s hope that the market can find some feet and stand up again…and also that the Jets win!!!

For more information, please go to http://www.zepinvest.com.

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Follow the Leader???

My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging. – Hank Aaron

Leaders aren't born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that's the price we'll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal. - Vincent Lombardi

The market has dropped 4% over the last week, driving equities into the red for the year. In what seems like a repeat of events not so long ago, financials have led the way down. While news of five banks failing already this year has not spread into the mainstream, it is an indication of the current state of the industry. The President has recently gone on the offensive, but not every bank or financial institution has profited from the bailout the way companies like Goldman Sachs has. Can another sector lead the market out of this? Do the techs have the stamina? Will health care benefit from the deadlock in Washington? Only time will tell.

Or…maybe we can get out answers from the Safe Money Report by Martin D. Weiss. The latest release covers the “Six Key Forecasts that Will Shape 2010.” According to Weiss, if you thought the recent past was a bit volatile, “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!” This 15 page report is a must read. We don’t want to give anything away, but these forecasts cover such territory as the Fed, Gold, the Government, Treasuries and the global markets.

The Investor Advisory Service has been “guiding investors to success since 1973.” It was named to the 2010 Investment Newsletter Honor Roll by the Hulbert Financial Digest. This is a major accomplishment because of all of the newsletters out there, only nine made this list. Congratulations to Douglas Gerlach and his team. This current release gives you in depth analysis, several “stock studies” as well as the buy/sell list.

Tonight was the multi-network fund raiser for Haiti relief. While the market has taken a dive, if you are reading this, your life is in far better shape than those that have lived through two enormous earthquakes over the span of a week. Sometimes we must all look at the larger picture and not just our portfolio values.

For more information, please go to http://www.zepinvest.com.

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Watch Out For the “C” Word

When the product is right, you don’t have to be a great marketer. – Lee Iacocca

Far too many executives have become more concerned with the ''four P's'' -- pay, perks, power and prestige -- rather than making profits for shareholders. – T. Boone Pickens

Are your hands up? Can you feel the wind in your hair? The stock market roller coaster just took us down the biggest two-day hill since last June. If this were Space Mountain, we’ all be having the time of our lives, wouldn’t we??? It’s amazing how the pendulum swings. Two days ago, all the financial channels and websites were talking about how the market was ready to run if the MA. Election went to the Republicans. Now the big word of the day is “correction.” Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody care (Yes, it’s a Chicago Transit Authority reference. If you don’t know the song or the album, you are seriously missing out)?

While this blog has covered Roger Williams before, this is the first time we are covering the ETF Global Investor. This is a weekly newsletter that uses a mathematically driven selection and timing system to generate trading ideas for both domestic and international ETFs. The latest release offers a model of 10 ETFs covering everything from health care and materials to Russia and Brazil. Keep an eye on this to either use the model or just find a good ETF to supplement your current portfolio.

Like Williams, we have seen Ned W. Schmidt before, but not in association with the Value View Gold Report. This monthly piece follows gold from a global viewpoint. It also provides market commentary and trading strategies for gold and also many currencies. Currently, Schmidt feels that “Gold May Be the Only Defense for Wealth.” With the current administration further blundering the immense pile of slop that the former administration left for an economy, gold may be one of the few things to weather this storm. For more, take a look at what Schmidt has to say.

Have these last few days been a sign of what is to come or were they opportunities for investors to buy stock on dips that they felt were getting a little rich? Time will tell. What we know for sure is that the financials are still getting hammered and the Berskhire Hathaway split just gave some regular investors the opportunity to rub shoulders with the big man himself, Warren Buffett.

For more information, please go to http://www.zepinvest.com.

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This is Why We Play the Game

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. – Albert Einstein

It's hard to beat a person who never gives up. – Babe Ruth

In sports when you try to size up two teams and predict a winner, an analyst will look at the stats the personnel, the momentum a given team might have, the intangibles, etc. Everything can look straight forward in picking a winner, but when those two teams step on the field, anything can happen.

The same occurs with the stock market. With the Republicans stealing a seat from the Democrats yesterday, all seemed set for a bit of a rally today. While healthcare tocks did rally for a short time this morning, it was the rising dollar, news out of China and results from IBM that started the slide. Big Blue beat earnings estimates and raised its forecast but had weak revenue. Authorities in China are looking to put a lid on inflation, which helped drive the dollar today.

The boys over at the Motley Fool Stock Advisor want to tell you “Why You’re Winning.” To them it’s pretty simple. If you’re reading their newsletter and following their recommendations, then you are doing very well. The Gardner brothers have done very well for themselves. This is their 95th release with each of them making separate recommendations in each edition. If you have followed David’s picks all this time, you would have seen 66% returns. While Tom is losing to his brother, he has brought in a very respectable 41% return. The S&P over the same timeframe…3%. Those numbers speak for themselves.

Kevin Kennedy’s Coolcat Total Stock Market Report keeps you up to date on how their Larger Stocks & Total Stock Market portfolios are doing. This quick update keeps you in the loop if you are following the models. Here you will see Kennedy added a position to the LS model and two stocks to the TSM model.

Earnings season is in full swing and will have an effect on the day. Tomorrow we have some big names on tap. Look for Burlington Northern (BNI), American Express (AXP), Google (GOOG), UnitedHealth Group (UNH), Xerox (XRX) as well as a couple airlines and over 90 others. May they all work out well for you and your portfolio.

For more information, please go to http://www.zepinvest.com.

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Traffic in D.C. has Completely Stalled and the Markets Couldn’t Be Happier

You don't want another Enron? Here's your law: If a company, can't explain, in ONE SENTENCE....what it does....it's illegal. – Lewis Black

I don't think meals have any business being deductible. I'm for separation of calories and corporations. – Ralph Nader

As I sit here, I still have a smile plastered to my face. Yes folks, the New York Jets are going to the AFC Championship game. I’m starting to get as cocky as Rex Ryan. Peyton and his boys will be shut down and the world will be surprised when “Gang Green” walk into Miami as the AFC champs!!!

The market went on a nice run today, and is ready for a nice pop if the Republicans can steal the Senate seat from the long-reigning Democrats in Massachusetts. The seat long held by Ted Kennedy could go over to the other side and the market could not be any happier. Losing a seat to the other side will slow the “Health Care Agenda” and investors like the stagnation in D.C. Let’s see if the investment gurus at ZepInvest have any ideas.

Neil MacNeale and the 2 for 1 Stock Split Newsletter have released a review of their portfolio in their January 15th edition. Based on the title of their lead article, they were up 47% in 2009. They also keep track of all stock split announcements and suggest portfolio movements accordingly. Come check out this model portfolio and the suggested changes.

Charles Mizrahi, editor of the Hidden Values Alert newsletter wants you to focus on the term “competitive advantage” and why it is so important. In the latest release, the publication talks about specific companies and how they have either increased or decreased their competitive advantage against their peers. They’ve even used a Buffett quote to prove a point: “I look for economic castles protected by unbreachable moats.” One castle that doesn’t seem to have any weaknesses is Apple. Come read about it.

It seems we can never get away from politics and elections. This one vote in Massachusetts may be just as important, though for different reasons, than the elections of 2008. I get the feeling that this roller coaster is just starting to pick up speed. Let’s all see where this one leads.

For more information, please go to http://www.zepinvest.com.

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