To Hug a Gold Bug (GLD, IAU, DGL, UGL, GLL)

One of the first rules of investing is to not chase performance. Gold prices on average have risen every year since recording $271.04 for 2001.   Gold prices are currently are around $1,236/oz. One of the hardest tasks for investors is to move beyond the roar of the crowd and execute investment decisions that go against general consensus even if all reasonable notes suggest...

Star Gazing Can Cost You

In a landscape crowded with decisions between separate managed accounts, mutual funds and exchange traded funds a recent report by MorningStar.com highlights the critical importance of fees on investors returns. Picking investments is hard enough as it is before you throw in the importance of asset diversification and rebalancing.  Mutual funds, investments that allow...

Bearish Bull Position (FAZ, DRV, TZA)

Sophisticated investors interested in hedging their long only positions should keep their eyes on exchange traded funds that move downward while the rest of the market charges ahead.  I am definitely all for better credit markets for small businesses and a reversal of near double digit unemployment numbers, but until these events transpire let’s take a look at a couple of...

Um? What exactly do you mean by Contango? (UNG)

Commodities ETFs have given investors the opportunity to gain exposure to futures contracts based the prices of items like wheat, gold and natural gas.  The $2.8 billion invested in the United States Natural Gas Fund (NYSE:UNG) clearly speaks to the funds popularity, but investors may be confused about terms like contango and backwardation that jump into a conversation when...

Getting it there by Land, Sea & Air (IYT, FAA, SEA)

Transportation encompasses both the movement of individuals as well as the delivery of goods and services from raw material suppliers to manufactures and ultimately to consumers.  As long as there is a need to meet face to face or to have demands in one location satisfied by goods from another transportation will continue to be a vital part of our lives and economic...

Natural Gas Stand Still (UNG)

Oil continues to spill into the Gulf of Mexico as BP works to stem the flow from the uncapped well.  While investors may have expected an increase in the prices for oil and Natural Gas when the news of the spill went nationwide in late April the prices moved in their own separate directions.  In between late April and July 12th Natural Gas Prices for the September contract...

NBA Draft: Wealth Preservation (VYM, EEM, BSV, AGG)

The 2010 NBA Draft last week in New York City gave viewers an opportunity to see where the future stars of the league will spend their rookie seasons.  I want to give readers a playbook for investing a portion of newly earned wealth into Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). Why ETFs? Exchange Traded Funds offer the benefits of: Diversification ETFs often invest in an index or a...