Young Research & Publishing Inc.

Investment Research Since 1978

Compensation was paid to utilize rankings. Click here to read full disclosure.

What we’re Reading 5-27-11

By

That cookout will cost you 29% more this year New York Post OECD urges Fed and BoE to raise rates FT.com Swiss Move to End Nuclear Era The WSJ Americans say 'no' to electrics despite high gas prices USA Today Local Governments Hit as Tax Revenue Falters The WSJ … [Read more...]

A Bundle of Dismal Data

By

It has been a week of dismal economic data releases. On Monday, the Chicago Fed released its National Activity Index (CFNAI), a weighted average of 85 monthly indicators. The CFNAI is intended to provide a real-time statistical measure of coincident economic activity. That latest reading came in at -0.45, well short of the 0.20 estimate from economists. The weak April reading pushed the all-important three-month moving average to -0.12. When the three-month moving average falls below -0.70, the likelihood that the U.S. economy has entered recession is strong. On Tuesday, new home sales and … [Read more...]

The Key to a Financially Secure Retirement

By

Fidelity Investments, the nation’s top provider of retirement savings plans, reported that the average 401(k) balance reached a record high at the end of the first quarter. A record high—that sounds impressive. What was the average 401(k) balance? $74,900. When you consider that the median age of American workers is about 41, $75,000 is inadequate.  The average American is unprepared for retirement. He has too little saved, and he isn’t saving enough from current income to make up for the shortfall. USA Today reports that most employees enrolled in 401(k) plans have opted for a 3% savings … [Read more...]

From Raging Bull to Angry Bear

By

The raging bull market in silver has turned into an angry bear. Silver is down 5% this morning and more than 30% from its high only two weeks ago. The abrupt reversal is nothing short of spectacular—to watch of course. Investors who bought physical silver, or worse yet, margined silver futures, just took a savage beating. … [Read more...]

A Warning from Dr. Copper

By

Copper is said to have a PhD in economics. Why? Copper is a vital component in the construction, electronics, transportation, and industrial machinery industries. When copper prices move, savvy investors take notice. What is copper saying about the economy now? Economic momentum is slowing. Check out my chart. Copper has a real shaky look. Today, the industrial metal closed at a five-month low and decidedly below its 200-day moving average. The 200-day moving average is a key technical indicator used to identify trend reversals. If the trend in copper does indeed reverse, you can expect the … [Read more...]

A Compulsive Liar

By

Meet the stock market: he’s a valuable economic indicator, but he also has a tendency to lie—even compulsively. The stock market misdirects, misleads, and misinforms. The only time to rely on the stock market is when he is accompanied by his more honest older brother. The stock market’s older brother will let you know if his devious younger sibling is telling you the truth or feeding you a tall tale. Who is the stock market’s more trustworthy older brother? The bond market. The bond market keeps his younger brother in line. If the stock market signals that the economy is getting better by … [Read more...]

Jobless Claims Surge to 8 Month High

By

Weekly jobless claims rose to an 8 month high this week. The Labor Department attributed the increase to a number of transitory factors. Even though transitory factors may explain this week’s jump, the trend in the four week moving average is now decidedly up. Are jobless claims signaling that the recovery is stalling? … [Read more...]

What we’re Reading 4-29-11

By

Heard: Counting the Cost of China's One-Child Policy- WSJ For Lean Factories, No Buffer- WSJ Small Party Gains Clout in Canada- WSJ Does Unreal GDP Drive Our Policy Choices- Fundamental Index Newsletter April 2011 … [Read more...]

The Bernanke Show

By

The Federal Reserve made history this week by holding its first-ever post-meeting news conference. Not surprisingly, it was an anticlimactic event. Chairman Bernanke was well prepared, which can’t be said of the journalists who were present. For the first time in 98 years, the press was given the opportunity to question a sitting Federal Reserve chairman about monetary policy. Instead of asking hard-hitting questions, the press lobbed softballs at Bernanke. It was a disappointment. There wasn’t much news that actually came out of the conference. We did learn that the Fed’s “extended period” … [Read more...]