The opinion argues that the U.S. financial system is solid, while China's is weak.

Today's Stocks & Topics: SAND - Sandstorm Gold Ltd., Corporate Spending, National Debt, P.E. Ratio, LYB - LyondellBasell Industries N.V. Cl A, MLPA - Global X MLP ETF, MRK - Merck & Co. Inc., WSO - Watsco Inc., GDX - VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF, SRC - Spirit Realty Capital Inc.

From housing to food to transportation to health care and utilities-- a comfortable retirement could be costly.

Today's Stocks & Topics: American Association of American Business: AAII, Charitable Giving, Highest Paying Jobs, KR - Kroger Co., AZO - AutoZone Inc., Bond Funds, Possible Shutdown?, BA - Boeing Co., TRST - Trustco Bank Corp., PM - Philip Morris International Inc., AAPL - Apple Inc., Important Downside Risk In The Economy.

A survey of global money managers shows that pessimism around trade, and the increasing risk of recession, accounts for a record low allocation to equities.

Today's Stocks & Topics: The New 'Best Interest' Rule, How to Maximize Your Savings, Life Expectancy, ACB - Aurora Cannabis Inc., 401k, I-R-A Allocation, Oil, BYND - Beyond Meat Inc., GO - Grocery Outlet Holding Corp., WORK - Slack Technologies Inc., Investing in Real Estate, T - AT&T Inc.

With regard to dividend investing, the key is not necessarily to buy big, fat dividends, but to buy growing dividends.

Today's Stocks & Topics: The Fed, U.S. Consumer Debt, Insider Buyer, TEVA - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. ADR, Investing Apps, INTC - Intel Corp., Index Funds & Recession, CNCR - Loncar Cancer Immunotherapy ETF, Interest Rates, TAK - Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. ADR., High-Paying Jobs.

A Wall Street firm has handicapped the impact of Big Tech regulation — and it's bad news for Facebook (FB).

Today's Stocks & Topics: The U.S. Dollar, Home-builder Stocks, Treasury Department Recommends ‘Mandatory’ Financial-literacy Courses For College Students, OXY - Occidental Petroleum Corp., FTEC - Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF, Tax Cut Ratio, TLLIX - TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund Institutional, DELL - Dell Technologies Inc. Cl C, SANM - Sanmina Corp., CRM - Salesforce.com Inc., TEVA - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. ADR.

Swirling anxiety around the U.S.-China trade relationship has hurt the confidence of business leaders.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Home Prices, The Fed & Interest Rates Cuts, Risks of Early Retirement, Social Security, CMG - Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., Buying Real Estate, NEE - NextEra Energy Inc., Price to Book Value, Broker vs. Fiduciary.

During May, this occurred amid a broad decline in the 'cost of goods'-- the latest indication of muted inflation.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Unique Father's Day Gifts, GOOG - Alphabet Inc. Cl C, Social Security, XONE - ExOne Co., MPW - Medical Properties Trust Inc., GBX - Greenbrier Cos. Inc., MDR - McDermott International Inc.

The IRS has issued final rules blocking attempts by certain states to work around the new cap for state and local tax deductions.

Today's Stocks & Topics: NOK - Nokia Corp. ADR, RH – Restoration Hardware Inc., Mandatory 401k Distribution, Taxes, Treasury Bills, APRN - Blue Apron Holdings Inc. Cl A, AMZN - Amazon.com Inc., UBER - Uber Technologies Inc., AMKR - Amkor Technology Inc., Facebook Products & Users, GDX - VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF.

Old school regulations may not seem applicable, however the Feds say there are definite ways for tech to be shown in violation of antitrust law.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Budgeting, New Brokers Rule, FUTY - Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF, PLAY - Dave & Buster's Entertainment Inc., AMT - American Tower REIT, MPC - Marathon Petroleum Corp., CTL - CenturyLink Inc., Saving for College.

Confidence in the absolute efficacy of Fed intervention breeds complacency, which is the essential backdrop of stock market crashes.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Consumer Credit, Flipping Rate, Value Stocks, TRST - Trustco Bank Corp., BYND - Beyond Meat Inc., T - AT&T Inc., AMT - American Tower REIT, WDC - Western Digital Corp.

Stock prices in June seem to be rising partly on the expectation that the Federal Reserve will soon reduce interest rates-- but is this realistic?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Young Investor, AMZN - Amazon.com Inc., VTV - Vanguard Value ETF, Leveraged ETFs, GLW - Corning Inc., CGC - Canopy Growth Corp., China, BYND - Beyond Meat Inc., New FCC Regulation.

New research finds that, in some cases, workers as young as age 35 should have no more than 70% investment in equities.

Today's Stocks & Topics: NP - Neenah Inc., Consumer Credit, Flipping Houses, Value Stocks, MMM - 3M Co., URBN - Urban Outfitters Inc., BYND - Beyond Meat Inc., NTDOY - Nintendo Co. Ltd. ADR, Options.

Apple will require apps that allow users to sign in with their Facebook or Google accounts to also offer the option to sign in with Apple’s new privacy-focused “Sign in with Apple” system.

 Today's Stocks & Topics: Interest Rates Cuts, NLY - Annaly Capital Management Inc., Junk Bonds & Regular Bonds Market, TEVA - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. ADR, Preferred Stocks, Refinancing, Oil Prices, Refinancing, Buying a House, TRBCXT - Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund.

Stronger economic data has signaled a continuation of the 3% growth rate from the fourth quarter of 2017 to Q4 2018.

Today's Stocks & Topics: The Housing Market, Fun Performance, Becoming a Trader, Short Sale vs. Put, Gold Coins, 200 Day Moving Average, Caps, New Investor, Credit Card Debt, Roth I-R-A, Annuities.

The trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies has shaken global markets for months with worries about the negative impact on growth.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Dividends Stocks, ACB - Aurora Cannabis Inc., AGN - Allergan PLC, RIG - Transocean Ltd., TSLA - Tesla Inc., IPOs, Roth I-R-A vs. Roth 401k, 200 Day Moving Average.

A Yale economics professor says market fundamentals are not out of whack and, instead, he blames an overreaction to the theatrics surrounding the negotiations.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Antitrust Probe, Tech-Companies, Trade War and Recession, Healthcare In Retirement, Brokers Insurance, CVM - CEL-SCI Corp., CVS - CVS Health Corp., Multiple Compression, ZBRA - Zebra Technologies Corp. Cl A, CMI - Cummins Inc.

Technology companies like Amazon, Google, Apple and Microsoft keep making moves in the health sector because it represents a $3.5 trillion opportunity.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Facebook and it Problems, Retirement, PRMW - Primo Water Corp., Technical vs. Fundamental Analysis, HCA - HCA Healthcare Inc., MPC - Marathon Petroleum Corp., Retail Pulse, MORL - ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Mortgage REIT ETN, Roth I-R-A, 401k, AXSM - Axsome Therapeutics Inc.

The government-controlled press in China has published a warning that implies the Chinese will be very aggressive if a trade agreement is not satisfactory to them.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Dividends, XLV - Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF, Credit Cards, CRON - Cronos Group Inc., Protecting Your Information, NUE - Nucor Corp., Managing Your Retirement Withdrawals.

Understanding what investing, trading, and market dynamics can do to an individual's mind is an important consideration.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Investing Apps, Summer Rally, Germany and the EU, Early Retirement, HEXO - HEXO Corp., Roth I-R-A, TOPS - TOP Ships Inc., Penny Stocks, BYND - Beyond Meat Inc., Technical vs. Fundamental Analysis, KHC - Kraft Heinz Co.

At the end of April, total inventory rose to 1.83 million and this should provide more choices for those looking to buy

Today's Stocks & Topics: Real Reason the Market is Struggling, Durable Good Report, Under Price or Over Price, KMI - Kinder Morgan Inc., LLL - L3 Technologies Inc., Money Market Fund, 401-k, SEP I-R-A, Above Average American Citizen, Portfolio Balancing, First Trust Deed.

Stronger economic data has signaled a continuation of the 3% growth rate from the fourth quarter of 2017 to Q4 2018.

Today's Stocks & Topics: The Housing Market, Fun Performance, Becoming a Trader, Short Sale vs. Put, Gold Coins, 200 Day Moving Average, Caps, New Investor, Credit Card Debt, Roth I-R-A, Annuities.

Agriculture Secretary Perdue says the aid package would be funded from added tariffs collected by the Treasury.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Weakens on May, Durable Goods Report, Things You Do Not Buy on Memorial Day Weekend, VPU - Vanguard Utilities ETF, Retirement Savings, RYLD - Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF, IBM - International Business Machines Corp., GAAP: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, TSLA - Tesla Inc.

Wall Street reports that Apple’s China business accounted for more than 17% of sales in the fiscal second quarter, coming in at over $10 billion.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Working Into Your 70s, Wasteful Government Spending, American Household Finances Are Getting Better, HOV - Hovnanian Enterprises Inc. Cl A, FDX - FedEx Corp., HIBB - Hibbett Sports Inc., Cup-and-Handle Chart Pattern, Socialism vs. Capitalism, PSTG - Pure Storage Inc. Cl A.

Clinical trials have long been an expensive processes, so pharmaceutical companies want to leverage technology to get drugs approved more quickly.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Retirement, Gold, Retirement Magic Number, QCOM - Qualcomm Inc., BGS - B&G Foods Inc., Acorn Shares, IPOs, EXAS - EXACT Sciences Corp., Core Holdings, Interest Rates.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Cedar Realty Trust Inc. (CDR), ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Mortgage REIT ETN (MORL), General Electric Co. (GE), Vodafone Group PLC ADR (VOD), B&G Foods Inc. (BGS), Bayer AG ADR (BAYRY)--Monsanto issues?, plus: Are You Emotionally Ready To Retire?, Will FAANG Stocks Attract Regulation?, Analyzing the Existing Home Sales Report; from News Digest section: Trade Tariff Concerns, Retailers like Kohl's hit hard, Disney's ESPN will 'stick to sports—not politics.

The companies are teaming up to compete with Google's gaming platform which will use YouTube to push its experience to the masses.

Today's Stocks & Topics: What Drives Stocks Up And Down?, Roth I-R-A, 401k Contributions, Spin off Companies, CVS - CVS Health Corp., SEP I-R-A, PBA - Pembina Pipeline Corp., Bio-Tech IPOs.

There’s a surprisingly easy and profitable trading strategy to use during extraordinary stock-market volatility.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Bills and Trusts, Getting Married, Be a Bear Not a Bullish, Trade War, ILMN - Illumina Inc., I-R-A, MMM - 3M Co., Employee Stock Purchase Plan, WTR - Aqua America Inc., PMT – Penny Mac Mortgage Investment Trust, Leading Economic Indicators, TEVA - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. ADR.

With U.S.-China trade talks unsettled, the important consideration becomes whether the fundamentals of our economy are strong enough to weather the next seven months.

Today's Stocks & Topics: How to Spot a Good IPO?, Tariff War, HNNA - Hennessy Advisors Inc., INGR - Ingredion Inc., AMT - American Tower REIT, Precious Metals, VHT - Vanguard Health Care ETF, XLV - Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF, Acorn Shares, SYY - Sysco Corp.

Two of the world's premiere retailers are battling for the hearts and minds of shoppers everywhere.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Retail Sales, Annuities, How Much Money Do You Need to Be Wealthy in America?, PYPL - PayPal Holdings Inc., New Investor, IBDL - iShares iBonds Dec 2020 Term Corporate ETF, MPC - Marathon Petroleum Corp., BIDU - Baidu Inc. ADR, PCG - PG&E Corp., Don't Just Chase Stocks With Big Dividend Yields.

Microsoft has 13.7% of the "cloud revenue" pie and is fast-gaining on market leader Amazon-- which has 32%.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Marijuana Stocks, Tariff War, Retire Abroad, Cities with Most Millionaires, ENPH - Enphase Energy Inc., DIS - Walt Disney Co., Securities, STMP - Stamps.com Inc., Populism in Europe, PLNT - Planet Fitness Inc. Cl A.

The legal battle over the company’s online marketplace has dragged on for nearly a decade with Apple now at risk for potentially devastating penalties and lawsuits.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Trump Tariffs, Healthcare Industry, How Much Money Do You Need to Be Wealthy in America?, OXY - Occidental Petroleum Corp., 401k, IPOs, ALB - Albemarle Corp., LB - L Brands Inc.

A China trade deal could produce a major relief rally, but markets are rattled and further downside risk must be considered.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Trade Tariffs, PPI & PPC Reports, ATVI - Activision Blizzard Inc., ET - Energy Transfer LP, DIS - Walt Disney Co., GUSH - Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exp. & Prod. Bull 3X Shares, Oil, CTSH - Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., IRM - Iron Mountain Inc., TVIX - VelocityShares Daily 2x VIX Short Term ETN, Technical vs. Fundamental Advisers, Do Not Waste Your Money On These Things.

The Federal Reserve’s active manipulation fosters a wealth effect, but it also sets up an 'asset bubble'.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Saving More, STMP - Stamps.com Inc., IP - International Paper Co., IBM - International Business Machines Corp., Leveraged ETFs, CTSH - Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., OUSA - O'Shares FTSE U.S. Quality Dividend ETF, BFTHX - Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund Retail, Early Retirement.

Equifax reports that close to 12 million new home equity loans have originated in the U.S. since 2013--so, could a market downturn set us up for another real-estate-bubble crisis?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Should Be Expect to Live a 100 Years Or More?, Housing Market, Tax Penalties, ET - Energy Transfer LP, Trade War, Holding, Consumers, WMT - Walmart Inc., 403b vs. 401k, Bio-Tech Sector, MSFT - Microsoft Corp.

Tumbler is currently part of Verizon Media Group which owns the blogging platform after acquiring all Yahoo assets in 2017.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Three Different Retirement Income Strategies, Pros and Cons of Mortgages, SDS - ProShares UltraShort S&P500, Inverse Stocks, TSLA - Tesla Inc., MMM - 3M Co., Tax Efficiency, Roth I-R-A & Taxes.

Layoffs in the auto sector are rising-- could this spell trouble for the overall economy?

Today's Stocks & Topics: GFF - Griffon Corp., Annuities, Market Direction, Futures, F - Ford Motor Co., Jobs Report, VHT - Vanguard Health Care ETF, JWN - Nordstrom Inc., Require Minimum Distribution.

One strategist says that even as stocks reach for new highs in the near term, the rally might not be on solid footing further out.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Corporate Buybacks, Americans Are Confident About Retirement, High Living Standards, UFO - Procure Space ETF, National Debt, Volume, QCOM - Qualcomm Inc., CGC - Canopy Growth Corp., IRM - Iron Mountain Inc., AUY - Yamana Gold Inc., SNV - Synovus Financial Corp.

Cloud computing has been the hottest growth business for some of the world’s largest technology companies, but a top corporate buyer of cloud services says a slowdown is coming.

Today's Stocks & Topics: The Fed Meeting, Credit Card Losses, Traditional or Roth 401k, UNH – United Health Group Inc., Bonds, WRK – West Rock Co., Investing, MSFT - Microsoft Corp., VGHAX - Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral, VHT - Vanguard Health Care ETF, SNV - Synovus Financial Corp., PFF - iShares Preferred & Income Securities ETF, GOOG - Alphabet Inc. Cl C.

Though historical lessons can help business leaders prepare for a slowdown, there are several unique features of today’s business landscape which also need to be taken into account.

Today's Stocks & Topics: CIFS - China Internet Nationwide Financial Services Inc., Home Sales, Company Debt, FTNT - Fortinet Inc., XLNX - Xilinx Inc., Tech Companies, Market Crash, WM - Waste Management Inc., SUNW - Sunworks Inc.

The heart of the real economy — private-sector consumption and investment — slowed sharply in the first quarter to a 1.3% annual rate, the slowest in nearly six years.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Earnings Season, Australia, Financial Advice, FLIN - Franklin FTSE India ETF, GSK – Glaxo Smith Kline PLC ADR, FSDAX - Fidelity Select Defense and Aerospace Portfolio, VZ - Verizon Communications Inc., NWL - Newell Brands Inc., AGNC - AGNC Investment Corp.

Disney’s share price has increased five-fold in 14 years, but some analysts think the company made a $71 billion mistake by acquiring a large part of Fox' entertainment content.

Today's Stocks & Topics: GS - Goldman Sachs Group Inc., GE - General Electric Co., Jeremy Grantham on the Market, LB - L Brands Inc., BIIB - Biogen Inc., TCEHY - Tencent Holdings Ltd. ADR, Active 401k, MMM - 3M Co., CDNS - Cadence Design Systems Inc., Young Investors Risks.

Sparked by threats of a single-payer health system and proposals to tighten drug pricing, health-care stocks are lagging the broader market by their largest margin since 2006.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Mortgage Rates, Home Sales, Stress Levels, Selling Covered Calls, When to Sell, UNH – United Health Group Inc., 401k Inflows, TSLA - Tesla Inc., FTT - Finning International Inc., SNH - Senior Housing Properties Trust, Earnings Season, ABC – Amerisource Bergen Corp., GD - General Dynamics Corp.

An old Wall Street adage says that 'if everyone is leaning in the same direction, it’s better to bet in the opposite direction'.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Fresh New High, China, Secular Strategy, BMY - Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., BAYRY - Bayer AG ADR, FTNT - Fortinet Inc., Large Company Buys Small Company, JWN - Nordstrom Inc., CVX - Chevron Corp.

Experts say the short-term relief from paying down debt is not worth the consequences of taking money out of retirement savings.

Today's Stocks & Topics: I-R-A Penalty Fee, GBDC - Golub Capital BDC Inc., BAYRY - Bayer AG ADR, TDOC - Teladoc Health Inc., JO- iPath Series B Bloomberg Coffee Subindex Total Return ETN, Tesla Driver-less Car, 401k Inflows, HYRE - HyreCar Inc., Average Retirement Savings by Age.

Stronger economic data has signaled a continuation of the 3% growth rate from the fourth quarter of 2017 to Q4 2018.

Today's Stocks & Topics: The Housing Market, Fun Performance, Becoming a Trader, TSLA - Tesla Inc., VTSAX - Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral, VTI - Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF, NVDA - NVIDIA Corp., Short Sale vs. Put, CTL - CenturyLink Inc., Gold Coins.

With the S&P 500 now at its highest level since October 10, technical conditions are extended and the market is looking for an excuse to justify some profit taking and consolidation.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Chart Reading, Chinese Luxury Consumers, Existing Home Sales, Gold, Pre-Tax Money, Retirement, IRAs, Roll Over, Mutual Funds, Stocks, Roth I-R-A, ETFs, Selling Short.

Zoom technology works while competitive offerings from large technology giants like Microsoft and Cisco have been shown to produce unreliable results.

Today's Stocks & Topics: P.E. Ratio, Real Estate, YETI - YETI Holdings Inc., PHUN - Phunware Inc., GS - Goldman Sachs Group Inc., QCOM - Qualcomm Inc., TLT - iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF.

The choices that one needs to make at or near retirement are arguably more complex than those made during their accumulation phase.

Today's Stocks & Topics: AUY - Yamana Gold Inc., Beige Book, KEM - Kemet Corp., Market Crash?, RIG - Transocean Ltd., California Bonds, VWO - Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF, TLRY - Tilray Inc. Cl 2, Stock Prices.

Analysts are closely watching financial reports now coming in during earnings season.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Taxation, TSLA - Tesla Inc., Rollovers, CSCO - Cisco Systems Inc., LYFT - Lyft Inc. Cl A, CIFS - China Internet Nationwide Financial Services Inc., MPC - Marathon Petroleum Corp., GS - Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Home Builders.

This summer, the current economic expansion will become the longest on record-- and that outlook justifies the Fed’s current policy stance.
Today's Stocks & Topics: Deferring your taxes—is this a good idea?, Roth IRAs?, Student loans—is it a good idea to pay off early?, “WWE”, “PGE”, “UNH”, “COST”, “JNUG”, “VPU” or “XLU”?.

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Small cap stocks are down more than 10 percent from September highs, but they could soon make a big difference in the broader market.
Today's Stocks & Topics: 3 Top Financial Goals, How to deal with inherited stocks, Explain ETFs, “MCY”, “HAL”, “TTM”, “AYR”, “ABBV”.

Most boomers are unprepared for retirement, even as they approach it or enter it-- and barely one in 10 has enough money in savings.
Today's Stocks & Topics: ECB: What will they do about stock purchases?, What are “super-savers”?, Electric vehicles—which will Steve choose?, Where to invest?, “OC”, “TEVA”, “NGG”, “DAL”.

Contrary to many analysts, at least one industry giant foresees an earnings recession-- predicting two or more quarters of negative or flat profit growth ahead.
Today's Stocks & Topics: How Big Box stores are fighting to survive, Where we stand on legalized marijuana, Should investors buy dividend paying stocks as priority?, Portfolio strategy?, “HYRE”, “ADM”, “GIS”, “BA”, “”WSO”.

According to one expert, cautious does not mean you 'go to cash'-- but there are opportunities to look at asset classes that can protect your capital.
Today's Stocks & Topics: Dividend-paying stocks, top 10 retirement questions, real estate question, “SWCH”, “JNJ”, “SPXS”, “WDC”, “WMT”, “ARLP”.

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Famous tech hubs like San Francisco, Seattle, and New York have become expensive and saturated, so savvy startups are choosing more affordable locations to establish a 'business dream' enterprise.

Today's Stocks & Topics: WBA - Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., Warren Buffet Rules, OUT - Outfront Media Inc., Closed End Funds vs. Open End Funds, KIO - KKR Income Opportunities Fund, Jobs, YETI - YETI Holdings Inc., Cash-Out, GGG - Graco Inc.

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For the 60% of Americans who have filed tax returns, refunds are averaging $2,700-- money that could be used to build wealth.

Today's Stocks & Topics: DUK - Duke Energy Corp., BAYRY - Bayer AG ADR, Jobs Report, KHC - Kraft Heinz Co., CVS - CVS Health Corp., 529 Plan, PE - Parsley Energy Inc. Cl A, VFH - Vanguard Financials ETF, AMD - Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

The next battle for central-bank independence is already unfolding-- and this could potentially destabilize the entire global financial system.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Investing in Real Estate, The Stock Market, Credit Scores, How Old is Old?, Grant Deed, Resistance, The Dow Theory, Payroll Numbers, New Investor, Cash Reserve Fund, Retirement, Variable Annuities, Statistics, Book Value, Economic Value.

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Investors who focus on technology stocks have wrestled with the decision of whether to go with well-established giants or invest in startup companies.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Investing Strategy, ABBV - AbbVie Inc., SNH - Senior Housing Properties Trust, Dividend Strategy, Charting, International Monetary Fund, Healthcare in Retirement, Support & Resistance, LYFT - Lyft Inc. Cl A, AMZN - Amazon.com Inc., Stock Splits.

Early retirement hopefuls will have to work extra hard, modify lifestyles, and save 20% of gross income-- then sidestep an identity crisis when retired.

Today's Stocks & Topics: GDOT - Green Dot Corp. Cl A, IPOs, Saving More Than Average, Max Out Your 401k, SIX - Six Flags Entertainment Corp., New Investor, M - Macy's Inc., Day Trader.

The next battle for central-bank independence is already unfolding-- and this could potentially destabilize the entire global financial system.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Investing in Real Estate, The Stock Market, Credit Scores, How Old is Old?, Grant Deed, Resistance, The Dow Theory, Payroll Numbers, New Investor, Cash Reserve Fund, Retirement, Variable Annuities, Statistics, Book Value, Economic Value.

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High inflation periods can be positive for value stocks, but less great for growth stocks.

Today's Stocks & Topics: FINX - Global X FinTech ETF, PALL - Aberdeen Standard Physical Palladium Shares ETF, GOOG - Alphabet Inc. Cl C, The Apple Card, Health Care Politics, CLNE - Clean Energy Fuels Corp., BAYRY - Bayer AG ADR, QQQ - Invesco QQQ Trust Series I.

Investors are betting the Federal Reserve alone can keep stock prices higher, especially after the Fed's monetary policy announcement.

Today's Stocks & Topics: MFWVX - MFS West Virginia Municipal Bond Fund, Credit Report, CRM - Salesforce.com Inc., GDOT - Green Dot Corp. Cl A, Real Estate and Retirement.

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One expert says the U.S. stock market will likely gain another 10% before the end of 2019, putting overall annual gains slightly below those achieved in 2017.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Options, Apple's New Services, Amazon, ACB - Aurora Cannabis Inc., Fixed Income Market, Recession, Hands-On Investor, HIIQ - Health Insurance Innovations Inc. Cl A.

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Traders are suffering in the U.K., Germany, France, and Italy-- and disappointing economic data has added to market jitters in the U.S. too.
Today's Stocks & Topics: Interest Rates, EADSY - Airbus SE ADR, Inverse ETFs, SPY - SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, SNH - Senior Housing Properties Trust, Master Limited Partnership, Gold, ROKU - Roku Inc. Cl A, AGN - Allergan PLC.

With the S&P 500 now at its highest level since October 10, technical conditions are extended and the market is looking for an excuse to justify some profit taking and consolidation.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Chart Reading, BPR - Brookfield Property REIT Inc., Chinese Luxury Consumers, Existing Home Sales, SU - Suncor Energy Inc., AGNC - AGNC Investment Corp., EPD - Enterprise Products Partners L.P., VICI - VICI Properties Inc., Gold, M - Macy's Inc.

A denser market offers the chance to grow sales more quickly, and a Maximum Density Market (MDM) is a subsector of a category that has unusually high concentrations of demand.

Today's Stocks & Topics: GDX - VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF, Leading Economic Indicator, Recession Indicator, HII - Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc., BEMO - Aptus Behavioral Momentum ETF, CVS - CVS Health Corp., BIIB - Biogen Inc., Mortgages Rates, Maximum Contributions on 401k for 2019.

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Amazon Business represents the aggressive expansion into the market of business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce.

Today's Stocks & Topics: BAYRY - Bayer AG ADR, The Fed, ABBV - AbbVie Inc., High-Yield Savings Account, Buy & Sell, UUP - Invesco DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund, NTNX - Nutanix Inc. Cl A, CWEN.A - Clearway Energy Inc. Cl A, Inflation, FDX - FedEx Corp., BGS - B&G Foods Inc.

Ride-hailing platform Lyft wants investors to make large commitments to its IPO, rather than wait for its larger rival-- Uber Technologies.

Today's Stocks & Topics: SNAP - Snap Inc., The Fed Meeting, Trade Talks with China, Federal Express, Ten Most Expensive Cities on Earth, Offering, SBUX - Starbucks Corp., Selling Private Stocks, SQ - Square Inc. Cl A, MU - Micron Technology Inc., GOOG - Alphabet Inc. Cl C, Money Management, CELG - Celgene Corp.

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As J.P. Morgan Chase builds out its web of bank branches across the U.S., it is launching into areas long dominated by two of its biggest rivals.

Today's Stocks & Topics: GLOP - GasLog Partners LP, Preferred Shares, Wage Growth, VZ - Verizon Communications Inc., Protecting Your Portfolio, S&P Rally, Bad Retirement, 1031 Exchange, CTRE – Care Trust REIT Inc., IPOs, DWDP - DowDuPont Inc.

Apple has a loyal and 900 million-strong global customer base for its iPhone-- and can offer a growing ecosystem of devices.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Market Bounce, Red Flags, Economic News, MIK - Michaels Cos. Inc., Earnings, WAB – Wabtec, SBRA - Sabra Healthcare REIT Inc., WELL - Welltower Inc., CVS - CVS Health Corp., Trades.

In a wide-ranging investigation, the Department of Justice has charged dozens of people in connection with multi-million dollar bribes.

Today's Stocks & Topics: KO - Coca-Cola Co., Tax Lines, BGS - B&G Foods Inc., SNH - Senior Housing Properties Trust, PFG - Principal Financial Group Inc., College Admissions Scandal.

At least one expert thinks that the S&P 500's price-earnings ratio is suggesting the market is ignoring economic reality.

Today's Stocks & Topics: OAK - Oaktree Capital Group LLC Un, 401k Options, NOW – Service Now Inc., BKNG - Booking Holdings Inc., VOD - Vodafone Group PLC ADR, MO - Altria Group Inc.

The historic run is due in large part to stocks like Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft.

Today's Stocks & Topics: PAGS - PagSeguro Digital Ltd. Cl A, KHC - Kraft Heinz Co., Retail Sales, Gold & Oil Prices, Trading, VW Electric Cars, CVS - CVS Health Corp., FONR - Fonar Corp., BA - Boeing Co., Investing in the Market, YUM - Yum! Brands Inc., NKE - Nike Inc. Cl B.

The argument promoting break up claims that structural changes to the tech sector would promote more competition.

Today's Stocks & Topics: TNDM - Tandem Diabetes Care Inc., Sales Report, FCC & Mutual Funds, Robin Hood App, SKYY - First Trust Cloud Computing ETF, The Elliott Wave Principle, Treasury Direct-dot-Gov.

The next battle for central-bank independence is already unfolding-- and this could potentially destabilize the entire global financial system.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Invest in Real Estate, The Stock Market, Credit Scores, How Old is Old?, What is a Good Life?, CTL - CenturyLink Inc., Grant Deed, Resistance, The Dow Theory.

The plan would take a percentage on the sale of stocks, bonds, and derivatives.

Today's Stocks & Topics: CGC - Canopy Growth Corp., Early Retirement, Beige Book, Preferred Stocks, PFF - iShares Preferred & Income Securities ETF, PGX - Invesco Preferred ETF, WPM - Wheaton Precious Metals Corp., Rate of Return, New Investor, Robin Hood App, REITs, WAB – Wabtec.

The Treasury's Office of Financial Research claims interest-rate uncertainty, and rising costs, are driving market risks higher.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Business Development Corporations, S&P 500, Facebook, Tech Companies, Tax Laws, Rate of Return, Tactical Trading, 401k, Roth I-R-A, Bonds, ETFs vs. Mutual Funds, Put Options, 12 Month Cycle, PEG Ratio, Trailing Stop, Dollar Cost Average, Blank Check Companies.

It has been 10 years since the market bottomed in March 2009 and it has been a profitable period for the bulls-- but not the bears.

Today's Stocks & Topics: NWL - Newell Brands Inc., ISM - Manufacturing Index, New Home Sales, US-China Trade Deal, TAK - Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. ADR, Pullback, Caps, SFSNX - Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund, SWSSX - Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund, ETFs, GPS - Gap Inc., Young Business Woman.

Lyft sees revenue outpacing losses, and it is likely to be among the first of a hefty class of 2019 initial public offerings.

Today's Stocks & Topics: 401k Plan, Tesla Saga, Earnings, Bonds, Cash, TLT - iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF, GDX - VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF, Cryptocurrency.

The billionaire investor sees "no unique value" in the world's largest cryptocurrency, and called it, "probably rat poison squared".

Today's Stocks & Topics: SNH - Senior Housing Properties Trust, Buy the Book, Invest or Pay Off Your Mortgage, 401k Fees, Company's Debt, GDX - VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF, Economy Numbers, COR - CoreSite Realty Corp., Volatility.

By dropping interest rates to near-zero and purchasing mortgage-backed securities, the Federal Reserve did not allow the 2008 bubble to 'run its course'.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Double Bottom, FDX - FedEx Corp., GDP Numbers, Volatility Is Your Friend, Stocks Gapping Up and Down, IYT - iShares Transportation Average ETF, MO - Altria Group Inc., DHX - DHI Group Inc., PCG - PG&E Corp., PG&C Bankruptcy.

After the worst December since the Great Depression, the S&P 500 enjoyed its best January in more than 30 years.

Today's Stocks & Topics: SNH - Senior Housing Properties Trust, CAG - Conagra Brands Inc., Tesla's Main Competitors, Countries With Most Billionaires, Companies With Delinquent Debts, MU - Micron Technology Inc., Cryptocurrencies, SQ - Square Inc. Cl A, MYL - Mylan N.V., PCG - PG&E Corp., KHC - Kraft Heinz Co.

Shares of gene-therapy companies surged Monday, boosted by the news of Roche Holding AG’s acquisition of Spark Therapeutics Inc.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Banks Investing, GFF - Griffon Corp., XLF - Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF, Buying Dips, PXD - Pioneer Natural Resources Co., BGS - B&G Foods Inc., Mutual Funds, ARCC - Ares Capital Corp., Home Price Growth.

If true, this move could turn the $140 billion game industry on its head.

Today's Stocks & Topics: FDX - FedEx Corp., Markets Make Everyone Feel Stupid at Some Point, Options, Charts Indicators, CTL – Century Link Inc., VPGDX - Vanguard Managed Payout Fund Investor, ALB - Albemarle Corp., KMX - CarMax Inc., Pharmaceuticals Industry.

Many experts have scaled down 2019 growth estimates to 2%-- and this cannot be considered recessionary.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Risk Tolerance, Retirement, Foreign Markets In 2018, ECRI Weekly Leading Index, Bankruptcy Courts, New Investor, Diversification, Emerging Markets, Preferred Stocks, Retirement Needs, Technical Analysis, Stock Evaluation.

What matters is the debt-to-GDP level, which is not in the danger zone now but threatens to get there before long.

Today's Stocks & Topics: JNJ - Johnson & Johnson, PCG - PG&E Corp., TEVA - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. ADR, 401k, Funds Management, KHC - Kraft Heinz Co.

Apple needs to tackle the issue of slowing iPhone sales, and doubling its services sector revenues may not do the trick.

Today's Stocks & Topics: WDC - Western Digital Corp., TEVA - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. ADR, Financial Freedom, Corporate Debt, GT - Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., LTC - LTC Properties Inc., FXF - Invesco Currency Shares Swiss Franc Trust, Reasons to Invest in Stocks.

Heart drugs, and other preventative medicines, are keeping down Medicare costs-- but pharma's pricing may hold back advances.

Today's Stocks & Topics: ORCL - Oracle Corp., Covered Calls, EWZ - iShares MSCI Brazil ETF, Five Reasons To Always Own Stocks, Economic Numbers, Retail Sales, Interest Rates, AZO - AutoZone Inc., ORLY - O'Reilly Automotive Inc., Short Squeeze, Mortgages, ROKU - Roku Inc. Cl A.

America is showing resilience despite headwinds around the globe-- including contraction in China.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Investing for Beginners, What is an Index?, Nvidia's Earnings, Umbrella Insurance, Options, 401k, How Not to Run Out of Money, Retirement, Financial Advisors, Insider Trading.

The drop raises new concerns about the consumer, which accounts for more than two-thirds of the economy.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Covered Call, Foreign Markets, The Dollar, Charlie Munger, MRK - Merck & Co. Inc., COUP - Coupa Software Inc., Foreclosure, SOGO - Sogou Inc. ADR, MET - MetLife Inc.

Market technicians use moving averages to help gauge bullish and bearish long-term and short-term momentum in an asset.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Roth I-R-A, Warren Buffett, Why You Should Bet On America, XLF - Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF, KO - Coca-Cola Co., MU - Micron Technology Inc., IPOs, AAL - American Airlines Group Inc.

About 55 percent of fund managers have indicated worry about global growth and say they are pessimistic about the economy and inflation.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Candlestick Chart, iShares, HNNA - Hennessy Advisors Inc., National Debt, Why You Should Bet On America, BILI - Bilibili Inc. ADR, ON - ON Semiconductor Corp., TX - TERNIUM S.A. ADR.

More than two in three bankruptcies are caused by medical problems-- even for people with health insurance.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Price Range, Stock Market May Be In For A Rude Awakening As Earnings Growth Hits A Wall, AQN - Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., Investing, GRUB - GrubHub Inc., Valuation Reserve, PEGI - Pattern Energy Group Inc., S&P 500.

Monopolies limit competition and lead to abuses of power and there is evidence that the capabilities of the tech industry have outpaced those of U.S. policy makers.

Today's Stocks & Topics: MTCH - Match Group Inc., BAC - Bank of America Corp., APHA - Aphria Inc., ATVI - Activision Blizzard Inc., Book Value, 5G, Smart Income Strategies, Robo-Advisors, ORCL - Oracle Corp., Investing Tools.

Home equity line-of-credit loans may look like "found money", but tax law changes and rising interest rates reduce their appeal.

Today's Stocks & Topics: HYI - Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc., Keep Buying the Dips, Global Economy, San Francisco Fed, IBM - International Business Machines Corp., 5G Industry, ETFC - E*TRADE Financial Corp., Safe Investment, AAPL - Apple Inc., California Income Funds.

The prevailing wisdom is that Amazon will do better than Alphabet in the long term-- but to some, Amazon poses a greater risk.

Today's Stocks & Topics: HRB - H&R Block Inc., Mortgage Rates, The Problem with the FIRE Movement, Tesla's New Roadster, GSK – Glaxo Smith Kline PLC ADR, COF - Capital One Financial Corp., Emerging Markets, VMMSX - Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Investor, PCK - PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II, RTN - Raytheon Co., Understanding Economic Fundamentals, ETFC - E*TRADE Financial Corp., CATS - Catasys Inc.

The trillions spent on share repurchases since the current bull market began have kept a floor under Wall Street during tough times.

Today's Stocks & Topics: BGS - B&G Foods Inc., Seniors Are to Blame for Housing Shortage, Disney vs. Netflix, Tesla Model 3, Exchange-Traded Fund, Mutual Funds, MAC - Macerich Co., Preferred Stocks, HSA: Health Savings Account, PM - Philip Morris International Inc., Roth I-R-A.

Shares of Apple have lost nearly 30 percent from an October record-high, and investors are likely looking for the company to make strategic acquisitions.

Today's Stocks & Topics: I-R-A vs. Brokerage Account, Enough Retirement Savings?, The State of the Union Message, T - AT&T Inc., SHMP – Natural Shrimp Inc., ACB - Aurora Cannabis Inc., Back-End-Ratio, KEM - Kemet Corp., Charting Tools, Earnings Per Share, The Federal Reserve, TJX - TJX Cos.

Amazon expected that its acquisition of Whole Foods Market would grow its retail business, but after the first year-- results are less than anticipated.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Options Trading, Infrastructure Spending, First Quarter Profits, Accounts Consolidation, BTI - British American Tobacco PLC ADR, IBM - International Business Machines Corp., BLK - BlackRock Inc., ABBV - AbbVie Inc., GE - General Electric Co., HRB - H&R Block Inc.

Surveys suggest these planned "sick outs" could cost employers up to $4.4 billion in lost productivity.

Today's Stocks & Topics: SMG - Scotts Miracle-Gro Co., U.S. Jobs Report, VLO - Valero Energy Corp., DG - Dollar General Corp., KL - Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd., TGT - Target Corp., WMT - Walmart Inc., VYM - Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF, Average 401k Balance.