Market Mentalist

Online Trading Tools Guidance

You are currently browsing the Stock Market 101 category.

How to Pick The Best Stocks – Here Are Some Thoughts


Picking stocks isn’t easy, and the more you learn and play the harder it seems to get it right – okay so, nothing you don’t already know, right? In a robust bull market – everyone is a genius and nearly everyone is a winner, and it isn’t despite popular myth; a Zero Sum Game. Speaking of zeros, and competing against high-frequency algorithmic trading computers that are sending their one’s and zero’s in at light-speed from the room next door to the exchange, how can a common day-trader zero in on the best stocks?

Well, that is the question, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t speak to the technicals, fundamentals, and those studying the sound and fury, watching those companies with a clear cut future advantage or headed for a brick wall. Now then, there are more than enough books, strategies, theories, and concepts on stock picking – some good, most not. That’s something you need to consider and it is my first main point in this article.

Another point I’d like to make in this work is to get you to wake up and really think about the market, the system, the economy, the government regulations, and the industries with all their players competing in the often not-so-free-market, while you hone your skills and prep your mind for another round in the gambling casino known as the stock market.

Posted January 24th, 2012.

Add a comment

Where and How to Locate the Best Stocks to Buy


By: Ryan Harris

Searching for the day’s best stocks to buy can be tricky at times. There are several parameters traders and investors consider when analyzing stocks. A good place to start would be to look at the best performing stocks and the identifying characteristics that are unique to these stocks. Barchart.com’s stock screeners not only rate stocks based on fundamental and technical parameters, but also help separate top stocks from others.

Most stock screeners attempt to identify the day’s best stocks on the basis of share price information, sales, profitability, valuation ratios, and growth estimates. Share price data comprises of information such as the trading price, the volume of shares traded, the market capitalization, and the underlying volatility.

Sales and profitability both focus on the current revenue and income generated, as well as the sequential and annual growth in sales and revenue. Valuation ratios look at key ratios such as the price to earnings (P/E), price to sales (P/S), price to book value (P/B), and the price to earnings growth rate (PEG) ratios. Analysts’ consensus estimates profit and sales growth for the next year or even the next five years.

Posted January 4th, 2012.

1 comment

The Basics of Stock Trading and How to Source Latest Stock Market News




By Era Tesla

People engaged in the trading of stocks throughout the world are increasing with each passing day. Stocks are being bought and sold every day in very large volumes on each stock exchange. All that needs to be done to make money in share trading is to have the knack of knowing when to buy which stock and when to sell. This should be done in such a way that the sale takes place when the price of the stock is highest and the purchase takes place when the price is lowest. The amount of profit will depend on the extent of the difference in these prices.

However, in order to analyze the position of the stocks and their likely movements, it is essential to keep track of the latest share market news and to study stock analyst ratings. It is therefore essential to know as to where the most reliable and the latest share market news can be found.

Posted December 30th, 2011.

Add a comment

Foreign Investment: Good or Evil?

Many people are surprised to find out that some “household” names are considered foreign-owned companies. In fact, AW North Carolina Inc. produces automotive components. It is located in Durham, North Carolina, and is owned by a Japanese firm. Glaxo Smith Kline is owned by a UK parent. Food Lion, a popular retail grocer located primarily in the south, and Anheuser-Busch, America’s best-selling beer maker, are owned by Belgium firms. These are only a few of the firms that are owned by foreign investors. Combined, they employ thousands of US workers in management, retail sales and manufacturing.

As far back as 2005, foreign companies paid more than $42 billion in income tax. It is nearly impossible to determine what cuts would take place or what the overall impact would be if this revenue was not available to help fund programs like the Department of Energy, the Department of Education, the Food and Drug Administration, and countless others. Without tax revenue, there would have to be significant cuts to programs we depend on to keep us safe, to fund US investments, and to provide the services we need to help us enjoy so much of what we take for granted as US citizens.

Posted December 1st, 2011.

Add a comment

Boring Sector Equals Opportunity

By : Mel Thompson

Boring Sector Penny Stock Investments Equal Opportunity

Many penny stock investors search for the hottest sectors to find superior results. They want the new drug, the new technology, or the super new machine on the scene. These sectors are well fueled by tipsters and speculators pouring in every get-rich-quick investor, making the volatility jarring. It’s difficult to get good information through all the hot stock’ noise. When exactly is the next release coming out? Is the FDA going to approve the drug? Does the management team really have a buyer for the huge thing?

Although I’ve been successful investing in hot sectors, I often prefer to follow the advice of investment guru Sir John Templeton. Although Templeton invested in international stocks nearly exclusively, he made his fortune with the simple philosophy that if everyone was looking in a certain area, on principal he would look elsewhere. Often it’s the ‘boring’ part of the world where Templeton would invest and he’d make a fortune quietly while the speculators and tipsters focused on the next, next thing.

Posted November 28th, 2011.

Add a comment

Avoiding The Pitfalls Of Stock Market Crashed

By : Miquel Travis

The phrase stock market crash brings to mind images of speeding ticker tape machines and panic on the trading floor. The common perception is that stock market crashes are random and unpredictable phenomenon. There is, however, a pattern to the markets larger fluctuations. The market crash is a familiar term but an unfamiliar concept.

To understand what happens in the market when a crash occurs, we first need to look to the period that precedes a crash. The cycle begins at a time when the stock market is weak and people are generally pessimistic about the financial future of themselves and country. The bear market has caused most people to sell many stocks in order to save some of their investment. This is the point where the smart investors can pick up undervalued stock at bargain prices. These smart investors know that the market will be turning in the near future and they can resell these stocks for a much higher price. This accumulation of undervalued stock causes the market to start to rise. The rising stocks will attract the attention of mutual funds, and as the mutual funds invest in the stock, billions of dollars are reintroduced to the market place. Mutual fund investments cause the market to gain even more as do investments by institutional investors. At this point, the market has begun to stabilize and stocks are no longer at bargain prices. Stock prices most likely reflect the intrinsic value of the stocks. Those who invested early have large profits.

Posted November 22nd, 2011.

Add a comment

Must-Bookmark Guide to Understanding the Stock Market

How the Dow Jones Average Works and Who Decides the Components

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is composed of the stock of 30 American companies. Originally started in 1896, it is often referred to as “the Dow.” This average is designed to reflect the average price of these companies. Learn here how the components of the Dow are selected and who makes the decisions.

Buying and Selling Stocks

Those who are of legal age can trade stocks on the stock market. What isn’t always clear is how the process works. We’ll walk you through the process to help you understand how stocks are bought and sold on the stock market. This will help you get a better picture of what happens to your investment dollars.

NASDAQ Understanding the New York Stock Exchange

Located on Wall Street in Manhattan, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is sometimes called simply Wall Street. Learn about when the NYSE opens, when it closes and what the typical annual holidays are associated with the NYSE.

How an Individual Can Buy NASDAQ Stocks

Posted November 15th, 2011.

Add a comment

Keep Up to Speed with the Ever-Changing Investment Market

By : Samantha Frost

About Value Line
Value Line Investment Survey has designed an innovative Small and Mid-Cap Performance Ranking System to help investors make intelligent decisions about investments. With a rational strategy, customers may eliminate the emotional element of investing and rely solely on trends to pick stocks with an incredible profit potential. Every week, a publication is produced to provide insight into the investment market and the best stock picks. A special edition is also published for investors to guide them towards 1800 profitable investment market opportunities.

Performance Ranks predicts “relative price performance” over a six to 12 month time period. Consensus earnings and estimates are provided, as well as recent corporate developments. With business descriptions and developments, investors can determine when the best time is to invest. Value Line has built a positive brand image and is trusted in the investment market community.

The proprietary system helps clients avoid poor performing, small cap and mid cap stocks. The advice is practical and easy to understand. Current and historical market and financial data will be provided to help investors gain insights into the companies, industries, markets and economy. Individual stock reports will also be provided for investors to make decisions about ETFs, Mutual Funds, Convertibles and numerous other investment vehicles.

Posted November 12th, 2011.

1 comment

Why Stocks Will Rise as the Economy Deteriorates Further

Posted November 3rd, 2011.

Add a comment

Discover Potash Stock Mining Areas And Uses

By : Adrianna Noton

Potash stock, which is both a mined salts and a manufactured salts, is manufactured by using water-soluble potassium. The manufactured of potash is mainly from the remains of dead plants which contain organic materials. Potash has compounds from the potassium-bearing compounds such as potassium chloride which is its main compound.

Agricultural fertilizers are mainly made from potash. The nutrients of plants in potash have made this possible because it has soluble potassium. The soluble phosphorus and fixed nitrogen will make it work properly. Industrial process also has lead to the production of fixed nitrogen to the atmosphere. The manufactured salt has potash being the main component as also in the manufactured salt. The soluble potassium is also found in them.

Potash is produced mainly by leaching the land ashes and most sea plants. The evaporation of ocean water at the ancient time lead to production of potassium deposits. When the potassium salt crystallized in the salts, it lead to the production of potassium ore in the sea bed.

Posted November 2nd, 2011.

Add a comment