27
Jul
2016

Why Short Sellers are Important in the Marketplace

Nicholas Wesley YeeBy Nicholas Wesley Yee, CPA
Director of Research at Gradient Analytics

When analyzing stocks, I am often amazed at the lack of understanding many sell-side analysts have in basic accounting concepts and their naivety to how easily managers can fabricate numbers.  In fact, when analysts ask about accounting discrepancies during earnings conference calls, they often refer to them as a “housekeeping item,” as if they are afraid to anger the revered CFO.  You really can’t blame them; analysts survive by building congenial relationships with Investor Relations and CFOs in order to ensure continued access.  If they were to get locked out of conference calls, their value to their sell-side firm would be greatly diminished.

Author: sandra / Tag: short sellers, EBITDAS, earnngs, GAAP / 0 Comments
19
Jul
2016

Sector Detector: Stocks break out as investors place their bets on endless monetary stimulus

The market broke out to the upside, as I predicted it would -- although the breakout came a good bit sooner than I anticipated. My expectation was that stocks would remain within their long-standing trading range until a clear upside catalyst emerged, such as improving Q2 earnings reports and forward guidance. But investors aren’t waiting around. Clearly, they are positioning in advance of the emergence of such catalysts. For now, fear of missing liftoff is stronger than fear of getting caught in a selloff.

Author: smartindale / Tag: ETF, sectors, iShares, volatility, S&P 500, SectorCast, healthcare, utilities, technology, Consumer Goods, Basic Materials, SPY, VIX, IYF, iyw, IYJ, IYZ, IYC, IYK, IYH, IDU, IYM, IYE, FTEC, FSTA, FHLC, FUTY, FIDU, FMAT, TDIV, XPH, XME, ITB, SRET, MOAT, FTLS / 0 Comments
07
Jul
2016

Sector Detector: Stocks remain inside their long-standing trading range, but an upside breakout grows more likely

The market has provided a nerve-wracking amusement park ride for those with the stomach to hang in there. Of course, the Brexit vote caused a nasty selloff due to the uncertainty of what comes next and the long-term ramifications, but the ensuing recovery was just as swift. At the end of it all, stocks are right back where they have been, mired in the same long-standing trading range but apparently (in my opinion) more inclined to find some sort of upside catalyst.

Author: smartindale / Tag: ETF, sectors, iShares, volatility, S&P 500, SectorCast, healthcare, utilities, technology, Consumer Goods, Financial, SPY, VIX, IYF, iyw, IYJ, IYZ, IYC, IYK, IYH, IDU, IYM, IYE, FTEC, FSTA, FHLC, FUTY, FIDU, FNCL, IGN, IHE, KBWD, ITB, TDIV, TAN, NFO / 0 Comments