stocks

Stocks: Should you sell in May and go away?

Dave Meyer and Greg Heberlein — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The financial media are full of suggestions for timing the stock market. We usually discredit those schemes on Money Matters, but this month we talk about one that might have at least a little merit to it.

The strategy is to “sell in May and go away.”

It’s based on the notion that the six months from late fall to late spring are great for owning stocks. Conversely, the period starting in May is not. Those periods are often referred to as the winter months vs. the summer months.

Does it really work?

The folly of trying to predict the stock market

Dave Meyer and Greg Heberlein — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Investors encounter numerous indices claiming to predict the future. Some are ridiculous, and some are based on facts. But most are worthless.

This week on Money Matters, financial commentator Greg Heberlein and KPLU’s Dave Meyer look at the January effect, sports indicators, and the fear index.

Boeing to resume buybacks, boosts dividends by 10 percent

The Associated Press — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 22:51:31 +0000

CHICAGO (AP) — Boeing Co. says it will buy back $1.5 billion to $2 billion of its shares next year, and it is boosting its dividend.

Boeing says the buybacks and higher dividend are possible because it is generating cash and has a positive growth outlook.

Boeing shareholders have been waiting to benefit from its new 787 plane.

The share repurchases will use up the rest of the money authorized for that purpose by Boeing's board in 2007. Boeing also raised its dividend 10 percent, to 48.5 cents per share.

Washington stocks outperform the S&P 500, led by Expedia

Ashley Gross — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 12:00:00 +0000

If you’ve been following the gloomy economic news, you might be surprised that lots of Washington stocks have been doing quite well this year.

Top of the pack so far this year? Expedia, the travel web site company based in Bellevue. Expedia stock has soared 66 percent so far this year.

What’s going on? Dan Su is an analyst with Morningstar who covers Expedia. She says the company has been overhauling its web sites to make them more user-friendly and to better compete with rival Priceline.

The pros and cons of Exchange-Traded Funds

Dave Meyer and Greg Heberlein — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) are a popular alternative to mutual funds.

Are they right for you?

On this week's Money Matters, financial commentator Greg Heberlein tells KPLU's Dave Meyer that a well diversified ETF can be a great investment.

Why analysts didn't recommend selling McCormick & Schmick's stock

Dave Meyer and Greg Heberlein — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:37:41 +0000

McCormick and Schick's Seafood Restaurants are a popular dining choice in the Seattle area. The Portland-based company is being sold to Houston-based Landry's Restaurants.

On this week's Money Matters, financial commentator Greg Heberlein says the sale demonstrates why you should be skeptical about the recommendations of securities analysts.

Wait ... bonds aren't supposed to beat stocks!

Dave Meyer and Greg Heberlein — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Over the past 30 years, U.S. Treasuries have out-performed the stock market. Bloomberg's Cordell Eddings reports the last time that happened was 150 years ago. What's going on?

On this week's Money Matters, financial commentator Greg Heberlein says this is a rare event and not "the new normal."

The Coffeehouse Investor's worry-free financial portfolio

Dave Meyer — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Ever since the 2008 financial meltdown, a lot of us have been losing sleep over our investments and 401(k) plans. But a financial adviser in Kirkland has a simple approach to reducing the stress.

On this week’s Money Matters, KPLU’s Dave Meyer talks to Bill Schultheis, author of The New Coffeehouse Investor: How to Build Wealth, Ignore Wall Street, and Get On With Your Life.

Unless you're a Warren Buffet, Bill says trying to outperform the stock market is a waste of time:

Are we in for a longer recovery?

Dave Meyer and Greg Heberlein — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:15:32 +0000

Is the economy recovering … or heading for another recession? Uncertainty has been growing in recent weeks with conflicting economic indicators and high volatility on Wall Street.

On this week’s "Money Matters" with financial commentator Greg Heberlein and KPLU’s Dave Meyer, Greg changes his mind about how soon the economy will recover. Instead of a 5 to 10 year recovery, Greg thinks it'll be more like 10 to 15 years.

Inflation can be good for you

Dave Meyer and Greg Heberlein — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0000

A rising Consumer Price Index (CPI) has caused more doom and gloom on Wall Street. But on this week's Money Matters, financial commentator Greg Heberlein tells KPLU's Dave Meyer it's nothing to worry about. A bane for Wall Street can actually be a boon for Main Street.

IPO fever

Dave Meyer and Greg Heberlein — Tue, 24 May 2011 15:35:00 +0000

LinkedIn's IPO seemed like a flashback to the heyday of the 1990's. The company's stock doubled in value on its first day of trading. On this week's Money Matters, financial commentator Greg Heberlein thinks this will be a good year for IPOs. At least three locally based companies are preparing to go public, and more may be waiting in the wings.

Understanding share buybacks

Dave Meyer and Greg Heberlein — Tue, 17 May 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Shareholders often get excited when their companies announce share buyback programs. If a company reduces shares in the marketplace, an investor’s share of the company goes up. So that's good, right? Usually, it is, but sometimes it can be a sign that the company is in trouble.

Don't let inflation scare you

Dave Meyer and Greg Heberlein — Tue, 10 May 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Gas prices are topping $4/gallon. Oil is over $100 a barrel. Gold and silver are at record highs. Food is more expensive. Does all this mean inflation is about to pounce on us? On this week's Money Matters, KPLU financial commentator Greg Heberlein says things may look discouraging, but there's no need to worry about runaway inflation.

Climbing the wall of worry

Dave Meyer and Greg Heberlein — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Should you pull out of the stock market?

Standard & Poor's downgraded its credit outlook for the United States this week; gas prices are rising; Europe is facing serious debt problems and Japan continues to struggle with its nuclear crisis. There's an awful lot to worry about these days.

But financial commentator Greg Heberlein reminds us that Wall Street climbs a wall of worry, and says you should stay in the market and look for buying opportunities.

2011 Market Outlook

Dave Meyer and Greg Heberlein — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:58:52 +0000

All signs point to 2011 being a good year for the stock market. On this week's Money Matters, financial commentator Greg Heberlein tells KPLU's Dave Meyer this is a good time to invest.