A Much-Needed Educational Piece about So-Called “Spot Bitcoin ETFs”

Eight years after the first application for a “Spot Bitcoin ETF” was filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), ten of them started trading on January 11, 2024.  The landmark decision was precipitated by Grayscale’s legal victory against the SEC in 2023. Sponsors of the nine so-called “ETFs” include well-known firms like Ark … Read more

Turning the Page to 2024

Farewell and thank you to 2023 which exceeded almost everybody’s expectations after a dismal 2022 and predictions of a dire recession.  This blog was more positive than most, projecting a 5% to 10% gain for the S&P 500 vs. the actual price gain of 23.9%.  Now it’s on to 2024.  Let’s start with our quarterly … Read more

A November to Remember While Recession Warnings Persist

Despite all the negative-to-flat market expectations from Wall Street specialists and other pundits that frequent CNBC for 2023, the recession they feared did not manifest itself, soft landing or otherwise. The economy continued to be strong enough to avoid negative GDP growth. S&P 500 Index ETFs, including SPLG, continue to outperform other broad-based benchmark ETFs … Read more

Using Emerging Internet and Technology ETFs to Identify Stock-Buying Opportunities

The “Magnificent Seven” has now replaced “FAMANGs” as the nickname for current market leadership.  It is also a somewhat deridingly used term for the “overpriced” stocks hated by value managers.  Holdovers include Apple, Amazon, Microsoft and Google.  Gone is Netflix.  New are Nvidia and Tesla while Facebook had a facelift to be renamed Meta. As … Read more

How Smart Has “Smart Beta” Been Lately?

Let’s start this topic with describing what Smart Beta is.  I’ll be using the definition from Investopedia.  “Smart beta investing combines some of the efficiencies and cost savings characteristic of passive investing while mimicking active investing strategies that have the potential to produce excess risk-adjusted returns, also called ‘alpha.’”   All 5,000 stocks, 16 sector groups, … Read more

Reviewing the 3rd Quarter While Looking Ahead to Year-End

The third quarter of 2023 is now history.  The September effect overwhelmed mildly positive returns in July and August to submerge all six benchmark indexes we monitor quarterly into the red.  Although the order of best to worst varies among the six indexes, one commonality is having September as the worst historical month, both in … Read more

Combining Cyber-analysis and ValuEngine Model Forecasts for e-Commerce Companies

Analysis of the e-Commerce sector including SQ, LYFT, OSTK, VRSN, DOCU, IBUY. The purchase of the remains of the bankrupt Bed Bath and Beyond franchise by Overstock.com epitomizes the continued demise of brick-and-mortar stores succumbing to the efficiencies of e-Commerce.  It’s a continuing rather than a new story but the trend seems inexorable.   This thought … Read more

Screening for Timely and Liquid Stocks with Yield and EPS Growth

ValuEngine’s ratings from 1 (Strong Sell) to 5 (Strong Buy) are based upon our predictive model’s assessment of which stocks will appreciate most in price during the next 12 months on a percentage basis.  As such, it will sometimes favor small stocks with a lower base for its highest ratings.  Also, since it is price-appreciation … Read more

Case Study of a Ten-Year Actively Managed ETF

Cambria Advisors recently sent out a mailing that was somewhat self-congratulatory noting the 10-year anniversary of the launch of its first ETF.  As we will explore shortly, I contend that the congratulations are well-deserved from a number of perspectives.  The email missive piqued my interest for a specific reason.  The main comparisons made in the … Read more

Semiconductor Stocks and ETFs – Is the Trend Still Your Friend?

Artificial Intelligence related stocks led the way robustly in the first half of 2023 with Nvidia (NVDA) leading the way.  The general consensus among major strategists cautions that the steep price increases of such stocks is characteristic of a market bubble.  Furthermore, for those who must be invested in equity, they suggest using growth stocks … Read more