The Dollar Index is up for a second day in a row on Treasury Secretary Geithner's comments that the administration is committed to a stronger dollar.  Despite the small gain, the US Dollar is now down over 15% since March relative to a basket of foreign currencies and many traders are betting it will continue its slide.   Read More

As of this past Friday, just over 10% of the S&P 500 companies had reported earnings. This week we will see roughly 30% more of the S&P report.  Here's a look at which companies have had the biggest surprises so far...   Read More

There were four REIT IPOs scheduled to price this week and next, all designed to pick at the carcasses of commercial and residential properties, most of it on the mortgage side. So far, only two have priced, both of those a day late, and both raised half what they anticipated.    Read More

Sometimes it's the forward looking announcements that accompany earnings reports that are the more important item.    Read More

Stocks are poised for a slightly higher open, and are seeking to rise for the 6th straight day. The S&P is up nearly 5 percent over the past 5 days, and if it closes up today, it will have its best 6-day winning streak in about 6.5 years.    Read More

After-hours National Semiconductor posted stronger-than-expected results yet shares fell. Don't make a move until you've seen our interview with company CEO Brian Halla.   Read More

Silicon Valley is once again re-inventing itself, and the timing is excellent. These have been brutal months for so many tech workers here, with big companies like Intel, Google, Yahoo, Cisco, Microsoft, National Semiconductor and dozens of others slashing tens of thousands of positions. It has been gut-wrenching to watch.    Read More

It is now four weeks since the S&P 500 hit its recent closing high of 946.21 on June 12.  The benchmark index is down 6.7% since then and some components have been hit harder than others bringing dividend yields back up again.  Here is a screen for companies that have been beaten up but might have good value in the longer term.   Read More

With money rotating out of tech and energy are these two scorching sectors starting to cool down?   Read More

New highs brings little excitement. The S&P 500 and the NASDAQ are sitting at highs for the year, but why doesn't it feel like it? Is it the light volume, the low volatility?    Read More