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STR Holdings Shares Plunged: What You Need to Know

Sat, 11/13/2010 - 12:09 by Travis Hoium

 Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis. What: STR Holdings (NYSE: STRI) shares fell as much as 20% after the company released earnings today.

 

Is Northgate Minerals' Stock Expensive by the Numbers?

Sat, 11/13/2010 - 11:42 by Anand Chokkavelu

 Numbers can lie -- but they’re the best first step in determining whether a stock is a buy. In this series, we use some carefully chosen metrics to size up a stock’s true value based on the following clues:

 

Is This Cash Machine Running on Empty?

Sat, 11/13/2010 - 11:34 by Seth Jayson

 Although business headlines still tout earnings numbers, many investors have moved past net earnings as a measure of a company's economic output. That's because earnings are very often less trustworthy than cash flow, since earnings are more open to manipulation based on dubious judgment calls.

 

Chrysler: Not Dead Yet

Sat, 11/13/2010 - 11:32 by John Rosevear

 Lost in the media's need to find new superlatives to apply to Ford's (NYSE: F) turnaround (guilty) and the hype/hand-wringing over General Motors' impending IPO is this intriguing story:

Chrysler isn't dead.

 

Is MIPS Technologies a Rule Breaker?

Sat, 11/13/2010 - 11:22 by Tim Beyers

 I'm a believer in growth stocks. As an analyst for our Motley Fool Rule Breakers service, I think you should be a believer, too. But even I have to admit some growth stories are bogus, hence this regular series. Next up: MIPS Technologies (Nasdaq: MIPS). Is this designer of microcontrollers for digital TV and other consumer devices the real thing? Let's get right to the numbers.

 

Will Sherwin-Williams Fall Short Next Quarter?

Sat, 11/13/2010 - 11:18 by Seth Jayson

 There's no foolproof way to know the future for Sherwin-Williams (NYSE: SHW) or any other company. However, certain clues may help you see potential stumbles before they happen -- and before your stock craters as a result. Rest assured: Even if you're not monitoring these metrics, short-sellers are.

 

Is Dow the Perfect Stock?

Sat, 11/13/2010 - 11:15 by Dan Caplinger

 Everyone would love to find the perfect stock. But will you ever really find a stock that gives you everythingyou could possibly want? One thing's for sure: If you don't look, you'll never find truly great investments. So let's first take a look at what you'd want to see from a perfect stock, and then decide if Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW) fits the bill.

 

Will Dover Whiff on Revenues Next Quarter?

Sat, 11/13/2010 - 11:10 by Seth Jayson

 There's no foolproof way to know the future for Dover (NYSE: DOV) or any other company. However, certain clues may help you see potential stumbles before they happen -- and before your stock craters as a result. Rest assured: Even if you're not monitoring these metrics, short-sellers are.

 

Where's the Cash Coming From at Hecla Mining?

Sat, 11/13/2010 - 10:45 by Seth Jayson

 Although business headlines still tout earnings numbers, many investors have moved past net earnings as a measure of a company's economic output. That's because earnings are very often less trustworthy than cash flow, since earnings are more open to manipulation based on dubious judgment calls.

 

Don't Say You Weren't Warned

Sat, 11/13/2010 - 10:42 by Jordan DiPietro

With the so-called lost decade close in our rear-view mirror, many investors think putting their money in index funds or ETFs that track the market just won't be good enough to secure a nice retirement. And I can't totally blame you if you feel that way; it's certainly been a rough decade. But if you're thinking about placing your hard-earned cash in a mutual fund with the promise of crushing the market, let me explain why that's a bad idea -- and how you avoid making an enormous and costly mistake.

 

Guess What? Harvard Says You're Dumb

Sat, 11/13/2010 - 10:34 by Rich Smith

"As stock markets slid in March, Judy Brady lay awake at night thinking about her portfolio. 'My retired friends who had all CDs and gold, and they were still making money, and my investments just kept going and going,' she said. 'I thought: I can't afford to lose all this.' So the 70-year-old retiree in Schaumburg, Ill., sold most of her stocks."
 -- The Wall Street Journal, May 18, 2009

 

Is Aflac the Perfect Stock?

Sat, 11/13/2010 - 10:27 by Dan Caplinger

 Everyone would love to find the perfect stock. But will you ever really find a stock that gives you everythingyou could possibly want? One thing's for sure: If you don't look, you'll never find truly great investments. So let's first take a look at what you'd want to see from a perfect stock, and then decide if Aflac (NYSE:AFL) fits the bill.