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The Wall Street Greek blog is the sexy & syndicated financial securities markets publication of former Senior Equity Analyst Markos N. Kaminis. Our stock market blog reaches reputable publishers & private networks and is an unbiased, independent Wall Street research resource on the economy, stocks, gold & currency, energy & oil, real estate and more. Wall Street & Greece should be as honest, dependable and passionate as The Greek.



Wall Street, business & other videos updated regularly...

Seeking Alpha

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Buy Gold – Inflation is Coming Back

I’m sure the mere mention of inflation will draw a vitriol response from some econo-watchers, but believe it or not, early signs of a pickup in pricing are turning up. I first noted an uptick in inflation shown in the Core Consumer Price Index for February and talked about the benefit to gold in Gold - Hello Inflation My Old Friend. I said I would watch inflation for gold investors, and I have since seen two more early inflation signs. Inflation seems to be emerging and there should be serious benefit to gold if it does and as the market becomes aware of it. See the gold report here.

Precious Metals Securities
03-31-15 2:20 PM ET
SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD)
-0.2%
iShares Silver Trust (NYSE: SLV)
-0.3%
Market Vectors Gold Miners (NYSE: GDX)
-0.9%
Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners (NYSE: GDXJ)
-0.7%
Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 3X (NYSE: NUGT)
-4.0%
Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bear 3X (NYSE: DUST)
+2.4%
Goldcorp (NYSE: GG)
-0.7%
Newmont Mining (NYSE: NEM)
-0.9%

Please see our disclosures at the Wall Street Greek website and author bio pages found there. This article and website in no way offers or represents financial or investment advice. Information is provided for entertainment purposes only.

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Bank of America (BAC) Q1 EPS Preview

Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) shares have languished since the Federal Reserve’s dovish monetary policy statement release, which was a letdown to banks hoping for near-term margin expansion. BAC didn’t perform all too well before that either, weighed down by the Fed’s stress test results, which produced a qualified approval for Bank of America’s capital plans. But I suspect something else has been burdening the shares more recently and could make BAC shares irresistible soon. Bank of America disappointed investors when it last reported earnings in January. As a result, there is likely fear afoot today about the upcoming Q1 results, which should be reported on or around April 15. But the risk seems to me to have been built into the shares at this point, considering the positives that lay ahead for BAC. There is also the potential for an upside surprise when the company reports its earnings, which has not been considered by BAC bidders yet. The stock is approaching irresistible value in my view and should be accumulated into and after the report, even if it declines further. See our BAC EPS report preview here.

BAC Peers
03-16-15 to 03-27-15
Bank of America (BAC)
-5.1%
SPDR S&P 500 (NYSE: SPY)
-0.9%
Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLF)
-2.8%
Citigroup (NYSE: C)
-5.0%
J.P. Morgan Chase (NYSE: JPM)
-3.7%
Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS)
-2.0%
Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS)
-2.5%
Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC)
-2.9%
U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB)
-4.2%

Please see our disclosures at the Wall Street Greek website and author bio pages found there. This article and website in no way offers or represents financial or investment advice. Information is provided for entertainment purposes only.

gold

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Real Estate Springs Green Sprouts

Pending Home Sales were reported Monday morning for the month of February. The data offered another green sprout, showing early signs that real estate activity is picking up. It was one of several recent indicators to do so. I see important reasons why real estate will see significant progress in 2015 and 2016 and recommend investment in real estate and in relative securities. See my report on real estate here.

Real Estate Relative Stocks
YTD
TTM
iShares US Real Estate (NYSE: IYR)
+3.6%
+22.4%
SPDR S&P Homebuilders (NYSE: XHB)
+9.1%
+13.9%
Bank of America (NYSE: BAC)
-13.0%
-8.9%
MGIC Investment (NYSE: MTG)
+4.1%
+14.3%
Market Vectors Mortgage REIT (NYSE: MORT)
+1.0%
+9.3%
Pultegroup (NYSE: PHM)
+5.9%
+18.4%
D.R. Horton (NYSE: DHI)
+12.5%
+30.6%
Apartment Investment & Mngmt. (NYSE: AIV)
+6.0%
+36.0%
Equity Residential (NYSE: EQR)
+8.2%
+40.2%
Prologis (NYSE: PLD)
+2.1%
+11.2%

Please see our disclosures at the Wall Street Greek website and author bio pages found there. This article and website in no way offers or represents financial or investment advice. Information is provided for entertainment purposes only.

Wall Street

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Gold Dropped as Yemen Safe Haven Bets Came Off

Heading into the two-days of closed markets commonly known as the weekend, stocks sold off and gold rose as investors sought to position for it given intensifying geopolitical tension in Yemen. Investors do not want to carry risk into a two-day trading period where special risk exists. But the weekend passed without a bad outcome or surprise in Yemen, so a reversal of last week’s trade followed on Monday. This is the sole reason why gold sold off. But where do we go from here? See my report on gold here.

Precious Metals Relative Securities
03-30-15
SPDR S&P 500 (NYSE: SPY)
+1.3%
SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD)
-1.1%
iShares Silver Trust (NYSE: SLV)
-1.7%
Market Vectors Gold Miners (NYSE: GDX)
-1.8%
Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners (NYSE: GDXJ)
-3.5%
Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 3X (NYSE: NUGT)
-5.4%
Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bear 3X (NYSE: DUST)
+5.6%
Sprott Physical Gold Trust (NYSE: PHYS)
-1.1%
Goldcorp (NYSE: GG)
-1.0%
Newmont Mining (NYSE: NEM)
-0.9%

Please see our disclosures at the Wall Street Greek website and author bio pages found there. This article and website in no way offers or represents financial or investment advice. Information is provided for entertainment purposes only.

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Geopolitical Risky Weekend Passed – What’s Next?

Stocks enjoyed a relief rally Monday thanks to the peaceful passing through the weekend without any surprising turn of events tied to the conflict in Yemen. I saw risk coming off in the days heading into the weekend, as wars and rumors of wars took capital off the table ahead of the two-day market closure. Monday’s rally was very likely solely due to the fact that no surprising bad outcome resulted over the weekend. Now that investors can trade freely again, some capital has come back into stocks. See this full report here.

Market Sector Security
03-30-15 Through Noon
SPDR S&P 500 (NYSE: SPY)
+1.1%
SPDR Dow Jones (NYSE: DIA)
+1.5%
PowerShares QQQ (Nasdaq: QQQ)
+0.8%
iShares Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM)
+1.1%
Vanguard Total Stock Market (NYSE: VTI)
+1.0%
PowerShares DB US Dollar (NYSE: UUP)
+0.7%
Sprott Physical Gold Trust (NYSE: PHYS)
-1.1%
United States Oil (NYSE: USO)
-0.1%

Please see our disclosures at the Wall Street Greek website and author bio pages found there. This article and website in no way offers or represents financial or investment advice. Information is provided for entertainment purposes only.

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Friday, March 27, 2015

Stocks Could Test 200-Day as Risk Comes Off Ahead of Weekend

Friday is a bad day to double down on geopolitical risk, but as we approach the weekend, it appears that is exactly what is happening. As Saudi Arabia and Egypt adventure forward with possible plans for an assault on Houthis in Yemen, it appears the media is grabbing hold of many Middle East issues now, and that is likely to exacerbate fear. This is just the sort of Middle East mess we do not need to worry about over 2 days of closed markets, so stocks could selloff Friday as a result. Investors concerned about bearing weekend market risk can buy protection via various volatility instruments like the iPath S&P 500 VIX ST Futures ETN (NYSE: VXX) or buy gold relative instruments like the SPDR Gold Trust ETF (NYSE: GLD). See my full stock market report here.

Market Sector Security
03-26-15
SPDR S&P 500 (NYSE: SPY)
-0.2%
SPDR Dow Jones (NYSE: DIA)
-0.3%
PowerShares QQQ (Nasdaq: QQQ)
-0.3%
iShares Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM)
-0.1%
Vanguard Total Stock Market (NYSE: VTI)
-0.2%
PowerShares DB US Dollar Bull (NYSE: UUP)
+0.4%
SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD)
+0.7%
United States Oil (NYSE: USO)
+4.9%

DISCLOSURE: Kaminis is short UUP. Please see our disclosures at the Wall Street Greek website and author bio pages found there. This article and website in no way offers or represents financial or investment advice. Information is provided for entertainment purposes only.

Wall Street Greek blog

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Gold vs. Dollar – Guess Which is Today's Favored Geopolitical Capital Flight Destination

As capital makes its flight to safety over the geopolitical scare in Yemen, it has its usual two favorite destinations to choose from. Capital tends to favor U.S. treasuries over gold at times like these, but given the richness of the dollar, gold may gain greater favor this time around. See my full report on gold vs. the dollar in a capital flight to safety

Precious Metals & Dollar Relative Securities
03-26-15
SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD)
+0.6%
PowerShares DB US Dollar Bull (NYSE: UUP)
+0.4%
iShares Silver Trust (NYSE: SLV)
+0.4%

DISCLOSURE: Kaminis is short UUP. Please see our disclosures at the Wall Street Greek website and author bio pages found there. This article and website in no way offers or represents financial or investment advice. Information is provided for entertainment purposes only.

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Thursday, March 26, 2015

TODAY’S MARKET – Enter Geopolitics

geopolitics
When things get dirty, they tend to continue on to downright messy and finally nasty. Stocks were in the midst of questioning dollar strength and the Fed’s plans given the nascent inflation uptick seen in the Core CPI data earlier this week. Enter geopolitics today, and stocks are selling off some more, with the SPDR S&P 500 (NYSE: SPY) dropping through the 100-day moving average today. In recent times, the demarcation line has served as a buy signal, but given the immediate issue is just warming up in Yemen (watch Iran), we may even approach the 200-day moving average line; and that’s without the issue of inflation gaining more attention. Take note that this geopolitical distraction could remove the inflation question from view, and what comes next could serve as a rally cry. The day’s economic data was positive, and I see consumer spending increasing near-term. Tomorrow brings a final revision to Q4 GDP, though, which was quite depressing most recently. Consumer sentiment will also be reported, and I think that will add some new fire to stocks. I believe day-traders should be buyers here. Long-term investors should be moving away from the broad market securities, as a stock-picker’s market will pervade as we move forward. Our Wall Street blog.

geopolitical blogger
Our founder earned clients a 23% average annual return over five years as a stock analyst on Wall Street. "The Greek" has written for institutional newsletters, Businessweek, Real Money, Seeking Alpha and others, while also appearing across TV and radio. While writing for Wall Street Greek, Mr. Kaminis presciently warned of the financial crisis.

Today’s Market


Sector Security
03-26-15 AM
Vanguard S&P 500 (NYSE: VOO)
-0.4%
iShares Dow Jones (NYSE: IYY)
-0.5%
Fidelity NASDAQ  ETF (Nasdaq: ONEQ)
-1.0%
ProShares Ultra Gold (NYSE: UGL)
+1.7%
ProShares Ultra Real Estate (NYSE: URE)
-1.0%
ProShares Ultra Oil (NYSE: UCO)
+5.7%
WisdomTree US$  Bullish (NYSE: USDU)
+0.2%
iShares 20+ Yr. Treasury (NYSE: TLT)
-0.8%

Gold and oil prices are higher today as Saudi Arabian forces are bombing Houthis rebels in Yemen, after the Houthis initiated a coup. Egyptian warships are heading toward Yemen, and most neighboring nations are supporting the government, while Iran supports the Houthis. What seemed like it would be a defensive military position by the Saudis developed into an offensive push, and that has raised the stakes against global stability. The resolve of Houthis’ allies is questionable, as is that of other nations supporting the government, but the Saudis already have their hands dirty. Gold is not getting the type of lift it might get if a global power were involved, though it is higher, but oil is up significantly more due to the involvement of Saudi Arabia and the threat of Iran.

Stocks were already in decline on nascent inflation concern, in my opinion, due to the Core CPI increase reported this week. Stocks are off some more this morning because of this global instability. The dollar is higher, though, as it continues to represent a flight to safety destination. Gold is up more, though, given the dollar’s already extended state.

Economic Reports


ECONOMIC REPORT SCHEDULE

Economic Data Point
Prior
Expect
Actual
THURSDAY



291K
293K
282K
57.0
57.0
58.6
1
0

44.2

45.5
-45 bcf

12 bcf







The economic report schedule produced a positive tone Thursday morning. Weekly Jobless Claims dropped against the prior week’s result to 282K. It’s an enthusing level of new filings for unemployment insurance, and less than economists expected. This is not necessarily a data point economists spend much time forecasting though given its regular reporting.

Bloomberg’s Consumer Comfort, a weekly measure of the consumer mood, improved rather significantly. I attribute the weather friends. Already this past weekend I saw them, those families and couples that had been hunkered down all winter. They ventured out, underdressed and hopelessly consumption commercialized. They were out shopping, dining and exploring the city’s venues which require a ticket purchase. In other words, hope springs eternal and American consumers are coming to life as we approach the Easter spend.

Markit Economics’ PMI Services measure improved to 58.6 from 57.0, showing further signs of economic green sprouts this spring. Some of this is seasonal in a different way, with the hiring of lawyers and tax preparers accelerating around this time of year. But some of this is a reflection of our stronger labor situation and economy.

EPS Reports


I never got to that report I wanted to give you, and I apologize, as Five Below (Nasdaq: FIVE) is higher this morning by 11% as I expected. I’ll still be producing research on the company for you, as long-term stakes still need direction.

A wide variety of companies are reporting today, including ConAgra (NYSE: CAG), GameStop (NYSE: GME), Cosi (Nasdaq: COSI) Lululemon (Nasdaq: LULU), Scholastic (Nasdaq: SCHL), Commercial Metals (NYSE: CMC) and Winnebago (NYSE: WGO).

EPS REPORTS
Company
Ticker
THURSDAY

Accenture
NYSE: CAN
Adaptive Medias
Nasdaq: ADTM
Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics
Nasdaq: BCLI
Calithera Biosciences
Nasdaq: CALA
Cara Therapeutics
Nasdaq: CARA
Commercial Metals
NYSE: CMC
ConAgra Foods
NYSE: CAG
Cosi
Nasdaq: COSI
DGSE Companies
Nasdaq: DGSE
FibroGen
Nasdaq: FGEN
Fred’s
Nasdaq: FRED
GameStop
NYSE: GME
Gevo
Nasdaq: GEVO
Global Sources
Nasdaq: GSOL
Interphase
Nasdaq: INPH
Leatt
Nasdaq: LEAT
Lululemon Athletica
Nasdaq: LULU
Marathon Patent
Nasdaq: MARA
Minerva Neurosciences
Nasdaq: NERV
Newtek Business Services
Nasdaq: NEWT
Nova LifeStyle
Nasdaq: NVFY
NovaBay Pharmaceuticals
NYSE: NBY
NTN Buzztime
NYSE: NTN
NV5 Holdings
Nasdaq: NVEE
Oxford Industries
NYSE: OXM
Restoration Hardware
NYSE: RH
Scholastic
Nasdaq: SCHL
Signet Jewelers
NYSE: SIG
STR Holdings
Nasdaq: STRI
voxeljet
NYSE: VJET
Winnebago Industries
NYSE: WGO
World Point Terminals
NYSE: WPT

Please see our disclosures at the Wall Street Greek website and author bio pages found there. This article and website in no way offers or represents financial or investment advice. Information is provided for entertainment purposes only.

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