Tag Archives: Dan Caplinger

Why Buffett's Favorite Stock Is Leading the Dow Today

By John Maxfield, The Motley Fool

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Blue-chip stocks are down today as investors and analysts weigh good news from the domestic housing sector against the ongoing economic drama in the Mediterranean. With roughly an hour remaining in the trading session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is off by 26 points, or 0.18%.

The biggest news since the weekend is that the Mediterranean nation of Cyprus is on the verge of levying a tax against bank deposits. On Sunday the country added its name to a growing list of European countries bailed out by the Eurozone and the International Monetary Fund. To fulfill its side of the 10 billion euro bailout bargain, however, Cyprus must come up with 5.8 billion euros in new revenue. And for this, it’s looking to its banking sector, long known as a haven for international riches — particularly of the Russian variety. The fear is that other countries will follow suit, thereby prompting funds to flee the continent.

On the other side of the equation, fueling bullish sentiments today was a positive report on the domestic housing market. According to data released this morning by the Department of Commerce, housing starts climbed 0.8% last month to an annualized pace of 917,000. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had projected a figure of 915,000. Meanwhile, building permits rose by 4.6% to a rate of 946,000 — the highest level since June of 2008. This beat economists’ expectations for a 925,000 figure.

“Home building continues to recover and add to the recovery,” an economist at PNC Financial told Reuters. He went on to note that the rise in permits suggests that “we will have a solid spring.” A California-based homebuilder echoed this confidence in an interview with Bloomberg, saying: “We see a lot of positive signs out there. All the numbers were positives going into the year, and again, we have a favorable outlook for the year.”

With the latter news in mind, it’s no surprise that stocks of homebuilders are rallying today. Among others, Hovnanian Enterprises is up by 3%, Toll Brothers has gained 0.7%, and KB Home is up 1.9%. But as my colleague Dan Caplinger said earlier of Hovnanian: “At some point the homebuilder will need to start working its way back to profitability amid better conditions. Otherwise, investors will conclude that the stock has gotten ahead of itself, and it will give up some of its huge recent gains.”

In terms of Dow stocks, the best-performing component on the blue-chip index today is none other than Warren Buffett‘s favorite: Coca-Cola , in which his company Berkshire Hathaway holds a nearly 9% stake. Paradoxically, the impetus for Coke’s climb may be Cyprus. As one of the soundest and most stable companies in the world — Buffett famously claims that even a monkey could run it — Coke is seen as a classic defensive stock. When things are bad, in turn, investors have a tendency to move in its direction. …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

The Most Popular Market ETFs

By Dan Caplinger, The Motley Fool

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In the following video, Fool markets analyst Mike Klesta talks with Fool contributor Dan Caplinger about some of the most popular exchange-traded funds. With a variety of ETFs tracking highly followed market benchmarks like the Dow Jones Industrial Average , it’s easier than ever for investors to get broad-based exposure to the stock market.

Mike and Dan discuss three major-market ETFs that cover the Dow, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq 100, going over the differences among the ETFs and the advantages and disadvantages of each. In addition, Mike asks Dan about ETFs that go beyond the stock market to cover other assets like commodities. Dan then concludes by telling you how you can obtain these and other ETFs for your own portfolio.

To learn more about a few ETFs that have great promise for delivering profits to shareholders in a recovering global economy, check out The Motley Fool’s special free report “3 ETFs Set to Soar During the Recovery.” Just click here to access it now.

The article The Most Popular Market ETFs originally appeared on Fool.com.

Neither Fool contributor Dan Caplinger nor Fool markets analyst Mike Klesta has any position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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10 Stocks That Missed the Four-Year Bull Market

By Dan Caplinger

Filed under: , , , , ,

The solar industry has undergone a sea change lately, as governments around the world have cut back on heavy subsidies and forced companies to survive on their own to a much greater extent. (Bradley C. Bower/Bloomberg News)
During the past four years the stock market has posted some of the most impressive gains in history as it has bounced back from the huge losses sustained during the financial crisis. Over that time period, the Dow Jones Industrials (^DJI) has soared to new all-time record highs, with gains of 120 percent.

But even with the market at historic highs, some stocks have posted substantial losses during the four-year bull market. Here are 10.

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Motley Fool contributor Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Exelon and owns shares of Dean Foods Company and Staples. You can try any of our newsletter services free for 30 days.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Is the Dow Too Expensive?

By Dan Caplinger and Mike Klesta, The Motley Fool

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Four years after the bull market began, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 are at or near all-time highs. But does that mean the stock market is expensive right now?

In the following video, Fool markets analyst Mike Klesta talks with contributor Dan Caplinger about a couple of ways to slice and dice the valuation of the stock market, as well as a surprising sector to consider for value investments.

If you’re looking for some long-term investing ideas for the current bull market, you’re invited to check out The Motley Fool’s brand-new special report, “The 3 Dow Stocks Dividend Investors Need.” It’s absolutely free, so simply click here now and get your copy today.

The article Is the Dow Too Expensive? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Dan Caplinger, Mike Klesta, and The Motley Fool have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Why AT&amp;T and Verizon Pay the Dow's Biggest Dividends

By Dan Caplinger, The Motley Fool

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In the following video, Fool markets analyst Mike Klesta talks with Fool contributor Dan Caplinger about how investors are seeking stocks that offer high dividend yields. Within the Dow Jones IndustrialsAT&T  and Verizon have the highest yields. 

Mike and Dan discuss how the two telecom stocks are able to pay such lucrative dividends, with Dan noting that having made huge capital investments in their networks, both companies are able to collect monthly income from their millions of customers with relatively little additional expense. Moreover, because earnings based on accounting rules don’t accurately reflect the amount of free cash flow available to AT&T and Verizon to pay out dividends, comparing dividend payouts to earnings can give a misleading picture of the companies’ financial conditions. Mike closes by asking Dan for his views on which of the two companies offers a more compelling future for investors.

To find the best Dow stocks for dividends, look beyond yields to find great growth prospects. Read all about some of the most promising dividend stocks in the Dow in The Motley Fool’s newly updated special report, “The 3 Dow Stocks Dividend Investors Need.” It’s absolutely free, so simply click here now and get your copy today.

The article Why AT&T and Verizon Pay the Dow’s Biggest Dividends originally appeared on Fool.com.

Neither Fool contributor Dan Caplinger nor Fool markets analyst Mike Klesta has any position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool also has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

The 2 Stocks Behind the Dow's Gains This Morning

By Dan Caplinger, The Motley Fool

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The amazing run of record highs for the Dow Jones Industrials appears poised to continue today as the market responds favorably to data showing fewer unemployment claims and a lack of inflationary pressure at the wholesale level. As of 10:55 a.m. EDT, the Dow is up 58 points, or 0.4%, to break through the 14,500 mark. The broader market is up similarly on a percentage basis.

Given the way the Dow is calculated, high-priced stocks have the most influence, and that’s where the gains are coming from today. IBM rose a seemingly modest 1.4%, but its rise accounted for more than 20 points of the Dow’s gain. Investors appear to be increasingly optimistic about the tech giant’s move into the cloud-computing arena through its Big Data initiative, focusing on bringing more medium-sized businesses into the trend toward cloud-based enterprise software. Given the speed of the trend, IBM could use the initiative as a major part of its drive toward boosting earnings per share to $20 within the next two years.

Meanwhile, Chevron gained 1.3%, accounting for more than 10 points of the Dow’s rise. As of this morning, a fire that occurred when a tugboat struck a Chevron gas pipeline was continuing to burn. Yet the news hasn’t kept the stock from setting new record highs, with the potential of an expansion of California-based hydraulic fracturing potentially providing a much-needed boost to Chevron’s domestic resources.

Outside the Dow, earnings news dominated the gainers. Ebix soared 8.5% after the insurance support company announced better-than-expected fourth-quarter results this morning. Yet long-term investors should focus more on the huge opportunity that Obamacare offers the company as millions of new customers tax the systems that insurance companies have in place to track them, pushing more of those companies to bring on Ebix as a partner to help support their operations.

Finally, Flotek has gained 8.5%. Earnings came in better than expected, with net income nearly doubling for the full 2012 year compared to 2011. Given all the activity going on in the energy industry, Flotek is set to continue offering drilling products and production-enhancement technology well into the future.

Get the best long-term investing ideas you can find. Focus on the top stocks in the Dow by taking a look at our special report: “The 3 Dow Stocks Dividend Investors Need.” It’s absolutely free, so just click here and get your copy today.

The article The 2 Stocks Behind the Dow’s Gains This Morning originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned. You can follow him on Twitter @DanCaplinger. The Motley Fool recommends Chevron and Ebix. The Motley Fool owns shares of Ebix and IBM. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a target=_blank …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Will American Express Hike Its Dividend?

By Amanda Alix, The Motley Fool

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Stress-test results have been saturating the media this week as the big banks show off their hearty capital reserves and ability to withstand an economic pseudo-armageddon. Though this was the third annual test, the Fed added some of Dodd-Frank’s regulations into the mix, prompting the announcement of the first phase, the stress test, on March 7 — to be followed by the Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review results this Thursday.

Although banks — particularly big banks — have been the focus of media attention, any entity considered a bank holding company is subject to this yearly scrutiny. Two institutions that fit this description are Capital One Financial and American Express , though both are often thought of as primarily credit card issuers. Both of these companies passed the recent stress test easily, though American Express bested Capital One‘s 7.4% projected minimum Tier 1 common ratio with an 11.1% post-severely adverse-scenario capital cushion.

Source: Dodd-Frank Act Stress Test 2013: Supervisory Stress Test Methodology and Results.

Should American Express ask for a dividend increase or share buyback?
With such an impressive showing on the stress test, it seems almost certain that American Express will request — and will be allowed to bestow — a larger dividend, as well as institute a share buyback program. Indeed, only the two large custody banks, Bank of New York Mellon and State Street had higher common ratios than American Express. Considering that big regional bank BB&T , which analysts had pegged as one of the more highly capitalized institutions, scored a 9.4% ratio, AmEx’s results are all the more impressive.

Following the stress test last year, AmEx embarked upon a share repurchase program to the tune of $4 billion in 2012, reserving another $1 billion in buybacks for the current quarter. The company also announced a boost in the quarterly dividend to $0.20 from $0.18 per share.

How much will AmEx share with investors?
Will American Express be a little more generous this year? It certainly seems like it could afford to be. The company has many irons in the fire, and has recently begun exploring the social media side of credit card purchasing through a new deal with Twitter. As Fool analyst Dan Caplinger has noted, the company could easily bump up that payout quite a bit without feeling a pinch.

Certainly, with such a stellar financial checkup under its belt, AmEx could afford to be magnanimous with its investors — provided it stays under the Fed’s comfort level of less than 30% of estimated after-tax net income. Soon, we’ll know just how benevolent they plan to be.

With big finance firms still trading at deep discounts to their historic norms, investors everywhere are wondering if this is the new normal, or if finance stocks are a screaming buy today. The answer depends on the company, so to help you figure out whether BB&T should be …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Avoiding the Temptation of the 401(k) Loan

By Dan Caplinger and Dayana Yochim, The Motley Fool

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In this edition of our Motley Fool Conversations series, Fool personal-finance expert Dayana Yochim and retirement-planning analyst Dan Caplinger discuss the allure of using your retirement savings as a way to borrow money for immediate expenses. Given the lengthy process and chance of rejection in getting a bank loan, as well as the high cost of alternative financing like payday loans or credit card cash advances, tapping your 401(k) can be very tempting as a quick source of cash.

Even though many 401(k) borrowers note that they’re essentially paying interest to themselves, Dan points out that you have to use after-tax money to repay your loan, which amounts to paying tax twice on the same money. Moreover, if you have trouble paying the loan back, it’ll be treated as an early distribution, incurring immediate tax liability and potential penalties. Worst of all, if you lose your job, you have to pay back your loan immediately or else faces dire tax consequences. For those workers for whom a 401(k) loan is truly a necessary last resort, Dayana and Dan offer some advice and useful tips to avoid getting yourself into credit trouble with a 401(k) loan.

The best investing approach for retirement is to choose great companies and stick with them for the long term. The Motley Fool’s free report “3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich” names stocks that could help you build long-term wealth and retire well, along with some winning wealth-building strategies that every investor should be aware of. Click here now to keep reading.

The article Avoiding the Temptation of the 401(k) Loan originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Dan Caplinger and personal-finance expert Dayana Yochim appreciate your comments. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DanCaplinger. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Why Caterpillar Fell Short on the Dow's 6th Record Day

By Dan Caplinger, The Motley Fool

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The string of record closes for the Dow Jones Industrials continued today, but it’s hard to think of today’s three-point gain as anything more than a technicality. Broader market benchmarks all fell on the day, as tensions in Washington started to escalate once more as House Republicans announced their outline to reduce the budget deficit dramatically over the next three years. With a competing plan expected from the Senate soon, wrangling over the federal budget could continue for the foreseeable future, introducing yet another set of uncertainties for investors.

Caterpillar suffered the biggest loss among Dow stocks, falling more than 1.5% as fears about recent weakness in industrial activity in China continue to challenge the company’s long-term growth thesis. Nevertheless, while the Chinese economy may have to deal with decelerating growth, its growth rates will remain well above those of the developed world, and that should help give Caterpillar superior prospects compared to more domestically focused peers.

General Electric also fell, losing almost 1% as an analyst at Nomura Securities said yesterday that the recent gains in GE‘s stock already reflected most of its positive future potential. Coming on the heels of the company’s own warning in its annual report that political crises like the budget debate could lead to a reduced willingness among U.S. corporations to spend money on capital expenditures, investors need to consider whether GE‘s roughly 30% rise since last June has pushed the stock up too far too quickly.

Outside the Dow, Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores plunged nearly 13% after announcing that same-store sales fell 0.5% in its most recent quarter after adjusting for an extra week in this year’s quarter. With the spinoff suffering from many of the same problems that parent Sears Holdings continues to face, the advantage that Sears Hometown has is that its small size makes it more nimble and able to adjust strategies to take advantage of changing conditions. If its move to scale back on consumer electronics succeeds, Sears Hometown may rebound sharply from today’s losses in the long run.

Caterpillar is more than just a global leader in construction machinery. It’s also a benchmark for the entire global economy. Find out whether Caterpillar is pointing to a stronger recovery by reading our premium research report on the stock, which includes expert analysis of the company’s growth initiatives and future prospects. Just click here to access it now.

The article Why Caterpillar Fell Short on the Dow’s 6th Record Day originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned. You can follow him on Twitter: @DanCaplinger. The Motley Fool owns shares of General Electric. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

The 4 Longest Dividend Streaks in the Dow

By Dan Caplinger and Mike Klesta, The Motley Fool

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In the following video, Fool markets analyst Mike Klesta talks with contributor Dan Caplinger about the importance of dividends. While dividends are great, it’s important for investors to look beyond the simple yield.

Instead, Mike and Dan will focus on four Dow Jones Industrial Average companies that are the best of the best, the cream of the crop. These dividend raisers are members of an elite group of companies that have raised their dividend each year for at least 25 years.

If you’re looking for more long-term investing ideas, check out the Fool’s special report: “The 3 Dow Stocks Dividend Investors Need.” It’s absolutely free, so just click here and get your copy today.

The article The 4 Longest Dividend Streaks in the Dow originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Dan Caplinger and Mike Klesta have no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends 3M, Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, and Procter & Gamble and owns shares of Johnson & Johnson. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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These Dow Stocks Missed the 4-Year Rally

By Dan Caplinger and Mike Klesta, The Motley Fool

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In the following video, Fool markets analyst Mike Klesta talks with Fool contributor Dan Caplinger about the stock market‘s four-year rally to new record highs. Although the Dow Jones Industrials have gained 120% since March 2009, several stocks in the Dow haven’t done nearly as well.

Mike and Dan discuss why four stocks in particular have badly lagged the Dow’s overall performance in the past four years and evaluate their future prospects. Dan notes that of these four companies, one has been taking steps to prepare itself for a rebound, looking into strategic acquisitions to take advantage of poor industry conditions and pick up assets at fire-sale prices.

Among Dow stocks, Alcoa is in prime position to take advantage of growth that some expect will lead to massive growth in industrywide revenue in the next five years. Based on this trend and several other company-specific factors, Alcoa is certainly worth a closer look. For a Foolish investment perspective on this global giant, simply click here to get started.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

The Dow's Big Winners From the Bull Market

By Dan Caplinger and Mike Klesta, The Motley Fool

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In the following video, Fool markets analyst Mike Klesta talks with Fool contributor Dan Caplinger about the stock market‘s four-year rally to new record highs. Even though the Dow Jones Industrials have gained 120% since March 2009, several stocks in the Dow have put in even more impressive performance over that timeframe.

Mike and Dan discuss the four best-performing stocks during the four-year bull market, explaining why they’ve done so well and evaluating whether they have the momentum to continue higher. Dan notes that out of these four impressive companies, one in particular has taken steps recently to further cement its industry dominance, making another in a long series of highly profitable acquisitions that should position the company to expand its business even further in the years to come.

Among great-performing Dow stocks, Disney makes the list. But it’s easy to forget just how colossal Disney’s business is, with a monster collection of media networks, theme parks, and consumer products to go along with its classic movie business. The Motley Fool’s new premium research report lays out the case for investing in Disney today in further detail, including the key items investors must watch as well as the opportunities and threats the company faces going forward. So don’t miss out — simply click here now to claim your copy today.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Risk and Retirement in the 21st Century

By Dan Caplinger, The Motley Fool

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In this edition of our Motley Fool Conversations series, Fool personal finance expert Dayana Yochim and retirement planning analyst Dan Caplinger discuss the challenges of investing for retirement under current market conditions. With low interest rates, investors can’t rely on bonds and other low-risk investments to provide the income they need in retirement. Instead, many investors have turned to the stock market, where dividend stocks in particular offer greater income potential than bonds right now but also have higher risks of loss.

Dan points out that many companies have been able to issue bonds at much lower interest rates than the dividend yields that their shares pay out. Yet as anxious as some people are about the dangers of retirees crowding into stocks, Dayana and Dan explain that those anxieties are largely unfounded, noting how important it is to have a solid mix of dividend- and growth-oriented investments in order to ensure that you won’t outlive your savings.

The best investing approach is to choose great companies and stick with them for the long term. The Motley Fool’s free report “3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich” names stocks that could help you build long-term wealth and retire well, along with some winning wealth-building strategies that every investor should be aware of. Click here now to keep reading.


The article Risk and Retirement in the 21st Century originally appeared on Fool.com.

Neither Fool contributor Dan Caplinger nor personal finance expert Dayana Yochim has any position in any stocks mentioned. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DanCaplinger. The Motley Fool recommends Johnson & Johnson and Netflix. The Motley Fool owns shares of Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, and Netflix. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

The Other Dow Is at All-Time Highs, Too

By Dan Caplinger, The Motley Fool

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With all the hoopla over the possibility that the Dow Jones Industrials will set a brand-new closing record today, few investors are looking beyond the blue-chip average. But the Dow’s sister benchmark, the Dow Jones Transportation Average, has been hitting new highs for a while now, and it’s poised to hit a brand-new one today as well.

So far today, 19 of the 20 Dow Transports are trading higher, and the average has gained 1.6% as of 2:35 p.m. EST, outpacing even the strong performance of the Dow Industrials. FedEx is among the leading gainers, climbing more than 2.3% to a new multiyear high. As optimism about the economy grows, FedEx stands to gain from the accompanying jump in demand for its delivery services. Moreover, favorable trends like the push toward same-day delivery among retailers gives both FedEx and rival United Parcel Service good prospects for further growth, regardless of how strong the overall economy performs.

Airlines within the average also did well, with United Continental and Alaska Air Group up about 2.4% each. Airlines have seen their stocks soar in recent months, but some analysts had expected that once the merger between US Airways and American Airlines was complete, that run would come to an end. Yet airlines have seen their financial condition improve dramatically with the imposition of fees for baggage and other ancillary services, and even the lack of further consolidation in the industry shouldn’t pose a threat to that lucrative revenue stream going forward.

Keep moving
The Dow Industrials make some of the most important products in the economy, but the Dow Transports make sure those goods get to you. With both averages poised to set records, it’s no wonder investors are feeling good about the prospects for the U.S. economy today.

Find some long-term investing ideas by reading the Fool’s special report: “The 3 Dow Stocks Dividend Investors Need.” It’s absolutely free, so just click here and get your copy today.

The article The Other Dow Is at All-Time Highs, Too originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned. You can follow him on Twitter @DanCaplinger. The Motley Fool recommends FedEx and United Parcel Service. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Free Tax Help: 4 Ways to Get It

By Dan Caplinger

Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

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You know you have to do your tax return, but with the tax laws as complicated as they are, it’s tougher than ever to get the job done. If you need help but don’t want to pay through the nose to get it, here are some resources that can get you the assistance you need at a price that’s right: free.

1. Go Straight to the IRS.

The first place to look for help with your tax return is at the IRS website. With a variety of lists of frequently asked questions, tax topic discussions, forms and publications, and other helpful materials, you may well get the answers you need online.

If you don’t, though, the IRS is standing by with its toll-free tax assistance line. Call (800) 829-1040 to get help on your individual tax return questions.

2. Get Free Help In-Person.

The IRS also sponsors volunteer programs aimed at helping millions of taxpayers prepare their returns. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program covers those who make $51,000 or less in income and have a particular emphasis on special tax credits aimed at low-income taxpayers.

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Meanwhile, the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program is aimed at those who are 60 or older, with help on how to deal with pension, retirement, and other tax issues that affect older taxpayers.

To find a VITA site near you, use this IRS link. For the TCE, many sites are operated by AARP’s Tax Aide Program; click here to find a site near you.

3. Put the Taxpayer Advocate On Your Side.

If you have a dispute with the IRS and aren’t getting the treatment you deserve, the Taxpayer Advocate Service can help. This free service helps taxpayers around the country handle IRS problems and resolve disputes by getting the responses you need. Click here to get more information, or this link will take you directly to contact information for your Taxpayer Advocate.

4. Beware of Scams.

Unfortunately, taking advantage of those seeking tax help is one way scam artists get sensitive information like your Social Security number or bank-account information. Email is the most common method these scammers use, but fake websites can often lure unsuspecting taxpayers into giving up their information. The best solution is to stick with known reputable sources of free information. If you get a suspicious email, contact the IRS here.

You can follow Motley Fool contributor Dan Caplinger on Twitter @DanCaplinger or on Google+.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

These Stocks Overcame the Dow's Monday Blues

By Dan Caplinger, The Motley Fool

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As well as the stock market has performed lately, Mondays had been a sore point for the average. Until today, the S&P 500 hadn’t posted a single winning session on a Monday, and early on, it seemed like the stock market would maintain that streak. But later in the day, stocks recovered ground, and the Dow Jones Industrials finished the day with a gain of 38 points, hitting a new five-year high and covering half the ground toward its all-time closing high of 14,164. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 both rose more strongly.

Within the Dow, strength from the consumer sector overcame challenges on the industrial side of the market. Home Depot rose to a new all-time high, gaining nearly 2% as investors continue to gravitate toward housing plays. As long as data on home sales and housing prices remains favorable, you can expect investor sentiment for Home Depot to continue to be positive. Wal-Mart also gained ground, leading the Dow’s gainers with a better than 2% rise. An interesting story pointed to its work with newly public solar installer SolarCity to put panels on Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores in Ohio, but the more likely reason for gains is simply the retailer’s exposure to domestic economic forces that push shoppers toward more cost-conscious choices.

Elsewhere, Boyd Gaming rose 14% after announcing along with its earnings report that it has completed the sale of its Echelon property on the Las Vegas Strip. The company posted a wider-than-expected loss even after accounting for a one-time charge related to the ill-fated property, but given Boyd’s precarious financial situation, having resolved the issue once and for all clearly made investors feel more comfortable about its prospects moving forward.

Finally, mortgage-insurer Radian Group soared almost 8%. Not only has the company enjoyed favorable trends as home prices have recovered, but it also got upgraded by Keefe Bruyette this morning. With improving conditions suggesting that Radian and its industry peers could survive and thrive going forward, Radian’s shares arguably have a lot farther to run, especially now that the company has completed its capital-raising offering of stock and convertible bonds.

To find some promising long-term investing ideas, check out the Fool’s special report: “The 3 Dow Stocks Dividend Investors Need.” It’s absolutely free, so just click here and get your copy today.

The article These Stocks Overcame the Dow’s Monday Blues originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned. You can follow him on Twitter @DanCaplinger. The Motley Fool recommends Home Depot. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Stocks Make Gains Despite China Scare

By John Maxfield, The Motley Fool

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Stocks appear to have recovered from a case of the Mondays. As my colleague Dan Caplinger noted this morning, the broader market has fallen during every Monday session this year — until today. As of 2:45 p.m. EST, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 30 points, or 0.21%.

Notably, the Dow has bounced back from an earlier decline that followed worrisome news out of China. At the end of last week, the country’s governing body, the State Council, announced a series of heightened regulations impacting the sale of real estate. Home sellers will now be obligated to pay 20% in taxes on the profits from home sales. In addition, as fellow Fool Dan Dzombak discussed earlier, the government will enforce higher down-payment requirements and increased mortgage rates on second homes.

These measures are designed to curb ongoing speculation in the real-estate market. According to a Chinese real-estate agent quoted by The Wall Street Journal: “Home prices will definitely take a hit once the new regulations are in place. In previous rounds of tightening, investors typically took around six months to see how the market is reacting to the new rules.”

Here on the domestic front, shares of Caterpillar and Alcoa are leading the Dow lower, down 1.9% and 1.1%, respectively. Both of these companies are heavily tied to real-estate activity in the major economies, as Caterpillar manufacturers construction equipment and Alcoa supplies materials.

Shares of Bank of America are also down today after a federal judge in Manhattan dismissed a lawsuit the nation’s second-largest bank had filed against mortgage-bond insurer MBIA . The lawsuit concerned MBIA’s decision to cleave its bond insurance unit off of the rest of its operations in order to quarantine the losses therein.

Finally, Wal-Mart is the best-performing component of the blue-chip index, up 1.7% in afternoon trading. According to internal emails, the company has struggled of late due to lagging demand. Wal-Mart was one of four Dow stocks that Dan Caplinger implored readers to watch this March, saying, “Leaked internal emails among Wal-Mart executives referred to ‘disastrous sales’ for the beginning of 2013, and that prompted the company to temper its guidance for the current quarter.” For this reason, “you’ll want to watch closely for any further guidance from the retailer about the current quarter, especially as pressure continues to build on lower-income customers.”

Want to learn more about Bank of America?
Bank of America’s stock doubled in 2012. Is there more yet to come? With significant challenges still ahead, it’s critical to have a solid understanding of this megabank before adding it to your portfolio. In The Motley Fool’s premium research report on B of A, analyst Anand Chokkavelu, CFA, and financials bureau chief Matt Koppenheffer lift the veil on the bank’s operations, including detailing three reasons to buy and three reasons to sell. Click here now to claim your copy, and as an …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance