ETFs are cost effective, tax efficient, liquid and can be traded throughout the day (unlike mutual funds). Most investors are familiar with the appealing ETF basics, but here are a few tricks and traps the average Joe investor may not know.... >> READ MORE...

Much to the dismay of many mutual funds, ETFs have taken the financial world by storm. In recognition of the incredible variety available, ETFs are now considered Exchange Traded Products (ETP). Here’s a list of them along with advantages and disadvantages.... >> READ MORE...

Hot or not? How can you buy ‘hot’ ETFs without ending up with a hot potato? Obviously there’s no foolproof way to eliminate losers before they spoil your portfolio, but here is a list of the 10 hottest ETF screened according to ‘hot potato risk.’... >> READ MORE...

Two positives makes a negative and too much success is the worst thing that can happen to a contrarian indicator. This particular ‘indicator’ is so accurate, because the underlying opinions are ‘the best at being the worst.’... >> READ MORE...

The energy sector has been hammered by a 31% drop in crude oil prices. OPEC is a mere shadow of its prior glory days and analysts project further declines, as much as another 60%. Ironically, now might be the time to get dirty with oil/energy.... >> READ MORE...

Apparently it can only get worse for gold: CNBC: “Gold headed to $800” -- Bloomberg: “Don’t catch a falling knife” – Yahoo!Finance: “More pain coming.” Is that enough bearishness for gold to carve out a major bottom? ... >> READ MORE...

Here’s a matter of national importance. Chocolate prices are on the rise. The world’s largest chocolate manufacturers warn that the world is running out of cocoa. Is it really true, or just hype? ... >> READ MORE...

Few things are worse than watching an ETF that was on your mental buying list – but not in your actual portfolio – go up … and up … and up. It’s always tempting to chase performance, but here are three risks and one solution. ... >> READ MORE...

Here are three contrarian picks for die-hard contrarians and those who missed the latest stock market rally. Two trades are true bottom pickers, one trade is 2x contrarian, which almost makes it a mainstream trade.... >> READ MORE...

The S&P 500 soared 12% since its October low and left many investors in the dust … wondering if there’ll ever be another pullback that can be bought. Here’s a low-risk strategy to get back in to the game.... >> READ MORE...