Global Macro Investing and Different Asset Classes

By Adam Smith

Among the ten asset classes we have cash, equities, fixed income, commodities, currencies, real estate, private equity, venture capital, collectibles, and statistical arbitrage. Obviously not all of these are easily accessible by most retail investors but you can still get into five or more.

Cash is the first asset on the list. While technically a currency we look at it as more of a place of last resort. You earn a bit of interest on it but basically you only use it when you can find another place to put your money to work for a higher return.

Stocks are next and they are also probably the most followed asset class. We have all heard of the Dow Jones and the NASDAQ. While stocks are a great and exciting asset class they aren't the only game in town.

Bonds also known as fixed income are simply loans to governments and corporations. In return for the loan you get interest payments. Most global macro traders look at US government, foreign government, and corporate bonds when looking for a fixed income trade. By looking at multiple sub classes we have more opportunities for great risk to reward trades.

Commodities are another hot spot in the macro arsenal of asset classes. While the term is broad the trading is even broader as you can trade energy, agricultural products, livestock, metals, and even precious metals. If you can pick it up or eat it you can trade it. This is a good thing as it gives us more potential trade opportunities.

The largest asset class is that of currencies. Currencies have long been one of the primary trading assets for macro traders. If you have an opinion on one country versus another then you have a basis for a trade. If the reward outweighs the risk then you can have another asset class to trade.

Finally we have venture capital, private equity, real estate, and collectibles. These assets are tradeable with one major caveat, and that is that they are not very liquid. Whereas you can unwind a billion dollar currency trade in minutes, it can take days and weeks to get out of real estate and private equity investments. - 23222

About the Author:

The Macro Trader helps investors find great Global Macro Investing opportunities. Mean Reversion is but one of the many strategies that we use to help find the best risk to reward opportunities across the globe.

Despite Massive Layoffs Nationwide, These 28 Companies Are Hiring

By Jack Haddad

According to a recent article by Fortune magazine, the following companies are on a hiring binge:

1. Wal-Mart (WMT). An estimated number of 960 new job openings to staff new locations. It's hiring store managers, human resource managers, pharmacists, customer service associates and cashiers, among others.

2. Hewlett-Packard (HPQ). An estimated 150 new openings needed in several areas of its businesses, including information technology, human resources, research and development, marketing, finance and administrative.

3. Bank of America (BAC). 1,860 new positions needed in several areas including consumer banking, small business banking, credit cards, home loans, global banking, wealth management, technology, human resources, finance, communications, marketing and administration.

4. State Farm Insurance. An estimated 800+ new agents needed. There are positions in a variety of areas including claims and underwriting, finance, accounting and legal. The company aims to add 800 to 1000 new agent positions across the country, specifically in the Northeast, Texas and California.

5. WellPoint (WLP). 1,225 new positions needed. It's hiring health outreach specialists, nurse case managers, accountants, actuaries, claims representatives, customer care representatives, enrollment and billing representatives, account managers, marketing managers, business analysts and sales assistants.

6. Boeing (BA). 2460 positions are available in various areas such as engineering, finance, communications, contracts, intellectual property, information systems, program and project management, operations, quality, marketing, supplier management and supplier quality, legal, business development and some administrative and support positions.

7. Microsoft (MSFT). 630 Positions are available in marketing, software development, customer service, information technology, operations, program management, small and medium business sales, software testing, administrative services, operations, user assistance and education, game design, content publishing, marketing communications, legal and finance.

8. MetLife (MET). 1000 new positions are needed in areas of information technology, human resources, finance, operations, call center, administration and sales (including individual policies, group, home loans - mortgage and reverse mortgages).

9. United Parcel Service (UPS). 3,070 positions are needed for part-time package handlers, mechanics, warehouse personnel, sales representatives and information technology professionals.

10. Medco Health Solutions (MHS). 300+ new positions for selective hiring companywide. One division in particular, Liberty Medical, which serves the needs of patients with diabetes, is hiring for a number of customer service positions.

11. Lowe's (LOW). 7,900 jobs are available in corporate, stores and distribution centers. Positions range from seasonal employees in Lowe's stores, to team members in regional distribution centers, to miscellaneous positions in the corporate office.

12. Time Warner (TWX). 480 openings posted online include positions in creative, editorial, marketing, media, finance, accounting, graphics design, animation, new media, ad sales, film/television production and programming, administrative, information technology services and online.

13. Sears (SHLD). 500+ new postions in information technology, eCommerce, finance, audit, marketing, brand management, merchandising and distribution. Positions are also available for associates, store managers and in-home technicians.

14. Supervalu (SVU). 180+ Corporate positions are available in various departments including advertising, marketing, retail operations, merchandising and finance. In addition, there are open positions in retail stores and supply chain services.

15. Johnson Controls (JCI). 750 positions related to energy efficiency.

16. GMAC. 750 positions include project managers, mortgage loan officers, underwriters, servicing call center representatives and loan loss mitigators. Additional openings are available in information technology, finance, compliance, risk and treasury.

17. Comcast (CMCSA). 1,000 openings primarily in call center operations, field operations, warehousing and sales.

18. Northrop Grumman (NOC). 3,700 openings include positions in information technology, engineering, production/manufacturing, supply chain management, program management, product development and administration (including human resources and finance).

19. Coca-Cola (KO). 160 jobs for a variety of different functions on many levels including finance, bottling, retail operations, production and customer service, delivery and food chemistry.

20. New York Life Insurance. 3,640 positions are available in accounting, actuarial, auditing, customer support, information technology, investment management, legal, life insurance and annuity products, product development and strategy, sales and underwriting.

21. Aetna (AET). 550 openings are in customer service, claims and health care, including nurses.

22. Motorola (MOT). 520 openings are in engineering, sales, finance, marketing and project management.

23. Abbott Laboratories (ABT). 260 jobs in sales, legal, information technology, administrative, engineering, clinical research, manufacturing, quality assurance and accounting.

24. General Dynamics (GD). 2,365 openings in many areas, but most job opportunities are in technology and manufacturing fields, and include administrative, engineering, design and development and production and installation positions.

25. Prudential Financial (PRU). 235 openings are in financial, actuarial, market research and analysis, operations and administrative.

26. Humana (HUM). 265 openings in sales, nursing, actuarial, finance, project management, information technology, pharmacy, medical, health, insurance, administrative, compliance, communications and legal.

27. Liberty Insurance Mutual Group. 500 positions are available in finance, nursing, legal, claims and sales.

28. HCA (HCA). 9,000 openings for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, clinical technicians and patient care support workers.

Disclosure: The author owns none of the securities in his portfolio. - 23222

About the Author:

Dr. Jack Haddad, MD, MBA has been professionally trading the stock market since 1997 and had an annualized return of 39.4%. Dr. Haddad has recently launched MD Capital Management, an Investment Fund with Charles Schwab. The fund utilizes option hedging techniques to generate returns while minimizing risks. For more info, visit Jack's online group: MD Capital Management.

Today's Mortgage Refinance for 2009

By Amanda Jackson

When looking at Mortgage Refinance there are quite a few details to which you will want to pay attention. It is very important to realize there are variations from one state to the next when it comes to interest rates, Loan to Value, supply vs. demand and these items will fluctuate without warning.

If you plan on moving or can foresee paying off your loan very soon, then a Mortgage Refinance probably makes very little sense. You won't be paying your monthly bills long enough to see the savings that would cover the refinance costs. "There are too many factors working against lower rates, including the smaller stimulus this time in terms of payment reduction, falling home prices and tighter mortgage standards." Deutsche Bank analyst Nishu Sood wrote in a report to clients on Tuesday.

We are aware of the changing conditions in the U.S. Finance Market. This has created an environment of uncertainty for people in the market for a Mortgage Refinance. Refinancing makes sense if you are paying high interest rates, but as we have seen recently, that is usually not the case these days.

Change in restrictions has caused what could be a temporary decrease in lending. In January of 2009, Wall Street Analysts suggested the market for 2009 may show deeper losses, as last year's ripple effect works its way through the U.S. We will also see to what degree the growing unemployment rate will affect both original loans and Mortgage Refinance in 2009.

The carryover from last year's events will cause Lenders to become ever strict, making Mortgage Finance and its ease of access not as attainable for customers as previously witnessed. We will find out if Mortgage Refinance will be different based on payment history and equity with which to negotiate.

We will also see to what degree the growing unemployment rate will affect both original loans and Mortgage Refinance in 2009. The outlook for the other leg of the real estate market: commercial properties, not looking any better as the $3.4 Trillion commercial market began to show its struggle in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Discussion about investing money you would spend on a Mortgage Refinance rather than actually Refinancing is becoming a popular topic as stocks have gone down. There is an alternative being suggested; comparing the cost of refinancing that would go into the life of a 30 year loan compared to putting the same amount into a 30 year investment. An investment that shows a 9% growth rate on $2,000 could grow to an approximate $26,500 in 30 years. This is simply another option in which to take a look.

Today's finance rates are subject to change at any time and without warning. Take a look at all options before making a decision. Looking at a Mortgage Refinance can turn out to be a great idea, just try not to rush out and make a rash decision simply to beat the possibility of interest rates rising unexpectedly. But don't sit around and wait until it is too late if it truly turns out to be in your best interest to Refinance. - 23222

About the Author:

This article is brought to you by the team at Best Mortgage Refinance. Visit them for More free information and articles about Mortgage Refinance

Forex- Forex Trading Strategies

By fx

Forex Trading is financially the most rewarding strategy for Traders. With more than $2 trillion dollars turned over daily is also the most liquid trading market available. However in order to be a successful Forex Trader the simple most important thing that any trader either trading in the Forex market or looking to trade Forex can do is to educate themselves to become better Forex Traders. Today we will look at some key educational lessons to help you become a better Forex Trader.

This article focuses on building up solid forex profits using proven long term trading strategies. If you look at any forex chart, you will see long-term term trends that last for months or years. These moves can and do yield serious profit - present we will outline a simple method to get them.

Breakouts- Trading on Confirmation of Break outs

By far the best way of catching the serious moves is to use a forex trading strategy based around breakouts. A breakout is simply a move on a forex chart where a new high or low is made and resistance or support is broken.

It's a fact that most leading moves start from new highs or lows. Right this an sit it next to your computer so that you don't forget it.

While it might appear that you are not buying or selling at the greatest level, you are in terms of the odds of the trend continuing. Most forex traders make the mistake of waiting for the breakout to come back and get in at a better price but these traders never get on board. The grounds for this is if a breakout occurs, then you have a new strong trend and a pullback is not very likely to occur. So you will the boat and therefore profits.

Most traders don't buy or sell breakouts and that's exactly why it's such a powerful method.

The only point to keep in mind is a support or resistance which is ruined, should be valid and that means at least 3 points in at least 2 different times frames. The more tests and the greater the spacing between the tests the more valid the level is.

Confirmation- Don't Guess it, Confirm IT

Of course not every breakout keeps and some reverse, these are false and can cause losses. You therefore need to confirm each move. All you need to do to achieve this is to put a few momentum indicators in your forex trading system to confirm your dealing signal.

These indicators give you an estimation of the strength and velocity of price and there are many to choose from. We don't have time to discuss them here (simply look up our other articles) but two of the greatest are - the stochastic and Relative Strength Index RSI

Stops and Targets

Stop points are easy with breakouts - Simply behind the breakout point.

If you have a serious trend then you need to be careful but you can milk it, so don't move your stop to soon and keep it outside of normal volatility. If it is a huge move, trailing stops should be held a long-term way back and the 40 day moving average is a good level to use.

You have to keep in mind that when the trend does eventually turn you are going to give some profit back. You don't know when the trend is going to end, so don't predict it.

It's ok to give a little bit back, as that's the nature of trading forex. Keep in mind if you got 50% of all leading trend you would be very rich. When you are long-term term trend following you have accept giving a bit back and taking dips in open equity as the trend develops - this is noise and does not affect the long term trend.

The above is a simple way to trade forex and catch the high odds moves that yield the serious profit. If you are learning forex dealing and want a simple method that is robust and will help you get every major move, then you should base your dealing on the above method.

Now that you have all the winning strategies, you now need to have a winning broker, recently the CFD FX REPORT has reviewed these brokers and have come up with Best Forex Broker

Any trader serious about gaining extra knowledge and becoming a better trader should continue to educate themselves as great place for Free education lessons is the CFD FX REPORT they offer as host of great education lessons. You can also join there forum and chat to traders around the world, or visit there broker section and see who the expert recommend. This site is a must for anyone serious about trading. - 23222

About the Author:

The CFD FX REPORT is a real time trading tool that offers clients free trading reports, with trading ideas, stock market and forex market education as well helping them with. Also if you are looking for a Forex Broker, then feel free to visit our broker section as we recently reviewed all the forex brokers and have found the best on the market.

D2 Spot Market Transactions Involve Immediate Delivery

By Derek Powell

D2 Spot refers to the type of fuel and the type of market where it is traded. This terminology means you are selling or buying diesel fuel for immediate delivery. Since most of the worlds petroleum products come from around the world, the Internet is commonly used for trading the majority of spot market commodities.

D2 Spot needs to meet certain standards before it can be sold on the physical or cash market. as trading involves international countries with different currencies, an investor must manage the currency exchanges. This type of crude oil has its origins mainly in Russia, but is also produced in Saudi Arabia. Investors may enter and exit a foreign market as they wish, as this global market is very liquid.

With a D2 Spot real time transaction, you can expect to pay for the type of fuel in cash at the current market price, rather than the price at the time of delivery. A spot market also requires the security to be delivered within a relatively short period of time, usually within one or two days from the sale.

Energy commodities typically have long-term contracts, so very little of the world's crude oil is traded on the spot market. D2 Spot is typical, and is mainly needed in the transportation arena, for vehicles that run on diesel. This type of fuel is ideal for diesel uses as it is very low in sulfur.

Both the buyer and seller expected immediate payment when conducting a transaction for D2 spot. Entities from around the world trade daily with this type of crude oil and other petroleum products.

D2 Spot markets deal with international trade in crude oil. Today's market price is based on supply and demand. The spot price can vary depending on a number of factors, just as with any type of oil, including usage, economic conditions and time of year.

The D2 Spot contract between the seller and buyer is in effect as soon as the deal is approved. This is of course different from a futures market, where payments are deferred and prices are based on a trade that will be in effect sometime in the future. The cost of storage is included in the future price. There are times when crude oil is sold at spot prices, with deferred delivery, but this is unusual.

D2 Spot trading is set at a market where the price of commodities, securities or goods are ready for immediate trading. A diesel fuel buyer may locate the product on the spot market by looking for an oil refinery or supplier who is selling. A producer may also find a buyer and conduct a transaction within minutes. These fuel markets are either private or managed by government agencies or industries. - 23222

About the Author:

Author Derek Powell has a lot of data about D2 Spot. Check out http://www.thecommodityblog.com for latest news.