Market Insight

Markets rarely move at random. InvestorPlace’s leading analysts break down macro trends, sector dynamics, and recurring market patterns to help investors understand what is changing, what matters most, and where opportunities may emerge.

Semiconductor Stocks – Is There Any Upside Left in Semi Stocks?

We're seeing bullishness in the semiconductor space, but traders must consider what the market has already priced in. Learn the best way to invest in this sector.

Three Top Emerging Market Pharma Stocks

A recent IMS Health study predicts that by next year, drug sales in China will surpass prescriptions in France and Germany -- while Brazil will be buying more medications than the U.K. That means drugmakers in emerging markets are on the verge of a tremendous explosion in sales and profits much like the U.S. pharmaceutical industry saw at the end of the 20th century.

Short Selling – Lehman Brothers Collapse, Michael Lewis’ ‘The Big Short’ Make Case for Shorting Stocks

People condemn short selling, but it's a bunch of bull. And thanks to revelations surrounding the Lehman Brothers collapse and a new best-selling book, the shorts are starting to get some respect.

New Intel Chip Keeps Rival AMD In Its Place

Intel Corp. (INTC) has today announced the launch of a new, faster server chip that can also be used to power a high-end desktop computer. The six-core Xeon Processor 5600 series can, according to Intel, "replace 15 single-core servers with a single new one, and achieve a return on their investment in as little as 5 months." What Intel doesn't say is that the chip could also replace competitor Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) with an empty chair.

Macau Casino Stocks on the Rise (MPEL, WYNN, LVS, MGM, BYD, CNTY)

Good news for Macau casino operator Melco Crown Entertainment (MPEL) -- it looks like free-spending gamblers will offset any problems caused by tighter credit markets in China. That's according to a Credit Suisse analyst who upgraded MPEL stock to "outperform" from "neutral" today. The analyst also upgraded Sands China, owned by Las Vegas Sands (LVS), but kept Wynn Reports (WYNN) subsidiary Wynn Macau at "underperform."

Your Last Must Watch Earnings (ABK, NKE, FDX, GME, PALM, UPS, AAPL, RIMM)

Yes earnings season is over. But there are still some stragglers and some who have off-calendar quarterly report cycles. We are gearing up for earnings from AMBAC Financial (ABK), Nike Inc. (NKE), FedEx Corporation (FDX), GameStop Corp. (GME), and Palm, Inc. (PALM).

Will SBUX Upgrade Spread to Other Restaurant Stocks?

California-based TeleNav provides GPS navigation services to more than 13 million subscribers and recently completed a study of the most searched-for destinations of its users. The top five destinations were Walmart (WMT), followed by Starbucks (SBUX), Target (TGT), Best Buy (BBY), and Bank of America (BAC) in that order. Three of the top ten destinations were food purveyors: Starbucks, Pizza Hut (owned by Yum! Brands (YUM)), and McDonald's (MCD).

Dividend Hopes Push GE to 52-Week High

General Electric (GE) just hit a new 52-week high today thanks to a bullish statement from the firms CFO and the promise to growth dividends again in 2011.

CBOE Files for IPO; Members to Receive Special Dividend

The CBOE filed for a $300 million IPO, making it the final major North American financial exchange to become a publicly traded entity.

Apple-AAPL iPad Set to Steal Market Share From Amazon-AMZN Kindle

Apple's (AAPL) iPad is going to steal market share from Amazon's (AMZN) Kindle. Traders might want to ride AMZN downriver with these put options.

Varian Medical (VAR) is Radiating Profits

One of the strongest stock picks of my stock model this month has been Varian Medical Systems (VAR), which provides radiation technology solutions that assist doctors treating cancer. Shares are up 7.2% for my subscribers in March so far, which will just about pay for six hours in the hospital. I still recommend it on dips for growth investors.

Bye Bye, Bailout Bonuses – AIG Awards Cut by $21 Million

U.S. taxpayers own about 80% of American International Group, Inc. (AIG) and should be able to call the shots as the former insurance giant tries to work its way out of the mess that caused us to cough up more than $182 billion to rescue AIG from extinction. That is sort of the case.

Pepsi Dividend Boost Adds Fizz to Shares

PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) has decided to return some more cash to its shareholders. The company said this morning that it would raise its dividend 7%, to an annualized $1.92/share, and increase its stock buyback program to $15 billion. When you think about it, there really isn't much else for them to do.

Digging for Profits in Rare Earth Small-Cap Stocks

Everyone knows about the potential upside when investing in precious metals, especially over the last year, as gold, silver and platinum prices all surged higher. But if you dig into the dirt a little deeper you'll also find the so-called "rare earth minerals," and for the small-cap investor, these too could be a virtual gold mine. To get a better understanding of the universe of rare earth mineral stocks, let's first take a closer look at what these compounds are and what they're used for.

NCAA Final Four Goes 3D this March

CBS Corp. (CBS) announced this week that it will provide 3D coverage of the NCAA Final Four to 100 movie theaters nationwide in a move to bring this new form of sports broadcast to the masses. If successful, the gambit could change the business of sports forever.

Madonna’s Retail Line: Lessons from Trump, Martha and Others

Madonna recently announced a partnership with Iconix Brand Group (ICON) to bring a line of footwear and apparel to the retail marketplace. Here's a look at other iconic names behind big brands: Estee Lauder (EL), Martha Stewart (MSO), Wynn Resports (WYNN), Ralph Lauren (RL) and Trump (TRMPQ).

Microsoft’s Bing Takes Bite Out of Yahoo! Search

Ever since Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) withdrew its $33/share offer for Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO) in May 2008, the search company's share price has been trending downward. Yahoo! is losing market share steadily, and a fair portion of the loss is going to Microsoft's Bing search engine.

Top 5 Emerging Market Airlines

Airlines have been in a tailspin for the past year, but thanks to growth in emerging markets it appearts that major carriers could be pulling out of their gut-wrenching dive -- today, the International Air Transport Association lowered its expected total airline losses for 2009 from $11 billion to $9.4 billion.

Finally Some Good News for the Airlines

The past year was the worst in airline history. Passenger demand fell 3.5% and the average load per flight was just 75.6%. Freight also fell by 10.1% with an average load of 49.1%. Predictions for 2010 were not quite as bad, but the airlines were still predicted to lose $5.6 billion compared with $11 billion in 2009.