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  • The Outlook for Oil Prices in 2012

    By Tony Daltorio - December 26, 2011 | Tickers: BNO, USO

    2011 was a relatively stable year for oil prices. Brent crude oil traded in a narrow band all year between $100 and $120 a barrel. But 2012 may be a very different year with traders bracing themselves for a much rougher ride. 

    The base case scenario is for oil to remain at about $100 a barrel in 2012. This is founded on relatively healthy oil demand growth of about 1 more »

  • Fool’s Gold

    By Justin Carley - December 16, 2011 | Tickers: GLL, GLD

    Add gold to diversify, ProShares UltraShort Gold ETF (NYSE:GLL) that is.  You might be shaky your head and thinking gold is a lock to go up because it is either a safe haven if we enter a recession or we print to save the world and gold skyrockets.  So it is a win-win.  That is what everyone is thinking, albeit incorrectly, and exactly why you should do the opposite.  Going with the crowd is not always a bad idea, but when you combine it with technical analysis that shows gold breaking down, you have a big problem.

  • Utilities: The Best Performing Sector by Capital Appreciation Offers Above-Average Dividends as Well

    By Eric Lumsden - December 11, 2011 | Tickers: AEP, DUK, PPL, SO, XLU

    Electric utilities are currently the best performing sector in the S&P 500, up 14.5% over the past 12 months. These companies also offer dividends which far surpass the 1.96% yield on the S&P 500.  In addition to the high performance, these stocks are considered fairly safe on the whole.  Many utilities still operate in a regulated environment, able to raise their rates through petitioning regulators instead more »