December 2013

A Guide to Private Placement Due Diligence for Stockbrokers

Here’s a throwback post from my old bomb-throwing days, hope you like it… *** Hi, I’m Josh Brown.  You might know me from such shows as the Fast Money Halftime Report and Felix TV… A recent disciplinary action by Finra has sent a warning shot across the bow at stockbrokers who sell private placements to customers without having…

Bernanke Goes Out Like a Wrecking Ball

He surprised them all in his last FOMC meeting, exiting his role as Fed chairman with a token taper of just $10 billion from the ongoing $85 billion per month asset purchases (now $75 billion). This is what I wanted to see (check out Just Do It) and apparently the market’s first reaction was happiness…

The Most Important Charts of 2013

Matt Boesler of Business Insider has truly outdone himself with this epic post I’m about to send you over to… Business Insider has collected the most important charts of 2013. Virtually every important Wall Street strategist and many other well-known financial commentators are featured here. Head over at the link below, and if you want…

Top Billionaire Gainers of 2013

Warren Buffett’s net worth grew by an average of $37 million a day in 2013. Think about that for a moment. Some more great data via Robert Frank of CNBC: Top billionaire gainers in 2013 Warren Buffett—$12.7 billion gain to $59.1 billion Bill Gates—$11.5 billion gain to $72.6 billion Sheldon Adelson—$11.4 billion gain to $35.3…

Just Do It

Today is the final FOMC Meeting for Ben Bernanke as Chairman. I bet if he had any idea of what he was getting himself into back in 2006, he would’ve stayed in the faculty dining hall at Princeton. It’s too early to know how history will judge him. Today, however, the judgment will be flying…

Morgan Housel and Barry Ritholtz talk investing

My friend Morgan Housel is 2013’s breakout financial blogging star and he’s easily the best thing Motley Fool has going for it. During the course of this year, Morgan’s done some fascinating interviews (did you see that gem of a talk with Dr. Daniel Kahneman this summer? Wow!) in addition to his regular posts. Last…

Chart o’ the Day: Solar Energy Costs Plummet

One of my favorite secular growth trends happening right now is the stealth solar energy boom. I say stealth because people think of their neighbor’s roof covered in photovoltaic shingles when you say solar energy – they have absolutely no idea how massive the industrialized version is going to be as power grids across America…