What This Week’s Bank Earnings Really Tell You (And What to Buy Instead)

Earnings season is now in high gear and, as I suggested may be the case, the numbers are coming in stronger than expected.

We talked about Pepsi last week, but the news this week was all about the big banks. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:GS) blew the doors off Wall Street’s expectations, posting earnings of $5.81 versus the $4.89 analysts had on the board. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) posted earnings of $2.82 versus estimates of $2.50.

As usual, though, the real story is something entirely different.

Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase highlight solid momentum: healthy confidence, solid jobs, rising wages, and so much more. The consumer, to a point we talk about frequently, is stronger than the headlines suggest. But that’s not the real story, and that’s, as usual, where I get really concerned.

Especially when it comes to debt.

Credit card sales, according to JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, reflect healthy consumption, but I think they reflect something far deeper and far more sinister.

Weekend Edition: What This Week’s Bank Earnings Really Tell You (And What to Buy Instead)

Earnings season is now in high gear and, as I suggested may be the case, the numbers are coming in stronger than expected. There’s something far deeper, and far more sinister, behind numbers that reflect healthy consumption. Click here to watch.

The Best Two “Buys” if There’s Another Correction

Millions of investors make a very fundamental mistake in the pursuit of bigger returns.

They chase “hot stocks” when getting ahead of them is almost always a far better and far more profitable way to go.

I know that sounds obvious… but hear me out.

If you’re of a certain vintage like I am, chances are good that you grew up with the notion that waiting for pullbacks would give you an opening when it came to investing. You were taught to look for “confirmation” before you made you move.

Today’s markets don’t work like that any longer, though. Studies suggest that 60% – 90% of all trading activity is computerized which means that you can’t wait for trends to develop.

You have to be in ahead of time or you’ll miss a huge portion of moves that could make you a fortune. Adding insult to injury, being late to an investment or a trade means that the risks it’s going to turn against you are far higher than most people think.

So, how do you get around that problem?

The U.S. and Global Regulations: It’s Just “Sour Grapes”

The government is starting to step in, and they’re targeting the FANG stocks, especially the ones that have richly rewarded their investors. Are we worried? The short answer – no. Here’s why. Click here to watch.

Why A Correction’s Likely This Week or Next

Keith Fitz-Gerald’s watching these things very closely. Hint: He’s not worried about earnings or the Fed.

Many investors are worried about the possibility of a correction, but Keith Fitz-Gerald isn’t one of ’em.

He explained why on Varney & Co. Monday morning as the market opened:

Why Facebook was Handed a $5 Billion “Warning”

We’re looking at the FANG stocks this week, especially Facebook, who was saddled with a $5 billion fine for a privacy violation. That’s nothing but a drop in the hat for this tech giant – fact is, they’re probably laughing in the boardroom. Here’s what should have happened to the tech giant instead. Click here to watch.

How to Handle Earnings Season

It’s hard to believe, but earnings season is upon us again, and it’s widely expected to be a downer, with the average decline in earnings coming in at -2.6%, according to FactSet data.

If that’s where the scorecard finishes, it’ll be the second straight quarter of earnings declines year over year. By comparison, the average estimated earnings decline was just -0.5% just a few short months ago, so this is potentially a big deal.

I say “potentially” because mainstream analysts had the same sort of doom and gloom in mind last quarter and the numbers were stronger than most folks expected. Not surprisingly, anybody betting on a decline got caught flatfooted by a market that ran away from them. I don’t ever want you to be in that position of having to play catch up, especially when you could get ahead of the next leg up.

Speaking of which, I believe this earnings season will play out a lot like last quarter did, meaning that the numbers will be stronger than most investors expect which means you want to be “in to win” if you’re serious about profits like I am. I also believe there will be serious split developing between companies that meet or beat expectations and those that don’t.

Take technology, healthcare, and defense, for example … these are all areas where there’s still strong growth and likely to be stronger future earnings.

On the other hand, I see revenues and earnings getting tighter for retailers, and companies incapable of leaning into the future. Effectively, they’re a value trap for unsuspecting investors.

Invest accordingly!

Weekend Edition: How to Handle Earnings Season

It’s hard to believe, but earnings season is upon us again, and it’s widely expected to be a downer, with the average decline in earnings coming in at -2.6%, according to FactSet data. If that’s where the scorecard finishes, it’ll be the second straight quarter of earnings declines year over year. By comparison, the average estimated earnings decline was just -0.5% just a few short months ago, so this is potentially a big deal. Click here to watch.

How to Predict the Market’s Next Move (And Line Up Big Profits at The Same Time)

People ask me frequently how I can confidently and accurately predict the markets, especially when they’re at new highs and fears of a correction run rampant.

And, my answer is always the same.

I don’t predict anything.

I simply know something most investors don’t.

And, today I’m going to let you in on the secret…

Big SUVs Aren’t the Half of It When It Comes to Big Profits

When I started Total Wealth, I promised you a look at the tips, tactics, and techniques needed to turn today’s headlines into profits. And we’ve done that very well over the years together.

Today, though, I want to go a step deeper by calling your attention to a headline that caught mine early Monday morning, and what it really says about how to line up your next profitable play.

You won’t find what I am about to say anywhere else, though.

It’s simply too uncomfortable to talk about, so the mainstream media ignores the problem or – if they do talk about it – discusses what’s happening in highly hedged terms, so as not to be accused of fat-shaming, skinny-shaming, or being politically, socially, or economically incorrect.

I don’t have that luxury.

My job as Chief Investment Strategist is to help you identify the world’s best profit potential, even if it means talking about stuff we find challenging.

What Big SUVs Really Tell You About Where to Invest…

“This Is Like When You Play a Country Music Song Backwards”

It seems like all the markets want right now is… everything; a strong economy, a trade deal, rate cuts, you name it, and the expectation is there. However, to a point Keith makes, the markets have been baking in perfection for a while, it’s gotten a little ahead of itself, and that’s what the “wall of worry is all about.” And that also spells out where the markets could go from here. Click here to watch.

Right Idea… Wrong Question

Happy Fourth of July Weekend!

I’m Keith Fitz-Gerald, Chief Investment Strategist for Money Map Press and Founder of Total Wealth Research.

I’ll keep things short today because I’m keen to get on with my holiday weekend, and I hope you are, too.

Weekend Edition: Right Idea… Wrong Question

I’ll keep things short today because I’m keen to get on with my holiday weekend, and I hope you are, too. Right now there are a lot of people asking what could go wrong with the markets, and that’s logical, given the headlines. The list, of course, is long but hardly distinguished. The people who are going to make profits will ignore the headlines, and here’s exactly how you can do that.

One Move to Make Any Investment “Risk Free” (and Build Profits Even Faster)

There’s no way to eliminate risk 100% when it comes to investing.

I can’t do it. You can’t do it. (And if anyone tries to tell you otherwise, take your money and run.)

There’s just no such thing.

Yet, unbeknownst to most investors, there is a way to make any investment risk “free” under the right circumstances using one of my favorite Total Wealth Tactics: the “Free Trade.”

Not only does this remove risk from your portfolio, but it means you can potentially build profits faster, more consistently, and more securely than you might think.

Doing so is a critically important concept given current market conditions and a bull market that, as of yesterday is 3,117 days old and has run more than 237% off March 9, 2009 lows.

We’re long overdue for a correction… a correction, I might add, that YOU don’t have to fear if you understand what we’re going to talk about today.

This is your moment of truth…

Three Reasons Apple Could Double in 24 Months

Millions of investors are making the mistake of their investing lives, especially when it comes to Apple. Critics say:

… it’s expensive

… China’s closing ’em out

… Chief Industrial Designer Jony Ive is leaving

All true.

Still, if you’re not buying Apple now, you’ll be kicking yourself later.

I think the stock could double in 24 months or less.