MetLife’s second-quarter earnings top the Street’s expectations

Filed under: Earnings reports , MetLife Inc. (MET) Late yesterday, MetLife (NYSE: MET ) announced a second-quarter net loss of $1.74 per share, compared to earnings of $1.26 per share a year ago. The company blamed the loss on derivative losses of $1.8 billion, $1 billion of which was related to an increase in the company's own debt in the second quarter. Excluding charges, MET earned 88 cents per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate by 20 cents. The insurer's premiums

The Great Reflation Experiment

The Great Reflation Experiment The Debt Super Cycle Some Background on US Inflation Implications for Investors A Beach, New York, and Maine The question we have been focused on for some time now is whether we end up with inflation, or deflation, and what that endgame looks like. It is one of the most important questions an investor must ask today, and getting the answer right is critical. This week, we have a guest writer who takes on the topic of the great experime

Video: European Morning Briefing

A snapshot of the 31th July Morning Briefing covering Stocks, Bonds, FX etc.

Forbes Guide to the Markets Becoming a Savvy Investor

Forbes Guide to the Markets Becoming a Savvy Investor

An essential resource for the new or seasoned investor from Forbes(r), the most trusted name in the business.

This accessible book is a practical guide to the financial markets. Designed to help both the new and experienced investor gain sufficient understanding and knowledge to invest wisely and confidently, it covers all the elements necessary to become financially “street smart,” from products, players, and procedures to rules, regulators, and risk/reward trade-offs. Filled with solid investment principles. Forbes(r) Guide to the Markets covers such critical topics as: Buying and Selling Stocks

• Mutual Funds
• Bonds
• Futures and Options
• Investing With or Without a Broker
• Fundamental, Technical, and Quantitative Analysis
• Calculating Returns
• Diversification
• Past and Future Trends.

Highlighting key terms and containing a complete glossary, this authoritative resource is an essential tool for anyone aspiring to become a savvy investor.

Today’s top business publication. Forbes(r) magazine is aimed at investors, business executives, and managers.

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star Savvy investor?????
It is exactly what you would expect from a magazine. The information provided was basic investing 101 style material. It is more akin to the type of information you would get in a pamphlet rather than a true academic work. If you watch CNBC for 20 minutes per day you will be better informed than you will after reading this book.

5 Stars Best Introduction to the Stock Market
This was my first book on investing, three years ago. It starts with the assumption that you know nothing, but it treats you like an educated, intelligent person. The pace goes quickly, and by the end of the book you know everything you need to know to be an intelligent investor.
I have recommended this book to several friends who wanted a good investing primer.

5 Stars An Edifying Read
Groz’s book is just the kind of investment book that has been needed to fill the gap between market kitch and high-brow professional narrative. It leaves the reader feeling well informed but piques her curiousity — and prepares her for an even deeper understanding of the markets and investing. It is clear that this was Groz’s intention. A great book for journeyman investors seeking to negotiate markets and market-speak on a daily basis.

5 Stars The Best Book on Investing
After reading many books on investing, this is the first I’ve found that offers keen insights to beginners and advanced investors. I would have no problem recommending this book to any of my Wall Street friends–or to my parents.

4 Stars Good Book…..a little ‘boring’……
This is a pretty good book…it seems to me it covers ground a little too fast, and dosen’t give enough examples. If you are a quick learner, this is a good book for you. To me, after I got to the part on Mutual Funds I started getting bored….I just wish it was a little more fun to read…but again, A good book to read and learn about the stock market.

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Eastern European Currencies Recover, but Risks Remain

Emerging market currencies have soared over the last few months, thanks to a commensurate recovery in investor risk appetite. This trend is on full display in Eastern Europe, where, “The Hungarian currency , which has dropped 14 percent in the past year, has been the best performer in the past three months of the 26 emerging-market units tracked Bloomberg, having advanced 10 percent.” The Polish Zloty, meanwhile, can claim the distinction of best performer against the Euro, having risen 6% in t

Which Broker? You Don’t Need One

When people start investing outside their 401k or 403b plan for the first time, their very first question is often Which broker? The answer should be You don't need one. Vanguard is a great choice for beginning investors (and seasoned investors!), but Vanguard is not a broker. It's a mutual fund company. Vanguard has a brokerage subsidiary, but it is primarily a mutual fund company. What's the difference between a mutual fund company and a brokerage firm then? People sometimes

2008 Tax Facts on Investments Stocks Bonds Mutual Funds Real Estate Oil and Gas Puts Calls Futures Gold Savings Deposits Tax Facts 2

2008 Tax Facts on Investments Stocks Bonds Mutual Funds Real Estate Oil and Gas Puts Calls Futures Gold Savings Deposits Tax Facts 2

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Optimize Your IRA and 401(k)

By Philip Brewer Your IRA and 401(k) (or 403(b) if you work for a non-profit) are great tools for deferring taxes, and have other advantages as well. But because they're labeled retirement accounts, people are much too likely to put the wrong investments in them. Here's how to use them correctly. Because of rules designed to discourage people from taking money out until they approach retirement age, people assume that they ought to put their long-term investments in their 401(k).

Global Information Network with Kevin Trudeau

So I've been introduced to a 1001 sources of insider information on health, wealth, security, marketing, business, investing, government corruption, lifestyles of the rich and famous… But I have never been so enthused as I am by what Kevin Trudeau is putting together through his new radio network show at www.ktradionetwork.com . Why? Because he understands marketing (he's a millionaire many times over), he understands genuine health, lifestyle management, and the possibilities of global i

The Next Gold Rush

As you review your investment portfolio to size up your current exposure to gold, keep one key point in mind: When it comes to profits, there’s no rush like a speculative gold rush.And that’s just what we have at hand.Inflationary fears are on the march the world over. And most of those worries are due to the trillions of dollars in stimulus spending the world’s central bankers have engineered. Those worries about the pressure from rising prices are destined to cause the next big asset bu

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