Archive for May, 2009

Choosing Simple Investments in Turbulent Times

The recent rise in stock prices might foretell what inflation will do to the market. Companies selling products with stable demand should do well, since they will be able to raise their wholesale prices as quick as inflation hits.

In turbulent times, my choice goes for simplicity and stability. Well-established consumer brands and pharmaceuticals sell the kind of products that don't go out of fashion overnight. Most prescription drugs continue to sell well in times of economic recession and few people will skip their breakfast cereal.

The following six companies represent my favourite investments, today May 24, 2009, as possible additions to my own portfolio:

1.- KRAFT FOODS (NYSE:KFT). A major international food manufacturer that sells its products in 140 countries. In addition to cheese and chocolate, Kraft makes different sorts of snacks. The wide multi-national base of its income should allow this company to compensate for problems in any given territory. Its current dividend yield is about 4% and its price/earnings ratio is about 14.

2.- KIMBERLY CLARK (NYSE:KMB). A multi-national manufacturer of hygiene and personal-care products. Its disposable diapers and facial tissues are sold around the world. This company owns, amongst others, the Kleenex brand. At today's share price, the dividend yield is around 4.5% and the company shows a price/earnings ratio around 13.

3.- KELLOGG (NYSE:K). Its breakfast cereals are sold in supermarkets around the world and represent one of the best-known consumer brands. Kellogg's products are sold in 160 countries and has a loyal customer base. The shares show a current dividend yield around 3% and a price/earnings ratio about 14.

4.- NOVARTIS (NYSE:NVS). This Swiss pharmaceutical company sells its medicines in 130 countries and owns numerous patents. In addition to medicines, it sells diagnostic kits and vaccines. Its worldwide income from many different products provides this company with a excellent risk distribution. Its shares show a dividend yield of about 4% and a price/earnings ratio around 12.

5.- CLOROX (NYSE:CLX). This multi-multinational manufacturer of household and cleaning products has sales in the five continents, in about 90 countries in total. It possesses a stable customer base and its brand Clorox is well-known around the world. The shares show a dividend yield around 3.5% and a price/earnings ratio around 13.

6.- JOHNSON AND JOHNSON (NYSE:JNJ). A major manufacturer and distributor of cosmetics and personal-care products. Its mouthwash brand Listerine is known by consumers in many countries. The company markets as well many pharmaceutical products. The shares show a dividend yield around 3.5% and a price/earnings ratio about 13.

As always, when you make investment decisions, avoid following any advice blindly. It is your own money and you should check all details yourself.

Devoting reasonable efforts to researching shares is the only way to make well-informed choices. In today's market, you should not lack opportunities to find excellent investments.

JOHN VESPASIAN writes about rational living. He has resided in New York, Madrid, Paris, and Munich. His tales reflect the values of entrepreneurship, tolerance, and self-reliance. See John Vespasian's blog about rational living.

http://johnvespasian.blogspot.com/

JOHN VESPASIAN writes about rational living. He has resided in New York, Madrid, Paris, and Munich. His tales reflect the values of entrepreneurship, tolerance, and self-reliance. See John Vespasian's blog about rational living at http://johnvespasian.blogspot.com/

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/investing-articles/choosing-simple-investments-in-turbulent-times-945717.html

Mastering Forex Trading

Firstly you have to prepare yourself, when you have chose to enter the FX Trading. To achieve success, it's very vital to know even the primary principles of FX Trading. You need to know more that just the basic principles to even have a huge opportunity of succeeding, since there are no guarantees. You can study FX Trading in different ways. You can join on-line services, participate in a FX Trading school, become a pupil of a forex trader, or do it on your own. Still, doing it alone requires a lot of risks. Especially for newbies.

For novice traders, it is much better to choose the more riskless ways of learning to trade forex online. You are going to gain from experienced instructors who are already trading Forex in real times. In this manner, you are being common with the genuine market conditions. You have the opportunity to see the live processes and decisions which you can take on in the future. But, it is your own strategy that will take you to success.

There are six simple steps that starting traders can follow to achieve success in the FX Trading:

1. Right attitude. The traders who are victorious in trading forex, takes the attitude of doing what it requires to achieve success. This stresses that success lies on the person who is trading forex itself. It doesn't matter if you read forex trading tip sheets, or listen to a FX Trading guru. It will become invalid if you don't own the right attitude for success. You can perform experiments on your own for two weeks together with other novice traders. They are often addressed as "turtles". Learning FX Trading is warding off the trap of thinking that you can really accomplish success by watching someone else. Just get the right knowledge and prepare a strategy of your own.

2. Right method. It should involve long term trends. Keep in mind that the trend on huge currencies lasts for months or even for years. It is your duty to engage yourself into these trends to make huge profits. It is best advised to use the breakout methods to catch long-term trends. This method is already established by major trading systems. Excellent software is also recommended for use. It allows the trader to test the trading method that was chosen and later on trade it on real times. You need to know right charting and mapping. There is already available software that will help you regarding market moves. It will permit you to estimate the best times for selling or buying when you are able to read forex market charts.

3. Right discipline. The traders should right themselves by strictly following on their built methods even when suffering period's comes across. It could learn them new techniques on how to come through the forex markets even when downfalls come across.

4. Right knowledge. The traders can quickly learn the breakout method, but, they should also overcome mental pitfalls involved in forex trading. It is urged to read motivational books that mainly concentrate on this theme.

5. Take the risks. The standard mistake done by most forex traders is trying to limit the risks. Finally they may endure serious losses because they are being blocked out in the forex market. The trader's direction is excellent, yet the trade does not have enough room for downsides. Constantly remember that in forex trading risks lays the rewards. There is a difference between racing in taking risks which are already calculated. It only allows you to wait for the right chance.

6. Trading in isolation. The trader should analyze this to keep sharpened. Consider that if you are open to the thoughts and beliefs of others, it may discourage you if you find it very unique. It does not necessarily mean that you follow the opinion agreed upon by umpteen traders, because most often, many traders suffer losses.

Forex market is considered the largest market world-wide. It is working 24 hours a day,7 days a week. Its processes are been accomplished in real times without boundaries. The trader's success also depends on taking the right choice. Learning FX Trading have no roadblocks and entry points so you need to have a better understanding before plunging into business. Although numerous individuals indicate that learning forex while trading is the best, but it is always your choice to choose the best way to learn that will suit your needs. If you're Learning to trade forex, visiting the website Mastering Forex Trading will provide you with the right information.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/currency-trading-articles/mastering-forex-trading-945329.html