ID Analysts

Our seasoned team of analysts continually monitors investment opportunities around the world, to provide investors with the widest possible array of money-making ideas.

Analyst Articles

As for our positions, this morning we closed out our JC Penny Company (JCP) November 34 put option for a 17 percent gain after the stock had fallen to near-term support.   We are still holding the Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) ETF. If the stock market backs off, which can’t be ruled out given the crisis of confidence gripping Europe right now, the financial shares will be among the hardest hit. But given the leverage behind this fund, it’s not a buy-and-hold investment, so be prepared to exit on short notice. We’ll be carefully watching earnings reports as they start to come in during the next few days for indications as to where the sector is headed next.   One the long side of the market, Nabors Industries (NBR) backed off after flirting with the $25 level, wiping out our earlier gain in the shares. Our work suggests the economy is likely to start showing signs of improving, which means energy prices should firm up as well. As for Nabors, as we indicated last week, we’re looking for a close above $25 which would be a prelude to a move to the upper $20s. The stock is a buy on margin for new clients.   Read More

Ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service said that bank loans to local governments in China may pose a greater-than-expected threat to the country’s banking system. China’s main government auditor, the National Audit Office, may have underestimated the amount of bank loans to local governments by $540 billion, Moody’s said. Unless there… Read More

Stocks staged their most impressive weekly return in several years last week, with the S&P 500 gaining more than 5 percent. Small stocks performed well, too, thought they trailed the blue chips.   Read More

Our leveraged position in Nabors Industries (NBR) is off to a good start. We’d now like to see a close above $25 for a couple of days in a row, which would open the door to a rally to the high $20s. The stock is a buy on margin for new clients.   Gold pulled back on Friday, giving up some of its earlier gains, but has reverse course today. All three of our gold-related positions are rated buys at their current prices: the Market Vectors Gold Miners (GDX) September 57 call option, and our equity position in Gabriel Resources (GBU.TO, GBRRF) and NovaGold Resources (NG).   Shares of Mosaic (MOS) continue to recover nicely. Continue to hold the Mosaic (MOS) September 80 call option. Also a hold is the EMC (EMC) July 29 call option. The stock has likewise rebounded strongly, with further gains expected to follow, but we’re in a tough spot with our option being a front-month contract.   JC Penny Company (JCP) appears to be marking time, having failed to ride the market’s coattails last week. The JC Penny Company (JCP) November 34 put option is a buy for new clients in anticipation of a retreat of at least several points.   If the stock market backs off, the financial shares will be among the hardest hit. The Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) ETF is a buy for new clients to benefit from that retreat.   Read More

Blue chip stocks started the day pretty much where they were a week ago. But there has been a palpable change in the tone of trading. True, daily volume remains anemic and the list of woes investors are contending with is a long one, but we’ve witnessed a strong uptick in the relative strength in small caps in recent sessions. Read More