Zacks Market Edge

In this episode, Tracey is joined by John Blank, Zacks Chief Equity Strategist and editor of Zacks International Trader newsletter, as they discuss which are the best Chinese stocks for 2016. John has been investing in Chinese stocks in the International Trader for several years so he’s ridden the ups and downs in that market. He thinks there’s opportunities to get into some Chinese stocks in the new year, but he warns that investors have to be careful about the short sellers, which can decimate some of the small market cap names. He advises investors to stay in the biggest names like Baidu (BIDU), Ctrip.com (CTRP), and Trina Solar (TSL). Investors also have to be aware of the dangers of these companies going private, as Qihoo (QIHU), a Chinese internet company, just announced. Qihoo traded as high as $124 a share in 2014 before plunging in 2015. But it is going private at just $77 a share, which would be a significant loss for a shareholder who bought at the peak. Tracey hasn’t invested in Chinese stocks, either in her personal portfolio or in her Zacks services, including Value Investor, for several years after getting burned a couple of years ago in some of the fraudulent reverse merger stocks. Is she letting her past experiences taint her views? If she had to invest, she shares two Chinese stocks she would be buying for 2016 if she were going to buy Chinese stocks. Tracey and John also discuss Alibaba’s (BABA) mysterious recent acquisition of a Hong Kong English-language newspaper and magazines for $260 million. Tracey dislikes the deal because it is outside of Alibaba’s core business expertise but John thinks it will just expand Alibaba’s content reach. Should Alibaba be on your “buy” list for 2016? What other Chinese stocks are the best in their class? Listen to this week’s podcast to find out. Baidu Inc: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/BIDU?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Ctrip.Com: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/CTRP?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Trina Solar: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/TSL?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Qihoo 360 Tech: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/QIHU?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Alibaba: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/BABA?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Follow us on StockTwits: stocktwits.com/ZacksResearch Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ZacksResearch Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch

In this episode, Tracey is joined by Eric Dutram, Zacks ETF Strategist and editor of Zacks ETF Investor newsletter. He’s an expert on all the different ETF products, especially the more obscure ETFs that most investors have never heard about. The Federal Reserve will be raising rates (and might have already done so by the time you’re reading this). How can you cash in on the change in Fed policy? Many investors are already invested in the obvious areas that should benefit from Fed rate hikes like the regional banks. Tracey and Eric give their take on the regional bank ETFs, including one of the more popular choices, and Tracey’s favorite, the iShares US Regional Banks (IAT). But a secret way to invest in the financials is through the iShares Broker-Dealers ETF (IAI) which holds companies like Goldman Sachs and Charles Schwab but also the NASDAQ and CME Group. Why would I want to own the broker dealers? Eric explains why they could cash in as the Fed raises. Another secret way to invest in stocks is a low volatility fund like the PowerShares S&P 500 ex-Rate Sensitive Low Volatility Portfolio (XRLV). It holds mostly large cap, low volatility S&P 500 stocks. Eric discusses why this ETF might appeal to those looking for a smoother ride if the stock market turns rocky. If you think the dollar will continue to strengthen if the Fed raises, then the currency hedging ETFs are for you. Eric really likes the WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity ETF (HEDJ) even though it’s no longer a secret. Tracey and Eric also discuss other currency hedging possibilities, including the Japanese Currency ETF and Tracey’s dream of hedging the Mexican or Colombian peso. Thinking about bonds? The secret way investors can play the rise in bond yields is by taking a look at the WisdomTree Barclays US Aggregate Bond Negative Duration ETF (AGND). It’s not yet a popular fund, because so many have been betting on the bond bull for decades, but Eric thinks that could change as rates move higher. These are just a few of the ETFs that Tracey and Eric discuss. Be sure to listen to the podcast to get another 8 secret ETF ideas for cashing in on a Fed rate hike. ISHARES US REGIONAL BANKS ETF: http://www.zacks.com/funds/etf/IAT/profile?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod ISHARES US BROKER-DEALERS ETF: http://www.zacks.com/funds/etf/IAI/profile?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod POWERSHARES S&P 500 EX-RATE SENSITIVE LO: http://www.zacks.com/funds/etf/XRLV/profile?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod WISDOMTREE EUROPE HEDGED EQUITY FUND: http://www.zacks.com/funds/etf/HEDJ/profile?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod WISDOMTREE BARCLAYS US AGGR BOND NEG DUR: http://www.zacks.com/funds/etf/AGND/profile?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Follow us on StockTwits: stocktwits.com/ZacksResearch Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ZacksResearch Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch

In this episode, Tracey is joined by Brian Bolan, Zacks Growth Strategist, who was also formerly a technology stock analyst. He’s Zacks’ resident expert on high tech growth companies. Technology has come to have a broader meaning than just hardware and software companies. It’s no longer just Microsoft and Cisco. Social media and “Internet” companies are now part of the technology landscape. Tech stocks were some of the big performers in 2015 but there’s still investing opportunities in the sector. What are Brian’s top 5 technology stocks for 2016? Is Facebook (FB) the future of social media? While there are now a billion people using the platform, Facebook is more than just its namesake product. Amazon (AMZN) is transforming itself from a retail juggernaut to a leader in the cloud. After not being profitable for years, this 20-year old company is expected to grow earnings 456% this year and another 167% next year. What’s going on? Fitbit (FIT) is the latest tech gadget sensation. It has 22% of the wearables market and it looks like this holiday season could be huge for the company. Fitness and wellness are a big market globally which Fitbit is only beginning to tap. Gogo Inc. (GOGO) might not be on your radar but the airlines certainly know it. It provides Internet services in flight and is launching a new system on 550 planes in 2016. Should you take a chance on this growing technology? Infinera (INFN) isn’t in a glamorous part of the technology business, as it provides fiber optic connection gear, but as companies like Amazon and Facebook need and use ever more data, it’s Infinera which paves the way. Earnings are expected to grow 31% in 2016. But what about valuations? None of these stocks are cheap. Should investors be concerned or should they just buy the growth and be happy? For those who only can buy just one tech stock next year, Brian also provides his favorite pick out of these 5. Investors have loved tech stocks for the last 20 years but it’s always changing. Listen to the podcast to find out more about how to invest in it for today’s world. Facebook: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/FB?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Amazon: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/AMZN?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Fitbit: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/FIT?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Gogo Inc: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/GOGO?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Infinera Corp: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/INFN?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Follow us on StockTwits: stocktwits.com/ZacksResearch Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ZacksResearch Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch

In this episode, Tracey is joined by Sheraz Mian, Zacks Director of Research, who also worked as an oil analyst for seven years. That makes him the perfect guest to have on to discuss what’s really going on in the energy market. With crude still stuck around $40 a barrel over a year after the largest sell off in crude began, it’s worth asking if this energy contraction is different than the others. The two previous major price contractions, in 2008-2009 and 1985-1986, were both swift. The price fell quickly and then started to recover within a year. This time, the chart doesn’t look so friendly. Not only has crude not rebounded, some analysts believe it hasn’t even hit bottom yet. They think crude may go as low as $20 a barrel if the dollar continues to strengthen. With so much uncertainty in the crude market, where does that leave investors interested in the oil stocks? Tracey and Sheraz discuss some of the major exploration and production companies including Anadarko (APC) and Apache (APA). Will they survive the energy downturn? What about their dividends? Will the companies continue to pay those out? Should investors stay clear of all the smaller E&P companies due to the high risks? Or is that where they’ll find the highest reward? They also chat about the big integrated energy companies including Chevron (CVX), Exxon (XOM) and British Petroleum (BP). These are the blue chip energy companies. They’ve been through downturns many times before. Chevron and Exxon have been paying, and raising, their dividends for over two decades. Shares of Big Oil are still weak, but have moved off their lows. Are they even a bargain at these levels? And how safe are those juicy dividends? Sheraz gives his top energy pick and Tracey discloses which energy stocks are already in her portfolio. Listen to the podcast to find out more about what is going on in the oil patch. Anadarko Petrol: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/APC?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Apache Corp: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/APA?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Chevron Corp: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/CVX?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Exxon Mobile: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/XOM?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod BP Plc: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/BP?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Follow us on StockTwits: stocktwits.com/ZacksResearch Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ZacksResearch Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch

In this episode, Tracey is joined by Kevin Matras, Zacks Vice President, stock screening and technical analysis wizard, and the editor of the Options Trader newsletter. Kevin Matras may be the Zacks’ options expert, but he is also one of the biggest movie buffs in the office. Tracey is also a big movie fan so that makes them the perfect duo to discuss the upcoming holiday movie season and whether or not you should be buying the movie studio stocks because you love their movies. Most of the movie studios are now part of larger media conglomerates like Comcast (CMCSA) which owns Universal Studios and the Jurassic Park and Fast and Furious franchises and Time Warner (TWX) which owns Warner Brothers. Investors should remember they’re not just buying the studios but all of the companies’ other businesses as well. Look at Disney (DIS). The Star Wars juggernaut that will be unleashed in just a few weeks. Expectations are high but there are concerns that Disney might not be able to meet them. But Disney’s shares have been roiled by changes in the cable business, especially with its franchise ESPN, as more consumers decide to unbundle themselves from the big cable packages. Sony Corporation (SNE) has a big hit in the James’ Bond film SPECTRE, but the studio business is dwarfed by Sony’s gaming and electronics segments. Those areas are doing well, however, with Sony expected to grow earnings by 282% in fiscal 2016. Tracey and Kevin also debate the future of Lions Gate Entertainment (LGF) now that the Hunger Games franchise is winding down. It is the smallest of the studio companies as it’s not tied in with a big media company. Will the possibility of a Hunger Games stage show and Hunger Games theme park rides help boost the bottom line? There are a lot of moving parts to the movie stocks. What are Tracey and Kevin’s top stock picks, if any? What do these two film buffs think about the holiday movie season? Sylvester Stallone is getting Oscar buzz for his turn as Rocky in Creed. Yes, it’s true! Listen to the podcast to find out more. Comcast: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/CMCSA?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Time Warner Inc: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/TWX?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Disney: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/DIS?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Sony Corp: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/SNE?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Lions Gate Entertainment: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/LGF?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Follow us on StockTwits: stocktwits.com/ZacksResearch Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ZacksResearch Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch

It’s perfect timing to have Kevin on the show because he’s Zacks’ expert in institutional buying. He tracks their purchases for his Follow the Money Trader. And there’s been no bigger story than what is happening at Valeant (VRX). Pharmaceutical giant Valeant has been on everyone’s lips for the last several months regarding questions about its drug pricing. It was the subject of a New York Times cover story and there have been subpoenas issued by US prosecutors. Adding to the injury, the short-selling firm Citron Research came out with a report on the company which slammed the shares further. Shares are down a whopping 71% in the last 3 months, and went from a new all-time high to a multi-year low in that time span. Many institutional investors were caught in the Valeant downdraft. The deadline for the filing of third quarter 13-F forms also just passed which means firms with assets of more than $100 million had to disclose their moves. Are the institutional investors selling their Valeant positions or buying more? Who’s in and who’s out? Sequoia Fund (SEQUX), a prestigious value investment fund which closed to new investors in 2013, is one of the largest shareholders in Valeant. It has over a 10% stake. According to recent filings, it has actually bought even more shares despite losing billions over the last few months on its existing stake. Outside of Valeant, what else are the top institutional names buying? The 13-F forms revealed that Michael Kors (KORS), Apple (AAPL) and Mobileye (MBLY) are still on their radar. Should you mimic the buys of the institutional greats? And if so, how do you protect yourself from a Valeant situation? Join Kevin and Tracey as they discuss the juicy tidbits from the new filings in this week’s podcast. Valeant: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/VRX?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Sequoia Fund: http://www.zacks.com/funds/mutual-fund/quote/SEQUX?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Michael Kors: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/KORS?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Apple: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/AAPL?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Mobileye: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/MBLY?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Follow us on StockTwits: http://stocktwits.com/ZacksResearch Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZacksResearch Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch

In this episode, Tracey is joined by John Blank, Zacks Chief Equity Strategist and the editor of the International Trader. John is Zacks’ expert on the global economy and international stocks. One of the most frequent questions the Zacks strategists are asked is how to invest in Canada. Tracey and John discuss the “easy” way to invest, which is simply by buying the iShares Canada ETF (#EWC). Is this a good strategy for investors? It is heavily weighted in financials and energy. Shares are down big in 2015 due to the decline in oil prices and a stock sell off in a pharmaceutical company which was one of its largest holdings. But given the pullback, is now the time to buy in? If you’re not going to buy the ETF, what individual Canadian stocks are there that investors can buy on the US exchanges? While staying out of the energy and materials sectors, Tracey and John explore a handful of stocks including Agrium (#AGU), an agribusiness company based in Calgary, Brookfield Asset Management (BAM), a diversified real estate investment company headquartered in Toronto, and a couple of consumer stocks including lululemon (#LULU), the famous yoga athletic wear retailer, and Restaurant Brands (#QSR), which owns Burger King and Tim Horton’s. Despite these good quality names, Canada is still lagging in producing industry leaders in other sectors, including in technology. John shares his insights on what the Canadians need to do to diversify their economy and tap into the hot knowledge cities like Vancouver and Montreal that are brimming with talent. Canada is also currently in a recession. How long will it last? And should investors be getting in now, before the rebound? If you’ve always wondered how to invest in Canadian stocks, listen in to find out. Here is the original article: http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/197494/how-to-invest-in-canadian-stocks ISHARES MSCI CANADA ETF: http://www.zacks.com/funds/etf/EWC/profile?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Lululemon: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/LULU?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Restaurant Brand: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/QSR?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Agrium Inc: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/AGU?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Brookefield Asset Management: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/BAM?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Follow us on StockTwits: http://stocktwits.com/ZacksResearch Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZacksResearch Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch

Just how strong is the athletic footwear market? Nike’s (NKE) Jordan Brand business did $2.2 billion in sales this year and is expected to double it by 2020. And Michael Jordan hasn’t even played basketball professionally in a decade. Out of Nike’s $13.7 billion North American sales in fiscal 2015, $8.5 billion was in footwear. And it doesn’t see an end to the growth, even in the “mature” North American market. Women’s footwear and apparel is also a big growth market. Under Armour (UA), which is known more for its apparel, is also trying to take some of the athletic footwear market. Last quarter, footwear sales jumped 61% year over year. Not to be underestimated, Skechers USA, Inc. (SKX) is the second largest athletic footwear company in the United States and Foot Locker (FL) is selling all of the brands and cashing in. Tracey and David discuss the fundamentals of the industry, including Under Armour’s decision to lure Steph Curry for its basketball line up. The stocks have soared over the past few years and many are at new highs. Is it too late to get into the athletic footwear stocks now? Out of the group, which one should you be buying? Listen to find out. Nike: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/NKE?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Under Armour: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/UA?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Skechers: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/SKX?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Foot Locker: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/FL?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Follow us on StockTwits: stocktwits.com/ZacksResearch Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ZacksResearch Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch

In this episode, Tracey is joined by Todd Bunton, Zacks Growth and Income Stock Strategist. For years Tracey and Todd have been discussing famed money manager Peter Lynch's investing strategy, which is, to put it simply: "Buy what you know." Does it work? Could investing really be that easy that you can simply buy whatever you know and be a success? Lynch ran Fidelity's Magellan mutual fund from 1977 to 1990 averaging 29.2% annual return during that time period. He was a big proponent of the idea that mom and pop investors knew trends and how well some companies were doing simply because they used that company's products or ate in their restaurants. In his 1989 best-selling book, One Up on Wall Street, he laid out the buy what you know strategy. Tracey recommended the 2000 updated version of his book in her list of the 5 Best Investment Books of all Time. If you haven't read it yet, you should. But there are pros and cons to this strategy. As even Lynch himself pointed out, fundamentals do matter. So while investors can use buying what you know to gather investing ideas, the hard work of finding companies with solid fundamentals still has to take place. What are the criteria that Tracey and Todd look in a company for when buying what they know? When should you be cautious in being too enthusiastic about a company's outlook? Tracey and Todd discuss what has gone right and wrong under this strategy. Using the Zacks Rank and earnings estimates to dig into fundamentals, they also grade 3 stocks using the 'buy what you know" strategy: Target Corporation, lululemon and GoPro Inc. Does a company have to be newer to fit into the buy what you know strategy? Or can a mature company, which has been around for decades and even pays a dividend, qualify? Can you make a bet on a company that just has one popular product, or is it better to go with companies that are more diverse? Should you try the "buy what you know" strategy? Listen to find out. - Target: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/TGT?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod - Lululemon: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/LULU?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod - GoPro: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/GPRO?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Follow us on StockTwits: http://stocktwits.com/ZacksResearch Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZacksResearch Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch

In this episode, Tracey is joined by Eric Dutram, Zacks ETF strategist. Even though Eric’s forte is in ETFs, he has another, secret expertise, that being the burger chains. With the gourmet burger restaurants exploding in popularity around the country, Tracey and Eric have been going to these chains to sample their burgers to see if they’re worth their high stock valuations. There’s nothing like trying out the product to see how good it really is. Several of the chains are still private, such as In-and-Out Burger and Smashburger. Stock investors will have to remain on the sidelines with those two chains. But other favorites, such as Shake Shack (#SHAK), Habit (#HABT), and Red Robin Gourmet Burger (#RRGB) are publicly traded. Shake Shack and Habit both recently went IPO to a lot of buzz and hype. Investors can now own some of their favorite burger chains. But should they be buying these stocks? Tracey and Eric discuss the fundamentals of each company. Where is the growth going to come from? What do earnings look like going forward? What kind of competition do they face? And, most importantly of all, how good are their burgers? Are the burger stocks simply just a fad that will fade? Listen to find out. Here is the original article: http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/194330/are-burger-stocks-a-fad-or-a-buy Shake Shack: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/SHAK?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Habit Restaurants: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/HABT?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Red Robin: http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/RRGB?cid=cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Follow us on StockTwits: http://stocktwits.com/ZacksResearch Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZacksResearch Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch

In this episode, Tracey is joined by two Zacks Greek insiders, Domina Tingos and Harry Kougias, both of whom spent time in Greece this summer with family and friends while the Greek crisis was raging and capital controls were in place. How are the Greek people adapting to the austerity and the economic hardships? Are they hoarding hard assets in case the Euro goes away? What about the young people, do they see a future in Greece? And a bigger question is, now that a bailout has been put into place, is Greece seen as a permanent member of the European Union? Is the crisis over? Tracey, Harry and Domina also discuss the entrepreneurial future of Greece and investment opportunities there. Who is coming to Greece and buying up chunks of land? There are several ways to play Greece as an investor, including owning the Greek ETF (GREK). Buying into Europe, as a whole, is also an option through the iShares Eurozone ETF (EZU) and the Vanguard Europe ETF (VGK). But is Greece even a good investing opportunity right now? Listen to find out. Here is the original article: http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/193467/is-it-time-to-invest-in-greece?cs-soundcloud-ft-pod GLOBAL X FTSE GREECE 20 ETF: http://www.zacks.com/funds/etf/GREK/profile?cs-soundcloud-ft-pod ISHARES MSCI EMU ETF: http://www.zacks.com/funds/etf/EZU/profile?cs-soundcloud-ft-pod VANGUARD FTSE EUROPE ETF: http://www.zacks.com/funds/etf/VGK/profile?cs-soundcloud-ft-pod Follow us on StockTwits: http://stocktwits.com/ZacksResearch Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZacksResearch Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch