General Electric (GE) was once revered as one of the bluest of all blue-chip companies in the world. During its glory days, GE was respected as an industrial conglomerate that manufactured some of the world's best jet engines, locomotives, appliances and even the highly regarded General Electric light bulb. However, as best I can determine, the roots of General Electric's ultimate >>

A strong stomach and a tremendous amount of patience are required for gold stock investors these days, as miners have been exhibiting their typical volatility pattern. That's why I often say to anticipate before you participate, because gold stocks are historically twice as volatile as U.S. stocks. As of March 31, 2013, using 10-year data, the NYSE Arca Gold BUGS Index (HUI) had a >>

Everybody loves a free lunch, myself included, and many in Japan would like free sushi too. Despite the short term boost in Japanese exports and Nikkei stock prices, there are no long-term free lunches (or free sushi) when it comes to global financial markets. Following in the footsteps of the U.S. Federal Reserve, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) has embarked on an ambitious plan of doubling >>

Would it surprise you to discover that China is planning to add 800 miles to its subway system over the next two years? That's the distance equivalent to building a network from Dallas to Chicago in less time than the U.S. Congress can resolve a budget! In 2015, when the infrastructure build-out is complete, China's subway track alone will be a mind-boggling 1,900 miles, according to >>

They are called ROBS – an acronym for "Rollovers as Business Startups." The idea is to own a business through your IRA. Perhaps your IRA could be the bank in the transaction. Perhaps the business will go exponential, which would do wonders for your IRA balance. Me? I do not particularly care for them. Why? This field is so fraught with landmines I cannot help wonder why I would >>

If you have an advance health care directive, can a court or guardian overrule your instructions after you become incapacitated? That question was explored recently in a Pennsylvania appeals court case, In Re Border, 2013 PA Super 94 (PA Superior Court, April 23, 2013). Russell Border was a 62 year old resident of the Golden Living Nursing facility in Berks County Pennsylvania. In >>

Two landmark developments on August 16th give momentum to the growing interest of cities and counties in addressing the mortgage crisis using eminent domain: The Washington State Supreme Court held in Bain v. MERS, et al., that an electronic database called Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems (MERS) is not a "beneficiary" entitled to foreclose under a deed of trust; and San >>

I had a call last week on what the rules are for the 70 ½ IRA owner making a direct distribution to a charity. You may recall that – if you are a certain age – you can make distributions – up to a limit - from an IRA directly to a charity. The age is 70 ½ and the limit is $100,000. Why would you do this? There are several reasons: The first, of course, is that you are >>