How Super PACs Are Choosing Your Next President

It's no secret that the rich use their money to influence the ballot, but in this year's election cycle they have created a new, more insidious way to do it. They are called super PACs and they are choosing your next President. Super PACs (political action committees) have drawn attention in recent months because of their outsized influence on the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. Case in point: One super PAC that supports former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney called

Super PAC

Buy, Sell or Hold: CARBO Ceramics, Inc.(NYSE: CRR) Are the Glory Days Over?

CARBO Ceramics, Inc. (NYSE: CRR) is one of those companies quietly making a killing in today's economy. Thanks in large part to the natural gas boom, CRR is up over 328% off of the 2009 lows. However, how long it can maintain its status as a high-flier is another matter entirely. In fact, I expect that CARBO's entire business model is about to come under attack, which is why now is a good time to sell. Here's why. CARBO is one of the world's biggest

CARBO Ceramics Inc.

It's 2007.2, and Our Next "Lehman Moment' Is Coming Fast

It seems that my Thursday edition of Wall Street Insights & Indictments was warmly received by the bullish crowd, many of whom reached out to me to thank me for my optimism. I'm sorry to burst your bubbles, but I am not a raging bull (but thank you for asking). In fact, I'm still bearish. There's a big difference between being bullish and playing all stocks (and other asset classes) from the long (that means "buy") side, and judiciously buying select momentum stocks with fat

Lehman moment

All You Need to Know About Iran, $200 Oil, and $6.00 Gas

If you're unsettled by the thought of gasoline at $4.00 a gallon, brace yourself. With tensions between Iran and the West quickly escalating, we could see gas jump to $6.00 a gallon at the pump in a matter of months. Make no mistake about it: If Iran were to follow through on its threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices would surge as high as $200 a barrel in matter of days. But that's just the beginning... A wider Iranian war could throw the entire region into chaos --

Iran

Crisis in Europe: Prepare for Repercussions from Standard & Poor's Credit Rating Downgrades

After months of buzz about how the debt crisis in Europe will trigger credit ratings cuts, Standard & Poor's today (Friday) issued credit rating downgrades for at least three European countries. France and Austria were both lowered one notch to AA-plus. According to an Italian news agency, Italy was also going to be lowered two notches to BBB-plus. A source told Reuters that Spain and Portugal also face downgrades. "Remain alert tonight when U.S. markets close," the Eurozone

Crisis in Europe

Why You Should Ignore the Coming Debt Ceiling Debate

Under the guise of yet another debt ceiling debate, Republicans and Democrats will spend much of the week demonizing each other on the Washington stage. But don't be fooled. This so-called debate will be nothing more than a planned-in-advance sideshow to supply each side with 2012 election campaign fodder. The deal put in place on Aug. 2 essentially guaranteed that the limit on the U.S. national debt would be raised to $16.4 trillion in January. That means any sound and fury that

Debt ceiling debate