Category: INO.com Contributors

Asian Financial Crisis: Now and Then

Posted on by Lior Alkalay

Lior Alkalay - INO.com Contributor - Forex


Are we set for a rerun of the 1997 Asian Financial crisis? Well, as Mark Twain said once, history does not repeat itself but it rhymes. The current turmoil does strikingly resemble that of the original 1997 Asian financial crisis. However, unlike the 1997 crisis, today’s circumstances are quite different.

Asian Financial Crisis of 1997

What initiated the Asian financial crisis back in the 90s? Well, it was the culmination of many things. Primarily, though it was the inability of Asian and other emerging economies to finance themselves. This was generally due to large current account deficits which led emerging markets to accumulate foreign debt. Eventually, they become dependent on foreign creditors.

When investors’ appetite for emerging market debt waned, those Asian economies had difficulty financing themselves. And let’s not forget Russia, which, coupled with its own circumstances, was pushed to default. Continue reading "Asian Financial Crisis: Now and Then" →

McKesson Corporation Presents A Compelling Investment Opportunity

Posted on by Noah Kiedrowski

Noah Kiedrowski - INO.com Contributor - Biotech


Introduction

McKesson Corporation (MCK) presents a compelling investment opportunity in the healthcare space, particularly after the recent sell-off from $243 to below $200 per share. In brief, McKesson Corporation delivers pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and healthcare information technology. The Company operates in two segments. The McKesson Distribution Solutions segment distributes drugs, equipment and health and beauty care products domestically and internationally. This segment provides pharmaceutical solutions for biotech and pharmaceutical manufacturers, and practice management, technology, clinical support and business solutions to oncology and other specialty practices operating in the community setting. The McKesson Technology Solutions segment includes McKesson Health Solutions, which includes clinical solutions, claims payment solutions and network performance tools. This segment delivers enterprise-wide clinical, patient care, financial, supply chain, strategic management software solutions, as well as connectivity, outsourcing and other services.

McKesson is driving growth via acquisitions and partnerships

MCK recently acquired the pharmaceutical distribution division of UDG Healthcare plc for €408 million in cash. This acquisition will add a leader in pharmaceutical distribution across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to McKesson's European business. Marc Owen, Chairman of the Management Board at Celesio AG, said: "The acquisition of UDG's pharmaceutical distribution, home and travel healthcare businesses in Ireland and the UK, will strengthen our position in the industry. We have made this investment as part of our growth strategy which leverages the positive trajectory of the wider healthcare sector in Europe. This acquisition will also complement our broader portfolio of assets in both Ireland and the United Kingdom. We look forward to continuing UDG's tradition of excellent customer service and to working with the UDG team." Continue reading "McKesson Corporation Presents A Compelling Investment Opportunity" →

Opportunities In Pipelines

Posted on by Adam Feik

Adam Feik - INO.com Contributor - Energies


I wrote a few weeks ago about investing in Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) and pipeline companies, and some of the nuances involved. Starting with the fact that there ARE some major differences between MLP funds and pipeline funds, so investors need to know what they're getting.

As I stated in that article, I believe the US oil & gas boom means pipelines and energy infrastructure are going to remain in high demand for the foreseeable future – despite Hillary Clinton's Tuesday announcement of her opposition to Keystone XL. Plus, I generally regard pipelines as being a historically defensive area of the stock market, comprised of relatively steady, fee-for-service businesses. Hence, today I present a continuing analysis of a couple ways to play the midstream energy industry – whose stocks may be receiving undue punishment in the midst of the oil crash of the past 15 months.

To be clear, the midstream industry's haircut to date, while noteworthy, has not nearly so bad as the carnage in oil or the rest of the energy sector. As the graph below shows, pipeline stock prices are down about 16% since June 20, 2014, compared to nearly a 38% decline for the overall energy sector, and a 63% crash in oil prices.

EMLP vs. XLE vs. DBO

Graph from Yahoo! Finance. EMLP is First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund, shown here as a proxy for pipeline stocks. XLE is the Energy Select Sector SPDR, shown here as a proxy for energy sector stocks. DBO is the PowerShares DB Oil ETF, shown here as a proxy for oil prices.

Actually, ALL the of pipeline stocks' decline in the last 15 months has come since roughly May 5th this year (shown on the graph above with a dotted vertical line), which is the date oil prices bumped up against its most recent top and began melting down again. Pipeline stock prices had been flat throughout oil's collapse for the prior 10+ months; but since that May 5th peak, pipelines (as measured by EMLP) are down 18.75%, the broad energy sector (XLE) is down 23%, and oil is down 24%. See graph below. Continue reading "Opportunities In Pipelines" →

Gold Update: Bulls Have The First Confirmation

Posted on by Aibek Burabayev

Aibek Burabayev - INO.com Contributor - Metals


One month ago I dared to call my Gold update "Major reversal," but I have enough reason for that. Today I prepared a short term daily chart with the focus being on the first bullish move and its correction.

GOLD (FOREX:XAUUSDO)
Chart courtesy of Tradingview.com

Like a tree starting from a sprout, the new trend starts from the first counter trend move that has its threshold at the end of July. Gold's price has gained a weighty 9% (almost $100) in one month and has stalled at the $1170 level ahead of resistance. The gold market has been treading water within the 1077/1110 range for two weeks in a row and it looked like another consolidation was going to happen before the new drop down. But, surprisingly the price broke the upper bound and quickly cut through the $1100 level. It then had a small four-day break before it made the final jump to the $1170 level. This is the first serious counter trend move which I have labeled as the large green AB segment. Continue reading "Gold Update: Bulls Have The First Confirmation" →

Are All Yen Bets Off?

Posted on by Lior Alkalay

Lior Alkalay - INO.com Contributor - Forex


Is the short bet on the Yen over? Well, maybe not when it comes to trade vs. the Dollar. But as far as other weaker currencies, that's a different story. As it relates to the Euro, then indeed, the long bet on the EUR/JPY might be over. And here's the reason why.

Inflation might be coming back

That's a rather straightforward statement, but the Bank of Japan believes that inflation is inching higher. And while it's not as clear-cut a case a, let's say in the US, still there is a basis for it. When calculating Japan's inflation, excluding volatile prices such as food and energy, inflation gained 0.6%. Now, while that's still low, it's a move in the positive direction.

Moreover, a quick look at the inflation figures per segments and you can see most segments have experienced price increases. That is a mildly hawkish sign. It must be pointed out that the BOJ is about to change the way it measures core inflation. Going forward, the BOJ will publish core inflation figures, calculated both with and without energy prices. However, the BOJ will focus on core inflation excluding energy prices. Previously, by including them, it distorted the inflation figures into the downside. Continue reading "Are All Yen Bets Off?" →