Uncategorized Archive

Consider Federal Student Loan Consolidation

The Federal Student Loan Consolidation program could supply debt management
solutions for graduates, those who have left school, or dropped to less than
half-time. A few federal student loan consolidation choices are the Direct
Consolidation Loan and private consolidation loan.Student loan consolidation recourse such as Direct Consolidation
Loans
sanction borrowers to combine one or more of their Federal education
loans into a
new loan that passes many conveniences. One lender and one monthly payment,
flexible repayment options, no minimum or maximum loan amounts or fees
(direct
consolidation loans), assorted deferment options, and reasonable monthly
payments.Many loans may be entitled to consolidation. PLUS
loans,
Federal Perkins loans, Stafford loans, Health Professions Student Loans
(HPSL),
Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL) and more. You might consider
consolidating
other Federal Consolidation Loans.Avoid Loan DefaultDefault on a loan can occur after a default has persisted for a certain
number of days. Before a loan is officially in default it is considered
to be in delinquency. While delinquent, the loan holder must attempt to
contact the borrower about repayment. If the borrow cannot be reached
the loan will then be put into default status. The loan could then be
made due in a single lump payment. While in a default state a borrower
can’t take advantage of any deferments in most cases.Why choose Federal Student Loan Consolidation?You should contemplate consolidation to circumvent
default. The
consequences of default can be severe. You can consolidate Stafford
loans, PLUS
loans, and Federal Perkins Loans into one single debt. You might chop
your monthly
payments, but with a longer term on the loan. Consolidation loans almost
always feature
a fixed interest rate for the lifetime of the loan. The term of the loan
can be
extended to 10 to 30 years. Although your monthly payments might be
lessened, the
total amount paid would be larger due to the longer term of the
consolidation
loan.About Federal Direct Consolidation LoansYou’ve done it! You have just graduated or are about to finish college. How to repay and manage your student loan debt is just one of the challenges that lay ahead. In many cases your best bet is to consolidate.It’s not all bad news. By consolidating your federal loans you can take advantage of a great government program. There are many easy to find and easy to use tools available to help you transition too.The Federal Student Loan Consolidation Program is a very commonly used management tool for your student loan debts. This program was set up just for you to use and enjoy. Read on to find out specific information that you can take to heart today.Using Private Student Loan ConsolidationAfter you consolidate all your Federal Student Loans initially and
distinctly,
consider private student loan consolidation for the remainder. Private
student loans
are not possible, in general, to be consolidated with federal loan
programs. The interest
rates are typically greater on private student loans as well. Private
loan consolidation
is an option that complements federal student loan consolidation.After learning about federal student loan consolidation new graduates
might realize that
they have the ability to take charge of their finances. Cash saved through
consolidation can be used to pay off credit cards and other higher
interest rate
debts.

Strategic Customer Attraction Marketing Blueprint

With the ever changing face of the economy based on varying factors [such as government protectionism, automation of industries, downsizing of companies] the trend to more and more people choosing to start their own business for various reasons continue to rise. With that said – along with this trend there is an increasing need for structured marketing process and client acquisition processes and methodologies to be utilised within these businesses in order to transform a startup into a fully functional revenue generating entity.It is often the case that many smaller businesses are product rather than market focussed. In many cases we find that there is no actual marketing department so to speak of and as a consequence the function of marketing within the company ends up being fulfilled ‘as and when’.We can contrast this to what we find in any larger organisation or corporate; we find an actual marketing department, with qualified marketing professionals who are analysing the market, target customers and competition, they continually look for trends and movements in their chosen space in order to refine the marketing message and continually push the communication through the channels. This is to include the distribution channel [where appropriate], print media, radio, catalogues etc, etc and of course the use of digital marketing channels [social media, email marketing, video marketing, micro blogging and more].The above is what leads to the typical ongoing market penetration that we see within these organisations leading to new products and services development a steady stream of new clients and the nurturing of existing clientele.It is with the smaller organisation in mind, the solopreneur or work from home business owner that any strategic business attraction marketing blueprint is targeted towards. This is one or two steps down from making use of an in person consultant that will look to understand the business operations and put specific structures in place that when followed; will first provide a deeper understanding of the market place and target market clients but will also provide the foundation for providing the products and services that the intelligence directs the company towards producing.It is recommended that organisations looking to add structure and processes to the marketing and client acquisition aspect of their businesses direct their energies to these main fundamentals.

Client Strategy & Preparation

Setting Up Key Business Processes & Systems

Getting Clients While You Sleep

Follow Up & Retention

1) Gaining a deeper understanding of the needs, desires and behaviour of the clients no matter what the industry will drive the decisions that are made in relation to the products and services that are developed and presented to the market space.2) Key systems and processes such as continuous market intelligence related to pricing and customer behaviour can help to take the organisation to the next level and gain a significant competitive advantage over other companies supplying related or similar products and services.3) The marketing process for bringing new prospects into the marketing funnel must be an ongoing activity; whilst focusing on servicing existing clients it is imperative that someone is taking care of make new clients aware of the needs that your organisation can fill.4) Too often it is the failure to followup and keeping in touch that leads to the loss of valuable customers; depending on the business tools such as email marketing, videos, membership sites and print media may be used in order to stay at the top of the mind of the target customer.Once the process has been developed it will then be a matter of refining it [say once a quarter] whilst some is taking care of the execution which will lead to new customers, sales and products and services leading to increased revenue generation.

Financing For Equipment – Three Things You Need to Know About Canadian Equipment Leasing

Financing for equipment is sometimes a challenge for Canadian business owners and financial managers. What if you had a solid understanding of 3 key elements of Canadian equipment leasing and financing. Let’s explore some key information around three critical elements of lease financing -1. What can be financed?2. What are the type of leases and rates available to my firm?3. What is the best way to obtain a prompt approval at the best rate, terms and structures for my business asset acquisition?So what assets can be financed in Canada? The reality of that answer is that almost every business asset can be financed, and moreover, two other key points need to be made. In many cases even intangible assets can be financed – a solid example is software for your business, or even the additional add on requirements that come with many asset acquisitions – these might include installation, warranties, maintenance, shipping/delivery, etc. And, furthermore asset financing in Canada definitely includes the financing of used equipment, which is a major part of the Canadian equipment financing industry.Millions of dollars of used equipment, purchased here or in the U.S. or other international locations are financed annually. We add two critical cautionary items of note here – in certain cases and appraisal or asset valuation or inspection might be required if the asset is new, and in many cases a down payment might be required on a used piece of equipment. These two points would still clearly not negate the major benefits of financing a piece of used equipment. Why used? Simply because many assets in many industries still have a very useful economic life after a typical usage of 3-5 years, for example thing production equipment, etc. In many instances, especially with the use of the internet and auction sites pricing on used equipment might be exceptionally favorable.One other solid tip is to get your lease financing approved in advanced, as this might allow you to negotiate a better price with the vendor given you are pre approved and the vendor knows they will be paid directly from the leasing company.Let’s move on to our second point, which is simply that there are some critical technical aspects to lease financing that are very important for business owners to be aware of. First of all you should ensure that you understand there are two types of lease financing available – to keep it simply we will simply call them, as the industry does:Capital leasesOperating LeasesWhich one is best for your firm?We always dislike saying to our clients ‘it depends ‘but the reality is that the choice of lease type should be driven by your final motivation with the asset. By that we simply mean that you need to determine, in advance!, if you intend to own the asset at the end of the lease, or if you simply want to use and return it after an agreed upon amount of time, usually 2- 5 years, although shorter and longer terms might apply (that’s the flexibility of lease financing).Choosing the type of lease you pick will significantly impact how the lease is carried on your books, and also it is a critical factor in driving pricing. Operating leases will always be priced with a lower monthly payment as the asset is returned to the lessor at the end of the lease. Clients ask us ‘what if we later determine the asset still has a useful economic life and we wish to keep it? Again, here is where the flexibility of lease financing comes in, because you are allowed in an operating lease to pick one of three options at end of term – you can return, purchase, or upgrade. Actually there’s a fourth option, which is simply to agree to extend the lease for a pre agreed upon amount of time.Let’s move on to our final point, which is simply – You have made the decision to acquire an asset through lease financing. How do you go about that in Canada? We advised clients to work with a credible, experienced, and trusted lease financing advisor – even basic assistance around the final rate, term, and structure could save you many thousands of dollars in payments. Or at the same time, negotiating on your behalf any critical areas such as down payment, limited personal guarantees, or end of lease options can all be the make or break point in Canadian lease financing success. Additionally, the lease financing industry in Canada is very fragmented and consists of captive firms tied to manufacturers, independent Canadian and U.S. firms, and very specialized firms that only do or finance certain things.In summary, arm yourself with some critical knowledge of lease financing and you will be rewarded with the knowledge that you have chosen the best financing method for the acquisition of new and used equipment and business assets in Canada

Entertainment Options for Your Child’s Birthday Party

For any kid, the main attraction of any party is the entertainment options that the party provides for him to have a gala time. No matter how much attention you pay to the food, the decor and the gifts, no child can be truly happy with a party till you have included a source of entertainment that can keep him and all his friends occupied for hours. If you are clueless as to what you can do to make this happen, here are a few entertainment options that you can employ to ensure that your party is a hit amongst the tiny tots.If you are stuck as to what entertainment options you can add, here is a list of the different types of Children’s entertainment options that can be used by you to have the best party ever for your toddler. However, try to take into account the toddler’s interests and likes while incorporating these options and he will be over the moon.Mascots – Mascots are the best friend of a child. With talented actors posing as their favourite cartoon characters and interacting with the kids efficiently, mascots are the best options for a Toddler Party, as they can be soft and squishy and provide a toddler with hours of fun.Video games’ party – If your kid is at the age where video games are his life and all he and his friends like to do when they get together is have a friendly match, this is the perfect option for your kid. With an array of customised video gaming booths, the boys and the girls are bound to go gaga over this arrangement. Moreover, this lessens the possibility of having your home devastated as they would be too engrossed in the game to be jumping around the home.Disco parties – If your son or daughter is older and wants a party with dance and music, why not opt for a themed disco party? With a number of options for decor and choice of music, these parties are apt for teenagers.Entertainers – If you want to have a quiet and simpler party, you can also opt for Kids entertainers to keep the children entertained. From face painters who are able to create masterpiece designs, to stilt walkers walking amongst the children dressed as fairies or other characters, there is no dearth of entertainment options. Additionally, you can also opt for magicians, since, lets face it, who can resist the wonder of a magic trick? Costumed actors are also good options for toddlers as they can enact scenes and tell stories to keep toddlers interested.These are some of the options that you can use to ensure that your party is a blast and your child remembers it for years to come. Though having extravagant entertainment options can stretch your budget for the party, they can be the perfect addition to the party, providing unlimited fun to the kids and the adults alike, making them totally worth the investment.

Starting Or Getting Your Business Online

Right now is a great time to launch your own online business, as this ever-expanding and constantly evolving new frontier has made it easier than ever to get your products and services noticed by an enormous prospective client pool. Having the correct information before setting out to start your internet business is essential, as it will help you to abide by your local business laws, target the correct niche market and make a great first impression on prospective customers. Great information sites can help you to avoid some of the common pitfalls involved with starting your own online business and put you on the path toward a successful business venture.Why Start Nowo Lower Start-Up Costs – Our current economic slump has made it difficult and risky to secure the business loans, real estate and equipment necessary to start your business at a storefront location. The internet provides a low-cost alternative to the traditional business start up, allowing you to cut most of the overhead costs from your small business launch and focus your funds on more important aspects of your new business endeavor.o More Job Security – Many professionals are finding themselves and their co-workers laid off from positions they have held for years. In this instable job market, starting your own online business can provide you with a source of income that is not dependent on a changing traditional job market.o New Markets – Prospective customers from many formerly untapped markets are browsing the internet every single day. This means that new internet business launches have the potential to reach a wide range of customers from day one. There is much money to be made from internet sales and right now is the perfect time to jump into the online market with both feet.The Basics:A few key ingredients are essential when it comes to starting your own online business. If you fail to consider any of these core elements, you may very well come to regret it in a very short period.Quick List:o Business Plan
o Business License
o Website
o Relevant Regulations/RestrictionsThe bible says that without vision, the people perish. This is certainly true as it relates to starting your own online business. One of the first things you will need to do when getting your internet business off the ground is sit down and write out a thorough business plan.Things You Need to Include in Your Business Plan:1. Which niche market you plan on targeting.
2. What you intend to sell.
3. How you intend to go about selling it.
4. How you intend to finance your venture.
5. A clear mission statement (company goal/vision in a nutshell).Once you have a clear plan for your business, you may want to look into whether or not you will need a business license to proceed. The business licensing requirements vary from state to state, so be sure that you check out your local business license office to make sure that you need one to sell your goods or services. If you are selling items on established sites such as eBay, you will not typically need to acquire a business license. However, if you are selling goods or services via your own website, many states require that you be fully licensed to do so.If you decide to sell on your own business website, you will need to invest time and money into making it attractive enough to draw and hook prospective clients. In addition to making it aesthetically pleasing, you will need to optimize your website for internet search engines, using Search Engine Optimization techniques, such as:o Key Word Saturation
o Backlinks
o Bold and Italic textWhen you are building your company website, you can spend the time researching and implementing various SEO techniques or you can hire a specialized SEO company to handle the job for you. Be aware that not all SEO companies are equal; make sure to check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or other watchdog organizations to make sure that your prospective SEO company will provide you with an honest and effective service for a fair price.Make sure to check into any specific rules or regulations that may apply to your new internet business via helpful information sites. For instance, the law requires that you protect the privacy of your online clients by keeping the data they share with you (i.e. bank account information) by properly encrypting and storing it against online predators. In addition, you will need to know how much sales tax to add to each sale and you should learn how to copyright your company information so that it is not stolen or copied elsewhere on the web.Local Internet Business PerksWhen you launch a new business online, your marketing potential is quite literally limitless. You can reach individuals all around the globe with your company message, goods and services. However, there are also some local advantages to launching your business online.One such advantage comes to online business owners in the form of a Google maps business directory. Google Maps has a feature on their maps/directions application that allows web browsers to find local businesses near any address or landmark entered into the search field. This means that when you list your business using Google Maps, you have the potential of being found by a huge number of locals.Being found by locals equals:o More prospective customers
o Higher customer loyalty potential
o Grassroots (sustainable) growthMany other major search engines (i.e. Yahoo) host local business directories and you would be wise to list with as many local directories as possible in order to boost your number of prospective clients by a significant sum.With the traditional job market reeling and the internet frontier expanding daily, many discerning men and women are looking for ways to launch their own internet business. Taking time to thoroughly research and plan your course of action via information sources can spare you the negative consequences of falling into one of the many pitfalls that new internet business owners are prone to fall into during the course of their journey to having an established and prosperous online business.

Personal Loans Can Prove To Be A Great Help

Now and then we get into situations when fast personal loans can prove to be of great help. Whether it’s the creditors who are knocking at your door or a purchase that you definitely need to make tomorrow, fast personal loans are an easy way of handling sudden cash requirements. In other words, bad credit personal loans can be powerful tools for accessing quick cash in an emergency, reallocating even higher interest debt to prepare for debt reorganization, or simplifying your financial planning. But these kinds of personal loans also can put you at higher risk for default and mismanagement.Personal loans can also offer you the money you need for a large project like a renovation, a major trip, or even a period of re education. It can be difficult to save up the amount of cash needed for a major project, but through a personal loan, you can defer the full cost of this project over a period of many years. Personal loans can be used to consolidate debt from multiple sources including various credit cards or store cards, but cannot be used to consolidate accounts that are over their agreed credit limit or are in arrears. Copies of existing statements must be provided for accounts to be consolidated.Just like credit cards, personal loans charge interest and other fees. There can be a fee for getting the loan, and there will always be fees for late payments or missed payments. All loans are subject to credit approval. Some restrictions may apply. As could be expected, we are looking for personal line of credit loans, since we are spending more money than ever for entertainment at home for large screen TV’s, DVD players and other technical equipment that is expensive. A secured personal line of credit is good for items like these because we can trust there is a fail safe if we need it.Avoid using unsecured personal loans if you can put up some security for your borrowings. This will get you a lower interest rate. Under an unsecured loan, the lender’s only right is to take action against the borrower to recover the debt. Under a secured loan, in addition to suing the borrower, the lender can take possession of and sell any property given the security. Secured loans usually have a lower interest rate than unsecured loans because the bank has an asset it can use if needed. If there is a shortfall after the sale of the security, you’ll be liable to pay the bank the outstanding loan amount including interest, fees and charges.The amount you can borrow is generally determined by your ability to meet the repayments on the loan. In most cases, the amount of your monthly commitments should not be greater than 35% of a gross single income, or 30% of a gross joint income. You can reduce the amount of interest you pay and it will allow you to catch up with living again. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw or early repayment fees and cost savings such as fee waivers are not included in the comparison rate, but may influence the cost of the loan.

Military Members With Bad Credit Can Receive Special Auto Loans From Private Lenders

Military members who are either on active duty or retired are able to take advantage of special auto loans. These loans are provided by private lenders, but especially reserved for military members who need help financing a vehicle purchase due to credit problems. Some people may also know these as auto loans for military members with bad credit. This article will familiarize you with this lending option and help you decide if it is the right choice for your next vehicle purchase.Guaranteed Approval for Military Service MembersThe design of these auto loans is such that military members receive automatic or guaranteed approval. This is because, unlike traditional auto loans that are given based on a credit history, military auto loans are given based on secure military (i.e. government) income. Therefore, retired military members who collect a regular pension are also entitled to military auto loan benefits.The nature of these loans means that having bad credit, or no credit, is not a problem for members of the military. Private military lenders will work with you despite your credit problems to get you the vehicle you need as a means to say thank you for your service.Bonus: Flexible RepaymentAnother bonus for military members who take auto loans from private lenders is the repayment schedules that they offer. Unlike traditional auto loans that are usually only offered in three or five year terms, auto loans for military members with bad credit can be designed to accommodate your pay scale specifically with a range of repayment period options.The interest rates on these guaranteed loans is relatively fixed, meaning that you can determine how long you need to repay the loan based on its principle amount. Looking at your monthly budget and income, have a solid figure that you can afford to pay each month and then base your loan term on that figure.Internet Applications Make the Process EasyOne final benefit to auto financing through auto loans for military member with bad credit is the ability to use the internet to find the best loan for you. Through private online lenders, military members can compare rates and terms across several loans before they even go shopping for a car. This way, the negotiation of price in terms of loan application is negated at the auto dealership, allowing the buyer to focus on getting the car or truck he or she wants at the best price.In order to conduct and online search for an auto loan for military members with bad credit, it is first necessary to identify several lenders who offer this option. Then, you can simply fill out a short form to see how much money they will offer, at what interest rate and at what term. Calling individual lenders to negotiate is another way to guarantee the best deal. Once you have decided on a lender, you are ready to get a car.Taking Time to ResearchAs a member of the military, you are intimately familiar with the many dangers that lurk out in the world and the internet is no different. That is why taking the time to research the online lenders you contact can be worth it in the long run. Make sure that the lender is legitimate and has good ratings as a business. Also, do not let him pressure you into making a purchase that is larger than your budget can support.Private lenders offer excellent packages to military members with bad credit. Auto loans are guaranteed with these lenders and by doing a little research a member of the military is entitled to a great deal for a new car or truck.

S&P 500 Rallies As U.S. Dollar Pulls Back Towards Weekly Lows

Key Insights
The strong pullback in the U.S. dollar provided significant support to stocks.
Treasury yields have pulled back after touching new highs, which served as an additional positive catalyst for S&P 500.
A move above 3730 will push S&P 500 towards the resistance level at 3760.
Advertisement

Pfizer Rallies After Announcing A Huge Price Hike For Its COVID-19 Vaccines
S&P 500 is currently trying to settle above 3730 as traders’ appetite for risk is growing. The U.S. dollar has recently gained strong downside momentum as the BoJ intervened to stop the rally in USD/JPY. Weaker U.S. dollar is bullish for stocks as it increases profits of multinational companies and makes U.S. equities cheaper for foreign investors.

The leading oil services company Schlumberger is up by 9% after beating analyst estimates on both earnings and revenue. Schlumberger’s peers Baker Hughes and Halliburton have also enjoyed strong support today.

Vaccine makers Pfizer and Moderna gained strong upside momentum after Pfizer announced that it will raise the price of its coronavirus vaccine to $110 – $130 per shot.

Biggest losers today include Verizon and Twitter. Verizon is down by 5% despite beating analyst estimates on both earnings and revenue. Subscriber numbers missed estimates, and traders pushed the stock to multi-year lows.

Twitter stock moved towards the $50 level as the U.S. may conduct a security review of Musk’s purchase of the company.

From a big picture point of view, today’s rebound is broad, and most market segments are moving higher. Treasury yields have started to move lower after testing new highs, providing additional support to S&P 500. It looks that some traders are ready to bet that Fed will be less hawkish than previously expected.

S&P 500 Tests Resistance At 3730

S&P 500 has recently managed to get above the 20 EMA and is trying to settle above the resistance at 3730. RSI is in the moderate territory, and there is plenty of room to gain additional upside momentum in case the right catalysts emerge.

If S&P 500 manages to settle above 3730, it will head towards the next resistance level at 3760. A successful test of this level will push S&P 500 towards the next resistance at October highs at 3805. The 50 EMA is located in the nearby, so S&P 500 will likely face strong resistance above the 3800 level.

On the support side, the previous resistance at 3700 will likely serve as the first support level for S&P 500. In case S&P 500 declines below this level, it will move towards the next support level at 3675. A move below 3675 will push S&P 500 towards the support at 3640.

SPDN: An Inexpensive Way To Profit When The S&P 500 Falls

Summary
SPDN is not the largest or oldest way to short the S&P 500, but it’s a solid choice.
This ETF uses a variety of financial instruments to target a return opposite that of the S&P 500 Index.
SPDN’s 0.49% Expense Ratio is nearly half that of the larger, longer-tenured -1x Inverse S&P 500 ETF.
Details aside, the potential continuation of the equity bear market makes single-inverse ETFs an investment segment investor should be familiar with.
We rate SPDN a Strong Buy because we believe the risks of a continued bear market greatly outweigh the possibility of a quick return to a bull market.
Put a gear stick into R position, (Reverse).
Birdlkportfolio

By Rob Isbitts

Summary
The S&P 500 is in a bear market, and we don’t see a quick-fix. Many investors assume the only way to navigate a potentially long-term bear market is to hide in cash, day-trade or “just hang in there” while the bear takes their retirement nest egg.

The Direxion Daily S&P 500® Bear 1X ETF (NYSEARCA:SPDN) is one of a class of single-inverse ETFs that allow investors to profit from down moves in the stock market.

SPDN is an unleveraged, liquid, low-cost way to either try to hedge an equity portfolio, profit from a decline in the S&P 500, or both. We rate it a Strong Buy, given our concern about the intermediate-term outlook for the global equity market.

Strategy
SPDN keeps it simple. If the S&P 500 goes up by X%, it should go down by X%. The opposite is also expected.

Proprietary ETF Grades
Offense/Defense: Defense

Segment: Inverse Equity

Sub-Segment: Inverse S&P 500

Correlation (vs. S&P 500): Very High (inverse)

Expected Volatility (vs. S&P 500): Similar (but opposite)

Holding Analysis
SPDN does not rely on shorting individual stocks in the S&P 500. Instead, the managers typically use a combination of futures, swaps and other derivative instruments to create a portfolio that consistently aims to deliver the opposite of what the S&P 500 does.

Strengths
SPDN is a fairly “no-frills” way to do what many investors probably wished they could do during the first 9 months of 2022 and in past bear markets: find something that goes up when the “market” goes down. After all, bonds are not the answer they used to be, commodities like gold have, shall we say, lost their luster. And moving to cash creates the issue of making two correct timing decisions, when to get in and when to get out. SPDN and its single-inverse ETF brethren offer a liquid tool to use in a variety of ways, depending on what a particular investor wants to achieve.

Weaknesses
The weakness of any inverse ETF is that it does the opposite of what the market does, when the market goes up. So, even in bear markets when the broader market trend is down, sharp bear market rallies (or any rallies for that matter) in the S&P 500 will cause SPDN to drop as much as the market goes up.

Opportunities
While inverse ETFs have a reputation in some circles as nothing more than day-trading vehicles, our own experience with them is, pardon the pun, exactly the opposite! We encourage investors to try to better-understand single inverse ETFs like SPDN. While traders tend to gravitate to leveraged inverse ETFs (which actually are day-trading tools), we believe that in an extended bear market, SPDN and its ilk could be a game-saver for many portfolios.

Threats
SPDN and most other single inverse ETFs are vulnerable to a sustained rise in the price of the index it aims to deliver the inverse of. But that threat of loss in a rising market means that when an investor considers SPDN, they should also have a game plan for how and when they will deploy this unique portfolio weapon.

Proprietary Technical Ratings
Short-Term Rating (next 3 months): Strong Buy

Long-Term Rating (next 12 months): Buy

Conclusions
ETF Quality Opinion
SPDN does what it aims to do, and has done so for over 6 years now. For a while, it was largely-ignored, given the existence of a similar ETF that has been around much longer. But the more tenured SPDN has become, the more attractive it looks as an alternative.

ETF Investment Opinion

SPDN is rated Strong Buy because the S&P 500 continues to look as vulnerable to further decline. And, while the market bottomed in mid-June, rallied, then waffled since that time, our proprietary macro market indicators all point to much greater risk of a major decline from this level than a fast return to bull market glory. Thus, SPDN is at best a way to exploit and attack the bear, and at worst a hedge on an otherwise equity-laden portfolio.

S&P 500 Biotech Giant Vertex Leads 5 Stocks Showing Strength

Your stocks to watch for the week ahead are Cheniere Energy (LNG), S&P 500 biotech giant Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX), Cardinal Health (CAH), Steel Dynamics (STLD) and Genuine Parts (GPC).

X
While the market remains in correction, with analysts and investors wary of an economic downturn, these five stocks are worth adding to watchlists. S&P 500 medical giants Vertex and Cardinal Health have been holding up, as health-care related plays tend to do well in down markets.

Steel Dynamics and Genuine Parts are both coming off strong earnings as both the steel and auto parts industries report optimistic outlooks. Meanwhile, Cheniere Energy saw sales boom in the second quarter as demand in Europe for natural gas continues to grow.

Major indexes have been making rally attempts with the Dow Jones and S&P 500 testing weekly support on Friday. With market uncertainty, investors should be ready for follow-through day breakouts and keep an eye on these stocks.

Cheniere Energy, Cardinal Health and VRTX stock are all on IBD Leaderboard.

Cheniere Energy Stock
LNG shares rose 1.1% to 175.79 during Friday’s market trading. On the week, the stock advanced 3.1%, not from highs, bouncing from its 21-day and 10-week lines earlier in the week.

Cheniere Energy has been consolidating since mid-September, but needs another week to forge a proper base, with a potential 182.72 buy point formed on Aug. 10.

Houston-based Cheniere Energy was IBD Stock Of The Day on Thursday, as the largest U.S. producer of liquefied natural gas eyes strong demand in Europe.

Even though natural gas prices are plunging in the U.S. and Europe, investors still see strong LNG demand for Cheniere and others.

The U.K. government confirmed last week that it is in talks for an LNG purchase agreement with a number of companies, including Cheniere.

In the first half of 2021, less than 40% of Cheniere’s cargoes of LNG landed in Europe. That jumped to more than 70% through this year’s second quarter, even as the company ramped up new export capacity. The urgency of Europe’s natural gas shortage only intensified last month. That is when an explosion disabled the Nord Stream 1 pipeline from Russia that had once supplied 40% of the European Union’s natural gas.

In Q2, sales increased 165% to $8 billion and LNG earned $2.90 per share, up from a net loss of $1.30 per share in Q2 2021. The company will report Q3 earnings Nov. 3, with investors seeing booming profits for the next few quarters.

Cheniere Energy has a Composite Rating of 84. It has a 98 Relative Strength Rating, an exclusive IBD Stock Checkup gauge for share price movement with a 1 to 99 score. The rating shows how a stock’s performance over the last 52 weeks holds up against all the other stocks in IBD’s database. The EPS rating is 41.

Vertex Stock
VRTX stock jumped 3.4% to 300 on Friday, rebounding from a test of its 50-day moving average. Shares climbed 2.2% for the week. Vertex stock has formed a tight flat base with an official buy point of 306.05, according to MarketSmith analysis.

The stock has remained consistent over recent weeks, while the relative strength line has trended higher. The RS line tracks a stock’s performance vs. the S&P 500 index.

Vertex Q3 earnings are on due Oct. 27. Analysts see EPS edging up 1% to $3.61 per share with sales increasing 16% to $2.2 billion, according to FactSet.

The Boston-based global biotech company dominates the cystic fibrosis treatment market. Vertex also has other products in late-stage clinical development that target sickle cell disease, Type 1 diabetes and certain genetically caused kidney diseases. That includes a gene-editing partnership with Crispr Therapeutics (CRSP).

In early August, Vertex reported better-than-expected second-quarter results and raised full-year sales targets.

S&P 500 stock Vertex ranks second in the Medical-Biomed/Biotech industry group. VRTX has a 99 Composite Rating. Its Relative Strength Rating is 94 and its EPS Rating is 99.

CRISPR Stocks: Will Concerns Over Risk Inhibit Gene-Editing Cures?

Cardinal Health Stock
CAH stock advanced 3.2% to 73.03 Friday, clearing a 71.22 buy point from a shallow cup-with-handle base and hitting a record high. But volume was light on the breakout. CAH stock leapt 7.3% for the week.

Cardinal Health stock’s relative strength line has also been trending up for months.

The cup-with-handle base is part of a base-on-base pattern, forming just above a cup base cleared on Aug. 11.

Cardinal Health, based in Dublin, Ohio, offers a wide assortment of health care services and medical supplies to hospitals, labs, pharmacies and long-term care facilities. The company reports that it serves around 90% of hospitals and 60,000 pharmacies in the U.S.

S&P 500 stock Cardinal Health will report Q1 2023 earnings on Nov. 4. Analysts forecast earnings falling 26% to 96 cents per share. Sales are expected to increase 10% to $48.3 billion, according to FactSet.

Cardinal Health stock ranks first in the Medical-Wholesale Drug/Supplies industry group, ahead of McKesson (MCK), which is also showing positive action. CAH stock has a 94 Composite Rating out of 99. It has a 97 Relative Strength Rating and an EPS rating of 73.

Steel Dynamics Stock
STLD shares shot up 8.5% to 92.92 on Friday and soared 19% on the week, coming off a Steel Dynamics earnings beat Wednesday night.

Shares blasted above an 88.72 consolidation buy point Friday after clearing a trendline Thursday. STLD stock is 17% above its 50-day line, definitely extended from that key average.

Steel Dynamics’ latest consolidation could be seen as part of a larger base going back six months.

Steel Dynamics topped Q3 earnings views with EPS rising 10% to $5.46 while revenue grew 11% to $5.65 billion. The steel producer’s outlook is optimistic despite weaker flat rolled steel pricing. STLD reports its order activity and backlogs remain solid.

The Fort Wayne, Indiana-based company is among the largest producers of carbon steel products in the U.S. It engages in metal recycling operations along with steel fabrication and produces myriad steel products.

How Millett Grew Steel Dynamics From A Three Employee Business

STLD stock ranks first in the Steel-Producers industry group. STLD stock has a 96 Composite Rating out of 99. It has a 90 Relative Strength Rating, an exclusive IBD Stock Checkup gauge for share-price movement that tops at 99. The rating shows how a stock’s performance over the last 52 weeks holds up against all the other stocks in IBD’s database. The EPS rating is 98.

Genuine Parts Stock
GPC stock gained 2.8% to 162.35 Friday after the company topped earnings views with its Q3 results on Thursday. For the week GPC advanced 5.1% as the stock held its 50-day line and is in a flat base.

GPC has an official 165.09 flat-base buy point after a three-week rally, according to MarketSmith analysis.

The relative strength line for Genuine Parts stock has rallied sharply to highs over the past several months.

On Thursday, the Atlanta-based auto parts company raised its full-year guidance on growth across its automotive and industrial sales.

Genuine Parts earnings per share advanced 19% to $2.23 and revenue grew 18% to $5.675 billion in Q3. GPC’s full-year guidance is now calling for EPS of $8.05-$8.15, up from $7.80-$7.95. The company now forecasts revenue growth of 15%-16%, up from the earlier 12%-14%.

During the Covid pandemic, supply chain constraints caused a major upheaval in the auto industry, sending prices for new and used cars to record levels. This has made consumers more likely to hang on to their existing vehicles for longer, driving mileage higher and boosting demand for auto replacement parts.

Fellow auto stocks O’Reilly Auto Parts (ORLY) and AutoZone (AZO) have also rallied near buy points amid the struggling market. O’Reilly reports on Oct. 26.

IBD ranks Genuine Parts first in the Retail/Wholesale-Auto Parts industry group. GPC stock has a 96 Composite Rating. Its Relative Strength Rating is 94 and it has an EPS Rating of 89.