Archive for August 4th, 2008

Risk: Market and Specific

Monday, August 4th, 2008

Arkaitz Arteaga

There is always risk in any stock traded, no matter how predictable a stock can be or how much research has been done on the stock. Risk on a stock is divided into two parts. There is market risk and specific risk. These two risks are very different. The differences between the two will be explained.

Market risk is risk that can not be diversified away. Market risk can also be referred to as systematic risk. This form of risk refers to matters that are out of the investors control. For example, changes in a stock price due to changes in the stock market. All forms of securities have market risk. This includes, bonds and stocks. Market risk is a mixture of the market, inflation rates and interest rates. For example, if the market suddenly increases, most stocks increase in value as well. However, if the market suddenly decreases, so does the value of the stock. These three factors can not be avoided by any investor. It effects everyone participating in the stock market. Thus, market risk can in no way be diversified away.

Specific risk on the other hand can be diversified away. Specific risk can also be referred to as unsystematic risk. Specific risks are risks that are unique to a stock. It includes business and financial risk related to the stock. As well as that, liquidity risk. The amount of specific risk can be reduced through diversification. An example of specific risk is, say news about a specific stock, where there is a strike by the employees in the company where there are shares you hold.

There is a system that is able to differentiate from market and specific risk effecting any particular stock. This system is called the fama-French tree factor model. It differentiates between the two risks by using three factors. Firstly there is the book to market ratio. Secondly there is the magnitude of the firm. Lastly there is the market portfolios return.

Firstly, the ratio referred to as the book to market ratio simply is the estimate of the companies worth divided by the magnitude of the firm. Secondly, the magnitude of the firm is brought about by the shares price times the added number of shares the firm has in the market. Thirdly, an index like S&P 500 is where the return on the market portfolio is retrieved from.

Under the fama-French three factor model, market risk is classified as the book to market ratio and the magnitude of the firm. This means, that for market risk, a higher amount of returns is expected. This is because market risk is out of the control of the investors and they are unable to diversify it, thus higher amounts of returns are expected. Specific risk is everything else. This form of risk can be diversified by investing not only in one stock but in many different company stocks.

This article has discussed the differences between market and specific risk. The fama-French three factor model has been explained and the ways in which it differentiates between market and specific risk.

I have a degree in Computer Systems Engineering. I’ve been working in the world of forex trading and stock market investing. I also have been building a variety of websites for the last 3 years. Arkaitz Arteaga - MarketStock.net For more information about Stock Market visit Stock Market - MarketStock.net

Stop Losses in the Forex Market

Monday, August 4th, 2008

Arkaitz Arteaga

“Stop losses are the key to any trading being done in the forex market. They ensure to reduce to amount of lose a trader can encounter. The following article will explain the reasons as to why stop losses are a necessity in the forex market. As well as that, the advantages of a stop loss will be discussed. Lastly, the ways in which a stop loss point can be determined will be discussed.”

Stop losses are a necessity to any trading system. They can help a trader prevent maximum losses. It is recommended by all financial institutions, brokers and mentors that every trading system have a stop loss rule in place. There are a list of basic guidelines that most brokers would recommend any trader to use when it comes to stop losses.

Firstly, always analyze the market environment before placing a stop loss because no each trade has the exact same point where a stop loss can be incorporated in. This is to ensure, that the stop loss is kept in the exact point that best suits each trade. Always have a pre-determined profit margin before placing a stop loss. This allows you to know exactly where you should place your stop loss, so you can achieve your pre-determined profit margin. Stop losses should never be placed near the existing price. Lastly, the stop loss should not be place too far either, that it become inconsequential to the trade.

There are some basic ways in which to determine the best stop loss point. Firstly, when performing technical analysis, specifically Parabolic SAR, you can either use ten pips on top of the parabolic SAR dot as a stop loss point or ten pips below the parabolic SAR dot as a stop loss point. . However, if the stop loss point if quite a distance away from the point you wish to come into the market, its advised you don’t place the stop loss point there. Instead, a stop loss point can be placed either on top of the day before’s high and low or below the day before’s high or low.

Another way of determining the best stop loss point is by using moving averages. Again placing the point on top of the moving average by ten pips, or below the moving average by ten pips. Bollinger bands can also be used. Again either place the point above the band by ten pips or below the band by ten pips.

By following the guidelines mentioned above, determining the exact point where a stop loss can be placed is possible. As well as that, the placement of the stop loss will ensure the reduction of loss any trader can encounter.

This article has explained the benefits of using a stop loss. As well as that, the ways in which to determine where a stop loss point can be placed have been discussed. This includes the various technical analysis traders use, and the ways in which they can use that to determine the best point.

I have a degree in Computer Systems Engineering. I’ve been working in the world of forex trading and stock market investing. I also have been building a variety of websites for the last 3 years. Arkaitz Arteaga - MarketStock.net For more information about Stock Market visit Stock Market - MarketStock.net

Greenspan says more banks, institutions may founder

Monday, August 4th, 2008

LONDON - More banks and financial institutions are likely to face insolvency and need bailouts before the global financial crisis is over, according to former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan.

Anadarko Petroleum 2nd-quarter net off sharply

Monday, August 4th, 2008

HOUSTON - Anadarko Petroleum Corp has said on Monday that its second-quarter net income dropped sharply on losses related to hedging, and year-ago results included a large gain for asset divestitures.

Finding UK Van Insurance Online

Monday, August 4th, 2008

Andrew Redfern

Whenever you are attempting to purchase van insurance on the Internet, you should know that as a UK consumer, you really do have a lot of options available.

In fact, purchasing van insurance in this manner is much more convenient than it was whenever you had to do so in the old fashioned way: by going to the office of an insurance agent and filling out all kinds of paperwork that also needs to be signed in order to apply for insurance. With the old fashioned way you may even have to pay a broker’s fees for filling out this paperwork.

Going online to go through this process is entirely different. In fact, you will be able to shop around so that you can actually evaluate the numerous different van insurance plans that are offered by the great variety of insurance companies that are now available today. This is something that it was not possible to do just a few short years ago.

Another great benefit to looking for insurance in this manner is that you will never have to leave the comfort of your own home whenever you are doing your comparison shopping. As such, consumers in the UK really do have a lot more options available to them today, whenever they are searching for insurance, than they ever had before.

Many UK insurance companies now feature an automated, online system whereby you can receive your insurance quotes. What does this mean to you? Basically, it means that whenever you are attempting to get the best price on your insurance rate you will no longer need to wait until the beginning of office hours in order to begin gathering together the information that you need in order to make a well-informed decision.

Obviously, this is something that is greatly preferred over having to reach an insurance person when they are in their office during standard business hours. In some cases, this would mean that you would have to take time away from your own job in order to do this. Thankfully though, this is no longer the case.

Since this new way of shopping for van insurance is both convenient and time saving, it is winning many people over to the idea of purchasing van insurance online. However, these are not the only things that are winning “shoppers” over. They are also being won over by the discount that most UK insurance companies will give to persons who choose to do their shopping in this manner. This discount oftentimes amounts to 10% plus the absence of brokers fees. It is given to those customers who choose to purchase their van insurance via the Internet. Whenever you stop to consider how expensive van insurance can actually be, this really is a nominal savings.

Clearly, UK consumers have never had it so good whenever it comes to dealing with insurance agencies. This trend will certainly continue into at least the very foreseeable future and it is definitely something that you will want to take part in.

Staveley Head is an insurance company comprising of highly trained and experienced staff to identify your requirements and provide you with a van insurance policy to fit your needs.

Capital Research wants Yahoo vote probe: report

Monday, August 4th, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO - One of Yahoo Inc’s largegest shareholders, Capital Research Global Investors, asked for a probe of shareholder voting, believing there was more opposition to Chief Executive Jerry Yang, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Obama backs a few drilling, tapping oil stockpile

Monday, August 4th, 2008

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Barack Obama put forward a broad energy plan Monday designed to end United States reliance on imported oil within 10 years and shore up his standing amid a tightening White House race and high-anxiety over gas prices….

Discount Auto Insurance Found by Comparing Local Car Insurers

Monday, August 4th, 2008

Marilyn Katz

The TV ads are true. You may be paying to much for your car insurance. And do not make the mistake of assuming that your present company is cutting you the best deal out of loyalty. Insuring cars is a very competitive business these days, and some companies offer discounts that you may not be taking advantage of. Since these discounts can range from 10% to 30%, and can also be cumulative, you may be able to slash your bill in half by doing a bit of research. If your present household premium is $200 a month, then you could be saving $1200 a year by taking a little time to check around.

For instance, some insurers offer a 15% discount for taking approved defensive driving or driver’s education courses. This discount really helps younger drivers, and it also helps drivers who have had a ticket or accident recently. Younger drivers who keep up a B grade average can also earn a discount from some insurers. The companies will use the high GPA as evidence of a student’s responsibility level in place of a driving history.

I have also seen 30% discounts for safety features or anti-theft devices. Insurers are very interested in minimizing claims activity, so anything that keeps you, and your car, safer will be likely to lower your premium rates. If you purchased a car with safety features or anti-theft devices, or if you added some of these features later, make sure that your insurer knows about them.

And some cars are just cheaper to insure than other cars. Your intuition may tell you that newer, and more expensive cars will cost more to insure than older or cheaper cars. This may be true sometimes. But the newer car may be considered safer by insurers. If the insurer’s claims history demonstrates that a certain vehicle tends to cause larger bills, then they will charge more to cover that car. Of course, high horsepower sports cars will usually cost more to insure than a sedate family car. And some people think that large SUV vehicles will always be safer than smaller cars, but an insurer may feel that those larger cars also cause larger claims.

Multiple policy discounts are a very popular way to save money. If you have more than one vehicle, or also need to insure a home, look into insurers who want to encourage consumers to place all of their business under one roof.

Of course, age, zip code, and driving history affect premiums. In fact, many of the big car insurers also take credit history into account these days. They believe that people with poor credit have demonstrated that they are also poorer car insurance risks. But every company has its own formula for calculating rates. You need to find the insurer who will give you a break for the things you do to make yourself a safer driver, and who will forgive a few things you may not have much control over.

You are a couple of clicks away from finding the most competitive Discount Auto Insurance companies. Simply enter your zip code, and get a list of Discount Insurance Companies.