Yes, you read that correctly.  My favorite “tobacco stock” is Intel Corp (Nasdaq:$INTC). Lest you think I’ve lost my mind, I am aware that Intel does not sell or market cigarettes or other tobacco products. Intel is the world’s premier designer and manufacturer of computer processors. But while Intel is not a tobacco company, it...Read More

This piece orginally appeared on InvestorPlace as Charles Sizemore’s submission for the 10 Best Stocks of 2013 contest. The auto industry is a truly wretched business to be in.  You have high labor costs and the constant threat of labor unrest.  You have vicious competition among existing competitors.  And perhaps worst of all, you have...Read More

The country has a socialist president, one of the most overbearing state sectors of any developed country, some of the highest taxes in the world, and its concept of democratic government seems to require frequent rioting in the streets by its citizens. Vive la France! France is a country that often seems to prosper in...Read More

Gold is a frustrating investment, even for its proponents.  Actually, “disciple” is probably a better a better word for the truly-committed gold investor.  More than any other asset class, gold tends to create a quasi-religious cult around itself.  An investor might buy a stock.  But they believe in gold. Unfortunately, gold is often the god...Read More

I saw a headline this week that really caught my eye: “Saudis Cut Oil Output to Lowest in a Year.” Generally, Saudi Arabia cuts its oil output for one and only reason: demand has slackened due to a weak economy, causing the price to fall.  But then, that was before “fracking.” The Saudi move to...Read More