Marketfoolery

Back from vacation, Chris Hill shares a few business takeaways from London and Ireland. Plus, as bearish calls for a big stock market drop increase, it’s a good time to remember why we invest in businesses.

Bill Mann wraps up Strategy Week with a look outside the U.S.  We discuss the upside (and downside) of ETFs, as well as American companies that are secretly international stocks. Plus, why corruption in Brazil could be good for investors.

How many stocks should I own?  Where do I start in building my portfolio? And how big should my initial holdings be?  Bryan Hinmon from Motley Fool Funds dissects the ins and outs of portfolio allocation, shares two stock ideas (one riskier than the other) as well as why we should never get “too cute” with our investing.  Thanks to Harry’s for supporting The Motley Fool. Get your Free Trial Set – go to Harrys.com/Fool

As the return on bonds continues to languish, more investors are turning to dividend stocks.  Ron Gross highlights the risk in chasing yield and urges investors to focus on total return instead.  Plus, we discuss the stigma of being label “dividend stock”, the beauty of dividend aristocrats, and a couple of stocks to add to your watchlist.

Strategy Week begins!  Bill Mann shares why he believes right now is a good time for small cap stocks and why small caps are not riskier than large caps. Plus, we delve into one of the key factors in evaluating smaller companies, two small caps that Bill likes right now, and the one type of small cap to avoid. Thanks to Harry’s for supporting The Motley Fool. Get your Free Trial Set – go to Harrys.com/Fool

Fool Germany analyst Matt Koppenheffer shares what’s on the mind of German investors and how the start-up scene in Germany is growing.  Plus we discuss Amazon’s German-based competitor in the fashion industry, Zalando.   Thanks to Away for supporting The Motley Fool. Go to awaytravel.com/fool and use the promo code fool to get $20 off your order!

Uber founder Travis Kalanick resigns as CEO. CarMax revs up on earnings. And Snapchat gets more bad news. Motley Fool analysts David Kretzmann and Jason Moser discuss these stories and weigh in on the future of Etsy. Thanks to Thumbtack for supporting The Motley Fool.

Lennar Corp’s stock hits a new high after 2nd-quarter profits come in higher than expected.  As auto parts companies struggle Goodyear Tire gets an analyst upgrade.  Bill Barker from Motley Fool Funds analyzes these businesses, as well as the future of air travel. And of course, we go off on a tangent about the “buddy cop” genre of movies and discuss who we would cast. Thanks to Away for supporting The Motley Fool. Go to awaytravel.com/fool and use the promo code “fool” to get $20 off your order!

Amazon’s buying Whole Foods for $42 a share. So why is Whole Foods’ stock trading above $43? Jason Moser analyzes the potential for a competing bid, what shareholders need to know, and why Kroger isn’t dead yet. Plus we discuss the money behind live sports and the bid for TV ratings as the U.S. Open posts its 2nd-lowest audience ever. Thanks to Thumbtack for supporting The Motley Fool.  

Looking to allocate some of your portfolio into safer, blue chip dividend stocks?  Bill Barker from Motley Fool Funds offers some ideas on where to find them. Plus we delve into the rise in interest rates, Kroger’s guidance cut (and resulting stock drop) and SeaWorld Entertainment’s chairman getting the boot from shareholders.

Chris Hill reflects on this morning’s shootings in Alexandria, what happens when chaos knocks on your front door, and the challenge of being kind in the face of madness.

It’s “Free Taco Day” at Taco Bell!!  Matt Argersinger and David Kretzmann attempt to calm investors nervous over the Nasdaq’s mild (and brief) drop.  Then we dig into Nike vs. Under Armour after the NBA Finals, and the potential for MGM Resorts’ new eSports arena.

Jeff Immelt, longtime CEO of General Electric, announces his retirement and sends the stock higher. Taylor Muckerman shares why GE is favorite way to play the energy sector, and Jason Moser weighs in on the demise of Gymboree. Plus, we discuss the utter mess at Uber.

While the former FBI director is busy across the Potomac River from Fool HQ, the News Fairy brought reports of Nordstrom contemplating private life. Motley Fool Funds portfolio manager Bill Barker analyzes Nordstrom’s fate, as well as the latest quarterly reports from Vail Resorts and JM Smucker.  (Tangents include “Ghostbusters”, kitty litter, and the Pillsbury Doughboy.)

Chipmaker Ambarella falls on lowered guidance. Jason Moser analyzes Dave & Buster’s new all-time high and whether Pepsi shares are now in a different category than Coca-Cola’s.  Plus we dip into the Fool Mailbag to analyze the future of Boston Beer Co. Thanks to Casper for supporting The Motley Fool.  Save $50 on a mattress at www.casper.com/fool and use the promo code “fool”.

Apple uses the Worldwide Developer Conference to unveil “HomePod”, a new home assistant. David Kretzmann analyzes the device and shares why he believes Bose and Sonos have more to fear than Amazon and Google. Plus we dig into the latest quarter from Casey’s General Stores and the rise of eSports.

Activist investor group Marcato Capital won a proxy fight to get three board seats at Buffalo Wild Wings, and longtime CEO Sally Smith has decided to retire. Jason Moser and Taylor Muckerman analyze Smith’s incredible track record and wish good luck to whoever has to fill the enormous shoes she leaves behind. Plus, we share highlights from FoolFest 2017. Thanks to Casper for supporting The Motley Fool.  Save $50 on a mattress at www.casper.com/fool and use the promo code “fool”.

Michael Kors hits a 5-year low as same-store sales plummet.  Fool Funds analyst Bill Barker surveys the retail landscape and compares Kors to the strong sales from J. Jill.  Plus, we discuss Kellogg’s layoffs in the wake of falling sales and which breakfast cereals belong on Mount Rushmore. Thanks to Bombfell for supporting The Motley Fool.  Get $25 off your first purchase at http://bombfell.com/fool

Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer movie season, but two financial flops led to the worst box office since 1999.  Jason Moser and Taylor Muckerman analyze the damage, as well as Canadian National Railway’s last-minute efforts to head off a conductor strike, Zillow’s challenges with the “zestimate” and more. Thanks to Bombfell for supporting The Motley Fool.  Get $25 off your first purchase at http://bombfell.com/fool

Best Buy hits an 11-year high, Williams-Sonoma raises guidance and Guess? sells a few more pairs of jeans.  Ron Gross analyzes those companies and more. Plus, we kick off Memorial Day weekend with some grilling tips to improve your next backyard bbq.