By now you should also have cleared off most of your major loans like your home loan. If your children are no longer dependent on you, you may consider closing term insurance policies and leaving only so much as your spouse would need.
Needs: Your immediate short term need is your child� higher education or maybe your child� marriage expenses. You need life, health and disability insurance if your family is dependent on you.
In the medium term, you need to plan your own retirement. It is the age of nuclear families and no one except yourself will be paying for your retired years. You need to build up a sufficiently large corpus to enable you to continue to live the lifestyle that you did while you were working. Moreover, with inflation and increasing medical costs, your retirement is not going to be a cheap affair.
Choice of investments
Short term (less than 5 years): In the short term, you can invest in instruments that provide liquidity and carry low risk. Investing in equities is not a good option for the short term since returns in equities are highly volatile and you run the risk of losing your money. Instead, for the short term, liquid mutual funds, bank fixed deposits and short term bonds are a good option for you.
Medium term (5-10 years): In the medium term, you may not require liquidity, but at the same time, you cannot afford to take big risks either. Hence, you can look at debt instruments that offer a slightly longer lock-in and hence come with higher returns too. For instance, National Savings Certificate (NSC), Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP), RBI bonds �all make for good investments as they provide returns of 8 per cent and have a lock-in of 6-8 years. You may also look at debt or even balanced mutual funds. If, however, you have not built up a sufficient corpus for your retirement, you would have to take the risk and invest in aggressive instruments such as equities. You can consult an expert and make an informed decision about investing in equities.
Hot Cheap Stocks To Own Right Now: AeroVironment Inc.(AVAV)
AeroVironment, Inc. designs, develops, produces, and supports unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and efficient energy systems for various industries and governmental agencies. Its UAS provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, including real-time tactical reconnaissance, tracking, combat assessment, and geographic data to the small tactical unit or individual war fighter. The UAS wirelessly transmit critical live video and other information generated by their payload of electro-optical or infrared sensors directly to a hand-held ground control system, enabling the operator to view and capture images during the day or at night on a hand-held ground control unit. AeroVironment also provides spare equipment, alternative payload modules, batteries, chargers, repair services, and customer support for the UAS. In addition, the company produces industrial productivity and clean transportation solutions for commercial and government customers, develops potential clean t ransportation solutions, and performs contract engineering services; offers PosiCharge electric vehicle charging systems for industrial electric material handling fleets, electric vehicle charging systems for passenger and fleet vehicles, and power cycling and test systems for developers and manufacturers of plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as battery packs, electric motors, and fuel cells; and supplies power cycling and test systems to research and development organizations that focus on developing electric propulsion systems, electric generation systems, and electricity storage systems. It supplies its UAS primarily to the organizations within the United States department of defense. AeroVironment, Inc. was incorporated in 1971 and is headquartered in Monrovia, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Travis Hoium]
It's not easy being a government supplier these days. Small-drone manufacturer AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV ) is finding that out ��� terrible fiscal fourth quarter has to give investors pause about the company's growth.
- [By Alex Planes]
Investors love stocks that consistently beat the Street without getting ahead of their fundamentals and risking a meltdown. The best stocks offer sustainable market-beating gains, with robust and improving financial metrics that support strong price growth. Does AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV ) fit the bill? Let's look at what its recent results tell us about its potential for future gains.
- [By Chris Hill]
In this installment of Investor Beat, Andy and Jason explain why they're keeping a close eye on shares of AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV ) and Barnes & Noble (NYSE: BKS ) .
- [By Rich Smith]
AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV )
Shifting over the implications of this news for automotive investments, the key attraction for AeroVironment investors (aside from selling UAVs into an Afghan war that's winding down) has been the company's "PosiCharge" electric-car battery recharging technology. AV says it beats all comers with the ability to recharge a lithium ion battery pack in mere minutes. But if Khare's invention bears fruit, and battery recharge times begin getting measured in seconds, AV's raison d' etre could vanish.
Hot Cheap Stocks To Own Right Now: Merck & Company Inc.(MRK)
Merck & Co., Inc. provides various health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products. The company?s Pharmaceutical segment provides human health pharmaceutical products, such as therapeutic and preventive agents for the treatment of human disorders in the areas of bone, respiratory, immunology, dermatology, cardiovascular, diabetes and obesity, infectious diseases, neurosciences and ophthalmology, oncology, vaccines, and women's health and endocrine. This segment also offers human health vaccines, such as preventive pediatric, adolescent, and adult vaccines. Its Animal Health segment discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets animal health products. This segment offers antibiotics, anti-inflammatory products, vaccines, products for the treatment of fertility disorders, and parasiticides for cattle, swine, horses, poultry, dogs, cats, salmons, and fish. The Consumer Care segment develops, manufac tures, and markets over-the-counter, foot care, and sun care products. Its over-the-counter product line includes non-drowsy antihistamines; treatment for occasional constipation; decongestant-free cold/flu medicine for people with high blood pressure; nasal decongestant spray; and treatment for frequent heartburn. This segment?s foot care products comprise topical antifungal, and foot and sneaker odor/wetness products; and sun care products include sun care lotions, sprays and dry oils; and sunburn relief products. The company serves drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, government agencies, physicians, physician distributors, veterinarians, animal producers, and managed health care providers, as well as food chain and mass merchandiser outlets in the United States and Canada. Merck & Co., Inc. was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Travis Hoium]
Merck (NYSE: MRK ) has lost the most value on the Dow, falling 2.8% after reporting first-quarter results. Earnings per share came in at $0.85, $0.06 ahead of estimates, but revenue dropped 9% to $10.7 billion -- a much larger drop than investors had expected. Both Merck and Pfizer are fighting with patent expirations and don't have a backlog of new products to replace those that are going generic. For Merck, the big loss is Singulair, which saw sales drop by more than 75% in the quarter.
- [By Matt Thalman]
Shares of Merck (NYSE: MRK ) rose by 0.5% after it received a complete response letter pertaining to its investigational medicine focused on treating insomnia called suvorexant. The letter from the FDA explained that it didn't feel it was safe to start any patient, no matter the age, on any dose of the drug higher than 10 mg. Merck had previously wanted to start the elderly on 15 mg and move up to 30 mg if everything went well, while starting the non-elderly at 20 mg and possibly bumping them to a 40 mg dose if needed. The decision to not allow Merck to start above 10 mg will likely push the drug's rollout date back, as the company said it will have to performer further testing on the 10 mg dosage of suvorexant. �
- [By Matt Thalman]
Lastly, shares of Merck (NYSE: MRK ) lost 0.28% today after it was announced that federal regulators will not approve high doses of an insomnia medication that Merck is currently experimenting with. The reason for denying the approval was related to concerns about patient safety. At higher levels of the medication, patients in the testing group experience daytime drowsiness, trouble staying alert when behind the wheel of a vehicle, and suicidal thoughts. These are all typical side effects from sleeping medications, but Merck had aimed at reducing the severity of the morning-after fatigue. �
5 Best Stocks To Own For 2014: Kohl's Corporation(KSS)
Kohl?s Corporation operates department stores in the United States. The company?s stores offer private and exclusive, as well as national branded apparel, footwear, and accessories for women, men, and children; soft home products, such as sheets and pillows; and housewares primarily to middle-income customers. As of January 29, 2011, it operated 1,089 stores in 49 states. The company also offers on-line shopping on its Web site at Kohls.com. Kohl?s Corporation was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Divine]
Retail companies took a hit today, and shares of Kohl's (NYSE: KSS ) lost 2% after a streak of cold weather is set to hit business. Most of the cold weather setbacks are happening in the Northeast, and Kohl's has a large portion of its business in the region. With people not venturing outdoors as much when temperatures plummet, shareholders could be in for a nasty surprise come the earnings announcement May 16.�
- [By Tim Melvin]
Opinions are dangerous things when it comes to the financial markets. I may think retail will be slow, but until it happens and stocks like Macy�� (M) or Kohl�� (KSS) trade at really low multiples of assets and earnings, there�� nothing for me to do with my guess. I have made far more money reacting to what the markets actually do than I ever have betting on what they might do.
- [By Sean Williams]
Department store
This was perhaps the biggest shock of all, as Kohl's (NYSE: KSS ) topped Macy's�for the top spot in department store brand loyalty. Given Kohl's recently weak same-store sales figures, this may not make a lot of sense, but that has more to do with a weakness in the overall economy than a weakness in the company's operational model. Kohl's relies on discounts and promotions, as well as its Kohl's charge card, to bring customers into its stores and keep them hooked. Furthermore, Kohl's online business is among the most shopper-friendly.
Hot Cheap Stocks To Own Right Now: Ford Motor Credit Company(F)
Ford Motor Company primarily develops, manufactures, distributes, and services vehicles and parts worldwide. It operates in two sectors, Automotive and Financial Services. The Automotive sector offers vehicles primarily under the Ford and Lincoln brand names. This sector markets cars, trucks, and parts through retail dealers in North America, and through distributors and dealers outside of North America. It also sells cars and trucks to dealers for sale to fleet customers, including daily rental car companies, commercial fleet customers, leasing companies, and governments. In addition, this sector provides retail customers with a range of after-sale vehicle services and products in the areas, such as maintenance and light repair, heavy repair, collision repair, vehicle accessories, and extended service contracts under the Ford Service, Lincoln Service, Ford Custom Accessories, Ford Extended Service Plan, and Motorcraft brand names. The Financial Services sector offers vari ous automotive financing products to and through automotive dealers. It offers retail financing, which includes retail installment contracts for new and used vehicles; direct financing leases; wholesale financing products that comprise loans to dealers to finance the purchase of vehicle inventory; loans to dealers to finance working capital, purchase real estate dealership, and/or make improvements to dealership facilities; and other financing products, as well as provides insurance services. Ford Motor Company was founded in 1903 and is based in Dearborn, Michigan.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rick Munarriz]
Ford (NYSE: F ) had a great April.
The car manufacturer announced that sales in April rose 18% when pitted against April of last year. Car sales were up 21%, along with a 16% increase in trucks and utilities.�
- [By John Rosevear]
June was the best month for U.S. auto sales since 2007, and one big factor is the boom in sales of full-sized pickup trucks. Ford (NYSE: F ) , General Motors (NYSE: GM ) , and Chrysler all posted big gains in pickup sales last month, and all three gained U.S. market share in the first half of 2013 ��the first time that has happened in 20 years.
Hot Cheap Stocks To Own Right Now: Advance Auto Parts Inc(AAP)
Advance Auto Parts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a retailer of automotive aftermarket parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items. It operates in two segments, Advance Auto Parts (AAP) and Autopart International (AI). The AAP segment operates stores, which primarily offer auto parts, including alternators, batteries, chassis parts, clutches, engines and engine parts, radiators, starters, transmissions, and water pumps; accessories comprising floor mats, mirrors, vent shades, MP3 and cell phone accessories, and seat and steering wheel covers; chemicals consisting of antifreeze, freon, fuel additives, and car washes and waxes; and oil and other automotive petroleum products. This segment also provides battery and wiper installation, battery charging, check engine light reading, electrical system testing, video clinics and project brochures, loaner tool programs, and oil and battery recycling services; and sells its products through online. The AI segm ent operates stores that offer replacement parts for domestic and imported cars, and light trucks to customers in northeast and mid-Atlantic regions, as well as to warehouse distributors and jobbers in North America. As of January 1, 2011, the company operated 3,369 AAP stores, including 3,343 stores located in the northeastern, southeastern, and Midwestern regions of the United States under the Advance Auto Parts and Advance Discount Auto Parts trade names; 26 stores situated in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands under the Advance Auto Parts and Western Auto trade names; and 194 stores under the Autopart International trade name in the United States. It serves do-it-yourself, do-it-for-me, or commercial customers. The company was founded in 1929 and is based in Roanoke, Virginia.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
Autozone has dropped 0.3% to $413.22 �, while�Pep Boys (PBY) has gained 0.2% to $12.19 , Advanced Auto Parts�(AAP) has risen 0.3% to $80.35, and O’Reilly Automotive (ORLY) has advanced 0.3% to $124.42 .
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