Income portfolios should have a stable market value. In thirty-five years of investment management, I've determined that the single biggest error investors make is their focus on the market value of income securities. Stable income yes; stable market value – not! Roughly 25% of you incorrectly put this one in the "True" column.

Investing with a calendar year focus has no basis in the realities of finance, business, or economics... isn't it obvious that the Stock and Bond Markets are far more closely related to the Business Cycle than to the Earth's around the Sun? The Market Cycle Investment Management Account Program provides better guidance--- and results.

U.S. stock indices reversed earlier weakness on the heels of a better than expected Chicago Purchasing Managers Index. Stocks were trading lower overnight and after the opening because of end-of-the-year profit-taking.

U.S. equity markets are trading lower at the mid-session following a sell-off which began in Asia and Europe. The stronger Dollar is leading some investors to pare positions as traders become more averse to risk. Traders are trying to protect profits at the end of the year as chart patterns suggest there is more downside than upside potential at current levels.