Loonie approaches lowest level in a month as economy shrinks

The Canadian dollar approached the lowest level in more than a month as a first-quarter economic contraction keeps alive speculation the Bank of Canada will cut interest rates again this year.
The currency fell against all but one of its major peers after Statistics Canada said gross domestic product fell at a 0.6 percent annualized pace, the most since the 2009 recession. The Bank of Canada forecast for flat growth in the quarter. The central bank cut rates in January as “insurance” against collapsing prices of crude oil, Canada’s largest export, while forecasting faster growth in the latter part of the year. (more)

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Top 10 Dow Dividend Stocks for June

Top 10 Dow Dividend Stocks for June

Pay attention, income investors, because dividend stocks just might be the best game in town.
Strong, reliable dividend stocks have room in just about everybody’s portfolio as far as I’m concerned. Especially today, with 10-year Treasuries yielding a measly 2.1% — less than the average rate of inflation[1].
Although Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen recently indicated[2] an interest rate hike was coming “sometime this year,” it could be as late as September or October, and it probably won’t be large.
Thankfully, investors have a magical tool known as the stock market at their disposal.


Not only do solid dividend stocks give investors an income stream, but the underlying stock can also appreciate considerably over time. So who needs Treasuries?
Each of these top 10 Dow dividend stocks for June yields at least 3% annually … and in some cases, quite a bit more than that.  (more)

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Chart of the Day - Cytec Industries (CYT)

The Chart of the Day belongs to Cytec Industries (CYT). I found the stock by sorting the All Time High list for the stocks with the highest technical buy signals, then used the Flipchart feature to review the charts. Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 3/19 the stock gained 14.74%.

Cytec Industries Inc. is a global specialty chemicals and materials company focused on developing, manufacturing and selling value-added products with sales. The company's products serve a diverse range of end markets including aerospace, adhesives, automotive and industrial coatings, chemical intermediates, inks, mining and plastics. The Company use its technology and application development expertise to create chemical and material solutions that are formulated to perform specific and important functions in the finished products of their customers.


Fundamental factors:
 Market Cap $4.32 billion
 P/E 19.18
 Dividend yield .85%
 Revenue expected to row 5.90% this year and another 7.80% next year
 Earnings estimated to increase 10.80% this year, an additional 14.30% next year and continue to compound annually at a rate of 10.52% for the next 5 years
 Wall Street analysts issued 2 strong buy, 5 buy and 3 hold recommendations on the stock.
None of the regular technical trading strategies have been reliable on this stock so I would recommend you use a trailing stop loss 10% the most recent high.

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Altria Group Inc (NYSE: MO)

Altria Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells cigarettes, smokeless products, and wine in the United States and internationally. It offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars principally under the Black & Mild brand; and moist smokeless tobacco products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, Husky, and Marlboro Snus brand names. The company also produces and sells blended table wines under the Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Crest, and 14 Hands names; and imports and markets Antinori and Villa Maria Estate wines, as well as Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte in the United States. In addition, it provides finance leasing services primarily in aircraft, rail and surface transport, electric power, real estate, and manufacturing industries. The company sells its tobacco products primarily to wholesalers, including distributors; large retail organizations, such as chain stores; and the armed services.
Take a look at the 1-year chart of Altria (NYSE: MO) below with my added notations:

MO has formed a clear resistance at $53 (red) over the last 2 months. In addition, the stock has been climbing a short-term, trend line of support (green) since the end of April. These two levels combined had MO stuck within a common chart pattern known as an ascending triangle. Eventually, the stock will have to break one of those levels.

The Tale of the Tape: MO is trading within an ascending triangle. A long trade could be made at the trendline support or on a break above $53. A break below trendline would be an opportunity to enter a short trade.
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International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM): Just $1 Away From a Buy Signal

Despite its blue-chip status, it's been a long time since International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM) was an elite stock. Since peaking in March 2013, long-term investors saw their holdings shrink 30% into the December 2014 low, highlighted by a massive price collapse in October.

Big Blue was more black and blue.

However, the good news is that after months of sideways trading, the stock started to heal. Indeed, the trend has been to the upside all year. (more)

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The Best Stocks to Invest in Alcohol: BUD, BF.A, BF.B

How could you possibly go wrong investing in booze? Talk about a product with a following!
A lot of investors don't want to touch so-called "sin stocks," like those of companies that make alcoholic beverages. To be clear, that's OK: If you've got strong feelings about the beer, wine, and spirits businesses, there are equally great investments to be found elsewhere.
But if the business of beneficially fermented or distilled beverages doesn't push your bad-ethics button -- or if, like this humble Fool, you might enjoy a well-made cocktail now and then -- and you like companies with big moats, strong brands, great cash flows, and dividends, then I encourage you to read on. (more)

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IG Interview: More downside to come before oil heads back to $60

Looking at the key factors moving the oil price, including Iran, shale and OPEC, and explaining why I think Brent will go back down to the mid $50s and then back to $60 next year.
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