THOMAS: Confidence In Trump On The Rise

Given what the Trump administration is saying are record achievements for a president at this stage in office, why would anyone consider voting for Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections? Writing in The Washington Examiner, Paul Bedard lists 289 accomplishments of the Trump administration, beginning with the obvious one, the economy: "They include 173 major wins, such as adding more than 4 million jobs, and another 116 smaller victories, some with outsize importance, such as the 83 percent one-year increase in arrests of MS-13 gang members." As the White House has touted, unemployment in all demographics is the lowest it has been since 1969.

Over $1 billion in upcoming debt payments are putting a huge amount…

Tesla 's finances have been an area of concern for the automaker throughout its 15-year history, and those concerns may be reaching an inflection point. But if Tesla's financial condition hasn't improved and doesn't in the near future, the bonds could pose another challenge to a company that is already dealing with delivery issues and erratic behavior from CEO Elon Musk .

Dow Jones Today Jumps 134 Points as U.S. and Mexico Near New Trade Deal

The Dow Jones today projected a 134-point gain on news that the United States is close to a trade deal with Mexico. Reuters reported yesterday that Mexico's economy minister, Ildefonso Guajardo, believes the discussions for a new trade deal between the NAFTA partners are in the "final hours."

Will Tesla Be ‘Tripp’ed’ Up By A Whistleblower?

The Tesla whistleblower scandal intensified Wednesday with reports that Martin Tripp's counsel, Meissner and Associates, had filed a claim on his behalf with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other news outlets have done an excellent job of reporting on Tripp's accusations, but my focus is on the potential downside for Tesla shares from an SEC investigation.

Leidos (Ldos) & Caci International Inc Common Stock (Caci) Critical Analysis

Leidos and CACI INTERNATIONAL INC Common Stock are both mid-cap aerospace companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, valuation, risk, earnings, institutional ownership and dividends. Leidos has a beta of 1.61, meaning that its share price is 61% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Yuan Slide Risks Reviving Trump’s Attacks on China’s Currency

The yuan's fastest fall since its 2015 devaluation is adding a new dimension to already frayed tensions between the world's two biggest economies. President Donald Trump -- who dubbed China the "grand champions" of currency manipulation early in his presidency -- is now being confronted with a 3 percent, two-week slide in the yuan that stands to make Chinese imports cheaper for American buyers and U.S. exports to China pricier.

Global Markets-Global stocks sink on trade disputes, safer investments steady

Wall Street opened lower and global stock markets sank on Monday as a trade dispute between the United States and other leading economies worsened, while U.S. Treasuries and other safer investments gained. A U.S. government official on Sunday said the Treasury Department was drafting curbs that would block firms with at least 25 percent Chinese ownership from buying U.S. companies with "industrially significant technology."

Emerging Markets-LatAm markets down on global trade woes; Brazil currency flat

Latin American stocks and currencies mostly fell on Monday as the trade dispute between the United States and other leading economies worsened, but central bank intervention kept the Brazilian real steady. A U.S. government official on Sunday said the Treasury Department was drafting curbs that would block firms with at least 25 percent Chinese ownership from buying U.S. companies with "industrially significant technology."

Performant Financial (PFMT) versus Donnelley Financial Solns (DFIN) Critical Survey

Performant Financial and Donnelley Financial Solns are both small-cap business services companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, dividends, earnings, profitability, valuation, institutional ownership and analyst recommendations. Donnelley Financial Solns has higher revenue and earnings than Performant Financial.

Mortgage rates fall for the second week in a row

A Freddie Mac sign stands outside the company's headquarters in McLean, Virginia, U.S., on Tuesday, April 8, 2014. Senator Sherrod Brown, an Ohio Democrat and a member of the Senate Banking Committee, said a bipartisan bill to replace Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is too complicated and doesn't do enough to address too-big-to-fail concerns or provide assistance for affordable housing.

Volatile and weird, China’s $9.8 trillion sharemarket is like no other

China may be somewhat of a mystery to the majority of international investors who will soon find themselves owning mainland shares for the first time. The country's main bourse, opened in Shanghai in the early 1990s, is accessible only through a link with Hong Kong or using either of two licenses available to institutions like insurers or pension funds, both of which impose quotas and limitations.

Wall Street regulations need a facelift, not a minor Dodd-Frank makeover

Republicans finally managed to roll back some of the Wall Street regulations passed by Congress in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis after years of trying. While it wasn't a full repeal as some had hoped, it's the first legislative overhaul since the Dodd-Frank Act became law in 2010.