S&P: Much Ado About... 5.5 Percent
The time to get excited about this rally was probably back in March.

When the Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied above 10,000 in mid-October, it understandably got a lot of attention from Wall Street and Main Street. But the time to get excited about this rally was back in March. Investors who waited until the economy improved enough to give them confidence to buy stocks again did so just as the rally slowed to a virtual halt.

Hyperinflation Worries Laid to Rest, Part II
There is one major difference between Zimbabwe and the U.S.

In Part II of this article, EWI's Jason Farkas explains further why hyperinflation in the U.S. is likely not something we should worry about over the next few years -- and what signs to look for when it does become a real threat.

Hyperinflation Worries Laid to Rest, Part I
There is one major difference between Zimbabwe and the U.S.

The situation in the U.S. situation is different from bouts with hyperinflation in Argentina, Mexico and Brazil. It also seems reasonable to examine hyperinflation in another nation -- Zimbabwe -- in order to answer a few important questions...

Real Estate’s Latest Chapter
The problems of the commercial real estate market are too large to ignore.

Large commercial buildings are illiquid. This is especially true during an economic contraction and credit crunch. Although roughly half the size of the residential housing market, the commercial real estate market is still twice the size of the total U.S. stock market, so its problems are too large to ignore. They include...

Illusion of Control: The Fed, Stock Market and Economy
People who say the Fed controls inflation and deflation miss this key point: social mood.

Optimism is Back. Should You Buy Stocks Now?
Consider an Elliott wave forecast before you take the plunge.

The DJIA has been moving sideways for most of August, but the talk of "a new bull market" is getting louder. The optimism is back! If you randomly poll 100 average investors and ask them whether it's bullish or bearish for stocks, 99 of them will probably answer "bullish." What would your answer be?

If You Want To Be a Wolf, Run With Wolves
An interview with a maverick trader and "a true Elliott wave expert."

Elliott Wave International is proud to present an interview with Roberto Hernandez, a maverick trader and "a true Elliott wave expert," as his mentor, Dick Diamond, calls him. Roberto graciously agreed to describe for Elliott Wave International's readers some of his favorite personal trading techniques...

A Bull Market That Lasts Forever?
Robert Prechter's research proves the idea of feedback loops "untenable."

the absolute majority of analysts and investors see recent economic improvements as positive for the stock market. They even say that there are "feedback loops" between the two: As the economy improves, stocks rise; as stocks rise, the economy improves -- and round and round they go. But his idea is "untenable," says Bob Prechter of Elliott Wave International.

Shrinking Trade Deficit: A Bullish Sign for Stocks?
If you answered "yes," keep reading.

Last week's U.S. trade deficit number came in below expectations, which many se as a good economic sign. Is it also bullish for the stock market? It's not a stretch that many (if not most) analysts and investors see it that way. But take a look at this chart first...

Cash IS King After All, Investors Discover
Too bad for them that they are only discovering it now.

The returns on cash and cash equivalents -- such as U.S. Treasury bills -- have been more than "minuscule." As Elliott Wave International's president Robert Prechter told Barron's in a recent interview, "Cash has been good. Today you can buy twice the house, twice the stock shares and twice the gasoline that you could a short while ago." And as for T-bills...

Some Thoughts on the Fractional Reserve Banking System
As Bernie Madoff starts his 150-year prison sentence, questions about safety of our financial system remain.

Here's an interesting question we've just received at EWI's Message Board: "Dear EWI, as the Madoff hoopla is going full blast today on TV, I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this question: Are today's banks in their vast majority also massive ponzi schemes?" Answering a question like that can be a simple matter of definitions -- so let's give it a shot...

Important Q&As You May Have Been Missing
EWI's Message Board is a free resource to get your questions answered by EWI experts.

Stocks: Why Are Investors "Getting Worried" Only Now?
A fast look at the recent DJIA rally raises interesting questions.

Since its June 12 top, the DJIA has lost close to 6 percent. Blame the economic data, say the mainstream financial analysts. But why would investors who disregarded "bad fundamentals" for more than three months suddenly be worried about them? It's a puzzling situation, but only until you look at it from an Elliott wave perspective.

(Video) Questions for Bob Prechter: What's the Role of Demographics in Forecasting?

Robert Prechter answers questions after his May 14 presentation at Bloomberg headquarters in New York for the Market Technicians Association's 2009 Symposium.

(Video) Questions for Robert Prechter: Are Retail Brokerages Heading For Oblivion?

Robert Prechter answers questions after his May 14 presentation at Bloomberg headquarters in New York for the Market Technicians Association's 2009 Symposium.

How Waves of Social Mood Fooled Most Economists
But more are growing skeptical of the conventional view...

Meet Robert Prechter, the Lone Bull
Yep, you read that correctly. Before he became the financial industry's "lonely bear," Robert Prechter had to shake his reputation of being the lone BULL.

It's no secret Robert Prechter has a reputation of being bearish. But let's put that label aside for a moment -- we're not ashamed that his recommended cash portfolio outperformed the stock market for 10+ years running; it's just that labels are beside the point for this column.

(NEW Prechter Video) What Were You Watching at Dow 14,000?
Prechter’s October 19, 2007 Bloomberg interview was more than a 20th anniversary special.

A Special Video Issue of Robert Prechter's Elliott Wave Theorist is online now. But, before you watch his updated insights, please watch and read a few selections from Prechter's Oct. 19, 2007 Elliott Wave Theorist and Bloomberg TV interview on that day.