By Horacio Marquez Contributing Editor When I coined the term "global synchronic growth" a few years back, I must have had ABB Ltd. (ADR: ABB) in mind. Global synchronic growth is the simultaneous expansion of most of the major economic zones around the world, which spurs investment and creates vast amounts of wealth. Up until now, this development has been largely a consequence of the pro-growth policies adopted by the "Group of Eight," or G8, countries, as well as accelerating growth in the increasingly important "BRIC" economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China. Going forward, however, investors can expect an additional boost from a $40 trillion global infrastructure boom. And one of the biggest beneficiaries from this massive surge in infrastructure outlays will be Zurich-based ABB, a leading global provider of electrical-system services and components. With a market value of ...

Good article on CNN Money today about the Real Estate market, check it out: Let the bargain hunting begin. Prices may still be falling, but they're low enough for some investors to buy, sell, and pocket a tidy profit. NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Rock-bottom home prices have finally begun to lure vulture real estate investors into the fray. Sharon Restrepo, a broker in South Florida, where home prices have dropped nearly 27% over the past 12 months, recently bought a three-family home in Cape Coral from a very motivated seller for a mere $65,000. It listed for $195,000. She can rent ...

By Horacio Marquez Contributing Editor During the Internet boom in the latter part of the 1990s, Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) was the king of the “must-have” stocks, with shares of the maker of telecommunications-networking gear soaring 400% from June 1998 to March 2000. At Friday’s close of $23.61, Cisco’s shares are down 69% from their all-time high of $77.31 and 31% from their 52-week high of $34.24, as most investors realize this will never be the great growth stock that it was a decade ago. But that doesn’t mean investors should write off Cisco. Quite the opposite, in fact. When it comes to Internet-infrastructure gear, Cisco remains the proverbial “800-pound gorilla,” the market leader and dominant-industry player. Cisco recently reported strong earnings, meeting market expectations. Company Chief Executive Officer John Chambers - who is well known for “telling it like it is” - ...

Before each of my market posts there is a buy/sell call (at owner's risk!). At the start of the month I usually try to call the flavour for the coming month based on overall market conditions; which I have marked on the chart below. What is clear is having waited so long for the market to roll over (basically spent most of 2007 waiting), I jumped too early on the bullish bandwagon this year. The past 3-months have been good for bulls. Like in late 2006 there is a reasonable chance June will be another upward month. However, it is unusual to get sequence runs beyond 4 months. Look at the early 2006 decline, late 2006 advance, early 2007 advance and the late 2007/early 08 decline; all lasted around 4 months. What we are likely to see after June is a period of sideways ...