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Let’s Talk Marketing Strategy

You’re a new non-profit and wondering how you’ll come up with money to support your cause, right? You’ve heard the hype about grants and loads of free federal money that are available to anyone willing to lend a helping hand in society, but have you done any serious investigation into the processes that sustain a non-profit in the long haul?Let’s start with a few pieces of common misinformation:Grants are sustainable.This is far from the truth. Grant funding is like a crutch. The whole idea behind setting aside a chunk of money is to help an organization establish a project or keep an impactful project in place when times are tough. Grant money isn’t intended to sustain an organization fully.Grants are available for everyone.Most grant money is available to government entities and non-profit organizations. If an individual or for-profit business, chances are your grant search is going to be grueling. Not to mention, probably spend more resource applying for the money than receive IF you get funded. Therefore, seeking grant money is a largely ineffective marketing approach for almost every non-profit organization.Grants are available for everything.Grant money for specific causes that advance a social mission. Federal money for very specific and foundation money is set aside to advance a specific purpose set forth by that foundation. Although true that a foundation may support minority-owned businesses, the competition is fierce. There are thousands of people just like yourself searching for that same money.So, does that mean you should give up? Absolutely Not.But, you should devise a strategic plan based on this information. Using a transaction cost analysis (TCA) framework, let’s look at some of the most cost-effective forms of marketing for ANY non-profit organization and then we’ll discuss how this all relates to your overall funding search. There are 6 major types of marketing for organizations with social missions:Direct mailMost of us associate direct mail with those little flyers we get stuffed between the newspapers or postcards offering 50% at the next department store sale. direct mail has proved to be valuable in capturing the attention of prospective donors and in following up with people who have previously donated money to a cause. Direct mail is relatively inexpensive but does not yield a huge response.Direct Response MarketingDirect response marketing constitutes a variety of techniques but is commonly associated with practices such as television, magazine, and radio advertisements where consumers are encouraged to take part in a direct call to action. Direct response marketing is expensive and relatively ineffective in reaching targeted audiences.Catalogue MarketingCatalogue marketing is generally an approach used by businesses that sell products or packed services but can be used by non-profit organizations that sell cause-related apparel. Although catalogue marketing has a low return rate, it has been found to increase among use of other marketing techniques.Telephone MarketingWe’re all familiar with telemarketers-primarily the reason telephone marketing gets a bad rep but if can be a very productive means of personal selling if done properly and legally. One of the main problems with telephone marketing is the training required to ensure that all phone calls meet regulatory requirements and that the sales people themselves do a good job at representing your organization.Personal SellingExactly how it sounds, personal selling is any face-to-face encounter that has the potential to turn into an investment in your cause. Face-to-face selling has a high rate of return however it requires the most resources of any marketing tactic because it requires research, scheduling, coordination, and often multiple meetings between executives.Online MarketingThere is no doubt that the internet has changed the marketplace and it is also one of the most cost-effective methods of marketing. The problem is have historically fallen behind with online trends and don’t make investments in online marketing processes, never mind an online marketing plan. For a social venture to be successful in the 21st century, it’s almost impossible to avoid investing in a website and social media.In a recent study published by Direct Marketing: An International Journal, TCA was used to measure the effectiveness of these approaches based on the level of control over direct marketing (DM) resources compared to the cost to implement each approach. Not surprisingly, the most productive forms of marketing were namely personal selling, telephone, direct mail, and online while the least cost-effective forms were direct response and catalogue. However, the findings presented in this study are consistent in that they support the use of multiple forms of marketing as the most effective approach.What does marketing have to do with fundraising?Most non-profits are small, and many of these organizations sustain their projects through donations from the public rather than grant funding. This means that marketing (or fundraising) is one of the most vital metrics that every organization should pay close attention to when planning how they sustain their operations, pay their employees, and build capacity. So, if we take grants off the table, we can first consider other forms of revenue generating pursuits, including:1. Individual Pledges2. Corporate Giving3. Sponsorships4. Fundraising Events5. Products/Services6. Major DonationsReferencesMallin, M. L., & Finkle, T. A. (2007). Social Entrepreneurship and Direct Marketing. Direct Marketing: An International Journal, 1(2), 68-77. doi:10.1108/17505930710756833

How an SEO Consultant Can Grow Your Business

Once you step inside the world of internet marketing, there is so much ground you have to cover. For a fact, going online and marketing your products and services globally is a big step towards the growth of your business. However, not every businessman who goes online achieves what every businessman desires for: to be #1. For this reason, the inauguration of SEO Consulting took place and started to change the most ordinary and typical means of internet marketing.I have done some research myself and found a superb way to learn more about how an SEO Consultant can help online businesses grow and how SEO Consulting can improve sales and returns on investments (ROI). By directly contacting several SEO Consultants and hearing their stories myself, I was able to know why SEO Consulting is a proven way to boost sales and gain exposure globally.Before I let you know where to find a knowledgeable SEO Consultant who can help you market your products and services online, let me first give you a quick overview about SEO Consulting and how a consultant can actually convert website traffic into sales.There is so much to learn about Search Engine Optimization and a single article is not enough to explain to you how everything works. However, I will try and make it a point to make this article your one-stop resource to finding the best SEO adviser online so you can achieve your dreams of growing your business and entering the global market.SEO Consulting: How Is It Done? SEO Consulting is basically the act of setting up of plans on how to improve your ranking on popular search engines like Google or Yahoo. For example, if your company is selling cheap glucometers online, you will want to come up on the first page of Google or Yahoo when someone types in “cheap glucometer” on the search bar. You will not be able to achieve this if you have no understanding about how Google ranks pages or how Yahoo counts clicks. For this reason, a thorough but understandable briefing from an SEO Consultant should be done first before you immediately give up when you find out that your site is not on the first page of search engine results.To get outstanding SEO Consulting that is effective in terms of gaining traffic and turning clicks into sales, you need to know how to look for the best SEO Adviser online. To do this, you have to be aware of the qualities you have to look out for when choosing one:Top 3 Characteristics of a Good SEO Consultant 1. The SEO Consultant is Eager To Learn About Your Business. It is believed that before a consultant can begin detailing the strategies for successfully becoming #1, the SEO Consultant must first “have an understanding of the clients’ business and marketing goals to develop the strategy and approach for a winning SEO campaign.” If the consultant is interested in what you are marketing and is knowledgeable about what it is that you want to achieve, then for sure, doing business with this SEO Consultant will be a breeze.2. The SEO Consultant is Knowledgeable in the Different Fields of SEO.”Ideally, the SEO Consultant should understand things like: Business Objectives, Marketing Strategies, Demographics of Target Audience, Media Mix & Flight Dates, Creative considerations, Messaging, Success Metrics, Dependencies, and Methods of Measurement”.SEO Consulting requires the consultant to not only just have a variety of skills but also hold a wide array of knowledge on the different aspects of SEO. Working with a consultant who knows how concepts work will definitely be beneficial as you already know that the consultant knows what he is doing.3. The SEO Consultant Communicates Effectively. Ongoing reporting and monitoring should definitely be performed by an SEO Consultant so that the client has an idea if there has been any progress with the strategies taken to achieve business goals.An SEO Consultant who is able to make suggestions as to how to improve traffic after a month’s report is proof enough that he is knowledgeable and fit to do the job well. Constant communication, whether relaying good or bad reports, is always the key to effective SEO Consulting.If you’re looking for a good way to improve your sales, venturing into internet marketing is ultimately the best idea. However, dipping your feet into unknown waters is not advisable so be sure to seek help from a knowledgeable SEO Consultant who can give you the best advice on how to grow your business.

Registering Your Business Name and Registering Your Brand Name

When Are You Required to Register Your Business Name?You are obligated to register your business name with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), so long as you:
Include other words in your business name besides your own. For example, Graham Jones Pool Cleaning or Henderson & Sons would both require registration.
Are trading under a name that is anything but your own
If you are operating a company (including legalities Pty Ltd) and you want to trade under a name that is not your company name.
The only exemption to registration is if you are trading under your own name: that being your given name or initials, followed by your surname.You are not permitted to use an unregistered business name, or a name that is not either your own name, or your corporation’s name.The Rights of a Registered Business Name OwnerBusiness name registration is not the same as trademark registration, and does not come with the same rights and powers. If you want to reserve your business name for your own exclusive use, you must apply separately for trademark registration, as the searches, applications, and application processes are entirely different from one another. Business name registration does not:
Grant you exclusive rights over the business name
Stop others from registering a confusingly similar name
Stop another party from using your business name as a trademark
Stop a pre-existing trademark holder from using your business name (in fact, you will likely be infringing on their rights)
Prevent another party taking legal action against you if you infringe on their rights
Choosing Your Business NameA uniquely identifiable business name, along with the goodwill that comes with the name, is an important asset to have when you’re dealing with consumers, lenders, and competitors. It is worth investing time in coming up with a clever business name because this name could in fact add value to your business. Your business name is central to both your image and branding.Your business name must reflect the nature of your business. It should help consumers understand what types of goods and services you provide.Make sure that your business name or brand name is:
Short and sweet
Simple to pronounce and spell
Memorable
Timeless
Logical
Inoffensive
Not misleading
When you’re trading internationally, check the appropriateness of your business name in other cultures.Applying for RegistrationOnce you have decided on a name for your business, you should contact ASIC to determine whether your business name is still available for registration, and to register your business name.The application can be done online. You will need to provide the following information:
Your Australian Business Number (ABN) or, in the least, an ABN application reference number
Your preferred business name and the time period you want to register for, be that either one year or three.
The location or locations of your business
The full names and the addresses of each owner
Registering your business name is affordable. It will cost you approx. $35 to register for one year, upwards of $76 for three years. Once you have registered, you are required to meet a number of legal obligations. If you fail to comply with these obligations, you risk being fined or losing your trade name.Display your business name or your brand name: It is essential that you display your business name outside of all of your business locations so long as the business is open to the public.Additionally, all of your correspondence and documents need be monogrammed with your business name. These documents include letters, invoices, statements, publications, notices, orders, and receipts.Once your business name is registered, you will receive a record of this. It is recommended that you display this record in your place of business, although this is not enforced.Renew your registration: In order to use the same business name indefinitely, you are required to renew your registration. If you neglect to renew your registration, your business name is removed from the ASIC register and another party can apply to register it as their own. If this happens, you will be required to cease operating under that business name.Update your details: All changes to business ownership need be reported to ASIC within 28 days of occurring, including the names of owners or a change in address. Similarly, if you decide to change your business name or if you find that you have misspelled the name in your application, contact ASIC.Shutting down your business: If you want to cease trading, you need to send a request to ASIC at least 28 days before you close down your business. ASIC will subsequently notify all of the other people recorded on your business name’s register, along with the business name holder. This check is performed to stop unlawful attempts to cancel out a business name.If you plan to close your business, you must send ASIC a request to cancel your business name at least 28 days beforehand. ASIC will then notify the business name holder (and any other people recorded in the business names register). This prevents unauthorised attempts to cancel a business name.Trademarking Your Business NameWhen you’re choosing your business name, you might want to choose something that will also be suitable for trademark registration. If you register your business name as a trademark as well as a trade name, you can protect your identity from competitors. Trademark registration gives you unique and exclusive rights to your business name, including singular ownership and protection against unlawful usage.

How to Plan For Corporate Event Entertainment

When planning a corporate event the planner knows that the key to a great success is planning the corporate event entertainment. Now there are several types of entertainers and hundreds of places to go to book these entertainers. In order to find the right entertainment for your corporate event you must first answer a few questions. First, what kind of event is it going to be? Is this a training session, or a company retreat or maybe a company picnic? Second, who am I looking to entertain? Will there be children, is this a family event, or will there only be adults? Once you answer those questions you will be on your way to obtaining the best entertainment for your corporate event.Figuring out what type of event you are planning is key in determining what kind of entertainment you will want. The corporate event entertainment can be an ice breaker for a training session, fun for the children at a company picnic, or perhaps the motivation needed for employees at a corporate retreat. Having the right entertainment at each one of these events can make a big difference in whether the party is a blast or a bust. You would not want to waste money on the wring kind of entertainment, you would not hire a circus act for a corporate retreat, nor would you hire a motivational speaker for a company picnic.Once you know what kind of event you are planning hiring the right corporate event entertainment will be determined by your audience. You would not want a motivational speaker to entertain children at a company picnic, nor would you want a magician at that same picnic if there will be no children present. The audience that you are planning on entertaining will be the key factor when you are calling around to hire the right entertainment.

Is Social Media Marketing An Important Aspect Of Businesses Online?

To be factual, it is true that nothing can diminish the value of social media today when it comes to marketing and advertising businesses online. But most business owners are unaware of the positive aspects of connecting with users online and how active social media can help them. With time, online presence has improved and to stay in business, it is imperative to stay active on social media to ensure your business online. Some of the advantages of social media advertising campaigns include:It provides higher visibility by appearing online on host of websites and shared by thousands of users online. With constant communication between customers and business owners, there is strengthening of relationship and direct feedback. With quick resolutions of complaints and serving their needs enhances business and builds brand. It allows the customers to know about discounts and deals by the company immediately and any other event being organized by the business. With users spreading the word on social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter, your business brand is spread and reaches new market sections. Thus it is important to have a online media business profile that is maintained actively, while allowing other businesses and customers to reach out.Starting with social networking and increasing social media presenceIf you are new to social media and online networking, it is best to learn more about it or hire an online media expert. Most website design social networking companies work with business owners to create a website and embed the popular social media icons for faster sharing. You’ll need to start with an idea about the services, products and brand you’ll like to promote. And if you are unsure, seek the advice of online media experts because it is important that your brand is promoted positively or it can have a devastating effect on your business.Most businesses employ social networking experts to take over this aspect of the business as they prefer concentrating on core functions of the business. Additionally, the experts will do everything in a structured manner allowing proper branding of your business. But it is important that media campaign reaches its goal because only then social networking will work for your business.Some business stress on developing social networking websites catering to a specific niche, while earning revenue from advertisements only so whether it is sports, music, real estate or art and design, connecting people is faster through social media channels. If you are looking to get a complete social network developed then a regular web designer may not be of assistance but you need a professional service that has past experience in working with PHP platform among a host of other software to develop a network from scratch. Sit down and discuss your requirements and give your feedback to ensure that you requirement is fulfilled. Look for samples and qualifications before you sign the agreement. Talk about the budget and other requirements before you get a network developed or integrate social network channels for your business.

Bad Debt Personal Loans: Put Your Life Back On Track With This Opportunity!

When faced with unexpected emergencies or genuine requirements and also to give ourselves that rare taste of luxury, we often turn to “Loans.” Loans provide us with the liquid cash needed for various things like clearing debts, home improvements, medical emergencies, education, to buy that dream car or to take that long awaited vacation. So many a times, we jump into these obligations and then due to various reasons cannot deal with the regular monthly payments combined with high interest, fixed loan terms, etc. Thus, we end up in debt. It’s defaults like these that cause us to end up with “Bad Debt or Bad Credit.Bad Debt Personal Loans are loans or rather financial solutions specially designed for those of us in bad debt situations or for those of us with bad credit. Whatever be the reason – bankruptcy, arrears, County Court Judgements (CCJ’s), late payments or non payments; when in debt it becomes difficult to find that financial solution that we found so easily before bad credit. However, don’t give up because bad debt is not the end of the road. In fact, with Bad Debt Personal Loans you can give yourself that desperately needed new beginning.For lenders granting Bad Debt Personal Loans, it is a huge risk. Nobody, in fact even if you were to step into their shoes, you would be hesitant to approve such loans. Since individuals applying for Bad Debt Personal Loans are those with bad credit or simply put – defaulters, there’s a big chance that they may default in repayments again. This is what makes Bad Debt Personal Loans difficult to get. However, what sense would a loan make if it were not gettable. To neutralise the risk factor, Bad Debt Personal Loans come with interest rates that are higher than usual, shorter loan terms and smaller loan amounts.Important points on Bad Debt Personal Loan:o Owing to the lack of assurance a lender has regarding repayment, Bad Debt Personal Loans have a higher rate of interest.o credit score check works as a benchmark for lenders in determining the creditworthiness of the borrower. Typically a good credit score is assumed to be above 760 and a bad score is below 600.o t is true that your credit score is important while deciding on interest rates but they are not the ‘only’ deciding factors. Collateral, equity, income, current debts, recent credit history – these should be your strong points.o Your current financial standing and the assessment a lender makes regarding your probability to repay the loan plays an important factor.o Documentation required with bad credit loans will include income tax returns, bank statements, estimate of property and title of the property (in case loan is secured), documents to see that there are no legal disputes relating to collateral.Bad Debt Personal Loans can be secured or unsecured. Secured Bad Debt Personal Loans are those that would make it imperative for bad credit borrowers to place collateral as security to assure repayment. The loan amount for the secured option usually ranges from £5,000 to £75,000 and it’s repayment term from 5 to 25 years. On the other hand, Bad Debt Unsecured Loans do not require collateral. They are perfect for non homeowners. However, they include higher interest, shorter loan terms – 6 to 10 years and smaller loan amounts – up to £25,000.When getting yourself a Bad Debt Personal Loan, find a loan that can relate to your story and to your financial situation. Educate yourself with the current rates and terms of Bad Debt Personal Loans. Try taking small amounts for bad credit loan. They are evidently easier to get.But before taking that leap, remember to get your credit score. It tells you exactly where you stand. Credit score (FICO score) usually ranges from 300 to 850. A credit score of 720 and above is considered to be good, while that of 580 or below is bad debt. Credit score is further classified into a range of grades varying from A to E. “Grade A “reflects excellent credit while it’s the converse for those with “Grade E”. People with grade C, D and E are considered in the list of bad debt.Make sure your repayments are on time. By doing so you are steadily improving credit. Take the amount that you need, even if you can afford more. However, credit rebuilding does not take place overnight. With time and patience, you can easily get in line with good credit borrowers. Remember, Bad Debt Personal Loans give us that most needed second chance – take full advantage of it!

Auto Loan Rates

Auto Loan Types and RatesWhat auto loan types are out there? Auto loan types include secured, unsecured, direct, indirect, long term and short term. A secured auto loan uses your car as collateral. A direct auto loan is where a bank gives the loan directly to the borrower. An indirect auto loan is sold by a dealer to a third party financial institution that owns the loan contract and collects payments from the borrower. You can usually receive a long-term loan if you purchase a car that is new or only slightly used. On a vehicle that is three years or less you should have no problem getting a long term loan for up to 72 months. Short-term loans are for used vehicles that are 4 years or older and usually available for shorter terms of 24 or 36 months.What factors do interest rates depend on? To name a few would include, credit score, type of vehicle, length of loan, type of loan, leasing versus buying. If you happen to have bad credit or some bad marks on your credit report you can still get a car loan but the interest rates you get will most likely be a lot higher. There are some car loan companies that specialize in high risk car loans and market directly to people that are in a bad place financially. But these high risk dealers are not out just to help the man with bad credit the dealer also gets his cut of the pie, by the consumer paying extreme amounts of interest. You must read the fine print because there is a little known rule called “Rule of 78s.” The Rule of 78s is a mathematical formula that’s makes payoff early a punishment. Which is different from the Simple Interest loan which has no punishment for early pay off. The Rule of 78 is illegal in installment loans of five years or less in 17 states including: Arizona, Michigan, Delaware, Minnesota, Idaho, Nebraska, Iowa, Nevada, Kansas, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, Maryland, Oregon, Massachusetts, South Dakota and Vermont.Some ways of shopping around for good rates are: Online loans, Credit Unions, Dealer auto loans, and Home equity loan.Online Loans allow you to search the competition between different auto loan lenders and providing you with competitive interest rates for your auto loan. Doing it this way you can take your time and not feel pressured to settle on either a vehicle, payment or rate. This way you can compare many different places while sitting in the comfort of your own home.Credit Unions offer simple solution to locate your auto finance rate. It is almost instant approval of auto loans. You do need to be member of specific credit union to get an auto loan through them.Dealer auto loans have been sources of financing your car for a very long time. Dealership loans are very easy to get and takes only in few minutes. However, these loans are usually higher interest rates.Home equity loans offer excellent auto financing options. You provide your home as collateral and receive your vehicle. Interest rates are higher but you get to claim it on your taxes at the end of the year. In order to compare car insurance rates and see if you are paying to much you should check a Car Insurance portal.

S&P 500 Rallies As U.S. Dollar Pulls Back Towards Weekly Lows

Key Insights
The strong pullback in the U.S. dollar provided significant support to stocks.
Treasury yields have pulled back after touching new highs, which served as an additional positive catalyst for S&P 500.
A move above 3730 will push S&P 500 towards the resistance level at 3760.
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Pfizer Rallies After Announcing A Huge Price Hike For Its COVID-19 Vaccines
S&P 500 is currently trying to settle above 3730 as traders’ appetite for risk is growing. The U.S. dollar has recently gained strong downside momentum as the BoJ intervened to stop the rally in USD/JPY. Weaker U.S. dollar is bullish for stocks as it increases profits of multinational companies and makes U.S. equities cheaper for foreign investors.

The leading oil services company Schlumberger is up by 9% after beating analyst estimates on both earnings and revenue. Schlumberger’s peers Baker Hughes and Halliburton have also enjoyed strong support today.

Vaccine makers Pfizer and Moderna gained strong upside momentum after Pfizer announced that it will raise the price of its coronavirus vaccine to $110 – $130 per shot.

Biggest losers today include Verizon and Twitter. Verizon is down by 5% despite beating analyst estimates on both earnings and revenue. Subscriber numbers missed estimates, and traders pushed the stock to multi-year lows.

Twitter stock moved towards the $50 level as the U.S. may conduct a security review of Musk’s purchase of the company.

From a big picture point of view, today’s rebound is broad, and most market segments are moving higher. Treasury yields have started to move lower after testing new highs, providing additional support to S&P 500. It looks that some traders are ready to bet that Fed will be less hawkish than previously expected.

S&P 500 Tests Resistance At 3730

S&P 500 has recently managed to get above the 20 EMA and is trying to settle above the resistance at 3730. RSI is in the moderate territory, and there is plenty of room to gain additional upside momentum in case the right catalysts emerge.

If S&P 500 manages to settle above 3730, it will head towards the next resistance level at 3760. A successful test of this level will push S&P 500 towards the next resistance at October highs at 3805. The 50 EMA is located in the nearby, so S&P 500 will likely face strong resistance above the 3800 level.

On the support side, the previous resistance at 3700 will likely serve as the first support level for S&P 500. In case S&P 500 declines below this level, it will move towards the next support level at 3675. A move below 3675 will push S&P 500 towards the support at 3640.

SPDN: An Inexpensive Way To Profit When The S&P 500 Falls

Summary
SPDN is not the largest or oldest way to short the S&P 500, but it’s a solid choice.
This ETF uses a variety of financial instruments to target a return opposite that of the S&P 500 Index.
SPDN’s 0.49% Expense Ratio is nearly half that of the larger, longer-tenured -1x Inverse S&P 500 ETF.
Details aside, the potential continuation of the equity bear market makes single-inverse ETFs an investment segment investor should be familiar with.
We rate SPDN a Strong Buy because we believe the risks of a continued bear market greatly outweigh the possibility of a quick return to a bull market.
Put a gear stick into R position, (Reverse).
Birdlkportfolio

By Rob Isbitts

Summary
The S&P 500 is in a bear market, and we don’t see a quick-fix. Many investors assume the only way to navigate a potentially long-term bear market is to hide in cash, day-trade or “just hang in there” while the bear takes their retirement nest egg.

The Direxion Daily S&P 500® Bear 1X ETF (NYSEARCA:SPDN) is one of a class of single-inverse ETFs that allow investors to profit from down moves in the stock market.

SPDN is an unleveraged, liquid, low-cost way to either try to hedge an equity portfolio, profit from a decline in the S&P 500, or both. We rate it a Strong Buy, given our concern about the intermediate-term outlook for the global equity market.

Strategy
SPDN keeps it simple. If the S&P 500 goes up by X%, it should go down by X%. The opposite is also expected.

Proprietary ETF Grades
Offense/Defense: Defense

Segment: Inverse Equity

Sub-Segment: Inverse S&P 500

Correlation (vs. S&P 500): Very High (inverse)

Expected Volatility (vs. S&P 500): Similar (but opposite)

Holding Analysis
SPDN does not rely on shorting individual stocks in the S&P 500. Instead, the managers typically use a combination of futures, swaps and other derivative instruments to create a portfolio that consistently aims to deliver the opposite of what the S&P 500 does.

Strengths
SPDN is a fairly “no-frills” way to do what many investors probably wished they could do during the first 9 months of 2022 and in past bear markets: find something that goes up when the “market” goes down. After all, bonds are not the answer they used to be, commodities like gold have, shall we say, lost their luster. And moving to cash creates the issue of making two correct timing decisions, when to get in and when to get out. SPDN and its single-inverse ETF brethren offer a liquid tool to use in a variety of ways, depending on what a particular investor wants to achieve.

Weaknesses
The weakness of any inverse ETF is that it does the opposite of what the market does, when the market goes up. So, even in bear markets when the broader market trend is down, sharp bear market rallies (or any rallies for that matter) in the S&P 500 will cause SPDN to drop as much as the market goes up.

Opportunities
While inverse ETFs have a reputation in some circles as nothing more than day-trading vehicles, our own experience with them is, pardon the pun, exactly the opposite! We encourage investors to try to better-understand single inverse ETFs like SPDN. While traders tend to gravitate to leveraged inverse ETFs (which actually are day-trading tools), we believe that in an extended bear market, SPDN and its ilk could be a game-saver for many portfolios.

Threats
SPDN and most other single inverse ETFs are vulnerable to a sustained rise in the price of the index it aims to deliver the inverse of. But that threat of loss in a rising market means that when an investor considers SPDN, they should also have a game plan for how and when they will deploy this unique portfolio weapon.

Proprietary Technical Ratings
Short-Term Rating (next 3 months): Strong Buy

Long-Term Rating (next 12 months): Buy

Conclusions
ETF Quality Opinion
SPDN does what it aims to do, and has done so for over 6 years now. For a while, it was largely-ignored, given the existence of a similar ETF that has been around much longer. But the more tenured SPDN has become, the more attractive it looks as an alternative.

ETF Investment Opinion

SPDN is rated Strong Buy because the S&P 500 continues to look as vulnerable to further decline. And, while the market bottomed in mid-June, rallied, then waffled since that time, our proprietary macro market indicators all point to much greater risk of a major decline from this level than a fast return to bull market glory. Thus, SPDN is at best a way to exploit and attack the bear, and at worst a hedge on an otherwise equity-laden portfolio.

S&P 500 Biotech Giant Vertex Leads 5 Stocks Showing Strength

Your stocks to watch for the week ahead are Cheniere Energy (LNG), S&P 500 biotech giant Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX), Cardinal Health (CAH), Steel Dynamics (STLD) and Genuine Parts (GPC).

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While the market remains in correction, with analysts and investors wary of an economic downturn, these five stocks are worth adding to watchlists. S&P 500 medical giants Vertex and Cardinal Health have been holding up, as health-care related plays tend to do well in down markets.

Steel Dynamics and Genuine Parts are both coming off strong earnings as both the steel and auto parts industries report optimistic outlooks. Meanwhile, Cheniere Energy saw sales boom in the second quarter as demand in Europe for natural gas continues to grow.

Major indexes have been making rally attempts with the Dow Jones and S&P 500 testing weekly support on Friday. With market uncertainty, investors should be ready for follow-through day breakouts and keep an eye on these stocks.

Cheniere Energy, Cardinal Health and VRTX stock are all on IBD Leaderboard.

Cheniere Energy Stock
LNG shares rose 1.1% to 175.79 during Friday’s market trading. On the week, the stock advanced 3.1%, not from highs, bouncing from its 21-day and 10-week lines earlier in the week.

Cheniere Energy has been consolidating since mid-September, but needs another week to forge a proper base, with a potential 182.72 buy point formed on Aug. 10.

Houston-based Cheniere Energy was IBD Stock Of The Day on Thursday, as the largest U.S. producer of liquefied natural gas eyes strong demand in Europe.

Even though natural gas prices are plunging in the U.S. and Europe, investors still see strong LNG demand for Cheniere and others.

The U.K. government confirmed last week that it is in talks for an LNG purchase agreement with a number of companies, including Cheniere.

In the first half of 2021, less than 40% of Cheniere’s cargoes of LNG landed in Europe. That jumped to more than 70% through this year’s second quarter, even as the company ramped up new export capacity. The urgency of Europe’s natural gas shortage only intensified last month. That is when an explosion disabled the Nord Stream 1 pipeline from Russia that had once supplied 40% of the European Union’s natural gas.

In Q2, sales increased 165% to $8 billion and LNG earned $2.90 per share, up from a net loss of $1.30 per share in Q2 2021. The company will report Q3 earnings Nov. 3, with investors seeing booming profits for the next few quarters.

Cheniere Energy has a Composite Rating of 84. It has a 98 Relative Strength Rating, an exclusive IBD Stock Checkup gauge for share price movement with a 1 to 99 score. The rating shows how a stock’s performance over the last 52 weeks holds up against all the other stocks in IBD’s database. The EPS rating is 41.

Vertex Stock
VRTX stock jumped 3.4% to 300 on Friday, rebounding from a test of its 50-day moving average. Shares climbed 2.2% for the week. Vertex stock has formed a tight flat base with an official buy point of 306.05, according to MarketSmith analysis.

The stock has remained consistent over recent weeks, while the relative strength line has trended higher. The RS line tracks a stock’s performance vs. the S&P 500 index.

Vertex Q3 earnings are on due Oct. 27. Analysts see EPS edging up 1% to $3.61 per share with sales increasing 16% to $2.2 billion, according to FactSet.

The Boston-based global biotech company dominates the cystic fibrosis treatment market. Vertex also has other products in late-stage clinical development that target sickle cell disease, Type 1 diabetes and certain genetically caused kidney diseases. That includes a gene-editing partnership with Crispr Therapeutics (CRSP).

In early August, Vertex reported better-than-expected second-quarter results and raised full-year sales targets.

S&P 500 stock Vertex ranks second in the Medical-Biomed/Biotech industry group. VRTX has a 99 Composite Rating. Its Relative Strength Rating is 94 and its EPS Rating is 99.

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Cardinal Health Stock
CAH stock advanced 3.2% to 73.03 Friday, clearing a 71.22 buy point from a shallow cup-with-handle base and hitting a record high. But volume was light on the breakout. CAH stock leapt 7.3% for the week.

Cardinal Health stock’s relative strength line has also been trending up for months.

The cup-with-handle base is part of a base-on-base pattern, forming just above a cup base cleared on Aug. 11.

Cardinal Health, based in Dublin, Ohio, offers a wide assortment of health care services and medical supplies to hospitals, labs, pharmacies and long-term care facilities. The company reports that it serves around 90% of hospitals and 60,000 pharmacies in the U.S.

S&P 500 stock Cardinal Health will report Q1 2023 earnings on Nov. 4. Analysts forecast earnings falling 26% to 96 cents per share. Sales are expected to increase 10% to $48.3 billion, according to FactSet.

Cardinal Health stock ranks first in the Medical-Wholesale Drug/Supplies industry group, ahead of McKesson (MCK), which is also showing positive action. CAH stock has a 94 Composite Rating out of 99. It has a 97 Relative Strength Rating and an EPS rating of 73.

Steel Dynamics Stock
STLD shares shot up 8.5% to 92.92 on Friday and soared 19% on the week, coming off a Steel Dynamics earnings beat Wednesday night.

Shares blasted above an 88.72 consolidation buy point Friday after clearing a trendline Thursday. STLD stock is 17% above its 50-day line, definitely extended from that key average.

Steel Dynamics’ latest consolidation could be seen as part of a larger base going back six months.

Steel Dynamics topped Q3 earnings views with EPS rising 10% to $5.46 while revenue grew 11% to $5.65 billion. The steel producer’s outlook is optimistic despite weaker flat rolled steel pricing. STLD reports its order activity and backlogs remain solid.

The Fort Wayne, Indiana-based company is among the largest producers of carbon steel products in the U.S. It engages in metal recycling operations along with steel fabrication and produces myriad steel products.

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STLD stock ranks first in the Steel-Producers industry group. STLD stock has a 96 Composite Rating out of 99. It has a 90 Relative Strength Rating, an exclusive IBD Stock Checkup gauge for share-price movement that tops at 99. The rating shows how a stock’s performance over the last 52 weeks holds up against all the other stocks in IBD’s database. The EPS rating is 98.

Genuine Parts Stock
GPC stock gained 2.8% to 162.35 Friday after the company topped earnings views with its Q3 results on Thursday. For the week GPC advanced 5.1% as the stock held its 50-day line and is in a flat base.

GPC has an official 165.09 flat-base buy point after a three-week rally, according to MarketSmith analysis.

The relative strength line for Genuine Parts stock has rallied sharply to highs over the past several months.

On Thursday, the Atlanta-based auto parts company raised its full-year guidance on growth across its automotive and industrial sales.

Genuine Parts earnings per share advanced 19% to $2.23 and revenue grew 18% to $5.675 billion in Q3. GPC’s full-year guidance is now calling for EPS of $8.05-$8.15, up from $7.80-$7.95. The company now forecasts revenue growth of 15%-16%, up from the earlier 12%-14%.

During the Covid pandemic, supply chain constraints caused a major upheaval in the auto industry, sending prices for new and used cars to record levels. This has made consumers more likely to hang on to their existing vehicles for longer, driving mileage higher and boosting demand for auto replacement parts.

Fellow auto stocks O’Reilly Auto Parts (ORLY) and AutoZone (AZO) have also rallied near buy points amid the struggling market. O’Reilly reports on Oct. 26.

IBD ranks Genuine Parts first in the Retail/Wholesale-Auto Parts industry group. GPC stock has a 96 Composite Rating. Its Relative Strength Rating is 94 and it has an EPS Rating of 89.