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Check out the iShares Barclays 20+ year Treasury Bond fund ( TLT ) . A lengthy period of stagflation pushed rates toward (and eventually past) the double-digit mark on the heels of anemic economic growth and rising inflation. As long as you focus on companies that have a history of maintaining or boosting their dividend , it's very hard to see how you won't make more money in these stocks than in bonds right now.

Wall Street analyst upgrades helped boost stocks like Oracle Corp ( ORCL ) and Vail Mountain Resorts ( MTN ). If Nike is any indication, the third quarter earnings picture could be quite treacherous to maneuver for investors (and potentially fatal for traders betting the wrong way in the short term). As the Federal Reserve continues to punish savers, investing in income-producing assets is one of the few options individual investors have to remain ahead of real-life inflation.

Tuesday - 6/12 Nothing major on theeconomic calendar We will get quarterly results from LDK Solar ( LDK ) and FactSet Research ( FDS ) in the morning. Here is a list of the companies reporting this week: FACTSET RESH (FDS): Free Stock Analysis Report KROGER CO (KR): Free Stock Analysis Report LDK SOLAR CO (LDK): Free Stock Analysis Report SMITHFIELD FOOD (SFD): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Theeconomic calendarhas a few important reports on deck that will give us a feel for inflation, consumer spending and the factory sector.

Owned and managed by Mexican Sora Group, the property in Colonia Roma features 90 rooms, more than 9,300 square feet of flexible meeting space along with various tech-savvy amenities. Strong economic growth is driving the hotel's expansion in Latin America, overruling the high rate of inflation. The current trend shows that the economic balance of power has been shifting from the developed world to the rapidly growing economies and this transition has not escaped Starwood's notice.

General Mills ( GIS ) reported fourth quarter 2012 results with adjusted earnings (excluding mark-to-market effects and restructuring costs) of 60 cents per share climbing 15% from the prior-year quarter. GENL MILLS (GIS): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. However, higher input cost inflation and lower U.S. retail volumes dragged the quarter's adjusted gross margin down by 140 basis points (bps) to 37.2%.

The Shiller P/E of Deere gives you a real picture of the valuation for cyclical companies like Deere or Progressive Insurance ( PGR ). In the new improved 10-year financial page on GuruFocus, the stock's historical Shiller P/E ratio was added. The Shiller P/E is calculated by dividing the daily stock price by the multi-year inflation adjusted earnings, E10.

Looking at the financials, credit card plays Capital One Financial ( COF ) and American Express ( AXP ) paced the sector higher. When you factor real inflation (not the reported mumbo-jumbo government numbers with all the exclusions) into the picture, the squeeze to the middle class is even more evident. Start-ups staffed by as few as a dozen or two motivated employees can use today's technologies and tools to revolutionize industries and put many others out of work.

In the new improved 10-year financial page on GuruFocus, the stock's historical Shiller P/E ratio was added. When we calculate today's Shiller P/E ratio of a stock, we use today's price divided by E10. If we want to calculate the E10 of Walmart ( WMT ) for Dec. 31, 2010, we need to have the inflation data and the earnings from 2001 through 2010.

In addition, the company is expected to face higher expenses due to the probable rise in inflation rate as well as the recent ratings and outlook downgrades by Moody's, a ratings arm of Moody's Corp. ( MCO ), S&P and Fitch Ratings. ICICI BANK LTD (IBN): Free Stock Analysis Report MOODYS CORP (MCO): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. We have downgraded our long-term recommendation on ICICI Bank Ltd. ( IBN ) to 'Neutral' from 'Outperform' based on the recent ratings and outlook revisions.

PepsiCo's overall product portfolio comprises 22 brands including Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos and Quaker Oats that generate more than $1 billion each in annual retail sales. We have maintained our Neutral rating on PepsiCo, Inc. ( PEP ) following appraisal of the first quarter 2012 results. PepsiCo's first quarter 2012 earnings declined 7% year over year to 69 cents per share as top-line growth was offset by commodity inflation.

Wall Street analyst upgrades helped boost stocks like Oracle Corp ( ORCL ) and Vail Mountain Resorts ( MTN ). If Nike is any indication, the third quarter earnings picture could be quite treacherous to maneuver for investors (and potentially fatal for traders betting the wrong way in the short term). As the Federal Reserve continues to punish savers, investing in income-producing assets is one of the few options individual investors have to remain ahead of real-life inflation.

IShares Preferred Stock Index Fund ( PFF ): While the stock market in its seasonal weak period and investment grade bonds offer yields barely covering projected inflation, preferred stocks present an opportunity to earn a reasonable return, with moderate risk. Preferred stocks are behind bond holders in the case of bankruptcy; however, the yields more than compensate for the risk with PFF yielding more than 6%. Treasury yields are hobbling along at all-time lows as investors have flocked to them as a safe haven in the face of the European debt crisis and uncertainty in the U.S.

After the bell, Dell Inc. ( DELL ) initiated its first-ever dividend payout, beginning in the third quarter. When you factor real inflation (not the reported mumbo-jumbo government numbers with all the exclusions) into the picture, the squeeze to the middle class is even more evident. Start-ups staffed by as few as a dozen or two motivated employees can use today's technologies and tools to revolutionize industries and put many others out of work.

Take one of my "Forever" stocks, Philip Morris (NYSE: PM ) , for example. StreetAuthority LLC owns shares of PM, MO in one or more if its "real money" portfolios. When you own them, you don't have to worry about events such asinflation ordeflation ,bear markets or recessions... flash-crashes or rising interest rates.

Microsoft ( MSFT ), Dell ( DELL ) and Wal-Mart ( WMT ) have each roughly tripled earnings per share, but their stock prices have nothing to show for it. He believes that Central Bankers are leading the world to inflation where his stocks should at least perform "nominally well," but says, "If a business or asset is good and cheap - absolutely, not relatively - we'll buy it." Aon focuses on several business areas: risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing services.

The world's second-largest oilfield services company after Schlumberger Ltd. ( SLB ) believes that despite certain issues in North America - characterized by depressed natural gas fundamentals and cost inflation - the long-term prospects for the business remain robust. HALLIBURTON CO (HAL): Free Stock Analysis Report SCHLUMBERGER LT (SLB): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. The dismal showing in North America - responsible for three fourths of the segment profits - was somewhat offset by strong international performance.

Horton ( DHI ). We saw shares of online travel play Expedia ( EXPE ) spiking higher on blowout earnings results . If we follow the path of Japan, and the deflationary effect they've seen for the last couple of decades, then those investors at 1.875% will actually look like geniuses!

Disclosure: I am Long [[TZA]] and short [[FXA]]. In the search for alternatives, though, it is important to avoid confusing current yield with the real function of treasuries in a portfolio, which is to move in the opposite direction of equities during a contraction or deflationary period. Since the Australian dollar is inversely correlated to the factor we are trying to isolate and it is significantly over-valued, it makes a lot more sense to short this currency than it does to buy US Treasuries.

It was the second Sunday in July and lunch traffic at theChipotle Mexican Grill ( CMG ) on Manhattan's Upper East Side was as hot as a tamale. Tristano forecasts fast-casual, which is a category within the quick service restaurant (QSR) segment, will see a hefty 8% rise in retail sales this year, excluding inflation. Starbucks has upped its game with an agreement to acquire San Francisco-based Bay Bread and its La Boulange bakery brand, as well as to hire renowned French baker Pascal Rigo.

As for the technology sector, the Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK) dropped 0.5%. However, an upward rally almost at the end of the trading session helped the markets to recover from their day's lows. According to the minutes: "Several others noted that additional policy action could be warranted if the economic recovery were to lose momentum, if the downside risks to the forecast became sufficiently pronounced, or if inflation seemed likely to run persistently below the Committee's longer-run objective".

In addition, the focus will be on the earnings reports from Alcoa (AA) and J.P. Morgan (JPM) to name two important ones. By James Hyerczyk Commodities Trading Advisor After Friday’s dismal jobs data ignited a sell-off on Wall Street, investors will have no time to dwell on the aftermath. This week they face the Federal Open Market Committee’s release of minutes from last month’s meeting, as well as consumer and inflation data.

On the downside however, investors did not like the news from Starbucks ( SBUX ), Newmont Mining ( NEM ), or D.R. We saw shares of online travel play Expedia ( EXPE ) spiking higher on blowout earnings results . If we follow the path of Japan, and the deflationary effect they've seen for the last couple of decades, then those investors at 1.875% will actually look like geniuses!

Disclosure: I am Long [[TZA]] and short [[FXA]]. In the search for alternatives, though, it is important to avoid confusing current yield with the real function of treasuries in a portfolio, which is to move in the opposite direction of equities during a contraction or deflationary period. Since the Australian dollar is inversely correlated to the factor we are trying to isolate and it is significantly over-valued, it makes a lot more sense to short this currency than it does to buy US Treasuries.

The Industrial Select Sector SPDR (XLI) dropped 0.7%. However, an upward rally almost at the end of the trading session helped the markets to recover from their day's lows. According to the minutes: "Several others noted that additional policy action could be warranted if the economic recovery were to lose momentum, if the downside risks to the forecast became sufficiently pronounced, or if inflation seemed likely to run persistently below the Committee's longer-run objective".

And super-premium products, including Crown Royal [Diageo ( DEO )] and Woodford Reserve [Brown-Forman], have grown volumes at a 13% CAGR since 2002. While this duration is notably less than premium scotches, it nonetheless provides the company with opportunity to smooth out commodity inflation with steadily increasing prices, thereby keeping gross margins steady. We believe that aged spirits with strong brands result in formidable barriers to entry that enable Brown-Forman to enjoy meaningful pricing power, such that its profitability should continue over the long-term.

The island, which is one of the most popular holiday locations in the Caribbean, boasts world class resorts and beaches and offers all types of water sports activities like diving, snorkeling, fishing, yachting, etc. The company is developing the hotel in a 2,500 acre area called Christophe Harbour, located on the southeast peninsula of St. Kitts. The strong economic growth is driving hotel expansion in the Caribbean and Latin America, topping the high rate of inflation.

The top-performing single-country fund in the 2012 first half was the Market Vectors Egypt ETF (NYSEArca:EGPT), which climbed by nearly a third. It's impossible to say if EGPT will keep rallying, as the country and the ETF have been on something of a roller-coaster ride over the past year. As the Financial Times wrote in a recent piece, the Philippines has a lot going for it these days, including low inflation, a stable currency, growth above 6 percent and a government that's willing to spend serious money on updating the archipelago nation's dilapidated infrastructure.

We are downgrading our recommendation on Allegheny Technologies ( ATI ) to Underperform considering the raw material cost pressure and weakness in its Flat-Rolled Products division. However, Allegheny is contending with cost-pressures associated with raw material inflation. Our recommendation on Allegheny is in agreement with a short-term Zacks #5 Rank (Strong Sell).

When we juxtapose the inverse of the de-trended Australian currency against the de-trended long-bond fund [[TLT]], we find that the deviations from trend are very highly correlated. Finding replacements for US treasuries will be a horrendous task for all investors, and the dearth of alternatives will create ripple effects in all global capital markets for decades to come. In the search for alternatives, though, it is important to avoid confusing current yield with the real function of treasuries in a portfolio, which is to move in the opposite direction of equities during a contraction or deflationary period.

• iSharesMSCI Mexico Investable Market Index ( EWW ) Thanks in part to the peso's 5% climb against the dollar this year, it's added 16.43% year to date and 13.91% the past 12 months. The Middle Eastern come-back story has formally asked the International Monetary Fund for a $4.8 billion loan to rescue its economy. "Turkey is becoming a favorite emerging market again as growth has been exceeding expectations and inflation is trending downward," said Brad Durham of EPFR Global.

Did anyone see this morning's CPI (consumer price index) data? Oil and gas prices are spiking and the energy price data shows a decrease! On the flipside, Deere & Company ( DE ) and Staples ( SPLS ) got hit hard on numbers that disappointed investors.

The bank forecasted a decline in inflation over the next two and a half years and expected a tepid return to growth for the 17 member states of the monetary union in 2013. The bank's measure of inflation, the HICP, was expected Thursday to rise 2.3 percent in 2012, the same as forecast in last month's bulletin. The significant reduction in 2013 estimates is due to "tensions in some euro area sovereign debt markets and their impact on financing conditions, the process of balance sheet adjustment in the financial and non-financial sectors and high unemployment," according to the ECB.

•Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF ( GDX ): +2.5% to 46.76. Gold and silver prices climbed to two-month highs Tuesday as the greenback tumbled against the euro amid speculation that the European Central Bank is on the verge of a Spanish and Italian bond-buying spree to cap their yields. "Bond-buying is seen as inflationary, and gold quickly reflects those inflation expectations," Mike Tarsala, a chartered market technician at Covestor, a New York-based asset management firm.

We have a Neutral recommendation on General Mills Inc. ( GIS ) following appraisal of fourth quarter fiscal 2012 results. GENL MILLS (GIS): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. However, the addition of Yoplait International to the business mix, higher input cost inflation and lower U.S. retail volumes dragged the quarter's adjusted gross margin down by 140 basis points (bps) to 37.2%.

Following the report, the SPDR S&P Homebuilders (XHB) gained 0.3% and stocks including M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MDC ), Lennar Corporation (NYSE: LEN ), M/I Homes Inc (NYSE: MHO ) and PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM ) gained 0.1%, 0.2%, 2.2% and 0.6%, respectively. Signs that inflation was under control and manufacturing was picking up pace was of little help to the markets as they closed nearly flat on Wednesday. To begin with, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve reported that industrial production increased 0.6% in July, better than consensus estimates of a rise of 0.5%.

Caterpillar ( CAT ) has lost 1% and Rio Tinto ( RIO ) slumped near 3% The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc. Also, Argentina's government, unions and industry leaders yesterday agreed to raise the minimum wage by 25% as inflation shows few signs of cooling despite a slowdown in Latin America's No. JOY cut its FY12 profit outlook to $7.05 to $7.20 a share from its previous forecast for per-share earning in a range of $7.15 to $7.45.

•PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish ( UUP ): -0.75% to 22.48 •CurrencyShares Euro Trust ( FXE ): +1.08% to 124.07. Shutterstock photo Gold and silver prices climbed to two-month highs Tuesday as the greenback tumbled against the euro amid speculation that the European Central Bank is on the verge of a Spanish and Italian bond-buying spree to cap their yields. "Bond-buying is seen as inflationary, and gold quickly reflects those inflation expectations," Mike Tarsala, a chartered market technician at Covestor, a New York-based asset management firm.

Deere & Co. ( DE ) missed its consensus EPS estimate on weaker international agriculture business, particularly in South America. Cisco Systems ( CSCO ) reports after the bell, which should provide another piece to the puzzle of technology trends. On a data-heavy morning, we have results for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Empire State Index, as well as a couple earnings reports from companies on the S&P 500.

By The Inflation Trader : Here is a collection of my post-CPI tweets and some additional thoughts: Looks like +0.09% on Core CPI - incredibly, rounded UP. If traders perceive a bigger swing in the CPI than is actually happening, it will represent an opportunity to get long breakevens or inflation swaps at lower-than-current levels. And if that's going to happen, then I think we'll hear Chairman Bernanke speak generously about the capabilities of monetary policy at the Jackson Hole conference, which begins August 30.

SPDR Dow Jones REIT ( RWR ) tracks a subset of IYR's index, excluding mortgage/timber REITS and other types of holdings that are impacted by factors other than the value of real estate. Unlike equities, however, income-generating real estate has some inflation-hedging qualities because property prices move in line with inflation and nonsticky rents can change as needed. IShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors ( ICF ) is a good option for investors willing to sacrifice liquidity, cost, and size to capture the performance of just the largest few U.S. equity REITs.

This resulted in a collapse of the bond market and the eventual failure of the entire savings and loan industry in the United States in the 1980s. The United States and most of the developed world have benefited tremendously over the past 30 years from a steady drop in long-term bond rates. With inflation averaging between 1.4% and 3.2% in 2011 and 2012, long-term Treasury bonds should not be trading anywhere near their current levels.

Click to get this free report >> ISHARS-S AFRICA (EZA): ETF Research Reports ETFS-PLATINUM (PPLT): ETF Research Reports To read this article on Zacks.com click here. (Read: Forget the BRIC ETFs, Focus on the PICKs ) Since its transition from Apartheid in 1994, the largest economy in Africa has grown at an average rate of 3.3% while the inflation has remained modest within 3% to 6% range. All three major rating companies have lowered their outlook for South Africa's debt to negative from stable in the past six months due to growing unemployment, income inequality and policy uncertainty.

IShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors ( ICF ) is a good option for investors willing to sacrifice liquidity, cost, and size to capture the performance of just the largest few U.S. equity REITs. Unlike equities, however, income-generating real estate has some inflation-hedging qualities because property prices move in line with inflation and nonsticky rents can change as needed. Disclosure: Morningstar licenses its indexes to certain ETF and ETN providers, including BlackRock, Invesco, Merrill Lynch, Northern Trust, and Scottrade for use in exchange-traded funds and notes.

The Bank of England slashed its growth forecast for the United Kingdom and hinted at further easing policies Wednesday in the Quarterly Inflation Report . Moreover, the Bank highlighted that it sees a risk of increased currency strength curbing growth, as euro depreciation seen since the recent flare up of the European Debt Crisis has caused the pound to strengthen, further restraining exports. These funding cost increases have occurred as markets speculate that domestic recession and spill-over from the European Debt Crisis are hurting U.K. banks.

Nevertheless, increased regulatory challenges and continued volatility of interest rates, foreign currency, inflation, changes in price levels of securities is expected to limit the trading activity and the desired upside in the stock at least in the near term. In future, NYPC will also have the ability to provide clearing services for other exchanges and Derivatives Clearing Organizations. Additionally, NYSE has been facing intense competition from strong players, such as CME Group Inc. ( CME ) and IntercontinentalExchange Inc. ( ICE ), which tends to reduce market share and leverage of its business.

Either growth or inflation will pick up and the Federal Reserve will be forced to reverse course and raise the discount rate. In addition, the strategy increases the probability of realizing price appreciation on a retracement as interest rates advance. However, leveraged products contain their own set of pitfalls so be sure you know what you're getting into, as my colleagues Devin Riley and Ana Kostioukova have written about.

If you prefer to avoid the hassle of a bond ladder strategy, consider one of the following floating rate ETFs which would help prevent you from getting locked into low-yielding securities:the SPDR Barclays Capital Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF (NYSEArca:FLRN), the iShares Floating Rate Note Index Fund (NYSEArca:FLOT) and the Market Vectors Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF (NYSEArca:FLTR). Either growth or inflation will pick up and the Federal Reserve will be forced to reverse course and raise the discount rate. In addition, the strategy increases the probability of realizing price appreciation on a retracement as interest rates advance.

The slowdown in growth is the result of high interest rates, which have been maintained in order to control inflation which exceeded 6% in July last year, well above the government targeted 4%. Japan's Komatsu Ltd., which is the second-largest maker of construction equipment in the world after Caterpillar, reported a 42% decline in its last quarter earnings on lower sales in China, forcing it to cut its profit outlook by 17%. Sany Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., China's largest construction equipment manufacturer, also lowered its sales forecast for 2012.

The rest of the natural gas market is split between residential customers (10%) and commercial users (9%), with a small fraction (1/6 of 1%) going for vehicle fuel. On an inflation-adjusted basis, the prices paid by industrial users for natural gas in May were the lowest since at least January 2000, when the Department of Energy's monthly data series starts (see red line in chart). And unlike renewable energies like solar and wind, the natural gas boom is happening without any taxpayer-funded grants, subsidies, credits and loans.

• iSharesMSCI Thailand Investable Market Index ( THD ) Up 20.68% year to date and 13.85% the past 12 months. The Middle Eastern come-back story has formally asked the International Monetary Fund for a $4.8 billion loan to rescue its economy. "Turkey is becoming a favorite emerging market again as growth has been exceeding expectations and inflation is trending downward," said Brad Durham of EPFR Global.

By Scott Minerd : In Goethe's 1831 drama Faust , the devil persuades a bankrupt emperor to print and spend vast quantities of paper money as a short-term fix for his country's fiscal problems. As a result of multi-trillion dollar quantitative easing programs, central banks around the world have compromised their ability to control the money supply, making them vulnerable to runaway inflation. Investment Implications To hedge against deterioration in the dollar's purchasing power, investors have already begun migrating toward hard assets such as gold, commercial real estate, artwork, collectibles, and rare consumer products like fine wines.

And yet here we are: The United States government can run annual deficits amounting to 9.0% of GDP, triple the monetary base to $2.6 trillion in a few years, and still issue 30-year bonds yielding 2.6%. Beyond the Permanent Portfolio Several risk-parity mutual funds attempt to earn higher returns by applying leverage to balance the volatility contributions of a variety of asset classes, including commodities, corporate bonds, and currencies. The typical 60% stock/40% bond portfolio's volatility is 90% determined by equities, which are reliant on declining inflation and economic growth.

By Scott Minerd : In Goethe's 1831 drama Faust , the devil persuades a bankrupt emperor to print and spend vast quantities of paper money as a short-term fix for his country's fiscal problems. As a result of multi-trillion dollar quantitative easing programs, central banks around the world have compromised their ability to control the money supply, making them vulnerable to runaway inflation. Investment Implications To hedge against deterioration in the dollar's purchasing power, investors have already begun migrating toward hard assets such as gold, commercial real estate, artwork, collectibles, and rare consumer products like fine wines.

By Scott Minerd : In Goethe's 1831 drama Faust , the devil persuades a bankrupt emperor to print and spend vast quantities of paper money as a short-term fix for his country's fiscal problems. As a result of multi-trillion dollar quantitative easing programs, central banks around the world have compromised their ability to control the money supply, making them vulnerable to runaway inflation. Investment Implications To hedge against deterioration in the dollar's purchasing power, investors have already begun migrating toward hard assets such as gold, commercial real estate, artwork, collectibles, and rare consumer products like fine wines.

The rest of the natural gas market is split between residential customers (10%) and commercial users (9%), with a small fraction (1/6 of 1%) going for vehicle fuel. On an inflation-adjusted basis, the prices paid by industrial users for natural gas in May were the lowest since at least January 2000, when the Department of Energy's monthly data series starts (see red line in chart). And unlike renewable energies like solar and wind, the natural gas boom is happening without any taxpayer-funded grants, subsidies, credits and loans.

The bank forecasted a decline in inflation over the next two and a half years and expected a tepid return to growth for the 17 member states of the monetary union in 2013. The bank's measure of inflation, the HICP, was expected Thursday to rise 2.3 percent in 2012, the same as forecast in last month's bulletin. The significant reduction in 2013 estimates is due to "tensions in some euro area sovereign debt markets and their impact on financing conditions, the process of balance sheet adjustment in the financial and non-financial sectors and high unemployment," according to the ECB.

IShares MSCI EAFE Index ( EFA ), tracking developed foreign markets, lost 0.17%. Major ETFs flatlined Wednesday in quiet trade, pausing after three winning sessions in a row as the market digested U.S. productivity numbers released by the Labor Department. "The surge appears to have reflected discretionary bonus income rather than more inflationary wage rates or other costs," Jim O'Sullivan, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics, wrote in a client note.

This would satisfy investors seeking more liquidity in Asian markets, but it could reignite fears of a weak Chinese currency in relation to the U.S. dollar. This means that significant action to loosen monetary conditions in China could harm U.S. exports and halt our meager manufacturing recovery in its tracks. So, markets saw weaker Chinese growth and slowing inflation as a sign of an impending stimulative intervention by the People's Bank of China.

Results from Wendy's ( WEN ) were in-line, though North American comps were positive. Sheraz Mian Director of Research BRINKER INTL (EAT): Free Stock Analysis Report NORDSTROM INC (JWN): Free Stock Analysis Report KOHLS CORP (KSS): Free Stock Analysis Report WENDYS CO/THE (WEN): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. The deceleration in the Chinese inflation readings gives the country's monetary and fiscal authorities the space to implement more stimulus measures to improve the economy's growth outlook.

Kohl's ( KSS ) results were largely inline with expectations, though the retailer's comps were on the weaker side. Sheraz Mian Director of Research BRINKER INTL (EAT): Free Stock Analysis Report NORDSTROM INC (JWN): Free Stock Analysis Report KOHLS CORP (KSS): Free Stock Analysis Report WENDYS CO/THE (WEN): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. The deceleration in the Chinese inflation readings gives the country's monetary and fiscal authorities the space to implement more stimulus measures to improve the economy's growth outlook.

Deere & Co. ( DE ) missed its consensus EPS estimate on weaker international agriculture business, particularly in South America. Cisco Systems ( CSCO ) reports after the bell, which should provide another piece to the puzzle of technology trends. On a data-heavy morning, we have results for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Empire State Index, as well as a couple earnings reports from companies on the S&P 500.

On the earnings front, we got positive guidance from Brinker International ( EAT ), after the restaurant operator came out with better than expected earnings on in-line revenues. Sheraz Mian Director of Research BRINKER INTL (EAT): Free Stock Analysis Report NORDSTROM INC (JWN): Free Stock Analysis Report KOHLS CORP (KSS): Free Stock Analysis Report WENDYS CO/THE (WEN): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. The deceleration in the Chinese inflation readings gives the country's monetary and fiscal authorities the space to implement more stimulus measures to improve the economy's growth outlook.

The bank forecasted a decline in inflation over the next two and a half years and expected a tepid return to growth for the 17 member states of the monetary union in 2013. The bank's measure of inflation, the HICP, was expected Thursday to rise 2.3 percent in 2012, the same as forecast in last month's bulletin. The significant reduction in 2013 estimates is due to "tensions in some euro area sovereign debt markets and their impact on financing conditions, the process of balance sheet adjustment in the financial and non-financial sectors and high unemployment," according to the ECB.

Signs that inflation was under control and manufacturing was picking up pace was of little help to the markets as they closed nearly flat on Wednesday. To begin with, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve reported that industrial production increased 0.6% in July, better than consensus estimates of a rise of 0.5%. Separately, Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS ) slumped 14.6%, missing the Street's estimates while earnings also declined from year-ago levels.

Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI ), which is trading near a multiyear high, is scheduled to report its first-quarter fiscal 2013 results Friday, August 21 before market open. The company attributed a fourth-quarter revenue miss on, among other things, weak same-store sales at its Olive Garden chain and "unusually high seafood cost inflation." During the three months that ended in August, Darden saw two new board members, tested combo Olive Garden/Red Lobster locations and acquired Yard House USA, a 40-restaurant chain featuring contemporary American cuisine.

The iShares MSCI Chile Investable Index ( ECH ) has provided a 3 year average return of 12.08% with a yield of 1.6%. ByGreg Crowell: International investors are facing increasing challenges in finding stable countries with the resilience to withstand a potential global recession. In the short term, China is struggling to coordinate a "soft" landing for their slowing economy and India is dealing with high inflation and the costs of transforming their infrastructure for this new century.

The iShares All Peru Capped Index ( EPU ) has provided a strong 3 year return of 15.81% and yields 2.75%. ByGreg Crowell: International investors are facing increasing challenges in finding stable countries with the resilience to withstand a potential global recession. In the short term, China is struggling to coordinate a "soft" landing for their slowing economy and India is dealing with high inflation and the costs of transforming their infrastructure for this new century.

If inflation continues at the pace of last week’s Producer Price Index surge of 1.7 %, iShares Barclays TIPS Bond (TIP) will continue to set 52-week highs. While stocks received all the headlines following the Federal Reserve’s decision to launch QE3 without an expiration date, the dollar getting cracked went relatively unnoticed. Fortunately, there a number of ways investors can protect their purchasing power against a slumping dollar but reaching for higher yields with safety is becoming more difficult.

The BOJ did increase the size of its asset purchase program in February and April, but it has been generally reticent about committing itself like the Fed and ECB "to whatever it takes" within their mandates. Not only is Japan still experiencing deflation by the BOJ's preferred core measure (-0.3% year-over-year in July), but the economy appears to be stalling, if not worse. It will also have a better handle on what ECB and especially the Federal Reserve's policy impact on the yen, which traded at 7-month highs against the dollar following the Fed's announcement last week.

General Mills Inc. ( GIS ) is all set to report its first quarter 2013 results before the start of trading on September 19, 2012. GENL MILLS (GIS): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. However, the addition of Yoplait International to the business mix, higher input cost inflation and lower U.S. retail volumes dragged the quarter's adjusted gross margin down by 140 basis points (bps) to 37.2%.

That is creating growth opportunities for some oil MLPs including Buckeye Partners ( BPL ); an investment that he added to his Covestor model in early August. Buckeye's recent acquisitions have added terminals and storage capacity for crude oil and other refined products to its asset list. First, there are stable cash flows from its pipeline business, which in some areas have regulated annual rate increases, providing an inflation hedge.

Oil explorers and producers ETFs led the stock market south Tuesday asFedEx ( FDX ) delivered disappointing first-quarter results and lowered its full-year outlook. Fears of inflation from QE3 and potential supply disruption from conflict in the Middle East has already been priced into the market and now traders are booking profits, DuBord added. "Energy as a sector represents a buying opportunity for investors depending on their existing exposure and risk tolerance," said Mark Martiak, senior vice president at Premier Wealth Management in New York City.

Norway is among the richest countries in the world with large oil reserves, robust fiscal and monetary balance sheet, zero public debt and substantial accumulated wealth. In this regard, investors could consider broad Nordic region and equities in any of the following nations-- Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland-for potentially less risky exposure in the broader European area. Norway Norway is one of the healthiest economies in Europe due to its low unemployment rate, interest rates, and inflation (Read: Norway ETFs for Safer European Play ).

This month, we're reaching out to millions of investors to help guide them in their quest toward financial knowledge and independence . Series I bonds, on the other hand, pay an interest rate that changes every six months based on moves in the price-tracking Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation. The current rate of 0.6% is less than you can get even from some bank savings accounts, with Discover Financial ( DFS ) and Sallie Mae (Nasdaq: SLM) offering 0.8% and 1% respectively.

PowerShares DB U.S. Dollar Index Bullish ( UUP ), a measure of the greenback against a batch of foreign currencies, fell 0.3% to 21.82. Shutterstock photo Gold prices rallied Thursday and the dollar fell after Spain released its 2013 budget and the U.S. reported pending-home sales weakened in August. Tom McClellan, editor of the McClellan Market Report, believes gold will reach $2,900 an ounce if the Federal Reserve's current quantitative easing program leads to inflation levels seen after the Civil War, when the country printed money to finance that war and post-war reconstruction.

Recently we closed out our long Yen position ([[FXY]], [[YCL]]). The Bank of Japan (BoJ) has already announced that it will be targeting 1% inflation in Japan to try to break the deflationary cycle which has gripped their economy over the past couple decades. At the time of our previous post, the Yen was selling off sharply against the US Dollar and many pundits were making the argument that the exchange rate was headed down an irreversible path of long-term devaluation.

In addition, the company is expected to face higher expenses due to the probable rise in inflation rate as well as the recent ratings and outlook downgrades by Moody's, a ratings arm of Moody's Corp. ( MCO ), S&P and Fitch Ratings. ICICI BANK LTD (IBN): Free Stock Analysis Report MOODYS CORP (MCO): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. We maintain our long-term 'Neutral' recommendation on ICICI Bank Ltd. ( IBN ), reflecting its stable fiscal first quarter (ended June 30) performance, which recorded a remarkable 36% year-over-year rise.

United States Oil ( USO ), the largest ETF trading oil futures, fell 0.0.8%. Oil explorers and producers ETFs led the stock market south Tuesday asFedEx ( FDX ) delivered disappointing first-quarter results and lowered its full-year outlook. Fears of inflation from QE3 and potential supply disruption from conflict in the Middle East has already been priced into the market and now traders are booking profits, DuBord added.

General Mills ' ( GIS ) first quarter fiscal 2013 adjusted earnings rose 3.1% year on year to 66 cents per share. GENL MILLS (GIS): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. General Mills' Yoplait yogurt business is presently struggling as increased sales prices in response to dairy cost inflation is reducing the competitiveness of its products.

Fresh off the heels of a third round of quantitative easing, TIPS ETFs are in the spotlight, as investors wonder how best to protect their portfolio against the risk of inflation. Ultimately, TIPS ETFs are a great product under the right circumstances, and they ought to be evaluated under the same criteria as any other government bond; that is, they should be compared to other offerings. So, how do TIPS work, and are ETFs efficient wrappers to access the TIPS market?

While these noteworthy performances might not continue, especially if Europe remains sluggish, any one of them could still be a solid pick for investors looking for a different way to play this important region: Belgium- iShares MSCI Belgium Investable Market Fund (EWK) Though the Belgian economy has decent growth prospects and low inflation, high unemployment and fiscal deficit remain lingering issues. Investors seeking to invest in the country may find EWK an intriguing choice. This suggests that the top 10 holdings dominate the returns of EWK.

The current rate of 0.6% is less than you can get even from some bank savings accounts, with Discover Financial ( DFS ) and Sallie Mae (Nasdaq: SLM) offering 0.8% and 1% respectively. This month, we're reaching out to millions of investors to help guide them in their quest toward financial knowledge and independence . Series I bonds, on the other hand, pay an interest rate that changes every six months based on moves in the price-tracking Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation.

IShares Silver Trust ( SLV ) jumped 2% to 33.59. Gold prices rallied Thursday and the dollar fell after Spain released its 2013 budget and the U.S. reported pending-home sales weakened in August. Tom McClellan, editor of the McClellan Market Report, believes gold will reach $2,900 an ounce if the Federal Reserve's current quantitative easing program leads to inflation levels seen after the Civil War, when the country printed money to finance that war and post-war reconstruction.

The BOJ did increase the size of its asset purchase program in February and April, but it has been generally reticent about committing itself like the Fed and ECB "to whatever it takes" within their mandates. Not only is Japan still experiencing deflation by the BOJ's preferred core measure (-0.3% year-over-year in July), but the economy appears to be stalling, if not worse. It will also have a better handle on what ECB and especially the Federal Reserve's policy impact on the yen, which traded at 7-month highs against the dollar following the Fed's announcement last week.

The iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index ( EWH ) and the iShares Taiwan Index ( EWT ) provide yields of over 3% to help offset the lower 3 year average return of just over 8% for these funds. ByGreg Crowell: International investors are facing increasing challenges in finding stable countries with the resilience to withstand a potential global recession. In the short term, China is struggling to coordinate a "soft" landing for their slowing economy and India is dealing with high inflation and the costs of transforming their infrastructure for this new century.

Energy Select Sector SPDR ( XLE ) shed 1.17%. Oil explorers and producers ETFs led the stock market south Tuesday asFedEx ( FDX ) delivered disappointing first-quarter results and lowered its full-year outlook. Fears of inflation from QE3 and potential supply disruption from conflict in the Middle East has already been priced into the market and now traders are booking profits, DuBord added.

The BOJ did increase the size of its asset purchase program in February and April, but it has been generally reticent about committing itself like the Fed and ECB "to whatever it takes" within their mandates. Not only is Japan still experiencing deflation by the BOJ's preferred core measure (-0.3% year-over-year in July), but the economy appears to be stalling, if not worse. It will also have a better handle on what ECB and especially the Federal Reserve's policy impact on the yen, which traded at 7-month highs against the dollar following the Fed's announcement last week.

Investors who desire silver exposure will want to explore iShares Silver Trust ( SLV ) . Silver investors breathed a sigh of relief in August after the metal rebounded from key support at the $27 level. To protect investments from inflation, fund managers buy precious metals - such as silver - as a store of value.

This month, we're reaching out to millions of investors to help guide them in their quest toward financial knowledge and independence . Series I bonds, on the other hand, pay an interest rate that changes every six months based on moves in the price-tracking Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation. The current rate of 0.6% is less than you can get even from some bank savings accounts, with Discover Financial ( DFS ) and Sallie Mae (Nasdaq: SLM) offering 0.8% and 1% respectively.

Among the sectors, housing was a major gainer and the SPDR S&P Homebuilders (XHB) soared 2.1%. Following the robust gains on Thursday, benchmarks enjoyed yet another good session as the announcement of the third round of quantitative easing (QE3) policy continued to boost the markets. The economic reports released on Friday were Industrial Production, Business Inventories, Retail Sales and Consumer Price Index (CPI).

That makes Series I bonds look more like the Treasury's inflation-protected securities, which iShares Barclays TIPS Bond ( TIP ) and other ETFs offer investors. This month, we're reaching out to millions of investors to help guide them in their quest toward financial knowledge and independence . Series I bonds, on the other hand, pay an interest rate that changes every six months based on moves in the price-tracking Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation.

The Bottom Line Shares of Cracker Barrel ( CBRL ) have a 2.42% dividend yield, based on last night's closing stock price of $66.17. Restaurant/retail store operator Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. ( CBRL ) on Friday received a big downgrade from analysts at KeyBanc. The firm lowered its rating on CBRL from "Buy" to "Hold," citing worries about food inflation costs.

However, the ECB seems reluctant and the unexpected rise in the September flash CPI reading of 2.7% (Bloomberg consensus was 2.4%) reported at the end of last week, will give it cover. A subtext is because the ECB has knowingly gone against the Bundesbank and its hard money stance with its Outright Market Transaction program and its liberal collateral framework, some concession must be made. Prime Minister Rajoy meets with regional leaders on Tuesday, but it will be difficult to diffuse the situation ahead of the local elections in Galicia and Basque Country on Oct 21.

Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF ( GDX ) picked up 1% to 52.33. Gold prices found support at their key 50-day moving average line as the stock market weakened more Monday afterCaterpillar ( CAT ) cut its 2012 outlook for the second time this year. "The gold bulls have voted and they expect that the U.S. government will not be able to dig itself out of the current hole, relying instead on inflation and devaluation as a poor-man's solution while growth remains soft for the foreseeable future," Waverly Advisors wrote in a client note Monday.

But low interest rates and fear of inflation, due in part to quantitative easing, give gold a chance to show its strength as a shape-shifting asset. As for gold miners, said HSBC Securities analyst Patrick Chidley, "I think the stocks are very cheap and trading on multiples we haven't seen in decades." Mark Bristow remembers a time not so long ago when gold "was not even considered a commodity that one should invest in."

Inflation data hasn't been a major theme recently because the Federal Reserve has pledged to keep interest rates low, but an especially strong reading could be negative for stocks. Given that its results are considered a barometer for the broader industry, it could affect a wide range of Nasdaq companies. Sentiment has been bearish in technology recently because of weak enterprise spending and a moribund PC market.

And now, a look at the numbers... Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 13,494.61)Hewlett-Packard Company ( HPQ )HD Both the S&P 500 Index (SPX - 1,450.99) and Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 3,135.23) maintained their early momentum and crossed the finish line with modest gains. Oil futures racked up a second straight loss today, as global demand concerns took a front seat to a surprise drop in domestic inventories. Better-than-expected service-sector and employment data helped gold futures to a narrow victory today, as speculators appeared to up their positions on the commodity as an inflationary hedge.

O'Neil discussed the action and traits of big winners in the 2009-11 bull market, includingAlexion Pharmaceuticals ( ALXN ),Baidu ( BIDU ), Chipotle Mexican Grill ( CMG ),Lululemon ( LULU ) andUlta Beauty ( ULTA ) . Indeed, that bull market, spurred by President Reagan's tax cuts and Federal Reserve chief Paul Volcker's success in killing inflation, produced huge gains. Today the plunge in natural gas prices spurred by hydraulic fracturing could be a potential catalyst for new big stock winners -- and the overall economy, which continues to struggle three years into a recovery.

However, stiff competition from other quick-service restaurant operators like Brinker International, Inc. ( EAT ), increased tax rate for full-fiscal 2012, concerns over European economies, slowdown in China, wage inflation and margin pressure pose as near term offsets. This implies that the company has beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate by this magnitude over the last four quarters. BRINKER INTL (EAT): Free Stock Analysis Report YUM!

These ventures are expected to contribute immensely to Apache in setting up a strong foothold in the rapidly growing global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market. Apache - which partners Chevron Corporation ( CVX ) in another Australian natural gas venture, Wheatstone Project - currently retains a Zacks #3 Rank (short-term Hold rating). However, Apache's sensitivity to gas/oil price volatility, its drilling results, inflationary cost conditions, geo-political risks and project timing delays continue to be an overhang on the stock.