What Is Digital Marketing and How to Use It

You will have to devote lots of time marketing yourself and earning referrals. Content marketing thus will be more prone towards user-generated, instead of professional, content within the next calendar year. The secret to content marketing is that the content has to be interesting to your audience and will supply value to them.There are a number of reasons to put money into influencer advertising. It is a way to get past the need to use ads to reach your audience. Though email promotion is highly effective, not all startups can harness the real power of email marketing.Digital marketing isn’t rocket science. It has no boundaries. Since you may see, digital promotion is a big and complicated topic. Digital Marketing is a huge subject and you cannot turn into a hero in 30 hours! It is a type of marketing technique where the marketing activity is carried out with the help of channels and platforms available on the internet. It uses the internet as a main promotional medium, in addition to traditional TV and radio.It is one of the fastest growing industries so there is much room for growth and development. It is one of the top 5 growing sectors since the year 2009. In simple terms, it is the promotion of products, services or brands via digital marketing channels. It is much more advanced than the traditional style of marketing because, One has to be very careful in selecting the right strategy to generate reach.Getting your very own digital advertising and marketing blog is able to help you set yourself apart from others in the business and stand out when you should speak to an influencer or potential employer. The ideal marketing influencers are individuals who speak and reveal themselves in front of individuals.Your email marketing strategy will vary a lot based on the essence of your small business. Needless to say, there are a number of different reasons your data-driven advertising and marketing strategy could fail in addition to a deficiency of comprehensive tools. It’s simple to separate your digital advertising strategy into various channels like pay per click ads, social networking, search engine optimisation and so forth. A digital marketing and advertising strategy does not necessary demand a detailed analysis, it merely takes a set of objectives and goals which you are seeking to realize. You should develop a content marketing strategy based not just on the info you need to give your clients, but also based on your understanding of what information people are trying to find.Your digital marketing and advertising strategy might incorporate elements of all 3 channels, all working together to assist you achieve your objective. An intelligent and powerful digital marketing and advertising strategy has many faces. Then you’ll have a fully integrated digital marketing and advertising strategy.Developing a digital marketing and advertising strategy does not need to be hard work. Based on the scale of your organization, your digital marketing strategy might involve a number of objectives, but coming back to this easy manner of thinking about strategy will be able to help you stay focused on meeting those objectives. It needs to deliver the right content based on their buying stage. A clearly defined digital marketing and advertising strategy encourages existing customers together with new customers to engage and stay loyal.You need to construct a marketing system which focuses on a group or groups of individuals. The key issue is to develop your promotion system with the most suitable expectations. Fortunately, marketing software has come a very long way in the past few decades, and there are a lot of tools which may help. Ask yourself these questions before you pick any new marketing and advertising tool. You are going to learn how to use the digital instruments and techniques effectively for a prosperous campaign. In other words, it’s because digital instruments and skills have an established capacity to create revenue, and companies wish to harness that power and keep competitive.Using digital radiography has rapidly increased in recent decades. You could also take advantage of sophisticated email marketing software to run targeted campaigns with an objective of convincing your audience to have a particular action such as signing up for a class, buying your goods, attending an event, or in any case may be. It explains using email marketing, online affiliate marketing, Facebook marketing, and the way to use social networking tools like Twitter, podcasting and blogging.

Is SEO Certification Necessary For Search Engine Optimization Professionals and Companies Alike?

Is SEO Certification Necessary For Search Engine Optimization Professionals?Today’s global economy demands that people, and especially small businesses, take extra time making decisions on how much to spend and where to spend their advertising money for their online advertising needs. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is one of those places where companies are starting to pay extra attention to specialists with credible training and certification.SEO professionals build their reputation on what they know, how they help their clients build a strong search engine visibility, and what they continue to learn. In order to ensure that they are on a steady course of training many SEO companies or individual professionals seek out SEO certification through credible sources like SEO Certification.org.Taking the step to become SEO certified also gives you, the individual a viable incomeLearning SEO Is Essential To Your Growth and in Raising Customer ResultsThink of what would happen if you all of a sudden you stopped eating. Your body wouldn’t grow. In fact, you would begin to deteriorate. For comparison the same holds true. Continuous changes within search engine algorithms and ranking criteria create the dynamic of having to keep up with current trends. Learning SEO with up to date SEO study guides enables you to grow and provide your clients with top rankings on all major search engines.SEO Certification Creates Confidence in Yourself and Your ClientsCertification in anything is a means to an end. Certification means you have successfully completed a training course designed to instruct you how to solve this industry’s greatest question and provide competent service for those who need it. Certification is an exclamation point at the end of a momentous statement.As stated already, companies are choosing their SEO providers with a much more meticulous set of criteria, and one of those is a desire for trained, certified SEO professionals. They want to know and be confident in the person or company for that matter that optimizes their website!You, as an SEO practitioner also gain a great deal of confidence whereas you know you now possess the SEO training necessary to provide quality services. When there are thousands of qualified individuals, and entire SEO companies to compete with, it’s critical to have something that gives you an edge above and beyond your competition. Training and being SEO certified gives you that big confidence boost and edge you need.How to Become SEO CertifiedBecoming SEO certified is a process by which at the end of it you know you have the knowledge necessary to provide your customers with what they need for effective search engine marketing. The process has been refined to the point that you are not wasting time with out-of-date information or rudimentary SEO techniques.Much like anything you strive to learn there is a learning process incorporated into a certification program. In most cases, you can download an eBook on SEO techniques and advanced SEO strategies. This is often referred to as a study guide where you can read and take notes at your leisure.Continuing along in the process there will be some practice test questions to help you become better acquainted with the information presented. During this time you can also begin implementing some of the things you’ve learned to see if you are getting a solid grasp of it. If so, then you are on your to certification. If not, you should go back to the study guide and again, practice with the sample tests.Once familiar with the information and techniques of solid, ethical SEO you can then take a certification test. Once passed you are usually given the credentials, both printed and digitized, you need to show, to yourself and your customers, that you have gone through a credible SEO training program and can provide the utmost in effective services.How To Find An SEO Certification ProgramThe Internet is loaded with all kinds of different certification programs. The line between credible and irreputible is sometimes blurred by low prices, impossible guarantees, and quick, trivial certification process.Of course, you receive the benefit of receiving credentials and limited knowledge. This may, or may not, lead to gained confidence and higher search engine rankings. However, one of the biggest faults to these types of programs is that they contain out of date information and are not updated frequently. Old information in the search engine industry is like driving around with dirty oil. Things begin to break down.When looking into SEO certification it is extremely important to look at other parts of their certification rather than cost, ease, and time for certification. Instead look at things like;
What type of information is being taught? Is it new, updated or out of date?
Is the process one where you know you’ll learn strong, ethical SEO techniques?
Are you going to be pushed through the program or will it take time to complete?
Is this a recognized organization that has helped others before me?
Are any of their graduates at the top of the search engine rankings?All valuable things to ask and to look out for.SEO Training Leads To Powerful, Effective SEO PracticesStaying in touch with current SEO practices is a must for anyone who is operating their own online business or for entire companies competing in a highly volatile economy. Every dollar budgeted towards advertising must be spent wisely. Knowing solid optimization practices will add to your bottom line and, in the case of individuals, could mean a new career or added income stream.SEO Certification also proves, and assures potential clients, that you have gone through an approved process and are substantiated and affirmed by a recognized industry organization. Places like SEOCertification.org are places where you can feel confident in their overall SEO Certification process.Copyright – 2010 SEOcertification

9 Signs It Might Be Time To Sell Your Business

Most business owners ignore these… until it’s too late.If you are like most business owners, you’ve occasionally found yourself wondering what your life would be like without the stress and hassles inherent to business ownership.Perhaps you are facing personal challenges, such as divorce, a death in the family,or other issues that need your full attention.Maybe you have health concerns that prevent you from engaging in your business as fully as you would like.Or, it could just be that you are ready to try something new, go back to school, buy a home in the islands, or devote more time to a hobby or interest that you’ve had on the back burner for far too long.Whatever reason you have for contemplating the sale of your successful business,you must understand that selling a business is a process for which you can fully prepare.The first place to start in those preparations is to recognize some of the warning signs that let you know it is time to plan your exit.

Life changes are causing you to lose focus. It’s difficult enough to run a successful business without the added stress of unforeseen life events. Situations such as divorce, illness of a family member, or the need to care for elderly parents can upset any work/life balance you think you have achieved. If you feel overwhelmed and depleted trying to focus on both the business and family matters, you might seriously consider selling.

You have a hard time getting up in the morning and going to your workplace. Everyone in business experiences episodic burnout. However, if you have a regular pattern of looking for any excuse not to go to the office, it might be time to sell. Forcing yourself on a daily basis to engage with your business can have a negative impact on your financial, physical, and mental well-being. Your attitude can wind up costing you lots of money, time, and effort.

You spend a lot more time thinking about retirement than you do about your company. There’s no shame in doing this. Many of us look forward to a life without work. However, spending inordinate amounts of time watching the travel channels on television and visiting trip planning websites might point to your deep-down desire to get on with the rest of your life.

Your kids don’t want, or are incapable of running, your business. Even if your children or other family members have worked with you in the business for years, this doesn’t mean that they necessarily want to take it over when you leave. As badly as you may want the company to stay in the family, you can’t make assumptions. Junior may love working with customers at your pool company during the summer, but he might very well have bigger plans for his life. Even more painful to contemplate is the fact that your chosen successors might not be capable of running the business, even if they want to do so.

Everything has grown stale and you’ve run out of ideas to keep things moving. Years ago, when you started the business, creative thoughts spewed out of your brain with the speed and intensity of a high pressure hose. You had tons of ideas about how to differentiate your business and make your brand unforgettable. These days though, you feel stuck and the idea well is bone dry. Without improvements and innovations, your company’s growth will stagnate. If you can’t re-ignite the idea machine, it could very well mean that it is time to sell.

You need to pour tons of money into updating your business. If you are in a highly competitive niche that is continuously evolving, you might find that you’ve fallen behind and need to do an extensive (and expensive makeover) in order to stay profitable. Even if you are currently making a nice income, it might not be in your best interest to spend money to stay in business, especially if you aren’t having fun with it anymore.

You get an offer you’d be foolish to refuse. This happens more than you might think, even during a down economy. Someone out there has his or her eye on your business and they like what they see. Out of the blue, they make you an offer that is considerably more than current valuation. In most of these situations, it would be crazy not to sell.

Interest rates are lower than ever before. I am writing this article in 2014, a time when interest rates are historically low. There has never been a better time to leverage other peoples’ money. For investors, it makes sense to borrow like crazy and snatch up any and every appreciable asset they can, especially companies which, if managed properly, will generate nice returns.

You have an opportunity to participate in another venture. Most business owners, even those who are only marginally successful, are constantly approached by purveyors of new “business opportunities.” These can range from hyped-up multi-level marketing positions to Ponzi schemes to legitimate investment opportunities. I am sure you’ve probably been approached by more than your fair share of people pitching these kinds of things. However, once in a while a really good opportunity manages to come your way. Maybe it’s a chance to partner with another successful entrepreneur in your local area or it’s a start-up with amazing potential. When you find something like this and your gut feeling is that you want to be in on the action, then it might be time to sell your existing business and try something new.
It is never too soon to plan for the eventual sale of your business, especially if any of these warning signals sounds familiar to you.As the starting point for planning your exit, seek out real business experts who, unlike the majority of business brokers, have actually bought and sold businesses.Such experts will help you gain an understanding of the business selling cycle from A-Z and learn methods to avoid common pitfalls associated with the process.I believe that the greatest legacy you can leave to your family is a company that you have converted into a money-creating machine, protected by design against erosive elements such as taxes and inflation that threaten to consume your wealth.Consulting with experts enables you to do just that by showing you exactly how to design a custom plan that lets you to sell your business, get cash flow for life and pay no taxes.Imagine how much peace of mind you would gain by incorporating this kind of proven business exit plan into your business- before you need it.Successful business transitions don’t come about by accident. They are the result of painstaking planning under the guidance of seasoned business professionals who know how to get the job accomplished with outcomes more favorable both to sellers and buyers.Savvy business owners realize that the complexities of selling a business are many and that it makes sense to partner with people who have been in the trenches.

Corporate Entertainment – Go For Variety

Are you frustrated with planning company events that do not seem to get the employees’ attention? When organizations prepare events for the entertainment of their people, or even their clients, these are called corporate entertainment. Corporate entertainment was originally designed to build rapport and relationships between the company and the clients but now, these events are used to strengthen teamwork and bond between the employees.Before, corporate entertainment is confined to gatherings that have music as its only form of enjoyment. Of course, you would agree that attending events that are always limited to eating and listening to music or to speakers can be tiring. Moreover, if your company only organizes such entertainment, your goal which is to entertain and to build relationships between colleagues and clients will fail. Why? It is because sooner or later, they may lose interest, may not pay attention to whatever is being said or performed, or worse, may start not attending the events. Now that would really not be good, right?Now, there are different forms of corporate entertainment that would surely serve whatever your purpose of gathering people is. It’s not just speakers and music anymore! If you want to review your company’s development, or if you want to discuss future projects, or marketing goals over dinner, why don’t you do it while having fun? How? You can get a comedian to entertain your people throughout the event. You could choose from a variety of comedians like college, Christian, or celebrity comedians.Aside from comedians, you may also want to try variety acts. And this would not just give any kind of entertainment, but will also amaze your participants. For example, mentalists will surely awe your employees and clients by their acts such as telepathy, divination, and psychokinesis. Magicians are also a good way to keep the people attentive and at the same time, amused. Other examples of acts that you could get are balloonists, game shows, jugglers, and ventriloquists.If you want to have gatherings that are not limited to banquets, dinners, or conventions, do not worry. Corporate entertainment could also be given outdoors. You can arrange company picnics. In this way, your get-togethers will not only be a way to discuss company-related matters but would also be an opportunity for team building, foster camaraderie, and fellowship while enjoying the outdoors. Or maybe, you could rent games and rides. These would surely make your gathering enjoyable. Boogie heads, slot cars, ahoy matey, micro reality racing, and t-ball are some of the many games and rides you can choose from.As you can see, organizing events that would function both for business matters and in development of interpersonal relationships will be more effective if you provide corporate entertainment. And remember… do not be confined with one or two type of entertainment every time you prepare events like these.

The Importance Of Getting Your Business Online

According to officially released statistics from the British Retail Consortium, the 2013 holiday period saw a fantastic increase in sales for online retailers, with the same occurring in the New Year however, unfortunately as expected in today’s online world; the high street brick and mortar stores struggled to match these figures.Thanks to the increasing developments in mobile marketing and as a society, our constant need to connect to the internet; online shopping is now very much second nature. Yet despite this natural shift, an increasing number of small businesses have yet to take a step into the online market.Despite the increasing power of the internet, many business owners struggle to embrace the notion of online marketing but with the figures speaking for themselves; neglecting this could potentially be disastrous.For those new to the online platform and unsure where to begin, below are the top steps to consider which, whatever you business, size and budget; are sure to help you make a much-needed marketing bang…
Website- The first point of call for your online customers will be your website so it is important that you get this right. Whether you wish to have a standard website advertising promoting your brand and services or a e-commerce website allowing customers to make direct purchases, there are several options available to you. From free WordPress templates to bespoke websites from professional design agencies, a well structured website can be a great way to drive interest for your business.
Social Media- Whether we want to admit it or not, we live in a socially dependent society where Twitter and Facebook have become the twenty-first century call centres and prime links between a business and their customers. Getting socially active is incredibly important and as subsequently free platforms; you can build your brand without so much as touching your budget.
Offsite Advertising- Advertising, particularly pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, is considered one of the most beneficial and promising ways for any business to promote itself. Often a foolproof way to drive quality traffic to your website, PPC advertising is an ideal way to speedily increase your customer base and sales however it is a tricky business so you made need some advice from a dedicated professional to ensure your budget does not dwindle.
Email Newsletters- As a typical girl I love nothing more than shopping which is why I get quite excited when my favourite retail stores email me with the latest offers and some special discounts. Email marketing is a fantastic way to further increase your brand and is a great way to support all of the other areas of online marketing you may have been undertaking. With great email platforms like Mail Chimp, you can also track the success rate of every email you send so you can ensure you spend the right time and effort on the right areas.
Whether you are stuck in your ways or fearful of the budget you may have to spend; getting online couldn’t be easier and more beneficial, so whatever your budget may actually be; there is great potential.We are an online world so get your business online too or risk falling behind.

High Risk Personal Loans – A Second Opportunity to Bring Your Credit Back on the Right Track

Lending money is a risky task. But, the increasing number of lenders in the finance market shows that huge profits are associated in undertaking risk of lending. Individuals with bad credit or no collateral are considered to be “High Risk” cases by lenders in the UK as their credit score is not good and they do not even have a property that could be put as collateral which gives a sense of surety to the lender regarding the repayment of the loan amount. No need to worry if you are one of them. A high risk personal loan can bring your life back on the right track and gives an easy access to the money you need.High risk personal loans are tailored to meet the personal needs and requirements of the UK residents who are suffering from the trauma of poor credit history. The loans are given the name “high risk personal loan” because the lender is exposed to a higher risk when lending money to such people as they may make default on the payment of the present loan too.People get enlisted in the list of bad credit history due to some of their past mistakes such a default on the past loan payments, got bankrupt, became a victim of county court judgement or any unwitting act. Like normal people, people suffering from bad credit score too have desires and expectations that they wish to fulfill. High risk personal loan aims to fulfill the personal needs of the borrowers. You can use the loan money to buy a luxurious car, to go out for a holiday, paying medical bills, managing unexpected financial setback or for any other personal purpose.Lending a high risk personal loan involves great risk that a lenders tries to cover by charging a higher rate of interest on the loan granted. Thus, a high rate of interest is attached to high risk personal loan.People who own a property and have a bad credit history can apply for a secured high risk personal loan while tenants who do not own a property can opt for an unsecured high risk personal loan. Homeowners who do not wish to put their home at the risk of repossession too can apply for an unsecured loan.If you wish to remove the bad credit blot from your credit report, use the loan money to pay off your existing debts and make it work to improve your credit score so that you could grab good loan opportunities in future. And now make sure you pay the high risk loan on time and in full to rebuild the broken history into a much better credit rating.The entry of online lenders in the finance market has made it easier and convenient for the borrower to access the loan of their choice. Now, you just have to fill in an online loan application form available on the lender’s website with some of your personal and financial information. You will definitely get many loan offers from various lenders, but don’t choose any loan deal blindly. Don’t make a compromise while choosing the right loan deal it may get you into a deeper trouble. Do a thorough loan search; it will help you get the loan deal of your choice and that too with complete ease.It was years ago when having a bad credit was considered to be a matter of shame. But, with years passing by, everything has changed people with bad credit history are popularly known as “high risk” people. Why to feel ashamed of being counted in the list of risky people when you can get a personal loan tailored to your needs. High risk personal loan, the loan made only for you.

7 Advantages to Getting a FREE Online Auto Loan Quote Before Visiting a Dealership!

1) When you go to the supermarket you have a budgeted amount you are willing to spend so, why would you go to a dealership without a budget?As a General Motors and Hyundai Product Specialist and former Finance Manager I see buyers do this everyday. They come into the dealership without knowing what is the best price they can get for the vehicle. On top of this they don’t know what interest rates they qualify for before coming to the dealership.Not knowing best vehicle price + Not knowing interest rate = You Pay more!Regardless of what type of credit you have you should always research and know the vehicle price and interest rate you qualify for before you enter any dealership. You can accomplish this by getting a FREE Auto Quote and FREE Auto Loan Quote before you visit the dealership.Doing these two activities before visiting the dealership will save you both time and money. As well as make your auto buying experience better. Because no one really likes going to the auto dealer.In fact I’m sure most people would rank the experience last on their preferred list of things to do, just above going to the dentist to get a root canal.2) Not All dealerships are Created Equal – Know which dealerships offer programs for perfect and less than perfect credit.Any dealership can deal with a person with perfect credit. However, not every dealership can handle individuals with less than perfect credit. By getting a FREE online auto loan quote you gain the following advantages:a.) Find dealers that work with all customer types regardless of credit.b.) Get approved for a vehicle loan regardless of credit.c.) Know exactly what type of autos you qualify for.3) Know what’s on Your Credit Report before you visit the Dealership.There’s nothing worse than walking into a dealership and expecting a 5% interest rate and then having me, the Finance Manager quote you 21%. I’ve had to tell countless people this and some of them are upset as if I personally had something to do with what rate they qualify for and what is on their credit reports.The truth is that you are responsible for your credit score, which largely determines what rate you qualify for. I rarely have any problem with customers who are educated about their credit scores because they already know the rates and types of autos they qualify for.My advice is to get your FREE Credit Report and find out your credit score before you go to the dealer. This will allow you to know what rates you qualify for and to see exactly what good and bad things may be lurking on your credit report.The advantage of submitting an online auto loan quote is that dealerships will automatically contact you with the types of autos you are approved for regardless of your credit.4) Entering a FREE online auto loan quote gives you access to multiple dealerships without traveling — saving you time, gas and money.In the past I’ve seen customers drive to several dealerships just to save a $100 dollars on their vehicle purchase price. That may have worked in the past but given gas prices who wants to drive around town and lose that money in gas. There is a better way you know? By submitting a FREE online Auto Quote you can get the best prices for any vehicle in the comfort of your home.When you submit an online auto price quote your request is sent to several area dealers who compete for your business by sending you quotes for any vehicle you choose. So why waste money and time driving around town when you can have multiple quotes sent to you while sitting in your comfortable robe and slippers. Choose the best price and then go to that particular dealership.5) Know what interest rate & terms you qualify for beforehand so you can enter a dealership and buy with confidence.By submitting an auto loan application you get the benefit of having several dealerships work to earn your business. Once you land on a particular car and dealership, go to their website and find their payment calculator. Most dealers have this listed under the Finance or Payments section of their website. Use this helpful tool to figure out your interest rate and possible monthly payments.6) You get pre-approved financing and this allows you to control the sales process because you know which vehicles you can afford to buy.Ah yes, there’s nothing like confidently walking into the dealer knowing you’re pre-approved! Beats the alternative of not knowing anything! The great advantage to getting an auto loan quote is that you get pre-approved and can walk confidently into any dealership knowing:*What vehicle you’ve been approved for*Amount that you will pay for your new or pre-owned vehicle.*Estimated monthly payments and terms (months) for your auto.I cannot stress enough how good it will feel to walk in with paper in hand of the vehicle you are about to purchase. It also allows the Sales Consultant to shorten the sales process thereby shortening your time at the dealership. Although, there are some people who actually like hanging out at the dealership. I know it sounds kinda weird but my son is one of those types of people along with some of our best customers.7) It’s absolutely FREE!Did I mention that getting an online auto loan quote is FREE! Oh yeah, I did. Just think, no getting dressed, starting up the car and driving around town wasting gas trying to haggle the best price out of each dealership. You just sit at your computer sipping your favorite beverage, fill out ONE auto loan quote and then magically; multiple dealers begin contacting you regarding your request. It’s that simple! The Internet is really a great thing!Good Luck with your auto loan search.Sincerely,Anthony Gipson Hyundai Product Specialist North America

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.

How Millett Grew Steel Dynamics From A Three Employee Business

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.