The Motley Fool's Weekly Editors' Picks

Updated

Fools were out and about this week in an investing world jampacked with actions and ideas. Here are three articles you might find useful as you decide how to invest your money.

Is Buffett's Berkshire Buy a Bearish Sign?The recent announcement that Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (NYS: BRK.A) (NYS: BRK.B) will be buying back its own shares -- something it has never done before -- sparked much conversation and analysis among investors trying to learn from the master's moves.

Fool contributor Matt Koppenheffer took a look at whether the Berkshire move is actually a bearish sign indicating that Buffett sees no bargains elsewhere in the market. Matt concludes that that is not the case.

"Looking back over Warren Buffett's history, it's clear that he doesn't take action for action's sake," Matt wrote. "If there are no bargains available, he's perfectly comfortable sitting on his hands and letting Berkshire's cash wait around. ... This [buyback] simply means that Berkshire's stock is a screaming bargain."

Read the article to get Matt's full rundown.

Bull Market or Bear, These 7 Dividend Stocks Will Boost Your PortfolioFool contributor Brian Stoffel brought investors seven "super-dividend stocks" that each have a fat dividend yield, opportunity for growth, and a dividend that will stick around for a long time. He looked at dividend yield, PEG ratio, and payout ratio to find his seven winners. Banco Santander (NYS: STD) , Eaton (NYS: ETN) , and Intel (NAS: INTC) made the list.

Read Brian's article to see all the stocks on the list and his reasons for choosing them. It will help you find out more about how to find stocks that can make you a better-than-average investor.

3 Things Holding Back Jobs You Didn't Know AboutFool contributor Morgan Housel highlighted a few less-obvious factors contributing to unemployment, which he calls "by far our biggest problem."

First, Morgan sets the scene: "Think of the jobs market as a conveyor belt." Then he tells readers about two groups of actors not following the usual script. People aren't moving on from menial jobs to better ones. ("The focus isn't on getting ahead; it's on making sure you don't fall behind. Not a good recipe for growth.") And older people aren't giving up their jobs to retire. ("Regardless of the reason, more older folks staying in the workforce hurts the prospects of younger workers trying to move up.")

Read Morgan's article for more unemployment insight, including his take on unemployment at the state level.

At the time thisarticle was published Fool online editor Kris Eddy owns no shares of any stocks mentioned in this article.The Motley Fool owns shares of Berkshire Hathaway and Intel and has bought calls on Intel.Motley Fool newsletter serviceshave recommended buying shares of Intel and Berkshire Hathaway, as well as creating a diagonal call position in Intel. Try any of our Foolish newsletter servicesfree for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe thatconsidering a diverse range of insightsmakes us better investors. The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy.

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