Power Shift
http://online.barrons.com/article/SB50001424053111903715504577309541811136690.html
Best Buy says they want to focus on mobile technology in an Apple world and where Google wants to create an online store.
Is Google about to open a tablet store? (From the Wall Street Journal via Seeking Alpha).
Not just any Android tablets, mind you — co-branded ones that bear Google’s name along with that of the manufacturer. Google does many things (some better than other), but they’re definitely not in the consumer hardware production game. Instead, Google is said to be working with hardware experts at Asus and Samsung (and presumably Motorola at some point), and is also considering the possibility of subsidizing the tablet’s price to fall in line with devices like Amazon’s Kindle Fire.I think this is an interesting approach to compete with Apple. Right now, the android market is very confusing. There are many tablets by many manufacturers with many different configurations and sizes. Maybe consolidating the android tablets into one market will make it easier for consumers.
It's probably time to think about using natural gas for transportation. Nice job of cnbc to get this article up.
Natural gas prices are at lows not seen since the 1990's. Diversifying our energy sources would help lessen the need to import or drill for more oil.
Although we should do that, too.
As the article shows, the VIX is now at levels similar to April 2010 and 2011. For those who like seasonal market timing, it looks as if history is about to repeat itself all over again.
The Hunger Games drove Lions Gate Entertainment $LGF up 4.47% today as the film raked in $214 million in its opening weekend. The movie was the third largest opening in the history of the universe.
I may have been the only person not to have seen the movie.
I wonder how much popcorn and soda were soled because of The Hunger Games? Sure, $214 million in ticket sales but how many large tubs of buttered popcorn and 44 ounce sodas were sold?
While AT&T ($T) says "Told you so" over T-Mobile's 1900 layoffs, isn't the reality that if the acquisition went through many positions would have also been cut? Here's what AT&T said:
"Only a few months ago AT&T promised to preserve these very same call centers and jobs if our merger was approved," Cicconi chided. "We also predicted that if the merger failed, T-Mobile would be forced into major layoffs."
So, maybe not. But when companies acquire or merge, you would think there are some cost saving synergies somewhere.
Sad for the 1900.
As the article points out, Florida has no state income taxes. Maybe David Garrard is the true brainiac here...
Today’s randomosity includes iPad news, Christine Nguyen and a bikini, stocks, and Leo Laporte (not pictured).
Quote of the day comes from Jim Rogers: "I hope that the Chinese market collapses so I can buy Chinese shares.”
That's the spirit, Jimmy.
It’s an Apple economy! Not only must we own $AAPL, we must own every company that has anything to do with iPads and iPhones. This seems to be the only thing in the American economy that is working!
Qualcomm rides new iPad to new high. ($QCOM)
It is loading apps right now as I type.
Quick observation is that I just got back from Reno, and decided to cruise by the Apple Store to check one out. When I got there, there were millions of people in the store, but the line outside to purchase was very short. I asked if there were any new iPads in stock, and they said yes. White? Verizon? Yes! Yes!
The very friendly Apple Store employee handed me a white ticket with the new iPad model I wanted, and I stood in line. Three people later, I had a new iPad and was headed out the door.
I’m surprised that they had some in stock.
I spoke with a few folks in line, and they hadn’t intended on buying one today but since there was a very short line, they did the same as I did. None of them had tried one or played with one. They were previous owners and just wanted to upgrade.
When I spoke to the very friendly Apple Store employee, he also asked me if I had even played with one. When I answered no, he said that is what everyone says. Talk about brand loyalty!
Tick tock. Waiting for sync…
***
As you know from the blog or the podcast/audioboo, someone stole my Android Transformer Prime tablet a couple of weeks ago. Rather then get another Android, I decided on the new iPad. Lets face it, Apple knows how to do this better than the other guys -- so far.
My concerns about dividend growth stocks as an investment strategy...
If the tax rates on dividends increases, then investors may look for other more tax efficient investments. Companies may recognize this and decrease dividends in favor of capital gains, stock buybacks, or stockpiling cash.
Dividend stocks have also had a great run and may suffer from the "what's been working lately" analysis. In an era of declining interest rates and near zero yields on CD rates and treasuries, folks are chasing yield. If interest rates increase, the yields on CDs and treasuries will be more attractive and less risky than stocks.
The headlines are full of articles touting dividend stocks. This is usually a contrarian indicator that may warn that this investment style is closer to its end than to its beginning.
Be careful. Remember that investment themes change and rotate over time. What has worked over the recent few years often times tends to lag over the next few years.
Stocks are ripping to the upside, as folks want in at any price. The 13,000 barrier was smashed today.
The Fed noted that everything is fine, but that they'll keep rated near zero just in case. Higher energy prices? No problem.
Of course, I have a bunch on the sidelines and am missing some of this rip. It looks as if I was guessing the wrong way. I was looking at a double top and a potential for a reversal on any Fed news -- didn't happen.
The market wants to go higher. People want in.
The market ripping more to the upside and slicing through Dow 13,000. The Feds reiterated their commitment to keep interest rates near 0% forever, or at least until 2014.
With the morning rip I half expected a sell the news reaction on Bernanke’s news release. Not yet.
There is also a lot of bullishness. I look at the increased attention to IPOs and biotech cheapies where folks are trying to play catch up and pick up quick cash. We know how this ends, right?
I don’t think that this is the end of the bull market, but we are at the highs. This would be near the logical spot if we are still in the secular bear market that began in 2000.
We are due for a pullback that at least creates a little bit of worry. Maybe a spring/summer trading range into the Fall. Or maybe we just keep going up to the moon!
Nobody knows for sure, right?
Did you read where $GOOG maps lost $AAPL and Foursquare, and Yelp may be next?
Google started charging for high-volume Google Maps users, and Apple and Foursquare have switched to OpenStreetMap.
Apple had integrated Google Maps into iOS, but no more.
How will this impact Google going forward? With iOS dominating mobile computing and outpacing desktop and laptop growth, this is something to keep an eye on.
The market has rallied back the past two days, and who gets the credit? Greece! Stocks rose on Thursday, recovering most of the week's losses, after
Greece moved closer to a bond swap with private creditors to avoid a
messy default.
Well, okay. Greece continues to get the media's attention.
So, the market has bounced back to near the recent highs. Anyone have any concerns or sense of foreboding about that? Lighter-volume retest of the highs? Could this be a well-telegraphed opportunity to lighten up? The market is basically at the highs of the trading range that has defined this bear market from 2000-2012 (so far). Just saying.
I certainly hope that the market goes higher. But I'm not sure I'd bet that this happens now or later this year. I haven't done much and remain 80% long, but as I've mentioned before I have lowered my beta. Haven't done any more of that, but it is on my mind. Maybe this is because I'm caught up in the emotion of trading stocks, too. It is difficult to sell when "the fish are biting" and speculative stocks are moving higher. It works while it works. And it's fun, right?
Remember just a couple of weeks ago when the Greece crisis was solved for the second time? Looks like we’ll need a third time. Now that Greece is getting paid for bailouts, Rush Limbaugh was quick to label the country a Euro slut.
I remain about 80% long. It’s not like the market was going to go up forever.
The Black Box timed this sell signal right on the number, but it has been wrong with the last few sell signals. It tends to work best in a sideways market.
If I had to make a prediction, it would be that the market is in a pullback and folks will get another chance to sell on a double-top. Maybe that will be the top before the summer and the end of the favorable stock market season. I’d expect the market to then rally into year end. Despite the selling, it should be a good year for stocks.
Gas prices up 26-days in a row! It will matter when it matters, but nationally the price is $3.76 while here in Sacramento it's in the mid-$4 range!
Sweet!
Isn't affecting the crowds at BJ's, Cheesecake Factory, or Thunder Valley Casino.
I think that the economy is better. There are more people working. In addition, interest rates are close to zero percent and many folks have refinanced their homes at rates below 4%. Maybe some of the money goes to the pump, but there may be enough left over to have a little fun, too.
Again, oil prices eventually will hurt folks. But when?
posted from Bloggeroid
posted from Bloggeroid
