Volatility with the Fed

• I don't know what you do with today's market action.  It was crazy.  Ramped after the Fed announced nothing, and then fell back down.  Good luck.
• Still in cash trying to think of something to do with it.  Probably just stay in cash until the Fall.  I am tempted to daytrade, but ... eh.
• Economic data continues to show a very slow economy.  No other way to put it.  Although folks seem to be talking it up as great news.  What?  Should't things be growing a bit faster?
• Feet are still broken and sore.  Man, over eight weeks so far.  Can't wait until this is over.  Ache ache ache.
• Dodgers having an amazing run.  Dramatic late game wins.  Including last night's game against the Yankees.  
• Did you see Spike Lee on CNBC this morning?  Wow, if I were producer, do you know who is not getting an invitation back?  What a clown.   There was no need to be disrespectful.  
• Do you keep getting folks ringing your doorbell trying to sell you solar panels for your roof top?  What's the payback period, 25 years?  I always tell them I'm moving and putting the house up for sale in a few weeks, rather than argue with them. 

Still in Cash!

I am still in cash, and not putting money to work. This week should see some interesting moves with the federal reserve and economic data. The market seems stuck for the past few weeks, except for the big winning stocks like The Facebook $FB. 

Kudos to Facebook for figuring it out. There was a lot of doubt out there, including from me. But they seem to have figured out a way to monetize the mobile platform.  But, if you're like me, you don't like to see those mobile ads pop up on your iPhone or iPad as you scroll through your timeline! I haven't clicked on one of those yet, LOL. But don't tell that to the advertisers. 

Other than trying a few trades here and there, I am planning on just going back into the market sometime late summer or fall.  

The Greatest Cost-Per-Calorie Bargain Ever?

$MCD - McDonalds:  I thought his was an entertaining article about a $1 burger from McDonalds.  I don't eat there very often, but maybe this will change my mind.  But there can't be a huge profit margin in a dollar burger.  Unless they sell a large drink with it!***
The Blaze - StoriesCould the McDonald's McDouble Actually Be the Greatest Cost-Per-Calorie Bargain Ever?

McDonald's.

Is McDonald's McDouble cheeseburger (two patties, one slice of cheese, costs about $1) the "cheapest, most nutritious and bountiful food that has ever existed in human history"?

...

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/07/29/could-the-mcdonalds-mcdouble-actually-be-the-greatest-cost-per-calorie-bargain-ever/

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The Fed, Jobs and Earnings!

Don't sleep in! This week will feature the Federal Reserve, jobs, and more earnings! Nonstop thrills!

The biggest surprise last week came from Facebook, which soared after their earnings report. Apparently, they figured out how to make money.

Apple exceeded iPhone sales estimates, but fell short on iPad sales. Investors still were okay with that news.

Amazon was another surprise, as they continue to lose money. The stock was down after hours, but surprised everyone including me when it rallied the next day.

And then, there was Friday. The Dow was down  big early, but rallied to close in the green. It just shows you that people want to buy stocks. Don't fight the trend. Don't fight the Fed. Don't worry about "the wall of worry. "

Wall of Worry

Hey, the economy isn't so hot and corporate earnings are mediocre. But does any of that matter when folks just want to buy stocks?

More wall of worry stuff here. Maybe someday it will matter.  Maybe not. 

Black Box Sell Signal Right Now

Hey, the Black Box has a sell signal.  Really.  Last sell signal was May 30th.  FWIW.  I’m already in cash so… er… uh…

Apple profit falls

$AAPL - Apple earnings weren't great, but weren't "Applemageddon," so stock rallies in after hours.  iPhones sold well. iPads disappointed.  The sad news is that they have to wait until October for new product release information.

So more of the same from earnings news. Not really that great, but mediocre is okay because Ben is there with QE.

***

Apple profit falls 22% but beats gloomy expectations
CNN MONEY | JULY 23, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/orB27


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Netflix Randomosity

• I've never owned Netflix - $NFLX. Afraid of competition.  Didn't think it would last once the Big Boys got involved. 
• I was wrong.  Netflix is the Big Boy in providing streaming and DVD. 
• And I use Netflix all the time!  
• The stock is selling off today on a disappointing earnings report Monday. 
• Of course, it has been a darling momentum stock and if it does come down it had a ways to go.  
• Not going to buy it.  Last person in the pool worry, you know?
• Still will use it. And I'm currently watching Everybody Loves Raymond.  Lol. 

#225: Market Thoughts - It Goes Up No Matter What

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Would You Like Fries With That?

Is anyone bullish on $MCD - McDonalds earnings prospects Monday?  Seems like all we hear about is how they are struggling with a low profit dollar menu and struggling economies overseas. 

Of course, if they do disappoint it is just an excuse for a rally as the Fed will keep pouring money in so that we can all afford to supersize our value meals. 

Wage Growth in SF Bay Area

I thought this was an interesting story from the SJ Merc about 1% wage growth in the "hot jobs market" that the Bay Area is supposed to be. Why? Well... part time jobs, service sector jobs, etc. Also, maybe the supply of workers is there to meet the demand.

 

Big Tech Randomosity

• Remember when big technology stocks mattered? It was interesting Friday to see Microsoft slide and Google not do well, and the market shrugged it off. Sure the NASDAQ was down. But it used to be the whole market would slide on that kind of news.


• Of course, Google did hold the 50 day moving average.


• Which just goes to show you, don't fight the Fed! Don't fight the trend! People want to buy stocks and that is that. Not just domestic buyers, but I think international money, too.


• I am still in cash. No summer trades for me yet. I still think there is a correction coming, but I have been wrong so far this summer.


• I want my pension! You know, it will be interesting to watch Detroit for what happens to pensions. There are many retirees and workers who have been promised pensions, and the question is how will they be paid?


• Pop Tart ice cream sandwiches. Raise your hand if you want one. *as my hand shoots straight up*


• The Dodgers won, sweeping the Washington Nationals in the three game series. Unbelievable starting pitching, clutch hitting, and great relief from the bullpen. I think this is what we expected all year as Dodgers fans.

Judge orders Detroit to withdraw bankruptcy filing

Judge to Detroit: "Just pretend you have the money!"  I thought this was kind of funny/strange that a judge said Detroit can't file bankruptcy.  

****

Judge orders Detroit to withdraw bankruptcy filing
CNN MONEY | JULY 19, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/okF1V


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Stocks dragged down by tech earnings

You'd think that bad earnings from $MSFT, $GOOG, and the Detroit bankruptcy would have a big negative impact on the stock market.  Nah.  Nope.  Uh-uh.  Pfft.

Because it means that the Fed will keep the QE flowin' like gravy at the Thanksgiving table.  And who doesn't like gravy?

Still in cash cash cash and going crazy - lol.  It is so tempting to be a greater fool, isn't it?  NO!  Don't do it, Muck!

***
Stocks dragged down by tech earnings
CNN MONEY | JULY 19, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/oko1Z


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Still in Cash

I am still in cash and not putting money to work in the market this summer. Waiting for the correction that never comes. Have you ever waited at a bus stop and the bus doesn't show up? Feels a little like that.

 

It doesn't seem to matter about domestic stock earnings or foreign market problems right now. It's just when is Bernanke and the Fed going to stop stimulating the economy. That's all that matters. That's all that people are watching. It seems as long as the Fed is in the news all the time promising the moon and stars, everything is okay.

 

I'm not going to play along because I still believe in the greater fool theory.

 

***

Still at home with broken feet. BROKEN!

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Market thoughts Randomosity

• I have been wrong about the stock market. I keep expecting the summer correction, but the market is very resilient. It may be the Fed it may be whatever but it just goes up and up.
• I am still in cash, and sticking with my summer correction prediction. But it is frustrating to see the market go up. I'm glad I'm not short though.
• I have been home a lot the past month with my feet. I have fractures in each due to cycling. So that is even more uncomfortable than missing new bull market highs. But that is why I am not blogging as much or doing audio boos as much. And no walking the dog!
• Boeing is dropping on the fire of Ethiopia 787. Maybe I should throw some cash at that right? Panic selling for no reason probably.
• Boeing is affecting the overall market now to as the Dow is negative.
• Say, the Los Angeles Dodgers have sure turned things around right? I have watched most every game this year, and the last month is better than the first two right?
• TGIF

 

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Oil prices surge above $105, gasoline tops $3.50

Increasing fuel prices take money from people's wallets that would normally get spent on other stuff - retail, restaurants, movies, etc.  But we go through this at least once or twice a year lately, so I wonder how much it really impacts us at this level anymore?  Probably not as much as the first time fuel prices were this high, right?

***

Oil prices surge above $105, gasoline tops $3.50
CNN MONEY | JULY 10, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/nOssA


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#224: Market Thoughts and My New Fancy Watch

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Smartwatches

Do you need a Smartwatch? Apple, Google, Dell, Pebble... Everyone seems to be thinking you do. Just as many folks have taken off their watches and just use their phones to get the time of day!  Plus, these things are pricey and will need to be charged frequently.  
My battery in my cheap Timex died last week.  I went all week with no watch and realized I missed it.  I went to Amazon and ordered a $20 replacement.  Cheap.  Shower proof.  Long lasting battery. 
Oh...  And tells me the time.  *** 

Wall St. Cheat Sheet Another Company Joins the Smartwatch Race — Is Apple Falling Behind?

Is Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) falling behind in the smartwatch race? It seemed that not long after rumors of Apple's smartwatch development emerged late last year, other companies began announcing their own smartwatch projects. Dell (NASDAQ:DELL) is the latest tech company to join the smartphone race as the beleaguered PC maker looks for additional sources of income amid falling desktop computer sales

Investing Insights: Will Dell Stage A Recovery? Read the original article from Wall St. Cheat Sheet

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wallstcheatsheet/FEQU/~3/9BipOIsPtnA/

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Temporary jobs boom

Many have been talking about the boom in temporary jobs. It seems like that is the growing part of the economy.  Is this just a reluctance to take on more expense? Or is this the future of job needs in the US?
Attention college students! It is very important to pick a major where there is a future!***
Business - Google News Temporary jobs becoming a permanent fixture - USA TODAY

Temporary jobs becoming a permanent fixture USA TODAY WASHINGTON (AP) — Hiring is exploding in the one corner of the U.S. economy where few want to be hired: temporary work. From Wal-Mart to General Motors to PepsiCo, companies are increasingly turning to temps and to a much larger universe of ...

http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHgeRT8GC0Ns9COr4nAeMLlTeFM_Q&url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/07/07/temporary-jobs-becoming-permanent-fixture/2496585/

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#223: Thoughts on Apple and the Market

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