Market Thoughts and Randomosity

• $AAPL – So now the price point is at a place where we can trade options on it.
• $SPY - Stock indices at or near all time highs.  Pretty amazing.  Sell in May not working (again).
• I am about 75% long, including some stocks but I have trimmed a lot of the high beta stocks for the $SPY recently.
• I don’t think it’s time to be very aggressive.  But hard to stay out when the bull market is trending.  The market has busted out of the trading range and is providing a nice ride up for long positions.  The signs of a market top are out there, but like we saw in other recent bubbles the last move up can keep going on and on longer than anyone expects
• Been watching the new Making Money with Charles Payne show on Fox Business.  I like Charles. I think his stock picks are a little shaky.  More on that this weekend.
• Speaking of, I have been keeping up with the IBD 50 and Fox Business Block stocks.  More this weekend.  But have been taking a break from blogging and audiobooing.
• We know bull markets don’t last forever.  We also know the economic numbers seem a little weak. I guess the Fed QE is what is keeping it going. 
• Low interest rates have been like a tax cut for folks, as payments on mortgages have dropped.  Less money spent on the house payment means more money for vacations and other stuff.
• $NFLX - Watching The Walking Dead on Netflix, but just finished Season 3.  When will Season 4 be available?

It Wasn't Just Apple! Netflix Bombed, Too!

$NFLX bombed, too! Down 25% for the day, to $60.28. Reed Hastings blamed the Summer Olympics for making it tough to get new subscribers. Maybe it's the Equestrian events. I don't know.The bottom line, in my opinion, is competition. There are other ways to get content. Lets add the global slowdown and higher prices to the mix. Netflix didn't get more popular with the 2011 fee increases.

By the way, I still love Netflix.

My thoughts on Netflix over the past 3 years:

• Audioboo #2
  
• Audioboo #5
  
• Audioboo #108
  
• Audioboo #120

Posted with Blogsy

#133: Audioboo/Podcast on Top News of the Day

Show Notes!

• Stocks up for the year - barely! 
• Gold down 5 days in a row 
• Europe, Europe, Europe! 
• Online gambling! 
• Netflix! 
• Iran threatens Strait of Hormuz 
• Oil prices and the US Economy, how to invest in oil 
• Companies reluctant to hire! 
• Sears! 
• Android activations soar! 
• Movie theaters lagging 
• Must read financial blogs 
• Most admired list includes Obama and Bush

#120: $NFLX - Netflix Stock Crash, Stocks Swoon on Europe, and the Obama Refinancing Plan

#108: Market Crash, Netflix, Solyndra, Gold, Solar Energy

Netflix Reports, Drops Afterhours

I love Netflix, but don't own $NFLX. They reported earnings and now 7% of Americans subscribe to Netflix. Including me!

I missed the stock. Afraid of competition with the low barrier of entry to streaming content over the internet. But the stock has been a huge winner so far. I still don't want it no matter what happens on the charts. I'm still thinking Amazon, Google, Apple, Comcast, ATT... Lots of players out there trying to get eyeballs.

Netflix taking a hit after-hours on future projections.

Netflix ($NFLX) Shorts Get Smacked!

Netflix reported earnings yesterday and, well, take a look at the 5-day chart. I'd say investors reacted positively and those who were short had a come-to-Jesus moment.

I heard that there were something like 11 million shares short with. 45 mil float.

Holy buckets. There are many folks buying into the belief that either this stock is over valued or that the competition will catch up.

If you listen to the boos you know that I missed the move up and believe that at some point, Google, Apple, Disney, Amazon, Hulu, or whoever will catch up and take market share.

I think wide adaptation will require convenience. Whoever figures that out, wins.

But you have to hand it to Netflix for execution. And a great service.

I love what they do. But I don't own, and thankfully haven't shorted, any shares.

CPI Falling Randomosity

• Stocks trade near their daily low on the fears that the world is coming apart at the seams. Stocks are down sharply at midday as economic worries and speculation over the fate of U.S. automakers keeps buyers on the sidelines.
• I know I'm becoming such an iPhone fanboy.  Sorry.  It's like a virus that's overwhelming my system.  With that in mind, check out this funny, "iStone vs. iPhone."
• Consumer prices dropped at the fastest rate on record.  CPI down 1%.  Analysts said earlier concern about inflation risks may soon be replaced by worry about deflation, which also has a corrosive effect on the economy's performance.  Maybe that's due to all those FREE apps in iPhone app store. 
• President Elect Barack Obama selects Tom Daschle as health secretary.  Does it seem strange to you that the guy who promoted change during the election campaign is recycling the same-old politicians?
• Yeah, we want folks with experience next to President No Experience.  I get that and think it's probably a good idea.  So bring in Daschle, Summers, Rubin, et al.  We need folks who have been there.  I'm not so sure of Hillary dealing with foreign policy issues, though.
• Kind of an interesting read about Netflix, Microsoft, and Sony.  Sony has made some of their movie content available to Netflix, for the instant-watching devices.  Well, except Sony wants to exclude the Microsoft XBOX 360.  Because Sony has the PS3. 
• Speaking of, Microsoft's Chief Executive Steve Ballmer on Wednesday ruled out an acquisition of Yahoo Inc (YHOO.O) but said his company was very interested in resuming talks on a Web search partnership.
• Hey, Jason was in a bicycling accident. Stop by and wish him well!  He's one of our favorite financial bloggers!