I Bought the New iPad

Yes, I bought a new iPad today.  $AAPL.

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

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.

BRB, In Reno Watching March Madness

In Reno watching and betting on March Madness games...

#150: Stock Market Rips Through 13,000; Bernanke, Banks, and the Barking Dog

The Get Me In at Any Price Market

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.

Jolt Cola Market

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.

Sold Some Stocks Today!

I sold some stocks heading into the close today.  Rotated some into low beta, and am in cash with other.  My thought is that we are retesting the previous top as volume trails off.  Seeing negative divergences.  I’m wondering if the seasonal sell signal comes a bit early this year.

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?