SeekingAlpha.com: Home Page Home Page RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.com Bank of England Highlights Benefits of Currency Depreciation http://seekingalpha.com/article/175188-bank-of-england-highlights-benefits-of-currency-depreciation?source=feed 175188 The Bank of England (BoE) released its “Inflation Report” on November 11, 2009. This was my first time ever reviewing the report and watching BoE Governor Mervyn King in action as he coolly parried with reporters during the press conference covering the report.

The latest Inflation Report frequently references the benefits of the depreciation of sterling (I refer to the currency as the British pound):

]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:09:26 -0500 Dr. Duru Dr. Duru submits:

The Bank of England (BoE) released its “Inflation Report” on November 11, 2009. This was my first time ever reviewing the report and watching BoE Governor Mervyn King in action as he coolly parried with reporters during the press conference covering the report.

The latest Inflation Report frequently references the benefits of the depreciation of sterling (I refer to the currency as the British pound):


Complete Story »]]> FXE GBB FXB EWU Dr. Duru Giant Interactive Group, Inc. Q3 2009 Earnings Call Transcript http://seekingalpha.com/article/175187-giant-interactive-group-inc-q3-2009-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed 175187 Giant Interactive Group, Inc. (GA)

Q3 2009 Earnings Call

November 24, 2009 08:00 pm ET

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:38:07 -0500 Giant Interactive Group, Inc. (GA)

Q3 2009 Earnings Call

November 24, 2009 08:00 pm ET


Complete Story »]]> GA Blue Coat Systems, Inc. Q2 2010 Earnings Call Transcript http://seekingalpha.com/article/175186-blue-coat-systems-inc-q2-2010-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed 175186 Blue Coat Systems, Inc. (BCSI)

Q2 2010 Earnings Call

November 24, 2009 5:00 pm ET

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:46:07 -0500 Blue Coat Systems, Inc. (BCSI)

Q2 2010 Earnings Call

November 24, 2009 5:00 pm ET


Complete Story »]]> BCSI QAD Inc. F3Q10 (Qtr End 31/10/09) Earnings Call Transcript http://seekingalpha.com/article/175185-qad-inc-f3q10-qtr-end-31-10-09-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed 175185 QAD Inc. QADI

F3Q10 Earnings Call

November 24, 2009; 05:00 pm ET

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:05:09 -0500 QAD Inc. QADI

F3Q10 Earnings Call

November 24, 2009; 05:00 pm ET


Complete Story »]]> QADI Netezza Corp. F3Q10 (Qtr End 31/10/09) Earnings Call Transcript http://seekingalpha.com/article/175184-netezza-corp-f3q10-qtr-end-31-10-09-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed 175184 Netezza Corp. (NZ)

F3Q10 Earnings Call

November 24, 2009; 4:30 pm ET

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:05:08 -0500 Netezza Corp. (NZ)

F3Q10 Earnings Call

November 24, 2009; 4:30 pm ET


Complete Story »]]> NZ Coldwater Creek, Inc. Q3 2009 (Qtr End 10/31/09) Earnings Call Transcript http://seekingalpha.com/article/175183-coldwater-creek-inc-q3-2009-qtr-end-10-31-09-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed 175183 Coldwater Creek, Inc. (CWTR)

Q3 2009 Earnings Call

November 24, 2009 5:00 pm ET

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:05:06 -0500 Coldwater Creek, Inc. (CWTR)

Q3 2009 Earnings Call

November 24, 2009 5:00 pm ET


Complete Story »]]> CWTR TiVo Inc. F3Q10 (Qtr End 10/31/2009) Earnings Call Transcript http://seekingalpha.com/article/175182-tivo-inc-f3q10-qtr-end-10-31-2009-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed 175182

TiVo Inc. (TIVO)

F3Q10 (Qtr End 10/31/2009) Earnings Call

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:03:10 -0500

TiVo Inc. (TIVO)

F3Q10 (Qtr End 10/31/2009) Earnings Call


Complete Story »]]> TIVO J. Crew Group, Inc. Q3 2009 Earnings Call Transcript http://seekingalpha.com/article/175181-j-crew-group-inc-q3-2009-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed 175181 J. Crew Group, Inc. (JCG)

Q3 2009 Earnings Call

November 24, 2009 4:30 pm ET

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:52:07 -0500 J. Crew Group, Inc. (JCG)

Q3 2009 Earnings Call

November 24, 2009 4:30 pm ET


Complete Story »]]> JCG Zale Corporation F1Q10 (Qtr End 10/31/09) Earnings Call Transcript http://seekingalpha.com/article/175180-zale-corporation-f1q10-qtr-end-10-31-09-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed 175180 Zale Corporation (ZLC)

F1Q10 (Qtr End 10/31/09) Earnings Call

November 24, 2009 10:30 am ET

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:04:07 -0500 Zale Corporation (ZLC)

F1Q10 (Qtr End 10/31/09) Earnings Call

November 24, 2009 10:30 am ET


Complete Story »]]> ZLC BMO Financial Group F4Q09 (Qtr End 10/31/09) Earnings Call Transcript http://seekingalpha.com/article/175179-bmo-financial-group-f4q09-qtr-end-10-31-09-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed 175179 BMO Financial Group (BMO)

Q4 2009 Earnings Call

November 24, 2009 2:00 pm ET

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:39:07 -0500 BMO Financial Group (BMO)

Q4 2009 Earnings Call

November 24, 2009 2:00 pm ET


Complete Story »]]> BMO Citi: Expect Strong Economic Growth Worldwide in 2010 http://seekingalpha.com/article/175178-citi-expect-strong-economic-growth-worldwide-in-2010?source=feed 175178 Citigroup Inc. (C) forecasts strong economic growth in many countries in 2010. But although the company expects several countries to experience economic growth, it predicts that the growth will be somewhat uneven.

According to the annual report of Citi’s Investment Research and Analysis group, though growth will be strong and even across major economies in the beginning of the year, it will be uneven later. Citi expects Asia, excluding Japan, to experience sustained economic growth. Though the U.S. is expected to see fairly strong economic growth, the recovery will be more gradual in Europe and Japan.

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:08:03 -0500 Zacks.com Zacks.com submits:

Citigroup Inc. (C) forecasts strong economic growth in many countries in 2010. But although the company expects several countries to experience economic growth, it predicts that the growth will be somewhat uneven.

According to the annual report of Citi’s Investment Research and Analysis group, though growth will be strong and even across major economies in the beginning of the year, it will be uneven later. Citi expects Asia, excluding Japan, to experience sustained economic growth. Though the U.S. is expected to see fairly strong economic growth, the recovery will be more gradual in Europe and Japan.


Complete Story »]]> C Zacks.com Gold Is Rallying: Now Where Do We Keep It? http://seekingalpha.com/article/175177-gold-is-rallying-now-where-do-we-keep-it?source=feed 175177 In another sign of the times, now that big investors are beating down the doors of HSBC (HBC) asking them to store their growing quantities of gold bullion as part of the 2009 mad dash to shore up investment portfolios with something that is not paper and has no counterparty risk, the little guy who had his bars and coins stored there is getting the boot.

The Wall Street Journal has the details:

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:02:12 -0500 Tim Iacono Tim Iacono submits:

In another sign of the times, now that big investors are beating down the doors of HSBC (HBC) asking them to store their growing quantities of gold bullion as part of the 2009 mad dash to shore up investment portfolios with something that is not paper and has no counterparty risk, the little guy who had his bars and coins stored there is getting the boot.

The Wall Street Journal has the details:


Complete Story »]]> HBC GLD IAU DGL Tim Iacono Mortgage Mess: A Quarter of All Borrowers Are Underwater http://seekingalpha.com/article/175176-mortgage-mess-a-quarter-of-all-borrowers-are-underwater?source=feed 175176 Splashed across the front page of today's Wall Street Journal is this story about how almost 11 million homeowners in the U.S. - nearly one-quarter of all homeowners with mortgages - now owe more than their house is worth.

Also, the very cool interactive graphic shown below along with a sortable table is well worth poking around at a little in order to learn more (not here, at the WSJ).
IMAGE For example, if you follow the link above and then click atop the right-most column, you'll find that Nevada homeowners, as a group, have a loan to value ratio of 114% and a net homeowner negative equity of almost $15 billion!

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:56:50 -0500 Tim Iacono Tim Iacono submits:

Splashed across the front page of today's Wall Street Journal is this story about how almost 11 million homeowners in the U.S. - nearly one-quarter of all homeowners with mortgages - now owe more than their house is worth.

Also, the very cool interactive graphic shown below along with a sortable table is well worth poking around at a little in order to learn more (not here, at the WSJ).
IMAGE For example, if you follow the link above and then click atop the right-most column, you'll find that Nevada homeowners, as a group, have a loan to value ratio of 114% and a net homeowner negative equity of almost $15 billion!


Complete Story »]]> Tim Iacono Investors Still Nervous, Despite Equity Rally http://seekingalpha.com/article/175175-investors-still-nervous-despite-equity-rally?source=feed 175175 The market may have recovered partially from its illness over the last two years, but investors are still queasy when it comes to equities. The market is up by more than +60% since the March 2009 lows, despite the unemployment rate continuing to tick higher to 10.2% in October. Even though equity markets have rebounded, recovering investors have flocked to the drug store with their prescriptions for bonds. Mark Dodson, CFA, from Hays Advisory published a telling chart that highlights the extreme aversion savers have shown towards stocks.

Source: Hays Advisory LLC (Thomson Reuters Datastream)

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:30:46 -0500 Wade Slome Wade Slome submits:

The market may have recovered partially from its illness over the last two years, but investors are still queasy when it comes to equities. The market is up by more than +60% since the March 2009 lows, despite the unemployment rate continuing to tick higher to 10.2% in October. Even though equity markets have rebounded, recovering investors have flocked to the drug store with their prescriptions for bonds. Mark Dodson, CFA, from Hays Advisory published a telling chart that highlights the extreme aversion savers have shown towards stocks.

Source: Hays Advisory LLC (Thomson Reuters Datastream)


Complete Story »]]> SPY DIA QQQQ Wade Slome Will EUR/USD Break Out During the Holiday? http://seekingalpha.com/article/175174-will-eur-usd-break-out-during-the-holiday?source=feed 175174 Despite numerous fundamental economic reports, this pair continues to trade in an orderly fashion within the defined trading range of 1.48 to 1.50. The preliminary US GDP report came in at a positive 2.8%, one tick less that the anticipated 2.9, but less than the initial high ball report of 3.5%. The US Conference Board Survey of consumer confidence showed increasing optimism, 49.5% versus anticipated 47.6 and the previous period's 48.7, but did remain at historic lows.

Optimism was not confined to the US. A respected German business survey rated the business conditions at 93.9 versus 92.6, and 91.3 in the previous period. These rating were a 13-month high. Offsetting this report, however, were renewed concerns of difficulties in the banking industries.
A regional German bank was reported to have too many "toxic" assets and would either fail or be reorganized. There were stories about UBS difficulties, and Chinese regulators were concerned that some of their banks were getting to loose with loans. In England, Lloyds (LYG) was trying to raise billions to stay solvent without help from the Bank of England. So banking difficulties are neither new or isolated to a few countries.

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:23:45 -0500 Ralph Shell Despite numerous fundamental economic reports, this pair continues to trade in an orderly fashion within the defined trading range of 1.48 to 1.50. The preliminary US GDP report came in at a positive 2.8%, one tick less that the anticipated 2.9, but less than the initial high ball report of 3.5%. The US Conference Board Survey of consumer confidence showed increasing optimism, 49.5% versus anticipated 47.6 and the previous period's 48.7, but did remain at historic lows.

Optimism was not confined to the US. A respected German business survey rated the business conditions at 93.9 versus 92.6, and 91.3 in the previous period. These rating were a 13-month high. Offsetting this report, however, were renewed concerns of difficulties in the banking industries.
A regional German bank was reported to have too many "toxic" assets and would either fail or be reorganized. There were stories about UBS difficulties, and Chinese regulators were concerned that some of their banks were getting to loose with loans. In England, Lloyds (LYG) was trying to raise billions to stay solvent without help from the Bank of England. So banking difficulties are neither new or isolated to a few countries.


Complete Story »]]> ERO UUP UDN Ralph Shell Foot Locker Misses Expectations in Third Quarter http://seekingalpha.com/article/175173-foot-locker-misses-expectations-in-third-quarter?source=feed 175173 Foot Locker Inc. (FL) swung to a GAAP net loss of $6 million during its fiscal 2009 third quarter, from a GAAP net income of $24 million in the year-ago period. The quarterly result included a $22 million impairment charge associated with the company’s long-lived assets in the U.S. Excluding the charge, earnings per share came in at 10 cents, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 23%, or 3 cents.

The company posted a 7.3% decline in net sales to $1.2 billion during the quarter, compared to $1.3 billion in the year-ago period. The decline was primarily caused by an 8.2% reduction in same-store sales, a key performance metric for retailers, coupled with the closure of 113 stores in the last one-year period.

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:21:42 -0500 Zacks.com Zacks.com submits:

Foot Locker Inc. (FL) swung to a GAAP net loss of $6 million during its fiscal 2009 third quarter, from a GAAP net income of $24 million in the year-ago period. The quarterly result included a $22 million impairment charge associated with the company’s long-lived assets in the U.S. Excluding the charge, earnings per share came in at 10 cents, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 23%, or 3 cents.

The company posted a 7.3% decline in net sales to $1.2 billion during the quarter, compared to $1.3 billion in the year-ago period. The decline was primarily caused by an 8.2% reduction in same-store sales, a key performance metric for retailers, coupled with the closure of 113 stores in the last one-year period.


Complete Story »]]> FL Zacks.com Third Quarter Corporate Profits Very Strong http://seekingalpha.com/article/175172-third-quarter-corporate-profits-very-strong?source=feed 175172

With Tuesday's revisions to third quarter GDP came the first look at corporate profits, and they were huge. Profits after tax are up 16% since the end of last year. This chart compares profits to GDP; note that the scales on both y-axes are similarly calibrated. What jumps out to me is that despite a wrenching recession, corporate profits today have risen substantially more than nominal GDP since the 2001 recession. Profits have essentially doubled in the past 8 years, while nominal GDP has increased by 40% and the S&P 500 has made no progress at all. It would be quite difficult to conclude from this that equities are overvalued, in my opinion.
]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:19:03 -0500 Calafia Beach Pundit Calafia Beach Pundit submits:


With Tuesday's revisions to third quarter GDP came the first look at corporate profits, and they were huge. Profits after tax are up 16% since the end of last year. This chart compares profits to GDP; note that the scales on both y-axes are similarly calibrated. What jumps out to me is that despite a wrenching recession, corporate profits today have risen substantially more than nominal GDP since the 2001 recession. Profits have essentially doubled in the past 8 years, while nominal GDP has increased by 40% and the S&P 500 has made no progress at all. It would be quite difficult to conclude from this that equities are overvalued, in my opinion.

Complete Story »]]> DIA SPY QQQQ Calafia Beach Pundit Barnes & Noble: Ramping Up Production of the Nook Isn't Cheap http://seekingalpha.com/article/175171-barnes-noble-ramping-up-production-of-the-nook-isn-t-cheap?source=feed 175171 Barnes & Noble (BKS) said Tuesday that it will invest heavily on boosting production of its nook e-reader and that move will hurt future earnings.

Barnes & Noble cut its outlook for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2010. The bookseller said that retail traffic “will remain challenged during the holiday season.” But we knew that already. The big reason for Barnes & Noble’s new outlook is investment in the nook, which is sold out.

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:14:19 -0500 Larry Dignan Larry Dignan (ZDNet) submits:

Barnes & Noble (BKS) said Tuesday that it will invest heavily on boosting production of its nook e-reader and that move will hurt future earnings.

Barnes & Noble cut its outlook for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2010. The bookseller said that retail traffic “will remain challenged during the holiday season.” But we knew that already. The big reason for Barnes & Noble’s new outlook is investment in the nook, which is sold out.


Complete Story »]]> BKS Larry Dignan Google Wows, But Bing's Cashback Is Even Better http://seekingalpha.com/article/175165-google-wows-but-bing-s-cashback-is-even-better?source=feed 175165 As I mentioned Monday, I love Bing’s shopping engine. In no small part because I can earn some serious cashback. As long as I make sure I’m getting the lowest price in the first place, the cashback makes it worth using Bing.

So, Google Product Search can wave all the new fancy features in front of me that it wants, if I ain’t getting a kickback, I ain’t using Google!

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:08:56 -0500 Andy Beal Andy Beal submits:

As I mentioned Monday, I love Bing’s shopping engine. In no small part because I can earn some serious cashback. As long as I make sure I’m getting the lowest price in the first place, the cashback makes it worth using Bing.

So, Google Product Search can wave all the new fancy features in front of me that it wants, if I ain’t getting a kickback, I ain’t using Google!


Complete Story »]]> MSFT GOOG Andy Beal AutoZone: Earnings Preview http://seekingalpha.com/article/175170-autozone-earnings-preview?source=feed 175170 AutoZone (AZO) is expected to release its sales and earnings results for the fiscal first quarter before the opening bell on Dec 8. The Memphis, Tennessee-based retailer of automotive replacement parts reported a 3.1% year-over-year fall in its profit to $236.1 million or $4.43 per share for the fourth quarter of its fiscal 2009 ended Aug 29, 2009.

With this, AutoZone has managed to come close to the Zacks Consensus Estimate profit of $4.45 per share. For the first quarter, Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company is $2.68 per share, a decline of 40%, compared to the recorded earnings in the previous quarter.

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:07:42 -0500 Zacks.com Zacks.com submits:

AutoZone (AZO) is expected to release its sales and earnings results for the fiscal first quarter before the opening bell on Dec 8. The Memphis, Tennessee-based retailer of automotive replacement parts reported a 3.1% year-over-year fall in its profit to $236.1 million or $4.43 per share for the fourth quarter of its fiscal 2009 ended Aug 29, 2009.

With this, AutoZone has managed to come close to the Zacks Consensus Estimate profit of $4.45 per share. For the first quarter, Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company is $2.68 per share, a decline of 40%, compared to the recorded earnings in the previous quarter.


Complete Story »]]> AZO Zacks.com Avanir Pharmaceuticals F4Q09 (Qtr End 09/30/2009) Earnings Call Transcript http://seekingalpha.com/article/175169-avanir-pharmaceuticals-f4q09-qtr-end-09-30-2009-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed 175169

Avanir Pharmaceuticals (AVNR)

F4Q09 (Qtr End 09/30/2009) Earnings Call

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:04:07 -0500

Avanir Pharmaceuticals (AVNR)

F4Q09 (Qtr End 09/30/2009) Earnings Call


Complete Story »]]> AVNR Apple's AT&T Deal: Setting the Record Straight http://seekingalpha.com/article/175166-apple-s-at-t-deal-setting-the-record-straight?source=feed 175166 Broadpoint AmTech analyst Brian Marshall recently appeared on Bloomberg TV to discuss Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone exclusivity agreement with AT&T (T). Marshall believes that Apple should move away from its exclusive AT&T agreement and begin offering the iPhone through Verizon (VZ). He believes adding Verizon could boost iPhone unit sales by 14 million. Marshall states that AT&T’s exclusivity ends in June 2010, and explains why Apple would benefit by offering the iPhone through Verizon. Fortune’s Apple 2.0 and Silicon Alley Insider summarized several of Marshall’s points, which I believe aren’t entirely accurate.

Here is a video of the Bloomberg TV Interview
1) Apple receives a $450 subsidy.
Incorrect: Apple receives a $400 subsidy.
I know from talks with Best Buy (BBY) managers that the subsidy is $400. Best Buy purchases a 16GB iPhone from Apple for $542, and sells it for $199 with a 24-month service contract. AT&T reimburses Best Buy $400.
A 16GB iPhone without a contract commitment costs $599. If the subsidy were $450, then that price should be $650, or AT&T would be leaving $50 on the table. In addition, the math suggests $450 subsidy is too high given the ASPs implied by the cash value of iPhones sold reported by Apple.
2) After AT&T loses exclusivity that subsidy will drop to $300 for all carriers, domestic and international.
Incorrect: Subsidy shouldn’t change.
Tim cook addressed this issue on Apple's Q4 2009 conference call (from Seeking Alpha):

Gene Munster – Piper Jaffray

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:02:25 -0500 Turley Muller Turley Muller submits:

Broadpoint AmTech analyst Brian Marshall recently appeared on Bloomberg TV to discuss Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone exclusivity agreement with AT&T (T). Marshall believes that Apple should move away from its exclusive AT&T agreement and begin offering the iPhone through Verizon (VZ). He believes adding Verizon could boost iPhone unit sales by 14 million. Marshall states that AT&T’s exclusivity ends in June 2010, and explains why Apple would benefit by offering the iPhone through Verizon. Fortune’s Apple 2.0 and Silicon Alley Insider summarized several of Marshall’s points, which I believe aren’t entirely accurate.

Here is a video of the Bloomberg TV Interview
1) Apple receives a $450 subsidy.
Incorrect: Apple receives a $400 subsidy.
I know from talks with Best Buy (BBY) managers that the subsidy is $400. Best Buy purchases a 16GB iPhone from Apple for $542, and sells it for $199 with a 24-month service contract. AT&T reimburses Best Buy $400.
A 16GB iPhone without a contract commitment costs $599. If the subsidy were $450, then that price should be $650, or AT&T would be leaving $50 on the table. In addition, the math suggests $450 subsidy is too high given the ASPs implied by the cash value of iPhones sold reported by Apple.
2) After AT&T loses exclusivity that subsidy will drop to $300 for all carriers, domestic and international.
Incorrect: Subsidy shouldn’t change.
Tim cook addressed this issue on Apple's Q4 2009 conference call (from Seeking Alpha):

Gene Munster – Piper Jaffray


Complete Story »]]> AAPL T VZ Turley Muller dELiA*s, Inc. Q3 2009 Earnings Call Transcript http://seekingalpha.com/article/175168-delia-s-inc-q3-2009-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed 175168 dELiA*s, Inc. (DLIA)

Q3 2009 Earnings Call

November 24, 2008 10:00 am ET

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:02:09 -0500 dELiA*s, Inc. (DLIA)

Q3 2009 Earnings Call

November 24, 2008 10:00 am ET


Complete Story »]]> DLIA Atwood Oceanics Inc. F4Q09 (Qtr End 30/09/09) Earnings Call Transcript. http://seekingalpha.com/article/175167-atwood-oceanics-inc-f4q09-qtr-end-30-09-09-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed 175167 Atwood Oceanics Inc. (ATW)

F4Q09 Earnings Call

November 24, 2009; 11:00 AM ET

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:02:08 -0500 Atwood Oceanics Inc. (ATW)

F4Q09 Earnings Call

November 24, 2009; 11:00 AM ET


Complete Story »]]> ATW Defining Risk Tolerance for Asset Allocation http://seekingalpha.com/article/175163-defining-risk-tolerance-for-asset-allocation?source=feed 175163 When someone opens an account at an investment firm, one of the first things they will likely be asked to do is complete a risk-tolerance questionnaire (which will then be used by the advisor to recommend an asset allocation). Some observers think these questionnaires are not the best way to determine people’s risk preferences.

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:52:23 -0500 Larry MacDonald Larry MacDonald submits:

When someone opens an account at an investment firm, one of the first things they will likely be asked to do is complete a risk-tolerance questionnaire (which will then be used by the advisor to recommend an asset allocation). Some observers think these questionnaires are not the best way to determine people’s risk preferences.


Complete Story »]]> Larry MacDonald Four Recession Lessons ETF Investors Can Learn http://seekingalpha.com/article/175164-four-recession-lessons-etf-investors-can-learn?source=feed 175164 ETF recessionAfter a tumultuous year in the market, it’s wise for exchange traded fund (ETF) investors to take a step back and examine what went wrong and what can be done to avoid those same mistakes in the future.

Stock markets around the world have rallied, economies are coming back to life, the credit floodgates are flowing freely, banks are strengthening and consumers are spending again, remarks Ben Stein for Fortune. What have global citizens learned so far?

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:51:22 -0500 Tom Lydon Tom Lydon (ETF Trends) submits:

ETF recessionAfter a tumultuous year in the market, it’s wise for exchange traded fund (ETF) investors to take a step back and examine what went wrong and what can be done to avoid those same mistakes in the future.

Stock markets around the world have rallied, economies are coming back to life, the credit floodgates are flowing freely, banks are strengthening and consumers are spending again, remarks Ben Stein for Fortune. What have global citizens learned so far?


Complete Story »]]> Tom Lydon Buy American: U.S. Investors Shunning U.S. Mutual Funds http://seekingalpha.com/article/175162-buy-american-u-s-investors-shunning-u-s-mutual-funds?source=feed 175162

By David Parkinson

A funny thing happened to mom-and-pop U.S. investors on the way to 1,100 on the S&P 500. They, and their money, started looking elsewhere.

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:49:00 -0500 Market Blog Market Blog submits:

By David Parkinson

A funny thing happened to mom-and-pop U.S. investors on the way to 1,100 on the S&P 500. They, and their money, started looking elsewhere.


Complete Story »]]> SPY DIA QQQQ Market Blog With Housing So Affordable, Time to Go Long Homebuilders http://seekingalpha.com/article/175160-with-housing-so-affordable-time-to-go-long-homebuilders?source=feed 175160 The release of the Case-Schiller Home Price Index is just one of the plethora of housing indicators due to be released this week. We bought homebuilders based on low supply and the prospect of high demand. In fact, last week the National Association of Homebuilders released its Housing Affordability Index.

Click to enlarge:

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:46:11 -0500 Brian Kelly Brian Kelly submits:

The release of the Case-Schiller Home Price Index is just one of the plethora of housing indicators due to be released this week. We bought homebuilders based on low supply and the prospect of high demand. In fact, last week the National Association of Homebuilders released its Housing Affordability Index.

Click to enlarge:


Complete Story »]]> TOL HOV PHM XHB Brian Kelly Bank of Montreal: Playing Tight with Performance Bonuses http://seekingalpha.com/article/175161-bank-of-montreal-playing-tight-with-performance-bonuses?source=feed 175161

By Andrew Willis

Bank of Montreal (BMO) seems to be keeping a lid on bonus payments to its employees, a move that’s likely to play well with shareholders, but poorly with investment bankers.

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:45:26 -0500 Streetwise Blog Streetwise Blog submits:

By Andrew Willis

Bank of Montreal (BMO) seems to be keeping a lid on bonus payments to its employees, a move that’s likely to play well with shareholders, but poorly with investment bankers.


Complete Story »]]> BMO Streetwise Blog Face It: The FDIC Is Broke http://seekingalpha.com/article/175159-face-it-the-fdic-is-broke?source=feed 175159

Yes, really.

Off the wire this morning:

FDIC Deposit fund had negative $8.2B balance in Q3

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:43:58 -0500 Karl Denninger Karl Denninger submits:

Yes, really.

Off the wire this morning:

FDIC Deposit fund had negative $8.2B balance in Q3


Complete Story »]]> Karl Denninger