The top two performers in the portfolio today -- the day after Christmas -- were a coal mining company and a coal mining machinery company. Each gained more than 3%. Coal stocks have actually been stellar performer...read more
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Random Thoughts
Typically, we prefer addressing a single issue in our blog entries. But on some rare occasions, several thoughts cross our mind, and we're not quite sure which idea deserves our focus. In today's blog, we'll switch...read more
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Milk and Cookies
While the markets aren't selling off too strongly today, the stocks of several recent leaders are. What is interesting to note is that the declines in these names aren't related to any fundamental disappointments. ...read more
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A Reader Asks...
In response to today's earlier post, Milk and Cookies, a reader asks... "Where do you look to buy if a recession is on the horizon? How do you protect yourself in a recession and still make some money versus hiding...read more
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Reading the Body Language
The producer and consumer price indices -- both measures of inflation -- were released over the last two days, showing greater pricing pressures than had been expected, both at the core and non-core levels. And yet...read more
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A Visit with Mark Shapiro, General Manager of the Cleveland Indians
Yesterday morning, I attended a breakfast with guest speaker Mark Shapiro, General Manager of the Cleveland Indians. While I’m no expert, I have learned a great deal more about the game through my twelve year old s...read more
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Weather or Taxes?
We all know that birds, vacationers, retirees and the like all head south this time of year to escape the colder weather. More recently however, it seems the only ones returning once the sun comes out are the birds...read more
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Naughty and Nice
We've been busy checking our list once, checking it twice, trying to figure out which sectors have been naughty and which have been nice. And in spite of two continued lumps of coal in the housing and banking secto...read more
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A Risky Time for Tax Increases
While we are bullish on the equity markets, particularly for growth investors, there are always risks. One of the primary risks for 2008 will likely be the Presidential election. Typically, it hasn't mattered a who...read more
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A Reader Asks...
A Reader Asked "I would like your opinion re: the largest pension funds in the U.S. changing their asset allocation reducing their U.S. equities significantly. Are foreign and emerging markets going to reap thew be...read more
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Monsters and Muck
The market is just on fire today. I can't say that any one piece of news has sparked the rally, but it is a monster rally all the same. At this moment in time, the S&P 500 and Russell 1000 Growth indices are up 1.8...read more
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Abu Dhabi, Citigroup Convertibles, and Trotter Treadmills
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority invested $7.5 billion of much needed capital into Citigroup through the purchase of convertible bonds today. The bonds must be converted to Citigroup equity at $32 to $37 per shar...read more
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Stuffed
The last three months of each year follows the same pattern. Trick or Treat, Stuffed Turkey, and then Santa Claus. A crescendo of gluttony beckons and then drowns us in a boat of commercial gravy. Today’s Cleveland...read more
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Volatility Anyone
The market continues to vacillate significantly approaching the lows we saw in August as we head into this holiday weekend. For instance, our portfolio has been up as much as one and half percent today and down as ...read more
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Engines & Brakes
Earnings season is almost officially over, which is good news to our ears as it has been a tough one for stocks. Since peaking at the end of October, the S&P 500 and Russell 1000 Growth Indices have declined 7% whi...read more
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Digging the Dollar (or Not)
Everyone loves to talk about the dollar these days. Even super models are in on the action. It's THE thing to do. Mention the dollar at a cocktail party and people will gather around and bob their heads up and down...read more
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Hammered
The markets are getting slammed again today and while all the indices are down like yesterday, some are more so than others. Technology, which has enjoyed a very strong run off the August lows is getting hit the ha...read more
Over time, energy stocks tend to follow the price of oil quite closely. The price of oil has climbed from $20 a barrel five years ago to $97 a barrel today. Over the same time, one of the most popular Energy Exchan...read more
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La La Land
Large write offs at several high profile financial companies have weighed on the markets in recent days. These major financial blunders are a reminder that there are no free lunches. Unless you're living in La La L...read more
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What's Lurking Around that Corner?
At about this time last quarter, folks were completely obsessed with what the Fed's next move would be. While folks certainly care this time around, the issue just doesn't seem to engender the same sense of urgency...read more
