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Microsoft’s Windows 8 Is Likely Not A Winning Ticket
The Wall Street Journal described the excitement surrounding Microsoft’s (MSFT) next “growth” product: Windows 8! It is a highlight of this week’s Consumer Electronics Show. However, while looking at the photo of smiling CEO Ballmer with Intel (INTC) CEO Otellini, I was hit with déjà vu visions of the Pennsylvania Railroad, U.S. Steel (X),... »
Even Leading Companies Can Disappear Into the Sunset
Buy-and-hold investing carries a wonderful vision: Find a successful company Buy the company’s stock Sit back, relax, and watch the money grow The problem is that most successful companies peter out, either meandering around some plateau, producing no return — or, worse, falling back with mounting losses. Many events and conditions can cause firms... »
Cerner: Healthcare Plus Technology Equals Right Place, Right Time
Cerner (CERN) caught my interest last year because of its outstanding stock performance. It is a part of the healthcare field’s modernization developments that focus on coordinating and improving medical care through technology. The company’s growth shows in its results – long-term double-digit percentage gains in both sales and earnings. The outlook for 2012:... »
CME Group’s Misfit Website Questions Management’s Skill
I was doing some Dow Jones index analysis and happened across flaws on a CME Group (CME) website that makes me question management’s skill. The misfit finding is one of those odd facts, like a bad puzzle piece, that doesn’t match the picture of a desirable investment. This article is posted on SeekingAlpha.com »
Time To Be Contrarian About U.S. Stock Holdings
I recently wrote about U.S. stocks recovering their valuations after this year’s sell-off. However, that doesn’t mean the market’s rise is over. There is another source of gains that is potentially very large. However, to view it, we need to take a contrarian stance. This article is posted on SeekingAlpha.com »
Waving Goodbye To 2 Of My 3 Wall Street Stocks
Last month I described a 3-stock Wall Street portfolio that I believed offered a good – and diversified – approach to investing in Wall Street’s activities. However, I’ve had a change of heart and have cut two of the positions. The three holdings were Goldman Sachs (GS), JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and KKR (KKR). Now,... »
7 Attractively Valued Dow Stocks
The 3rd quarter earnings report season is about over, allowing analysts and investors to incorporate both the company results and outlooks into their thinking. On Monday we examined the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) overall. Today we will see how individual firms have fared. This article is posted on SeekingAlpha.com »
Stock Market’s Health: Recovered, But Not Yet Normal
The stock market has fully recovered its lost ground from this year’s sell-off. Analysts and investors have now incorporated lower economic growth forecasts, information from company earnings reports/outlooks, and mega-trend fears. Evaluating the earnings adjustments and the stock market’s valuation show a stock market that has recovered from its oversold position. Moreover, future growth... »
Caterpillar – Up 30% With More To Go
For two years following the March 2009 bottom, Caterpillar (CAT) led the stock market ever higher. It even gave Apple (AAPL) a run for its money. Then it ran into two downdrafts this year. The first, April-June, was a valuation adjustment in line with the stock market. The second, July-September, was a recession fear... »
Low Consumer Confidence: A Nice Contrarian Indicator
Throughout the summer, we’ve heard about declining consumer confidence (AKA, sentiment). The conclusion typically drawn is that low consumer confidence now likely means low consumer spending ahead. Until recently, warnings have been sounded about weak winter holiday sales. Now, however, consumer confidence readings are creeping back, and retail sales are actually looking good. How... »
Goodbye Boeing, Hello ITT
Boeing (BA) just reported good earnings, the 787 delays appear to be over and the company, along with Airbus (EAD.EU), picked up many orders from commercial airlines, now flush with baggage fee cash. My original reasons for owning Boeing have been fulfilled, so it’s time to move on to something more interesting. This article... »
Wall Street Signals A Bull Market In U.S. Stocks
It’s been slow coming. After a rare quadruple bottom, the U.S. stock market has risen this month (October, no less!) amidst continuing angst and warnings. The whisper economic reports (“psst… they’re actually looking better”) remained out of the spotlight as Europe, politics and other negative “stuff” was tossed about as proof that we were... »
Netflix’s Classic Mistake Is Irreversible And Life-Threatening
Netflix (NFLX) management tried to do the right thing, but they implemented their strategy incorrectly. Unfortunately, their classic mistake cannot be rectified. Worse, because Netflix is non-diversified, the costly error could put it on a course similar to Blockbuster (BLOAQ). This article is posted on SeekingAlpha.com »
Earnings Are Strike Two For Apple
Strike one was Apple’s (AAPL) loss of Steve Jobs. Strike two is Apple’s financial report, while dazzling, coming in below expectations. Strike three? The pitch is on the way – but more about that later. First, let’s discuss why those first two items are clearly strikes. This article is posted on SeekingAlpha.com »
3 Wall Street Stocks That Should Be Occupying Your Portfolio
With their stocks well off their highs and significantly lagging the markets, Wall Street companies have gotten a bad rap. Add in congressional-regulatory disagreements plus “Occupy Wall Street” protests and many question the wisdom of owning any of these firms. From a contrarian standpoint, this is a good environment to consider buying the good... »
John Tobey on Seeking Alpha
