How Obamacare Could Harm Growth In 2014, Part III [View article]
Great article!! I have followed your series of them so far and look forward to your upcoming articles. The ACA is horrible for businesses, and employees, and companies are preparing now for 2014 when a large portion of the ACA is implemented. The ACA has stealthy improved the BLS Unemployment rate.
An Example: Say someone is working 40 hours per week, and because of the ACA the business cuts their hours down to 25 per week. So that employee needing to make up for the lost hours takes a SECOND job to make up for the lost hours. Now on the employment report that person is COUNTED TWICE, thus inflating the number of people employed, because I'm pretty sure the BLS survey does not take into account people with multiple jobs.
By a 75-24 margin, the Senate has passed a non-binding vote of approval for a bill allowing states to collect sales taxes from online retailers with $1M+ in annual sales and no presence within a given state's borders. The margin of victory suggests a filibuster shouldn't be a problem when a binding vote is made. Amazon (AMZN) and eBay (EBAY) have already begun collecting in a number of large states, and many investors have already assumed collections will expand in time. (previous) [View news story]
I live in Oregon and we have no sales tax. So no!! to more taxes!! enough taxes already.
5 Reasons The S&P 500 Could Fall 20% By The End Of 2013 [View article]
I would say thank you for your comment, but you mention nothing about the specifics of my article, and have a bad tone.
Also,For your information I started writing the article yesterday, and in the article I am looking forward to the medium term [8-12 months] not just extremely short term.
This New Budget Proposal May Limit Your Annual Retirement Income [View article]
I agree with you DG that $9 billion over 10 years is a waste of time.
This is how the government looks at a problem, they ask them selves: should we concentrate on something with political motivation behind it, in this case large Retirement accounts because that is what an argument against Romney was in the last election.
OR
Should we be concentrating on something like the $60 billion per year ($600 billion over 10 years) in Medicare/SS/Disability fraud.
Lets see $9 billion vs $600 billion, seems like an easy choice to anyone with any common sense, but because the $9 billion was linked to an political issue in the last election, that is why they are focusing on it. There decision is politically motivated regardless of political party affiliation, they are a few members of congress that actually "work for the people" and not for their political party whose only goal is re-election to maintain power.
I think alot of our problems could be fixed if we could have term limits for members of congress, and members were not worried about seeking re-election over and over.
Southern Company (SO) says it will take a $540M pre-tax, $333M after-tax charge related to increased costs at its Mississippi coal plant. (8-K) [View news story]
That is exactly what President Obama and the EPA want, force costs to rise for cheap power to make alternatives more viable, but in the end those higher costs are just passed on to consumers.
Great article, I agree with the other comment, about it not being just about seniors, but savers in general. So I thought of a simple ETF portfolio for someone retiring, or that is looking for conservative investments:
PIMCO Enhanced Short Maturity Strategy ETF (MINT) YIELD: 0.90% -The Pimco ETF is kinda like a Moneymoney fund.
iShares Aaa – A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (QLTA) YIELD:1.73% -This fund only owns the highest rated corporate bonds.
PIMCO 1-5 Year U.S. TIPS Index ETF (STPZ) YIELD: 1.33% -This fund invests in TIPS with between 1- 5 years remaining, and the coupons adjust to rising inflation if there is any.
PowerShares Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt Portfolio ETF (PCY) YIELD:4.46% -This fund owns bonds from Emerging market countries, which as a whole have stronger finances than the developed countries of the world.
PowerShares S&P 500 Low Volatility Portfolio ETF (SPLV) YIELD: 4.51% -This fund owns the lowest volatility stocks in the S&P 500, the majority of the holdings are Consumer Staples, Healthcare, Utilities.
As far as allocations here is my idea:
SPLV:20% STPZ: 20% PCY:10% MINT: 30% QLTA: 20%
So the composite yield of the portfolio using those weights would be: 2.23%
Using data from ETF replay the data shows the portfolio has a higher risk adjusted return that the SPY, has an above average correlation to the SPY, and a Neutral correlation to the AGG:
Since Feb 16th [inception day of QLTA]
Portfolio correlation to SPY: 71% Portfolio correlation to AGG: 0%
By a 75-24 margin, the Senate has passed a non-binding vote of approval for a bill allowing states to collect sales taxes from online retailers with $1M+ in annual sales and no presence within a given state's borders. The margin of victory suggests a filibuster shouldn't be a problem when a binding vote is made. Amazon (AMZN) and eBay (EBAY) have already begun collecting in a number of large states, and many investors have already assumed collections will expand in time. (previous) [View news story]
I dont appreciate you calling me naive, I have a Bachelors degree in business and economics, I know what I'm talking about. I prefer to back up my claims with actual sources:
Using data from the Census Bureau:
Real Median Household Income 2008: $54,349 Real Median Household Income 2011: $50,502
Data for 2012 will be released in Sep 2013.
Last time I did math, $50 Thousand is less than $54 thousand, so when you say "middle class has more dollars than they did when Obama took office." You are WRONG!!
By a 75-24 margin, the Senate has passed a non-binding vote of approval for a bill allowing states to collect sales taxes from online retailers with $1M+ in annual sales and no presence within a given state's borders. The margin of victory suggests a filibuster shouldn't be a problem when a binding vote is made. Amazon (AMZN) and eBay (EBAY) have already begun collecting in a number of large states, and many investors have already assumed collections will expand in time. (previous) [View news story]
You are living in Obama's fantasy land if you think Obama is the best friend of the middle class. In the real world his policies and agenda are hurting the middle class.
5 Reasons The S&P 500 Could Fall 20% By The End Of 2013 [View article]
Thank you for your comments. I agree with your points as well. If I had to make a guess, I think the correction would be less than 20% if there were none of the three Fiscal issues I outlined above. But that isn't the case, I really have very little belief that President Obama, or either party in congress can come together for a "Common sense" deal on the fiscal issues. Most likely more poor short-term fixes.
Bakken Turbocharging These 2 Refiners [View article]
Just because you lost money doesn't mean its a ponzi scheme.
An example: You bought 40 shares of AAPL at $700 in September, but it dropped to $450 at the end of January. So you would have lost $10000, so using your logic of losing money, AAPL is a ponzi scheme?
Obviously the answer is NO Apple is not a ponzi scheme, it was just the wrong time to buy.
Sounds like you just chose the wrong MLP to invest in, or bought it at the wrong time.
Still, do you have any real information, why MLP's in General are a ponzi scheme, or are you just speculating?
Short Candidates For When The Tide Goes Out [View article]
When someone writes a comment on one of my articles 99% of of the time I always say "Thank you for the comment" but your comment is rude and provides nothing to the topic of my article.
What do you think investors will dump first if there is a correction?
-AMD which is unprofitable and pays no dividend. -INTC which is profitable and pays a 3.71% dividend yield.
Is Gold Foreshadowing A Stock Market Implosion? [View article]
Great article, I completely agree with your conclusion that there is a possibility that gold could be the canary (also yellow like gold) in the coal mine for a major market correction.
Whats odd is the dollar index, usually, gold is inversely correlated to the dollar, and looking at the chart for the Dollar index it hit a low at around 11 am which is the same time the GLD hit its morning low. After that the Dollar index hit a low it proceeded to rise steadily the rest of the trading day, and gold went sideways for awhile then fell off even more.
I think the move in gold is currency driven, in my recent article about reasons could should be increasing: central bank buying,expense for miners are rising and are cutting back mining, rising US debt limit all of which are strong fundamental reasons why gold should be increasing, but I think the strong dollar has been hurting gold.
What is really bad is the correlation, I use a 3 month correlation and SPY,and UUP are currently correlated over 80% and the last time that happened was 12/14/2007. So in a correction of stocks dollar usually rises, which would mean possible further pain for gold.
How Obamacare Could Harm Growth In 2014, Part III [View article]
An Example: Say someone is working 40 hours per week, and because of the ACA the business cuts their hours down to 25 per week. So that employee needing to make up for the lost hours takes a SECOND job to make up for the lost hours. Now on the employment report that person is COUNTED TWICE, thus inflating the number of people employed, because I'm pretty sure the BLS survey does not take into account people with multiple jobs.
Just a couple thoughts on the subject.
Can't wait for this:
http://bit.ly/11aBdss;p0=263&msg=En...
By a 75-24 margin, the Senate has passed a non-binding vote of approval for a bill allowing states to collect sales taxes from online retailers with $1M+ in annual sales and no presence within a given state's borders. The margin of victory suggests a filibuster shouldn't be a problem when a binding vote is made. Amazon (AMZN) and eBay (EBAY) have already begun collecting in a number of large states, and many investors have already assumed collections will expand in time. (previous) [View news story]
5 Reasons The S&P 500 Could Fall 20% By The End Of 2013 [View article]
Also,For your information I started writing the article yesterday, and in the article I am looking forward to the medium term [8-12 months] not just extremely short term.
This New Budget Proposal May Limit Your Annual Retirement Income [View article]
This is how the government looks at a problem, they ask them selves: should we concentrate on something with political motivation behind it, in this case large Retirement accounts because that is what an argument against Romney was in the last election.
OR
Should we be concentrating on something like the $60 billion per year ($600 billion over 10 years) in Medicare/SS/Disability fraud.
Lets see $9 billion vs $600 billion, seems like an easy choice to anyone with any common sense, but because the $9 billion was linked to an political issue in the last election, that is why they are focusing on it. There decision is politically motivated regardless of political party affiliation, they are a few members of congress that actually "work for the people" and not for their political party whose only goal is re-election to maintain power.
I think alot of our problems could be fixed if we could have term limits for members of congress, and members were not worried about seeking re-election over and over.
Team Alpha Retirement Portfolio: Dividend Investing Vs. Annuity Purchasing [View article]
MLP ETF (AMLP)
Low Volatility Stock ETF (SPLV)
Foreign Div Stock ETF (DGS)
Upper Quality High Yield Bond ETF (PHB)
Business Development Company (TCAP)
Fertilizer MLP (RNF)
Foreign Corp Bond ETF (HYEM)
Laddered Treasury ETF (PLW)
Overall my portfolio yields around 4.50% per year, and has shown good capital appreciation as well, so I am very pleased.
Southern Company (SO) says it will take a $540M pre-tax, $333M after-tax charge related to increased costs at its Mississippi coal plant. (8-K) [View news story]
Seniors Screwed By Fed Policies [View article]
PIMCO Enhanced Short Maturity Strategy ETF (MINT)
YIELD: 0.90%
-The Pimco ETF is kinda like a Moneymoney fund.
iShares Aaa – A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (QLTA)
YIELD:1.73%
-This fund only owns the highest rated corporate bonds.
PIMCO 1-5 Year U.S. TIPS Index ETF (STPZ)
YIELD: 1.33%
-This fund invests in TIPS with between 1- 5 years remaining, and the coupons adjust to rising inflation if there is any.
PowerShares Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt Portfolio ETF (PCY)
YIELD:4.46%
-This fund owns bonds from Emerging market countries, which as a whole have stronger finances than the developed countries of the world.
PowerShares S&P 500 Low Volatility Portfolio ETF (SPLV)
YIELD: 4.51%
-This fund owns the lowest volatility stocks in the S&P 500, the majority of the holdings are Consumer Staples, Healthcare, Utilities.
As far as allocations here is my idea:
SPLV:20%
STPZ: 20%
PCY:10%
MINT: 30%
QLTA: 20%
So the composite yield of the portfolio using those weights would be: 2.23%
Using data from ETF replay the data shows the portfolio has a higher risk adjusted return that the SPY, has an above average correlation to the SPY, and a Neutral correlation to the AGG:
Since Feb 16th [inception day of QLTA]
Portfolio correlation to SPY: 71%
Portfolio correlation to AGG: 0%
Portfolio return: 5.90%
Portfolio volatility: 2.2%
Portfolio return/volatility: 2.68%
SPY return: 8.30%
SPY volatility: 13.1%
SPY return/volatility: 0.63%
AGG Return:3.00%
AGG Volatility:2.6%
AGG return/ volatility:1.15%
Disclosure: LONG (SPLV)
The Commodity Megatrend [View article]
Gold Takes Out Major Support: Next Stop $1,350 [View article]
By a 75-24 margin, the Senate has passed a non-binding vote of approval for a bill allowing states to collect sales taxes from online retailers with $1M+ in annual sales and no presence within a given state's borders. The margin of victory suggests a filibuster shouldn't be a problem when a binding vote is made. Amazon (AMZN) and eBay (EBAY) have already begun collecting in a number of large states, and many investors have already assumed collections will expand in time. (previous) [View news story]
Using data from the Census Bureau:
Real Median Household Income 2008: $54,349
Real Median Household Income 2011: $50,502
Data for 2012 will be released in Sep 2013.
Last time I did math, $50 Thousand is less than $54 thousand, so when you say "middle class has more dollars than they did when Obama took office." You are WRONG!!
http://bit.ly/11zS7ke
By a 75-24 margin, the Senate has passed a non-binding vote of approval for a bill allowing states to collect sales taxes from online retailers with $1M+ in annual sales and no presence within a given state's borders. The margin of victory suggests a filibuster shouldn't be a problem when a binding vote is made. Amazon (AMZN) and eBay (EBAY) have already begun collecting in a number of large states, and many investors have already assumed collections will expand in time. (previous) [View news story]
5 Reasons The S&P 500 Could Fall 20% By The End Of 2013 [View article]
Bakken Turbocharging These 2 Refiners [View article]
An example: You bought 40 shares of AAPL at $700 in September, but it dropped to $450 at the end of January. So you would have lost $10000, so using your logic of losing money, AAPL is a ponzi scheme?
Obviously the answer is NO Apple is not a ponzi scheme, it was just the wrong time to buy.
Sounds like you just chose the wrong MLP to invest in, or bought it at the wrong time.
Still, do you have any real information, why MLP's in General are a ponzi scheme, or are you just speculating?
Short Candidates For When The Tide Goes Out [View article]
What do you think investors will dump first if there is a correction?
-AMD which is unprofitable and pays no dividend.
-INTC which is profitable and pays a 3.71% dividend yield.
Is Gold Foreshadowing A Stock Market Implosion? [View article]
Whats odd is the dollar index, usually, gold is inversely correlated to the dollar, and looking at the chart for the Dollar index it hit a low at around 11 am which is the same time the GLD hit its morning low. After that the Dollar index hit a low it proceeded to rise steadily the rest of the trading day, and gold went sideways for awhile then fell off even more.
I think the move in gold is currency driven, in my recent article about reasons could should be increasing: central bank buying,expense for miners are rising and are cutting back mining, rising US debt limit all of which are strong fundamental reasons why gold should be increasing, but I think the strong dollar has been hurting gold.
What is really bad is the correlation, I use a 3 month correlation and SPY,and UUP are currently correlated over 80% and the last time that happened was 12/14/2007. So in a correction of stocks dollar usually rises, which would mean possible further pain for gold.