Microsoft (MSFT +3.6%) roundup: 1) Windows Phone 8 will be updated by year's end to support 1080p displays, The Verge reports. Given 1080p Android phones are already out, Microsoft needs this to happen quickly. 2) Microsoft's shift to a per-CPU-core licensing model from a standard per-CPU model for its SQL Server database and BizTalk middleware reportedly has enterprises worried about broader pricing changes. VMware can sympathize. 3) Microsoft has stepped up its "Scroogled" ad campaign, which assails Google's commitment to user privacy and search result objectivity. [View news story]
this is becoming quite stupid. With a 10" screen, 1024 x 768 is more than sufficient: when watching a movie you can not distinguish a 1024 from a 1920 screen. Now you suppose you want 1920 x 1080 on something that is 4"... this is ridiculous. OK, we know, nobody will notice the difference, but you can say to your friends "I have the new 1080p screen, take a look..."... that's all... psychology... and yes, it always sells. But I would like "double blind" tests on this, like on pharma... you would have a lot of surprises :).
The doomsday scenario of gold dropping to $1k per ounce could make half the gold mining industry worthless, says BAML - not expecting such, but wanting to highlight the vulnerability of high-cost producers like Sibanye (SBGL) as well the attractiveness of less-sensitive Goldcorp (GG), Franco-Nevada (FNV), Royal Gold (RGLD), and Silver Wheaton (SLW). The GDX -1.3% on the session. [View news story]
with these talks about bank deposits confiscation I won't bet on very low gold price...
Automakers are pushing back against the Obama administration on "quiet car" rules aimed at helping the visually impaired and bicyclists. Trade groups repping major automobile companies say the new rules are too complicated and require sounds which are too loud for their purpose. They also add that the government is vastly understating the cost per vehicle of the measures. [View news story]
quiet cars are good, acoustic pollution is a understated pollution that affects all our cities.
Are ECA Marcellus Trust Holders About To Get WHXed? [View article]
this article and others on new trusts do suppose that in 2010, when the passing of the worst of the financial crisis was still not so certain, there was mad people that bought these trusts at incredibly high prices, at pv-10 multiples, and there were no reasons for this. Inflation is not considered. Several questionable assumptions are made. We can tank these guys for the opportunity to have great low prices.
Chesapeake Granite Wash Trust: Updated Reserves Show Major Downward Revision, Buyers Beware [View article]
by the way all these recent articles about trusts (and consequent declines) do not factor at all inflation. some of these trusts expire in 2030 or later, and of course the production declines over time, but with all the Fed money printing, we can not expect to live in a low inflation world. There will be some inflation, and additionally natural gas will become more expensive (utilities converting from nuclear and coal to gas; ng car and trucks; lng export).
Are ECA Marcellus Trust Holders About To Get WHXed? [View article]
...my mistake it was 2010. But anyway all this analysis does not consider that the Fed is printing $100B/month. Do you really expect no inflation until 2030? Natural gas could be abundant, but as well $30 could be the new name for $3, in 2030. Remember that one good reason for being invested in trusts is inflation hedge.
Are ECA Marcellus Trust Holders About To Get WHXed? [View article]
You compare apples with oranges. WHX goes to termination ($0 value as for WHX prospect) within a few months, ECT will be alive for more than 15 years (gas price can increase, and it will, as soon LNG export facilities will be alive) and has even a non-zero value on termination.
A Boot Right Into The Face: Immediate Implications Of The Italian Elections [View article]
Everything is possible... Also other names (almost all gentlemen, indeed) are circulating in the press and in the Internet forums. Even if only the 10% appreciated Monti so much to vote him, I believe the 90% of Italians appreciated to have a gentleman and not a clown at the head. For sure there is a lot of work to be done! I must say there is a positive thing going on: there is a lot of dialogue and communications in blogs, forums, newspapers comments - when you talk and understand other people's point of view, you already have half of the solution of any problem.
A Boot Right Into The Face: Immediate Implications Of The Italian Elections [View article]
I don't want to be devil's advocate, but the links you quoted, or at least the two I had the time to see, contain very imprecise information (now I understand something of what you said).
Number one: Grillo had words against *Israel* and some of its controversial politics (a lot of people here in EU don't like Israel missiles against civilians, as well Palestinian ones, of course), not the Jews or minorities. It's like to say I am against Americans if I say something against Guantamo or the "patriot act" (actually I am "against" Americans just like Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety")
Number two, they say: "Grillo, a former communist, was banned from national television in the late 1980s as a result of his defamatory performances". Well, facts are a bit different. Grillo implied in a humor joke on "Festival di Sanremo" (a musical TV shows that is the equivalent of the Super Bowl) that the Bettino Craxi's Socialist party (at the government in the 1980's) was full of robbers. That resulted technically correct, as you can find on Wiki http://bit.ly/13G9UKG - they were big thieves, starting from Craxi himself. Italians remember this fact very well.
I can say more, in 2002, in rare appearances in a private television, Grillo denounced that something bad was boiling on in Parmalat, months before the famous Parmalat "crack" http://bit.ly/YzQgek so it is credited also about this.
He is trivial, but not stupid, and he aims to be a jester, not a general. He used to say that it is very sad when only the jesters are left to denounce the corruption, while the press ignores it (so comes his aversion to the Italian press).
Of course the analogy with Mussolini (and Hitler - as you know some of the Hitler propaganda was copied from Mussolini) remains and it is food for thoughts. I frankly believe that 5Stars senators and deputies are better than their speaker. We will see. It's clearly a strong challenge for Italy!
A Boot Right Into The Face: Immediate Implications Of The Italian Elections [View article]
just to be more complete: not only Berlusconi but everybody else (Bersani, Grillo, Ingroia) campaigned against Monti. In addition to what listed above, it has been depicted as: - friend of the "powers" - former associated and friend of Goldman Sachs - friend of Merkel - friend of the banks - far from the people as he graduated at private university "Bocconi" and member of the "high class", and as rich (this is ironical when coming from Berlusconi's party) - professor of Economy so only theory and far from the realty
Also Monti was forced to govern without a party under him, so, to raise money, he has been able to approve only what the parties (hidden behind him) approved; the perfect scapegoat.
A Boot Right Into The Face: Immediate Implications Of The Italian Elections [View article]
Ariel, I voted for Monti. But I was not so stupid to think others would do the same. Berlusconi promised a tax reimburse. Grillo promised a salary for unemployed and to cut politicians in half and their salary too (as you may know, we have 2x deputies than USA and it is estimated that more than 1 million people works in/for politics) - well also Monti promised this cut, but Grillo is better in talking to people's stomach, and in democracy the better talker wins, not the best manager.
Also, Berlusconi televisions told everyday that Monti was the cause of the crisis, the recession, and everything's bad in Italy (and not the doctor). Actually I am surprised that he had 10%+, I would have forecast less.
The surge of Grillo is due to the recession and has historical precedents and yes its resemblance with Mussolini's early days is not good; but, frankly, Berlusconi was not so better. In the "day of memory" (a celebration to remember Italians, jews and minorities killed in the WW2), Berlusconi said "Mussolini also did good things" (yes, maybe some, but this is not the thing you say the day you remember the victims of the fascism and nazism).
The positive thing is that the M5S (5 star movement) is organized as a Internet-powered democracy and Grillo is just the campaign speaker. He aggregated people that is tired, and, while he shouts, the movement is non-violent, and it seems the elected are very different from the speaker. My opinion is that Grillo was needed to catch media coverage... the sad story in our media-controlled world. As said above, strong communication is needed to get voted. People don't vote for Einstein.
I heard some interviews on the radio with M5S senators, and they are calm and reflexive, nothing to do with Grillo. So I have still some hope. By the way only time will tell us what will happen. The Italian political system seems designed for instability (it was designed after Mussolini, so it's hard to have the majority, and the powers are so divided that it is hard to perform even the basic government tasks)... it's a mess. It's 70 years it is like this so I am quite astonished we are still running - if just for the Government we should be like Burundi (no offense intended for Burundians!).
The fact is that a BCE acting like the Fed would have cut this at the roots. We can say thank you to Merkel for Grillo.
The European Commission has fined Microsoft (MSFT) €561M for taking too long to fulfill its commitment to a 2009 settlement to provide consumers with a choice of Internet browsers in its Windows OS. The penalty brings total EU fines for Microsoft over the past decade to €2.26B. Google (GOOG), which is under an EU investigation for possible abuse of its search dominance, may well be watching with interest. (PR) [View news story]
Microsoft abused from its dominant position, by installing Internet Explorer it drives traffic to Bing, so probably they indirectly gained a lot more $ from advertising, a lot more than the fine. And they did know they had to comply: it's not so difficult to ask the end user about the browser to be installed.
A Boot Right Into The Face: Immediate Implications Of The Italian Elections [View article]
Just some imprecision: - for some critics, some of Beppe Grillo controversial speaks resemble Hitler's introductory address conversations, but he never said something against Jews (at least, not yet!) or other minorities - Mario Monti is respected by intelligent Italians, but he never had real Italians' support. The Italian PM is not elected, but he is appointed by the Italian President of the Republic and confirmed by the Parliament, and can be replaced. Berlusconi was appointed as his party won the elections (this is usual but not mandatory), Monti was appointed without elections. For the recent elections, Monti, that was never sponsored by a party, managed to create a brand-new party in 2 months, in order to run. As he raised taxes, his party's 10% is a success. Also consider that Silvio Berlusconi, that owns most Italian TVs, campaigned against it. And, by the way, all the EU is in deep recession except Germany (the only Country that had strong export benefits from the Euro), so you shouldn't be astonished that people voted "against" Monti in order to express his "NO" to the Merkel imposed austerity. It's OK to cut expenses, but we'd like some Fed-like money printing while we get ready to cut.
By the way, until a new government is formed (don't hold your breath on this), Monti remains in charge.
The EU is set to fine Microsoft (MSFT +0.5%) by the end of March for failing to make good on an '09 promise to offer Windows users a choice of browsers, Reuters reports. Given the EU has fined $2.1B to date, any penalty could be substantial. Perhaps Microsoft can defend itself by pointing out European consumers are having little trouble finding their way to 3rd-party browsers on their own. [View news story]
EU wants to fine Microsoft for monopolistic abuse (monopoly is not allowed in EU). That's all. EU manufacturers are fined as well.
It is super-simple to offer the browser choice, and they had lots of time. Microsoft can only blame itself.
Microsoft (MSFT +3.6%) roundup: 1) Windows Phone 8 will be updated by year's end to support 1080p displays, The Verge reports. Given 1080p Android phones are already out, Microsoft needs this to happen quickly. 2) Microsoft's shift to a per-CPU-core licensing model from a standard per-CPU model for its SQL Server database and BizTalk middleware reportedly has enterprises worried about broader pricing changes. VMware can sympathize. 3) Microsoft has stepped up its "Scroogled" ad campaign, which assails Google's commitment to user privacy and search result objectivity. [View news story]
The doomsday scenario of gold dropping to $1k per ounce could make half the gold mining industry worthless, says BAML - not expecting such, but wanting to highlight the vulnerability of high-cost producers like Sibanye (SBGL) as well the attractiveness of less-sensitive Goldcorp (GG), Franco-Nevada (FNV), Royal Gold (RGLD), and Silver Wheaton (SLW). The GDX -1.3% on the session. [View news story]
Automakers are pushing back against the Obama administration on "quiet car" rules aimed at helping the visually impaired and bicyclists. Trade groups repping major automobile companies say the new rules are too complicated and require sounds which are too loud for their purpose. They also add that the government is vastly understating the cost per vehicle of the measures. [View news story]
Are ECA Marcellus Trust Holders About To Get WHXed? [View article]
We can tank these guys for the opportunity to have great low prices.
Chesapeake Granite Wash Trust: Updated Reserves Show Major Downward Revision, Buyers Beware [View article]
some of these trusts expire in 2030 or later, and of course the production declines over time, but with all the Fed money printing, we can not expect to live in a low inflation world. There will be some inflation, and additionally natural gas will become more expensive (utilities converting from nuclear and coal to gas; ng car and trucks; lng export).
Are ECA Marcellus Trust Holders About To Get WHXed? [View article]
But anyway all this analysis does not consider that the Fed is printing $100B/month. Do you really expect no inflation until 2030? Natural gas could be abundant, but as well $30 could be the new name for $3, in 2030. Remember that one good reason for being invested in trusts is inflation hedge.
Are ECA Marcellus Trust Holders About To Get WHXed? [View article]
Are ECA Marcellus Trust Holders About To Get WHXed? [View article]
A Boot Right Into The Face: Immediate Implications Of The Italian Elections [View article]
Even if only the 10% appreciated Monti so much to vote him, I believe the 90% of Italians appreciated to have a gentleman and not a clown at the head.
For sure there is a lot of work to be done!
I must say there is a positive thing going on: there is a lot of dialogue and communications in blogs, forums, newspapers comments - when you talk and understand other people's point of view, you already have half of the solution of any problem.
A Boot Right Into The Face: Immediate Implications Of The Italian Elections [View article]
Number one: Grillo had words against *Israel* and some of its controversial politics (a lot of people here in EU don't like Israel missiles against civilians, as well Palestinian ones, of course), not the Jews or minorities. It's like to say I am against Americans if I say something against Guantamo or the "patriot act" (actually I am "against" Americans just like Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety")
Number two, they say: "Grillo, a former communist, was banned from national television in the late 1980s as a result of his defamatory performances". Well, facts are a bit different. Grillo implied in a humor joke on "Festival di Sanremo" (a musical TV shows that is the equivalent of the Super Bowl) that the Bettino Craxi's Socialist party (at the government in the 1980's) was full of robbers. That resulted technically correct, as you can find on Wiki http://bit.ly/13G9UKG - they were big thieves, starting from Craxi himself.
Italians remember this fact very well.
I can say more, in 2002, in rare appearances in a private television, Grillo denounced that something bad was boiling on in Parmalat, months before the famous Parmalat "crack" http://bit.ly/YzQgek
so it is credited also about this.
He is trivial, but not stupid, and he aims to be a jester, not a general. He used to say that it is very sad when only the jesters are left to denounce the corruption, while the press ignores it (so comes his aversion to the Italian press).
Of course the analogy with Mussolini (and Hitler - as you know some of the Hitler propaganda was copied from Mussolini) remains and it is food for thoughts.
I frankly believe that 5Stars senators and deputies are better than their speaker. We will see. It's clearly a strong challenge for Italy!
A Boot Right Into The Face: Immediate Implications Of The Italian Elections [View article]
- friend of the "powers"
- former associated and friend of Goldman Sachs
- friend of Merkel
- friend of the banks
- far from the people as he graduated at private university "Bocconi" and member of the "high class", and as rich (this is ironical when coming from Berlusconi's party)
- professor of Economy so only theory and far from the realty
Also Monti was forced to govern without a party under him, so, to raise money, he has been able to approve only what the parties (hidden behind him) approved; the perfect scapegoat.
A Boot Right Into The Face: Immediate Implications Of The Italian Elections [View article]
Also, Berlusconi televisions told everyday that Monti was the cause of the crisis, the recession, and everything's bad in Italy (and not the doctor). Actually I am surprised that he had 10%+, I would have forecast less.
The surge of Grillo is due to the recession and has historical precedents and yes its resemblance with Mussolini's early days is not good; but, frankly, Berlusconi was not so better. In the "day of memory" (a celebration to remember Italians, jews and minorities killed in the WW2), Berlusconi said "Mussolini also did good things" (yes, maybe some, but this is not the thing you say the day you remember the victims of the fascism and nazism).
The positive thing is that the M5S (5 star movement) is organized as a Internet-powered democracy and Grillo is just the campaign speaker. He aggregated people that is tired, and, while he shouts, the movement is non-violent, and it seems the elected are very different from the speaker. My opinion is that Grillo was needed to catch media coverage... the sad story in our media-controlled world. As said above, strong communication is needed to get voted. People don't vote for Einstein.
I heard some interviews on the radio with M5S senators, and they are calm and reflexive, nothing to do with Grillo. So I have still some hope.
By the way only time will tell us what will happen.
The Italian political system seems designed for instability (it was designed after Mussolini, so it's hard to have the majority, and the powers are so divided that it is hard to perform even the basic government tasks)... it's a mess. It's 70 years it is like this so I am quite astonished we are still running - if just for the Government we should be like Burundi (no offense intended for Burundians!).
The fact is that a BCE acting like the Fed would have cut this at the roots. We can say thank you to Merkel for Grillo.
The European Commission has fined Microsoft (MSFT) €561M for taking too long to fulfill its commitment to a 2009 settlement to provide consumers with a choice of Internet browsers in its Windows OS. The penalty brings total EU fines for Microsoft over the past decade to €2.26B. Google (GOOG), which is under an EU investigation for possible abuse of its search dominance, may well be watching with interest. (PR) [View news story]
And they did know they had to comply: it's not so difficult to ask the end user about the browser to be installed.
A Boot Right Into The Face: Immediate Implications Of The Italian Elections [View article]
- for some critics, some of Beppe Grillo controversial speaks resemble Hitler's introductory address conversations, but he never said something against Jews (at least, not yet!) or other minorities
- Mario Monti is respected by intelligent Italians, but he never had real Italians' support. The Italian PM is not elected, but he is appointed by the Italian President of the Republic and confirmed by the Parliament, and can be replaced. Berlusconi was appointed as his party won the elections (this is usual but not mandatory), Monti was appointed without elections. For the recent elections, Monti, that was never sponsored by a party, managed to create a brand-new party in 2 months, in order to run. As he raised taxes, his party's 10% is a success. Also consider that Silvio Berlusconi, that owns most Italian TVs, campaigned against it. And, by the way, all the EU is in deep recession except Germany (the only Country that had strong export benefits from the Euro), so you shouldn't be astonished that people voted "against" Monti in order to express his "NO" to the Merkel imposed austerity. It's OK to cut expenses, but we'd like some Fed-like money printing while we get ready to cut.
By the way, until a new government is formed (don't hold your breath on this), Monti remains in charge.
The EU is set to fine Microsoft (MSFT +0.5%) by the end of March for failing to make good on an '09 promise to offer Windows users a choice of browsers, Reuters reports. Given the EU has fined $2.1B to date, any penalty could be substantial. Perhaps Microsoft can defend itself by pointing out European consumers are having little trouble finding their way to 3rd-party browsers on their own. [View news story]
It is super-simple to offer the browser choice, and they had lots of time. Microsoft can only blame itself.