The Dividend Investor's Guide To Successful Investing Index Blog [View instapost]
I like a few MLPs and I really like some energy infrastructure stocks, but some have gotten a little pricey lately. Most of my articles will stick with the bluest of the blue chips. There are still a good number that are growing consistently with good prospects due to their broad international footprints. I'm a little stodgy, I guess, but I do like those dividends!
Intel: 21st Century Brick And Mortar [View article]
Derek - Thank you for an excellent, well organized and clearly written article. I also appreciate the link and notice on my article and the very tactful and respectful tone of your responses to comments. Well done! I will be a new follower!
The Dividend Investor's Guide To Successful Investing Index Blog [View instapost]
I intend to start publishing again by mid-April. I needed a sabbatical to complete a major project that will be finishing up shortly. Thanks for asking.
Thanks for keeping us informed, AR. I am still lurking in the weeds out here and will be watching more closely than usual over the next week or so. What is going on in Washington, DC (inside the Beltway) could spark a move in either direction. The Prez just announced his willingness to make cuts to Social Security and Medicare publicly today (Sunday) so that may give the markets a buzz on Monday! It all depends on how it gets spun and how well the offer is rec'd by Republicrats. Then, in April, we've got another earnings season and I expect it to be lackluster. The economy seems a little tepid, growth-wise, in Qtr 1 to me, so the expectations will need to be revised downward more between now and then to ensure enough companies beat expectations, imho. But that usually happens with precision on Wall Street. The big concern will be guidance. And that depends on a few things like what happens inside the Beltway between now and then and whether companies are looking out to Qtr 2 or further out. Further out could actually be encouraging, but the shorter term could be more sluggishness. Hard to say what is going to happen between now and then. So, with confusion and enough uncertainty in the air, the market could be ready for a correction. That would be healthy after the run we've had. But I am not expecting another huge bear market unless we have another Black Swan event to trigger it. Just my thoughts. But I'll be watching as one never knows where the Swan will come from or when it will show itself again.
The Future Of Ford According To Alan Mulally And Me [View article]
Cedup - I think that any play on GM is based upon its success in China, not how it does in the US. Quality may not be as big an issue in China on low-to-medium brands, so GM seems to be doing well there. Otherwise, I'm not a big fan, either.
The Future Of Ford According To Alan Mulally And Me [View article]
Maimumvalues - Very true. Those who cannot afford to buy won't. But about 75-80% of US population seems to still be employed and in consumption mode. One thing that is helping many is the monthly savings from refinancing mortgages. That has only helps a portion of the population, but those who can qualify are among the consumers. I just refinanced and began saving about $300 per month recently. That won't change my mind about buying another car (I'm a saver at heart) but it will influence a significant number of people. Everyone won't buy at once, but there is pent up demand out there and, at least for a good number of folks, the worst seems (even if it isn't really) to be behind us. The reckoning is coming, but I am getting convinced more and more that it can be put off for several more years. The pain will be with us but not shared equally.
Enhanced Income Strategy For VF Corporation - Update 4 [View article]
Update: It looks like the project I am working on will be completed sometime in April (taking longer than expected). I plan to start writing more updates to previously written articles and series at that time. Thanks for following. I really will come back when I get this monster project finished.
Enhanced Income Strategy For VF Corporation - Update 4 [View article]
I plan on starting up my writing again sometime in the next 60 days. Timour and I have split up. He found he did not have time to contribute until after he retires in a couple more years. We may get back together again at a later time. You are right in noting that I have not posted since August as I have been working on some other major projects. I sometimes do some consulting work and that has to take precedence. I should be getting more time to write fairly soon.
Well, I must admit I was wrong in my prognosis! The first step in avoiding the fiscal cliff has been taken. Early on I predicted that Congress would wait until the very last moment. Then later I changed by expectation to watching the buffoons let the nation go over the cliff. Now, there has been virtually no fix (as predicted by myself and just about everyone else here) to the budget problems (tax increases won't come close without spending cuts) and the can has been kicked another year down the road. So, we are now looking at a sixth year of $Trillion+ deficits in a row.
Will Republicrats cave again on the debt limit? Of course, they will. They have no choice and BO has them right where he wants them. And Wall Street interprets all this as good for the economy... short-term thinking prevails again!
Okay, rant done. Thanks for allowing me a place to let off some steam. Happy New Year, everybody! Got to go now. I heard there was a gun store that hasn't sold out yet and it's less than an hour from here! (just kidding)
POTUS wants Senate to kill all amendments to the bill and extend it for another 5 years, allowing NSA to do wire taps and collect info on anyone without warrants. Doesn't take much to figure out why, does it. This is one of those things that Democrats called Bush on when he was in office. Of course, now it's okay. There were supposed to be limits, but those have been whittled away and we are now all exposed to the gov.
Hindenburg Omen - November 13, 2012 [View instapost]
AR - A belated congrats to you and your family! Hope the two of them live a blessed life together!
The Dividend Investor's Guide To Successful Investing Index Blog [View instapost]
Hindenburg Omen - November 13, 2012 [View instapost]
Hindenburg Omen - November 13, 2012 [View instapost]
Hindenburg Omen - November 13, 2012 [View instapost]
Intel: 21st Century Brick And Mortar [View article]
The Dividend Investor's Guide To Successful Investing Index Blog [View instapost]
Hindenburg Omen - November 13, 2012 [View instapost]
The Future Of Ford According To Alan Mulally And Me [View article]
The Future Of Ford According To Alan Mulally And Me [View article]
Enhanced Income Strategy For VF Corporation - Update 4 [View article]
Enhanced Income Strategy For VF Corporation - Update 4 [View article]
Thanks for your support,
Mark
Political QuickChat 5: Nov. 5th 2012 [View instapost]
Will Republicrats cave again on the debt limit? Of course, they will. They have no choice and BO has them right where he wants them. And Wall Street interprets all this as good for the economy... short-term thinking prevails again!
Okay, rant done. Thanks for allowing me a place to let off some steam. Happy New Year, everybody! Got to go now. I heard there was a gun store that hasn't sold out yet and it's less than an hour from here! (just kidding)
Political QuickChat 5: Nov. 5th 2012 [View instapost]
Political QuickChat 5: Nov. 5th 2012 [View instapost]
POTUS wants Senate to kill all amendments to the bill and extend it for another 5 years, allowing NSA to do wire taps and collect info on anyone without warrants. Doesn't take much to figure out why, does it. This is one of those things that Democrats called Bush on when he was in office. Of course, now it's okay. There were supposed to be limits, but those have been whittled away and we are now all exposed to the gov.