I see Google Glass as a plausible game changer -- wearable computing to eliminate hand held devices is a logical next step. Allegedly, Apple and Microsoft have laboratory work on wearables too, but Google seems to be out front on that. Certainly, if they release Google Glass to the public in 2014 as they once said, I will be a buyer -- and if it works OK, bye-bye iPhone for me.
Frankly, I believe MSFT is a bigger, more dangerous worm than either RIMM or NOK. They will struggle with fits and starts, but they have the intent and capacity to build an ecosystem of their own, and the carriers want more competition and less of an Apple stranglehold.
MSFT has an evolving set of devices directly and indirectly with computers, laptops, tablets and phones. Combine that with their evolving cloud services and cloud based Office -- they can go further and deep than RIMM or NOK
Jan 14, 2013 (Reuters) - Coca-Cola Co will air a two-minute commercial on U.S. cable television on Monday that highlights its efforts in fighting obesity, as the soft drink industry faces increasing pressure from local governments and critics.
The commercial mentions how Coca-Cola sells about 180 low- and no-calorie drinks, works to produce better-tasting low-calorie sweeteners and has introduced smaller can sizes.
It also reminds viewers that "all calories count no matter where they come from" and that "if you eat and drink more calories than you burn off, you'll gain weight."
This is not the first time Coca-Cola has used advertising to address this issue, but it is a first for television. The move comes as New York City prepares for an upcoming ban on the sale of sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces (0.5 liter) in places like restaurants, movie theaters and stadiums. In November, voters in two California cities rejected ballot measures for soda taxes.
Cap-Gain Expectations For 4 Passive, Active And Active/Leveraged MLP Portfolios [View article]
Just spoke with Alerian. They were not aware of the Fidelity position on ETNs with suspended issuance. They pointed out that AMU, the ETN from UBS has the same tracking index and may be keeping AMJ from trading to a premium beyond a certain level.
Of course, UBS is considered a lower credit than JPM.
JPM is a good credit, as banks go, but the total issuance of AMJ simply reached the limit they had set for that particular structured bond exposure. Suspension of issuance simply means the issuer is limiting risk exposure concentration in a specific area -- that is a responsible thing to do in our view.
Disclosure: We have a substantial position in AMJ.
Cap-Gain Expectations For 4 Passive, Active And Active/Leveraged MLP Portfolios [View article]
I have observed in the past that Fidelity takes more of a parent/child relationship with its customers, whereas Schwab takes more of an adult/adult relationship.
Fidelity apparently believes that they need to protect clients from their own decisions, by deciding that ETNs with suspended issuance are not appropriate for any of their clients.
Schwab apparently believes that their clients should take responsibility for their own investing decisions on a broader spectrum of alternatives than Fidelity.
By inference, Fidelity believes that the only reason to invest in an ETN is to track its index and that imperfect tracking disqualifies an ETN, whereas by inference, Schwab believes that imperfect tracking is not a disqualifying attribute, and that there may even be in some circumstances a reason to chose to invest in an ETN with imperfect tracking.
It makes one wonder why Fidelity does not block trading of all closed-end funds which almost always have premiums or discounts - e.g. track their underlying portfolios terribly -- but that present investors with opportunities to take positions that may be based on assumptions that the premium or discount will increase or decrease.
Currently AMJ trades at a 0.25% premium to the index it tracks and the Bid/Ask spread this morning is $0.02
Cap-Gain Expectations For 4 Passive, Active And Active/Leveraged MLP Portfolios [View article]
Fidelity responded to my question with this note:
" Fidelity currently has a policy in place to block opening trades for any and all ETN's that suspend issuance of new notes. As you are aware, one of the risks of ETN's and ETF's is that they may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV or indicative value. When an ETN suspends issuing of new notes the market's effect can be magnified over time. This could lead to increasing volatility and a situation where the performance of the ETN would no longer reflect the value of the underlying index it tracks. This is the reason Fidelity is no longer allowing opening trades in this particular ETN."
Cap-Gain Expectations For 4 Passive, Active And Active/Leveraged MLP Portfolios [View article]
This matter definitely deserves more research.
I called Fidelity Active Trader (where we have assets), and can confirm that Fidelity has a block for all accounts on opening any new AMJ positions at Fidelity, although they allow sale of AMJ. The rep was not aware of all of the details behind the Fidelity decision, but is attempting to obtain those details and get back to me.
I then called Schwab Active Trader (where we have assets) and can confirm that they have no restrictions on opening new positions in AMJ, nor any other restrictions of normal trading activity.
This is a bit of a mystery at the moment and I ask that readers with any additional information chime in here.
15 ETFs For Countries With Consistently Positive Total Returns For 10 Years [View article]
The table does not provide the returns of the ETFs. It provides the returns of the MSCI country indexes. The ETFs are simply those products which put you in that country. The article states that the ETFs and the indexes are not in full sync,
15 ETFs For Countries With Consistently Positive Total Returns For 10 Years [View article]
Yes, but not developed to the point of presenting an article on the topic. This article is purely historical, for whatever that may be worth to some. It does show those countries that came through the big mess in 2008 and the post-crash recovery better than others.
Is There A Worm In The Apple? [View article]
Is There A Worm In The Apple? [View article]
Is There A Worm In The Apple? [View article]
MSFT has an evolving set of devices directly and indirectly with computers, laptops, tablets and phones. Combine that with their evolving cloud services and cloud based Office -- they can go further and deep than RIMM or NOK
Is There A Worm In The Apple? [View article]
Is There A Worm In The Apple? [View article]
The Coming Fat Attack On PepsiCo [View article]
(Reuters) - Coca-Cola Co will air a two-minute commercial on U.S. cable television on Monday that highlights its efforts in fighting obesity, as the soft drink industry faces increasing pressure from local governments and critics.
The commercial mentions how Coca-Cola sells about 180 low- and no-calorie drinks, works to produce better-tasting low-calorie sweeteners and has introduced smaller can sizes.
It also reminds viewers that "all calories count no matter where they come from" and that "if you eat and drink more calories than you burn off, you'll gain weight."
This is not the first time Coca-Cola has used advertising to address this issue, but it is a first for television. The move comes as New York City prepares for an upcoming ban on the sale of sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces (0.5 liter) in places like restaurants, movie theaters and stadiums. In November, voters in two California cities rejected ballot measures for soda taxes.
Cap-Gain Expectations For 4 Passive, Active And Active/Leveraged MLP Portfolios [View article]
Cap-Gain Expectations For 4 Passive, Active And Active/Leveraged MLP Portfolios [View article]
Of course, UBS is considered a lower credit than JPM.
JPM is a good credit, as banks go, but the total issuance of AMJ simply reached the limit they had set for that particular structured bond exposure. Suspension of issuance simply means the issuer is limiting risk exposure concentration in a specific area -- that is a responsible thing to do in our view.
Disclosure: We have a substantial position in AMJ.
Cap-Gain Expectations For 4 Passive, Active And Active/Leveraged MLP Portfolios [View article]
Fidelity apparently believes that they need to protect clients from their own decisions, by deciding that ETNs with suspended issuance are not appropriate for any of their clients.
Schwab apparently believes that their clients should take responsibility for their own investing decisions on a broader spectrum of alternatives than Fidelity.
By inference, Fidelity believes that the only reason to invest in an ETN is to track its index and that imperfect tracking disqualifies an ETN, whereas by inference, Schwab believes that imperfect tracking is not a disqualifying attribute, and that there may even be in some circumstances a reason to chose to invest in an ETN with imperfect tracking.
It makes one wonder why Fidelity does not block trading of all closed-end funds which almost always have premiums or discounts - e.g. track their underlying portfolios terribly -- but that present investors with opportunities to take positions that may be based on assumptions that the premium or discount will increase or decrease.
Currently AMJ trades at a 0.25% premium to the index it tracks and the Bid/Ask spread this morning is $0.02
Cap-Gain Expectations For 4 Passive, Active And Active/Leveraged MLP Portfolios [View article]
" Fidelity currently has a policy in place to block opening trades for any and all ETN's that suspend issuance of new notes. As you are aware, one of the risks of ETN's and ETF's is that they may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV or indicative value. When an ETN suspends issuing of new notes the market's effect can be magnified over time. This could lead to increasing volatility and a situation where the performance of the ETN would no longer reflect the value of the underlying index it tracks. This is the reason Fidelity is no longer allowing opening trades in this particular ETN."
Cap-Gain Expectations For 4 Passive, Active And Active/Leveraged MLP Portfolios [View article]
I called Fidelity Active Trader (where we have assets), and can confirm that Fidelity has a block for all accounts on opening any new AMJ positions at Fidelity, although they allow sale of AMJ. The rep was not aware of all of the details behind the Fidelity decision, but is attempting to obtain those details and get back to me.
I then called Schwab Active Trader (where we have assets) and can confirm that they have no restrictions on opening new positions in AMJ, nor any other restrictions of normal trading activity.
This is a bit of a mystery at the moment and I ask that readers with any additional information chime in here.
Cap-Gain Expectations For 4 Passive, Active And Active/Leveraged MLP Portfolios [View article]
The funds are only example, not meant to be complete lists. We have published prior articles including most funds.
15 ETFs For Countries With Consistently Positive Total Returns For 10 Years [View article]
10 High Quality, Low Volatility, Persistent Dividend, Positive Price Trend Stocks [View article]
15 ETFs For Countries With Consistently Positive Total Returns For 10 Years [View article]