Robert Nilsen

Market Nosedive Pushes Dollar Down

I probably should not post here as I am not a trader .. and have absolutely no business dealing in FX.
As such, I rely on the "basic fundamentals" and have had some positions in FXA, FXC and FXM .... NOT because of some magic formula but for the yield and the underlying fundamentals of the US dollar.
The world is awash in US dollars. Deficits (trade and budget) are beyond any level of reason. There is no sign this trend will NOT continue. The "printing presses" are going 24/7/365 so .. dare I apply the laws of supply and demand? .. the trend for the greenback can only be down.
For yield and some comfort look into the FX series (Canada, Mexico, Australia.) They are deposits in New York banks, provide nice yields and offer, in my opinion, some price appreciation potential if one has patience and a time horizon beyond tonight's dinner.
I currently hold a few shares of FXA. Have done rather well in the past (mostly dumb luck) with FXC and FXM... but I liked the yield along with the luck.
God Bless America!

John Hancock Patriot Dividend Fund: Am I Missing Something?

Thanks to all for the thoughtful and intelligent comments. Many good points raised by all.
Gee ... wouldn't it be nice if one paid less than $8.63 per share??? !!!!
Good luck to all and God Bless America.
Robert

Five Stocks to Own Now that the Dow Has Bottomed

Did I by accident find myself on Yahoo Message Boards?
Well, perhaps not as no one so far has used four letter words and longer ones that usually end in "er" and are oftentimes preceeded by a reference to one who gives birth.
Come on people! A little class here!
Agree or disagree, but show some respect.
We are all entitled to our opinion AND if there is anyone here who believes (including any and all contributors) that a posting here can effect the price of a security, I would suggest to them that they take prep classes to obtain their GED.
Yes .. attempting to call a market top or bottom is Cramerish (need I say more?), but I appreciated the contributors comments on individual stocks.
CIAO and God Bless America!

Expecting Strong Earnings Upside from First Solar and Solarfun Power

Let's be fair and civil here to Mr. Johnson and Seeking Alpha (and maybe put some blame on Yahoo Finance and/or the highly paid analysts).
A few comments (SOLF ONLY):
OUCHHHHHHHHHHH!
Yahoo Finance shows analysts estimates in sync with what Mr. Johnson has stated.
If an unsophicated investor "took this analysis to the bank" it would imply a PE of maybe 1-2.
Fact ... one ADS = 5 shares.
ADS EPS Q1 is (in Good Old American pesos .. sarcasm here) ...in US Dollars of $.3155. ERGO.....
Not Seeking Alpha's fault...and Mr. Johnson should do a bit more research before publication and
I do agree with an upside surprise!
God Bless America!

Insituform Technologies: Ready to Deliver?

Nice article Ted. I have owned INSU (on and off) for a number of years and am a long term investor. I totally agree (on a medium and long term basis) that if they can get their act together in the executive suite and boardroom, this can be a great growth story.
Hope we are both right!

Preferred Stocks: Boring...But Safe

Hello Carmel. Nice to read your post.
I am most unhappy also with the current price level .. as stated in my original post .. but not unhappy with the yield at my purchase price.
Ergo .. the ultimate question is the safety of dividend payments and I am just as much "in the dark" as you appear to be.
We both know that disclosure issues are different in the gool ol' USA v the rest of the world. A fact of life.
"At the end of the day" will we continue to receive our dividends? Will the bank survive? Can we accept the yields we were given? When, if ever, do we have to sell? And (I am so embarrassed to admit that I do not know if the series I own is cumulative or not) can the bank afford (from a PR standpoint) to omit preferred dividends?
I wish you and I the best. I am nervous .. confused .. but lived through 1987, etc.
God Speed.

A Look at Four Polysilicon-Based PV Manufacturers' Funding

I am the new kid on the block here .. just had my first contribution published. I joined Seeking Alpha because I feel the contributors appear to be earnest people presenting their opinions in a professional manner.
If one wants the opposite of this just go to Yahoo Finance, pick a stock, go to Message Board and you will find some of the most puerile, vile language I have heard since being in the US Army. Most of the contributers there use 4 letter words .. some longer .. and they usually end in "er." Like m er. Get my point.
So .. lets keep this site civil and productive. It is ok to attack an analysis .... but not the author.
Final Point. Maybe a Goldman analyst can effect a stock price in the SHORT TERM or some analyst can cause movement in Merck (as said analyst has "concerns" over the drug Gardisal ... just as I have "concerns" whether my car will start in the morning), but to think that I or Envoy Global or Venus / Serena Williams or Art Callahan (my next door neighbor) can effect the stock price of any security by posting here is either supreme stupidity, ego, a severe reaction to too much alcohol or someone who has been watching too much Dr. Phil.
SO Envoy Global .. I do not care if you are long, short, fat or ugly. IT DOES NOT MATTER!
I disagree with your analysis ... but I will never attack you.
God Bless America and Freedom of Speech!

Solorfun Power: When Markets Are Irrational

I am a new contributor answering my own post and wish to say thanks for the feedback. Being new I have no idea how to get in touch and send you the spreadsheet but I would be delighted to do so if one of you can tell me how.
Enjoy the 4th!