AAPL - News and Analysis from Seeking Alpha 'AAPL' Tag RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/aapl Report from Europe: Bulls Back in Control as G20 Agree on Nothing http://seekingalpha.com/article/172230-report-from-europe-bulls-back-in-control-as-g20-agree-on-nothing?source=feed 172230

Markets seemed a little confused on Friday following the release of the October non-farm payrolls report. And that’s not surprising, as the report had something for everyone to latch onto to support their respective bullish or bearish views. Most neutral of all was the headline outcome – the 190k decline in non-farm payrolls was little different to market expectations. Bulls would note that this followed 91k of upward revisions over the past two months, whilst bears would note that the October report saw more job losses than in August (although less than in September). Bulls would counter that the trend since the beginning of the year is certainly one of declining payrolls losses, whilst bears would note that the household survey has recorded very heavy jobs losses over the past three months (averaging 589k), thus a rise in the unemployment rate to 10.2% – the highest since April 1983.

US stocks in the spotlight Monday include tobacco giant Altria (MO), whose price target was raised to $27 at Morgan Stanley, citing possible cost cutting and price rises. Gold and basic resource stocks will doubtless follow their European conterparts higher (ABX, Newmount Mining, Freeport-McMoran (FCX)). McDonald’s (MCD) is getting some positive attention after its £10 million deal with the English FA, while Citibank (C) and Bank of America (BAC) are both bid in early trading. Retail stocks RadioShack (RSH) and Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) are both in favor, the former after announcing that it is to sell Apple (AAPL) iPhones at some stores, while the latter in benefitting from a Credit Suisse broker upgrade to a “buy” rating. Gap (GPS) is moving in the opposite direction as it was cut to “equal weight” at Barclays.

]]> Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:21:45 -0500 The Mole The Mole submits:

Markets seemed a little confused on Friday following the release of the October non-farm payrolls report. And that’s not surprising, as the report had something for everyone to latch onto to support their respective bullish or bearish views. Most neutral of all was the headline outcome – the 190k decline in non-farm payrolls was little different to market expectations. Bulls would note that this followed 91k of upward revisions over the past two months, whilst bears would note that the October report saw more job losses than in August (although less than in September). Bulls would counter that the trend since the beginning of the year is certainly one of declining payrolls losses, whilst bears would note that the household survey has recorded very heavy jobs losses over the past three months (averaging 589k), thus a rise in the unemployment rate to 10.2% – the highest since April 1983.

US stocks in the spotlight Monday include tobacco giant Altria (MO), whose price target was raised to $27 at Morgan Stanley, citing possible cost cutting and price rises. Gold and basic resource stocks will doubtless follow their European conterparts higher (ABX, Newmount Mining, Freeport-McMoran (FCX)). McDonald’s (MCD) is getting some positive attention after its £10 million deal with the English FA, while Citibank (C) and Bank of America (BAC) are both bid in early trading. Retail stocks RadioShack (RSH) and Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) are both in favor, the former after announcing that it is to sell Apple (AAPL) iPhones at some stores, while the latter in benefitting from a Credit Suisse broker upgrade to a “buy” rating. Gap (GPS) is moving in the opposite direction as it was cut to “equal weight” at Barclays.


Complete Story »]]> AAPL ANF AXA AZ BAC C FCX GNCGY.PK GPS MO RSH The Mole Cable Networks as Catalyst for Future Profits http://seekingalpha.com/article/172141-cable-networks-as-catalyst-for-future-profits?source=feed 172141 Cable networks are a sweet spot in a media industry struggling to find its financial footing. They are driving conglomerates' earnings as well as richly priced deals, and will be a growth vehicle for branded content across all digital platforms.

Whether it is Comcast's bid for 51% ownership of NBC Universal (GE) or Scripps Networks Interactive's (SSP) 65% control of The Travel Channel, cable networks are commanding mid- to-high-teens earnings multiples at a time when most media values are in flux.

]]> Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:30:59 -0500 Diane Mermigas Diane Mermigas submits:

Cable networks are a sweet spot in a media industry struggling to find its financial footing. They are driving conglomerates' earnings as well as richly priced deals, and will be a growth vehicle for branded content across all digital platforms.

Whether it is Comcast's bid for 51% ownership of NBC Universal (GE) or Scripps Networks Interactive's (SSP) 65% control of The Travel Channel, cable networks are commanding mid- to-high-teens earnings multiples at a time when most media values are in flux.


Complete Story »]]> AAPL CMCSA DIS DISCK DWA GE LCAPA LGF SNE SNI SSP TRBCQ.PK TWX VIA.B Diane Mermigas What's Wrong with the Gaming Industry? http://seekingalpha.com/article/172102-what-s-wrong-with-the-gaming-industry?source=feed 172102 Normandie sinking, New York

There are a lot of doom and gloom headlines around at the moment. Lots of development staff being laid off, games selling far less than expected, major publishers making massive losses and release schedules that look a little thin. What is happening here?:

]]> Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:09:55 -0500 Bruce Everiss Bruce Everiss submits:Normandie sinking, New York

There are a lot of doom and gloom headlines around at the moment. Lots of development staff being laid off, games selling far less than expected, major publishers making massive losses and release schedules that look a little thin. What is happening here?:


Complete Story »]]> AAPL ATVI ERTS MSFT NTDOY.PK SNE Bruce Everiss Dispelling Myths About the Stock Market and Precious Metals http://seekingalpha.com/article/172016-dispelling-myths-about-the-stock-market-and-precious-metals?source=feed 172016 When surveying the financial and economic landscape of November 2009, it isn't that hard to get "the big picture". It seems to me that the manipulations and the activities of the "Smart Money", a.k.a the Exchange Insiders, the Specialists and their array of big banking clientele makes it abundantly clear that they want the stock market and precious metals market to remain in "bubble mode" for awhile longer. There are many opinion and myths about it all floating around. This concerns me.

Alfred Goldman, the wise old sage of the former brokerage firm called A.G. Edwards and Sons had a saying that I always liked: "It's not the snake you see that bites you, it's the snake you don't see." He wanted to warn customers that we can easily become distracted by all the noise, all the "talking heads" and myriad opinions and miss what is really going on.

]]> Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:22:55 -0500 Marc Courtenay Marc Courtenay submits:

When surveying the financial and economic landscape of November 2009, it isn't that hard to get "the big picture". It seems to me that the manipulations and the activities of the "Smart Money", a.k.a the Exchange Insiders, the Specialists and their array of big banking clientele makes it abundantly clear that they want the stock market and precious metals market to remain in "bubble mode" for awhile longer. There are many opinion and myths about it all floating around. This concerns me.

Alfred Goldman, the wise old sage of the former brokerage firm called A.G. Edwards and Sons had a saying that I always liked: "It's not the snake you see that bites you, it's the snake you don't see." He wanted to warn customers that we can easily become distracted by all the noise, all the "talking heads" and myriad opinions and miss what is really going on.


Complete Story »]]> AA AAPL ABX BA BHP CHK CVX DD FCX GE GOOG GS JPM NYX PG TXN XOM Marc Courtenay How Apple and iPhone Blew It in China http://seekingalpha.com/article/172010-how-apple-and-iphone-blew-it-in-china?source=feed 172010 This commentary originally appeared in Forbes.

Rumor has it that only 5,000 iPhones have been sold in China since the device's Oct. 30 debut. What happened? Apple's (AAPL) partner in China, China Unicom (CHU), had predicted sales of 5 million in the first few years. Many analysts argue the iPhone's high price (the 16 gigabyte 3GS model goes for about $730 up front) is stopping Chinese consumers from buying. Is that really the explanation?

]]> Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:11:21 -0500 Shaun Rein Shaun Rein of the China Market Research Group submits:

This commentary originally appeared in Forbes.

Rumor has it that only 5,000 iPhones have been sold in China since the device's Oct. 30 debut. What happened? Apple's (AAPL) partner in China, China Unicom (CHU), had predicted sales of 5 million in the first few years. Many analysts argue the iPhone's high price (the 16 gigabyte 3GS model goes for about $730 up front) is stopping Chinese consumers from buying. Is that really the explanation?


Complete Story »]]> AAPL CHL CHU FXI Shaun Rein Quest for the Droid Crowds: Not So Epic http://seekingalpha.com/article/171957-quest-for-the-droid-crowds-not-so-epic?source=feed 171957 Today is Droid day — an event that I, like many tech bloggers, have been looking forward to for quite some time. Unlike some people, I wasn’t graced with a test Droid last week, so I was forced to go out and get one the old fashioned way: by getting to the store as early as possible, before the precious devices sold out. And while I was concerned about falling prey to a supply shortage, a part of me still hoped there would be many others like me, helping justify my early morning rise. These are my notes as I searched for the unexpectedly elusive Verizon Droid line.

5:30 AM. I woke up this morning to the soothing chimes of my over-priced alarm clock, took a look at the ungodly hour, and immediately sank back into my pillow. It wasn’t until my second alarm (strategically positioned far out of arm’s reach) kicked in that I remembered the task at hand: Droid day.

]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:24:55 -0500 Jason Kincaid Jason Kincaid submits:

Today is Droid day — an event that I, like many tech bloggers, have been looking forward to for quite some time. Unlike some people, I wasn’t graced with a test Droid last week, so I was forced to go out and get one the old fashioned way: by getting to the store as early as possible, before the precious devices sold out. And while I was concerned about falling prey to a supply shortage, a part of me still hoped there would be many others like me, helping justify my early morning rise. These are my notes as I searched for the unexpectedly elusive Verizon Droid line.

5:30 AM. I woke up this morning to the soothing chimes of my over-priced alarm clock, took a look at the ungodly hour, and immediately sank back into my pillow. It wasn’t until my second alarm (strategically positioned far out of arm’s reach) kicked in that I remembered the task at hand: Droid day.


Complete Story »]]> AAPL GOOG MOT T VZ Jason Kincaid Europe's Biggest Newspaper Forcing Purchase of Its iPhone App http://seekingalpha.com/article/171956-europe-s-biggest-newspaper-forcing-purchase-of-its-iphone-app?source=feed 171956 By Markus Goebel

So much for the coming mobile nirvana of free mobile content – at least for iPhone users in Germany. Today Europe’s biggest newspaper, BILD-Zeitung, intends to use, in effect, brute force to compel users buy its new iPhone app. The paper tabloid is to block anyone using an iPhone browser from accessing its website.

]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:21:11 -0500 TechCrunch TechCrunch submits:

By Markus Goebel

So much for the coming mobile nirvana of free mobile content – at least for iPhone users in Germany. Today Europe’s biggest newspaper, BILD-Zeitung, intends to use, in effect, brute force to compel users buy its new iPhone app. The paper tabloid is to block anyone using an iPhone browser from accessing its website.


Complete Story »]]> AAPL AXELF.PK TechCrunch Motorola's Droid Comes in Peace - For Now http://seekingalpha.com/article/171908-motorola-s-droid-comes-in-peace-for-now?source=feed 171908

IMG_0149It seems like these aren’t the Droids they were looking for.

Having blogged about the Apple iPhone, iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3GS launches, I walked up to the Boston Verizon Wireless store on Washington Street this lunchtime looking for long lines and a carnival atmosphere for its Droid phones that went on sale at 7 am. Sadly, it wasn’t to be. I arrived at the store, asked the greeter to see a ‘Droid, and waltzed right in. In the store with me were about 25 people who were playing with Droids, and about 5 or 6 people buying them. That was it.

]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:16:42 -0500 Carl Howe Carl Howe (Blackfriars Communications) submits:

IMG_0149It seems like these aren’t the Droids they were looking for.

Having blogged about the Apple iPhone, iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3GS launches, I walked up to the Boston Verizon Wireless store on Washington Street this lunchtime looking for long lines and a carnival atmosphere for its Droid phones that went on sale at 7 am. Sadly, it wasn’t to be. I arrived at the store, asked the greeter to see a ‘Droid, and waltzed right in. In the store with me were about 25 people who were playing with Droids, and about 5 or 6 people buying them. That was it.


Complete Story »]]> AAPL GOOG MOT T VZ Carl Howe Whose Notebook PC Business Is Most Valuable? http://seekingalpha.com/article/171892-whose-notebook-pc-business-is-most-valuable?source=feed 171892 Based on our Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis of the notebook PC businesses of Apple (AAPL), HP (HPQ) and Dell (DELL), we've estimated that Apple's notebook business is more valuable than that of HP and Dell combined. Apple's higher valuation is driven by three factors: (1) higher average notebook pricing compared to HP and Dell (2) growing market share (3) higher margins (making Apple notebooks more profitable).

Notebook PC Valuation

]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:19:45 -0500 Trefis Based on our Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis of the notebook PC businesses of Apple (AAPL), HP (HPQ) and Dell (DELL), we've estimated that Apple's notebook business is more valuable than that of HP and Dell combined. Apple's higher valuation is driven by three factors: (1) higher average notebook pricing compared to HP and Dell (2) growing market share (3) higher margins (making Apple notebooks more profitable).

Notebook PC Valuation


Complete Story »]]> AAPL DELL HPQ Trefis Google's Rare Homepage Push for Droid http://seekingalpha.com/article/171884-google-s-rare-homepage-push-for-droid?source=feed 171884

Do you see something strange in this screenshot of Google’s homepage today? No, not Bert and Ernie (it’s Sesame Street’s 40th birthday). It’s that ad for the Verizon Droid right there under the search box (today is also Droid Day). Although, the juxtaposition does make it seem like Bert and Ernie are trying to get you to buy a Droid.

]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:01:27 -0500 Erick Schonfeld Erick Schonfeld submits:

Do you see something strange in this screenshot of Google’s homepage today? No, not Bert and Ernie (it’s Sesame Street’s 40th birthday). It’s that ad for the Verizon Droid right there under the search box (today is also Droid Day). Although, the juxtaposition does make it seem like Bert and Ernie are trying to get you to buy a Droid.


Complete Story »]]> AAPL GOOG MOT T VZ Erick Schonfeld Positive Cash Flow Signals New Era for Sirius XM http://seekingalpha.com/article/171873-positive-cash-flow-signals-new-era-for-sirius-xm?source=feed 171873 cramerissuicidalBy Brandon Matthews

Yesterday, Sirius XM Radio (SIRI) reported its third quarter results, which can only be described as outstanding by any measure. Subscriber growth has returned, revenue has increased, costs continue to fall as any future liquidity questions have now been put to rest.

]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:48:38 -0500 Satwaves Brandon Matthews submits:

cramerissuicidalBy Brandon Matthews

Yesterday, Sirius XM Radio (SIRI) reported its third quarter results, which can only be described as outstanding by any measure. Subscriber growth has returned, revenue has increased, costs continue to fall as any future liquidity questions have now been put to rest.


Complete Story »]]> AAPL BBY CMCSA DTV RSH SIRI Satwaves 4 Earnings Season Option Strategies http://seekingalpha.com/article/171844-4-earnings-season-option-strategies?source=feed 171844 In my last three blog posts, I listed some stocks which I would be willing to go long by selling the puts right before the stock reported earnings. Keep in mind, these were companies which I believed would have a positive reaction to the earnings. However, if the stock moved sideways on the number. this strategy would still likely return a gain the following day. This is because I am taking advantage of the increased levels of implied volatility factored into the option premium before earnings.

If you missed them, be sure to check out my October 19 blog post here, October 21 blog post here and my October 26 blog post here. So far this earnings season, the overall results have been very positive, even on eBay (EBAY), which sold off nearly 10% after earnings. I was able to purchase back the put options (closed the position) for a $4 per contract gain the following day. The best results are of course when the stock has a very positive reaction to the report and pops.

]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:41:45 -0500 Marco Hickey Marco Hickey submits:

In my last three blog posts, I listed some stocks which I would be willing to go long by selling the puts right before the stock reported earnings. Keep in mind, these were companies which I believed would have a positive reaction to the earnings. However, if the stock moved sideways on the number. this strategy would still likely return a gain the following day. This is because I am taking advantage of the increased levels of implied volatility factored into the option premium before earnings.

If you missed them, be sure to check out my October 19 blog post here, October 21 blog post here and my October 26 blog post here. So far this earnings season, the overall results have been very positive, even on eBay (EBAY), which sold off nearly 10% after earnings. I was able to purchase back the put options (closed the position) for a $4 per contract gain the following day. The best results are of course when the stock has a very positive reaction to the report and pops.


Complete Story »]]> AAPL AMZN BNI BWLD CAT EBAY GOOG KWK MSFT NSC PCLN PWRD RAX SNDK TXN V YHOO Marco Hickey Congratulations to Apple's Steve Jobs, Fortune's CEO of the Decade http://seekingalpha.com/article/171797-congratulations-to-apple-s-steve-jobs-fortune-s-ceo-of-the-decade?source=feed 171797 Love him or hate him, you have to admit that Apple CEO Steve Jobs has had a helluva decade.

Consider that, under his helm, Apple (AAPL) defined the portable music player market with the iPod, has shaken up the mobile industry with the iPhone, rocked the retail music business with iTunes and re-invented the computing business with OS X in a way that the PC business - with less than 10 percent of market share - is no longer the bread-and-butter of the company.

]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:03:33 -0500 Sam Diaz Sam Diaz submits:

Love him or hate him, you have to admit that Apple CEO Steve Jobs has had a helluva decade.

Consider that, under his helm, Apple (AAPL) defined the portable music player market with the iPod, has shaken up the mobile industry with the iPhone, rocked the retail music business with iTunes and re-invented the computing business with OS X in a way that the PC business - with less than 10 percent of market share - is no longer the bread-and-butter of the company.


Complete Story »]]> AAPL Sam Diaz How Apple's Market Share Will Propel Stock to $500, Part 2 http://seekingalpha.com/article/171759-how-apple-s-market-share-will-propel-stock-to-500-part-2?source=feed 171759 Back on December 5, 2007 I sent the following note to investors (economictiming.com):

The rate of change of economic data is worsening so it’s time to short the following group of downside leadership: Financial Sector SPDR (XLF) at $30.60, MGIC Investment Corp (MTG) at $23.75, Amabac (ABK) at $23.70, Countrywide Financial at $10.45, Freddie Mac (FRE) at $33.30, Beazer Homes (BZH) at $8.13, PMI Group (PMI) at $12.65, and Citigroup (C) at $33.40.

]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:54:57 -0500 Jason Schwarz Jason Schwarz submits:

Back on December 5, 2007 I sent the following note to investors (economictiming.com):

The rate of change of economic data is worsening so it’s time to short the following group of downside leadership: Financial Sector SPDR (XLF) at $30.60, MGIC Investment Corp (MTG) at $23.75, Amabac (ABK) at $23.70, Countrywide Financial at $10.45, Freddie Mac (FRE) at $33.30, Beazer Homes (BZH) at $8.13, PMI Group (PMI) at $12.65, and Citigroup (C) at $33.40.


Complete Story »]]> AAPL AMZN BIDU CSCO GOOG IBM INTC MOT MSFT Jason Schwarz Research In Motion: Still the Best Positioned Smartphones Play http://seekingalpha.com/article/171761-research-in-motion-still-the-best-positioned-smartphones-play?source=feed 171761

I am amazed at the line forming to attend the funeral of Research In Motion (RIMM). In just one week we have a Citigroup analyst downgrade and The Wall Street Journal warning about the growing competition from Google (GOOG) Android software for smartphones from Motorola (MOT). Then TheDeal.com suggests RIMM could be taken over.

RIMM has responded by announcing the buyback of $1.2 billion of its shares. The message from the firm by this action is clear. It believes its stock is cheap and so do I. Analysts are expecting an increase in both revenue and earnings this quarter and next year. However, they are predicting a slowdown in growth rate. A big point, they are predicting growth. The big questions at the brokers right now, are how much of a slowdown will we see and how will the forecast for next quarter be handled?

]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:54:27 -0500 Andrew Corn Andrew Corn submits:

I am amazed at the line forming to attend the funeral of Research In Motion (RIMM). In just one week we have a Citigroup analyst downgrade and The Wall Street Journal warning about the growing competition from Google (GOOG) Android software for smartphones from Motorola (MOT). Then TheDeal.com suggests RIMM could be taken over.

RIMM has responded by announcing the buyback of $1.2 billion of its shares. The message from the firm by this action is clear. It believes its stock is cheap and so do I. Analysts are expecting an increase in both revenue and earnings this quarter and next year. However, they are predicting a slowdown in growth rate. A big point, they are predicting growth. The big questions at the brokers right now, are how much of a slowdown will we see and how will the forecast for next quarter be handled?


Complete Story »]]> AAPL GOOG RIMM Andrew Corn Cramer's Stop Trading! The Research in Motion Killer (11/5/09) http://seekingalpha.com/article/171717-cramer-s-stop-trading-the-research-in-motion-killer-11-5-09?source=feed 171717 Stocks discussed on Jim Cramer's Stop Trading! TV Segment, Thursday November 5.

Goldman Sachs (GS), Apple (APPL), Motorola (MOT), Research in Motion (RIMM),

]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:49:01 -0500 SA Editor Miriam Metzinger Stocks discussed on Jim Cramer's Stop Trading! TV Segment, Thursday November 5.

Goldman Sachs (GS), Apple (APPL), Motorola (MOT), Research in Motion (RIMM),


Complete Story »]]> AAPL GS MOT RIMM SA Editor Miriam Metzinger Cisco Joins Many Others: Recovery Is Gaining Momentum http://seekingalpha.com/article/171756-cisco-joins-many-others-recovery-is-gaining-momentum?source=feed 171756 John Chambers ignited markets on Thursday. The Cisco (CSCO) CEO joined other leading firms like Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), Alcoa (AA), Intel (INTC), and others by stating that, "the quarter was very strong. The recovery is gaining momentum." Earlier in the week, the institute for supply management speculated that the US GDP is likely now growing at an annualized rate of 4.5%.

Chambers continued, "what we saw is a clear tipping point as our business continued to reflect strong sequential growth trends that meet or exceed expectations during normal economic times."
Elsewhere on Thursday the US Labor Department said the output per hour of nonfarm workers rose at an annual rate of 9.5% in the quarter, more than four times the average productivity growth rate of the past quarter-century. When taken together with the second quarter's 6.9% rise, it was the strongest productivity growth rate over a six-month period since 1961.
While unemployment remains high, initial claims for unemployment continue to fall and corporate profits have bounced back significantly from the strong downturn in Q1. As output keeps climbing, employment gains will follow shortly.
Such large productivity gains are quite common at the end of deep recessions and the beginning of recoveries. A healthy pattern is that productivity grows first, then employment rises, and finally wages increase.
It continues to be clear that this recovery will not be a jobless one. In fact on Thursday the government also reported that jobless claims dropped to a 10-month low raising speculation that the national unemployment rate has peaked will begin to fall as soon as next month.
Employment gains have already sparked reasons for optimism in many states.
As jobless rates continue to decrease nationally, almost all economic indicators will have turned positive: leading, coincident and lagging.
And as we've published here since February (and as was witnessed on Thursday), the stock market will continue its move -- swift and steep.
]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:35:15 -0500 The Good News Economist The Good News Economist submits:

John Chambers ignited markets on Thursday. The Cisco (CSCO) CEO joined other leading firms like Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), Alcoa (AA), Intel (INTC), and others by stating that, "the quarter was very strong. The recovery is gaining momentum." Earlier in the week, the institute for supply management speculated that the US GDP is likely now growing at an annualized rate of 4.5%.

Chambers continued, "what we saw is a clear tipping point as our business continued to reflect strong sequential growth trends that meet or exceed expectations during normal economic times."
Elsewhere on Thursday the US Labor Department said the output per hour of nonfarm workers rose at an annual rate of 9.5% in the quarter, more than four times the average productivity growth rate of the past quarter-century. When taken together with the second quarter's 6.9% rise, it was the strongest productivity growth rate over a six-month period since 1961.
While unemployment remains high, initial claims for unemployment continue to fall and corporate profits have bounced back significantly from the strong downturn in Q1. As output keeps climbing, employment gains will follow shortly.
Such large productivity gains are quite common at the end of deep recessions and the beginning of recoveries. A healthy pattern is that productivity grows first, then employment rises, and finally wages increase.
It continues to be clear that this recovery will not be a jobless one. In fact on Thursday the government also reported that jobless claims dropped to a 10-month low raising speculation that the national unemployment rate has peaked will begin to fall as soon as next month.
Employment gains have already sparked reasons for optimism in many states.
As jobless rates continue to decrease nationally, almost all economic indicators will have turned positive: leading, coincident and lagging.
And as we've published here since February (and as was witnessed on Thursday), the stock market will continue its move -- swift and steep.

Complete Story »]]> AA AAPL AMZN CSCO INTC The Good News Economist Has Google Become a Good Open Source Citizen? http://seekingalpha.com/article/171728-has-google-become-a-good-open-source-citizen?source=feed 171728 With its open source release Thursday of its Closure JavaScript tools, Google (GOOG) is starting to suggest that it may eventually become a good open source citizen.

The newly released tools include a JavaScript compiler, a very broad JavaScript class library, and Java/JavaScript-friendly templates. All are released under the Apache 2.0 license, a very permissive license that essentially lets outsiders do whatever they want (rather than a viral or semi-viral license like EPL or LGPL).

]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:16:31 -0500 Joel West Joel West submits:

With its open source release Thursday of its Closure JavaScript tools, Google (GOOG) is starting to suggest that it may eventually become a good open source citizen.

The newly released tools include a JavaScript compiler, a very broad JavaScript class library, and Java/JavaScript-friendly templates. All are released under the Apache 2.0 license, a very permissive license that essentially lets outsiders do whatever they want (rather than a viral or semi-viral license like EPL or LGPL).


Complete Story »]]> AAPL GOOG IBM NOK RIMM Joel West Does Steve Jobs Deserve Fortune's "CEO of the Decade" Award? http://seekingalpha.com/article/171715-does-steve-jobs-deserve-fortune-s-ceo-of-the-decade-award?source=feed 171715 Steve Jobs

Fortune Magazine has named Apple (AAPL) CEO Steve Jobs as “CEO of the Decade”. There is no denying the fact that Apple has delivered for shareholders over the past decade. As the Fortune article states, Apple’s market capitalization has risen from $5 billion in 2000 to approximately $170 billion today. This has been due to Jobs’ ability to create a culture of innovation at Apple that has resulted in groundbreaking new technologies such as the iPod and iPhone, not to mention the company’s widely acclaimed personal computers.

]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:54:19 -0500 Ravi Nagarajan Ravi Nagarajan submits:

Steve Jobs

Fortune Magazine has named Apple (AAPL) CEO Steve Jobs as “CEO of the Decade”. There is no denying the fact that Apple has delivered for shareholders over the past decade. As the Fortune article states, Apple’s market capitalization has risen from $5 billion in 2000 to approximately $170 billion today. This has been due to Jobs’ ability to create a culture of innovation at Apple that has resulted in groundbreaking new technologies such as the iPod and iPhone, not to mention the company’s widely acclaimed personal computers.


Complete Story »]]> AAPL Ravi Nagarajan Best and Worst Performing S&P 500 Stocks Since Obama's Election Win http://seekingalpha.com/article/171542-best-and-worst-performing-s-p-500-stocks-since-obama-s-election-win?source=feed 171542 Interestingly, Ford Motor (F) has been the best performing S&P 500 stock since the 2008 election. With all the troubles that the US auto industry has gone through over the past year, Ford has made it out alive and now appears to be getting stronger. Ford (F) is trailed by Whole Foods (WFMI) with a gain of 191.72%, AN (161.12%), EXPE (136.85%), FCX (135.88%), SNDK (105.72%), and AMZN (100.34%). Goldman Sachs (GS) and Apple (AAPL) are also on the list of the 25 best performing stocks since last year's election day.

click to enlarge

]]> Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:26:49 -0500 Bespoke Investment Group Hickey and Walters (Bespoke) submit:

Interestingly, Ford Motor (F) has been the best performing S&P 500 stock since the 2008 election. With all the troubles that the US auto industry has gone through over the past year, Ford has made it out alive and now appears to be getting stronger. Ford (F) is trailed by Whole Foods (WFMI) with a gain of 191.72%, AN (161.12%), EXPE (136.85%), FCX (135.88%), SNDK (105.72%), and AMZN (100.34%). Goldman Sachs (GS) and Apple (AAPL) are also on the list of the 25 best performing stocks since last year's election day.

click to enlarge


Complete Story »]]> AAPL AMZN AN C EXPE F FCX GS HBAN MI SNDK WFMI ZION Bespoke Investment Group