kotika98

When Anonymous Sources Disappear Entirely

>Given the choice between a simple assertion and that same assertion backed up by “people familiar with the matter”, I’ll take the simple assertion any day.

Not so. "people familiar with the matter" are people who have firsthand knowledge as opposed to transmitting hearsay through the rumor mill. The reporter does in fact know which is it, so we have to rely on their integrity. If reporters start making simple assertions, then there is nothing stopping them from reporting simple rumors as fact. Because we cannot always rely on the reporter and even their boss, the Editor's, integrity traditionally all information must be sourced. In the good old times Editors refused stories sourced anonymously unless there was <b>strong</b> reasons for them to be protected - like Deep Throat.

When Anonymous Sources Disappear Entirely

It sure sounds like the words are from the horses mouth, that is Jobs himself. That would explain perfectly why it is not necessary to attribute it to "people familiar with the matter".

Why Apple Belongs in Every Portfolio

really? you mean it will be an worth a cool $800B , right?

How the iPhone and Poor Management Contribute to Apple's Downfall

professionals follow the stuff very keenly, so the accounting differences can only trip up the amateur investors of which Apple has aplenty...

i am not sure why you are so upset, though. This accouting treatment will make earning look *better* than they really are in the coming quarters (if sales contract). I would like to see instead a discussion of whether that is a real possibility.

Chinese Youth Will Propel Economic and Political Changes

i think Blair must have been talking about something else. your title says "Chinese Youth Will Propel Economic and Political Changes" and ends with "What will be key is whether or not Chinese youth continue to spend".

probably the oppposite is true - when the youth finds out in 2009 that future is not so rosy and they cannot expect to get bigger and more expensive toys very year, then some of them will turn attentions to forcing change in the country.

in fact, everyone including the communist party chiefs knows that the key to political stability in china has been the economic prosperity of the past 20 years. Sadly, China really needs a crisis now to force the necessary changes - so that it can prosper more later.

Jim Cramer's Stop Trading! Is Steve Ballmer a Diabolical Genius? (11/19/08)

you should not ever buy any stocks he mentions, or even the sectors he thinks are on fire. But you should listen and learn how he thinks - i have learned alot from him over the years, especially when he was not on TV and was putting more time and effort into his postings on TheStreet.com. Plus, anyway, there are the books which have most of his wisdom spelled out in black and white. Read it, and try to understand - many things sound obvious, but what is important is that the professionals pay attention to them and not to something else.

Jim Cramer's Stop Trading! Is Steve Ballmer a Diabolical Genius? (11/19/08)

he did well as fund manager, supposedly around 24% compounded over several years. The "Fast Money" recommendations have been looked at, and consensus is that they lose money on average. But it depends on how you count, whether you buy the minute he opens his mouth, or wait a few days like he says you should. Either way, the only people who profit are the very fast guys who can buy the second he mentions a stock and dump it a few minutes later when the crowd starts buying en mass.

Nokia: Bargain of a Lifetime - Barron's

> Strong iPhone sales will only further entrench 3G, driving Nokia's sales higher.

I guess, this is a "what doesnt kill you will make you stronger" kind of argument for nokia, haha...

The Current Market: Investors Lack Fear

No kidding, lack of fear! Somehow that does not ring true... when people are driving stocks down 4-5-6% in day on top of a 20-30-40% decline if it isnt fear i'm not sure what it is.

BTW, The fact that people are dumping individual stocks, even those without any obvious problem, rather than buying protection on the index via options and driving up the VIX is perfectly consistent with extreme level of fear. In other words, when people are just getting pessimistic they may buy index put options, but when they are panicking they will be dumping the stocks in their portfolio (in mass). I think we are seeing just that.