Mule

Social Security: Bankrupt System Will Impact Markets Sooner than Expected

No need to worrry. When the economy implodes and remains stagnant like Japan, no one will be able to afford to retire, hence, problem solved.

Sales Tax for E-tailers?

Small brick & mortar retailers have to collect the sales tax and they find innovative ways to compete against their large rivals. Congress has resisted parity of on-line vs. brick and mortar to promote the expansion of the internet. The internet is now mature and no longer needs this subsidy. Also, consumers believe they "got away" from paying the sales tax on their purchase but the states are now nickeling and diming us with increased fees that in the end the consumer is paying one way or the other.

Amazon: An 'Unmatched Online Marketplace' - JP Morgan

What will happen to AMZN if they have to collect sales taxes on behalf of the states? With the states budgets in dire shape, this issue will surely come up in the new Congress.

Amazon Shares Could Appreciate by 20%

What will happen to Amazon if Congress decides it's time for internet companies to collect sales taxes on behalf of the states like other retailers, such as Walmart? Sooner or later this will happen and with most state budgets deep in the red, it will probably occur sooner rather than later.

The Short Case on KBH Homes

What cracks me up about the homebuilders is when they sell land for 40 cents on the dollar and then state, "we are generating cash by selling unneeded lots and land. I recall from a recent TOL CC an analyst made the argument that unfinished lots should now carry a value of zero since it would cost more to upgrade the lot to finished condition than what the value currently is on the balance sheet.

Shorting Homebuilders - A Sure Thing

There are a few more "non-homebuilder" items not mentioned which makes shorting homebuilders compelling. Owning a home is becoming less affordable to the masses every day. Property taxes increase every year, heating & cooling costs are going through the roof. Some areas of the country you can't even get homeowner's insurance.

Shaw's Earnings Miss not Surprising

I think SGR has a cost estimating problem. Every quarter they have writeoffs for cost overruns on projects. They never seem to get it right. You have to ask yourself, if Shaw can't meet their earnings expectations in the business environment we've had over the past couple of years, when will they?

Is General Electric Overvalued?

All valid comments. Just because GE is well capitalized doesn't mean their earnings are protected during an economic downturn.