capgain's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/174894/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/152557-cnbc-viewership-down-28?source=feed#comment-608506 608506 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:22:52 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/141601-intel-s-buy-into-the-device-software-business-did-they-overpay?source=feed#comment-533624 533624
So, did INTC overpay? We'll see over the next 30-60 days if some of the other big boys refuse to let them slip through their fingers.]]> Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:05:09 -0400
So, did INTC overpay? We'll see over the next 30-60 days if some of the other big boys refuse to let them slip through their fingers.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/138693-why-i-m-exiting-cisco?source=feed#comment-511651 511651 Wed, 20 May 2009 13:43:35 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/125625-aaa-rated-companies-and-then-there-were-six?source=feed#comment-423216 423216 Jeff Imelt could take a few bucks out of the petty cash drawer and buy S & P!]]> Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:38:19 -0400 Jeff Imelt could take a few bucks out of the petty cash drawer and buy S & P!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/122088-mr-market-has-spoken?source=feed#comment-400097 400097
It is as inevitable as tomorrow's sunrise.....failure is a critical component of capitalism. Washington's efforts to deny this by shoveling newly-borrowed money into failing enterprises will only lead to.......larger and more expensive failures!

There are trillions of dollars of private capital wisely sitting out this futile exercise. And you could measure in hours the time it would take for this capital to become the solution to our economic morass, but only after the megalomaniac amateurs in DC park their egos at the curb and get the hell out of the way. And how simple is the answer? Let's try this..........

Reduce the long term capital gains tax to ZERO for five years. The holders of all this side-lined capital will flood into the market to make smart investments free of a tax penalty. There will be an immediate creation of a market for all the "toxic paper" for which there is no market now. The smart money will do their due diligence in a competitive environment and end up buying up this paper for fire-sale prices, perhaps 10 to 50 cents of face value, depending on the long term tax free profit potential. This same capital will look to taking out the govt's positions in the viable enterprises that took TARP money.

In short, capitalism will return to our markets. Investors who put their money to work wisely, free of a tax penalty, will be rewarded. Those who are less wise will experience failure. Balance will emerge, and we will again have the opportunity to make our own individual mistakes!!]]> Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:19:41 -0500
It is as inevitable as tomorrow's sunrise.....failure is a critical component of capitalism. Washington's efforts to deny this by shoveling newly-borrowed money into failing enterprises will only lead to.......larger and more expensive failures!

There are trillions of dollars of private capital wisely sitting out this futile exercise. And you could measure in hours the time it would take for this capital to become the solution to our economic morass, but only after the megalomaniac amateurs in DC park their egos at the curb and get the hell out of the way. And how simple is the answer? Let's try this..........

Reduce the long term capital gains tax to ZERO for five years. The holders of all this side-lined capital will flood into the market to make smart investments free of a tax penalty. There will be an immediate creation of a market for all the "toxic paper" for which there is no market now. The smart money will do their due diligence in a competitive environment and end up buying up this paper for fire-sale prices, perhaps 10 to 50 cents of face value, depending on the long term tax free profit potential. This same capital will look to taking out the govt's positions in the viable enterprises that took TARP money.

In short, capitalism will return to our markets. Investors who put their money to work wisely, free of a tax penalty, will be rewarded. Those who are less wise will experience failure. Balance will emerge, and we will again have the opportunity to make our own individual mistakes!!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/120139-bank-of-america-merrill-lynch-propose-new-scenario-for-microhoo-deal?source=feed#comment-385525 385525
These "analysts" have too much idle time on their hands.]]> Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:23:49 -0500
These "analysts" have too much idle time on their hands.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/119898-geithner-unable-to-break-with-the-past?source=feed#comment-384286 384286
Of course the market pulled back, just as one rightfully jerks one's hand from a hot stove. What is really needed now is a lot more honesty, and a lot less polished rhetoric.]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:53:37 -0500
Of course the market pulled back, just as one rightfully jerks one's hand from a hot stove. What is really needed now is a lot more honesty, and a lot less polished rhetoric.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/100224-the-most-dangerous-place-to-get-investing-advice?source=feed#comment-283686 283686
Your initial point re chartists is so spot-on! Whenever I see one spouting their "expertise", I see a driver steering his vehicle by firmly grasping his rear-view mirror!

Also, your advice to understand what a company does before investing is so basic and yet so often ignored. But it has served Uncle Warren well over the years, hasn't it? As has his advice to panic when others are greedy and be greedy when others are in panic.

You are, however, very forgiving of stockbrokers. My experience of them over forty plus years of investing is a bit less charitable. I define a broker as someone who will likely make you moreso.

Overall, a very good article. Thank you.]]> Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:33:34 -0400
Your initial point re chartists is so spot-on! Whenever I see one spouting their "expertise", I see a driver steering his vehicle by firmly grasping his rear-view mirror!

Also, your advice to understand what a company does before investing is so basic and yet so often ignored. But it has served Uncle Warren well over the years, hasn't it? As has his advice to panic when others are greedy and be greedy when others are in panic.

You are, however, very forgiving of stockbrokers. My experience of them over forty plus years of investing is a bit less charitable. I define a broker as someone who will likely make you moreso.

Overall, a very good article. Thank you.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/99705-cnbc-s-gasparino-problem?source=feed#comment-281453 281453 Chucky G is hardly a right-wing nut case; I've listened to him light into the current administration as well as the left. Importantly, however, he does regularly analyze and explain quite intelligently the often under-reported consequences of the actions of those whose hands are now on the financial throttle.

Quite frankly, I think we're being driven headlong toward a precipice, and Gasparino is just identifying the terrain along the way. Does Mr Salmon not recognize that we are on a dangerous journey?]]> Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:00:10 -0400 Chucky G is hardly a right-wing nut case; I've listened to him light into the current administration as well as the left. Importantly, however, he does regularly analyze and explain quite intelligently the often under-reported consequences of the actions of those whose hands are now on the financial throttle.

Quite frankly, I think we're being driven headlong toward a precipice, and Gasparino is just identifying the terrain along the way. Does Mr Salmon not recognize that we are on a dangerous journey?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/99358-the-short-case-for-general-electric?source=feed#comment-279171 279171
I'm sorry, I just couldn't help it. In addition to adding to my GE position @ under $20, I also added Jan 2010 calls at $20 and at $25. I've lived through at least five serious "crashes", but this one is so over-hyped it is almost ready for the daytime soaps!!! We might not be at "the bottom", but remember....no one rings a bell when you get there!!!]]> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:52:45 -0400
I'm sorry, I just couldn't help it. In addition to adding to my GE position @ under $20, I also added Jan 2010 calls at $20 and at $25. I've lived through at least five serious "crashes", but this one is so over-hyped it is almost ready for the daytime soaps!!! We might not be at "the bottom", but remember....no one rings a bell when you get there!!!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/97099-where-s-the-bottom-still-anybody-s-guess?source=feed#comment-263490 263490
With one easy move by our genius legislators in DC, we the investing public will be able to say to the Paulson posse, "Thanks, but no thanks!!" All they have to do is lower the capital gains tax to ZERO for ten years. You can almost see and hear that three trillion racing by!

A far-out idea, perhaps, but the unpalatable alternative is to have the govt control another hugely important aspect of our lives. ]]> Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:26:58 -0400
With one easy move by our genius legislators in DC, we the investing public will be able to say to the Paulson posse, "Thanks, but no thanks!!" All they have to do is lower the capital gains tax to ZERO for ten years. You can almost see and hear that three trillion racing by!

A far-out idea, perhaps, but the unpalatable alternative is to have the govt control another hugely important aspect of our lives. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/95781-ge-struggling-short-term-but-should-do-fine-long-term?source=feed#comment-256956 256956
Having just bought a fistful of Jan 2010 in-the-money calls at panic prices, I am going back to work and then going on vacation without having to worry about this Chicken Little operetta. ]]> Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:39:50 -0400
Having just bought a fistful of Jan 2010 in-the-money calls at panic prices, I am going back to work and then going on vacation without having to worry about this Chicken Little operetta. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/90932-natural-gas-wind-power-the-pickens-plan?source=feed#comment-230222 230222
I have read the Pickens Plan. It is not perfect, but it is viable and, more importantly, it is the only thoughtful framework that is on the table right now. We would be foolish to nit-pick it into oblivion just because it isn't "the" solution for all time. To paraphrase, let not perfection be the fatal enemy of the possible. For purposes of discussion, let me state from the outset that I hold positions in CLNE, GE, and PWR.

First, the obvious: Having hamstrung ourselves by limiting severely our production of fossil fuels domestically, we are vulnerable to the political and often fanatical whims of those who are not our very best friends. Worse, we are obliged to fund their "whims" at levels that are obscene. We should start today - this morning - to develop every viable alternative imaginable. This includes drilling for crude oil and natural gas. It also should include hydrogen fuel cells, compressed LNG, bio-fuels, nuclear, solar, geothermal and probably a half dozen that I haven't even heard of. Make no mistake about it....this is a matter of our survival as a free nation, and the environmentalists who have established themselves as the self-appointed "guardians of our planet" will have to just step aside and let the realists work to ensure that they will have enough power tomorrow to light and heat their own
"Save the Planet" offices.

We can and must do anything and everything to maintain our independence. And we must face the fact that we have become our own worst enemies. The petty partisan political theater in Washington has gone beyond acceptability! No matter which side of the political aisle each of us identifies with, we can no longer afford to be red or blue; we must insist, loudly and clearly, that our ensconced representatives in DC stop playing the roles of good Republicans and Democrats and start behaving like good Americans! The only thing hanging in the balance is our nation!!!]]> Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:56:54 -0400
I have read the Pickens Plan. It is not perfect, but it is viable and, more importantly, it is the only thoughtful framework that is on the table right now. We would be foolish to nit-pick it into oblivion just because it isn't "the" solution for all time. To paraphrase, let not perfection be the fatal enemy of the possible. For purposes of discussion, let me state from the outset that I hold positions in CLNE, GE, and PWR.

First, the obvious: Having hamstrung ourselves by limiting severely our production of fossil fuels domestically, we are vulnerable to the political and often fanatical whims of those who are not our very best friends. Worse, we are obliged to fund their "whims" at levels that are obscene. We should start today - this morning - to develop every viable alternative imaginable. This includes drilling for crude oil and natural gas. It also should include hydrogen fuel cells, compressed LNG, bio-fuels, nuclear, solar, geothermal and probably a half dozen that I haven't even heard of. Make no mistake about it....this is a matter of our survival as a free nation, and the environmentalists who have established themselves as the self-appointed "guardians of our planet" will have to just step aside and let the realists work to ensure that they will have enough power tomorrow to light and heat their own
"Save the Planet" offices.

We can and must do anything and everything to maintain our independence. And we must face the fact that we have become our own worst enemies. The petty partisan political theater in Washington has gone beyond acceptability! No matter which side of the political aisle each of us identifies with, we can no longer afford to be red or blue; we must insist, loudly and clearly, that our ensconced representatives in DC stop playing the roles of good Republicans and Democrats and start behaving like good Americans! The only thing hanging in the balance is our nation!!!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/89678-wind-turbines-the-new-renewable-bull-market?source=feed#comment-224965 224965 PWR) and I like companies whose products/services are in demand worldwide!]]> Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:05:32 -0400 PWR) and I like companies whose products/services are in demand worldwide!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/87674-looking-for-the-perfect-dividend-stock?source=feed#comment-217536 217536 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:56:30 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/83004-adding-to-my-ge-position?source=feed#comment-194070 194070 Your assessment is valid, if a bit tepid. Most investors (especially the "professionals") are mentally lazy lemmings who run to follow the crowd. Just as you have disclosed what part GE plays in your portfolio, I am happy to do the same.......it is my largest single holding by far, and has been for the last 40 years, and the lemmings who sold yesterday sold to......me.

Having made clear that I value this as a smart investment, let me be fair and opine that GE is a sub-$30 stock now for two identifiable reasons. The first is cited above.....the lemming factor. The second is a consequence of its timidity years ago. For those readers who have a fair recollection of history, think back to GE's attempt to buy Honeywell. This was an acquisition that rivaled sunshine in its brilliance. And GE backed down in the face of protectionist EEC opposition! When the EEC said "Tut, tut" and "Nein, nein", GE said "Uncle" instead of "#@^& you" and that was the beginning of its slide toward $30. (Are you listening, MSFT?)

It continues to both amaze and disappoint me that the powerhouses such as GE, MSFT, and UTX continue to knuckle under to the lilliputians and the tree-huggers to their own detriment.

Now fast-forward to today, and you will see why GE is still a good investment. Who is taking the lead in developing potable water, wind-generated power and fuel-efficient engines? Right! Now if only they would also focus on fuel cell technology, the obvious answer to our imported oil morass.

Davy, continue to tell it like it is......and don't be afraid to be right!]]> Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:49:06 -0400 Your assessment is valid, if a bit tepid. Most investors (especially the "professionals") are mentally lazy lemmings who run to follow the crowd. Just as you have disclosed what part GE plays in your portfolio, I am happy to do the same.......it is my largest single holding by far, and has been for the last 40 years, and the lemmings who sold yesterday sold to......me.

Having made clear that I value this as a smart investment, let me be fair and opine that GE is a sub-$30 stock now for two identifiable reasons. The first is cited above.....the lemming factor. The second is a consequence of its timidity years ago. For those readers who have a fair recollection of history, think back to GE's attempt to buy Honeywell. This was an acquisition that rivaled sunshine in its brilliance. And GE backed down in the face of protectionist EEC opposition! When the EEC said "Tut, tut" and "Nein, nein", GE said "Uncle" instead of "#@^& you" and that was the beginning of its slide toward $30. (Are you listening, MSFT?)

It continues to both amaze and disappoint me that the powerhouses such as GE, MSFT, and UTX continue to knuckle under to the lilliputians and the tree-huggers to their own detriment.

Now fast-forward to today, and you will see why GE is still a good investment. Who is taking the lead in developing potable water, wind-generated power and fuel-efficient engines? Right! Now if only they would also focus on fuel cell technology, the obvious answer to our imported oil morass.

Davy, continue to tell it like it is......and don't be afraid to be right!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/81899-mannkind-overlooked-biotech-with-excellent-prospects-part-v?source=feed#comment-188455 188455
My investment in MNKD has lost 75% of its value, but I have not sold out as I normally would in weeding out the "losers". Perhaps I should have, but there is something over-arching about Dr. Mann's absolute commitment to this dream that is contagious. You have focused so well on the nuts and bolts; I am yielding to a rare gut feeling that again and again stops me from selling out. We may have taken different paths to get where we are, and your route is certainly more defensible, but the few times I've trusted my gut have been rewarding!]]> Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:07:45 -0400
My investment in MNKD has lost 75% of its value, but I have not sold out as I normally would in weeding out the "losers". Perhaps I should have, but there is something over-arching about Dr. Mann's absolute commitment to this dream that is contagious. You have focused so well on the nuts and bolts; I am yielding to a rare gut feeling that again and again stops me from selling out. We may have taken different paths to get where we are, and your route is certainly more defensible, but the few times I've trusted my gut have been rewarding!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/80475-mannkind-overlooked-biotech-with-excellent-prospects-part-i?source=feed#comment-181890 181890
But I am not naive. Just as the Edsel was a technologically advanced car when introduced, it never gained traction (no pun intended) because Ford quit early in the marketing effort. In order for Technosphere to be a commercial success, Dr. Mann will have to partner up with at least one of the majors to market it, and a few of them have now experienced failure with their own efforts.

I look forward to your further analysis...and congratulations on buying in when you did!]]> Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:54:28 -0400
But I am not naive. Just as the Edsel was a technologically advanced car when introduced, it never gained traction (no pun intended) because Ford quit early in the marketing effort. In order for Technosphere to be a commercial success, Dr. Mann will have to partner up with at least one of the majors to market it, and a few of them have now experienced failure with their own efforts.

I look forward to your further analysis...and congratulations on buying in when you did!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/79451-the-case-for-aig-patience-required?source=feed#comment-176565 176565 Fri, 30 May 2008 08:36:14 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/78927-dow-an-undervalued-5-star-market?source=feed#comment-175287 175287
Your over-all take on the major players you mention is probably correct with this one exception.....it almost makes me gag to have to look at the reality of AIG; right now it is OVER-VALUED!!! ]]> Wed, 28 May 2008 12:17:16 -0400
Your over-all take on the major players you mention is probably correct with this one exception.....it almost makes me gag to have to look at the reality of AIG; right now it is OVER-VALUED!!! ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/78318-aig-are-the-losses-accelerating?source=feed#comment-171821 171821
The news today that the Jax Police/Fire Pension Fund has filed suit is not surprising....and there will be others. The fact that what has been marked down today will be gradually marked back up tomorrow is lost on the knee-jerkers. The myopic never grasp that life goes on beyond the next twenty six minutes!

I prefer to take a longer view......and it ain't so good either! We are watching our economy collapse around us, shipping boatloads of our treasury to our enemies overseas while our infuriatingly inept and partisan congress decimates our domestic buying power by sucking up to a farm lobby that must know where every body is buried.

But step back and re-focus. If you truly take a long-term view, it will be the AIGs and the GEs and the MSFTs that will withstand the ineptitudes of our government and the maggot-like attacks by the likes of the Jax funds. These large-caps might still see some more selling pressure, but I'll remain long and add to them opportunistically.

]]> Thu, 22 May 2008 11:29:04 -0400
The news today that the Jax Police/Fire Pension Fund has filed suit is not surprising....and there will be others. The fact that what has been marked down today will be gradually marked back up tomorrow is lost on the knee-jerkers. The myopic never grasp that life goes on beyond the next twenty six minutes!

I prefer to take a longer view......and it ain't so good either! We are watching our economy collapse around us, shipping boatloads of our treasury to our enemies overseas while our infuriatingly inept and partisan congress decimates our domestic buying power by sucking up to a farm lobby that must know where every body is buried.

But step back and re-focus. If you truly take a long-term view, it will be the AIGs and the GEs and the MSFTs that will withstand the ineptitudes of our government and the maggot-like attacks by the likes of the Jax funds. These large-caps might still see some more selling pressure, but I'll remain long and add to them opportunistically.

]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/77829-options-trader-monday-outlook?source=feed#comment-170040 170040
An obvious question arises......just where else should Pickens have looked for his turbines? The Sierra Club? The Environmental Defense Fund? Peta? NPR?

The writer is obviously intelligent, writes well, but is long on form and short on substance. ]]> Mon, 19 May 2008 11:53:09 -0400
An obvious question arises......just where else should Pickens have looked for his turbines? The Sierra Club? The Environmental Defense Fund? Peta? NPR?

The writer is obviously intelligent, writes well, but is long on form and short on substance. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/77253-martin-sullivan-deathwatch?source=feed#comment-167415 167415 Wed, 14 May 2008 10:34:01 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/75509-can-sun-rise-again?source=feed#comment-162622 162622
From a marketing prospective, it's only natural to conjecture......what if A and B recognized that they both could capitalize on their own strengths while providing support in areas that need attention, i.e. marketing,customer support,monetizing their brands, etc. In the case of Sun, I see a win-win possible if they started a conversation with another "diamond in the rough" like Wind River Systems (WIND). The synergies that two companies such as these could provide to each other could be very interesting.]]> Tue, 06 May 2008 11:20:15 -0400
From a marketing prospective, it's only natural to conjecture......what if A and B recognized that they both could capitalize on their own strengths while providing support in areas that need attention, i.e. marketing,customer support,monetizing their brands, etc. In the case of Sun, I see a win-win possible if they started a conversation with another "diamond in the rough" like Wind River Systems (WIND). The synergies that two companies such as these could provide to each other could be very interesting.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/74333-blood-in-the-streets-buy-and-hold-ge-for-now?source=feed#comment-158067 158067 You are obviously an investor (as am I) keeping your ship upright in a sea of traders. I have lived through tumultious markets and have ridden out the swells that have often been nothing more than traders trying to prove that they are smarter than everyone else and able to alter the tides. They came from the used car lots, spent time as day traders, and have migrated to the mortgage broker offices. Personally, I'm ok with waiting for the blood in the streets, and have added substantially to my GE position recently. My grandchildren will see first-hand the value of common-sense investing; thank you for your reasoned opinion.]]> Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:28:48 -0400 You are obviously an investor (as am I) keeping your ship upright in a sea of traders. I have lived through tumultious markets and have ridden out the swells that have often been nothing more than traders trying to prove that they are smarter than everyone else and able to alter the tides. They came from the used car lots, spent time as day traders, and have migrated to the mortgage broker offices. Personally, I'm ok with waiting for the blood in the streets, and have added substantially to my GE position recently. My grandchildren will see first-hand the value of common-sense investing; thank you for your reasoned opinion.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/74124-microsoft-yahoo-dead-dithering-drunk?source=feed#comment-156755 156755 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:10:10 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/73009-analyzing-analysts-on-ge-goog-c-earnings?source=feed#comment-154661 154661 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:09:02 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/71862-mannkind-slammed-no-guarantees-in-drug-safety?source=feed#comment-148946 148946 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:23:35 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/71501-is-general-electric-overvalued?source=feed#comment-146964 146964 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:03:22 -0400