ValueInvestor

Breaking Up the Big Banks: Ackermann vs. Hoenig

I find big banks laughable. They say their size allows them to offer better rates and be more competitive. Well, just look at the rates (mortgage, interest, fees) credit unions and smaller regional banks offer and you'll see the big guys are raping the man in the street.

The too big to fail mantra is getting old.

High Frequency Trading: We Fear What We Do Not Understand

The author says: "First, note that ANYONE can gain access to flash orders. Similarly, anyone can gain access to co-located servers at the NYSE to have super fast execution speeds. These are not just available to a select chosen few - they are available to anyone who wants to make the investment in capital and technology."

This might be true in theory, but in practice the prices the exchange charge are too high for the majority of smaller Firms and therefore it is only realistic for the "big boys" to use this info. This isn't a fair system.

CEOs Must Bring Investors Along for the Ride (WSJ)

To be honest, I don't think individual shareholders even give a hoot. I personally throw out my proxies because I don't think voting on my .0001% holding is gonna do much, and how am I to tell which director to boot? Do I vote against all of them, one or none?

Most shareholders are there to make a buck off the stock price, not run the company like an owner should.


On May 04 01:45 PM Mmarrkk wrote:

> A reasonable question: if shareholders don't like the actions of
> the BOD, why aren't the BOD's voted out each year when the proxies
> come around?
>
> I think the answer is that the majority of the shareholders like
> the job being done and thus, vote in approval. Hey, I hate the job
> the current POTUS is doing but there was an election! Each year,
> some of the BOD's of all of these companies go up for a vote. And
> each year, they receive a majority of the shareholders' votes. So,
> you see, the shareholders DID vote and they decided to keep the BOD's,
> the same ones you all are saying are doing a putrid job. Could it
> be that you are in the minority?

Jim Rogers' Recent Portfolio Moves

Ya, because the FDIC isn't guaranteeing your bank deposits is it?


On Mar 20 08:57 AM dkp wrote:

> The lesson of the present crisis is ; keep no cash in banks, but
> buy bricks and mortar, at least you are the master of your assets.

American Express Calls Investment Banks' Bluff

Good article. It reminds me of the headlines I saw the other day:

"Citigroup Looks Better After $2.5 Billion Loss"
"Citi posts $2.5 Billion Loss, Shares Surge"

What the heck? This goes against every bit of logic and reasoning I know of.