mcadoo3312

You Knew the Short Squeeze Was Coming

Spoken like a true Kramer zealot.

Google: Don't Hate the Player - Hate the Game

I agree with the article. GOOG is great, simply said. Most users have no idea how many things they do. For instance, 1-800-GOOG-411 provides free 411 service. Try it! It also encourages entrepreneurial activities because you can use their platform, documents, spreadsheets, email - basically everything a start-up needs, for next to nothing.

I had been looking at GOOG around their 1Q earnings release for client portfolios, but couldn't convince the rest of the investment committee to pull the trigger. $90 later that day I had them convinced, but there was no reason to get in after the run up. They have since come back a little, so it might be an attractive entrance point before Friday's earnings release.

Preparing for Bear Stearns II?

Very well put by Reinko. However, that money is still in the system and there is no way to get it out for good.

The failure of certain institutions shows that the free markets are doing their jobs, just not to the behest of short minded individuals. Maybe Bernanke needs to clarify what he means by "Financial Stability". Expectations of "stability" in financial markets and trying to obtain said stability can sometimes end in the same, or even worse trouble. Greenspan fell in love with the idea of "stable" liquidity; look how that turned out.

Italy's Economy On The Ropes (Again)

Wow that was long. You could have summed it up by saying their economic system has not evolved into the 21st century (mom and pop stores), politics are getting in the way of economic success, and you cannot take a 3 hour siesta every day.

Crocs: Successful Brand or Victim of Cheap Imitations?

You are basing your opinion on what a 12 year old girl thinks - smart investment strategy. Teen aged girls change their mind every twenty minutes based on what is popular, not to mention, we have known American growth has been slowing since the brand's introduction a couple of years ago. It's the international growth that is continuing to drive the brand. They have perfect financials and a ton of short interest, so even if the fad is over, there is still profit to be had based on fundamentals.

Crocs: Successful Brand or Victim of Cheap Imitations?

I called Crocs a couple of days ago to try and get a feel of what was going on at the company, but from the perspective of a daily worker (who would likely be more candid from what they are experiencing). I waited on hold for about 10 minutes, so I saw an opportunity to jokingly ask if they were understaffed because the company was going through a rough patch. She said the exact opposite was the case; they have been busier than last year. FYI.

Commodities Are Taken to the Woodshed - What's the Game Plan?

Agreed. Very good point on RIG and ATW being tied to rig demand, not oil.

Dan Ariely: Predictably Irritating

Nice Roast.

Will Electric Power Cause the Next Price Shock?

Good article.

How Big a Contribution Comes from Oil Speculation?

Everyone is spending so much time trying to place blame on one individual cause for the rise in oil, they are missing the big picture. Oil is a non-renewable resource that has been decreasing in supply and increasing in demand, as we all know, for the past several years. More so, this trend is expected to continue, and get worse, in the future. So, supply and demand fundamentals tell us that oil prices have to get higher at some point. But, something literally has to drive the prices higher which is where the "speculators" come in. There are several different kinds of speculators, but the index speculators are the ones that have come in to focus recently because of their enormous cash inflows into the commodities markets as a form of asset allocation. This is why we are also seeing a negative correlation between oil prices and the value of the dollar. Now, to the person that said why haven't all commodities increased; most have, but most of those commodities are also renewable, oil is not. The price fluctuations of goods that will continuously be able to be reproduced are based on more short term fundamentals. Regarding oil, massive amounts of trades have been placed based on the expectation that the price of oil HAS to go up at some point. The market has gotten ahead of itself with the aid of the cash inflows from speculators. Take these cash flows out of ALL of the markets, not just the NYMEX, and we will see a short term reversion of its price. The price of oil will gradually go back up, but not at the outrageous pace we have seen in past years.

Upside to Oil Stocks?

The supply and demand imbalances expected in the future give a reason why oil should be higher, but not necessarily as high as it has climbed - especially so rapidly. The flows of funds coming into (and staying in) the futures markets has been driving up the price based on these fundamental expectations. If these new entrants are forced to cash out, the upward price momentum gets its feet cut out from under it. Right now, oil prices are the hottest issue in an election year, and the candidates, as well as Congress and President Bush, have all given proposals to cool down the oil market. Even though the street has already been expecting a drop in oil prices, most stocks have still gone up. If oil falls based on enacted legislation, smart investors will capture gains in hope of buying the same solid companies back more cheaply in the future. In the long term, I agree with your theory, but in the short term, investors entering the energy market could be in for some pain.

Where is Garmin Leading Us?

I had to read this guy's conclusion three times to see if I was missing anything. I didn't miss anything, but he did; he missed support to merit his point thus giving his readers no reason to believe a word he said. Maybe he should spend more time doing research and less time writing a terrible article that, unfortunately, will cause some people to short, put, or sell shares.

Why is the Market Rewarding Crocs?

CrossProfit, I commented on the last entry this clown made about Crocs. Obviously he is not familiar with the term "short squeeze" which is exactly what happened. The stock has pared down since then, but still has close to 38% short interest as a % of float. No matter what he thinks, inventories will be reduced and cash flow will increase. Regardless is Crocs is over as a fad IN AMERICA, they are still generating huge growth overseas. You don't have to stick around forever to generate a profit by trading intelligently.

No Hope Left for Crocs

I completely agree with CrossProfit, but that is why you do follow up analysis on anything not written from a credible source. I also disagree with his $9 price target because the stock already had almost 50% short interest as a percentage of float. How much higher is that figure going to be after today?!

Additionally, International growth for the product is in its early stages as Europe and Japan reportedly have high demand. That being said, I do not believe the company a total flash in the pan, but I also believe the product's life in the global market is beginning to make the turn from cash cow to dog. There are profits still to be made, but they could be quick, so pay attention.