SwingTimer

RIP: Retail Stores Closed in 2009

Despite your fine pedigrees boys, I suggest you go back to the black-tie party. There is No analysis here; not even an opinion regarding the relevance of these figures - a waste of my time. So times are tough for retailers; tell SA readers something they haven't heard already, from countless sources for the past 18 months.

The Decade's Top 25 Stocks

NO analytical value whatsoever, so why burden serious readers/investors with this kind of thing? Dunno!!!

Wednesday Options Update: UUP, NWL, HNZ & EWZ

Andrew,
I have to say, I always enjoy your postings. I'm sure al lot of investors benefit from your reporting of options activity and especially of your interpretations of the consequences of the trades.
Many thanks. Mike

Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase: How Did They Make So Much Money?

Marc,
I follow your blogs because you generally have relevant comments. But this time, you pose a question but don't give an answer (or even an opinion). Then you bring up a rumor, (adding to the rumor itself, which I haven't heard before), that GE may be bankrupt! Please... I just wonder why you bother to post an article which seems pointless.

Compass Minerals for Global Warming Doubters

Paul,
I always review your selections carefully and have taken on a number of your suggested option trades. Thank you.
But I was wondering if you always hold your positions to expiration or on occassion make adjustments to lock in profits or otherwise optimize a position. I'd appreciate your sharing with your readers any adjustment strategies which you may employ. Thanks again, in advance.

16 Reasons for Equities Markets to Fall Soon

Hey Guys...
There are always two sides to any situation (just ask your wife/girlfriend). While an awful lot of arguments can be cited for a lower market in the near/intermediate term, a similar number (in importance, at least) can be cited for an opposite viewpoint - they can all be boiled down to ONE though - investor psychology.
I agree fully that the market is due for a correction. But it is where it is, despite all the doom & gloom arguments, because investors as a whole prefer to ignore the awful realities of today and prefer to "anchor" their strategies on the fact that the market - over the long term - will inevitably continue on its merry way due to the indisputable resilience of the human spirit. OK, I perhaps digress here.
But the point is, in the short/intermediate term (you decide what that is), the market is over-extended. Viewed over the longer term, it is no doubt cheap and will continue to gradually climb higher and higher - it always has, and that's because we as a species inevitably adapt and move forward. So, define your investment strategy within a defined time perspective, and move on.
Just remember that investor psychology incorporates two rather dismal attributes - fear and greed - and these always produce market price oscillations, up...down...up...down.... That's the nature of the beast, so live with it by adapting to it.
Good luck, and then some.

Market Cycles: A Look at the Historical Evidence

To properly appreciate the notion of cycles, simply add the notion of Reversion to the Mean to your repertoire - or, as some might say, the propensity of humans over time to repeatedly oscillate from an extreme of (optimism) greed to an extreme of (pessimism) fear. Cycles, of whatever duration, merely reflect the human character of investors.

Herman Miller: Preparing for the Long Haul

Excellent article - straight to the point and without all of the usual flowery embelishments/fudging characteristics of run-of-the-mill analysts/commentators. Do it again David. Thank you!

How to Make Money from China's Stimulus Package

Interesting insights into investing in China's infrastructure promise - please do provide similar insights in the future.

Dead Dog Survey (Part 1)

It seems a waste of energy to "kick the dog" when he's down already - it serves no useful purpose.

Why the Nuclear ETF Could Be Powering Up

Pete R:

Ethical investing is all well and good, and if that's your thing, then good for you. But stop preaching to the converted. And recognize that the objective of investing for most investors is to make money, not to generate a "feel good, holier than thou" sense of well-being. May not be right, but that's the way it is.

And, importantly, don't judge a prospective investment solely on the "green" merits of it - it'll lead you astray.

The Inundation of Debt and Its Toll on Our Economy

Friar Hilarious..

Your comments make a certain amount of sense, but please keep your naive religious frame-of-reference and communist ideology out of it . If you have an opinion, simply address the dynamics of the economics of the situation - not the "children" - if you wish your viewpoint is to be considered seriously by readers of SA.

" Government control of all funds on behalf of the people is greatly to be preferred to private control of funds on behalf of the criminals".

Really...??? This assumes two things: 1) everyone out there is deceitful, and, 2) government bureaucrats are unquestionably competent. Really??? Get real, why don't you! Prospects in the real world aren't as bad as your clostured world of make-believe and imaginary "euphorea".

A Bullish and Bearish Forecast

Your article presents useful contrasting views of the prevailing economic situation, but Hall make a simple assertion that there is a part two to the financial crisis.

"Five waves to downturn: i) housing market collapse, ii) financial crisis, iii) slower demand, iv) job losses, and v) financial crisis – the second round; we are in the third and fourth stages, headed for the fifth, i.e. the wave of writedowns, loan-loss provisions, etc to be triggered by the collapse in the real economy (when even good loans go sour)"

The first four components are readily acceptable as reality. But it would be relevant to be able to assess whether his fifth component is merely an assertion on his part (a penchant for "doom & gloom") or a serious prospect to which a high probability can be ascribed.

Perhaps a subsequent article will elaborate on his justification for his view that "the other shoe has yet to fall".

Why I'm Bullish on Whole Foods

Umm..sounds like a prescription for the "Buy High, then Sell Lower" approach. True, the market is down big time, as is this stock. I suppose one can ignore the fact that, short term, the market is overbought, where, as they say, "a falling tide lowers all boats". And, I suppose, one can also ignore the fact that significant "technical" resistance is waiting in the wings from the August/September $20 area. In addition, there is abosolutely no mention of fundamental developments that might support a "continuation". To the contrary, justification for further advance, it seems, is dependant on the fact that RSI has failed on past occasions. Humm...

Emerging Market ETFs Come Unhinged

Excellent review. Thank you.