Ford (F) says it will close its plants in Australia in 2016 as a strong aussie and high labor costs weigh heavily on the Australian manufacturing sector's ability to compete with cheap imports. The closures are expected to result in the loss of some 1,200 jobs. [View news story]
Sorry to read it is not just the USA that has lost its way heading toward the socialism dark side. Hopefully it will be temporary and free world will find its way back to a better socioeconomic place. Socialism always fails everywhere it was tried. It is just a matter of time.
In what could be a win for PayPal (EBAY), Google (GOOG) is shutting down Checkout in 6 months to focus its online payments efforts on Wallet. Though Google will still handle payment processing for developers selling on Google properties (Play, Chrome Web Store, Offers Marketplace), 3rd-party merchants using Checkout and lacking an internal processing solution will have to find an alternative. The announcement comes a week after Google announced several new Wallet features, including new developer APIs and an option to attach money to Gmail messages. [View news story]
I have used Ebay since its inception in the late 90s. I use PAYPAL all the time. I was sorry to see it acquired by Ebay. It should have gone public. Electronic payments and electronic banking is much harder than it looks to implement securely. PAYPAL has more experience and an established base in E commerce. Smart phone E commerce have a ways to go before I will use it for electronic payment transactions.
It is good to see Google enter the space, however, I think they they should use their cash to acquire some small cap start up companies that can help them quickly gain experience in electronic banking and electronic payment security. Companies like the European Elephant Talk Communications (ETAK). They should look to banks and consumers in Europe which are further along in smart phone eCommerce than in the USA.
However it is in its early stages of development world wide. It is something that should be watched but not necessarily used. It will make cell phones truly and electronic wallet when it matures.
I am long GOOG and ETAK. Do not have a position in Ebay.
Is Google Worth That Much More Than Microsoft? [View article]
Long term everyone over 60 will be dead. This market has not been trading with a long term perspective. In an inflationary economy such as this anyone of these stocks are better than cash.
What is wrong with 97% in ad revenue even if your statement is true? Regardless it is not ad revenue anyway. It is search. There is a big difference. Search make Internet activity useful and more friendly. Without it the Internet would not be the dynamic environment it is. It cannot be pirated. You don't have to pay for it directly. Unlike Microsoft products it is not a once every few years purchase with new computers.
Intel Drops An Atomic Bomb On ARM's 'Abomination' [View article]
It is about time that Intel uses its financial and intellectual assets to expand into other sectors of the consumer electronics space. They are the 900 lb gorilla in the space and should begin to act as such. Maybe they can do something that could move the needle beyond $27 for the stockholders. I think the change in management was long overdue. Perhaps Intel can become a growth company again.
Is Google Worth That Much More Than Microsoft? [View article]
This is a good article. The arguments show incite into the companies' business models and are simply explained. It is even hard to argue with the conclusion based on company fundamentals. However, I do not like Microsoft which I owned several times in the past decades. I haven't made any real money going long on Microsoft since the 80s. Microsoft Trades poorly in the market. It is stuck is a trading under $35. I do not believe that Microsoft management supports the best interests of its stockholders and consumers. This is the reason I believe it trades that way despite all the apparent locked up value this article presents.
The invisible sentiment of the stock market maybe wrong in the short term but over time it is rarely wrong. Microsoft's management is self centered and NOT growth oriented. I believe that Google still is a better value even at the high PE. Market sentiment is not sure what to make of Apple's current management with the death of Steve Jobs and that is why the stock is struggling. Apple has a certain cache and product pipeline that keeps its margins high. The market is trying to determine if this still applies going forward. I like Apple and owned it in the past, but will not take a current position in it until this issue is resolved by the market.
Less than a 50/50 chance is gambling. 60/40 and 90/10 is measured risk/return. 100% is insider trading. We all like the latter but don't tell the SEC. This is reserved for Congress and those in the shorts of government.
That doesn't exactly answer the question. Given the assumption that both companies' forward earnings estimates remain unchanged AAPL maybe undervalued. On the other hand perhaps the market is discounting Apple's future earnings stream negatively. I don't share that opinion, but I reluctant to start a new position in this market propped up by artificially low interest rates and bogus government economic statistics.
For now my opinion on Google is unchanged until year end. I am long Google and have no position in Apple. I am definitely not listening to guys with cowboy hats trying to figure out what to do with their 10 shares of Google.
Google (GOOG) spent $291M on acquisitions and asset purchases in Q1, the company discloses in its latest 10-Q. Among other things, that figure covers Google's $125M purchase of Channel Intelligence from ICE, and its acquisitions of startups DNNResearch and Talaria. The disclosure comes as Google's $12.5B purchase of Motorola Mobility looks more and more questionable, given Motorola's dismal sales and legal setbacks, and the fact Motorola's IP hasn't done much yet to halt Apple's legal war against Android OEMs (even if the market share impact has been limited). [View news story]
There is nothing wrong with acquisitions when a company is flush with cash. It is no different than R&D spending. Microsoft did it for years before it started paying dividends. Google should have done it earlier. They had a chance to buy twitter when it was just a start up and passed.
Automobile sales in western China are expanding twice as fast as in the nation's wealthier coastal cities, according to China-based auto analysts. The development plays well into Ford's (F) strategy after the automaker invested to set up plants in the region capable of producing more than one million vehicles a year. [View news story]
I wonder if Ford has similar labor union issues in China that it has in America? What is the real cost of a Ford in China?
I'll put it on the calendar to short the stock in 20 months on the earlier comment. Thanks for the heads up.
So what valuation should $10.36 quarterly in earnings have in today's potentially inflationary market? Should I sell all my Google and buy Gold or maybe Hersey bars? Please... give me some direction other than "buy low and sell high".
What Do Amazon, Alibaba, Facebook And Mozilla Have In Common? [View article]
Competition is a good thing. It makes all companies try harder to make the end user happy. Investors on the other hand must watch, read and research the facts separating the truth from individual opinion. In the tech sector we must stay tuned to the changing landscape and mood of the consumer and adjust our portfolios constantly.
I suppose that is what this article implies. But then many of us already know that. The value added here is what the players in the sector are doing. This article could be a tad stronger here. There is little new information on Alibaba, Facebook (FB) and Mozilla's contribution to the mobile sector.
Long Google. Sold my positions in Amazon and Microsoft long ago. Never really considered Facebook, Alibaba, Mozilla as an investment opportunity. This article does not change my opinion going forward.
No mercy has been shown to Microsoft (MSFT -4.3%) today in the wake of IDC's figures (blamed in part on Win. 8) and Goldman's downgrade. Goldman now sees the PC/tablet sales ratio falling to 59/41 in 2014, and thinks Microsoft could respond with price cuts or SG&A spending cuts. Nomura's Rick Sherlund wonders if a breakup or privatization is possible for Microsoft. He notes March was better than Jan. or Feb. for PC sales, but is still downbeat. "It really takes your breath away, just how bad the quarter was." Separately, Argus has downgraded Intel (INTC -2%) to Hold. [View news story]
Personal computers arguably have been around since 1981. Software was written for the hardware to make it useful to the end use. PCs were not useful in business until networking software may it so. PCs were marginally useful to the public end users until the movement toward graphical interfaces (GUI), the Internet and software to connect and navigate this public networks in 1995 .
Through out these innovations and growth Microsoft was running to catch and buy their way to stay in the game. Intel was was developing the hardware to enable this growth along with other hardware firms.
Microsoft can be replaced. All software companies can be replaced especially as the IT industry moves toward thin client Intranet/ Internet and Cloud technology. As the hardware and networks get faster and more reliable software applications can be written by the end users. However, hardware companies are needed. Intel will be a player in the semi-conductor space.
I am still long INTC and have no plans to change or trade around the position. It ranks right up there with Hersey, MacDonalds, J&J.
Screenshots of the next version of Windows 8 (MSFT), codenamed Blue, have leaked. Features include smaller live tiles, more Snap View options, and various UI tweaks meant to make the OS more touch-friendly. Separately, CNET reports Blue will feature power-saving tech meant to work with Intel's (INTC) Haswell CPUs. Intel has promised Haswell will deliver major power savings relative to Ivy Bridge, and has mandated all Haswell ultrabooks sport touchscreens. Blue is expected later this year, and reportedly is the start of a shift to an annual Windows update cycle. [View news story]
Someone at Microsoft should be fired for releasing Windows 8. Microsoft is late to the game again. It missed the boat for Cloud computing and has jumped in with both feet to catch up by answering with Windows 8 as their Cloud computer solution. They must like to lead from behind.
What the technology sector needs is a reincarnation of Steve Jobs not shallow dweebs like Gates, Ballmer, or Zuckerberg.
Google's Battle With Samsung Will Reshape The Smart-Phone Market [View article]
A few graduate courses in IT or a Computer Science degree and these GEEKs think they are smart enough to know what smart phones will survive the cut because only they are qualified to rule on the technology. IT Geeks and Waterloo Grads should stay out of Financial, Advertising, and Marketing and stick to their 1s & 0s.
Was BetaMax better than VHS? Ask Sony. Is UNIX better than Microsoft OSs? Ask Apple, Sun Micro and Red Hat. Who has the best Laptops? Who has the better file servers. Who has the best digital cameras? The answer is the best technology does not always win market's share. It is the best marketing firm and the decisions of the management teams that drive financial growth and shareholder value not the GEEK squads locked in the basement playing with their subroutines saving 2 lines of code when the processor are approaching speed of light. You don't need a CS degree to know that. Who turned these guys loose? Are they making any money in this market?
Intel And Qualcomm: The Moment Of Truth Is Near [View article]
Techy46... A word of advice. A retired software engineer should be smart enough to diversified his portfolio before a major market correct drives him back into the work force along with 15 million other Obama unemployed. You should keep INTC. It is yielding 4.17% and still has upside until at least $25. You should dump the rest your tech holders and buy something in the commodities sector before interest rates begin to rise and eat your bank account.
Ford (F) says it will close its plants in Australia in 2016 as a strong aussie and high labor costs weigh heavily on the Australian manufacturing sector's ability to compete with cheap imports. The closures are expected to result in the loss of some 1,200 jobs. [View news story]
In what could be a win for PayPal (EBAY), Google (GOOG) is shutting down Checkout in 6 months to focus its online payments efforts on Wallet. Though Google will still handle payment processing for developers selling on Google properties (Play, Chrome Web Store, Offers Marketplace), 3rd-party merchants using Checkout and lacking an internal processing solution will have to find an alternative. The announcement comes a week after Google announced several new Wallet features, including new developer APIs and an option to attach money to Gmail messages. [View news story]
It is good to see Google enter the space, however, I think they they should use their cash to acquire some small cap start up companies that can help them quickly gain experience in electronic banking and electronic payment security. Companies like the European Elephant Talk Communications (ETAK). They should look to banks and consumers in Europe which are further along in smart phone eCommerce than in the USA.
However it is in its early stages of development world wide. It is something that should be watched but not necessarily used. It will make cell phones truly and electronic wallet when it matures.
I am long GOOG and ETAK. Do not have a position in Ebay.
Is Google Worth That Much More Than Microsoft? [View article]
What is wrong with 97% in ad revenue even if your statement is true? Regardless it is not ad revenue anyway. It is search. There is a big difference. Search make Internet activity useful and more friendly. Without it the Internet would not be the dynamic environment it is. It cannot be pirated. You don't have to pay for it directly. Unlike Microsoft products it is not a once every few years purchase with new computers.
Intel Drops An Atomic Bomb On ARM's 'Abomination' [View article]
Is Google Worth That Much More Than Microsoft? [View article]
The invisible sentiment of the stock market maybe wrong in the short term but over time it is rarely wrong. Microsoft's management is self centered and NOT growth oriented. I believe that Google still is a better value even at the high PE. Market sentiment is not sure what to make of Apple's current management with the death of Steve Jobs and that is why the stock is struggling. Apple has a certain cache and product pipeline that keeps its margins high. The market is trying to determine if this still applies going forward. I like Apple and owned it in the past, but will not take a current position in it until this issue is resolved by the market.
Less than a 50/50 chance is gambling. 60/40 and 90/10 is measured risk/return. 100% is insider trading. We all like the latter but don't tell the SEC. This is reserved for Congress and those in the shorts of government.
Google's Phony Beat [View article]
For now my opinion on Google is unchanged until year end. I am long Google and have no position in Apple. I am definitely not listening to guys with cowboy hats trying to figure out what to do with their 10 shares of Google.
Google (GOOG) spent $291M on acquisitions and asset purchases in Q1, the company discloses in its latest 10-Q. Among other things, that figure covers Google's $125M purchase of Channel Intelligence from ICE, and its acquisitions of startups DNNResearch and Talaria. The disclosure comes as Google's $12.5B purchase of Motorola Mobility looks more and more questionable, given Motorola's dismal sales and legal setbacks, and the fact Motorola's IP hasn't done much yet to halt Apple's legal war against Android OEMs (even if the market share impact has been limited). [View news story]
Automobile sales in western China are expanding twice as fast as in the nation's wealthier coastal cities, according to China-based auto analysts. The development plays well into Ford's (F) strategy after the automaker invested to set up plants in the region capable of producing more than one million vehicles a year. [View news story]
I am long Ford... I am happy things look better.
Google's Phony Beat [View article]
So what valuation should $10.36 quarterly in earnings have in today's potentially inflationary market? Should I sell all my Google and buy Gold or maybe Hersey bars? Please... give me some direction other than "buy low and sell high".
Google's Phony Beat [View article]
What Do Amazon, Alibaba, Facebook And Mozilla Have In Common? [View article]
I suppose that is what this article implies. But then many of us already know that. The value added here is what the players in the sector are doing. This article could be a tad stronger here. There is little new information on Alibaba, Facebook (FB) and Mozilla's contribution to the mobile sector.
Long Google. Sold my positions in Amazon and Microsoft long ago. Never really considered Facebook, Alibaba, Mozilla as an investment opportunity. This article does not change my opinion going forward.
No mercy has been shown to Microsoft (MSFT -4.3%) today in the wake of IDC's figures (blamed in part on Win. 8) and Goldman's downgrade. Goldman now sees the PC/tablet sales ratio falling to 59/41 in 2014, and thinks Microsoft could respond with price cuts or SG&A spending cuts. Nomura's Rick Sherlund wonders if a breakup or privatization is possible for Microsoft. He notes March was better than Jan. or Feb. for PC sales, but is still downbeat. "It really takes your breath away, just how bad the quarter was." Separately, Argus has downgraded Intel (INTC -2%) to Hold. [View news story]
Through out these innovations and growth Microsoft was running to catch and buy their way to stay in the game. Intel was was developing the hardware to enable this growth along with other hardware firms.
Microsoft can be replaced. All software companies can be replaced especially as the IT industry moves toward thin client Intranet/ Internet and Cloud technology. As the hardware and networks get faster and more reliable software applications can be written by the end users. However, hardware companies are needed. Intel will be a player in the semi-conductor space.
I am still long INTC and have no plans to change or trade around the position. It ranks right up there with Hersey, MacDonalds, J&J.
Screenshots of the next version of Windows 8 (MSFT), codenamed Blue, have leaked. Features include smaller live tiles, more Snap View options, and various UI tweaks meant to make the OS more touch-friendly. Separately, CNET reports Blue will feature power-saving tech meant to work with Intel's (INTC) Haswell CPUs. Intel has promised Haswell will deliver major power savings relative to Ivy Bridge, and has mandated all Haswell ultrabooks sport touchscreens. Blue is expected later this year, and reportedly is the start of a shift to an annual Windows update cycle. [View news story]
What the technology sector needs is a reincarnation of Steve Jobs not shallow dweebs like Gates, Ballmer, or Zuckerberg.
Google's Battle With Samsung Will Reshape The Smart-Phone Market [View article]
Was BetaMax better than VHS? Ask Sony. Is UNIX better than Microsoft OSs? Ask Apple, Sun Micro and Red Hat. Who has the best Laptops? Who has the better file servers. Who has the best digital cameras? The answer is the best technology does not always win market's share. It is the best marketing firm and the decisions of the management teams that drive financial growth and shareholder value not the GEEK squads locked in the basement playing with their subroutines saving 2 lines of code when the processor are approaching speed of light. You don't need a CS degree to know that. Who turned these guys loose? Are they making any money in this market?
Intel And Qualcomm: The Moment Of Truth Is Near [View article]