Daniel Herkes

Wednesday Outlook: Commodities, Global Markets

"During the Panic of 1837 most banks and businesses collapsed. So too did employment and the then burgeoning stock market."

Great analogy. The US at that time had an emerging manufacturing economy, but was predominantly a nation of farmers. A very different time.

Why Does WSJ.com Charge For Content?

The Journal is still worth paying for. The comment sections that many of the articles generate are almost hysterically funny at times, and those writing the comments are directing the content - perhpas inadvertently. Obviously the staff writers know how to provoke their readers into scribbling those god-awful faux pas that pepper the comment section.

An example. A recent article on the closure of emergency room services provoked several of the readers to suggest that sick poor people would do better to just die, rather than clog the health care system. Marley's ghost was watching that thread!

Friday Outlook: Commodities, Global Markets

First the frightened, mean spirited tax on the poor fools who are still at AIG, next the US government taking control of the housing industry. Who's kidding who? The folks with the TV cameras are running the show, and the lawmakers are always willing to perform for them.

Thursday Outlook: Another Bubble?

Friday will tell all. The settling of accounts will divine the mindset of the really big investors. What about all those bad loans? What about all those unemployed people? What about the inflationary move by the Fed. to stimulate the credit market?

Red Hat Poised to Beat the Street in Upcoming Report

Servers = Linux We have used Linux exclusively since 1996. Nary a M$ product on the premises. We use it for the desktop too. Slackware, good stuff

Tuesday Outlook: Commodities, Global Markets

Good job, again. The rally really ended before it began. The happy talk and wishful thinking can only take you so far.

Bullish on Microsoft

Server side = Linux


On Mar 16 08:28 AM prairiedog555 wrote:

>

> friends say that Linux and Apple are making serious inroads

Tuesday Outlook: Commodities, Emerging Markets

As always timely and informative. So, stay the course. I wish I'd sold during the boom. :)

2009 Depression Will Be Nothing Like 1929

Hi,

THis article is still right on as far as I can tell.

www.boston.com/bostong.../


On Mar 06 06:14 AM 22thoroughbred wrote:

> I still want to know what a "depression" looks like when people have
> some assets, during '29 our grandparents lived check to check, waited
> in soup and bread lines, etc. because they had no savings, today
> a reasonable percentage of people have a 401K with $100k or more,
> have some money saved, so what will an '09 depression look like,
> because honestly I believe as an economy we are there and it will
> get worse before it gets better. Thoughtful replies please

Wednesday Outlook: Commodities, Emerging Markets

Gun, liquor, Fast food, and tobacco. If it is bad for people invest in it. Not that I do.

Tuesday Outlook: Commodities, Emerging Markets

"I was listening to Bloomberg radio this morning at the opening, and with conditions dire and economic news dripping blood, commentators were searching through the rubble to find bullish shreds of news to pump folks up."

The comment sections of the WSJ have been a little bit short of reality as well. These markets are very labile, and rumor and gossip do not make the traders comfortable. I would ask any any all financial journalists, including blogger's to watch what they say, and how they say it.

How Scared Are Americans of Job Losses?

That's right. This is a scenario without a boundary because it is a new situation. The world has never experienced a loss of confidence like this before,and we are all chained to the same oar. The loss of house value, the end of easy credit, and no the fear caused by a very real era of uncertainty has lead to a new place in the economic hall of mirrors.

Enough.


On Feb 28 02:35 PM Dave Wrixon wrote:

> Who said 10% unemployment is a Worst Case Scenario. I am working
> on the basis it is a racing certainty. Worst case would be nearer
> 15%, and even that is not an upper-bound.

Wednesday Outlook: Commodities, Emerging Markets

The upward spin from Mr. Bernake and Mr. Obama made quite a lot of people happy and made them feel better. Unfortunately, as you point out these markets are oversold, and until prices adjust down the markets are not going to make a recovery. I fear the S&P has farther to fall. The DOW, as far as I (I'm limited) can see has bottomed.

Financial Collapse: A Lesson from the '20s

Thank you for the great book report. The parallels to the twenties are becoming apparent; the economy is now so complex that the similarities are harder to see. Despite the administrations (past and current) feeble responses, I am certain the situation can be corrected. As Ahamed discerns in his book it might take ten years, but the debt burden will become manageable again. We do not need a war, we all need a time out.

Not everyone needs an unlimited line of credit. A house is, after all, just a place to live.

The Ecology of Investment Strategies

It hit 7500, and should start to slowly climb. The S & P, hate to say it, 250.