Sonia Mirza's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/29656/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/128611-microsoft-vs-apple-monopolist-vs-innovator?source=feed#comment-450540 450540



On Mar 31 08:56 AM mollytjm wrote:

> it's not just that Apple consumers are better educated (though by
> % as a group, they are) or friendlier...hard to gauge that except
> that the staff in the Apple stores are VERY warm and friendly...and
> smart.
> But Apple always wrote very tight code making for fewer holes for
> the hacker to explore. probably because Microsoft had such a big
> platform to write for, all their programs are bloated and messy,
> even the ones that work very well. This makes it easier to hack.
>
>
> There is another difference...the attitude at Apple...they actually
> really like their customers and want to keep them happy.
> I've used the big King of Prussia Mall Apple store since it's first
> day and have never encountered a surly, crabby or arrogant staff
> person...not in sales or tech. Obviously there are no perfect people
> on the planet, so there must be some working for Apple... but as
> much as Apple was exclusive about it's OS, it has always been inclusive
> about it's customers and users. To Apple, if you use their products,
> there's no 'them and us'...it's just 'us'.
>
> It's hard to explain this, but you feel it. When my PC friend asked
> me to take her to the Apple store for her first iPod, she was so
> astonished at the level of service. When we left she said 'i LOVE
> it in there!'. Apple just knows how to do it better than anyone else
> which explains why they have the most profitable retail space per
> square foot in the country.
> Long APPL]]> Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:39:35 -0400



On Mar 31 08:56 AM mollytjm wrote:

> it's not just that Apple consumers are better educated (though by
> % as a group, they are) or friendlier...hard to gauge that except
> that the staff in the Apple stores are VERY warm and friendly...and
> smart.
> But Apple always wrote very tight code making for fewer holes for
> the hacker to explore. probably because Microsoft had such a big
> platform to write for, all their programs are bloated and messy,
> even the ones that work very well. This makes it easier to hack.
>
>
> There is another difference...the attitude at Apple...they actually
> really like their customers and want to keep them happy.
> I've used the big King of Prussia Mall Apple store since it's first
> day and have never encountered a surly, crabby or arrogant staff
> person...not in sales or tech. Obviously there are no perfect people
> on the planet, so there must be some working for Apple... but as
> much as Apple was exclusive about it's OS, it has always been inclusive
> about it's customers and users. To Apple, if you use their products,
> there's no 'them and us'...it's just 'us'.
>
> It's hard to explain this, but you feel it. When my PC friend asked
> me to take her to the Apple store for her first iPod, she was so
> astonished at the level of service. When we left she said 'i LOVE
> it in there!'. Apple just knows how to do it better than anyone else
> which explains why they have the most profitable retail space per
> square foot in the country.
> Long APPL]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/126131-fast-money-recap-a-trader-s-market-3-13-09?source=feed#comment-429011 429011
Does this add any value? Reminds me of a rally I saw in Africa where someone asked which direction the cars would come from and received the response "I believe they will come from the left, or the right".
]]> Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:37:09 -0400
Does this add any value? Reminds me of a rally I saw in Africa where someone asked which direction the cars would come from and received the response "I believe they will come from the left, or the right".
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/57478-freud-the-fed-and-a-box-of-chocolates?source=feed#comment-105838 105838 Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:09:14 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/57478-freud-the-fed-and-a-box-of-chocolates?source=feed#comment-105837 105837
Fun article, valid points, except...with the analogy, there is no end (the kid will always want more chox...and this is cannot possibly continue ad infinitum - the interest rates falling) ]]> Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:07:39 -0500
Fun article, valid points, except...with the analogy, there is no end (the kid will always want more chox...and this is cannot possibly continue ad infinitum - the interest rates falling) ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/41009-options-trader-thursday-wrapup?source=feed#comment-91159 91159
Hope for his sake he didn't end up like a friend of ours who got it from an African buffalo!]]> Fri, 13 Jul 2007 19:53:03 -0400
Hope for his sake he didn't end up like a friend of ours who got it from an African buffalo!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/40378-apple-google-avoiding-the-overvaluation-trap?source=feed#comment-90841 90841 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:31:44 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/39965-what-s-behind-the-coming-market-crash?source=feed#comment-90637 90637
The fact that it's in the news means it's too late - the media is often the last one to verbalize/admit/relay any downturn - let alone this 'mkt crash'. If we all know it's a market crash - why hasn't it happened already? If we all believed it was, we would all simultaneously act accordingly and cause it to occur NOW...

Crash - I think not. Correction - perhaps.]]> Sun, 08 Jul 2007 11:31:26 -0400
The fact that it's in the news means it's too late - the media is often the last one to verbalize/admit/relay any downturn - let alone this 'mkt crash'. If we all know it's a market crash - why hasn't it happened already? If we all believed it was, we would all simultaneously act accordingly and cause it to occur NOW...

Crash - I think not. Correction - perhaps.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/39763-core-inflation-remains-a-low-0-1?source=feed#comment-90068 90068
Factoid: Vuitton is increasing its prices throughout Europe (perhaps other continents too) in July 2007, and yet there will be no price increases for the USA im 2007. Perhaps they fear with the inflation being the way it is, fewer disposable $s will go to LV if there were to be a price increase, not that the luxury arena follows the regular rules of substitution but I found it interesting nevertheless.]]> Sun, 01 Jul 2007 12:13:59 -0400
Factoid: Vuitton is increasing its prices throughout Europe (perhaps other continents too) in July 2007, and yet there will be no price increases for the USA im 2007. Perhaps they fear with the inflation being the way it is, fewer disposable $s will go to LV if there were to be a price increase, not that the luxury arena follows the regular rules of substitution but I found it interesting nevertheless.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/39064-representative-frank-on-financial-accounting-statement-140-loans?source=feed#comment-89440 89440
Tossing to the wind any acc treatment concerns could be very very costly - more so than actually taking the hit...]]> Fri, 22 Jun 2007 23:16:33 -0400
Tossing to the wind any acc treatment concerns could be very very costly - more so than actually taking the hit...]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/39096-agflation?source=feed#comment-89439 89439
A: Because it was obvious to begin with. And I quote you; "...what anyone that is not unconscious knows, we have had actual cost of living in excess of the reported CPI for many years".

There is enough noise out there without a pathological restatement of the obvious. Perhaps some of the "flakes" were hoping to drive this point home to instigate change.]]> Fri, 22 Jun 2007 23:10:42 -0400
A: Because it was obvious to begin with. And I quote you; "...what anyone that is not unconscious knows, we have had actual cost of living in excess of the reported CPI for many years".

There is enough noise out there without a pathological restatement of the obvious. Perhaps some of the "flakes" were hoping to drive this point home to instigate change.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/39096-agflation?source=feed#comment-89346 89346 LOL

Dude WTF does that mean - excuse my French. There is no inflation??? Man we wrote better theses than this when we were in 9th GRADE!!!

How the hell do you stay employed making this type of statement? Who takes you seriously?

Equally astonishing is the amount of stupidity - wonder why the editors let this pass?
As always, 0 + 0 = zeR0! = NO VALUE ADDED]]> Thu, 21 Jun 2007 22:01:22 -0400 LOL

Dude WTF does that mean - excuse my French. There is no inflation??? Man we wrote better theses than this when we were in 9th GRADE!!!

How the hell do you stay employed making this type of statement? Who takes you seriously?

Equally astonishing is the amount of stupidity - wonder why the editors let this pass?
As always, 0 + 0 = zeR0! = NO VALUE ADDED]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/38957-inflation-consensus?source=feed#comment-89345 89345
Ok, Newton's 1st law of motion (yes, not exactly related but serves to illustrate the point):
a body at rest will remain at rest, or a body in motion will remain in motion unless ...

if inflation has been high and rising - why is it likely to go lower outta nowhere? Due to a decelerating economy? Is this the logical progression from your previous housing "overvalued houses will become a little less overvalued"...extended to...'and this will cause the whole entire economy to decelerate?'

Inflation itself wouldn't cause the economy to decelerate. What impetus are you NOT referring to, that would lead to a lower inflation rate?

Do you mean you also expect interest rates to increase in an attempt to counter the growth of M2, which would eventually lead to a deceleration?

I suppose if you're vague enough to throw such a non-linear, opinion, it's like hitting a dart board the size of an olympic pool with your eyes closed. Eventually you will be right - but "in the long run we are all dead".

*shakes head*

How the hell does someone like this get hired??? Is it a case of "not What you know but WHO you know?".


Dégueulasse!!!]]> Thu, 21 Jun 2007 21:49:33 -0400
Ok, Newton's 1st law of motion (yes, not exactly related but serves to illustrate the point):
a body at rest will remain at rest, or a body in motion will remain in motion unless ...

if inflation has been high and rising - why is it likely to go lower outta nowhere? Due to a decelerating economy? Is this the logical progression from your previous housing "overvalued houses will become a little less overvalued"...extended to...'and this will cause the whole entire economy to decelerate?'

Inflation itself wouldn't cause the economy to decelerate. What impetus are you NOT referring to, that would lead to a lower inflation rate?

Do you mean you also expect interest rates to increase in an attempt to counter the growth of M2, which would eventually lead to a deceleration?

I suppose if you're vague enough to throw such a non-linear, opinion, it's like hitting a dart board the size of an olympic pool with your eyes closed. Eventually you will be right - but "in the long run we are all dead".

*shakes head*

How the hell does someone like this get hired??? Is it a case of "not What you know but WHO you know?".


Dégueulasse!!!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/38828-most-over-undervalued-u-s-housing-markets?source=feed#comment-89302 89302 I did have one of those, but I'm an xls junkie particularly for options
Although since I didnt even read the charts above (allegedly) I must just have gotten REAL lucky.

John was right about Captain Obvious' arrogance...
Makes you wonder what one has to be so proud of if one is a self professed stinky forecaster?

Gotta love that patronizing condescension

feel sorry for your clients, Captain.]]> Thu, 21 Jun 2007 12:23:02 -0400 I did have one of those, but I'm an xls junkie particularly for options
Although since I didnt even read the charts above (allegedly) I must just have gotten REAL lucky.

John was right about Captain Obvious' arrogance...
Makes you wonder what one has to be so proud of if one is a self professed stinky forecaster?

Gotta love that patronizing condescension

feel sorry for your clients, Captain.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/38828-most-over-undervalued-u-s-housing-markets?source=feed#comment-89234 89234
Perhaps my question wasn't terribly clear - or rather what I was implying might not have come across. Frankly, looking at the info above, it didn't look like something to write home about - precisely as Paul mentioned below.

And have we controlled for inflation? Are we talking in REAL terms?

YOY price gain of 3% - still a gain, even if the magnitude is smaller than previously - and we were all expecting this - we knew the housing mkt was out of control.

Re: "The report also notes that price declines took place in about half of the 317 markets: "Declines were widely dispersed, though most highly concentrated in California, Florida, New York, New England, and the industrial Midwest."

And what of outliers that might skew the results? What are the results without these?

Re: "23% of homes were overvalued by 45%.

Today, 14% of homes for sale are still overvalued -- but by only 25%:"

So, number of homes overvalued falls by approx 40%
and the correction of about 44% in the overvaluation still does not impress me - so what?

Thanks for the response though - as condescending as it may have been.
I would never have thought to look at your charts (I mean GI/NC's charts) had you not guided my female brain to the right picture. I wonder how I managed to get an MBA in Finance and Accounting - and price options better than our class valedictorian...must have gotten lucky.]]> Wed, 20 Jun 2007 18:07:27 -0400
Perhaps my question wasn't terribly clear - or rather what I was implying might not have come across. Frankly, looking at the info above, it didn't look like something to write home about - precisely as Paul mentioned below.

And have we controlled for inflation? Are we talking in REAL terms?

YOY price gain of 3% - still a gain, even if the magnitude is smaller than previously - and we were all expecting this - we knew the housing mkt was out of control.

Re: "The report also notes that price declines took place in about half of the 317 markets: "Declines were widely dispersed, though most highly concentrated in California, Florida, New York, New England, and the industrial Midwest."

And what of outliers that might skew the results? What are the results without these?

Re: "23% of homes were overvalued by 45%.

Today, 14% of homes for sale are still overvalued -- but by only 25%:"

So, number of homes overvalued falls by approx 40%
and the correction of about 44% in the overvaluation still does not impress me - so what?

Thanks for the response though - as condescending as it may have been.
I would never have thought to look at your charts (I mean GI/NC's charts) had you not guided my female brain to the right picture. I wonder how I managed to get an MBA in Finance and Accounting - and price options better than our class valedictorian...must have gotten lucky.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/38505-a-tale-of-2-inflation-rates?source=feed#comment-89120 89120
it probably applies to our mkt here too - not my area of expertise but interesting to note

oh fantastic comment about the inverse relationship bet. vitriol/comments vs rigor/analysis!]]> Tue, 19 Jun 2007 23:16:29 -0400
it probably applies to our mkt here too - not my area of expertise but interesting to note

oh fantastic comment about the inverse relationship bet. vitriol/comments vs rigor/analysis!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/38828-most-over-undervalued-u-s-housing-markets?source=feed#comment-89119 89119
could you quantify "a little less overvalued" please?

Also, do you have more detailed info on the PA market? I'd be curious although, totally not expecting an answer...]]> Tue, 19 Jun 2007 23:13:54 -0400
could you quantify "a little less overvalued" please?

Also, do you have more detailed info on the PA market? I'd be curious although, totally not expecting an answer...]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/38723-why-eliminating-guidance-is-a-big-mistake?source=feed#comment-89118 89118 The long term investor sees no use in the job of a day trader...
The buyer of ___ see's no use for ___ in their portfolio
and then snickers at the uninformed party who was on the opposite side of his position...

like it or not, this is all part of the lubrication that ensures all the gears shift smoothly

While it might be hard for mgmt to predict accurately what the outcome might be, it gives that day trader something to play on, the newbie interns at GS (or insert name of IB here) a 12398 page report to write about to impress their bosses...and others perhaps a chance to enter/exit the market/rebalance etc etc]]> Tue, 19 Jun 2007 23:08:24 -0400 The long term investor sees no use in the job of a day trader...
The buyer of ___ see's no use for ___ in their portfolio
and then snickers at the uninformed party who was on the opposite side of his position...

like it or not, this is all part of the lubrication that ensures all the gears shift smoothly

While it might be hard for mgmt to predict accurately what the outcome might be, it gives that day trader something to play on, the newbie interns at GS (or insert name of IB here) a 12398 page report to write about to impress their bosses...and others perhaps a chance to enter/exit the market/rebalance etc etc]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/38505-a-tale-of-2-inflation-rates?source=feed#comment-88957 88957 Mon, 18 Jun 2007 17:44:12 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/38387-ftc-confirms-that-most-homebuyers-couldn-t-identify-mortgage-amount?source=feed#comment-88760 88760 Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:12:56 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/37744-nar-and-housing-forecasts?source=feed#comment-88275 88275
"national median existing-home price should ease by 1.3 percent to $219,100 in 2007 before rising 1.7 percent next year. The median new-home price will probably fall 2.3 percent to $240,800 this year, and then grow by 2.6 percent in 2008"

And based on this, should I buy me a crib?!]]> Mon, 11 Jun 2007 19:52:12 -0400
"national median existing-home price should ease by 1.3 percent to $219,100 in 2007 before rising 1.7 percent next year. The median new-home price will probably fall 2.3 percent to $240,800 this year, and then grow by 2.6 percent in 2008"

And based on this, should I buy me a crib?!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/37995-are-share-buybacks-actually-good-for-investors?source=feed#comment-88274 88274
2. If it's merely a play on #1 to artificially raise the price (since investors take this signal as a positive one) and have the general public jump on the bandwagon, and/or S/T EPS target maintenance then, no it's not good for shareholders...

3. If you have no alternative good use of FCF (that is cannot invest it in something that would potentially grow the company/value, therefore benefitting the SH as well), dividends is a direct cash provision. I am not sure how buybacks add direct value to SH other than price appreciation - perhaps I'm having a rather odd brainfart.]]> Mon, 11 Jun 2007 19:45:52 -0400
2. If it's merely a play on #1 to artificially raise the price (since investors take this signal as a positive one) and have the general public jump on the bandwagon, and/or S/T EPS target maintenance then, no it's not good for shareholders...

3. If you have no alternative good use of FCF (that is cannot invest it in something that would potentially grow the company/value, therefore benefitting the SH as well), dividends is a direct cash provision. I am not sure how buybacks add direct value to SH other than price appreciation - perhaps I'm having a rather odd brainfart.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/37783-the-truth-about-personal-savings-and-debt-levels?source=feed#comment-88168 88168
And with the rest of your comments - perfect. A personal friend of ours (not in the US) is frankly one of the richest (you cannot tell by how he dresses, lives, or what he drives but rather by the way people kiss his @5$). Classic example of someone who has everything but enjoys likely very little of it. What's the point of the 100k+ porsche if it's parked in a garage overseas all year and you might take it out for a drive for a few days/365?]]> Sat, 09 Jun 2007 15:55:37 -0400
And with the rest of your comments - perfect. A personal friend of ours (not in the US) is frankly one of the richest (you cannot tell by how he dresses, lives, or what he drives but rather by the way people kiss his @5$). Classic example of someone who has everything but enjoys likely very little of it. What's the point of the 100k+ porsche if it's parked in a garage overseas all year and you might take it out for a drive for a few days/365?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/37671-what-inflation?source=feed#comment-88136 88136
3) What does everyone think that ethanol is transported in?
Gas powered trucks...]]> Fri, 08 Jun 2007 20:06:21 -0400
3) What does everyone think that ethanol is transported in?
Gas powered trucks...]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/36929-think-carefully-before-macro-hedging-your-life-work-oil-exposures?source=feed#comment-87581 87581
I was assuming the opposite for 2 reasons; 1 - family (X goes to work, someone is in the house needing heat/ac). 2 - If this doesn't apply, when it gets MAD hot - people do not leave the AC turned off when at work, perhaps at a lower setting likewise with heating when it's below 0 out there...but oh well. I have no quantifiable statistics on this anyway...]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 23:05:34 -0400
I was assuming the opposite for 2 reasons; 1 - family (X goes to work, someone is in the house needing heat/ac). 2 - If this doesn't apply, when it gets MAD hot - people do not leave the AC turned off when at work, perhaps at a lower setting likewise with heating when it's below 0 out there...but oh well. I have no quantifiable statistics on this anyway...]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/36963-time-arbitrage-and-quest-diagnostics-stepping-away-from-the-rat-race?source=feed#comment-87576 87576
And your last sentence reminds me of Buffett's "wall st is the only place where when something goes on sale people panic". Yes, when something drops below its fair value...it;s amazing how the herds follow and fuel the fire.]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 18:48:00 -0400
And your last sentence reminds me of Buffett's "wall st is the only place where when something goes on sale people panic". Yes, when something drops below its fair value...it;s amazing how the herds follow and fuel the fire.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/37118-options-trader-friday-morning-ideas?source=feed#comment-87575 87575 Sat, 02 Jun 2007 18:36:34 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/36929-think-carefully-before-macro-hedging-your-life-work-oil-exposures?source=feed#comment-87574 87574
1. not if you do not use as much electricity/A/C as an office might - you're assuming if we put everyone who was trying to hedge their positions in an office, and let them do it from their homes...Remember, those homes (whether the person is in the office or not) would likely be consuming energy while the office was running also...You could also work outside under a tree - fresh air and whatnot. Size of house vs office, # of ACs in house vs office, # of ACs simultaneously on in all rooms in house vs office.

2. how many miles is the commute? what type of vehicle is being used in the commute? A hummer or a bike, err I mean prius?

While you present one extreme version of a response Ralph, in all likelihood, if this were tested, I do think you'd be proven wrong.]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 18:26:46 -0400
1. not if you do not use as much electricity/A/C as an office might - you're assuming if we put everyone who was trying to hedge their positions in an office, and let them do it from their homes...Remember, those homes (whether the person is in the office or not) would likely be consuming energy while the office was running also...You could also work outside under a tree - fresh air and whatnot. Size of house vs office, # of ACs in house vs office, # of ACs simultaneously on in all rooms in house vs office.

2. how many miles is the commute? what type of vehicle is being used in the commute? A hummer or a bike, err I mean prius?

While you present one extreme version of a response Ralph, in all likelihood, if this were tested, I do think you'd be proven wrong.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/37112-put-call-ratio-for-s-p-500-vs-stocks-currently-above-its-long-term-average?source=feed#comment-87573 87573 Sat, 02 Jun 2007 18:07:35 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/37112-put-call-ratio-for-s-p-500-vs-stocks-currently-above-its-long-term-average?source=feed#comment-87571 87571
those words alone = mean reversion, nothing to write home about. I read this article earlier and didn't bother to comment because it just looks like a bit of a confused attempt to make some sort of point that is as yet unclear - have to agree with Earl - what exactly are you trying to say with that graph?

More puts/calls on the spx vs on stox, higher than its l/t ave, but falling, therefore people were expecting the indices to decline (hence more puts/calls), however since the LTA of Put/call spread of indices is falling wrt stox, then ppl are being more bullish on the indices? Is this what you're implying? Some clarification would be great, otherwise I'll have to shelve this in the verbal diarrhea section...]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 18:05:39 -0400
those words alone = mean reversion, nothing to write home about. I read this article earlier and didn't bother to comment because it just looks like a bit of a confused attempt to make some sort of point that is as yet unclear - have to agree with Earl - what exactly are you trying to say with that graph?

More puts/calls on the spx vs on stox, higher than its l/t ave, but falling, therefore people were expecting the indices to decline (hence more puts/calls), however since the LTA of Put/call spread of indices is falling wrt stox, then ppl are being more bullish on the indices? Is this what you're implying? Some clarification would be great, otherwise I'll have to shelve this in the verbal diarrhea section...]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/32915-valuation-analyses-for-seven-stocks-that-recently-reported-earnings?source=feed#comment-87075 87075 Fri, 25 May 2007 22:44:02 -0400