AndrewBaker's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/329934/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/174492-the-twenty-year-stock-bubble-is-still-inflated?source=feed#comment-768787 768787
Buy and hold now is not a good idea, unless you are a good income stock-picker, and there's not enough of those stocks to go around nor keep overall prices up.

I'm not going long at this time, that's for sure.]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:38:39 -0500
Buy and hold now is not a good idea, unless you are a good income stock-picker, and there's not enough of those stocks to go around nor keep overall prices up.

I'm not going long at this time, that's for sure.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/174505-wall-street-breakfast-must-know-news?source=feed#comment-768762 768762

On Nov 20 08:56 AM doubleguns wrote:

> GS up a creek with shareholders over bonuses, Fed audit closer and
> Timmy asked to resign.
>
> Am I dreaming? Is this for real?
>
> Maybe dreams do come true.]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:28:54 -0500

On Nov 20 08:56 AM doubleguns wrote:

> GS up a creek with shareholders over bonuses, Fed audit closer and
> Timmy asked to resign.
>
> Am I dreaming? Is this for real?
>
> Maybe dreams do come true.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/174275-dr-copper-spots-a-monster-crash?source=feed#comment-768535 768535 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:36:55 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/174253-wall-street-breakfast-must-know-news?source=feed#comment-767037 767037
Best sell up all stocks and buy gold if ya don't wanna go broke.]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:56:10 -0500
Best sell up all stocks and buy gold if ya don't wanna go broke.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/174006-wall-street-breakfast-must-know-news?source=feed#comment-765156 765156 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:48:59 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/173948-u-s-china-meeting-outcome-china-has-the-upper-hand?source=feed#comment-764928 764928 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:12:48 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/173607-why-the-stock-market-should-crash?source=feed#comment-764918 764918 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:02:50 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/173750-wall-street-breakfast-must-know-news?source=feed#comment-763486 763486 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:03:28 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/173517-wall-street-breakfast-must-know-news?source=feed#comment-761979 761979 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:23:00 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/173207-wall-street-breakfast-must-know-news?source=feed#comment-758391 758391
We should all be chastened by their actions and so grateful for all that they have done for us. And let's not be churlish by thinking that they may have some thoughts in the back of their minds that they could get something out of it for themselves. Shame on you!]]> Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:45:31 -0500
We should all be chastened by their actions and so grateful for all that they have done for us. And let's not be churlish by thinking that they may have some thoughts in the back of their minds that they could get something out of it for themselves. Shame on you!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/172816-macy-s-better-than-expected-results-lift-guidance?source=feed#comment-757168 757168 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:24:04 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/172987-wall-street-breakfast-must-know-news?source=feed#comment-756795 756795
A weaker dollar helps exporters and tourism, which is good, but hinders the growth of emerging economies, which may slow them down a little, but won't stop the trend.

On balance, the US needs a weaker currency to support trade which will help real businesses recover. Not so many people will currently be insistent on spending money on foreign goods or looking to increase their overseas vacationing, so any extra cost there won't hurt much. Imports will be more costly, but the US has a wide internal market that can supply most needs anyway.

Overall, a drop in the dollar will likely be beneficial. Better that than rampant inflation which will destroy value over many years to come, and which worries me will be the result of quantitative easing. If a weaker dollar reduces that process, I will be satisfied.]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:30:43 -0500
A weaker dollar helps exporters and tourism, which is good, but hinders the growth of emerging economies, which may slow them down a little, but won't stop the trend.

On balance, the US needs a weaker currency to support trade which will help real businesses recover. Not so many people will currently be insistent on spending money on foreign goods or looking to increase their overseas vacationing, so any extra cost there won't hurt much. Imports will be more costly, but the US has a wide internal market that can supply most needs anyway.

Overall, a drop in the dollar will likely be beneficial. Better that than rampant inflation which will destroy value over many years to come, and which worries me will be the result of quantitative easing. If a weaker dollar reduces that process, I will be satisfied.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/172728-u-s-wages-are-out-of-balance-as-we-well-know?source=feed#comment-755379 755379
The general workforce is not overpaid, but the bosses most certainly are.]]> Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:08:47 -0500
The general workforce is not overpaid, but the bosses most certainly are.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/172717-bear-verdict-should-please-wall-street?source=feed#comment-755153 755153
The difference between breaking in and stealing someone else's goods, and taking their money in, high risk gambling with it, and telling them it's been lost in a bad investment, is not one of criminal or not criminal but one of morals and ethics. These financial workers have as low if not lower morals and ethics than a criminal when it comes to regard for others and their possessions, and the effect that depriving them of such has on people and their families.

One big difference is a criminal goes to jail, whilst a stupid financier languishes in his expensive home, leaving it only to laugh all the way to the bank.]]> Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:58:06 -0500
The difference between breaking in and stealing someone else's goods, and taking their money in, high risk gambling with it, and telling them it's been lost in a bad investment, is not one of criminal or not criminal but one of morals and ethics. These financial workers have as low if not lower morals and ethics than a criminal when it comes to regard for others and their possessions, and the effect that depriving them of such has on people and their families.

One big difference is a criminal goes to jail, whilst a stupid financier languishes in his expensive home, leaving it only to laugh all the way to the bank.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/172741-wall-street-breakfast-must-know-news?source=feed#comment-755137 755137
This rubbish about excessive pay to retain talent must stop: there are plenty of people out there with real talent who will work for far less than some of the pampered financial workers we've had in the past and still have now; and they are just as good, if not better, and won't constantly moan about pay and threaten to go elsewhere (though who would want them beats me).

Do a fair day's work for a fair day's pay, and then we'll soon see how quickly we can get back to a sound financial footing.]]> Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:47:42 -0500
This rubbish about excessive pay to retain talent must stop: there are plenty of people out there with real talent who will work for far less than some of the pampered financial workers we've had in the past and still have now; and they are just as good, if not better, and won't constantly moan about pay and threaten to go elsewhere (though who would want them beats me).

Do a fair day's work for a fair day's pay, and then we'll soon see how quickly we can get back to a sound financial footing.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/172450-wall-street-breakfast-must-know-news?source=feed#comment-753902 753902 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:30:02 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/172138-stocks-soar-unemployment-rises-dollar-slumps?source=feed#comment-752209 752209
By definition, short term does not last long. Then what?]]> Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:08:22 -0500
By definition, short term does not last long. Then what?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/172181-wall-street-breakfast-must-know-news?source=feed#comment-752129 752129
So, Main Street pays the stake money and takes the loss if utopia does not come good. Nothing's changed.]]> Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:28:30 -0500
So, Main Street pays the stake money and takes the loss if utopia does not come good. Nothing's changed.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171724-friday-outlook-commodities-global-markets?source=feed#comment-748616 748616 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:08:42 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/171820-wall-street-dumb-as-it-ever-was?source=feed#comment-748592 748592
Nearly all, if not all, of us have a belief about the direction of a market or security, and even if we think we trade unemotionally on numbers or other criteria, our selection process is derived through human thoughts and feelings. Trading blindly on a system can lose money through overtrading or undertrading as well as getting it right or wrong, and backing hunches is not much different.

In other words, there is no golden panacea or holy grail of investment. The most we can do is to beat the average, and by definition, many of us will have average performance. This is an art, not a science, and you've got to love doing it yourself to keep doing it. I do, and I know that if I had left it to others over the years I may have done better: but I would not have had nearly as much enjoyment and pleasure as I have had and continue to have from handling my own investments. Whatever happens and whatever the outcome, I am the master of my own destiny. And that is worth a lot.]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:55:01 -0500
Nearly all, if not all, of us have a belief about the direction of a market or security, and even if we think we trade unemotionally on numbers or other criteria, our selection process is derived through human thoughts and feelings. Trading blindly on a system can lose money through overtrading or undertrading as well as getting it right or wrong, and backing hunches is not much different.

In other words, there is no golden panacea or holy grail of investment. The most we can do is to beat the average, and by definition, many of us will have average performance. This is an art, not a science, and you've got to love doing it yourself to keep doing it. I do, and I know that if I had left it to others over the years I may have done better: but I would not have had nearly as much enjoyment and pleasure as I have had and continue to have from handling my own investments. Whatever happens and whatever the outcome, I am the master of my own destiny. And that is worth a lot.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171770-america-s-overheated-printing-presses-and-huge-debts-helping-drive-gold-higher?source=feed#comment-748571 748571 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:41:26 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/171788-wall-street-breakfast-must-know-news?source=feed#comment-748064 748064
Cynical? Remember the cynics believed in virtue and shunned materialism, which is IMHO, a better philosophy and lifestyle than our glorious leaders of today demonstrate.]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:06:47 -0500
Cynical? Remember the cynics believed in virtue and shunned materialism, which is IMHO, a better philosophy and lifestyle than our glorious leaders of today demonstrate.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171619-brits-more-critical-about-quantitative-easing-than-americans?source=feed#comment-747543 747543
Those responsible for QE and in those cahoots will ensure that they are protected by using various means, including selling their stocks on to us at way over value prices, taking inordinate pay rises through salary, bonus, pension contributions and other manipulations, and holding their own assets in forms where inflation proofing is the expectation.

This is one reason why stocks will fall in price soon and commodities will increase. And why most steeples will be much poorer for a very long time to come.]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:10:45 -0500
Those responsible for QE and in those cahoots will ensure that they are protected by using various means, including selling their stocks on to us at way over value prices, taking inordinate pay rises through salary, bonus, pension contributions and other manipulations, and holding their own assets in forms where inflation proofing is the expectation.

This is one reason why stocks will fall in price soon and commodities will increase. And why most steeples will be much poorer for a very long time to come.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171733-are-we-becoming-a-nation-of-renters-investing-for-the-new-housing-dynamic?source=feed#comment-747536 747536
Agreed, having cash on deposit doesn't pay much right now, but not much is still better than a reducing value. Corporate bonds and convertibles can provide a better income return for paying rent, and a foray back into the housing ownership market deferred, if ownership is wanted in the future.

Other countries (eg: UK) have schemes where capital can be drawn down from the equity in a home and interest rolled up until death and with a no negative equity guarantee (meaning the estate cannot be liable for interest greater than the realized sale value). These schemes though are not so popular as people see it as giving their home away to the mortgage company and denying an inheritance to their loved ones. So, why not sell, invest the proceeds and rent?

The bottom line is that home ownership is not necessarily the best thing, especially in retirement when funds to enjoy life are wanted.]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:59:14 -0500
Agreed, having cash on deposit doesn't pay much right now, but not much is still better than a reducing value. Corporate bonds and convertibles can provide a better income return for paying rent, and a foray back into the housing ownership market deferred, if ownership is wanted in the future.

Other countries (eg: UK) have schemes where capital can be drawn down from the equity in a home and interest rolled up until death and with a no negative equity guarantee (meaning the estate cannot be liable for interest greater than the realized sale value). These schemes though are not so popular as people see it as giving their home away to the mortgage company and denying an inheritance to their loved ones. So, why not sell, invest the proceeds and rent?

The bottom line is that home ownership is not necessarily the best thing, especially in retirement when funds to enjoy life are wanted.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171447-wall-street-breakfast-must-know-news?source=feed#comment-746067 746067
It's long past time for society to realize that happiness is not dollar shaped, and that all people matter, not just the rich and powerful: when politicians and others with influence actually work on this premise, then perhaps we may get a capitalist society that also cares.]]> Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:55:56 -0500
It's long past time for society to realize that happiness is not dollar shaped, and that all people matter, not just the rich and powerful: when politicians and others with influence actually work on this premise, then perhaps we may get a capitalist society that also cares.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171089-india-sends-gold-etfs-to-record-highs?source=feed#comment-744113 744113 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:16:49 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/171109-wall-street-breakfast-must-know-news?source=feed#comment-744065 744065 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:58:59 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/171109-wall-street-breakfast-must-know-news?source=feed#comment-744041 744041

On Nov 04 08:25 AM doubleguns wrote:

> Why would the govt sell tax credits that they should just let expire.
> The tax payers OWN fannie so selling 3B of tax credits for anything
> less than 3b is just shooting our selves in the foot.
>
> The hell with the bidding. They cost 3 billion, bottom line you thieves.]]> Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:50:37 -0500

On Nov 04 08:25 AM doubleguns wrote:

> Why would the govt sell tax credits that they should just let expire.
> The tax payers OWN fannie so selling 3B of tax credits for anything
> less than 3b is just shooting our selves in the foot.
>
> The hell with the bidding. They cost 3 billion, bottom line you thieves.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171056-has-the-market-already-hit-its-high-for-the-year?source=feed#comment-743921 743921 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:15:15 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/170780-wall-street-breakfast-must-know-news?source=feed#comment-742166 742166 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:35:34 -0500