bluesmoke

121 Comments

    • Something's Not Right About This Rally [view article]
      There seems to be an undercurrent of thought regarding the size of the national debt. I've read several pieces questioning how we will ever "pay it back". If a country like Kuwait is recognizing the weakness of the US dollar, it doesn't bode well for the financial system as a whole. But I'm just a simple man.... Jul 23 09:29 AM
    • Wednesday Outlook: Commodities, Emerging Markets [view article]
      Dave, a lot of us are scratching our heads! Thanks for the posts. Jul 23 09:18 AM
    • Money Magazine: Clueless on Commodities [view article]
      Judging by the range of responses, no one knows anything for sure. What I think we all can agree on is the world population is increasing. This in itself adds to the demand for natural resources of all kinds, whether it be hard commodities, or a companies' stock that trades relative to that market. So sure, the markets will swing, but it seems to me the trend will be up over a 5-10 year period. Jul 21 10:32 AM
    • Invest and Stop Working [view article]
      In another post a few days ago, the author mentioned LVL and Realty Income (O), both monthly dividend plays. LVL is a new etf with light volume, but that could change. It has a lot going for it, paying over 9% on a monthly basis. Come tax time it could get a little tricky based on its wide swath of investments.

      Realty Income is one I like and own. As more of us aim to retire, you would think companies with strong cash flows would be interested in attracting ownership by modifying their dividends to pay monthly. Factor in compounding, that can add upwards of 1%/year.

      The bottom line is to get the fixed income in your portfolio tackled first, then put the remainder in growth stocks/vehicles to try stay ahead of inflation. It isn't easy.       Jul 19 10:14 AM
    • The Silly "Taxpayer Funded" Bailout Talk [view article]
      Unreal. Jul 18 10:30 AM
    • Most Overlooked Story of the Day: Kuwait Takes Money Elsewhere [view article]
      The media sure is selective in what they think is important. Thanks for the post. Jul 18 10:00 AM
    • Realty Income: Solid Yield, Diversified Portfolio [view article]
      Good article - as the baby boomers (me) retire, we are indeed looking for diversified monthly income. I'm surprised more companies haven't figured this out. Your suggestion of LVL is a good one. I had not heard of it and will probably buy some. One thing you may note is it is very thinly traded. That's one downside if you need to sell a large position. I also took this from their website:

      As the ETF holds REITs, MLPs, preferred stocks, convertible securities, and closed end funds, beware for tax purposes that its distributions can include regular income, short term and long term capital gains, and qualified dividends. As it owns ADRs, a portion of its dividends may be withheld by foreign tax authorities.       Jul 17 04:16 PM
    • Following the Cleveland Cliffs / Alpha Natural Resources Deal [view article]
      Good article. Other applications for our vast coal deposits seem to be overlooked - there is hope for liquid coal and coal to gasoline applications that the overall market has yet to factor in. Jul 17 10:10 AM
    • Is This Financial Armageddon or the Greatest Buying Opportunity Since 2002? [view article]
      Good one! Jul 15 09:20 AM
    • Radio Is Doomed - Tear Down the Broadcast Towers [view article]
      All I know is other than talk radio, terrestrial radio has definitely lost its way. Jul 15 09:03 AM
    • You Don't Own Real Estate - It Owns You [view article]
      "It is possible that an entire generation will suffer from the sins of the previous generation with flat or falling real estate values. Not a pleasant prospect, but seeking alpha is about facing possibly unpleasant truths not about wishful thinking."

      Well said. I constantly marveled at how fast real estate was appreciating - given the fact each year fewer and fewer would be able to afford it. Now that we are at critical mass and have to come to terms with inflation via higher energy costs, it's hard to justify a 1500 sq ft house being worth 1/4 million dollars. But that's just me.       Jul 13 11:45 AM
    • Is Gold a Good Investment During the Credit Crunch? [view article]
      Good article. I own a lot of gold via stocks, etf's & mutual funds mostly as a defensive play against inflation. Since no country honors the "gold standard" there is no true yardstick to measure its value by. On the other hand, oil and commodities such as corn, etc, can be measured to a finer degree through supply and demand, as they are actually consumed. Jul 13 11:06 AM
    • Who Needs Music Labels? Last.fm Now Paying Royalties to Unsigned Artists [view article]
      I posted three albums worth of my original songs on Last FM about a year ago. Without spending any money, and strictly on the weight of my songs, I have picked up 181 steady listeners, and 451 times one of my songs has been "scrobbled". I can also track my songs & listeners, manage a catalog, sell and now collect royalties. The business model is absolutely brilliant. I can see why CBS bought them. You are exactly right - who needs radio? Not me!!!! Jul 10 08:00 PM
    • Unnatural Gas [view article]
      Natural gas is so simple - once found and accessed, it's fairly easy to transport (pipes or liquid), it's plentiful, it could easily complement more & more of our energy needs, and it's right in our backyard (ground deposits) as well as it can be generated from our landfills (methane). The only thing stopping it is the lack of any energy policy! Jul 09 10:13 AM
    • Chesapeake Energy: Truckin', Like the Do-Dah Man [view article]
      Ha ha ha - good comments all! Jul 09 09:56 AM
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