La Marque

Rapid Transition to Grid Enabled Vehicles Not Possible or Desirable

Great article, John.

The collective wisdom of those on the Potomac can't see that raising taxes on petro fuels will enhance conservation along with reducing the deficit. Fuel taxes are supposed to fix our roads; they are not and so general taxes are used helping to create a deficit. When the consumer sees high priced fuel every fill-up, they start thinking of how to reduce their costs and act on it. The HEV, as you say, will be seen as the best choice at this time.

Kicked Out of Finance and into Journalism

Good read here, Felix. That said, I think Blodgett is a good read from what I have seen in The Atlantic and on Yahoo!

Newspapers: The Opportunity of Bankruptcy

I like my daily paper for its local news. All good points were made and now I understand a Sunday and Wednesday delivery. It will be hard on those that like crosswords, sudoku, etc on paper; many will just go to another form of print.

Cadmium: Spent Energy?

If the EU has not made an exception for cadmium in PV, what does this mean for producers of cadium combinatiosn of PV products? Will GE rethink its plans?

GM Looks to Use U.S. and Canadian Tax Money to Bail Out Opel

Opels are too expensive to build in Europe to be exported to N.A. That's why there are no Opels here. The Chevy Cobalt shares a frame and chassis with Open/Vauxhall already. GM does not need Opel for small car knowledge; it already knows how to make a small car, see Chevy Aveo, built in Korea. It needs to learn how to make one profitablely.


On Nov 16 01:25 PM BoneYard wrote:

> On Opel, if GM was serious about introducing small cars to the US,
> the Opel franchise could do it for them (remember, that is why we
> gave Chrysler to Fiat). It is a decent car that seems to sell well
> in Europe. Will GM think of this - probably not, why start thinking
> strategically now.

7 Dividend Stocks to Prove Buy-and-Hold Isn't Dead

You assume B&H means Buy & Forget. nonsense.


On Nov 12 05:45 PM ozzzy4444 wrote:

> "Buy and hold" is a bad idea.
> "Buy, hold and watch like a hawk" is better.
>
> America is full of sr citizens who "bought and held GM"

7 Dividend Stocks to Prove Buy-and-Hold Isn't Dead

Altria does have a lot of cash and a good dividend. I sold my shares because the company has no upside in my view. B&H requires that it have growth potential.


On Nov 12 10:28 AM User 372459 wrote:

> Those are minuscules returns, you have way overlooked Altria (MO)
> they have more money than God. Over 7% dividend, are you boycotting
> the company because they manufacturing cigarettes and shooting your
> self in the foot? If this game is about money say it as it is and
> don't tell me that you don't follow MO.
> George.

A Build America ETF and Why New Zealand Can Speak Freely

I don't know how Powershares will build an index, if possible.

I have been buying BuildAmerica bonds in Unit Investment Trusts (UIT) with the last ones having a EST. LONG TERM RETURN= 5.64% in an IRA. At these rates, they may be competitive in a taxable account.

Are Stocks Making a Major Top?

The author also came to no conclusion. The article is a wash.


On Nov 13 08:28 AM David Van Knapp wrote:

> I thought technical analysis was supposed to be a way to analyze
> markets unemotionally...to discern what is happening, what is reality...without
> going "on tilt" about it.
>
> Lots of comments on SA during this 8-month rally suggest that lots
> of people are on tilt. There is a cluster of them right here: "The
> result will not be pretty." "Averge Americans have no clue about
> anything." "The notion took hold that you can buy any stock at any
> absurd price." "People are just whistling past the graveyard and
> have no idea as to what's about to hit them." And of course the conspiracy
> theories, the government is lying, CNBC is lying, etc.
>
> The author isn't lying, he has presented facts. He constructed a
> dry, emotionless, technical article, offering decent historical comparisons,
> and he gets ripped for not understanding what's really going on.
> He did make the "mistake" of offering a mild opinion on fundamentals,
> and he got ripped for that. Nobody actually disputed his arguments
> on a technical level; they just ignored them. Too bad, he did a good
> job. Doesn't mean he's right, but he did a good job.

The Decline of Credit Cards

Many of those newly using debit cards are forcing themselves to live within their means - good for them. Ezra Klein just sees part of the big picture. Most people who have the good credit have been using debit cards all along while also using credit cards and paying them off in full every month.

WSJ.com Could Lose 25% of Its Traffic if Murdoch Blocks Google

Murdoch would be smart to end the Google-wsj.com deal.

The End of Safe Havens

For small investors, it seem to me to be municipals for cash preservation and inflation protection. Everything else seems to be overpriced at this time.

Peak Oil: Still Headed for a Train Wreck

You got this one right! Americans are going to have to get used to peak oil. We have already passed it economically; it only gets worse.

More GM-Magna Fallout: What Russia Will Have to Learn

Opel is a drain on GM. GM needs less brands and more organic growth with its American brands. It is the worst European auto company because of mismanagement. Opels are not exported to North American because they are uncompetitive. GM has small car expertise with its Korean unit and it is competitive.


On Nov 09 12:30 PM Alex Filonov wrote:

> GM needs Opel because small and midsize car design has been done
> there. Other than that, Opel is a mess. Worst European auto company
> by far.

The Opel Lesson: Creative Destruction Still Not Popular in Germany

Although there are some valid points in this article to make the point that creative destruction is unpopular in Germany, GM made a bad decision to retain Opel. GM already knows how to make fuel efficient cars and would be better served by being lean and mean. GM needs less brands and will need organic growth, not holding onto Opel which needs a bailout to survive. GM should concentrate on its core American nameplates worldwide.