Brett Conrad

America Must Rebuild Domestic Battery Manufacturing Infrastructure

Battery centered vehicles become much more economic when subsidies are eliminated from oil. Oil is subsidized by the military protecting "America's" oil in the middle east, and our kids will be paying for our pollution and energy waste. If we make oil users pay the true cost (probably add $1.75/gallon) up front, alternatives become more economic, and will therefore be more rapidly adopted.

If there's a silver lining to be found anywhere in the Madoff affair, it's that the Ponzi scam artist of the century may have succeeded where SEC's Cox never has: finally forcing regulation of the $1.5T hedge fund industry.

Regulation was not the problem with Madoff's funds. It was the lack of enforcement. Also, there was no excuse resource wise at the SEC as the number of employees at the SEC has swollen in the last few years.

Lululemon Athletica: Heading for Single Digits

Lululemon is well positioned for global growth, hence the premium valuation. It really doesn't matter what they are selling, as long as it matches the exceptional customer experience. You can only put out amazing customer experience through a culture of continuous personal and company development. Very few companies in any industry have been able to create this type of culture. That is what you are buying when you own this stock - phenomenal, passionate people aligned with a mission.

So, why did the IPO only generate a small amount of capital for the company's piggy bank? Because Lulu generates plenty of cash to finance it's own growth. Very few capital intensive companies can grow at these rates while generating positive cash flow.

Don't get too intellectual about your preference for lululemon. Just look for yourself. Are more people wearing it and talking about how they love it? Are the stores busy? If you bought some for yourself, are you choosing to put the product on in the morning?

The answer is always right there in front of your nose, not behind your nose.