Trend is Not Destiny

5 Reasons Why Tech Stocks Should Be in Your Portfolio

It is certainly possible I am missing the larger picture; However, I am not assuming that the market will authentically recover with Tech leading the way... You are right,it is presently a leader now, but how to account for "Larger Economic & Systemic Processes" of debt in this society? I agree that you are not soliciting a less than thoughtful approach, but bearish forever and bearish at the epicenter of fraud, poor regulation and socializing risk seems quite different to me.

Buying tech seems to me no better at this moment than beginning to hoard those stocks related to precious natural resources (i.e. water, food, and commodities) as population demographics begin to become more apparent - more people less resources

Good luck to you also!


On Jul 23 11:24 AM myWealth.com wrote:

> Trend, you are really missing the bigger picture here! When the
> economy does recover Tech will be the leading sector. It is the
> leading sector now. This is basic sector rotation in the business
> cycle!! I am not encouraging anyone to go on automatic pilot here,
> and if you are bearish forever stay away from the market completely.
>
>
> If you are a Trader Tech has been a great trade, and if you are a
> long term investor owning Techs and re-balancing should work out real
> well for you. Up 5% since I wrote this article!! but they will
> certainly cool off sooner or later!
>
> Good luck to you!!

On Financial Engineering and Financial Innovation

well done; thanks for your work

5 Reasons Why Tech Stocks Should Be in Your Portfolio

really? buy stocks in this market; c'mon! Population demographics, nature resource and commodity fluctuations (supply and demand) and the largest discrepancy between poor regulation, exploitative behavior and informational asymmetries in this so called free market... Something here does not add up, but invest in tech stocks by all means... Yeah right! 70% of GDP is consumption-based, but we are all in debt, foreclosed, and bankrupt. Please explain your ideas further nostradamus as Roubini and others are saying the pain will get worse: 1) why now, 2) who's interests are served, and lastly 3) short or long term

U.S. Dollar May Appreciate Later This Year

A quote applies to the article from a favorite movie- Melvin Udall: "Sell stupid someplace else"

Winter's Coming for the Boomers: Part 1

reductionistic; compartmental simplicity disguised as complex thought; and irritatingly arrogant; (the best analogy I have heard for reduction is inadequate at best but far better than generational themes during the last 50 years in America; 6% of the world's population by the way... this analogy refers to a crystal where the view, position, experience, and coherence depends on the angle you are looking at it through; Oh yeah, plus its the economy stupid!

Investment Opportunities Are Knocking

Easy Walter Lippman; the herd is a derogatory name used to infer stupidity and conformity? Surely profits are not the only bovine topic you speak; I am sure there are many who could categorize you into a large group and minimize your ability to make decisions, however we wouldn't call it a business herd; I am of the belief that no one right now has any authority to speak to financial recovery or ways to profit matters other than Roubini, Baker or Schiff etc.---- maybe you are in the new herd of people who think they can make a profit before the bottom falls out again; be careful man!


On Jul 08 09:28 PM pete123 wrote:

> >>From the three US indices to the nine aforementioned global macro
> lines, if we see them break sustainably, I will be prepared to move.
>
>
> So the only thing that makes the author different from the monkeys
> is that he will bail at a different time? I do agree with him in
> that the best profit opportunities are when you catch the herd going
> the wrong way. But you can profit running with the herd too, either
> way the trick is to sense when the herd is about to change its mind
> :-)

A Dire Warning for the U.S. Economy

The comment about you cannot fix stupid just creates barriers; I do not believe in the mass ignorance or that people are somehow stupid; In fact, I think they are bright, over-burdened with responsibilities and sensitive to subtle manipulations of mass marketing. This access to this information is a privileged and is based on race, experience, power and a willingness to do whatever it takes; "the people are stupid mantra is rubbish; you sound like Walter Lippman and talking about the masses like they are an ignorant herd. Give people credit for knowing what it going on that to sell the world will never change because of stupidity of group think... You are better than that!


On Jul 08 12:25 PM SAUBW wrote:

> While I am not sure that Jeff might be overstating the case at times
> and he generally seems far to the left of me, I enjoy reading his
> thoughts and perspectives. One central point he repeatedly makes
> that appears to me to be undeniable though - neither of the major
> political parties running this bloated over-reaching government flush
> with lax or misdirected regulatory agencies will ever help us with
> this mess at all. They are just absurdly compounding an inter-generational
> mess instead. We are witnessing governmental incompetence on a grand
> scale, but the most spotlight-acclimated politicians can still convince
> an ignorant (but hopeful) public that the Emperor really does have
> clothes. We have been intentionally divided into perceived interest
> groups to distract us from a bigger problem: politicians and bankers
> gross (but sophisticated) corruption and/or incompetence. And frankly,
> you do not have to be well-informed or have an IQ greater than my
> dog to be able to vote yourself benefits these days. You can't fix
> stupid! Third party or Ron Paul perhaps in 2012 (or start building
> the bunker and stockpiling essentials)? It really is difficult to
> imagine how this can possibly come out even semi-alright as deep
> as these problems go. Both parties are too beholden to their particular
> interest groups to act responsibly. Both parties have been actively
> shafting the average American for decades. The Democrats do it to
> benefit and gain the political support of the dependent, the lazy,
> and the irresponsible; the Republicans do it to benefit and gain
> the political support of the rich (which includes the political elites
> of both parties). But both parties primarily do it for themselves
> and to maintain their grip on power. They may attack each other in
> the media, but they probably then go to the bar and have a good laugh
> about how stupid the American public is to believe their theatrics.
> I have to laugh at it too, but it is not that funny when they are
> destroying the country and our children's futures. But, it will probably
> still have to become much more in-your-face evident that everything
> is coming apart than it already is before the general populace really
> gets alarmed. To me that spells possibly violent social unrest reminiscent
> of the 1960's. It probably won't be boring when that happens.

The Consequences of Government Debt

Ah finally!!!! Nuance and provocative thought; thank you for your thoughts and the link to Berner's article, David

A Dire Warning for the U.S. Economy

By diving individuals and communities in ideological segments, the private-public power apparatus is able to manipulate the reporting, marketing and access to information; I really appreciate Jeff's insight here, regardless of how it makes us all feel; Reality about our current situation is much preferred to the decades of anesthetic and wanton individualism, consumerism and build your resume-ism associated with an aggrandized sense of work ethic which sells competition at all costs; even if that means to cheat...If people want to read/learn more on this subject I recommend reading Edward Bernays: Propaganda, or David Harvey's: Brief history of Neoliberalism and lastly, anything by Ivan Illich who talks about how our professions are being gutted of essential skills with increasing legitimacy (medical records, charter schools etc.)

Investment Opportunities Are Knocking

Could you please refrain from telling us about 'all these great opportunities' of a busy and distracted mind. If I wanted my Wednesday morning to be filled with arrogant encouragement that the investing world is all better and ripe for the taking, I would have played monopoly with my 10 year old niece. I am sure you believe in yourself and I sincerely mean no ill will towards your abilities to generate revenue. However, I am confused about your last two written pieces: restoring trust and a now is the time to find great trades. While you may eventually prove right, a more modest approach to issues like: inflation, systemic debt at all levels, an over-reliance on consumption, the housing-foreclosure crisis, credit card debt, bailouts and corporate fraud, accounting fraud, regulatory capture, joblessness, wage deflation and my personal favorite TBTF (Too Big To Fail) financial institutions... While a lot of people have written on this and it may seem too depressing; the first order in rebuilding trust is acknowledge system problems. From my estimation after reading McCullough's blog-sport yesterday, the advice you are giving is childish. Respectfully Yours!

America's Economic Credibility Crisis

Jason,

quite right about Obama! My comments stem more from his potential than his reality; but steps 1, 2, 3 are more for individuals and families now to learn how to treat one another as it apparent that hyper-inflation is imminently apart of our future lament; I wonder if elite monied interests really wanted to acknowledge, to repair and be held accountable; what would it look like in context considering that the world's population will have 9 billion people in 25 years with scarce resources and a deteriorating environment;
I suspect it would look like having one foot in US and one foot in some haven where people can be bought; thanks for the response



On Jul 07 03:49 PM Jason Rines (iThinkBig) wrote:

> I liked you comment until you got to Obama. He could have been the
> most notable President since Washington or Lincoln by attacking our
> financial state capture. Hiring the same management team that caused
> the crisis shows the investment community it's shady business as
> usual in Washington. He has already squandered the majority of his
> political capital which is why this House and Administration ram
> home bills without reading them, written by aides. These bills stink,
> stick the taxpayer with all the liabilities asign more power, not
> less to the Federal Reserve and is conducting an experiment in deficit
> spending approaching that of Weimar Republic. So the exact opposite
> of your points 1,2,3 are what Obama is doing. Community activist?
> Yeah, he's communist instead of a fascist like Bush how lovely.
>

The Real Cause of Foreclosures: No Skin in the Game

Smart people here making points, but I am frustrated with the title of this piece. When I read terms like "skin in the game", I am reminded of our treasury secretary, Tim Geithner. Why can't we say as Americans, we have a problem with money (namely debt)? Why can't we admit that individual consumers, families, state and local governments, corporations, and western economies are struggling with the same issues of systemic debt? When we come up with an all-encompassing, which was well thought out by the way, explanation for this debt phenomena we do a real disservice to individuals who do not have access to, the privilege of, or the power to confront the idea that this bubble was precisely manufactured, executed, and lamented after the fact with the people who profited from this seizing more market share and power. So, when you quote Tim Geithner' skin in the game quote; who are you serving with this explanation and who did you leave out? Respectfully, John

America's Economic Credibility Crisis

One point I would add as someone who sees clients clinically who struggle with issues of trust and money is that the interconnected nature of our economic ties, whether in a marriage or an economy, does not entitle us to more or less trust than any G-8 power. Trust works best if awarded or received in increments; small increments of trust build up as consumers, communities and countries can witness to the best of their ability: 1) acknowledge of errors without minimization or rationalization 2) repair attempts aimed at the root of the violation of trust, and 3) measures of accountability for the consequences of failed behavior.... In other words, who cares about China's power and address the main issue: investor trust is not a marketing scheme to managed via informational asymmetries. It is a teachable moment! Who better than Obama to help us with this lesson as a community organizer and teacher.

Why Did Economists Fail to Predict the Crisis?

Spot on Socrateazz!; my only comment to your insight is that there exists a larger cohort trend in the economic and social engineering of Americans beyond decade analysis or smaller generational time periods. These trends include, as Arlie Hochschild points out, three elements which makes for the cascading of events (inflation, expansion etc.) accelerated. They are our social tendencies as a people towards: individualism, exaggerated sense of self related to work ethic, and materialism... Each of these issues serves as a buffer to prevent people (economists too) from really finding out what is happening and why

Why Did Economists Fail to Predict the Crisis?

Read David Harvey's, A Brief History of Neoliberalism and then you will be a position to understand how economists have been de-skilled (Ivan Illich) and are taking on the role of 'academic entrepreneur' (Giroux); The construction of a consumer led economy did not erupt statutorily or legislatively from a vacuum; it was planned, executed, marketed and lamented after the fact with precision... The work of Walter Lippman and Edward Bernays is important here as it applies to mass marketing and manufacturing consent in behavioral economics... The premise of this article is really astounding; the economists failed to predict crises because they were either distracted by our bubble economy, lust for merit or were theoretically complicit and bent on replicating it....

John McElroy