An agreement is "within sight," but not yet done, says the President (webcast), apparently using his address to push negotiations over the finish line. The deal on the table extends current income tax rates on those within a certain income threshold, but does not appear to prevent payroll tax rates from going back up. S&P 500 +0.6%. [View news story]
This gotta be one of the most unhelpful speeches of the year.
Android Is Dead - Part 4: New Contender Windows Phone 8 [View article]
I expect WP8 phones to connect more and more with the Windows PCs, and become more business oriented. IMO, WP8 phones will eventually take over RIMM's current market share in the business world, and draw attention from a good proportion of BOTH iPhone and Android users. With the revival of Windows, Apple products will take the biggest hit, not Android, which is extremely flexible and open.
Disclosure: long NOK, a linux user and an owner of three Android devices.
I don't agree with most of your points against BIDU. Disclosure, I am long BIDU.
First and foremost, Google is not in China. And China is not likely to open up to Google any time soon. On top of that, based on my personal experience Baidu does a better job at searching in Chinese than Google. Baidu also has services that Google doesn't offer. (It also functions as Ask.com, and forums, etc.)
Competition is Growing after Google exit
Yes, there is competition everywhere. Since you like Google very much, why don't you look at Google's competitors? They are out there too, but people still use Google. In China, Baidu is *the* go-to place for searching.
One Country Pony
That's right. And I think that's an advantage to Baidu. China is going to go through leadership change next year and Baidu will one of their key instruments to communicate with the public. As many suspect, Baidu is more or less backed by the government and this significantly limits its downside risks.
Mobile Search Marketshare is not even half that of PC
China is catching up on that. With the aggressive entry of Nokia smartphones to China, we can expect a surge in mobile search usage. Baidu is also very massively advertising their mobile apps.
Late Investment in Cloud Computing
Baidu has been late, but they are doing very well with Cloud Computing. FYI one of the most popular cloud storage site "115" just closed its pubic sharing. Other popular sites have extremely heaving advertisement or require software. Baidu is becoming more and more popular, along with SINA, in the cloud.
Chinese ADR Risks
That's true to all Chinese stocks. Baidu is one that will less likely to suffer significantly, as you discussed.
IMO, BIDU is at its early stage of rebound from its low at $86.
Six Canadian banks get a one-notch downgrade from Moody's as high levels of consumer debt and bubbly housing prices leave the lenders "more vulnerable than in the past." The agency also notes banks' reliance on "confidence-sensitive wholesale funding, which is obscured by limited public disclosure." Among those cut: BMO, BNS, CM, TD. [View news story]
They downgraded pretty much all the big banks? This is entertaining.
Nokia's Shares Are Benefiting From Irrational Exuberance [View article]
If you don't count the big tank right before the jump, the growth on a good news isn't that impressive - it's within the normal range. The large percentage comeback did, however, attract new investors' attention, resulting in the contitued party on the following day.
I think Project Shield is a waste of time and money in this market enviornment. As you pointed out in the article, most Android games focus on the touchscreen experience, there just aren't that many games, if any, worth playing on an Android console, unless they are already available on a console.
On top of that, there is GameKlip (http://bit.ly/13qELIn) that does what Project Shield intends to do, and cheapter. The difference is that current phones don't have Tegra 4 yet, but Tegra 3 or equivalent are good enough for probably all the games available on Android.
Alcatel-Lucent (ALU +4.6%) pops to $1.72 after getting pulled from Goldman's Conviction Sell list. This is probably a good time to point out Goldman helped underwrite last month's debt refinancing deal. Credit Suisse, the other underwriter, upgraded Alcatel to Neutral last week. Alcatel was added to Goldman's list on Oct. 5, when shares traded at $1.08. [View news story]
GS has done this conviction sell thing a few times... GS rating conviction sell + GS actual buy = strong buy
Android Is Dead - Part 4: New Contender Windows Phone 8 [View article]
You have a good point. I shouldn't have used "revival of Windows". I never expected WP8 to boost PC sales - the vast majority of PC users don't get excited by OS upgrades anyway.
I am bullish on WP8 phones because lots of people are ALREADY using the Windows platforms at home or at work and there is plenty of room for integration.
Can Nokia Pull Ahead Of Research In Motion? [View article]
This depends on how you use your phone. For many the ecosystem of OS is as important as the build of the phone. However I think Nokia is targeting the right market (young people who haven't been glued to one OS, developing countries with large demands for new smart phones.)
Six Canadian banks get a one-notch downgrade from Moody's as high levels of consumer debt and bubbly housing prices leave the lenders "more vulnerable than in the past." The agency also notes banks' reliance on "confidence-sensitive wholesale funding, which is obscured by limited public disclosure." Among those cut: BMO, BNS, CM, TD. [View news story]
The increased household debt/income ratio is an inevitable result of ultra-low interest environment. Canadian banks are still maintaining a favorable spread between mortgage and deposit sides. As mentioned by Uunderhill, several banks are buying international banks in order to boost retail deposits.
I never invested in bank stocks. But if this downgrade drives the stock prices low enough, I wouldn't mind jumping in and make easy money (if the market doesn't crash :P).
Autodesk (ADSK +4.3%) jumps after Goldman upgrades shares all the way to Conviction Buy from Sell. The firm is encouraged by the CAD software giant's improved execution, as well as accelerating growth in the non-residential construction space. Shares are a little above where they traded when Goldman downgraded them to Sell in Dec. '11. [View news story]
Japanese shares jump in early trading, with the Nikkei Average up 2.2% at 10,844, as the dollar trades around its highest level against the yen since mid-2010. Once again, exporters lead the charge: Mazda (MZDAY.PK +7.6%), Sony (SNE +3.9%), Honda (HMC +2.9%), Advantest(ATE +6.5%) and Tokyo Electron (TOELY.PK). [View news story]
Nokia's Shares Are Benefiting From Irrational Exuberance [View article]
Sorry, I should have clarified. The volatility is acceptable, however, the 10% loss, is unjustified if taking the middle-long term into consideration. i.e. it was highly unlikely that the stock would tank 10% and not come back for a long time *on that piece of news* (if all investors were that cautious and careful then nobody would be losing money!). The only solid game changer at the moment is Q4 earnings. If the stock continued to tank on Thursday, it would be likely due to rumors/pre-annoucements of poor Q4 results.
Tax evasion is a very sensitive issue for every business. Based on what has been revealed by the Indian income tax department, "Nokia has changed its accounting model and is reorganizing its existing business model", Nokia's case is extremely ambiguous at this moment. I remain highly skeptical of the accusations and the potential negative impacts at this point.
Others have also pointed out that tax issues will take years to resolve, and the Indian government could easily "change their mind" due to many other considerations.
I'm sure we will all follow up on the news and watch what happens. My opinions can certainly change, but if and only if situation changes fundamentally.
An agreement is "within sight," but not yet done, says the President (webcast), apparently using his address to push negotiations over the finish line. The deal on the table extends current income tax rates on those within a certain income threshold, but does not appear to prevent payroll tax rates from going back up. S&P 500 +0.6%. [View news story]
Android Is Dead - Part 4: New Contender Windows Phone 8 [View article]
Disclosure: long NOK, a linux user and an owner of three Android devices.
Baidu - Why You Cannot Buy It [View article]
First and foremost, Google is not in China. And China is not likely to open up to Google any time soon. On top of that, based on my personal experience Baidu does a better job at searching in Chinese than Google. Baidu also has services that Google doesn't offer. (It also functions as Ask.com, and forums, etc.)
Competition is Growing after Google exit
Yes, there is competition everywhere. Since you like Google very much, why don't you look at Google's competitors? They are out there too, but people still use Google. In China, Baidu is *the* go-to place for searching.
One Country Pony
That's right. And I think that's an advantage to Baidu. China is going to go through leadership change next year and Baidu will one of their key instruments to communicate with the public. As many suspect, Baidu is more or less backed by the government and this significantly limits its downside risks.
Mobile Search Marketshare is not even half that of PC
China is catching up on that. With the aggressive entry of Nokia smartphones to China, we can expect a surge in mobile search usage. Baidu is also very massively advertising their mobile apps.
Late Investment in Cloud Computing
Baidu has been late, but they are doing very well with Cloud Computing. FYI one of the most popular cloud storage site "115" just closed its pubic sharing. Other popular sites have extremely heaving advertisement or require software. Baidu is becoming more and more popular, along with SINA, in the cloud.
Chinese ADR Risks
That's true to all Chinese stocks. Baidu is one that will less likely to suffer significantly, as you discussed.
IMO, BIDU is at its early stage of rebound from its low at $86.
GM Or Ford, On Equal Terms [View article]
Six Canadian banks get a one-notch downgrade from Moody's as high levels of consumer debt and bubbly housing prices leave the lenders "more vulnerable than in the past." The agency also notes banks' reliance on "confidence-sensitive wholesale funding, which is obscured by limited public disclosure." Among those cut: BMO, BNS, CM, TD. [View news story]
Nokia's Shares Are Benefiting From Irrational Exuberance [View article]
Nvidia: What The Heck Happened? [View article]
On top of that, there is GameKlip (http://bit.ly/13qELIn) that does what Project Shield intends to do, and cheapter. The difference is that current phones don't have Tegra 4 yet, but Tegra 3 or equivalent are good enough for probably all the games available on Android.
Disclosue: No position in NVDA.
Alcatel-Lucent (ALU +4.6%) pops to $1.72 after getting pulled from Goldman's Conviction Sell list. This is probably a good time to point out Goldman helped underwrite last month's debt refinancing deal. Credit Suisse, the other underwriter, upgraded Alcatel to Neutral last week. Alcatel was added to Goldman's list on Oct. 5, when shares traded at $1.08. [View news story]
GS rating conviction sell + GS actual buy = strong buy
Android Is Dead - Part 4: New Contender Windows Phone 8 [View article]
I am bullish on WP8 phones because lots of people are ALREADY using the Windows platforms at home or at work and there is plenty of room for integration.
Can Nokia Pull Ahead Of Research In Motion? [View article]
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
Six Canadian banks get a one-notch downgrade from Moody's as high levels of consumer debt and bubbly housing prices leave the lenders "more vulnerable than in the past." The agency also notes banks' reliance on "confidence-sensitive wholesale funding, which is obscured by limited public disclosure." Among those cut: BMO, BNS, CM, TD. [View news story]
I never invested in bank stocks. But if this downgrade drives the stock prices low enough, I wouldn't mind jumping in and make easy money (if the market doesn't crash :P).
Autodesk (ADSK +4.3%) jumps after Goldman upgrades shares all the way to Conviction Buy from Sell. The firm is encouraged by the CAD software giant's improved execution, as well as accelerating growth in the non-residential construction space. Shares are a little above where they traded when Goldman downgraded them to Sell in Dec. '11. [View news story]
Japanese shares jump in early trading, with the Nikkei Average up 2.2% at 10,844, as the dollar trades around its highest level against the yen since mid-2010. Once again, exporters lead the charge: Mazda (MZDAY.PK +7.6%), Sony (SNE +3.9%), Honda (HMC +2.9%), Advantest(ATE +6.5%) and Tokyo Electron (TOELY.PK). [View news story]
Nokia's Shares Are Benefiting From Irrational Exuberance [View article]
Tax evasion is a very sensitive issue for every business. Based on what has been revealed by the Indian income tax department, "Nokia has changed its accounting model and is reorganizing its existing business model", Nokia's case is extremely ambiguous at this moment. I remain highly skeptical of the accusations and the potential negative impacts at this point.
Others have also pointed out that tax issues will take years to resolve, and the Indian government could easily "change their mind" due to many other considerations.
I'm sure we will all follow up on the news and watch what happens. My opinions can certainly change, but if and only if situation changes fundamentally.