kmi's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.com/user/457819/comments http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/996571?source=feed#comment-18395581 18395581
Being long XLE should mean that they didn't expect gas prices to decline, no? ]]> Fri, 03 May 2013 08:19:16 -0400
Being long XLE should mean that they didn't expect gas prices to decline, no? ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/992261?source=feed#comment-18366141 18366141
The belief is that Apple would simply do it better. Well, let's see how they fare on TV and watches first, shall we?]]> Thu, 02 May 2013 14:11:53 -0400
The belief is that Apple would simply do it better. Well, let's see how they fare on TV and watches first, shall we?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1389041/comments?source=feed#comment-18363391 18363391
Low rates encourage borrowing to invest, most of which has gone to productivity enhancements instead of employment growth, which has driven down costs. Meanwhile in the global quest for yield, money is being driven into dollar denom assets, further pushing down rates, exiting non-productive assets like commodities, and reinforcing the whole process virtuously.

It's been 5 years now since QE was turned on and the scary hyperinflationary scenarios expected and feared have yet to materialize. ]]> Thu, 02 May 2013 13:10:14 -0400
Low rates encourage borrowing to invest, most of which has gone to productivity enhancements instead of employment growth, which has driven down costs. Meanwhile in the global quest for yield, money is being driven into dollar denom assets, further pushing down rates, exiting non-productive assets like commodities, and reinforcing the whole process virtuously.

It's been 5 years now since QE was turned on and the scary hyperinflationary scenarios expected and feared have yet to materialize. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1389041/comments?source=feed#comment-18363111 18363111
FT's alphaville has an interesting write up on Gold's selloff, the backwardation of the futures curve, and spot demand for physical.

Regular followers of that site will note that columnists there have been drawing deflationary conclusions from market activity, and have been drawing the same from Gold's current performance. It's a very interesting read:

http://on.ft.com/10utToK

"In reality, since gold is a highly financialised commodity, the backwardation signal doesn’t actually indicate the bullishness they imply it does. Rather, it suggests something entirely different: that interest rates in conventional money markets are turning increasingly negative."

Read more at the link above...]]> Thu, 02 May 2013 13:04:11 -0400
FT's alphaville has an interesting write up on Gold's selloff, the backwardation of the futures curve, and spot demand for physical.

Regular followers of that site will note that columnists there have been drawing deflationary conclusions from market activity, and have been drawing the same from Gold's current performance. It's a very interesting read:

http://on.ft.com/10utToK

"In reality, since gold is a highly financialised commodity, the backwardation signal doesn’t actually indicate the bullishness they imply it does. Rather, it suggests something entirely different: that interest rates in conventional money markets are turning increasingly negative."

Read more at the link above...]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/985221?source=feed#comment-18348191 18348191
Regular followers of that site will note that columnists there have been drawing deflationary conclusions from market activity, and have been drawing the same from Gold's current performance. It's a very interesting read:

http://on.ft.com/10utToK

"In reality, since gold is a highly financialised commodity, the backwardation signal doesn’t actually indicate the bullishness they imply it does. Rather, it suggests something entirely different: that interest rates in conventional money markets are turning increasingly negative.

That’s not to say that the signal is uninteresting. It is interesting — but it’s interesting because it suggests gold collateral markets are telling us that real-world rates (as opposed to those publicised by the Fed) are more negative than we think they are.

The Fed (and other major central banks), in other words, is fighting an increasingly difficult battle to prop up short-term rates."

Read more at the link above...]]> Thu, 02 May 2013 08:30:00 -0400
Regular followers of that site will note that columnists there have been drawing deflationary conclusions from market activity, and have been drawing the same from Gold's current performance. It's a very interesting read:

http://on.ft.com/10utToK

"In reality, since gold is a highly financialised commodity, the backwardation signal doesn’t actually indicate the bullishness they imply it does. Rather, it suggests something entirely different: that interest rates in conventional money markets are turning increasingly negative.

That’s not to say that the signal is uninteresting. It is interesting — but it’s interesting because it suggests gold collateral markets are telling us that real-world rates (as opposed to those publicised by the Fed) are more negative than we think they are.

The Fed (and other major central banks), in other words, is fighting an increasingly difficult battle to prop up short-term rates."

Read more at the link above...]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/986121?source=feed#comment-18347641 18347641
40 years ago, the battery technology modern EVs rely on -lithium-ion- didn't exist, and the battery technologies available were not up to the task...]]> Thu, 02 May 2013 08:15:59 -0400
40 years ago, the battery technology modern EVs rely on -lithium-ion- didn't exist, and the battery technologies available were not up to the task...]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/988371?source=feed#comment-18347491 18347491
We have all but eliminated Nigerian imports, what's left of imports from regions unfriendly or unstable isn't much.]]> Thu, 02 May 2013 08:11:48 -0400
We have all but eliminated Nigerian imports, what's left of imports from regions unfriendly or unstable isn't much.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/988371?source=feed#comment-18346241 18346241
http://bit.ly/105FtaK ]]> Thu, 02 May 2013 07:20:05 -0400
http://bit.ly/105FtaK ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/986071?source=feed#comment-18313461 18313461 Wed, 01 May 2013 10:58:24 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/987151?source=feed#comment-18313281 18313281
$8 is about what it costs to rail to Brent priced markets in the US (East Coast) over piping to WTI.... this is getting interesting.

I guess it's possible we see one more bounce to 92 or so but we are definitely in a strong downtrend now.... ]]> Wed, 01 May 2013 10:52:44 -0400
$8 is about what it costs to rail to Brent priced markets in the US (East Coast) over piping to WTI.... this is getting interesting.

I guess it's possible we see one more bounce to 92 or so but we are definitely in a strong downtrend now.... ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/986071?source=feed#comment-18312251 18312251
Bank apologists are good for laughs. ]]> Wed, 01 May 2013 10:28:02 -0400
Bank apologists are good for laughs. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/985641?source=feed#comment-18310651 18310651
The only quibble is I think Tesla's method of introducing high margin low volume vehicles at the start and migrating to high volume low margin products as costs decrease in the face of volume made all the difference.

This has only hurt them in that there is some perception that Tesla is set up for, and only wants to, cater to the wealthy, which was never the intent - unlike Fisker. But perhaps this will help down the line as the brand is identified as a Premium marque.]]> Wed, 01 May 2013 09:53:37 -0400
The only quibble is I think Tesla's method of introducing high margin low volume vehicles at the start and migrating to high volume low margin products as costs decrease in the face of volume made all the difference.

This has only hurt them in that there is some perception that Tesla is set up for, and only wants to, cater to the wealthy, which was never the intent - unlike Fisker. But perhaps this will help down the line as the brand is identified as a Premium marque.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/985221?source=feed#comment-18305841 18305841 Wed, 01 May 2013 07:49:55 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/985641?source=feed#comment-18305821 18305821
Fisker's business model is what did that company in, and arrogant management.

Tesla started with a viable business model, and that's why it's still here. Testament to Elon Musk's competence that Tesla is the first US automaker to appear and succeed in a half century or more.]]> Wed, 01 May 2013 07:49:06 -0400
Fisker's business model is what did that company in, and arrogant management.

Tesla started with a viable business model, and that's why it's still here. Testament to Elon Musk's competence that Tesla is the first US automaker to appear and succeed in a half century or more.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/983591?source=feed#comment-18295621 18295621
But so far I am quite impressed with Mr. Heins.]]> Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:07:15 -0400
But so far I am quite impressed with Mr. Heins.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/983591?source=feed#comment-18295561 18295561
There was a company making a rollup display but it folded the effort, I forget the details at this moment... But there was something similar too in a movie Babylon A.D....

As for projectors on smartphones they've been around for a while, see the LG eXpo. There are much better projectors/phones than that one out now but that one was the first I can recall.]]> Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:05:51 -0400
There was a company making a rollup display but it folded the effort, I forget the details at this moment... But there was something similar too in a movie Babylon A.D....

As for projectors on smartphones they've been around for a while, see the LG eXpo. There are much better projectors/phones than that one out now but that one was the first I can recall.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/983591?source=feed#comment-18295411 18295411
Well said!

A dock everywhere, and a single device in the pocket.]]> Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:58:14 -0400
Well said!

A dock everywhere, and a single device in the pocket.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/983591?source=feed#comment-18295321 18295321
You are thinking small in my opinion. I don't know if you are aware, but smartphones equipped with miniprojectors already exist. In fact I have in my smartphone drawer a LG product running Windows Mobile Classic from a few years ago (the projection experience is terrible however).

Further, you should consider the low power requirements of USB powered portable monitors, some of which are touchscreen enabled.

If the goal is to use the screen to provide a viewing experience to a 3rd party, either version works. I'd further suggest that although phablets are fun, they aren't -smartphone- replacements whereas a smartphone can in a pinch replace a phablet or tablet.

As a side note, this note by Thorsten Heins is precisely what I have been beating the table for going on several years now since the days of, and even before, the now defunct RedFly product.

Further I should point out that Motorola's efforts in the space failed as it bowed to external pressure and neutered its offering. I highly suspect, however, the Motorola Atrix with desktop class Mozilla was part of what led to the FirefoxOS initiative which is now producing phones (see: Geeksphone - but all sold out for a while now), and Ubuntu-on-Android, and Ubuntu-on-Android is likely what led to Ubuntu mobile-izing their OS...

Another interesting point to make is that Blackberry is known to currently run Android based apps and has been proven to be capable of running iOS apps in emulation, and it appears that some portion of legacy compatibility has been provided to BB10 for BBOS through emulation as well, meaning that I believe apps and OS are becoming increasingly irrelevant (because of hardware power and emulation). So OS ceases to become a factor too.

Things stand to become very interesting if this is the tack Blackberry follows. ]]> Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:55:01 -0400
You are thinking small in my opinion. I don't know if you are aware, but smartphones equipped with miniprojectors already exist. In fact I have in my smartphone drawer a LG product running Windows Mobile Classic from a few years ago (the projection experience is terrible however).

Further, you should consider the low power requirements of USB powered portable monitors, some of which are touchscreen enabled.

If the goal is to use the screen to provide a viewing experience to a 3rd party, either version works. I'd further suggest that although phablets are fun, they aren't -smartphone- replacements whereas a smartphone can in a pinch replace a phablet or tablet.

As a side note, this note by Thorsten Heins is precisely what I have been beating the table for going on several years now since the days of, and even before, the now defunct RedFly product.

Further I should point out that Motorola's efforts in the space failed as it bowed to external pressure and neutered its offering. I highly suspect, however, the Motorola Atrix with desktop class Mozilla was part of what led to the FirefoxOS initiative which is now producing phones (see: Geeksphone - but all sold out for a while now), and Ubuntu-on-Android, and Ubuntu-on-Android is likely what led to Ubuntu mobile-izing their OS...

Another interesting point to make is that Blackberry is known to currently run Android based apps and has been proven to be capable of running iOS apps in emulation, and it appears that some portion of legacy compatibility has been provided to BB10 for BBOS through emulation as well, meaning that I believe apps and OS are becoming increasingly irrelevant (because of hardware power and emulation). So OS ceases to become a factor too.

Things stand to become very interesting if this is the tack Blackberry follows. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/978261?source=feed#comment-18276031 18276031
Please advise how the content could magically stop being available for transmittal. As long as the broadcasters opt to broadcast their signal on the free spectrum, it is available for anyone to consume in any way they choose, including, for that matter, by re-transmitting it as Aereo does.

The business model relies on the fact that free spectrum is attractive enough for broadcasters to avail themselves of it, and as long as there is a broadcaster using the free spectrum, Aereo will have a business model. The content is irrelevant to the model. Aereo derives no value from the content and doesn't pay for it; the broadcasters do.]]> Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:00:42 -0400
Please advise how the content could magically stop being available for transmittal. As long as the broadcasters opt to broadcast their signal on the free spectrum, it is available for anyone to consume in any way they choose, including, for that matter, by re-transmitting it as Aereo does.

The business model relies on the fact that free spectrum is attractive enough for broadcasters to avail themselves of it, and as long as there is a broadcaster using the free spectrum, Aereo will have a business model. The content is irrelevant to the model. Aereo derives no value from the content and doesn't pay for it; the broadcasters do.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/982521?source=feed#comment-18275451 18275451 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:48:36 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/978261?source=feed#comment-18272311 18272311
Broadcasters transmitting over-the-air are allowed to do so without having purchased the spectrum and do so only because they believe it makes them money. They can withdraw their over-the-air signal at will. Will they?]]> Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:44:57 -0400
Broadcasters transmitting over-the-air are allowed to do so without having purchased the spectrum and do so only because they believe it makes them money. They can withdraw their over-the-air signal at will. Will they?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1380101/comments?source=feed#comment-18262441 18262441
Saying the "EIA is not real" is pretty out there.]]> Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:24:07 -0400
Saying the "EIA is not real" is pretty out there.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/977971?source=feed#comment-18262251 18262251 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:18:52 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/978251?source=feed#comment-18262181 18262181
I think Aereo's issue is mostly that it still requires a network connection and a monthly payment to obtain something that is relatively cheap or free.

$50 for an antenna to get the signal or $8/mnth to Aereo + a data feed at $35/month minimum. The demographic which consumes the free over the air channels provided by Aereo are also unlikely to own data connections or be tech-savvy to avail themselves of the product, so Aereo seems to be an add-on service for more tech-savvy younger folks looking for always-on data fed free TV... seems sorta niche.

I'm in the NY area, I signed up for Aereo, but never took advantage of the service since I sorta don't see the point... Perhaps if I tried it I'd change my mind, but I don't watch much TV in the first place... ]]> Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:15:52 -0400
I think Aereo's issue is mostly that it still requires a network connection and a monthly payment to obtain something that is relatively cheap or free.

$50 for an antenna to get the signal or $8/mnth to Aereo + a data feed at $35/month minimum. The demographic which consumes the free over the air channels provided by Aereo are also unlikely to own data connections or be tech-savvy to avail themselves of the product, so Aereo seems to be an add-on service for more tech-savvy younger folks looking for always-on data fed free TV... seems sorta niche.

I'm in the NY area, I signed up for Aereo, but never took advantage of the service since I sorta don't see the point... Perhaps if I tried it I'd change my mind, but I don't watch much TV in the first place... ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/978261?source=feed#comment-18261911 18261911
If Aereo successfully pursues its business model, and so far there is no reason to believe it won't, and if indeed it forces broadcasters out of the spectrum, it is extremely, highly, tremendously unlikely that competition to fill that spectrum won't pop up that will ultimately be hurtful to the broadcasters business model.

I personally suspect the competition, as you put it, or cable companies, are trying to hold the line here, but are absolutely developing fallback positions in the background.]]> Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:09:44 -0400
If Aereo successfully pursues its business model, and so far there is no reason to believe it won't, and if indeed it forces broadcasters out of the spectrum, it is extremely, highly, tremendously unlikely that competition to fill that spectrum won't pop up that will ultimately be hurtful to the broadcasters business model.

I personally suspect the competition, as you put it, or cable companies, are trying to hold the line here, but are absolutely developing fallback positions in the background.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/978471?source=feed#comment-18261791 18261791
In my business, I look at cost cutting and efficiency improvements non-stop. I insulate like crazy anywhere I see potential losses, I've been using 9watt CFLs over 14watt because the light produced is adequate, etc. It's amazing how great a return can be achieved with low cost investment into stuff like silicone and insulation.

All of which is to say that I agree with the initiative since there is absolutely a lot of fat that can be cut....]]> Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:04:33 -0400
In my business, I look at cost cutting and efficiency improvements non-stop. I insulate like crazy anywhere I see potential losses, I've been using 9watt CFLs over 14watt because the light produced is adequate, etc. It's amazing how great a return can be achieved with low cost investment into stuff like silicone and insulation.

All of which is to say that I agree with the initiative since there is absolutely a lot of fat that can be cut....]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/978601?source=feed#comment-18261211 18261211
It's pretty appalling that people are trying to sell that, because the folks who buy it tend to be the folks who can least afford it.

It's almost as disingenuous as the folks who pretend 'physical' and 'paper' markets are unrelated and uncorrelated. ]]> Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:49:26 -0400
It's pretty appalling that people are trying to sell that, because the folks who buy it tend to be the folks who can least afford it.

It's almost as disingenuous as the folks who pretend 'physical' and 'paper' markets are unrelated and uncorrelated. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/976141?source=feed#comment-18163761 18163761
What is referenced by the linked article is almost meaningless except in that it proves that the financialization of gold is handled primarily by a single entity in the US. It doesn't tell us who was really buying or selling, only that JPM constituted the endpoint and startpoint of the transaction.

That commodities are heavily controlled by the large financial institutions is also not much of a revelation, although it is good to see more people talking about it.

A recent article on SA had an awesome comment in it:
http://seekingalpha.co...
"Aluminum expert Jorge Vazquez of HARBOR Aluminum commented to us recently that the North American LME Aluminum market is owned by traders and financiers; end users have not turned to delivery points in Detroit or New Orleans for a year or more."

We know already that GS controls the aluminum market, and we also know for example that oil and copper are quite well controlled in the same manner.

Anyway, my point is only that JPM isn't the only entity selling and we know this from multiple recent reports, but it is clear that JPM is the one primarily concerned with controlling gold movements from those selling.]]> Sat, 27 Apr 2013 07:15:24 -0400
What is referenced by the linked article is almost meaningless except in that it proves that the financialization of gold is handled primarily by a single entity in the US. It doesn't tell us who was really buying or selling, only that JPM constituted the endpoint and startpoint of the transaction.

That commodities are heavily controlled by the large financial institutions is also not much of a revelation, although it is good to see more people talking about it.

A recent article on SA had an awesome comment in it:
http://seekingalpha.co...
"Aluminum expert Jorge Vazquez of HARBOR Aluminum commented to us recently that the North American LME Aluminum market is owned by traders and financiers; end users have not turned to delivery points in Detroit or New Orleans for a year or more."

We know already that GS controls the aluminum market, and we also know for example that oil and copper are quite well controlled in the same manner.

Anyway, my point is only that JPM isn't the only entity selling and we know this from multiple recent reports, but it is clear that JPM is the one primarily concerned with controlling gold movements from those selling.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/974991?source=feed#comment-18157271 18157271 Fri, 26 Apr 2013 20:08:14 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/974861?source=feed#comment-18134291 18134291 Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:47:41 -0400