TWagen's Comments TWagen's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.com/user/82530/comments Cyprus Is Not A 0.2% Problem http://seekingalpha.com/article/1311931/comments?source=feed#comment-17073711 17073711
The net would be much lower bank balances and credits in many vendor accounts, fundamentally making for vendors your bank (Sans interest which is 0 today anyway).

I wonder if that is what is driving some of the economic growth today ? Moving to another country / bank just leaves you further exposed for future issues which will arise anyway in the other PIIGS / other small countries.

Thoughts ?]]> Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:18:27 -0400
The net would be much lower bank balances and credits in many vendor accounts, fundamentally making for vendors your bank (Sans interest which is 0 today anyway).

I wonder if that is what is driving some of the economic growth today ? Moving to another country / bank just leaves you further exposed for future issues which will arise anyway in the other PIIGS / other small countries.

Thoughts ?]]> Salesforce.com (CRM -0.6%) will grow its annual sales from $3B in 2013 to $8B in 2016, thinks FBR, which notes Microsoft and Oracle are the only software companies to have ever shown a similar growth trajectory. The firm sees both Salesforce's flagship Sales Cloud solution and a slew of newer products (I, II, III) fueling a 25%-30% CAGR over the next 4 years, and sees its market cap eventually rising to $50B from a current $22B. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/708041?source=feed#comment-12373411 12373411
By the way, No PE. Risk anyone ?]]> Fri, 07 Dec 2012 14:48:00 -0500
By the way, No PE. Risk anyone ?]]> Trying to stay off the "front page," Bank of America (BAC) nixes plans for new checking-account fees set to ht about 10M customers by year's end. These customers - small balances, don't take out loans - cost the bank roughly $200/year. Back of envelope: That's $2B in losses vs. total income of $5.4B over the last 4 quarters. "Our strategy is to give our customers reasons to do more business with us," says co-COO David Darnell. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/694691?source=feed#comment-12150311 12150311
Should the govt dictate business decisions (Yes if socialist/communist/fa... otherwise no) ? Their analysis is what it is. nobody has the right to determine another person/entities profitability any more than other freedoms.

We get so sidetracked with who has the right to do what discussions and who has a right to what ? not a productive discussion in either case.

One More:

Why look at the boring bank and oil company profits. If you want to see gouging based on profitability you need look no furtther than the educational system and Many of the tech names (AAPL anyone ?). The banks are small potatoes compared to the prior mentioned. Have the bank stocks gone up almost threefold. Do they have double digit prices over the last decade and with Govt subsidies (i.e college costs). The answer is obviously no to both.

How about Berkshire Hathaway and Costco. They not only take in very strong earning but have played the tax avoidance game to perfection (i.e. See the latest Costco move to borrow heavily to pay out dividends).]]> Sat, 01 Dec 2012 13:59:10 -0500
Should the govt dictate business decisions (Yes if socialist/communist/fa... otherwise no) ? Their analysis is what it is. nobody has the right to determine another person/entities profitability any more than other freedoms.

We get so sidetracked with who has the right to do what discussions and who has a right to what ? not a productive discussion in either case.

One More:

Why look at the boring bank and oil company profits. If you want to see gouging based on profitability you need look no furtther than the educational system and Many of the tech names (AAPL anyone ?). The banks are small potatoes compared to the prior mentioned. Have the bank stocks gone up almost threefold. Do they have double digit prices over the last decade and with Govt subsidies (i.e college costs). The answer is obviously no to both.

How about Berkshire Hathaway and Costco. They not only take in very strong earning but have played the tax avoidance game to perfection (i.e. See the latest Costco move to borrow heavily to pay out dividends).]]> More on the fiscal cliff talks: The President's opening bid - delivered this afternoon by Tim Geithner - calls for a $1.6T tax increase, a $50B economic-stimulus program, and delivering to the WH the power to raise the federal debt limit without congressional approval. It's a "step backward," says Mitch McConnell. It sounds more like what it's described as: An opening bid. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/692311?source=feed#comment-12106531 12106531
It may be the best and fairest solution possible.]]> Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:13:24 -0500
It may be the best and fairest solution possible.]]> More on The Sequester: The talks are about replacing the $100B in spending cuts set to take place in January with a smaller package of targeted cuts and tax hikes, according to sources. The move would put off any big decisions until mid-2013 (wonderful). The White House and congressional leaders are set to begin negotiations today. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/670511?source=feed#comment-11677881 11677881
If they are just going to be democrat light then we do not need them. Lets get to hell quickly versus a prolonged malaise.

Let the sequestration begin ! it is the best and possibly only solution.]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2012 08:34:25 -0500
If they are just going to be democrat light then we do not need them. Lets get to hell quickly versus a prolonged malaise.

Let the sequestration begin ! it is the best and possibly only solution.]]> California has opened the world’s second-largest auction for permits to release greenhouse gases, the first test of a program that aims to reduce emissions while raising billions of dollars for the state. The auctions are expected to generate $1B in the first year, and $2.8B-$11B/year by 2015. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/669601?source=feed#comment-11668071 11668071
If people cared about Greenhouse gases they wouldn't allow the emissions. This is just a money grab.

This won't work unless the whole world does it. One state little difference, they will just build all new stuff somewhere else.]]> Thu, 15 Nov 2012 21:33:59 -0500
If people cared about Greenhouse gases they wouldn't allow the emissions. This is just a money grab.

This won't work unless the whole world does it. One state little difference, they will just build all new stuff somewhere else.]]> S&P warns about "hot money" in the high-yield bond ETF sector (HYG, JNK), saying the ease with which investors can buy and sell creates "new and risky dynamics" in that area of fixed income. Not so fast, writes Brendan Conway, pointing out S&P is just operating on a hunch. Moody's earlier attempt at laying blame on JNK for volatile action fell flat. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/652911?source=feed#comment-11375561 11375561 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 12:17:57 -0500 Sprint (S) says it isn't planning any immediate takeover of Clearwire (CLWR), tabling any talk of a deal for at least 6-8 months until the Softbank deal closes. Shares of Clearwire jumped 16% today on speculation of an imminent takeover, and have skyrocketed 78% over the last two trading days the previous week. Despite the fervor, a deal between the two is speculative at best. S doesn’t need to own CLWR because it already has access to its spectrum, and its very expensive to boot. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/586931?source=feed#comment-10564531 10564531
I am not selling yet.]]> Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:54:54 -0400
I am not selling yet.]]> From Germany, With Love And Tear Gas http://seekingalpha.com/article/916331/comments?source=feed#comment-10430051 10430051 Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:15:28 -0400 Tax regimes matter and the U.K.'s efforts at improving its competitiveness are paying off, with at least 20 multinationals putting together plans to relocate headquarters to the country. The U.S. is the largest source of those planning a move despite IRS efforts to make it harder for firms to change their domicile. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/575151?source=feed#comment-10295121 10295121
Where is Wesley Mooch when you need him ?

Who is John Galt today ?]]> Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:44:29 -0400
Where is Wesley Mooch when you need him ?

Who is John Galt today ?]]> "The Fed will destroy the world," writes SocGen professional bear Albert Edwards (channeling Marc Faber). The man who in 2005 labeled Alan Greenspan "an economic war criminal" thinks Bernanke's policies will prove even more ruinous. Lowering his equity weighting to the minimum possible - 30% - he says the last time he did such was May 2008. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/559361?source=feed#comment-9919541 9919541 Thu, 27 Sep 2012 09:47:31 -0400 Sign of the times: Struggling to earn adequate returns, Japan's Teachers' Mutual Aid Co-operative Society (AUM $7.6B) plans to move some of its assets into REITs, hedge funds, and overseas bonds. "We need to have a certain level of return no matter how the market condition is," says a fund GM Toru Higuchi. Mr. Market, however, is unconcerned with the fund's needs. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/553071?source=feed#comment-9794291 9794291
The overpromising of benefits will lead this lamb to slaughter !]]> Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:13:16 -0400
The overpromising of benefits will lead this lamb to slaughter !]]> More on New Home Sales: The months' supply of houses fell to 4.6 from 4.8 last month and 6.7 a year ago. The average selling price fell 1.4% M/M to $263,200. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/503721?source=feed#comment-8726721 8726721
That would be in a world where Real Estate was in a normal market and truly recovering.]]> Fri, 24 Aug 2012 08:44:34 -0400
That would be in a world where Real Estate was in a normal market and truly recovering.]]> Salesforce.com (CRM): FQ2 EPS of $0.42 beats by $0.03. Revenue of $731.6M (+34% Y/Y) beats by $3.3M. Expects FQ3 revenue of $773M-$777M and EPS of $0.31-$0.32 vs. consensus of $771.3M and $0.34. Expects FY13 (ends Jan. '13) revenue of $3.025B-$3.035B and EPS of $1.48-$1.51 vs. consensus of $3.02B and $1.49. Shares -2.6% AH. (PR) http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/504811?source=feed#comment-8726591 8726591 Fri, 24 Aug 2012 08:41:43 -0400 Salesforce.com (CRM): FQ2 EPS of $0.42 beats by $0.03. Revenue of $731.6M (+34% Y/Y) beats by $3.3M. Expects FQ3 revenue of $773M-$777M and EPS of $0.31-$0.32 vs. consensus of $771.3M and $0.34. Expects FY13 (ends Jan. '13) revenue of $3.025B-$3.035B and EPS of $1.48-$1.51 vs. consensus of $3.02B and $1.49. Shares -2.6% AH. (PR) http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/504811?source=feed#comment-8708071 8708071 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:22:45 -0400 More on New Home Sales: The months' supply of houses fell to 4.6 from 4.8 last month and 6.7 a year ago. The average selling price fell 1.4% M/M to $263,200. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/503721?source=feed#comment-8689941 8689941
Not good.]]> Thu, 23 Aug 2012 10:13:37 -0400
Not good.]]> Initial Jobless Claims: 372K vs. 365K consensus, 368K prior revised (prior week 366K). Continuing claims +4K at 3.31M. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/503271?source=feed#comment-8686641 8686641
Wait until Europe and China start to slide.]]> Thu, 23 Aug 2012 09:00:43 -0400
Wait until Europe and China start to slide.]]> A coalition opposed to California's Proposition 37 has collected $25M from corporate backers including Monsanto (MON), DuPont (DD), PepsiCo (PEP) and Coca-Cola (KO), more than any other initiative. The legislation, if approved, would make California the first state to require labels on genetically engineered crops or processed foods that contain genetically engineered fruits or vegetables, such as corn, soybeans, sugar beets and Hawaiian papayas. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/501441?source=feed#comment-8656991 8656991
Funny California didn't just tax the products. That seems mpore their style. Then when people buy the stuff they will be taxed without even knowing it. ]]> Wed, 22 Aug 2012 12:47:09 -0400
Funny California didn't just tax the products. That seems mpore their style. Then when people buy the stuff they will be taxed without even knowing it. ]]> Don't look for any decisions to come out of Friday's meeting with Greek PM Samaras, says Germany's Angela Merkel, who adds she will wait for a Troika report in October. Samaras, meanwhile, launches a PR offensive with a German newspaper interview, asking for "breathing space," and saying he "personally guarantees" repayment of rescue funds. Personally? http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/501351?source=feed#comment-8656841 8656841
That is how the rest of the lending world used to operate.]]> Wed, 22 Aug 2012 12:44:34 -0400
That is how the rest of the lending world used to operate.]]> The U.S. saw the birth rate fall to its lowest level since the depths of World War II, cutting into consumption numbers and spending totals. The population only increased by 0.92% over the most recent tracking period from the Census Bureau and the number of births actually declined last year. Though a growing percentage of career-focused working women factors in, a sluggish U.S. economy has been the biggest influence on the nation's birth rate. Feeling the baby blues: PG, KMB, JNJ, HAS. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/499171?source=feed#comment-8647581 8647581
That is the opportunity.]]> Wed, 22 Aug 2012 09:15:03 -0400
That is the opportunity.]]> The U.S. saw the birth rate fall to its lowest level since the depths of World War II, cutting into consumption numbers and spending totals. The population only increased by 0.92% over the most recent tracking period from the Census Bureau and the number of births actually declined last year. Though a growing percentage of career-focused working women factors in, a sluggish U.S. economy has been the biggest influence on the nation's birth rate. Feeling the baby blues: PG, KMB, JNJ, HAS. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/499171?source=feed#comment-8623211 8623211 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:45:01 -0400 Citigroup (C) launches investment banking operations in China, taking a 33% stake in a joint venture with Orient Securities. The business will initially have about 200 employees. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/471531?source=feed#comment-8178061 8178061
Surprised it took this long. Good luck New York !]]> Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:55:30 -0400
Surprised it took this long. Good luck New York !]]> Friday's Fiscal Fantasy Camp http://seekingalpha.com/article/778431/comments?source=feed#comment-8062751 8062751
Employers are tightening up in US right now and not sure when that will actually get reflected in the numbers. It has to and most if not all major employers in my area are pulling job requisitions and suspending all onshore hiring.

Not sure why the numbers are lagging this reflection so much !

By the way. Nice article !]]> Fri, 03 Aug 2012 10:42:26 -0400
Employers are tightening up in US right now and not sure when that will actually get reflected in the numbers. It has to and most if not all major employers in my area are pulling job requisitions and suspending all onshore hiring.

Not sure why the numbers are lagging this reflection so much !

By the way. Nice article !]]> "Draghi delivers," writes Ambrose Evans-Pritchard in a contrarian take on the ECB press conference. By seeking instant gratification, markets missed the point that work is underway on the sort of programs hoped for. "Over the coming weeks, we will design the appropriate modalities for such policy measures," said Draghi. Is anyone listening? http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/460971?source=feed#comment-8031891 8031891
Otherwise wishful thinking up, reality sets in down is the future course of the market. The sad thing is that may be the best outcome we can hope for.]]> Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:02:20 -0400
Otherwise wishful thinking up, reality sets in down is the future course of the market. The sad thing is that may be the best outcome we can hope for.]]> Running out of things to do with all of the euros it is accumulating, the Swiss National Bank eyes up the Helsinki Stock Exchange, taking stakes in a number of Finnish stocks in July. SNB monthly report here. Louis Bacon throws up his hands at political/central bank interference in markets. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/455951?source=feed#comment-7989701 7989701 Wed, 01 Aug 2012 13:06:09 -0400 Running out of things to do with all of the euros it is accumulating, the Swiss National Bank eyes up the Helsinki Stock Exchange, taking stakes in a number of Finnish stocks in July. SNB monthly report here. Louis Bacon throws up his hands at political/central bank interference in markets. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/455951?source=feed#comment-7984871 7984871 Wed, 01 Aug 2012 11:29:53 -0400 "I do not believe it is the best decision for the country," responds Tim Geithner to FHFA chief DeMarco's decision concluding principal forgiveness neither helps avoid foreclosure nor does it benefit the taxpayer. Campaign prattle, suggests Neil Barofsky - "If the Administration and Geithner wanted broad principal reduction, we would have it." http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/452341?source=feed#comment-7958691 7958691
Too bad. Take charge and just blast those creditors ! That will teach them to ever give credit to anyone except the financially able again. Oh yeah, I guess the economy might tank if we do that. Back to square one, lets do another study to see if it makes sense.

And round we go....!]]> Tue, 31 Jul 2012 15:21:47 -0400
Too bad. Take charge and just blast those creditors ! That will teach them to ever give credit to anyone except the financially able again. Oh yeah, I guess the economy might tank if we do that. Back to square one, lets do another study to see if it makes sense.

And round we go....!]]> More on the late-day Fed leak: Officials have become impatient with sluggish growth and high unemployment, reports Jon Hilsenrath. MBS purchases, a pledge to keep rates low for longer, or even a move to push down nearly microscopic short rates even lower are among the choices available to the FOMC. Action could come at the July 31 meeting. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/433581?source=feed#comment-7716111 7716111
We are close to that now.]]> Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:57:18 -0400
We are close to that now.]]> Bernanke Q&A: The Chairman admits to a "theoretical limit" on QE, noting if the Fed owns too much Treasury and agency debt, it would "greatly reduce market functioning." The Fed has yet to hit that point, he adds. There's always stocks! http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/422021?source=feed#comment-7513761 7513761 Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:48:12 -0400 Bernanke Q&A: The Chairman admits to a "theoretical limit" on QE, noting if the Fed owns too much Treasury and agency debt, it would "greatly reduce market functioning." The Fed has yet to hit that point, he adds. There's always stocks! http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/422021?source=feed#comment-7512941 7512941
What a bunch of clowns ! I say if he is going to do another round lets do it and get this theoretical talk out of the way right now !]]> Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:28:44 -0400
What a bunch of clowns ! I say if he is going to do another round lets do it and get this theoretical talk out of the way right now !]]>