7 Terms and Phrases We Should Bury With 2009

Every passing year gives rise to any number of mind-bogglingly annoying terms and phrases.  2009 was no exception. I submit the following terms as ready-for-obsolescence as the year draws to a close, let’s leave these behind as we head into 2010: Shovel-Ready Let me help you out with this: there is no such thing as…

Coupla Things on a Red Thursday Afternoon…

The market sucks today, but not the blogosphere!  Here’s a few links to keep you lol-ing The Felix Salmon v Henry Blodget is coming to a resolution, with some serious passive aggression, the kind that I thought only my wife could deliver!  Here’s Henry Blodget  and here’s Felix Salmon.  Do try to play nice, boys.  …

Investing Fads and Themes by Year, 1996 to Present

Take a trip down memory lane with me, if you would, and maybe even have a chuckle at your own expense. After all, at one point or another, we’ve all been caught up in a few of these over the years. Here is Investing Fads and Themes by Year, 1996 to Present It’s right around…

Of Oil and Equities

I had an interesting conversation with a colleague this morning on the counterintuitive concept of higher energy prices being “good” for equities. For most of my career, the oft-repeated maxim was that higher energy prices were, on balance, a negative for the S&P 500.  Essentially, higher energy prices translate into lower margins for companies that…

Hot Links: Shangri-La Found?

Stuff I’m Reading this Morning… Templeton’s Mark Mobius sees another 40% gain for the BRIC nations.  (Bloomberg) What Are The Best Hedge Funds Buying?  Including John Paulson, Steve Cohen, Steve Mandel.  (PragCap) The emperors drop some crumbs: Goldman and Buffett‘s plan to help small businesses.  (Barron’s) 10 Most Annoying Things About This Recession.  (TheDisciplinedInvestor) What’s…

Hot Links: The History of the Internet

Stuff I’m Reading this Morning… What to make of the recent surge of IPO issuance.  (SmartMoney) Hedgie Leon Black and his Apollo Management buying up the debt of CT’s Foxwoods casino.  (NYP) Morningstar‘s new Shareholders tab let’s you keep track of who else owns your stock.  (Morningstar) Eric Sprott on the pickup in momentum for…

Taking In The Trash: Buffett and Gates Tag Teaming Republic Services (RSG)

Berkshire Hathaway and Cascade Investments have both just disclosed positions in Republic Services Inc (RSG), the second largest waste disposal company in the US. Cascade is the investment vehicle that manages Bill Gates‘ investments exclusively and Berkshire is obviously Buffett‘s holding company.  We know they’re good friends, but this is the first time I’ve seen…

3Com Insider Trading Probe In Effect

The SEC is looking into what many people are calling a blatant sign of insider info on the Hewlett-Packard for 3Com acquisition according to Bloomberg (hat tip Zero Hedge). In case you missed it: More than 8,000 3Com calls changed hands on Nov. 11, 17 times the four-week average. The most active were contracts conveying…