Friday, February 18, 2011

DailyMarkets.com - Different Perspectives, But A Similar Picture

DailyMarkets.com - Different Perspectives, But A Similar Picture


Different Perspectives, But A Similar Picture

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 04:43 PM PST

One reason I keep tabs on information sources that run the gamut from totally mainstream to totally off-the-grid is to try and get a more well-rounded perspective on what is happening in the world. That said, there are some issues where contrasting vantage points paint a similar picture.
Take, for example, some recent commentary on our nation’s fiscal situation.
Here is what The Economist reported in its latest Daily Chart feature, “I O USA”:
America’s government has little to say about … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Earnings Scorecard: Wynn Resorts

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 03:55 PM PST

Wynn Resorts Limited (NASDAQ:WYNN), a leading developer, owner and operator of destination casino resorts, posted better-than-expected fourth quarter 2010 results on February 10, 2011, buoyed by solid performance of its Macau operations.
The recent earnings announcement, subsequent analyst estimate revisions and the Zacks ratings for both the short-term and the long-term are covered in depth below.
Earnings Report Review
During the quarter, Wynn Resorts reported earnings of 91 cents per share, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Good News For Bristol-Myers

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 03:35 PM PST

Bristol-Myers' (NYSE:BMY) product portfolio was strengthened further with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearing schizophrenia and depression drug Abilify (aripiprazole), for an additional indication.
The recent approval allows Abilify to be used as an adjunct to mood stabilizers lithium or valproate for the maintenance therapy of patients suffering from bipolar I disorder. The disease, which affects 1% of the US population, is characterized by extreme mood swings.
Bristol-Myers and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


DPL Beats, Reaffirms Guidance

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 03:35 PM PST

Diversified energy utility, DPL Inc. (NYSE:DPL) reported fourth quarter 2010 earnings per share of 62 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 53 cents. The results of the company were higher than 43 cents reported in the year-ago quarter.
For full-year 2010, DPL's earnings came in at $2.50 per share, above the Zacks Consensus estimate of $2.43 and the year-ago earnings of $2.01.
The year-over-year increase was driven by favorable weather, which boosted company retail sales. Stabilizing … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Hot Option Plays: Events To Monitor Over Weekend

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 03:17 PM PST

Cusick's Corner
From a technical perspective, this market is strong and is showing no sign of any short-term resistance. While technicals are in line, next resistance level S&P 1344, there are some fundamental events that you should monitor over the weekend. First, German elections — it looks as if the current party led by Chancellor Merkel is putting in flux Germany's support of the Euro. Second, Iran continues to test the waters figuratively and literally, having battleships swinging … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Energy Transfer Matches Ests

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 03:10 PM PST

Pipeline operator Energy Transfer Partners L.P. (NYSE:ETP) announced in-line fourth quarter results, as improved sales from its retail propane segment were offset by weakness in its natural gas transportation operations.
The owner of the biggest intrastate pipeline system in Texas reported earnings per unit of 65 cents, same as the Zacks Consensus Estimate but below the year-ago profit of 91 cents. Revenues of $1,454 5 million were down 3.4% year-over-year and missed our projection by … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Williams Cos Posts Mixed Results

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 03:05 PM PST

Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB) reported better-than-expected fourth quarter and full-year 2010 results, reflecting strong contributions from the Williams Partners and Others business units.
Earnings per share, excluding special items, came in at 44 cents, handily beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 26 cents and the year-ago quarter earnings of 27 cents. Full-year 2010 earnings from continuous operations were $1.28 per share, surpassing our projection of $1.15. On a year-over-year basis, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Earnings Preview: DIRECTV

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 03:05 PM PST

DIRECTV (NASDAQ:DTV) is slated to release its fourth quarter 2010 results on February 23 before the opening bell. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fourth quarter is pegged at 63 cents, representing an annualized growth of 31.04%.
With respect to earnings surprises, over the trailing four quarters, DTV has outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for all the three quarters except the last quarter, where the Zacks Consensus Estimate was in line with the actual earnings.
The average … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Earnings Scorecard: Chipotle

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 03:05 PM PST

On February 10, fast food restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (NYSE:CMG) reported its fourth quarter 2010 earnings of $1.47 per share, well ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.29 and the year-earlier earnings of 99 cents.
Given below is our report on the recent earnings announcement as well as subsequent analyst estimate revisions and the Zacks ratings over the short and long-term periods.   
Earnings Report Highlights
Chipotle's earnings were buoyed by higher … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Closing Bell Market Monitor: RST, AA

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 03:00 PM PST

02/18/11 The latest in news, commentary, and information on what’s moving the US equities markets. Watch this broadcast LIVE at 4:00 pm EST daily @ … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


4 Stocks Gaining Momentum

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 02:37 PM PST

( click to enlarge )

Hyperdynamics Corporation (HDY) is in the process of re-testing its $7.78 level, after which there’s no near-term resistance left in sight. MACD just popped above the signal line and stochastics look solid, momentum is building !!

( click to enlarge )

LSI Corporation (NYSE:LSI), continuing the momentum from its 2.91% surge on Thursday, today broke above a key resistance area, closing at 6.75, which is the highest close in more than 10 months. This breakout brings … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Earnings Preview: Housing And Retail In Focus

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 02:35 PM PST

Earnings Preview 2/18/11

We are not done with the fourth quarter earnings season yet, but the end is in sight. A total of 545 firms are due to report, including 62 S&P 500 firms. A great many of next week's reporters are retailers, many of which have fiscal years than end in January, not December.

So far the earnings season seems to be going well. With almost 84% of the S&P 500 reports in, total net income is up 27.5% over a year ago.

The firms reporting this week include several … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Caterpillar Sells Carter Machinery

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 02:25 PM PST

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) will vend off Carter Machinery Company Inc., a Caterpillar dealership headquartered in Salem, Virginia. Jim Parker, ex-Vice President of Caterpillar, will become CEO of Carter Machinery and will become the principal owner going forward.
Also, the present senior management of Carter Machinery will continue to lead the dealership. The sale is expected to close in the first quarter of 2011.
Caterpillar has owned Carter Machinery since 1988. However, on reviewing its … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Synopsys Tops EPS, Revs Grow

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 02:25 PM PST

Synopsys Inc.'s (NASDAQ:SNPS) first quarter 2011 earnings per share (EPS) of 39 cents surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 33 cents.
Revenue
Revenue in the first quarter was $364.6 million, up from $330.2 million reported in the year-ago period. License revenues (including time-based and upfront) were $322.1 million, up from $292.9 million reported in the year-ago quarter. Maintenance and service revenues were $42.5 million, up from $37.2 million reported in the prior-year quarter.
During the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Sold AXU – $8.40

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 02:10 PM PST

I sold my shares of Alexco Resources Corp (AXU) for $8.40 in the after market today.  The stock closed at $8.05 so I am not sure why I was able to get such a high price, but anyway, I did.  Shaking my head wondering what I do not know, if anything. Anyway, I bought this position 2 months ago and was pleased to sell it for a profit today.

Click on the chart to ENLARGE

My TSI Trading Record has been … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Forex – EUR/USD Up At The End Of U.S. Session

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 02:10 PM PST

Forex Pros – The Euro was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Friday.

EUR/USD was trading at 1.3693, up 0.61% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.3429, Monday's low, and resistance at 1.3715, today's high.

Meanwhile, the Euro was up against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.12% to hit 0.8424 and EUR/JPY rising 0.47% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Earnings Preview: Medtronic

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 02:05 PM PST

Leading medical devices company Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) is expected to report its third quarter fiscal 2011 results before the market opens on February 22, 2011. The company is expected to earn an EPS of 83 cents on revenues of $3.968 billion, during the quarter, according to the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Barring the first quarter of fiscal 2011, Medtronic has surpassed expectations over the trailing four quarters, though marginally. The four-quarter positive surprise of 0.31% implies that the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Forex – GBP/USD Up At The End Of U.S. Session

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 02:05 PM PST

Forex Pros – The British Pound was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Friday after the release of U.K. data on Retail Sales.

GBP/USD was trading at 1.6253, up 0.49% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.5982, Monday's low, and resistance at 1.6263, today's high.

Earlier in the day, official data showed that retail sales in the U.K. rose more-than-expected to a seasonally adjusted 1.90% last month, from -1.40% in the preceding month whose figure was revised down from … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Forex – USD/JPY Down At The End Of U.S. Session

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 02:00 PM PST

Forex Pros – The U.S. Dollar was lower against the Japanese Yen on Friday.

USD/JPY was trading at 83.19, down 0.15% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 83.04, today's low, and resistance at 83.97, Wednesday's high.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar was down against the Euro and the British Pound, with EUR/USD gaining 0.61% to hit 1.3693 and GBP/USD rising 0.49% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Maxwell Tech’s Lukewarm Quarter

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 01:40 PM PST

Energy storage and power delivery products maker, Maxwell Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:MXWL) reported fourth quarter 2010 adjusted earnings of 4 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 5 cents. However results soundly beat the year-ago quarterly loss per share of 39 cents.
Operational Performance
Maxwell Technologies' revenue was $34.2 million in the fourth quarter 2010, up 22.2% from $28 million in the year-ago quarter, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $34 million. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Forex – EUR/USD Up Toward The End Of U.S. Session

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 01:40 PM PST

Forex Pros – The Euro was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Friday.

EUR/USD was trading at 1.3693, up 0.62% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.3429, Monday's low, and resistance at 1.3715, today's high.

Meanwhile, the Euro was up against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.16% to hit 0.8428 and EUR/JPY rising 0.32% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Q4 Loss At Regeneron Narrows

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 01:35 PM PST

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s (NASDAQ:REGN) fourth quarter 2010 net loss of 17 cents per share was narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a net loss of 32 cents. The company suffered a loss of 46 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. The narrower loss was attributable to higher revenues which more than offset the rise in operating expenses.
Quarterly Results in Detail
Total revenue in the reported quarter climbed 38.1% to $133.7 million. Revenues comfortably surpassed the Zacks … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


ABB’s 4Q EPS Improves

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 01:35 PM PST

ABB Ltd. (NYSE:ABB) reported fourth-quarter 2010 basic earnings per share of 31 cents compared with 24 cents in the prior-year quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter was 34 cents.
For 2010, basic earnings per share were $1.12 compared with $1.27 in 2009. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the year was $1.14.
Total Revenue
Total revenue in the quarter was $9,179 million compared with $8,761 million in the prior-year quarter. Revenue was up 5% year over year and 6% on local currency … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Forex – GBP/USD Up Toward The End Of U.S. Session

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 01:30 PM PST

Forex Pros – The British Pound was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Friday.

GBP/USD was trading at 1.6246, up 0.45% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.5982, Monday's low, and resistance at 1.6263, today's high.

Meanwhile, the British Pound was down against the Euro and up against the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.21% to hit 0.8432 and GBP/JPY rising 0.17% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Forex – USD/JPY Down Toward The End Of U.S. Session

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 01:20 PM PST

Forex Pros – The U.S. Dollar was lower against the Japanese Yen on Friday.

USD/JPY was trading at 83.06, down 0.30% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 83.04, today's low, and resistance at 83.97, Wednesday's high.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar was down against the Euro and the British Pound, with EUR/USD gaining 0.65% to hit 1.3698 and GBP/USD rising 0.44% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


U.S. Markets Mixed At Close; Dow Jones Up 0.59%

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 01:10 PM PST

Forex Pros – U.S. stocks were mixed after the closing bell on Friday.

At the close of U.S. trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.59%, the S&P 500 index gained 0.19%, while the Nasdaq 100 index declined 0.21%.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, European stock markets were mixed at close. France's CAC 40 was up 0.12%; Germany's DAX gained 0.29%; Britain's FTSE 100 declined 0.07%; and the EURO STOXX 50 rose … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Valmont Beats Zacks Estimates

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 01:05 PM PST

The fourth-quarter 2010 net earnings of Valmont Industries Inc. (NYSE:VMI), a leading producer of engineered products, increased 15.8% to $1.32 per share from last years' $1.14, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 19 cents.
The increase was driven by the contribution to sales and earnings from Delta and a significant improvement in Irrigation and Coatings Segment.
In fiscal 2010, net earnings were $94.4 million, or $3.57 per diluted share, including the expenses and financing associated … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Pride International Disappoints

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 12:55 PM PST

Pride International Inc. (NYSE:PDE) reported depressed fourth-quarter and full-year 2010 results, hurt by higher operating expenses.
The company's quarterly earnings, excluding one-time items, of 40 cents per share, failed to meet the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 43 cents. However, on a year-over-year comparison, results increased considerably from adjusted earnings of 19 cents per share.
Full-year 2010 earnings came in at $1.37 per share, below our projection of $1.52 and $1.92 earned last … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Red Robin Beats Zacks Estimate

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 12:55 PM PST

Casual dining restaurant operator Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. (RRGB) reported its fourth quarter 2010 adjusted earnings of 12 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 5 cents. Earnings were up 20% from 10 cents in the year-ago quarter.
However, including the effects of restaurant closure charges and executive transition expenses, GAAP net income during the quarter was $2.2 million or 14 cents per share. Results benefited from the upside in revenue driven by comparable … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Intrade Contracts On Middle East Prospects

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 12:51 PM PST

Intrade now offers contracts for whether the leaders of countries in the Middle East like Bahrain, Yemen, Libya, Iran will still hold those positions by December 31, 2011. Volume is somewhat light for these contracts, but the odds are running between 15-20 percent for these leaders losing their positions this year (see chart above, click to … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Forex – GBP/USD Up During The U.S. Session

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 12:45 PM PST

Forex Pros – The British Pound was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Friday after the release of U.K. data on Retail Sales.

GBP/USD was trading at 1.6237, up 0.39% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.5982, Monday's low, and resistance at 1.6263, today's high.

Earlier in the day, official data showed that retail sales in the U.K. rose more-than-expected to a seasonally adjusted 1.90% last month, from -1.40% in the preceding month whose figure was revised down from … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


History Repeating With TICK Forecasting Intraday Reversal Lesson

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 12:38 PM PST

Did you learn the lesson I showed this Wednesday entitled "Using TICK to Forecast Intraday Reversals?"  If you didn't, here's yet another chance to learn the important lesson – as history repeated the set-up/pattern almost exactly today that formed on Wednesday.
Let's look at today's chart as another example of this critical concept:

Click for full-size image.
I won't take the time to explain all the concepts I did in the prior post on forecasting intraday reversals with … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


CF Industries Beats, Stock Tumbles

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 12:35 PM PST

CF Industries Holdings Inc. (NYSE:CF) reported net earnings of $200.3 million or $2.78 per share during the fourth quarter of 2010 compared with $51.4 million or $1.04 per share during the same quarter last year. This was above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.62.
Reported figures included a non-cash mark-to-market loss of $31.4 million on natural gas derivatives and business combination and integration costs of $15.8 million.
In fiscal 2010, net earnings were $349.2 million or $5.34 per diluted … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Molina Beats EPS, But Lags Revenue

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 12:35 PM PST

Molina Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:MOH) reported its fourth quarter income from continuing operations of $17.6 million or 58 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 51 cents. Molina's fiscal year 2010 also posted strong earnings of $55.0 million or $1.98 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.91.
The better-than-expected results in the quarter were driven by higher operating revenues coupled with ramped-up enrollment and increased focus on medical costs.
Also, Molina … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Televisa Beats Zacks Estimates

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 12:35 PM PST

Yesterday, Grupo Televisa S.A. (NYSE:TV), the largest integrated cable/media company in Mexico, reported excellent financial results for the fourth quarter of 2010. During the reported quarter, four of the top-five rated soap operas in Mexico were produced and transmitted by Televisa. As a result, the pay-TV revenue and profit accelerated.
Additionally, higher programming revenue from abroad, especially from Brazil, increased royalties from its newly formed agreement with Univision in the U.S., … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


2012 Is Finally The Time To Prune Farm Subsidies

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 12:24 PM PST

From the editorial “Pruning Farm Subsidies,” by Victor Davis Hanson:

“We need a drastic reset of agricultural policy. The use of prime ag land to grow corn for ethanol biofuel makes no sense. Why divert farmland for fuels when the world's poor are short of food, and there are millions of unfarmable areas in Alaska and the arid West, as well as off the American coast, that either are not being tapped for more efficient gas and oil or are only partially exploited?  

When North … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


ANADIGICS Beats, Outlook Disappoints

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 12:05 PM PST

ANADIGICS, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANAD) reported net sales of $60.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, down 1.7% sequentially but up 44.1% year over year. The results beat management's guidance of $57 million – $58 million and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $58 million.
Coming to revenue mix, wireless revenues accounted for 76% of total revenue while broadband accounted for the remaining 24%. Wireless sales of $46.1 million were a million better than management's expectations driven by better than … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


4Q Earnings Beat For The Medicines Co.

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 12:05 PM PST

The Medicines Company (NASDAQ:MDCO) reported a fourth-quarter profit of 27 cents per share, including the impact of stock-based compensation expense. Fourth quarter profit exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 24 cents and the year-ago loss of 57 cents.
Performance was boosted by higher revenues and lower operating expenses. Revenues, up 17.3% at $119.6 million, surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $111 million.
Full-year earnings came in at $1.15 per share, in-line with the Zacks Consensus … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


T. Rowe Price Raises Dividend

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 12:05 PM PST

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:TROW) board of directors approved a 15.0% hike in the company's quarterly common stock dividend on Thursday. The revised quarterly dividend now stands at 31 cents per share compared with the previous amount of 27 cents. The revised dividend will be payable on March 29, to shareholders as of the close of business on March 15.
This marks T. Rowe's 25th consecutive annual dividend increase, reflecting the company's commitment to return value to shareholders … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


SunPower Eclipses Estimates

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 12:05 PM PST

SunPower Corporation's (SPWRA) fourth quarter 2010 adjusted earnings (including stock-based compensation but excluding amortization of intangibles) of $1.33 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 88 cents and year-ago earnings of 35 cents.
On a reported basis the company clocked earnings of $1.58 per share versus 21 cents in the year-ago quarter. The upside came primarily from margin expansion and strong revenue growth.
Operational Results
SunPower generated revenues of $937.1 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Forex – USD/CAD Up In U.S. Trade

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 12:05 PM PST

Forex Pros – The U.S. Dollar was higher against the Canadian Dollar on Friday after the release of Canadian data on Core CPI.

USD/CAD was trading at 0.9867, up 0.22% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 0.9816, Thursday's low, and resistance at 0.9904, Tuesday's high.

Earlier in the day, official data showed that Canadian core consumer price inflation remained unchanged unexpectedly at a seasonally adjusted 0.00% last month from -0.30% in the preceding … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Inflation For Services Is Only 1.25% Vs. 3.64% Avg. Over Last 25 Years; It’s Keeping Inflation Subdued

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 11:58 AM PST

The chart above shows annual inflation rates for the service component of the CPI from January 1984 to January 2011, and helps to illustrate the point made in today’s WSJ article that “Modest price increases for consumer services are keeping inflation subdued.” 

MP: Indeed, the current inflation rate for consumer services is only 1.25%, which is only about 1/3 of the 3.64% average over the last quarter century (see chart).  Other key points from the WSJ article:

“For most of the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Monetary Policy Week In Review – 19 Feb 2011

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 11:53 AM PST

Over the past week the central banks of Turkey, Japan, Sweden, Vietnam, Ghana, and Chile all announced monetary policy decisions. The major moves were all monetary policy tightening, with Sweden +25bps, Vietnam +200bps, and Chile +25bps deciding to increase interest rates. Meanwhile the others held steady, with Turkey surprising in pausing its relatively non-conventional monetary policy (i.e. reducing rates to try and weaken the Lira). For Sweden it was a case of monetary policy normalization, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Sold ARREF – $1.50

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 11:31 AM PST

Today I sold my shares of Amerigo Resources (ARREF) for $1.50. 

Click on the chart to ENLARGE

This profitable sale brings my cumulative total return since beginning this blog 8 months ago to 612.2%.

My TSI Trading record has been … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Weekly London Market Wrap: High Commodity Prices Keep Investors On Their Toes

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 07:19 AM PST

London markets continued to flirt with year-highs this week but analysts complained that macro conditions were failing to inspire much momentum, either to the upside or the downside. After opening the week at 6062 points, the FTSE 100 was trading down a touch at 6055 by lunch on Friday. 
In a note to investors, Angus Campbell, head of sales at trading firm London Capital Group, said the markets were drifting "almost motionlessly around their highs" with investors apparently reluctant … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


No Rest For Travelzest As Management Prepares For Take Off

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 06:21 AM PST

In the Summer of 2008, all plans for jetting off to faraway shores were cancelled for the top team at AIM listed holiday group Travelzest (LON:TVZ) . Talks with a potential suitor, rumoured to be Tui Travel, over a possible 115p per share takeover came but then faded away as the chilly economic climate took its toll. In the aftermath of those talks and amid mounting tension within the company's board, the founders of Travelzest's prized asset, Canada-based itravel2000, stepped up to take … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


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