This article does a great job in outlining the importance of patents in the current environment in the tech sector. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303815404577335551794808074.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories INVESTING IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS INVOLVES RISKS. OPTIONS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR ALL INVESTORS.Read More

With Best Buy struggling as a transformational shift from big box retail, to online distribution, more bad news occurred today with the announcement that the CEO is stepping down due to an internal probe.  Best Buy is a company that had a great model which is just becoming outdated due to the changing landscape so...Read More

At TTCM we have maintained that their are two ways to resolve the European crisis.  The first way is to abandon the Euro currency and allow struggling countries to depreciate their currencies as has been the model for a millenium, prior to the establishment of the Euro.  The second way is to adopt the same...Read More

Coty should be taken quite seriously from Avon and I think that if they raise the price to the high 20’s it’s possible a deal can get done.  They bring stronger management and an excellent track record in marketing and acquisitions.  I also wouldn’t be surprised to see another company enter the fray as Avon...Read More

It looks like things are beginning to heat up for Avon Products (AVP) after the bit yesterday.  I’d have a lot more confidence of something getting done if they would have replace the CEO Andrea Jung already.  It really doesn’t make sense to keep her on while this prolonged search is still going on.  I...Read More

The automotive industry is really performing well in the United States as pent up demand is meeting new more fuel efficient car models.  The average age of cars in use is in excess of 10 years so it makes a lot of sense to see sales increase, and I think that this is the beginning...Read More

My concern for the Chinese real estate market is growing greater as builders continue to increase supply despite falling prices and demand.  This is the worst case scenario for prices and the positive impact for Chinese GDP growth due to continued construction is nothing more than a sugar high, which will dissipate as demand wanes....Read More

In what is sure to be an interesting drama, Sirius XM Radio (SIRI) is attempting to put measures in place that would prohibit media mogul John Malone from taking control of the company.  Malone’s loan and preferred stock acquisition in the depths of the financial crisis was one of the most lucrative during that period...Read More

Global Payments (GPN) is one of the largest merchant processors in the world, and due to a suspected data breach on Friday the stock dropped about 9%.  Over the weekend Visa has said that they are removing their seal of approval which could make the small businesses that make up Global Payments client base, leery...Read More

RIMM came out with lackluster earnings today as expected.  This is going to be a rough year for the company as we await their new phone which won’t be out until later this year.  I think the WSJ did a great job outlining a few of the likely suitors for RIMM.  I think Microsoft and...Read More