There are many companies that have had better growth than IBM has over the last decade, but I would be hard pressed to name a company that has done better for shareholders.  IBM has consistently outlined a long term plan to focus on higher margin businesses, and to return cash to shareholders through increasing dividends,...Read More

It is amazing to think that housing prices have gotten to their 2002 levels.  Affordability is extremely attractive and renting is getting much pricier.  With interest rates so low the opportunity to but a home is one that should certainly be taken advantage of particularly for first time home buyers. http://money.cnn.com/2012/04/24/real_estate/home-prices/index.htm?hpt=hp_t1 INVESTING IN THE FINANCIAL...Read More

This article provides an update on some of the problems that Cheaspeake Energy (CHK) is dealing with.  I believe it is time for Aubrey McClendon to step down as it is clear he is managing this company for himself and not other shareholders.  At the current price I think CHK offers a good value but...Read More

Netflix Inc (NFLX) came out with earnings after the close and expectations seem to have disappointed.  Netflix had a strong 1st mover advantage in DVDs, but their dominance in streaming video is far from guaranteed.  Content costs are astronomical and many well financed competitors are showing a willingness to pay up for quality programming.  While...Read More

Sales growth continues to be explosive for Facebook before their upcoming IPO.  I’d be really surprised to see the IPO valued at less than $100 billion but there is no denying the wonderful potential of this company.  There has been a lot of speculation regarding an agreement with Microsoft on search which I really believe...Read More

Europe needs to come together to understand that austerity without growth is not enough.  While peripheral Europe cannot afford to increase their government spending, Germany as the leading nation must come forward to aid growth.  This means providing more flexibility for the ECB to issue bonds assisting in the financing of EU nations, which would...Read More

This is a helpful little article to put things in perspective in Spain.  They have a much better chance of succeeding the Greece did, but the core economy will be the key determinant. http://news.morningstar.com/articlenet/article.aspx?id=547798 INVESTING IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS INVOLVES RISKS. OPTIONS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR ALL INVESTORS.Read More

When investors are paying $600 billion for a consumer electronics company, they are forecasting ample growth prospects and stable margins.  Apple (AAPL) has played by its own rules which has worked out wonderfully for the company.  But by making the carriers subsidize the company’s gross margins through reducing the phone costs to consumers, the carriers...Read More

Banco Santander (SAN.MC) is in the process of monetizing some of their international assets to meet Basel III requirements, which seems to include looking at an IPO of their Mexican operations.  It will be interesting to see how much they sell, and at what multiple to earnings and book value the stock will be valued...Read More

It looks like Nestle (NSRGY) is paying a healthy 19.8 times 2012 EBITDA for Pfizer’s (PFE) nutrition business.  That is a pretty high multiple but Nestle is betting on cost synergies, and high growth prospects from the emerging markets that the business operates in.  Nestle has and also produces a lot of cash so this...Read More