In an interesting deal Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is potentially going to fund the development of a new mine and refinery for Tungsten in South Korea.  This partnership with Woulfe Mining Corp (WOF) would be in response to export curbs on raw rare metals from China which has been jacking up prices.  The investment would...Read More

Yesterday Microsoft (MSFT) unveiled its own table to compete with the IPad.  This marks a huge change in strategy as Microsoft will be increasing the size of its bets on making hardware, which is a much lower margin business than their core software business.  I think technology has changed in a way where software companies...Read More

Walgreen (WAG) is acquiring a 45 percent stake in the U.K. drugstore chain Alliance Boots for $6.7 billion. The stated purpose of this acquisition is to gain global scale but I don’t think the timing is very good.  Alliance Boots traded at distressed levels a couple of years back do to a large debt load,...Read More

http://seekingalpha.com/article/659441-morgan-stanley-exceptional-franchise-at-50-of-intrinsic-value INVESTING IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS INVOLVES RISKS. OPTIONS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR ALL INVESTORS.Read More

http://seekingalpha.com/article/659691-wells-fargo-underpriced-growth-and-total-return-potential?v=1339693414&source=tracking_notify INVESTING IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS INVOLVES RISKS. OPTIONS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR ALL INVESTORS.Read More

This article makes no sense to me whatsoever as basically Sheila Bair is advocating banks taking on more long term debt to fund their businesses.  The remaining Big 4 banks have robust deposit franchises that fund their business at a low cost.  These are not brokered deposits such as companies like Countrywide Financial were reliant...Read More

I really enjoyed this letter from Bill Ackman of Pershing Square and I hope that you do too.  His write ups of J.C. Penney and Citigroup were very interesting, as was his accurate description of private equity.  Enjoy! http://dealbreaker.com/uploads/2012/06/Pershing-Square-Q1-2012-investor-letter.pdf?source=email_rt_mc_body&ifp=0 INVESTING IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS INVOLVES RISKS. OPTIONS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR ALL INVESTORS.Read More

This is an interesting article on the risk on/risk off mentality that has existed in the markets since 2008.  There is a big difference between and investing and trading and I think this mentality pertains to trading.  Benjamin Graham developed the concept of “Mr. Market” and the primary premise is that over the short term...Read More

I’m amazed at the lack of common sense shown by politicians and regulators regarding the JPM trading loss.  This is a company that has a stellar track record and it is absurd to think that they will never lose money when trading.  Company’s make mistakes and can’t just always print out money.  Wouldn’t that be...Read More

Southern Company CEO Tom Fanning offers some interesting perspectives on long term energy solutions.  He believes that Natural Gas consumption will rise by 50% and over the long term this will likely lead to price increases that might make coal viable once again.  In addition there is the risk the environmental concerns over “fracking” could...Read More