This is a fun article written by Geoff Gannon where he discusses some of Warren Buffett’s first investments.  For any serious value investor I’d of course recommend reading all of Buffett’s Partnership letters and Berkshire Hathaway Chairman’s letters, but this article did a nice job in outlining the details of a few of them. INVESTING...Read More

This article http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsavitz/2012/03/21/6-reasons-why-i-dont-invest-in-the-u-s-stock-market/3/ in Fortune shows some key differences in how non-value investors look at the market versus how we do.  I’m going to address the authors 6 reason below: 1) Retirement Savings- The author cites the fact that the market has been flat over the last 15 years because so much retirement money has come into...Read More

This short article in the WSJ talks about the Forex trading company FXCM.  The company believes that about 70% of clients lose money, and to be honest I’m surprised the number is not higher.  While regulators seem to be standing with pitchforks outside of banks I’m amazed at the lack of investor protection in relation...Read More

KB Home (KBH) reported disappointing earnings last week.  The company attributed much of the blame to buyers struggling to get mortgages.  While I do think KBH is actually one of the more reasonably priced home builder’s,  I don’t think that this industry is the best way to play the rebound in housing.  The reason for...Read More

If this article is true and Corzine lied so blatantly in front of Congress than he is truly delusional.  It’s just another case of an individual acting as though the clients money that his firm is entrusted with is actually just his playpen. The CFTC needs to adopt SIPC insurance after this incident has exposed...Read More

This article sheds some light on how these double leveraged ETF’s and ETN’s work.  After having a bad experience with (TBT) which is the ultra-short 20 year treasury ETF, I will never use one of these again.  It really comes down to knowing exactly what you are buying, and due to the way that these...Read More

This article shows more anecdotal evidence of the improvement in the housing market.  With rates so low and affordability considerably better, the primary things holding back purchases are consumer confidence, and available financing.  Assuming sentiment continues to improve I see no reason why we haven’t seen the bottom in the housing market. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304636404577295333746038516.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories INVESTING IN...Read More

John Paulson has finally had his desired impact as the Hartford Financial Group (HIG) announced that they will be winding down their annuity business, to focus on P&C Insurance, employee benefits, and their mutual fund business.  The annuity business created too much stress on the Hartford as declines in the market caused extreme volatility that...Read More

This was a fun little article on Ben Bernanke.  I think you can criticize him and Alan Greenspan for their attitude as the bubble built and lending standards declined, but I can’t criticize his reaction once he realized the gravity of the problems the economy was facing.  In my opinion he has been fighting as...Read More

After reviewing the Jefferies earnings call I’m very optimistic as to how this quarter should shake out for the other financials.  CEO Richard Handler has done an amazing job with Jefferies, in the most difficult of environment.  I really appreciate the way that he has opportunistically bought back stock and debt at favorable prices, and...Read More