While the headline number on durable goods was not very positive this morning, it was distorted by a decrease in government spending on aircraft.  Excluding that the numbers were up primarily on strength in the automotive sector.  While economic data has not been as positive as the data earlier in the year the economy is...Read More

It is most definitely in Verizon’s and AT&T’s best interests if a third or fourth ecosystem of smartphones emerges so that they can reduce the amount subsidies they provide for Apple and Android phones.  Apple really has taken all of the power in their relationship with the mobile carriers and it has provided a tremendous...Read More

Apple (AAPL) beat expectations as usual earning a mind boggling $11.6 billion or $12.30 a share in their fiscal second quarter.  Much of the growth came from international markets where Apple still has a really good opportunity to increase market share.  The iPhone is generating 60% of revenue and the higher gross margins are having...Read More

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

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

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

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

Europe scored a minor victory last week with the boosting of the IMF’s capital, but it is very important that the ECB and the individual governments come up with a strategy to recapitalize the banks similar to how the U.S. did with TARP.  The banks should first be able to try and raise capital on...Read More

I’m really interested to see if Roche comes back to the table after Illumina (ILMN) rejected their $6.7 billion offer.  Illumina has an amazing track record of revenue growth in an exciting market as a maker of DNA sequencers.  While the company is profitable, these acquisition are far more about the technology and future growth,...Read More