Any thoughts of the U.K. sidestepping the slowdown in Europe were officially dismissed today by the indication that the U.K is indeed back in recession.  The U.K. has done an excellent job reducing government expenditures, but like it most European countries growth is a problem. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304723304577365301140802744.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection INVESTING IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS INVOLVES RISKS. OPTIONS ARE...Read More

For those of you that have been working with me for a while, you are probably aware of my distaste for private R.E.I.T.’s and many products that are pitched by other investment advisors.  As an insider in the financial services industry I’ve long since been amazed and sadly disgusted at the lack of both knowledge...Read More

Wellpoint’s (WLP) earnings decreased but beat expectations this morning.  The company raised its full-year earnings estimate to at least $7.65 meaning that at $71.77 the stock is trading at just over 9 times earnings.  Wellpoint is a cash flow machine and management consistently buys back stock, and because the valuation is reasonable, the buybacks are...Read More

It is no surprise that Moody’s is hearing it from banks who are trying to protect their credit ratings from downgrades.  Moody’s has constantly been behind the curve and has been truly a destructive force throughout the financial crisis throwing gasoline on fires.  The ratings agencies were an unmitigated disaster rating thousands of securities AAA...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

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