Lower natural gas prices is a tremendous boon to chemical makers and steel companies.  Once the U.S. develops an adequate energy policy focusing on utilizing more natural gas versus oil the benefits will be even more pronounced.  Companies like Dow Chemical (DOW) have the opportunity to be huge beneficiaries in reducing their cost structure through...Read More

This is a big positive as European banks need to raise capital when attractive opportunities exist.  Deutsche Bank AG (DB) has tremendous earnings power but is one of the most heavily levered institutions so raising capital is the right thing to do.  Europe did the right thing with the LTRO in ensuring ample liquidity in...Read More

I absolutely love this deal for both companies as Pfizer is monetizing some of their faster growing assets which haven’t been reflected in the stock’s valuation, and Nestle is acquiring a company that fits into their core business model.  I’d need to know more details about the division to provide more commentary on valuation but...Read More

This is an interesting article as several clients are suing a couple of the custodians for not doing the proper research on fund managers in which they processed paperwork for.  While regulation is problematic more often than not it seems, stricter requirements on what is allowable for self directed IRA’s probably isn’t the worst idea....Read More

It appears that Mark Zuckerberg’s philosophy of running Facebook as a one man show is still alive.  While I don’t think that he is the most qualified guy to go about making billion dollar acquisitions without seeking a second opinion, investors in Facebook shouldn’t be surprised because he has been quite open about it.  Buying...Read More

In very sad news Warren Buffett wrote to shareholders that he has been recently diagnosed with stage 1 prostate cancer.  Fortunately the outlook looks good and we certainly wish the best for him.  In the much smaller matter of how it impacts his company Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B, BRK.A), I believe that Buffett has put a...Read More

Citigroup’s strong 1st quarter seems to have changed the tune of Meredith Whitney slightly as she changed her rating to “hold” from “underperform.”  Last month she was saying that Citigroup had no earnings power which is laughable if you have even the most juvenile ability to read financial statements.  Perhaps when Citigroup is at $50...Read More

Coca-Cola (KO) came out with really impressive earnings today as higher prices and volume resulted in strong growth.  Coca-Cola’s leadership has been exceptional in a very difficult economic environment and their beverages business has really been eating Pepsi’s lunch.  No company matches Coca-Cola when it comes to an international presence and their are still attractive...Read More

It’s amazing to see the overreaction to daily swings in Apple’s (AAPL) stock price.  After the huge gains that the stock has seen, a 10% pullback is not anything to be too worried about.  I’m on record of not being overly bullish on AAPL moving forward as I worry about their gross margins, and I...Read More

In what can only be described as grand theft, Argentine President Christina Kirchner is proposing to steal 51% of the country’s largest oil producer YPF.  This is a company that prior to this action was majority owned by Spain’s Repsol YPF (REPYY, REP.MC), and it is a clear warning shot to investors seeking opportunities in the...Read More