While 2012 has been quite a good year for investors long the market, it has really been the market climbing a “wall or worry,” as opposed to real enthusiasm of the economy or the business environment.  The worst thing one can do is now pile in because they feel they need to catch up, having...Read More

On March 12, 2012 the WSJ had an article titled “Why Stocks Are Riskier Than You Think.”  I disagree with a lot of their rationale and below you’ll find my rebuttal.  The reality is as an independent financial advisor/money manager I can offer any product that I wish.  There are some products such as annuities,...Read More

Coca-Cola (KO) announced on Monday that it is organizing its operations around three divisions starting January 1st.  The 3 divisions are Coca-Cola Americas, Coca-Cola Eurasia and Africa, and the Bottling Investment Group.  I believe this is a very smart decision for Coca-Cola to avoid complexity and to attempt to minimize SG&A expenses.  I believe that...Read More

Apple (AAPL) reported disappointing earnings yesterday primarily due to lower iPhone sales than what were expected.  This really wasn’t that much of a surprise as many iPhone lovers are waiting for the next model.  iPad sales numbers were extremely encouraging and it is amazing to see a company become so overwhelmingly dominant, on so many...Read More

China’s state-owned oil companies have been perking up their aggressiveness in acquiring oil assets with recent deals to buy Canada’s Nexen (NXY) and 49% of the U.K. business of Talisman Energy.  By buying at a time of overall market distress and uncertainty these assets were purchased at a significant discount to what the prices would...Read More

The European crisis continues to dominated markets all over the world and Moody’s Investor Service dimmed its outlook on Germany further exasperating the situation.  Rising bond yields in Spain and Italy are a function of the European leaders not doing enough to promote confidence and resolve the crisis.  By the constant posturing and threatening, European...Read More

I’m really looking forward to seeing Facebook’s (FB) earnings on Thursday.  Everyone will be watching the company’s revenue growth to see if it continues to decelerate.  Facebook is a tremendous business but to warrant its massive market cap the company must meet exceptionally high standards.  While they certainly may be capable of doing so, as...Read More

Vivendi (VIVHY) seems to be getting much more aggressive in their quest to dispose of their 61% stake in Activision.  While I think this is an excellent move that the company should look at, I think the company is making a mistake by being so public about it as it could potentially hinder pricing for...Read More

In what should not be too much of a shocker to anybody, disgraced Peregrine Financial Services Inc.’s founder Russell Wasendorf Sr. claims to have spent most of the missing clients’ money.  He blames the CFTC for being his “enemy” by fining his firm, and demanding higher capital levels.  Hopefully clients can get some of their...Read More

This is a very interesting article on Goldman Sachs (GS) development of a private bank to service wealthy clients with loans.  Due to its status as a bank holding company Goldman Sachs has additional costs and regulations that it didn’t have before the financial crisis.  It also provides new business opportunities and I believe this...Read More