The Stock Market and Investing

anthonyp

I`m not buying much as `fear` still has the upper hand, but `greed` is lurking in the background...:)

The poor thing with this stock is that it consumes your thoughts, which in turn makes it difficult to seek out other worthwhile investments....Just think ` The new tax rate is making it difficult to justify buying income producing bonds, so the shift to capitol appreciation is stronger` Tony

cyclone4

I actually did buy a "whopping" 5 additional shares before the close today at $484 and change. I have no doubt that this stock has been taking a beating due to manipulation by the SOB's that have a huge impact and pwer to do whatever they want to do on the stock.

Speaking of manipulation, here is one of the manipulators himself, now stating that the bottom is in and he looks for a huge rally.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100382535?__source=yahoo%7Cheadline%7Cquote%7Ctext%7C&par- - =yahoo

gagrice

So maybe Demark sold at $700 on Sept. 21st then gives it a thumbs down. Now buys back in the high $400s. Talks it back up and the manipulation starts all over. If I had a $billion and the ear of the sheep would I do the same thing????? I will never know. Greed is a powerful motivator.

cyclone4

So maybe Demark sold at $700 on Sept. 21st then gives it a thumbs down. Now buys back in the high $400s. Talks it back up and the manipulation starts all over.

You got that perfectly right!

gagrice

DeMark says, time to buy AAPL. :sick:

http://ibankcoin.com/news/2013/01/16/tom-demark-aapl-has-bottomed-and-the-stock-- should-rally-22/

ljflx

Still more data here to cry manipulation on Apple share price. Just about every piece of negative news reported on the company has been proven false or inconsequential.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/1115411-apple-cheaper-phone-means-cheaper-stock?- - source=yahoo

ljflx

So maybe Demark sold at $700 on Sept. 21st then gives it a thumbs down. Now buys back in the high $400s.

Just like the guys that look to give your computer a virus and then sell you the software product to fix it.

ljflx

Charlie,

Starting to look more and more like the WSJ blew it in a rush to get a story printed without corroboration or any thought aout a possible technology switch.

http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2013/01/16/aapl-production-cuts-about-m- - ove-to-igzo-not-demand-says-global-equities/?mod=yahoobarrons

If the company reports big earnings next week the SEC better do a major investigation.

anthonyp

This is exactly why I will stick with Apple....Man I have just been rolled over by the likes of Microsoft, and dell.....I know Dell isn`t the culprit, bit they get painted with the same `brush`.....God that brings back memories.....Tony ps we all know the manipulation, so maybe it is time to take advantage of it, and profit.....This has been a brutal decline that is unwarranted, but it sure is still scary Tony

cyclone4

Starting to look more and more like the WSJ blew it in a rush to get a story printed without corroboration or any thought aout a possible technology switch.

There is no doubt about it that they totally blew it. But the harm was done anyway since all the big shot SOB's out there are doing everything in their power to MANIPULATE the stock and knock it down to oblivion.

Perhaps today's action is encouraging but I'm not holding my breath based on the past few months.

cyclone4

Still more data here to cry manipulation on Apple share price. Just about every piece of negative news reported on the company has been proven false or inconsequential.

I saw this article earlier today and it is right on the money.

houdini1

I bought 25 more shares on Monday at $503. so I missed the call by one lousy day. I expected the rally on Tuesday. At least I lowered my average cost some, and made back my Tuesday loss.

cyclone4

Good job Houdini!

I actually bought 5 shares yesterday right near the low. I really wanted to buy a lot more but I am deathly afraid based on how the stock has collapsed with no apparent good reason the past few months. My position in AAPL is quite large so I will be extremely happy when it reaches $650+ once again.

robr2

I bought 25 more yesterday at $489. It raises my average price but I am hoping for a nice bounce in the next couple of weeks.

ljflx

This guy sees an Apple blowout. I'm telling you if there's a blowout on earnings there had better be a follow-up investigation of all the BS that has been going on.

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/01/16/why-im-predicting-an-apple-earn- ings-blowout.aspx

cyclone4

This guy sees an Apple blowout. I'm telling you if there's a blowout on earnings there had better be a follow-up investigation of all the BS that has been going on.

I think this guy is correct. We have heard the words "insatiable demand" for example in China for the mini.

I would love to see an investigation but I'm afraid "the beat will go on".

houdini1

I have a lot of respect for those guys at Motley Fool.

I believe that Apple has hit a home run with the mini. I have a lot of gadgets, etc., an original kindle, an early ipad, a kindle fire...and now an ipad mini for about a month. The mini is by far my favorite, and it really has hit the sweet spot as far as size goes. The original ipad was/is too big, the kindle fire is just too small, and the mini is just the right size. It does everything I want/need and does it very well.

As far as apple stock goes, I have never bought and held it for long. I have had some luck in buying on the dips and selling after a reasonable profit. I got out last year at about $600. (too early, of course) but made a nice profit. I got back in recently (again, too early) but I am comfortable at my entry point and bought more this week.

I agree that this market is badly corrupted, rigged against individual investors, and that the big boys don't play by the same rules we do. Kind of a microcosm of our entire society.

cyclone4

I have a lot of respect for those guys at Motley Fool.

Here is another very interesting article from a Motley Fool guy.

http://beta.fool.com/danielsparks/2013/01/17/apple-doesnt-need-growth-to-reward-- - investors/21910/

ljflx

And to add to that my partner went to CES and just told me that while Apple wasn't represented the whole show revolved around Apple, its products and what else they might be up to. Seems like the only people talking down the company are the Wall Streeters press corp.

anthonyp

Just a few more days, then this quarter for aapl will be behind up......I saw somewhere where someone said aapl wasn`t a stock for retired people ....but I think it might just be the best stock for a retired person if purchased at a low price, and in my case with funds derived from income producing stocks.....

My thinking is that the tax on the income is half, and the risk therefore is higher as eventually there will be a small increase in interest rates....That could produce a bigger than warranted decline in bonds which are the underlying force behind etf..

If I were to miss this entry point, due to being retired, then all this farce of a market will just have to go on , until the next quarter.....:) Tony

ljflx

Sorry Charlie. I know you are a big Patriot fan. But I had a strong feeling the Ravens would take this game. I like them in the super bowl too especially with 5 points. It should be a great game.

cyclone4

I drove pretty much all day yesterday from Ann Arbor, MI to DSM. I got home in time to watch the entire game. I am nothing less than shocked at the way this game turned out. I thought the Pats shot themselves in the foot on several critical situations on offense. I think the biggest play of the game was when Wes Welker dropped a pass on 3rd and 7 in the 3rd quarter. They would have been driving for a TD and go up by 13. Another huge p,ay was when Ridley supposedly fumbled when they were again driving and down by 8. The Patriots were awful on 6-7 occasions inside the Ravens 25 yard line.

The Patriots will be in it again next year. The defense will be greatly improved.

gagrice

(Reuters) - Caterpillar Inc uncovered "deliberate, multi-year, coordinated accounting misconduct" at a subsidiary of a Chinese company it acquired last summer, leading it to write off most of the value of the deal and wiping out more than half its expected earnings for the fourth quarter of 2012.

Shares of Caterpillar fell 1.5 percent in afterhours trading following news of the fraud, which was discovered after problems were found with the Chinese company's inventory.

Caterpillar, the world's largest maker of tractors and excavators, said on Friday it would take a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $580 million, or 87 cents per share, in the quarter.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/19/us-caterpillar-siwei-idUSBRE90H1C52013- 0119

ljflx

And what the hell was Brady thinking just before the half when he should have called a timeout to get one last shot at the end zone. He must have been delirious to think he could get his team back to the line in time and then run two plays and save the timeout. That's what he wanted and he made a college QB mistake and his greed killed him. He just lost it and why the heck didn't Bellichick call a timeout on the sidelines. This team did not look well coached yesterday and I'd never expect the QB or coach, with all their experience to make a mistake like that.

Once Baltimore spread out on offense in the 2nd half the Pat D looked awful and the game was over. Can't believe the Pats could only get in the endzone once with the fantastic field position they kept getting.

So what's MB unveiling on SB sunday. New S-class, new super car? They bought a lot of expensive air time yesterday just to show the commercial of an unveiling that's coming on that date. Rumor is it's a new McClaren. But why spend so much money to advertise a car unseen and then a ton more to advertise a limited production car that will have so little demand and sales.

ljflx

Interesting story here and maybe further proof the media is getting things really wrong. Q4 iPhone activations at Verizon doubled the previous year. But 50% were iPhone 4 and 4S models. So the bears are forecasting a decline in Apple eanings and growth while Verizon shows double the activations from last year plus you have iPhone introductions in many new markets plus you have an iPad mini and many other product refreshes. Talk about math that doesn't add up. With so many more markets being sold into and more products available for them how do you calculate a decline? The last leg down on stock price was caused by the badly researched WSJ story on orders of panels that immediately made analysts jump on the lower sales theory. There have been many contradictions now to that story from better inventory management/optimization to potentially changing panels in new iPhone models. The fact that a lot of activations at Verizon are iPhone 4 and 4S models shows that Apple has a big lower market demand and that introductions of cheaper iPhones may be a huge success.

http://blogs.marketwatch.com/thetell/2013/01/22/apple-price-target-of-1111-gets-- support-from-verizon-iphone-activations-analyst/

robr2

So what's MB unveiling on SB sunday.

The new CLA.

I really find it amusing that companies are now buying airtime to generate interest in the commercial they are paying to air during the Super Bowl.

ljflx

It would be a lot cheaper to use the internet for that. But TV remains far far more effective in advertising reach and brand building vs the net.

Rob - do you have any news/info on the next S-class?

robr2

Rob - do you have any news/info on the next S-class?

Other than I still won't be able to afford one - nope. I'm more in the CLA price range ($30K).

You can google 2014 S Class for all kinds of speculation.

cyclone4

Once Baltimore spread out on offense in the 2nd half the Pat D looked awful and the game was over. Can't believe the Pats could only get in the endzone once with the fantastic field position they kept getting.

Losing Talib early in the game ruined the Pats pass defense. They had no one to cover Boldin.

Btw, I went to the Detroit Auto show with mu son-in-law this past Saturday. It was the first day for the public to attend and the place was absolutely mobbed. Once we got off the freeway, it took us about 40 minutes to go about 2 miles to the Cobo Center. One of the highlights of the show was the unveiling of the 2014 Corvette Stingray. It was a thing of beauty. As far as other autos that interested me, I liked the looks of the Lincoln MKZ, Buick Lacrosse (yes, thats not a typo), several Ford products (rather high tech). I think the interior of the Hyundai Equus and Genesis stink. I also very much unimpressed with BMW. The new Lexus LS looks nice but it's not drastically different than the previous model (other than the front grille). I'm disappointed in that Lexus did not improve the gas mileage on the new LS. They were giving a demonstration of the Lexus Enform system and I must say that was rather impressive. However, I imagine that even lower cost cars (like Ford) have something similar).

I did ask the rep why the new LS does not come with a Heads Up Display option and also with night vision. After all, those are available on the GS and even ES I believe. He gave me a story that you can get those if you special order and that it would take 6 months for delivery. I said that does not make any sense and he came back with a cost factor and how they wanted to keep the cost down as much as possible. I think he is full of bull. Those options are not at all listed for the LS so I don't think they are available.

cyclone4

I keep coming up with one word over and over again to describe what has been happening to the Apple stock the past few months: MANIPULATION!

ljflx

Charlie,

That's why I don't see myself renewing with Lexus in the fall. I love the Maybach styling of the current S-class and there may be some phenomenal deals on it in the fall. From what I've seen of the new S-class renderings it looks too much like a bigger E-class. If those renderings are right I prefer the current S-class styling. But I'll probably love the new cars interior and technology so it's a pick of exterior vs interior for me plus timing. There's also a new Audi A8 coming out and I'll look at that if its in time and I'll certainly look at the Jag. Lexus did not move the needle and I'll feel like I'm still in a 2007 model if I re-up with them. IMO they are way too late with a totally revised LS which now seems to be slated for 2016.

ljflx

This seems to be the new styling of the S. I like it a lot. Anyone have opinions?

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=2014+Mercedes+S550&FORM=RESTAB#view=detail&i- d=8523D8C599596C9FB95D6ACBB6A12553D1F3A098&selectedIndex=2

fintail

I asked a veteran local dealer a few weeks ago, who had no knowledge. Certainly many months off. They aren't on European roads yet, and when I was at the Sindelfingen plant in November, there were none in production. However, there were heavily masked prototypes hanging around - MB doesn't do much to hide these.

I suspect that rendering isn't too far off. It will definitely have similar lighting style to the upcoming facelift E and the new style CLS. Probably some trendy side creasing too, MB is really on that boat now.

ljflx

Do you like it Fin?

I'll be looking in the late summer/early Fall so its release may fit me well.

ljflx

Good story and very logical:

http://seekingalpha.com/article/1125171-the-numbers-say-expect-an-iphone-blowout- ?source=yahoo

fintail

I;d wager later rather than sooner - historically, Europe has had the cars at least 4-5 months ahead of us (sometimes more), and if they don't have it yet. I remember the 07 model was on the road here by Jan 06, and the 00 model by April 99.

I don't mind it. I will have to see what the real thing looks like, but the renders do handle the new MB design direction pretty well. Some of the cgi images make the greenhouse look maybe too tall, out of proportion and making it look like a big E-class. I am sure the real thing will look more balanced. I look forward to see the bleeding edge tech it will contain. I do like how it might do away with the flared wheel arches, which seemed to be trying too hard, in my eyes.

Should make for some blowout deals on the last of the W221. 2013 E-class will probably also be blowout priced come fall, I could see $469 leases.

cyclone4

Yes, this guy makes a lot if sense and I agree that it should be a blowout earnings report. However, will the MANIPULATORS then once again pounce on the stock in spite of a great report? That's what concerns me since it appears that they control the market.

kyfdx

So.. how much money would it take to manipulate the stock with the highest market value in the world?

More than any of these guys have... Very, very smart money managers think AAPL is worth $500/share... If they thought it was worth more, they would be buying and the price would be going up...

Just because someone disagrees with your position on a stock doesn't make them manipulators... Apple sells retail products that a whole lot of other companies sell.... what happens now is no guarantee of what might happen next year, or the year after..

When I own a stock, I especially listen to those that think it's going down...

anthonyp

I like it, but the pictures I have seen of the dash is not exciting for me....The pictures were in disguise so hopefully the dash will be better...

It seems to me I was `born` with the Audi, as I have had it so long...It is still a pleasing car, so I will just wait til I see the Mercedes.....but I really like the more subdued Audi designs. That`s just me though Big day tomorrow and my bet is placed....I read the options people are forty points either way....Tony

ljflx

You really think Wall Street is honest and not a gambling parlor? You don't think the big boys get together and have a few conversations. It takes consolidation and a media you feed. The big money is in bonds not stocks anyway and that market can't be manipulated.

kyfdx

Is everything on the up and up? Maybe not... but, I don't think anyone has the wherewithal to move AAPL up and down for profit.. (Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, but they aren't playing...)

If you try to trade in and out, that's not investing, and you are playing a game that is better played by the pros... Hard to win there..

If you are investing for the long-term, it's easy to ignore those ups and downs...

Anyway.. my point is.. it's possible to have a negative view of AAPL without being a crook...

cyclone4

Anyway.. my point is.. it's possible to have a negative view of AAPL without being a crook...

Yes that's true. However, most of what has been spewed out by some of the Apple bears has been nothing short of lies or just plain BS.

Kirstie_H

Well, "BS" is subjective, so I'll ignore that allegation. A lie, however, is a deliberate misstatement - a factual untruth that can be disproven by evidence and facts.

Could you point out the lies that have been reported? Just curious.

I rarely follow this forum anymore, except to check for inappropriate content, so I may have missed the posts confirming the lies.

houdini1

A lie, however, is a deliberate misstatement - a factual untruth that can be disproven by evidence and facts.

Do you mean like the "facts" we were fed about Benghazi ?

If you want specific lies about Apple, just google "Mike Daisey".

cyclone4

OK, I will point out the most recent: If you don't think the WSJ article was full of lies than I can't help you. First of all, there was a premise that the March quarter would see sales of the iPhone numbering 65 million. Excuse me but where did that number come from? The March quarter is always softer than the Holiday quarter in terms of sales. It seems like they intentionally threw out this number to make Apple look bad. A more realistic number would have been something like 40-45 million iPhones.

Then of course, we have the cancellation of parts for the iPhone from suppliers. First of all, there has never been confirmation of this. Secondly, if there was such a cancellation, did they research it to see why? Of course not! I know that Len and I posted articles about this several pages back that explain the why if there was indeed a cancellation. It had nothing to do with diminishing demand for the iPhone. But the WSJ ran with this story as if it was fact and that the iPhone was seeing much less demand. That is such a horrible piece of journalism. Of course, since it was fashionable to pounce on Apple, the media picked up on this WSJ article as if everything in it was the truth and the stock took another big tumble.

Kirstie_H

Well, the first one is just a bad prediction. There's no way to say that a bad prediction is a "lie." It may not sound credible, and may fall under the banner of "BS", but since it's only January, it is just a bad prediction if it doesn't come true.

If a cancellation of parts was reported that didn't exist, I'll agree that that's an outright lie.

anthonyp

There is a network of individuals that can and do manipulate the market , but not in ways that are easy to understand.....If you remember back, with the likes of `Boeskey (sp) and others , and the `parking` of blocks of stock etc.....Today of course it is others, but with the unfortunate ability to short, without putting up the actual borrowed stock, and the use of calls or puts or a combination, they are there, and the SEC could route them out, and i bet eventually will...

In the meantime , with strategically places mis-information, like the WSJ and other lesser known sources, and `strategic` block sales---`down she goes`.......

Here comes the earnings and company statements in just a few minutes :-) and I`m hoping for the best ......Tony

robr2

I finally caved and sold all my shares. I'll accept the 20% return in 5 months and call myself lucky. I'm just worried that they aren't going to meet analysts expectations later today.

cyclone4

You sir, are the smart one today. The iPhone number was disappointing and therefore the stock is down about 5% in after hours.

anthonyp

A good call on your part.....I gambled and lost....Damn !! Oh well now what to do? :-) Tony