TM - i'll be happy to explain what I mean by "greatly outperform". I would consider it as greatly outperforming if on a day that the Dow, let's say, closes 50 lower and AAPL closes $1.50-2.00 higher.
Btw, I'm responding from iPad1 and I forgot how to copy and paste with the darn thing. I guess this means that I should reverse and short AAPL .
...you are an inspiration for anyone considering investing in AAPL.
BTW, still loving that CT... but just a tiny bit less after the passenger's door handle fell off when my son got in and pulled the door closed... gotta love that Lexus quality! So, I can forgive that provided they can fix it.... otherwise still love the car!!!! 36.8 real-life mpg, while having fun driving is more than enough for me.
We know where you stand with stocks but out of curiousity are you like most meteorologists who root for extreme weather? And BTW - this new weather pattern in the northeast is horrible. I actually saw snow flying around 5:30 this morning and it's supposed to be cold and damp with some chances for snow over the next week or two. Last Friday it was 80 and delightful here.
I don't know what to think about this. It looks like the market generally did not like the reverse split. A lot of people said that they would start shorting citi because only a weak company would do reverse split. Do you see the big investors would see otherwise?
I think companies with low priced stocks want to do the split, to put the brakes on the day-trading arbitrage that goes on with low-priced stocks..
Unfortunately, it usually means a decrease in interest in the stock, and the price seems to float down..
Now, Citi is a huge company, and it isn't exactly a penny stock, so that may not happen... but, it sure isn't much of a positive...
To see what happened with a recent example, look at YRCW (Yellow/Roadway Freight). That stock was trading around $0.30/share, and did a 1/25 reverse split (or 1/28?.. I forget).. new share price was $7.00 or so... Now, it's under $2/share...
I see it as a negative also. I had a company do that on a 15 to 1 ratio. The stock was soon back to where it was before. That was just before they filed for bankruptcy. I have the sample Citi ballot in front of me. If the stockholders approve of the reverse split the board has the option of any ratio from 1 for 2 to 1 for 30. I wish I trusted them to be honest. Then they are bankers....
Yes, I have seen many examples like YRCW. I guess the real question is that C is really financially strong as we have discussed here, or it's just still a mess going forward? If the shares were cheap with good earning potential, then this is a quick way of allowing big investors to purchase shares.
Citi is doing it to get back the trades from pension plans and other institutional investors that can't buy right now. Many companies that do this are desperate. In the case of Citi I see it as a strategy coupled with increasing future dividends and increasing profits as the company recovers to shoot the stock much higher. I'm in this at a real low price - bought most at a buck - and I promised myself I'd hold it as I see the bank returning to its very prosperous days. Except for my personal business, I've never had a 15-20X or greater killing and that is possible with this stock. The other stock I vowed to hold long back in 2009 was sirius. That was pure speculation on my part as the company was in trouble but I made a big bet that the auto industry would roar back and save it. But with gains of almost 5X I sold out.
I don't have a lot of CITI, but I'm in at an average of $3.96/share.. I've had it about 9 months.... something tells me to take my 12% gain (16% annual return), and look for greener pastures..
I'd rather wait and see... I think there is a lot better chance of it being beaten down (maybe even irrationally), and if I still like it, I can pick it up cheaper...
Assuming I can get out near today's closing price...
I'd rather wait and see... I think there is a lot better chance of it being beaten down (maybe even irrationally), and if I still like it, I can pick it up cheaper...
Can't tell you what to do but Tony's advice about only investing and speculating (let's face it today that's what it is as we bet more on what the next person will do rather than truly invest in a company) with excess money is the best advice iin the world. Tag's approach of constantly looking for something with a better return day in and out is the second rule but requires great dedication. In the case of sirius I abandoned some of it for Apple and added money to the market to buy additional Apple shares as I only sold out about half of Sirius at the time. It later moved another 40% but Apple has gone up 4X+. Two of my more stellar recent moves but I move at glacier pace compared to Tag. I'm long out of Sirius today.
GS - I try to find that one big stock that I think can have a big reward and try and hold it until I chicken out. It's more old fashion investing. I saw sirius and moved on it though wi-fi radio had me second guessing myself at first. But I believed more in the auto industry then Sirius itself. But given the industry I'm in I knew a lot about Mel Karmizan and had a lot of faith in him. Like Tag I also loved Ford. But that wasn't a LT hold that I took. I then loved Apple and at the bottom found Citi irresistible. So I'm looking at Sirius (past), Apple (current and future) and Citi (current and future) as my big returns. I think Apple is good for another 100-150 move up before it reaches too high a price for investors to keep propelling it upward at the current pace. It's also such a safe stock to own as it's just minting money and has a huge cash hoard ($60bln at 12/31/10). Problem with most investors is they don't subtract cash or add loans to the market capitalization and that's what you should do.
TM, everything is not so rosy at the moment regarding my portfolio of F, C, BAC and JDSU etc... I almost added AAPL at 360, but waited long enough to buy at 336. Given my holding time frame, I feel that JDSU was the only true speculative move, so I am waiting (and praying) to see how they would play out 12-18 months from now. On the other hand, we are adding Qlikview customers at a steady pace. I hope to have some big one in the near future so I can retire on the maintenance revenue Wouldn't it be nice if AAPL had a 10:1 split soon?
We know where you stand with stocks but out of curiousity are you like most meteorologists who root for extreme weather?
Len - I am glad you asked me this question. There is no doubt that most meteorologists love to forecast and love extremes in weather period. This very much biases their forecasts and they are frequently busts. In my younger days, I have to admit that I was a little biased toward extreme cold and big snow storms. However, I am proud to state that when it comes to thunderstorms and severe weather, I have always been totally unbiased. The hype when it comes to severe weather is beyond belief with some meteorologists and especially those meteorologists working in the media. They literally go out of their minds. I know one such meteorologist with national exposure is Joe Bistardi who use to work for Accu Weather until very recently.
Over the years, I have smoked the competition here in the Midwest because I have no bias toward thunderstorms. It seems like every garden variety thunderstorm is going to be severe from a lot of meteorologists. In my older years, any bias I had with winter storms have disappeared so that my forecasts for snow events, etc, have improved as well. From time to time, over the past 10-20 years I have seen terrible forecasts from the East Coast "weather geeks" because they are SO biased toward forecasting winter weather.
TM, everything is not so rosy at the moment regarding my portfolio
Well... I am not sure if this will help, but perhaps you need to adjust your perspective of the market, as well as your investment techniques. If you are not gaining during a period of history when the market is clearly moving up, then you really must take a close look at your investment decisions.
Look at it this way for a moment...
Consider that you and I are going up a mountain while using a yo-yo. If the yo-yo represents the market on a daily basis, then there are ups and downs and occassional tangles and spinning out of whack... but in spite of all the yo-yo's activity, and it's ups and downs... it is still progressively making it's way up that mountain, which represents the market long-term.
Frankly, there should be no reason for you to have bad results with your portfolio during an historic point in time when the market is going up the mountain.
I remember expressing some concern to you about your investment approach, which seems somewhat overly-focused on trying to make a quick kill. You can end up gambling, instead of investing, and then you risk losing too much, which may be exactly what is happening to you.
I am not an investment advisor... only someone with personal investment experience, and everything I post here is my personal opinion as a result of my experience, and as I perceive the market. You can take it or leave it.
If it matters to you, here is what I have done with my entire investment account, including my stock portfolio, and it's therefore one possibility I would recommend to you...
Firstly, invest in some very good solid companies. Then add to that some high dividend-paying quality stocks. IMO, they are an awesome part of a good portfolio. Sure, try a speculative stock or two or three, but don't risk too much, and be willing to sell them at a moment's notice. Also, buy some bonds, put them aside, and take your eyes off of them. Invest a small percentage of the portfolio in a handful of quality funds.
GS, I am not pretending to know it all... as I have made some big mistakes, as we all have. If I was THAT good, I'd be a freakin' billionaire, which I am certainly not. And, I'd be driving a supercar... LOL... instead of figuring out how to pay for my daughter's college tuition at a very expensive college she has selected... ouch! But, I think Tony said it very well recently, when he posted a very wise post to this forum. You really do need to look longer-term, in addition to the focus of current situations that can make it necessary to cut losses and admit mistakes, make the necessary adjustments... but above everything, make sure you have a solid plan in place that will one day get you to your destination. Shortcuts and quick kills are risky. Let me say that again to you... Shortcuts and quick kills are risky.
If you want any specific information about my entire investment portfolio, I am more than willing to share that with you.
Ditto here. Staying with my 4 stocks until my portion of a small trust finally comes through...been waiting awhile due to family squabbling over who's in charge since the original trustee quit right away...an annoying situation that been going on since the end of 2005! :mad: The Sandman :sick: :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Any help you could give me would be helpful, but I'm not in the market as much as y'all are...just own four stocks right now plus some mutual funds. My wife wants me to buy some tax free bonds when I get my trust $ in. But, I am very naive when it comes to the market actually as my dad died before I ever got into the market. He was quite smart in the stock market & from what I hear made a few mil doing it but never got to pick his brain about it. But I so want to learn! The Sandman :sick: :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
...my dad died before I ever got into the market. He was quite smart in the stock market & from what I hear made a few mil doing it...
So, did he leave you or other family members any inheritance? If you have significant money to work with, you could use that to jump start your investment strategy. Also, what is the value and timing surrounding your trust money that you mentioned?
Have you consulted with an investment or financial advisor? IMO, it is something you should do. Also, IMO, avoid consulting with advisors that are actually insurance or annuity salesmen in disguise.
No, I was cut out after he died from my mom's will...we had a very dysfunctional family where $ was G-d and I didn't march in lock step with the other siblings. The trust is a family trust from his will which kicked in when my mother passed. It's not a large amount, maybe around $70k, but it will all go towards my retirement planning. Am with Fidelity right now and am waiting to go talk to them once the $ is divided up. Went to talk with a local radio investment guy and he wanted me to use it all to buy AT&T preferred stock as he knew I like T. But I didn't take his advice since the $ hasn't come my way yet.
My wife likes tax free muni's which she has plus fixed annuities but she has more $ to invest than I do but she doesn't let me know about her holdings at all...she's got it all invested for retirement & to leave the rest to our kids...we never discuss it as she won't! The Sandman :sick: :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Good that you will get Fidelity guy's opinion... but I would be leary about putting it ALL into AT&T preferred, or any one stock. And avoid the annuities.
IMO, given your young age, put about a third into bonds and the rest in equities. Diversify your stocks. Put about 25 percent of them into quality dividend-paying stocks. The other 75 percent, consider the different sectors when choosing... such as financials, tech, energy, etc.
Right now, I have AT&T, NLY, WIN & will be inheriting some AEE from the Family Trust. All in all, about $26.6k including the shares of AEE, not a whole hell of a lot really. Was thinking of either buying some more AT&T or WIN to get up to about 800 shares in each, but this is really just a thought right now. Figured I'd have about $30k left in cash to buy some muni bonds to keep the wife happy. My regular pay stops by the sometime in the 2nd week of April, then I'll need to go onto a LWOP status for a month or two until the next step of my plan will kick in with a monthly paycheck. So the smallish amount of $ I'll be getting needs to be invested right so I'll have a steady flow of dividends to reinvest for the next few years.
Very confusing but does this sound reasonable to you? You don't have to answer me if you feel uncomfortable but I need some unbiased advice from someone who's up on the stock & bond markets.
T I A for any help Tag. The rest of you guys can chime in if y'all want to. You guys rock!!! The Sandman :sick: :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Thanks TM, I think I still have plenty of time to ride out the current setback. I have allowed a couple of years for each of these investments, so I would have to let it to play out. I figured everything is cyclical, the companies I bought have had bad 6-7 previous weeks, so they are probably ready for some nice gain soon. None of them got bad news, so I don't want to commit the sin of buy high and sell low.
Riding them out might just bring a reward at the end. But... unfortunately, your situation (as I recall) will require them to be "up" at just the right time down the road, which could make it more of a crap shoot.
Let's just hope all the planets align in your favor... although if they actually were to do something like that, they'd probably cause weather disturbances that Charlie would have a field day dealing with... LOL. Wait a minute!... aren't the planets supposed to align in 2012 and cause the end of the world? Man, that could really mess up our investments... darn!
Seriously, this market has gotten very tricky, IMO... and I think it could be very challenging for a while, even for the best traders or investors. Frankly, I don't like it, and historically, I usually do not like to invest when I am this uncomfortable, but I don't see a better option... yet.
It's hard to read. Either this market is just going to go sideways for a while, or it's about to do something big... maybe very big... in one direction or another. Let's hope "up".
Any others here feeling a little uneasy or "spooked" by this market?
We will know by mid June if Donald Trump will run for President. It appears that Obama is in over his head. I think Trump could beat him to be honest, and with that thought I think the nation could rebound with greater confidence, especially if his first actions support that confidence. This could be very good for investors, IMHO.
Sam
and yes, I do feel uneasy and have pulled back. I am only about 40% invested in the mkt. But it has also cost me great potential. Very hard to know what to do. It is why I am so curious about Apple. And oil. And insurance. And uranium. And etc. A lot of damage can be done by activists with big mouths and a mission but little knowledge.
He just comes across so weak and indecisive on important issues and he's changed his mind so often. Even the NY Times, such a huge spporter is getting tired of his ways. Hillary would have been a much better President.
Anyway here's 4 stories in todays NY Times relative to Apple.
I would venture to say that the Japan problem is a short-term bump that will be solved before all too long. The article indicates that the Mitsubishi plant is "temporarily" shut down, for example. It certainly will come back online at some point, as soon as possible.
The resignation of Betrand Serlet is not a big deal, IMO. However, let's face it... Steve is going to depart us sooner than ideal, and the "guts" of Apple Incorporated are going to be different, to some extent, and like it or not, the company is going to move into it's next chapter... another chapter in an amazing success story, that had a very close call with doom when John Scully took over. Subsequently Spindler and Amelio could not save the company, but thankfully Steve Jobs returned and proved to all of us what a genius he really is. So, what will happen when Steve is gone? Past history shows reasons to be fearful, but I have said all along that this time around I believe there is serious talent inside those Apple walls that will bring Apple to its best days yet to be seen. But, not before rough roads are navigated.... all IMHO, of course.
TM
edit: as far as Obama is concerned... I am sooo sad when I see yet again another president that simply doesn't get the job done, and doesn't get this country on the fast track, and doesn't aggressively pursue the amazing potential of the United States of America. We are still limping along as a country compared to the athlete we could be, and it's sickening to me when I see sooo much potential ignored by so many presidents... Obama included.
The difference between what "is" and what "could be" is soooo profoundly huge that it is nothing short of tragic... tragic for all Americans, and tragic for all humanity. Tragic that someone with the rare and special opportunity to do something about it, does not.
Hillary has pretty much been our defacto President for quite a while now. It must be extremely frustrating for her.
Politics should be more like sports. When you can't hack it anymore you get out of the way and make room for new blood. Look at professional golf. Every few years a wave of new talent takes over the game and makes it better.
Same in the NFL and NBA...but not in politics. The same old hacks stay there year after year by lying, cheating and bribing their way along...and we lose the benefit of all the new talent.
With everyone expressing so much interest in stocks, I think people should also remember real-estate...In my opinion, over the very long haul , that has been one of the best investments a person could make....Over the last say ten years , it has been poor, but does serve a real purpose, and that is shelter...As there are few things that are as meaningful as `shelter`, in my opinion this is a great time to either improve one`s lot in life with a nicer house, or certainly a first house....
As with all things `timing` is very important, and the length of a holding can really make or break an investment.....As we have all seen, the velocity of trading is increasing, and that usually means a correction of some importance is nearing.....
Due to the leverage that can be brought to bear with a primary house, the holding period can be extended, due to the need for shelter.....I believe that the housing trend in now approaching the lower levels and in a few months may even flatten out.....Plenty of time to make decisions in that regard, and no frantic buying or selling due to the` nature` of a house....Tony
Absolutely agreed that realestate is a must have. I bought an investment home in Sarasota that I will soon rent out. I took zero mortgage, so I consider this as my fixed income portion of my portfolio. I am thinking about using the net rent proceed to get into another property as it seems the area's price has bottomed.
Anyway here's 4 stories in todays NY Times relative to Apple.
The question is not, "will AAPL reach at least $450, but WHEN". I truly believe it will reach at least $450 this year and probably $500 by next year. Apple's quarterly earnings will continue to stun the market in a positive way every time they are released.
The ONLY event that would jepordise this outcome is if something horrible were to happen to Steve Jobs and even that would be temporary in my opinion.
There is a lot of talk about Steve Jobs health with regard to AAPL. What about Disney. He just got reappointed to the board by virtue of the fact that he is the largest stockholder.
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- A number of Walt Disney Co. (DIS) shareholders have been concerned that the entertainment giant's biggest shareholder -- Steve Jobs -- has been shirking his duties by not showing up to some of the company's board meetings.
Two influential shareholder advisory firms Glass Lewis & Co. and Institutional Shareholder Services stirred up the pot, questioning his attendance record. Glass Lewis even recommended that Disney (DIS) investors not to re-elect him as a director. See WSJ story on shareholders ding Jobs's attendance record here.
I think people should also remember real-estate...In my opinion, over the very long haul
I have done far and away better with real estate. We have now sold most of ours and looking for some good buys. Most of the boatload of foreclosures around here are trashed. Unless they are high end homes. If I was looking for a primary residence it would be easy to find a great buy in San Diego County. We are looking for a respectable return on a rental property. The bottom of the heap around here are trashed out 1500 sq footers for $250k. That is in good areas. The ghetto places are a bit less, though not much. Any single family residence that can be had for under $200k goes very fast to investors. Condos are still in the dumpster. What I have heard from friends that own them are rising condo fees to cover the abandoned units. Lots of homes in default with the owners still living there not making any payments. Some for over 2 years. Banks don't want an empty house to deal with.
A friend of ours just bought a beautiful 3700 sq foot home on 2 acres all landscaped for $624k from the bank. It sold new in 2006 for $1+ million.
Some good reads there. So we (those of us not holding) will await a hiccup. The kind that happens as news suggests poor Steve is losing the battle. It sucks that the market is so often driven by another's suffering.
So I have a serious question for anyone here. When I suggested that Donald Trump could beat Obama (and the rest of the possible candidates) what was your first gut reaction? Was it an eye roll/discounted chuckle, or do you ponder the same possibility?
When I suggested that Donald Trump could beat Obama (and the rest of the possible candidates) what was your first gut reaction?
My reaction was Trump is a CEO that commands and not a politician that has to make tradeoffs he's against to get things accomplished. He's used to giving commands and having underlings carry them out so he'd get frustrated very fast. Besides you can't fire senators and congressmen. But frankly I think he could be a good president and reshape things. We need someone who can really lead and we've lacked that for too ong now. Obama looks more and more lost every day. He speaks well, always did, but actions and leadership are badly missing.
D'ont know if any of you guys follow Andy Zaky but he's a long time predictor of Apple results and is very accurate. He also sees the stock reaching 500+ and thinks it's undervalued at current prices.
I don't think Trump has much leadership cred - in my eyes he's always been a wannabe celeb and isn't exactly a self-made man who lives in a world of fiscal responsibility - but he'd be pretty entertaining. With the junk that we've seen in the White House for so long, that might be worth something. Could do worse.
It's tragic. The whole idea that we would consider electing a guy like Donald Trump to be our President of the United States of America shows that we the people are soo frustrated and desperate for a good solid leader that will steer this country in the right direction and do so with authority... taking the high road and fast track to greatness.
That frustration and desperation leads us to consider looking in all directions for some glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, there is someone out there that can solve this country's problems and move us forward in the right direction... to the point that we oftern justify looking in the direction of entertainers and/or businessmen, or ANYONE that might actually get the job done.
Comments
It's good for the stock. I've been waiting for this and ultimately this should push the stock up much higher IMO.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Citi-resumes-dividend-will-do-apf-2651407245.html?- x=0&sec=topStories&pos=8&asset=&ccode=
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Btw, I'm responding from iPad1 and I forgot how to copy and paste with the darn thing. I guess this means that I should reverse and short AAPL
...you are an inspiration for anyone considering investing in AAPL.
BTW, still loving that CT... but just a tiny bit less after the passenger's door handle fell off when my son got in and pulled the door closed... gotta love that Lexus quality! So, I can forgive that provided they can fix it.... otherwise still love the car!!!! 36.8 real-life mpg, while having fun driving is more than enough for me.
TM
We know where you stand with stocks but out of curiousity are you like most meteorologists who root for extreme weather? And BTW - this new weather pattern in the northeast is horrible. I actually saw snow flying around 5:30 this morning and it's supposed to be cold and damp with some chances for snow over the next week or two. Last Friday it was 80 and delightful here.
Unfortunately, it usually means a decrease in interest in the stock, and the price seems to float down..
Now, Citi is a huge company, and it isn't exactly a penny stock, so that may not happen... but, it sure isn't much of a positive...
To see what happened with a recent example, look at YRCW (Yellow/Roadway Freight). That stock was trading around $0.30/share, and did a 1/25 reverse split (or 1/28?.. I forget).. new share price was $7.00 or so... Now, it's under $2/share...
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I'd rather wait and see... I think there is a lot better chance of it being beaten down (maybe even irrationally), and if I still like it, I can pick it up cheaper...
Assuming I can get out near today's closing price...
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Can't tell you what to do but Tony's advice about only investing and speculating (let's face it today that's what it is as we bet more on what the next person will do rather than truly invest in a company) with excess money is the best advice iin the world. Tag's approach of constantly looking for something with a better return day in and out is the second rule but requires great dedication. In the case of sirius I abandoned some of it for Apple and added money to the market to buy additional Apple shares as I only sold out about half of Sirius at the time. It later moved another 40% but Apple has gone up 4X+. Two of my more stellar recent moves but I move at glacier pace compared to Tag. I'm long out of Sirius today.
Hey man, FWIW, I like Citi, and I own some of it myself. Patience is the key word on this stock. Hope all is well with you!
TM
On the other hand, we are adding Qlikview customers at a steady pace. I hope to have some big one in the near future so I can retire on the maintenance revenue
Wouldn't it be nice if AAPL had a 10:1 split soon?
Len - I am glad you asked me this question. There is no doubt that most meteorologists love to forecast and love extremes in weather period. This very much biases their forecasts and they are frequently busts. In my younger days, I have to admit that I was a little biased toward extreme cold and big snow storms. However, I am proud to state that when it comes to thunderstorms and severe weather, I have always been totally unbiased. The hype when it comes to severe weather is beyond belief with some meteorologists and especially those meteorologists working in the media. They literally go out of their minds. I know one such meteorologist with national exposure is Joe Bistardi who use to work for Accu Weather until very recently.
Over the years, I have smoked the competition here in the Midwest because I have no bias toward thunderstorms. It seems like every garden variety thunderstorm is going to be severe from a lot of meteorologists. In my older years, any bias I had with winter storms have disappeared so that my forecasts for snow events, etc, have improved as well. From time to time, over the past 10-20 years I have seen terrible forecasts from the East Coast "weather geeks" because they are SO biased toward forecasting winter weather.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Well... I am not sure if this will help, but perhaps you need to adjust your perspective of the market, as well as your investment techniques. If you are not gaining during a period of history when the market is clearly moving up, then you really must take a close look at your investment decisions.
Look at it this way for a moment...
Consider that you and I are going up a mountain while using a yo-yo. If the yo-yo represents the market on a daily basis, then there are ups and downs and occassional tangles and spinning out of whack... but in spite of all the yo-yo's activity, and it's ups and downs... it is still progressively making it's way up that mountain, which represents the market long-term.
Frankly, there should be no reason for you to have bad results with your portfolio during an historic point in time when the market is going up the mountain.
I remember expressing some concern to you about your investment approach, which seems somewhat overly-focused on trying to make a quick kill. You can end up gambling, instead of investing, and then you risk losing too much, which may be exactly what is happening to you.
I am not an investment advisor... only someone with personal investment experience, and everything I post here is my personal opinion as a result of my experience, and as I perceive the market. You can take it or leave it.
If it matters to you, here is what I have done with my entire investment account, including my stock portfolio, and it's therefore one possibility I would recommend to you...
Firstly, invest in some very good solid companies. Then add to that some high dividend-paying quality stocks. IMO, they are an awesome part of a good portfolio. Sure, try a speculative stock or two or three, but don't risk too much, and be willing to sell them at a moment's notice. Also, buy some bonds, put them aside, and take your eyes off of them. Invest a small percentage of the portfolio in a handful of quality funds.
GS, I am not pretending to know it all... as I have made some big mistakes, as we all have. If I was THAT good, I'd be a freakin' billionaire, which I am certainly not. And, I'd be driving a supercar... LOL... instead of figuring out how to pay for my daughter's college tuition at a very expensive college she has selected... ouch! But, I think Tony said it very well recently, when he posted a very wise post to this forum. You really do need to look longer-term, in addition to the focus of current situations that can make it necessary to cut losses and admit mistakes, make the necessary adjustments... but above everything, make sure you have a solid plan in place that will one day get you to your destination. Shortcuts and quick kills are risky. Let me say that again to you... Shortcuts and quick kills are risky.
If you want any specific information about my entire investment portfolio, I am more than willing to share that with you.
TM
Yes... I also sold my QLIK shares a while back, and have since not included it in my portfolio. I can't seem to wrap my arms around it at this point.
TM
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
So, did he leave you or other family members any inheritance? If you have significant money to work with, you could use that to jump start your investment strategy. Also, what is the value and timing surrounding your trust money that you mentioned?
Have you consulted with an investment or financial advisor? IMO, it is something you should do. Also, IMO, avoid consulting with advisors that are actually insurance or annuity salesmen in disguise.
TM
My wife likes tax free muni's which she has plus fixed annuities but she has more $ to invest than I do but she doesn't let me know about her holdings at all...she's got it all invested for retirement & to leave the rest to our kids...we never discuss it as she won't!
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
IMO, given your young age, put about a third into bonds and the rest in equities. Diversify your stocks. Put about 25 percent of them into quality dividend-paying stocks. The other 75 percent, consider the different sectors when choosing... such as financials, tech, energy, etc.
All IMHO, of course.
TM
Very confusing but does this sound reasonable to you? You don't have to answer me if you feel uncomfortable but I need some unbiased advice from someone who's up on the stock & bond markets.
T I A for any help Tag. The rest of you guys can chime in if y'all want to. You guys rock!!!
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
So, what's your take on BAC?
For the rest of you.... I was using some stock screeners to check out some dividend paying stocks... Came up with three..
Pfizer (PFE).. Yield is about 4%
Sempra (SRE) .. California utility... Yield around 3.7%
AT&T (T).. Yield above 6%..
I wasn't really looking for a utility stock, as they are usually slow movers to the upside.... but, Pfizer looks pretty good...
For that matter P&G yields over 3%..
What dost thou say?
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I also like (and personally own shares):
DUK (Duke Energy) 5.53%
MO (Altria) 6.04%
BMY (Bristol-Myers Squibb) 5.08%
Look at those yields!!
Hope that helps.
TM
I own some MO, myself... Not only the dividend, but it's gone up 20% in less than a year..
I make a contribution to DUK, each month, but that's an expense, not an investment (like a car...lol)
I do like the pharmaceuticals... I'll have to check BMY out... also looking at LLY, but they seem to have issues..
regards,
kyfdx
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Let's just hope all the planets align in your favor... although if they actually were to do something like that, they'd probably cause weather disturbances that Charlie would have a field day dealing with... LOL. Wait a minute!... aren't the planets supposed to align in 2012 and cause the end of the world? Man, that could really mess up our investments... darn!
Seriously, this market has gotten very tricky, IMO... and I think it could be very challenging for a while, even for the best traders or investors. Frankly, I don't like it, and historically, I usually do not like to invest when I am this uncomfortable, but I don't see a better option... yet.
It's hard to read. Either this market is just going to go sideways for a while, or it's about to do something big... maybe very big... in one direction or another. Let's hope "up".
Any others here feeling a little uneasy or "spooked" by this market?
TM
Sam
and yes, I do feel uneasy and have pulled back. I am only about 40% invested in the mkt. But it has also cost me great potential. Very hard to know what to do. It is why I am so curious about Apple. And oil. And insurance. And uranium. And etc. A lot of damage can be done by activists with big mouths and a mission but little knowledge.
Sam
He just comes across so weak and indecisive on important issues and he's changed his mind so often. Even the NY Times, such a huge spporter is getting tired of his ways. Hillary would have been a much better President.
Anyway here's 4 stories in todays NY Times relative to Apple.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/23/technology/23apple.html?scp=1&sq=supply%20prob- - lems%20for%20Apple%20Ipad2&st=Search
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/with-high-demand-ipad-2-goes-on-sale-in- - -25-countries/?ref=technology
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/23/technology/23rim.html?_r=1&ref=technology
http://www.nytimes.com/external/gigaom/2011/03/23/23gigaom-apples-mac-chief-depa- - rts-as-big-changes-come-to-o-68707.html?ref=technology
Incredibly interesting.
I would venture to say that the Japan problem is a short-term bump that will be solved before all too long. The article indicates that the Mitsubishi plant is "temporarily" shut down, for example. It certainly will come back online at some point, as soon as possible.
The resignation of Betrand Serlet is not a big deal, IMO. However, let's face it... Steve is going to depart us sooner than ideal, and the "guts" of Apple Incorporated are going to be different, to some extent, and like it or not, the company is going to move into it's next chapter... another chapter in an amazing success story, that had a very close call with doom when John Scully took over. Subsequently Spindler and Amelio could not save the company, but thankfully Steve Jobs returned and proved to all of us what a genius he really is. So, what will happen when Steve is gone? Past history shows reasons to be fearful, but I have said all along that this time around I believe there is serious talent inside those Apple walls that will bring Apple to its best days yet to be seen. But, not before rough roads are navigated.... all IMHO, of course.
TM
edit: as far as Obama is concerned... I am sooo sad when I see yet again another president that simply doesn't get the job done, and doesn't get this country on the fast track, and doesn't aggressively pursue the amazing potential of the United States of America. We are still limping along as a country compared to the athlete we could be, and it's sickening to me when I see sooo much potential ignored by so many presidents... Obama included.
The difference between what "is" and what "could be" is soooo profoundly huge that it is nothing short of tragic... tragic for all Americans, and tragic for all humanity. Tragic that someone with the rare and special opportunity to do something about it, does not.
Politics should be more like sports. When you can't hack it anymore you get out of the way and make room for new blood. Look at professional golf. Every few years a wave of new talent takes over the game and makes it better.
Same in the NFL and NBA...but not in politics. The same old hacks stay there year after year by lying, cheating and bribing their way along...and we lose the benefit of all the new talent.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
As with all things `timing` is very important, and the length of a holding can really make or break an investment.....As we have all seen, the velocity of trading is increasing, and that usually means a correction of some importance is nearing.....
Due to the leverage that can be brought to bear with a primary house, the holding period can be extended, due to the need for shelter.....I believe that the housing trend in now approaching the lower levels and in a few months may even flatten out.....Plenty of time to make decisions in that regard, and no frantic buying or selling due to the` nature` of a house....Tony
Over the years we have made a ton of money on houses.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
TM
The question is not, "will AAPL reach at least $450, but WHEN". I truly believe it will reach at least $450 this year and probably $500 by next year. Apple's quarterly earnings will continue to stun the market in a positive way every time they are released.
The ONLY event that would jepordise this outcome is if something horrible were to happen to Steve Jobs and even that would be temporary in my opinion.
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- A number of Walt Disney Co. (DIS) shareholders have been concerned that the entertainment giant's biggest shareholder -- Steve Jobs -- has been shirking his duties by not showing up to some of the company's board meetings.
Two influential shareholder advisory firms Glass Lewis & Co. and Institutional Shareholder Services stirred up the pot, questioning his attendance record. Glass Lewis even recommended that Disney (DIS) investors not to re-elect him as a director. See WSJ story on shareholders ding Jobs's attendance record here.
I have done far and away better with real estate. We have now sold most of ours and looking for some good buys. Most of the boatload of foreclosures around here are trashed. Unless they are high end homes. If I was looking for a primary residence it would be easy to find a great buy in San Diego County. We are looking for a respectable return on a rental property. The bottom of the heap around here are trashed out 1500 sq footers for $250k. That is in good areas. The ghetto places are a bit less, though not much. Any single family residence that can be had for under $200k goes very fast to investors. Condos are still in the dumpster. What I have heard from friends that own them are rising condo fees to cover the abandoned units. Lots of homes in default with the owners still living there not making any payments. Some for over 2 years. Banks don't want an empty house to deal with.
A friend of ours just bought a beautiful 3700 sq foot home on 2 acres all landscaped for $624k from the bank. It sold new in 2006 for $1+ million.
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3137-Via-Viejas-Oeste-Alpine-CA-91901/17059984- _zpid/#{scid=hdp-site-map-bubble-address}
So I have a serious question for anyone here. When I suggested that Donald Trump could beat Obama (and the rest of the possible candidates) what was your first gut reaction? Was it an eye roll/discounted chuckle, or do you ponder the same possibility?
Sam
My reaction was Trump is a CEO that commands and not a politician that has to make tradeoffs he's against to get things accomplished. He's used to giving commands and having underlings carry them out so he'd get frustrated very fast. Besides you can't fire senators and congressmen. But frankly I think he could be a good president and reshape things. We need someone who can really lead and we've lacked that for too ong now. Obama looks more and more lost every day. He speaks well, always did, but actions and leadership are badly missing.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/253894-is-apple-the-short-of-the-century?source=- - aal_2_au
http://seekingalpha.com/author/andy-zaky/articles?source=more_au_link
That frustration and desperation leads us to consider looking in all directions for some glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, there is someone out there that can solve this country's problems and move us forward in the right direction... to the point that we oftern justify looking in the direction of entertainers and/or businessmen, or ANYONE that might actually get the job done.
Such desperation could really backfire.
TM