The Stock Market and Investing

ljflx

I've missed plenty Sam and I'm sure everyone else here has, heck I sold Apple at $128 and got back in at $161 so there went a hunk of money.

ljflx

Tag,

Looking at that CT front end - I agree - beautiful styling and well integrated. I bet in the end the new GS is more like that in final production form. They may have thrown out the massive grill to see what kind of reaction it got.

tagman

Oh come on, surely that is a Photoshop?

No way! It is the OFFICIAL pic off of the Lexus website. Honest.

TM

tagman

Looking at that CT front end - I agree - beautiful styling and well integrated. I bet in the end the new GS is more like that in final production form. They may have thrown out the massive grill to see what kind of reaction it got.

You are probably right... Production model will likely be toned down a lot... hopefully.

TM

samm43

Ah, but isn't misery always more palatable with company? (where's that emotorcon for rhetorical when you need one?)
But I'm happy for you guys though who have done so well with it, especially recently.

Sam

fintail

I've seen the pics before.

Lexus just doesn't have a great track record for timeless designs in recent years. The best are in the past, IMHO. Now it seems to be trying to be different for the sake of being different.

samm43

LOL, they must have had difficulty with engine heat in the prototype. Usually I try to give a new design a bit of a chance. In person being the ideal. But this time I'm not sure that's going to cut it. :shades:

ljflx

Tag

On the GS just move the L up, extend the bumper material across under it thereby cutting the grill in half and you pretty much have the CT with different headlights that follow a German styling direction and a bigger imprint of the overall grill design. But the shape is pretty much the same. The areas around the headlights also has some cues from the LF-A. Either headlights from the CT or the GS unveiled will look good if you cut that grill in half and tone it down just a bit. But the overall shape of the grill is already out in the CT and with that car red hot I think the production version will be modified to follow its cues.

Where's Charlie - a 9% move in 2.5 days requires an Apple after hours party.

I need to watch NLSN earnings next week. I bought a pretty good sized position at $25 and feel the stock will hit the 32-33 number this year given the health of the advertising and media sector. So far I'm quite satisfied. Based on the old valuation of VNU minus the assets sold (trade shows, publishing and trade mags including Billboard and Hollywood Reporter) the stock should reach a $13-15bln market cap. The company is essentially run by ex GE execs.

circlew

OK, here is a shot of what I saw coming up behind me that caught my eye and suprised me. Take a guess what it was.



Regards,
OW

2001gs430

I like everything except the grill in the picture. It looks out of proportion, but at least it's not a smiley face. Perhaps it's the 2D nature, where it would look better in person?

tagman

My quick guess is HYUNDAI.

TM

fintail

Highline Sportage, jumping firmly on the LED bandwagon

I don't like the new trend of the clear light covers bulging out from the bodywork like that, seems it would encourage damage and not be aerodynamic.

houdini1

My first reaction is that I don't like it at all. I guess I am too conservative when it comes to cars. I just don't like the video game transformer look. I guess that is typical for seniors like me.

Congrats to all you guys who have made a bundle on AAPL. I wish I could be that sure and decisive on stocks, but this market and political climate really has me spooked.

samm43

Yes, I think TM's guess of Hyundai is a pretty fair one.

I tend to very forgiving of most headlight design as long as they work well as lights, and let me see up the road more than a hundred feet without having to use the high beams. Since driveway side marker lights (that used to activate with the turn signals) are also becoming more rare every year, if a headlight design allows for some side vision when I am turning in somewhere on a dark rainy night, all the better.

Sam

tagman

Yes, after a closer look I must agree it's a pic of the Kia Sportage. At first quick glance, I could see it was a Hyundai product... and Kia is the lower line of Hyundai, of course... but when it gets down to the specific model, you hit the bullseye!

TM

tagman

Good quality fog lights will illuminate the area directly in front of the car (headlights are aimed above and beyond this area) and disperse light slightly towards the left and right. They generally accomplish what you are describing.

Also, some cars now offer adaptive headlights that literally turn slightly in the direction the steering wheel turns. My prior BMW had that feature.

TM

fintail

I think lately, Kia has much nicer design language than Hyundai.

tagman

I don't know if I can agree with that one. Some Kia models have improved significantly, and look pretty good, but some are ugly. Hyundai, however, has hit a styling home run with the latest Sonata... and the Genesis and Equus models are formidable achievements, IMO.

TM

fintail

In my eyes, all of those are kind of homely. Sonata is like a discount knock off CLS with weird proportions - front end is especially bad. Genesis is a blanded up E60 BMW, Equus is a Lexus copy. Meh...but that's just my opinion, I have seldom been wowed by Asian automotive design. Maybe some value there, but in design and driving, they aren't setting any pace.

circlew

Fintail hit it. Sportage SX.

Regards,
OW

circlew

I drove the Optima Turbo, It will surprise you just how good it is...loaded, $30K and performs at the top of it's segment and 34mpg hwy.

Nice package afaic. Buy Hyundai/Kia stock!

Hyundai has gained 13 percent in Seoul trading since March 10, the day before the earthquake, while Kia has surged 19 percent. Toyota has lost 10 percent in Tokyo trading in the same period.

Regards,
OW

cyclone4

"Where's Charlie - a 9% move in 2.5 days requires an Apple after hours party."

For some reason, my iPad1 will not allow me to copy and paste on this site and thus the quote from Len above.

To tell you guys the truth, I am obviously very pleased that AAPL has surged back from the doldrums. However, at the same time, I'm a bit disappointed that the AAPL bears of the world have been successful (so far) in holding this stock in check. I was honestly expecting AAPL to surge and make new highs after the amazing earnings report on Wednesday. Also, as I stated on an earlier I was
thinking of selling some near the highs on the overnight trading early yesterday morning, but I did not. I know I would have bought it back near $350
yesterday. But, having said all this, I also know that this stock is headed much
higher (at least $400 in the not too distant future and perhaps $500 by the end of the year) for all the reasons that Len and Zaky, etc., have so profoundly stated. So, I'm ready to party . Let's all raise the champagne glass and toast the one and only AAPL!

EDIT: My "dumb" iPad1 will also not allow me to properly edit as you can see from the broken up paragraph. On second thought, maybe we should not raise the champagne glass and give a toast.

fintail

I like the Optima a lot more than the Sonata, not bad looking. I don't plan to buy one anytime soon, but I like looking at it more than its cousin.

circlew

Agreed, as far as sales goes, the Sonata/Optima combo is a great development step for Hyundai/Kia. I like to look at it as insurance Ford and GM will improve the Malibu/Fusion/Taurus to the relative greatness of the 1960's era cars when imports were only a joke.

Detroit could not be touched but by themselves. The rest was history and it's great to see the rest of the world remind us that we can not be arrogant just because we are great at some things, such as freedom. We need to be hungry again.

Kia/Hyundai will keep GM/Ford hungry with their lineup and their energy. Chrysler is still Italian breakfast toast, afaic, although the Challenger still makes me excited like 1970 and the JGC is a huge improvement.

Regards,
OW

fintail

Competition improves the entire crowd, very true.

As boring and ugly as so many new cars are, they really are pretty amazing at the same time.

tagman

Just want to wish everyone here a Happy Easter.

... hope the weather is good for all of you tomorrow.

TM

circlew

Indeed, Happy Easter to all!

Regards,
OW

cdnpinhead

Thanks.

Same back at you & yours.

ljflx

Happy Easter to everyone as well.

samm43

Yes, Happy Easter all.

cyclone4

For Christians all over the world, this SHOULD be the most important Holiday of the year. But I am saddened to state that it has become more about Easter egg hunts, Easter bunnies, and just plain old commercialized. Folks forget the real meaning of Easter. It is (or should be) the most solemn of Christian Holidays. It is more important than Christmas.

In the Orthodox Church, tomorrow we greet people by exclaiming "Christ is risen!" The response is always "Truly He has risen!" That's what Easter is about.

With that in mind, I shout to all of you Christians, "Hristos Anesti!" (Greek for Christ is risen).

gagrice

He is Risen indeed. While we do treat Resurrection Sunday with a sense of solemness, it is also the most joyous of days for all Christians. Hopefully you have a wonderful day from Sonrise to Sunset.

cyclone4

You are absolutely correct in saying that "it is also the most joyous of days for all Christians". But a lot of people forget why they should be joyful.

Btw, prior to midnight tonight, we greet people by saying ("Kali Anastasi!"). This literally means, "I wish you a great resurrection!" then starting at midnight, the greeting and response is what I stated above.

circlew

Tag,

Take a look at this. It is eerily close to your car from the side profile.



I'll bet it will be a hit.

Regards,
OW

gagrice

My wife spent Easter in Greece with her adopted Greek son one year. She said it was a very enjoyable celebration. They roasted a lamb which I understand is traditional with Greek Christians. It was an interesting mix of Charismatic Christians and Greek Orthodox.

tagman

Charlie... Although I am Christian, this German is going to have to try his hand at his Greek... so, I will try this reply to your post "Hristos Anesti!" ...

"Alithos Anesti!"

---------------------------------------------

OW...

I recently saw that Mercedes A concept, and thought the exact same thing... it definitely resembles the CT. I wonder if we are seeing the early stages of a trend. But, who knows what monster engine the Mercedes might have under its hood? If we know those folks at MB, probably something much more powerful than necessary.

TM

samm43

Has quite a good presence to be sure.

Is it my imagination or is sculpting becoming the new norm?
It can also assist with aerodynamics (if done correctly and not overdone), and also with crash protection, in offering that little bit extra accordion-factor on side crashes.

Sam

ljflx

Going to Mass is a very uplifting experience if you do it right but somehow on Easter it is a lot more supercharged. You leave with the feeling that something very special just took place. It is a totally different experience than going to Mass at Christmas. Looking forward to it tomorrow morning. In the past we've often gone out to Rockville Centre Long Island where we have close family. Out there they have a Cathedral and often enough we went to Mass there and that was a great experience. But tomorrow it will be our much smaller and simpler Church.

cyclone4

That is awesome TM! Where do you learn that "Alithos Anesti" means Truly He has risen? I'm impressed.

fintail

A little over-styled, but I predict the production model won't be so slashed-about. A lot more stylish than the current one anyway, and we'll end up seeing it here too.

Warmest day of the year out here today, sadly, Easter will be greeted with rain and cold.

cyclone4

As a matter of fact, we are having the traditional lamb dinner at the church hall early tomorrow afternoon immediately following the Agapi (Love) Service. The dinner is free for all the parishioners and even some non parishioners.

cyclone4

I know what you mean Len. I get the goose bumps during the Resurrection Service at midnight tonight. I also got the goose bumps last evening during the symbolic funeral procession around our Church carrying the icon of Christ.

2001gs430

Happy Easter everyone. (too ashamed about church going record in the past several years to say anything, maybe will start again today...)

circlew

Agreed, the production offering should be better balanced.

Easter starts out in central NJ 70 deg. and sunny. It rained all day yesterday and was damp all night. T-Storms for later in the day.

Happy Easter!



Regards,
OW

gagrice

While my stock investments have done well this year. My gold has outpaced the rest. I would sell, BUT what would I buy? My cash in the bank is diminishing in value. My home who knows? I really don't care, as I have to have a place to live. It looks like the dollar value will keep the stock market headed up for a while.

I guess what worries me is both the stock market a precious metals are the balloons of the decade.

PS
Gold is at $1512 and Silver $48.

tagman

The stock market will correct eventually but it is not in a bubble, IMO, because fundamentals support it. Dollar will rebound eventually, IMO, and therefore I would be a seller of gold and silver soon... maybe not right now, but soon, IMHO.

TM

houdini1

I can see your quandary. I think you have mentioned that you own physical gold, either bullion or coins or maybe both. I am curious what and who is the market if you want to sell, and can you get the going rate? I remember selling my FIL's silver coin collection some years ago for about $6. an ounce. AAARRRGGGHHH !!!

Is there a gray market for gold/silver or does dear old Uncle have his nose in every transaction?

gagrice

There are people willing to buy gold and silver for cash. They advertise in the paper and on Craigslist. It is better if you know a dealer. There is a controversy over what right the Feds have in a transaction. One dealer I know of buys and sells from his shop with no sales tax or reporting. Another wants to collect CA sales tax on each coin he sells and report each coin he buys. Been so long since I sold any of our gold coins that I don't know the current issues. The Feds claim you owe capital gains tax. Our coins in the bank box were bought in the 1980s & 90s. No record of what was paid. My wife's deceased husband bought them, so they would probably be figured from the value at the time he died like the real estate is figured. I did sell a friend of mine about $700 worth of silver quarters a couple years ago when silver was at $16. He likes to gloat about it. Today they are worth $2100. The only stock that I have bought that did that well is Ford.

ljflx

D'ont see how the stock market is a balloon. Many companies, Apple especially, look undervalued. Earnings grew nicely this past year, most companies are lean now, so additional revenue comes in at a high incremental earnings number and the overall multiple of the S&P is in the normal range. I'd watch gold and especially oil, as the latter is a balloon with little fundamental support.

ljflx

Anyone else starting to think that Henry Blodget is anti-Apple. This must be the 3rd or 4th thing I've read/saw recently from him that attacks Apple.

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/apple-location-tracking-outrage-wher- e-apology-144207417.html?sec=topStories&pos=8&asset=&ccode=