RichC | July 9, 2012
I’ve struggled with the “teachers are underpaid” debate arguing that we are often talking apples and oranges when comparing teachers, school district employees and management level administrators to the private sector. Those working in small businesses, corporations and the self-employed entrepreneurs make up the states private workforce and their taxes pay public sector and school […]
RichC | July 2, 2012
The struggling economy around the world is being noticed here in the U.S. as measured manufacturing output is falling again — LINK. (see graphic below) I’ve been hoping for a recovery from the recession, but this news this is not at all promising for jobs or a rebounding economy. Can the U.S. avoid a double-dip […]
RichC | July 2, 2012
There are a few "experiments" happening at the state level in our nation which if talked about might open a few eyes to the benefits of less government as well as more freedom for individuals as the model for our country. Florida Governor Rick Scott (and Governor Perry from Texas by phone) did a pretty […]
RichC | June 29, 2012
Markets were up strong today inching closer to Dow 13,000 on news from Europe … and after sleeping on the Supreme Court Obamacare decision yesterday; I do think that Chief Justice Robert’s position left many on Wall Street stymied (my opinion). For most part, traders and investor were back buying today which help closed the […]
RichC | June 23, 2012
WSJ graph showing how unemployment has impacted the nation’s mature workforce. This can’t be good since many are only a few short years away from not even being able to work. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303506404577448751320412974.html
RichC | June 20, 2012
Of course … it is also an election year. Hmm? How much will the market move when Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke speaks this afternoon? Operation Twist, in which the central bank sells short-term securities and buys the same amount of longer-term debt to lengthen the average maturity of its holdings and keep borrowing costs low, […]
RichC | June 19, 2012
There's way too much speculation in the thought the Federal Reserve will again "try" to prime the economy when serious regulation and tax changes are what we need from Washington DC. If Bernanke and crew sit quietly on their hands or even suggest the economy doesn't need additional stimulus, we'll most likely see another stock […]
RichC | June 11, 2012
How challenging has it really been for families these past few years? Well if you’re in college or just starting out and able to pay the bills, finding work or able to keep borrowing for school … then you might not notice much (can you tell I’m talking with my college age son while he […]
RichC | June 7, 2012
Who can plan for these kinds of increases? “Between 1999 and 2009, tuition at public four-year colleges rose 73 percent on average, and tuition at private nonprofit colleges jumped 34 percent. In the same period, median family income fell by about 7 percent.” Link
RichC | June 1, 2012
The Dow’s gains for the year have been officially wiped away. After thinking 2012 might be the year we work our way out of the long recession, the job numbers tell otherwise. After all the debt-financed stimulus, continued wasteful spending and inefficient use of tax receipts coming from Washington DC … confidence is slipping and […]
RichC | June 1, 2012
Numbers being release this Friday morning are making an already bad month of May an even more frightening June beginning. Jobs creation, payroll and now even the unemployment rate has risen. The yield on the 10-yr Treasuries hits an unbelievable low of 1.5% yield. Weak throughout. WASHINGTON—U.S. job growth slowed sharply in May, the latest […]
RichC | May 21, 2012
So much for day two of the Facebook IPO … no need to look here for some stock market excitement. As the Star Wars line goes, “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for … move along.” Perhaps there was just too much hype? Thankfully I didn’t jump when offered a few shares at $38 … […]
RichC | May 18, 2012
Facebook made it stock market debut today with a $5 move from the $38 IPO price to above $42/share and then kind of drifted back to close the day at $38.23. There was plenty of interest. Lots of hype and even a NASDAQ snag to prevent an on time opening this morning. For employees of […]
RichC | May 18, 2012
As a country, a nation and a generous people … we are heading down the wrong path when assistance programs fail to teach the value of a dollar [insert joke here about the “value” of a dollar] and instead teaches the next generation dependence on government. “Over the last four decades, our government has quietly […]
RichC | May 17, 2012
Stock market heads down again as investors and traders head for the sidelines and U.S. Treasuries, which by the way are hitting all time lows. In fact the 10-year note closed at 1.70% yield … a record low yield for the security of U.S. notes. On the other hand the much anticipated Facebook IPO (FB) […]
RichC | May 17, 2012
Just my opinion, but the “social” disease that infected Greece, Spain, Portugal and other European states should not be impacting markets in the U.S. in the way that they are. Sure we have our major issues when it comes to be fiscally responsible all the way around: corporate governance, banking and housing, personal spending and […]
RichC | April 19, 2012
RichC | April 17, 2012
Warren Buffett: “I have been diagnosed with Stage 1 Prostate Cancer. My condition is not remotely life-threatening. I feel great — as if I were in my normal excellent health — and my energy level is 100 percent. I discovered the cancer because my PSA level (an indicator my doctors had regularly checked for many […]
RichC | March 4, 2012
We’ve all heard the “kicking the can down the road” metaphor as it relates to those we elect to govern the country and manage our tax contributions (or mismanage as the case may be). I’ve been trying to educate myself on one component my parents and my wife’s parent rely on – Medicare. I suspect […]
RichC | February 27, 2012
The Dow once again inches past the 13,000 market, but somehow can’t quite close above this psychological level. For a few moments Monday, it looked like it was finally happening. But the Dow Jones Industrial Average failed yet again to close above 13000. The average ended down 1.44 points, or less than 0.1%, at 12981.51. […]
RichC | February 26, 2012
Katelyn and Taylor back in 1991 preparing for a road trip While planning a couple upcoming trips after the recent jump in gasoline prices (over $3.50 and rising), I reflected on the “good ol’ days” when we would hop in the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser station wagon and take off on long trips at what seemed […]
RichC | February 22, 2012
The tax season is upon us and many take this opportunity to take account of our retirement strategy (at least those who are thinking ahead). Years ago … in the days of the company pension, confidence in Social Security and Medicare and the assumption that one would retire at 65 after a lifetime career with […]
RichC | February 21, 2012
I watched the Dow break the 13000 mark a couple of times today, but unfortunately for bulls, it didn’t hold; the Dow closed up just .13% at 12966. Looking back a few years, the Dow last traded at the 13000 level in May 2008 and was heading down from its historic high of 14198 in […]
RichC | February 16, 2012
Although I’ve stayed with Sprint for mobile service for over a decade, I’m constantly irritated with their tweaking. Just when I was starting to calm down from the last couple go-arounds over a discount structure and then AirRave billing, the monthly invoice increased again. Not by much mind you, but enough to increase my bill […]
RichC | February 15, 2012
Besides trading in an out of the depressed Natural Gas market in the past month, I’ve been pondering how to “eventually” capitalize on what I see as a bottom in the commodity price for NG and a possible upside down the road. How far down the road, who knows? I’ve been doing some reading […]
RichC | February 13, 2012
Every once in a while those interviewed on widely watched financial television channels have an opportunity to mention individual stocks … not a big deal when the companies are larger. Unfortunately mentioning a couple lessor known companies can move the prices. Today CNBC’s Bill Griffeth on his Closing Bell segment interviewed an analyst from Oppenheimer […]
RichC | February 4, 2012
Fred Smith, CEO of Fedex, spoke on Thursday this past week and simplified his thoughts on turning around the economy and creating jobs. He supplied a chart which doesn’t necessarily clear up the “chicken or the egg” discussion associated with which comes first, but his chart does show that capital investment and private sector employment […]
RichC | February 2, 2012
Yup … FB .. that’s the stock exchange symbol for Facebook; the biggest IPO of the year, or past few years. This will be the largest web-based company to have an initial public offering since GOOG went public (believe it or not, GM in 2010 was the overall largest). It will instantly turn Mr. Zuckerberg […]
RichC | January 31, 2012
After hearing an employee at Sprint talking about the iPhones substantial impact on activations last week, I pondered the value of the carrier to Apple. With Sprint buying 30.5 million iPhones worth $20B to the cash rich Apple (AAPL) and the Sprint (S) trading at uncomfortable lows, there are rumors that Sprint needs to return […]
RichC | January 21, 2012
I’m archiving the comments of guest Doug Dechille (First Principles Capital Management LLC) on CNBC’s Squawkbox this week. It gave me pause as our politicians and media debate the capital system which helped grow our country. Dechille brought light to the problems financial institutions have with government involvement and the heavy hand of the Federal […]
RichC | January 10, 2012
A WSJ article illustrated what economists monitoring the U.S. employment market have known, but have failed to communicate successfully; we as a nation are on a long-term trend of fewer decent paying middle class career jobs with dim prospects unless things change. (we deny it, make excuses and kick the can down the road just […]
RichC | December 22, 2011
Once upon a time, the word “Plasitcs” was uttered by Mr. McGuire as “enough said” advice for The Graduate in 1967 … nowadays I think we need to start thinking three words or perhaps just the acronym … UAV? The Graduate (mp3) … one word for you, plastics All I can say is find […]
RichC | December 20, 2011
A very positive day for a broad swath of Wall Street and U.S. based companies. The stock market saw trading return the Dow Jones Industrial Average back over the psychologically challenging 12,000 mark. Those watching the ups and downs realize that one day up 300+ points doesn’t mean all that much … especially when considering […]
RichC | December 19, 2011
For those living south of the Mason-Dixon line, a big merger occurred today with the grocery chain Bi-Lo purchasing the larger Winn-Dixie Stores for $560 million. (link) The smaller privately own company purchased the 480 store Winn-Dixie chain and included 380 pharmacies as well. The news bump the share price up 70% with the $9.50/share […]
RichC | December 13, 2011
With the “in the news” section of Anorbit a bit quiet, the rumor that Apple may be buying the company makes the story a bit more interesting. There might be a good reason for cash rich Apple to begin acquiring a few more of the parts they need to assure production continues for their hot […]
RichC | December 13, 2011
Boeing ($BA) just confirmed their largest firm order to date from Southwest ($LUV) with an order for 150 Boeing 737 Max jets (just announced). The deliveries slated to start in 2017 will secure Southwest Airlines as the largest 737 carrier. U.S. discount carrier Southwest Airlines Co. is in talks with Boeing to order 100 to […]
RichC | December 9, 2011
Is there a the logic to congress adding yet another layer of legislation in believing they are fixing things for individuals? No … it complicates life for individuals and businesses and ends up costing everybody more … especially for those who appreciate the independence and freedoms that made/makes American unique. The Dodd-Frank bill in just […]
RichC | December 5, 2011
While many of us managing our personal retirement plans may have moved to cash in recent years, there is a time to anticipate an end to a recession (at least traditionally) and a reason to reconsider equities once again. Usually it pays to monitor those who have a proven track record when it comes to […]
RichC | December 3, 2011
China can’t sit back comfortably while watching the U.S. and Europe struggle to regain footing, as their economic struggle is showing vacant streets and stopped housing projects (click photo above for Reuters slideshow). China could be the third economic domino as the slowdown rolls west to east around the globe. Here in the U.S. we […]
RichC | November 30, 2011
A very impressive day on Wall Street after the central banking news this morning. Many expected an end of day weakening, but buyers continued to pick up shares of companies who’s stock has recently been beaten back. The positive move continued the trend of volatility that has marked nearly the entire year. After an “off […]
RichC | November 30, 2011
The financial markets woke up to a jolt this morning as several central banks including the U.S. Federal Reserve unified to shore up the global financial system. The debt crisis in Europe has continued to put downward stress on world markets and economies; the cheaper U.S. denominated loans available to European banks is expected to […]
RichC | November 26, 2011
I not the only one with indigestion … and it isn’t from the Thanksgiving day eating or the leftovers (or even the Black Friday frenzy) … but the crushing financial markets that have haunted investors since Halloween. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has turned in its “worst Thanksgiving week performance since markets began observing the […]
RichC | November 22, 2011
Even if you’re not a CNBC watcher or someone who focuses on the financial markets each day, you may have heard of Rick Santelli and his rant in 2009 during the peak of the U.S. financial bailouts. I included the clip in a post which many believed may have spurred the Tea Party movement (some […]
RichC | November 21, 2011
The financial markets responded negatively Monday morning to the general conclusion that neither Europe or the U.S. can come to agreements over out of control spending. The congressional super committee charged with coming up with a solution telegraphed failure this weekend as neither Democrats or Republicans seem interested in compromising their positions. I ask you, […]
RichC | November 16, 2011
How do you know a politician is lying? Well we’ve all heard the old “lips are moving” answer … it is even more true today than in the past. As someone who really wanted to believe that people – voters – could make a change … I’m becoming more and more disheartened. (Disclosure: I didn’t […]
RichC | November 15, 2011
The news from Europe and lackluster leadership in Washington DC continued to dampen investors hopes that we might see a rebound in both jobs and economy, but for today the markets closed up after an early down move today. The Dow was up 17 points, S&P 500 about 6 and the Nasdaq an impressive 29 […]
RichC | October 31, 2011
Since HP’s new CEO, Meg Whitman, reversed course on spinning off their PC division (link), many who use and appreciate Touchpads and Pre smartphones have been hoping the same thing might happen for the webOS division. Some believe (or believed) that there was new hope for webOS devices like the Touchpad and Palm Pre smartphones […]
RichC | October 27, 2011
Earlier this year as 2010 rolled into 2011 many American though it might be safe to look at their IRA and 401K statements after the long recession … but as deficit and debt talks heated up and U.S. debt was downgraded due to continued Washington DC borrowing and spending this past summer … most of […]
RichC | October 24, 2011
The loss of subscribers was not a surprise to those angry with the boneheaded decisions from Netflix management (2) … but I think even those who “modified” their plans are surprised at the shear numbers who left in the 3rd quarter – 810,000 subscribers! Ouch … a painful loss after hours Monday for those stock […]
RichC | October 23, 2011
The new CPI numbers (Consumer Price Index) released by the government verify what most balancing family budgets already know … inflation is taking a bigger bite out of incomes. Most private sector workers feel fortunate just to be employed and have seen their take-home pay and benefits stagnate or retreat. Everyone I know has had […]
RichC | October 14, 2011
Great piece by Herb Greenberg on the negative impact of ETFs. From the “markets-are-broken” department: Whenever we talk about the impact of exchange traded funds (ETFs) on the market, the one missing link is quantitative evidence that ETFs (especially the levered ones) are rapidly becoming the monster they weren’t created to be. Read at Proof: […]
RichC | October 13, 2011
I’m watching Google shares after the close (GOOG 558.99 ) jump $40.00 a share reporting earnings of $8.74 a share, up from from $7.64 per share a year ago. Revenue also increased to $7.51 billion from $5.48 billion last year. According to reports, “analysts had expected Google to post earnings of $8.74 per share and […]
RichC | October 10, 2011
Brian “Sully” Sullivan, one of my favorite reporters and business news anchors who is now on CNBC, wrote and interesting post that addressed unemployment, growing the economy and the correct way to increasing tax revenues — “all without spending a dime of taxpayer money.” The point of the article is that of the 14 million […]
RichC | October 4, 2011
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RichC | October 1, 2011
I saw a CNBC interview with Warren Buffett the other day and didn’t realized just how twisted the “tax the rich” ideas had become. I’m not saying that I agree with either Warren Buffett or President Obama’s new tax proposals, BUT I was surprised to have them being reported as nearly one in the same […]
RichC | September 23, 2011
Much of the political debate coming from Washington DC is focused on cutting the deficit, reforming the tax code and generating more revenue for the federal government. Hopefully those who currently pay federal income taxes (only 52%) are going to be given the loudest voice, but that may not be the case now that we’re […]
RichC | September 22, 2011
It is a painful day today on the financial markets as all “indicators” show heavy selling on Wall Street and even in the precious metals markets – not much optimism. It is difficult to watch as people who try to save for a home, for college or retirement, see their assets shed large chunks of […]
RichC | September 19, 2011
After talking with a few disgruntled NetFlix subscribers (and ex-subscribers) this morning, I can attest that I’m not the only one thinking “spin-off” after CEO Reed Hastings relays the news that their new DVD-by-mail service will be a dying “wholly owned subsidiary” being called Qwikster. Netflix Inc. Chief Executive Reed Hastings said in a blog […]
RichC | September 9, 2011
Like him and his policies or not, it would be great if all politicians were as succinct and committal as Congressman Paul Ryan. His interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box Friday morning after President Obama’s speech was sharp and to the point although respectful toward the president and those holding other ideas. Well worth a listen. […]
RichC | September 6, 2011
Looks like Sprint and Apple are gearing up for the iPhone5 … Sprint may have begun installing signal boosting equipment in and around Apple retail stores ahead of the rumored iPhone 5 launch on the carrier in October, according to a new report. “One thing I can tell you is that the electrical contractor that […]