Posted By RichC on December 6, 2011
I don’t watch the BBCLife or NatGeo all that regularly, I do appreciate their fantastic documentaries and brilliant filming. In the above video a Killer Whale passes her unique skills to her calf in hunting elephant seals. The “low volume” audio in this clip describes the danger and intelligence required by these animals to navigate the shallow pools in order to hunt the young elephant seals.
Posted By RichC on 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 advice … but still it isn’t any easier. Personally I’m not sure where I want to be over the next 10 or so years or that I have the insight to pick companies or sectors that will grow. I do know that current holdings are too heavily in technology (one particular company) and that my wife’s holding are too heavily in a disappointing retail company.
An area that is missing and yet may be even more critical in the decade will be chemical and agriculture. DuPont traditionally has been a worldwide leader in supplying chemicals to this sector and having added Pioneer HiBred and Danisco could make for opportunities in the next decade. The company was recommended by Jim Jubak at the beginning of 2011 when many thought a recovery was imminent – Might DD be worth a look in 2012?
Click for larger chart
Beside the 15 year chart being a disappointment, I’d like to think the future may hold more opportunity besides the steady dividend yield of $1.64 (3.50%).
I think DuPont is targeting two of the biggest technology opportunities — and challenges — of the next decade. Those are growing more food and producing more energy from plants without making the first challenge more difficult.
— Jim Jubak Jan 2011
Posted By RichC on December 5, 2011
After weathering the hot summer and safely making it through hurricane season, our sailboat Encore demonstrated that wind and rain from “unnamed storms” can still find its way into a closed boat. One of the port above the book rack dripped some water onto a few books … a couple of them headed straight to the trash (sorry GWB – Decision Points above). Unfortunately getting moisture into a “closed boat” is not good for anything and required some extra mildew clean-up … something a little work and fresh air can solve.
Monday was also the scheduled day for my mom’s back surgery … something she has been nervous about for a few months now. After going off of her pain medicines Sunday night and making the miserable hour and 15 minute drive to the hospital for morning surgery, she arrived and was prepped for surgery at 6:30 AM. Unfortunately the surgeon called and cancelled schedule for the day and his office indicated that they would have to re-schedule. Ugh! The hospital fortunately gave some pain meds so that she can make the return trip home … only to anticipate doing this all over again even closer to Christmas.
The bones (vertebrae) that form the spine in your back are cushioned by small, spongy discs. When these discs are healthy, they act as shock absorbers for the spine and keep the spine flexible. But when a disc is damaged, it may bulge or break open. This is called a herniated disc. It may also be called a slipped or ruptured disc.
Posted By RichC on December 4, 2011
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
I enjoyed an article that spoke to one of my weak spots in this weekend’s WSJ. Joe Queenan, in writing about ads promoting movies on the TV, reflected on how a realistic commercial for video game sucked him in. I’m in that same camp and find myself wanted to play as well … but remembered previous attempts with them (let’s just say they weren’t as successful as Joe’s 55-0 “Madden NFL” loss). That’s the conundrum, besides not having the game or hardware, I’m not a “gamer.” Many middle aged dad types have never developed the skills required to play modern video games well enough to make them enjoyable.
But the ad was promoting not a movie but a stupendously popular videogame called “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.” The spot was called “The Vet and the nOOb,” a title I did not fully understand. But the game sure looked like fun.
Videogames came along too late to figure into my life. The one time my son, now 25, tried to teach me how to play “Madden NFL,” he beat me, like, 55-0. He was probably 9 at the time.
I never thought I was missing out on anything here. It did pique my interest that teenage boys could play “World of Warcraft” eight years straight without getting bored or hungry, but until I saw that ad for “Modern Warfare,” I never seriously considered taking up videogames as a pastime. But now I have.
Posted By RichC on 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 have a few bright spots after three challenging years … but we also need optimism. American corporations have tightened their belts, banked some money and refocused on efficiency. Our “bailed out banks” are now better managed, consumers are purchasing (auto sales and November holiday shopping) and we’ve even front paged better news regarding employment … although caution is the word.
Just as a European crisis and a weak U.S. recovery are hurting Chinese exporters, the confidence that had sustained China’s property boom is evaporating, causing a double whammy for growth: fading demand overseas and at home at the same time.
The construction slump could not have come at a worse moment for China’s factories. A key manufacturing measure Thursday, the official purchasing-managers index, fell to 49 in November, below the 50 mark that separates expansion from contraction and the lowest since the financial crisis in February 2009.
With both the real-estate and export sectors in trouble, the warning light on China’s growth is flashing red. Like in the last crisis, China’s leaders have been quick to react but this time around their options are limited.
A slowdown in China would have far-reaching consequences world-wide, from commodity producers in Australia and Brazil to U.S. exporters that target China’s consumers and a crisis-ridden Europe seeking financial backers.
Posted By RichC on December 2, 2011
I may not be a fan of West Virginia University football … but I have no problem applauding their marching band. As a Cincinnati Bearcats and an Ohio State fan … I say “nicely done, WVU.” (thanks for the link Suzanne)
Posted By RichC on December 1, 2011
U.S. built 2012 Volkswagen Passat – Motortrend Car of the Year 2012
Volkswagen reported strong sales for November 2011, up 40.7% over last year. The new Passat contributed over 6000 units and the Jetta 11,131 units (a 58.9% increase year-to-date). The somewhat unique to North America 40+ mpg clean diesel models contributed to nearly 20% of all Volkswagen sales … which was up 36% year-over-year. The TDI sales numbers are especially impressive considering that the they are priced at a slight premium, are excluded from promotions and are only available in a couple of models.
HERNDON, Va., Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VWoA) today reported 28,412 units sold in November 2011, a 40.7 percent increase over prior year sales. Year-to-date sales are up 25.3 percent.
"November has been a tremendous month for Volkswagen," said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. "With the 2012 Passat named Motor Trend”s Car of the Year, anticipated improvements in J.D. Power’s Sales Satisfaction Index and once again double-digit sales growth, the proof points of German Engineering and our commitment to the U.S. market are all starting to come together."
In its first two full months of sales, the Chattanooga-built Passat outsold 2010’s volume and acheived 6,018 units for the month of November. Jetta sales, including Jetta SportWagen, totaled 12,891 units, a 15.6 percent increase over last year. The 2012 Beetle sold 1,656 units.
GTI sales increased 33.3 percent while Golf sales rose 37.5 percent versus last year. The Eos and Tiguan SUV posted 53.0 percent and 11.4 percent sales increases, respectively. Volkswagen’s high-mileage, clean diesel TDI models accounted for 19.8 percent of all November sales, up 36.0 percent year-over-year.
Posted By RichC on December 1, 2011
I’ve posted on Yves Rossy and the Breitling team since his original flights over the Swiss Alps and here’s his “new feat: Flying in formation at full throttle together with 2 jets from the Breitling Jet Team … at their minimum speed. Beautiful images for an outstanding achievement!”
Posted By RichC on 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 to the races” start in the morning, the Dow, Nasdaq and S&P500 all landed gains of over 4% today and putting the averages back in positive territory for the year. After a few days ulcer kind of news last week, yesterday and today’s medicine should help … but can’t the gains hold?
Posted By RichC on 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 make them more liquid. According to Wednesday’s Fed statement, "The purpose of these actions is to ease strains in financial markets and thereby mitigate the effects of such strains on the supply of 
credit to households and businesses and so help foster economic activity." (my read … “kick the can down the road” … but I’m hoping it works)
The financial markets opened strong this morning on the news seeing the Dow up over 400 points by mid morning. I suspect a significant portion of the jump may have been short covering, since the mood has been relatively sour as the U.S. economy doesn’t exhibit growth or many signs that confidence has returned. Optimistically though, even with our problems here in this country, we are much better off than entitlement burdened Europeans or countries believing nationally controlled industries can compete with the efficiently and innovation inspired by free markets and capitalism.
