Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Photovoltaic Solar Power: Sun, Stone and Stimulus

I just finished reading a good article over in the MarketBeat section of the Wall Street Journal. If you have the time it is worth reading.
A number of strategists have put forth the theory that the beginning of a new presidential administration will spark a bit of a market rally, in part because it has happened in the past, and in part because of expectations for a stimulus package focused on infrastructure.
First Solar, a maker of solar panels and builder of solar power plants, is trading around $136, up 59% from its low in November, cutting its losses for the year to less than 50%. First Solar, a stock-market star in late 2007 and early 2008, is set to have another run in early 2009 because of gathering momentum, technicians say.

“The initial target would be the December 18 high around $149, about 13% from here,” said Ryan Detrick, senior technical strategist at Schaeffer’s Investment Research. “If it clears that first level, I wouldn’t be shocked at all if it goes up to the $180 level, its Nov. 14 high.”


Go Read It

EF Hutton: Market rally predictor Jack Hough jokes that he should have written what kind of book?

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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Sneak Peek at Energy 2009

Forbes has a good article looking ahead at energy in 2009. Trends, Predictions and Investing Ideas.

A year ago the worry was that oil demand would outstrip supply. Today, the Saudis alone have more than 3.5 million bpd of spare production capacity.
Tailwinds will soon give alternative energy a boost in the form of the energy policies and subsidies from the incoming Barack Obama administration
Obama's energy plan calls for the "responsible domestic production of oil and natural gas." Translation: He'll focus on maximizing existing energy production on the Outer Continental Shelf, revise the Bush administration's 2007-12 drilling plan and reinstate the executive order banning offshore drilling.

Get some nice stock ideas while you are there.
Go read it

EF Hutton: According to our guide to international market holidays, whose markets were closed on Dec. 25?

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According to our guide to international market holidays, whose markets were closed on Dec. 25?

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EF Hutton: In her introduction to "On the Money Thrival Guide for 2009", Carmen Wong Ulrich uses what euphemism for complications?

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Question: In her introduction to "On the Money Thrival Guide for 2009", Carmen Wong Ulrich uses what euphemism for complications?
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Monday, December 29, 2008

EF Hutton: Who officially "arrived at the decision" to cancel Kuwait's $17 billion deal with Dow Chemical?

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Question: Who officially "arrived at the decision" to cancel Kuwait's $17 billion deal with Dow Chemical?

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EF Hutton: According to Jon Najarian's Dec. 26 Stock Blog post, where did YRC Worldwide shares end in Wednesday trading?

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Question: According to Jon Najarian's Dec. 26 Stock Blog post, where did YRC Worldwide shares end in Wednesday trading?

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Friday, December 26, 2008

EF Hutton: In our blog post called "How to Tell the Madoffs From the Buffetts", which horrific Shakespeare work does a reader reference?


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Question: In our blog post called "How to Tell the Madoffs From the Buffetts", which horrific Shakespeare work does a reader reference?

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The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life

In our slideshow, The $54,000 Bottle of Whiskey, what other types of spirits did Christie's put up for auction?

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In our slideshow, The $54,000 Bottle of Whiskey, what other types of spirits did Christie's put up for auction?
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Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas



I want to wish each of you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season.

Thanks for coming to the blog.

Bob

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

According to a Dec. 23 Stock Blog post by Jon Najarian, options traders saw more upside in which medical tech firm's shares?

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Question: According to a Dec. 23 Stock Blog post by Jon Najarian, options traders saw more upside in which medical tech firm's shares?

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Tuesday, December 23, 2008

In the article entitled "Calif. Construction Firm Defies Odds..." what major project(s) does William Dorey allude to?

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Question: In the article entitled 'Calif. Construction Firm Defies Odds...' what major project(s) does William Dorey allude to?
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According to the CNBC Stock Blog, why did Jeff Mortimer praise "some" corporate debt on Monday?

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Question: According to the CNBC Stock Blog, why did Jeff Mortimer praise 'some' corporate debt on Monday?"

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Monday, December 22, 2008

EF Hutton: On Friday, options expert Rebecca Darst said which bank's downside had "far outpaced the decline" in the financials?

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Question: On Friday, options expert Rebecca Darst said which bank's downside had 'far outpaced the decline' in the financials?

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Friday, December 19, 2008

EF Hutton: In Phil LeBeau's blog post "Chrysler On Life Support..." what multitude of animals does he mention?

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Question: In Phil LeBeau's blog post "Chrysler On Life Support..." what multitude of animals does he mention?

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Thursday, December 18, 2008

: The Call: According to the article "Inside Madoff’s Empire" what was Andrew Cohen teaching when he got bad financial news?

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Question: According to the article "Inside Madoff’s Empire" what was Andrew Cohen teaching when he got bad financial news?

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Alzheimer's Reading Room: A National Conversation on Health Care Reform

The video is fascinating. A real discussion about health care, the issues, and what needs to be done. The video shows that health care reform is now being taken seriously and is on the front burner. The videos are full of high quality information, statistical information and insight.


Reforming health care is among American voters' top issues. To ensure all children and more American adults receive affordable health care coverage and high quality health care at the right time in the right place, we will need to work together, children's hospitals and adult hospitals, employers and insurers, pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies, national and local policy makers, large and small business, government and consumers.

Subscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via Email


Event Moderator and Panelists

Susan Dentzer, editor-in-chief of Health Affairs and health correspondent of The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, moderated a panel of health care experts, economists and lawmakers as they discussed President-elect Obama's health care reform proposals.

Panelists:

Alice Rivlin, Senior Fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program and Economic Studies Director, Greater Washington Research at Brookings Institution

  • U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D (R-TX)
  • U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)
  • R. Bruce Josten, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  • Edwin K. Zechman, Jr., President and CEO of Children's National Medical Center and Chairman of the NACHRI and N.A.C.H. Boards of Trustees
  • Chris Jennings, President of Jennings Policy Strategies,
David Levy, M.D., Principal, Health Advisory Services, PricewaterhouseCoopers



According to Bob Pisani's blog, "Goldman Sachs: A Sigh Of Relief On Street" what company did Credit Suisse criticize?

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Question: According to Bob Pisani's blog, "Goldman Sachs: A Sigh Of Relief On Street" what company did Credit Suisse criticize?

Answer: EF Hutton: According to Bob Pisani's blog, "Goldman Sachs: A Sigh Of Relief On Street" what company did Credit Suisse criticize?

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

According to a Dec. 15 CNBC Stock Blog post, what firm is rumored to be wooing AK Steel?

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Question: According to a Dec. 15 CNBC Stock Blog post, what firm is rumored to be wooing AK Steel?"

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Monday, December 15, 2008

In Friday's edition of Stop Trading, what gambling metaphor did Jim Cramer use for GM common stock?


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In Friday's edition of Stop Trading, what gambling metaphor did Jim Cramer use for GM common stock?

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Sunday, December 14, 2008

Dire Predictions: Understanding Global Warming

Well worth reading and an excellent gift.

This book boils it all down for you into easily understood, sometimes amusing explanations, and illustrations. This is your roadmap into understanding global warming and will turn you into authority on the subject.


The book covers the work of IPCC Working Groups One, Two, and Three. While the reports of these three groups are available online, each is well over 700 pages plus appendices. Mann and Kump have boiled down the essence into five parts, with mostly two-page articles full of colorful graphics, for a total of just over 200 pages of engaging science (A'ndrea Elyse Messer)

Thursday, December 11, 2008

EF Hutton: In her article, Turn a Pink Slip Into Your Golden Ticket, what is Carmen Wong Ulrich's 1st piece of advice?

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Question: In her article, Turn a Pink Slip Into Your Golden Ticket, what is Carmen Wong Ulrich's 1st piece of advice?"

Answer: Get the Answer

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

In our slideshow, "10 States with the Highest Unemployment Rates," what state tied with Rhode Island?

The Call

Question: In our slideshow, '10 States with the Highest Unemployment Rates,' what state tied with Rhode Island?

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Tuesday, December 09, 2008

EF Hutton: According to the story, Obama's Stimulus Proposal Lifts Infrastructure Stocks, which company does Tom Busby like?

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Question: According to the story, Obama's Stimulus Proposal Lifts Infrastructure Stocks, which company does Tom Busby like?

Answer: Get the Answer

Monday, December 08, 2008

: Obama Asks Nation for Input On Reforming Health System

Last week I wrote about one of my "pet peeves", the price Medicare pays for prescription drugs. You can read what I had to say at Obama laying the groundwork for U.S. health reform.

This Washington Post article, Obama Asks Nation for Input On Reforming Health System, really has me encouraged.
'We Want Your Exact Ideas,' Daschle Says
"In order for us to reform our health care system, we must first begin reforming how government communicates with the American people," Obama said in a statement yesterday. "These Health Care Community Discussions are a great way for the American people to have a direct say in our health reform efforts."

Read More

On Dec. 5, which analyst likened the slide in oil prices to a "huge tax cut"?

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On Dec. 5, which analyst likened the slide in oil prices to a "huge tax cut"?

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Friday, December 05, 2008

EF Hutton: In his Thursday Stock Blog post, Jon Najarian disclosed that he's long on which airline stock?

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Question: In his Thursday Stock Blog post, Jon Najarian disclosed that he's long on which airline stock?

Answer: EF Hutton: In his Thursday Stock Blog post, Jon Najarian disclosed that he's long on which airline stock?

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Thursday, December 04, 2008

EF Hutton: According to The Christmas Tree Indicator, which item's sales grew 8.5% in the first holiday-shopping week?

EF Hutton: According to The Christmas Tree Indicator, which item's sales grew 8.5% in the first holiday-shopping week?

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According to The Christmas Tree Indicator, which item's sales grew 8.5% in the first holiday-shopping week?

Answer: all of the above


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In his CNBC interview Wednesday, who did Carl Icahn say he'd like for Yahoo's next CEO?

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Question: In his CNBC interview Wednesday, who did Carl Icahn say he'd like for Yahoo's next CEO?

Answer: none of the above

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Tuesday, December 02, 2008

A Brief History of Stock Market Drops--the Last 80 years

EF Hutton: A Brief History of Stock Market Drops--the Last 80 years

Market Mayhem

There have been plenty of big selloffs in the stock market over the last month, but early on Friday Oct. 24, many market watchers thought it would bring the big one that would join other infamous days. For history's sake, however, the days since Lehman Brothers' chapter 11 have been momentous and notable enough. Here's a look at some very bad days and periods for stocks that got investors' attention over the past 80 years.

Crash of 1929
The stock market crash of 1929 saw the market fall 12.8 percent on Oct. 28, 1929, known as “Black Monday," but the market fell almost as sharply the day after. The crash contributed to the Great Depression of the 1930s and many also consider it part of a two-decade bear market.

1973-1974
During this period of the Nixon-Ford presidency, when inflation was a major concern because of the first oil spike, the Dow went from its Jan. 11, 1973 high of 1051.70 to a low of 577.60 on Dec. 6 1974, a 45.1 percent decline.

Oct. 19, 1987
Known as Black Monday, or "The Crash," the Dow fell 507.99 points, or 22.61 percent, as part of a broad global selloff.

Oct. 13, 1989
The failure of a leveraged buyout of airline holding company UAL triggered what was then known as the "Mini Crash." The Dow fell 190.58 points, a 6.91 percent decline.

1997
The financial crisis in Asia, primarily in South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand, had its largest impact on the US markets on Oct. 27, 1997 when the Dow dropped 554.26 points, 7.18 percent, forcing an early closing of the NYSE.

Dot-Com Bubble Burst
The tech sector was hit hard as the dot-com bubble burst. The Nasdaq peaked at 5048.62 on Mar. 10, 2000 before beginning a brutal two-month slide. By May 23, 2000, it was down 37.32 percent.

Sept. 17, 2001
The Dow dropped 684.81 points (7.12 percent) on Sept. 17, 2001, the Monday the New York Stock Exchange resumed trading for the first time after the 9/11 attacks.

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A Brief History of Stock Market Drops--the Last 80 years

EF Hutton: A Brief History of Stock Market Drops--the Last 80 years

Market Mayhem

There have been plenty of big selloffs in the stock market over the last month, but early on Friday Oct. 24, many market watchers thought it would bring the big one that would join other infamous days. For history's sake, however, the days since Lehman Brothers' chapter 11 have been momentous and notable enough. Here's a look at some very bad days and periods for stocks that got investors' attention over the past 80 years.

Crash of 1929
The stock market crash of 1929 saw the market fall 12.8 percent on Oct. 28, 1929, known as “Black Monday," but the market fell almost as sharply the day after. The crash contributed to the Great Depression of the 1930s and many also consider it part of a two-decade bear market.

1973-1974
During this period of the Nixon-Ford presidency, when inflation was a major concern because of the first oil spike, the Dow went from its Jan. 11, 1973 high of 1051.70 to a low of 577.60 on Dec. 6 1974, a 45.1 percent decline.

Oct. 19, 1987
Known as Black Monday, or "The Crash," the Dow fell 507.99 points, or 22.61 percent, as part of a broad global selloff.

Oct. 13, 1989
The failure of a leveraged buyout of airline holding company UAL triggered what was then known as the "Mini Crash." The Dow fell 190.58 points, a 6.91 percent decline.

1997
The financial crisis in Asia, primarily in South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand, had its largest impact on the US markets on Oct. 27, 1997 when the Dow dropped 554.26 points, 7.18 percent, forcing an early closing of the NYSE.

Dot-Com Bubble Burst
The tech sector was hit hard as the dot-com bubble burst. The Nasdaq peaked at 5048.62 on Mar. 10, 2000 before beginning a brutal two-month slide. By May 23, 2000, it was down 37.32 percent.

Sept. 17, 2001
The Dow dropped 684.81 points (7.12 percent) on Sept. 17, 2001, the Monday the New York Stock Exchange resumed trading for the first time after the 9/11 attacks.

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Monday, December 01, 2008

According to Jim Goldman, what is HP blaming for its Q1 revenue shortfall prediction?

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According to Jim Goldman, what is HP blaming for its Q1 revenue shortfall prediction?

Answer: currency conditions

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