Stocks: Beware the Sucker’s Rally
June 30, 2008
I originally posted this back in March when things were starting to look good again. Oil and gold prices were down and stocks were rebounding. Too bad it didn’t last very long. Oil is now at an all time high at $143 and gold prices are in the $900+ level once more. That brief uptrend was just a bear market rally after all. Be careful out there.
Stocks: Beware the Sucker’s Rally
After a tough winter for the stock market, some signs of spring are appearing.
The broad Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index jumped 5.12% from Mar. 18 to Mar. 25, while the battered financial sector has done even better. The Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) exchange-traded fund has surged 11% in the past five days.
Both measures are down almost 8% since the New Year, with the Financial SPDR down a whopping 21.7% in the past six months and the S&P 500 off 10.8%. But that just points to how welcome this recent rally is for depressed and anxious investors.
The U.S. economy’s slowdown and the financial crisis have battered stocks for months, but some market observers are now wondering if an end is in sight.Perhaps, with the recent collapse and bargain-basement buyout of Bear Stearns (BSC), stocks have hit bottom and investors can begin to put the bear market of 2008 behind them.
Not so fast, market experts say. Yes, there’s a chance the worst is behind us, but there’s an equal or better possibility the stock market is experiencing a classic “bear market rally,” they say.
The Mini-Laptop Changing the Game
June 29, 2008
The Mini-Laptop Changing the Game
Taiwan’s Asustek has produced a global hit by shrinking the size, horsepower, and price tag—down to $300
While computer makers have pushed to build faster, more powerful laptops in recent years, the executives at Taiwan’s Asustek Computer decided to try something different. They thought some people wanted a simpler computer. And they were right. Since its introduction last October, Asustek’s Eee PC—a mini-laptop that retails for as little as $300—has become a huge hit around the world. The company expects to sell 5 million units this year. “We changed the concept,” says Chief Executive Officer Jerry Shen.
He’s changing the public’s perception of Asustek, too. The Taipei-based company has long operated in the obscurity that characterizes the manufacturers of computer components for Western tech vendors. Asustek has never built a brand name that could approach those of such Asian rivals as Lenovo (LNVGY) or Acer. Now, thanks to the success of the little Eee PC and some other innovative designs, Asustek has a chance to break into tech’s big leagues. The company, which sells the mini-laptop in the U.S. through retailers such as Amazon.com (AMZN) and Best Buy (BBY), is already the world’s No. 6 producer of notebook computers and aims to crack the top three by 2013. Those spots are currently held by Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), Dell (DELL), and Acer.
These new mini-laptops/netbooks are great. They’re small, cheap and have great battery life, which make them perfect for lugging around. I know a few people who have the 7″ model and find those too small (that’s what she said..) but they’ve hit it spot on with the 9″ and 10″ – with more typing friendly keyboard too.
The big players right now: Asus Eee PC, HP Mini-note, MSI Wind, Acer One, Dell E.
I would recommend the Wind, Eee PC or Dell E depending on your preference of HDD or SSD – shocking how I’m not suggesting an Apple product! I pre-ordered the Wind myself, because it’s probably the only one that will arrive before I leave for Europe.
The Mac in the Gray Flannel Suit
May 2, 2008
The Mac in the Gray Flannel Suit
More office workers infatuated with iPods and iPhones are demanding Macs. Is business ready? Is Apple?
Understanding the Global Rice Crisis
April 30, 2008
Understanding the Global Rice Crisis
What’s behind the current food shortages: Is the increase in ethanol production to blame or is hoarding the problem?
