Caitlin Huey-Burns, RCP
The Tea Party trumped the institution in Texas on Tuesday, propelling attorney Ted Cruz to an upset victory over Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in the nationally watched Republican primary for the Lone Star State's open U.S. Senate seat.Cruz, a 41-year-old Cuban-American who is expected to win the general election in November (Texas hasn't elected a Democrat statewide since 1994), has pledged to bring his unbending conservatism to the upper chamber. The Tea Party's upset win is significant given the widespread rumors of its demise. But Cruz's victory signals that the grassroots...
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Bill Moyers on Afghanistan
Bill Moyers reflects on President Obama's recent announcement that he will send more troops to Afghanistan.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/Gp_j4bpbPlI/watch3.html
Plastic Bag Bans: A Feel-Good Eco-Fad
Todd Myers, RealClearScience
Across the country, cities are joining the latest environmental trend – banning plastic grocery bags. Concerned about the amount of plastic that reaches our oceans and the impact on wildlife, communities have decided that banning the bags is a simple and environmentally responsible approach. But is it? What does the science say?
Across the country, cities are joining the latest environmental trend – banning plastic grocery bags. Concerned about the amount of plastic that reaches our oceans and the impact on wildlife, communities have decided that banning the bags is a simple and environmentally responsible approach. But is it? What does the science say?
Is 'Globesity' the Next Big Thing in Investing?
Filed under: Investing, Stock Picks
Obesity. Climate change. The world's ever-increasing energy needs. These are just some of the megatrends analysts see coming down the global pike, trends that investors can draft behind to make money from the companies that will benefit from them.
Welcome to the world of megatrend investing, where securities companies build portfolios around themes they believe will have long-term, lasting impacts on society.
No, It's Not Profiting at Others' Expense
If this investing style sounds like trying to profit from others' misery, rest assured, it's not. Sure, you could look at the global obesity epidemic and cynically buy stock in Coca-Cola (KO) and McDonald's (MCD), hoping that the world will keep overindulging its way to your benefit.
But what about investing in the companies positioned to fight obesity? Or those which, at the very least, will be forced to deal with the unavoidable repercussions of an overweight population until the issue is remedied?
Bank of America Merrill Lynch (MER) is proposing just that.
Fighting Fat Around the World
In a new report titled "Globesity -- The Global Fight Against Obesity," Merrill Lynch proposes a basket of 50 stocks it sees making gains from the fight against global obesity. The report identifies specific segments of four key sectors for investors to watch:
- Pharmaceuticals and health care: companies taking on obesity-related medical conditions; companies that specialize in equipment for overweight patients, like bigger beds and wider ambulance doors.
- Food: companies trying to access the $663 billion health-and-wellness market.
- Commercial weight loss, diet management, and nutrition: companies trying to access this already $4 billion U.S. market and the growing global one.
- Sports apparel and equipment: companies in tune with the belief that governments and the general public will become increasingly aware that exercise is of paramount importance in taking weight off and keeping it off, and as such will do well selling the necessary equipment.
A Clear Strategy for a Foggy Financial World
Intrigued by the idea of megatrend investing? You should be. It offers one of the closest things to a clearly defined investing path as you're likely to find in this post-crash, slow-growth financial world.
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It doesn't take an expert to see that the four trends listed above are already in motion -- and catching the eyes of investors. "Obesity may be the most pressing health challenge facing the world today and efforts to tackle it will shape thinking by policy makers and in boardrooms around the world," says Sarbjit Nahal, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch Global Research and one of the researchers behind the globesity report.
But before you go charging off to contact Merrill Lynch or find obesity-fighting investments of your own, take careful note of the rest of Nahal's quote: "Global obesity is a megainvestment theme for the next 25 years and beyond."
That's right, 25 years and beyond. They don't call them megatrends for nothing.
Buying for the Really Long Term
Global obesity, climate change, energy issues, and the like are long-term problems. They are almost certain to play out, but your investing strategy has to be long term: buy-and-hold taken to the nth degree.
Buy-and-hold is still the classic way to invest in the stock market. It's what made Warren Buffet rich, and it's what The Motley Fool preaches as well.
That said, you can't just buy shares blindly in a trend-related company and then go fishing. Anyone remember Nutrisystem (NTRI)? Back in 2005, it became one of the hottest stocks around -- a company on a mission to help people everywhere tame their weight. At its peaks, Nutrisystem was going for more than $70 a share. Today? $10.95. So no matter what kind of investing strategy you follow, always stay alert.
You just have to remember that, over the long term, even companies surfing on the waves of megatrends are going to come and go. But keep a sharp eye on your investments, and those trends may reap you mega rewards.
John Grgurich is a regular contributor to The Motley Fool, and owns no shares in any of the companies mentioned in this article. The Motley Fool owns shares of Coca-Cola, McDonald's, and Bank of America. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of McDonald's and Coca-Cola.
Get info on stocks mentioned in this article:
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Source: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/07/25/megatrend-investing-globesity-stocks-to-buy-and-hold/
TR35 winner Stephanie Lacour on stretchable electronics
Stephanie Lacour, a research project manager at the University of Cambridge in England, wants to take flexible electronics to the next level, by making them stretchable. Technology Review caught up with Lacour at the Emerging Technology Conference to ask her about the field's potential. In this video clip, Lacour also notes that the impact of her research might not be limited to biology: advertisers could benefit, too.
Source: http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/VideoPosts.aspx?id=17425
One State, Two State, Red State, Blue State
Bill Moyers speaks with political analysts Merle and Earl Black, who've tracked the American electorate for years. They will discuss how American demographics - particularly votes from the Southern and the swing states, such as Ohio and Pennsylvania - will influence the campaign and the election.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/9WFL9gxeglQ/profile2.html
Romney threatens war-murder on Iran, repeats Obama/Bush ‘wipe off the map’ lie
The Telegraph’s 2-minute video shows Mr. Romney claiming Iran’s leaders would “wipe Israel off the map.” Mr. Romney’s senior national security advisor stated that Mr. Romney would “respect” Israel if they initiate armed attack on Iran for alleged “malevolent nuclear … Continue reading
Romney threatens war-murder on Iran, repeats Obama/Bush ‘wipe off the map’ lie was originally published on Washington's Blog
How Safe Are Your Muni Bonds? Not Very, Warns Warren Buffett
Filed under: Economy, Investing, Investment
Does the prospect of earning 0.1% on a bank savings account leave you ... unenthused? Do the 0.2% interest rates that the U.S. government is paying on two-year Treasuries stick in your craw? Maybe you're thinking it's smarter to buy a nice, safe 10-year municipal bond, paying 1.8%, and tax-free to boot?
Think again.
A couple of years ago, when testifying in Washington, D.C., about the state of the U.S. economy, billionaire super-investor Warren Buffett warned Congress of a looming "terrible problem" with U.S. municipal bonds.
Now, Buffett is back, and warning that the crisis is closer than ever.
A Little Bit of History
Time was, municipal bonds ranked among the safest investments you could make. Cities, counties and states that wanted to raise money for a public works project would sell bonds to local companies and taxpayers. When the bonds came due, they'd pay off like clockwork -- because no elected official wants to risk defaulting on his own constituents.
Beginning around the 1970s, though, things began to change. Recognizing that muni bonds were a safe investment that almost never defaulted, insurance companies began clamoring for the right to insure the things, charging small premiums and depositing them right in the bank, rarely worried that they might have to pay out.
Busted, Hamstrung ... and Insured
Today, with states and municipalities swimming in debt, the politics of bankruptcy have changed.
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No longer do states and municipalities have to worry so much about defaulting on voters when declaring bankruptcy. Today, they know that in the event of a default, far-away companies with names like Assured Guaranty (AGO) and Ambac Financial -- and yes, Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) (BRK.B) -- are contractually obligated to step in and foot the bill in the event of default.A 2010 report noted that some $2.8 trillion worth of muni bonds were insured against default by private companies.
Chances are, this knowledge is contributing to the recent rash of municipal bankruptcies in California, for example. Over the past month, first Stockton, then Mammoth Lakes, and finally San Bernardino have all filed for bankruptcy protection.
Whatever the motivation for these cities violating the bankruptcy taboo, Buffett believes that they've started the ball rolling in what could soon become a national trend.
The trend may not get as bad as Meredith Whitney's famous 2010 prediction of "hundreds of billions" of dollars in defaults, granted. But the way Buffett sees it, every time you hear about "very sizable cities like Stockton or San Bernardino" declaring themselves insolvent, the "stigma" of other cities admitting they screwed up and can't pay their bills gets a little bit smaller. "The very fact they [file] makes it more likely" that other cities will follow suit, Buffett says.
What's It Mean to You?
Now here's where we get to the good news/bad news portion of the column.
The good news is that if muni bond insurers prove up to the task of paying what they owe on these bankrupt cities' bonds, people like you and me who bought the bonds should be able to rest easy.
The bad news, obviously, is that insurers' ability to pay isn't exactly certain. Insurer MBIA (MBI), for example, has only $3.6 billion in the bank, which won't make much of a dent if $2.8 trillion worth of muni bonds start to go bad. Also, MBIA has $13 billion in debt of its own. Assured Guaranty is in a little bit better shape, but Ambac has already filed for bankruptcy itself.
What does all of this mean for investors who've put their faith in "safe, tax-free" muni bonds? One thing's for certain: It's not good. If more munis start defaulting, and their "muni bond insurance" policies turn out to be worth less than the paper they're printed on, it's taxpayers who will be left holding the bag. A bag that when peered into, will be found depressingly empty of money.
Motley Fool contributor Rich Smith holds no position in any company mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of Berkshire Hathaway and Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of Berkshire Hathaway.
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Source: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/07/19/warren-buffett-muni-bond-default-crisis-warning/
Plug-In Electric Station
We American are at present living with the prospect of paying more than $5 a Gallon for gas. It has turned our mode of life upside down.
We at house housedna.com are working to bring to life, the old joy of driving, by paying 40 cents a gallon of gas. It will be a pleasure going [...]
We at house housedna.com are working to bring to life, the old joy of driving, by paying 40 cents a gallon of gas. It will be a pleasure going [...]
Source: http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/press/plug-in-electric-station/
MF Global and the Risks Looming in the Repo Market
MF Global's crippling bets were only possible because the brokerage firm was able to borrow voraciously in a debt market that also played a big role in the collapses of Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns.
Mr.CBB’s Weekly Blog Post Picks July 27,2012
It’s Friday, time for Weekly Blog Post picks and that also means another week has come and gone for us. As the month draws to a close reflecting on the past days has made me realize how busy we get this time of year. July has been filled with lots of working days, mainly in [...]
Source: http://canadianbudgetbinder.com/2012/07/27/mr-cbbs-weekly-blog-post-picks-july-272012/
Simon Johnson and James Kwak, Part II
How did Big Finance grow so powerful that its hijinks nearly brought down the global economy – and what hope is there for real reform with Washington politicians on Wall Street's payroll? Bill Moyers talks with authors Simon Johnson and James Kwak, two of the nation's most respected economic experts and authors of the new book 13 BANKERS: THE WALL STREET TAKEOVER AND THE NEXT FINANCIAL MELTDOWN. Also, a Bill Moyers essay on the true costs of war.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/TLwxO15I8SE/watch2.html
Debt crisis: live
Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel and French president Francois Hollande back ECB President Mario Draghi's pledge to preserve the eurozone after Bundesbank opposes bond buying by the central bank.
Monday, July 30, 2012
JPMorgan AGM punctured by thorny hedge issues
The ability of JPMorgan’s “hedge” to generate such large levels of loss supposedly not offset by some equivalent exposure has raised the question of whether such a position would have been permitted under the Volcker rule.
The maxed out CPP/EI “raise” is here!!!
There’s few things quite as exciting as seeing an automatic payroll deposit in your account that’s higher than you expected. I haven’t been on a traditional payroll for a few years so had forgotten how awesome it is to get a ~ 7% raise mid-year.
If you’re wondering when you’ll reach the the max annual employee [...]
If you’re wondering when you’ll reach the the max annual employee [...]
Source: http://singlemomrichmom.com/the-maxed-out-cppei-raise-is-here/
Director Oliver Stone, Part I
Veteran Oliver Stone came back from Vietnam a changed man. Now, with four films on the Vietnam War under his belt –Platoon (1986), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Heaven & Earth (1993), and Pinkville (2007) – Oliver Stone talks with Bill Moyers about how his experiences of war has affected his life, his work and his vision of the world today. Also on the program, Bill Moyers comments on President Obama's decision to escalate troops in Afghanistan.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/NAsJdMJJdXQ/profile.html
Deepening the American Dream
Bill Moyers introduces "Deepening the American Dream," a Web-only project at www.pbs.org/moyers that features essays and videos of some of Moyers' notable guests laying out their vision for the future of the American dream.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/d-lNS7ZjEhI/index.html
jpmorgan: Obama just lost Ohio and Pennsylvania http://t.co/XJE2pKK6
jpmorgan: Obama just lost Ohio and Pennsylvania http://t.co/XJE2pKK6
Source: http://twitter.com/jpmorgan/statuses/205046601461407745
Foreign Policy and a New President
What will President-elect Obama's promises of change mean for the Middle East? JOURNAL guest host Deborah Amos sits down with Elizabeth Rubin, the Edward R. Murrow press fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and Slate magazine columnist Fred Kaplan.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bmjvodcast/~3/OeEM2xX8IRo/profile.html
Autodesk 3D CAD modeling app for Mac leverages Mountain Lion features
Autodesk last week released to the Apple App Store the Mac version of its Inventor Fusion 3D CAD modeling application. For free! Offered alongside the release of OS X Mountain Lion, the software offers direct manipulation capabilities and aims for great ease of use, the company said.
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