12/2 The Wikinvest Daily Angle

Please add updates@feedmyinbox.com to your address book to make sure you receive these messages in the future. The Wikinvest Daily Angle - Market Insight and Commentary from Wikinvest.com Watching the Dollar: No More Chicken Little December 1, 2009 at 2:01 am Today's Daily Angle comes from Wikinvest Wire member Contrarian Profits. You can read the full article on the Contrarian Profits Blog. Flash Player 9 or higher is required to view the chart Click here to download Flash Player now View the full FOREX:EURUSD chart at Wikinvest Is the drop in the dollar worth watching? Just like the sun will eventually shine its last ray of light, the mighty dollar will someday buy its last barrel of oil or its final container of Chinese imports. We all know it is going to happen, so why bother discussing it. Right? There is no doubt the world's currency of choice has more pressure stacked against it than ever before. But even with $12 trillion in debt and nearly a trillion of annual interest payments due within the next decade, the greenback is still stronger than it was just sixteen months ago. While so many of us are betting against the dollar and calling for its demise, plenty more investors are using it as a security net, buying American treasuries to protect themselves in case the bottom really falls out. With the sun someday going to fade, I could sit in my basement and wait for the big day to come, or I could live my life without worry. It's the same thing with the dollar. We could bet against the greenback and profit as it drops, or we could forget about the minimal return potential and keep our eyes looking forward, where the real money is at. No more Chicken Little Here's the scoop. The dollar is likely to fade, at most, six percent below today's value against the Euro. That's major erosion for such a massively distributed currency, but six percent over a few years doesn't stack up to a hill of beans in the grand scheme of things. I can list a couple of dozen stocks that are up by twice that figure today alone. No doubt, you should pay attention to the dollar, as a six-percent decay in the value of the world's most important currency will change all sorts of valuations. But don't invest in the cause, invest in the effect. The devaluing of the dollar is no surprise. Even a fifth grader can see what's ahead over the next decade. That's why there is so little investment potential directly in the currency. Yet, our stubbornness and human greed will not let our eyes focus on anything but taking advantage of the move. Let that stuff up to the emotional investors. While they are focusing on gold and the dollar, investments that will provide double-digit returns at best over the next few years, rational investors need to focus on the many other powerful market forces are at work. The domestic equities market is a wonderful place to be right now, especially if the dollar is collapsing as fast as we believe it to be. First, anybody exporting goods will see strong top-line growth as the dollar drops. A six percent fall from our currency equals an automatic six percent surge in revenue growth, without the need for any company to do a thing. Next, if you are a follower of the green-energy craze, you had better be hoping for a weak dollar. The only thing that will ever wean this country from its dangerous addiction to oil is if crude becomes too expensive relative to our alternatives. With a dollar that is still in demand across the world, dollar-denominated currencies like crude remain fairly inexpensive. But as Uncle Sam's reserves dwindle in value, crude prices will move inversely. That is good news for all you folks that took Obama's advice and invested in the "green" sector. Finally, the markets run on a risk/reward relationship. The higher the risk, the higher the reward. The lower the risk, the lower the reward. Simple stuff. If we all know the dollar should weaken, where's the reward potential? But don't even begin to think there is no risk in the play. With Washington in charge, especially the current group of legislators, anything is bound to happen. And now that Obama has is political eye set on "saving the dollar," the road that lies ahead could be very foggy. My advice? Watch the dollar. Take note of its moves. But invest in anything but the currency. There is better return potential, with much less risk, elsewhere.   This email was sent to gatdemit001@gmail.com.  Create Your Account Don't want to receive this feed any longer? Unsubscribe here.

12/2 DailyFinance

Please add updates@feedmyinbox.com to your address book to make sure you receive these messages in the future. DailyFinance 'I'll follow the sun': Sopogy's version of Google Maps to maximize sun's energy December 1, 2009 at 8:30 pm Filed under: Energy, Technology, Green When Sopogy CEO Darren Kimura told me about his new portable power unit called SopoLite, I was intrigued. This 90-pound invention is a pint-sized version of the parabolic trough reflectors that Sopogy uses to collect solar thermal energy. From what I can tell, this is among the first instances of concentrated solar thermal power used as a portable power solution. Kimura, a cleantech exec I've known for a while, also told me the product could be used to desalinate water in disaster zones. But the unit's most interesting facet is its original purpose -- collecting data on the solar power potential of wherever its located. Kimura plans to park these puppies all over the country and build out a map of the potential availability of thermal solar energy, or the energy derived from the sun's heat. Such a map will make it much easier to determine the true thermal solar power potential of any given location without having to deploy sensors and testing gear. Continue reading 'I'll follow the sun': Sopogy's version of Google Maps to maximize sun's energy 'I'll follow the sun': Sopogy's version of Google Maps to maximize sun's energy originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Guru Insight: Investors beware, Japan could be a value trap December 1, 2009 at 7:30 pm Filed under: Economy, ETFs Global investors, beware: Japan could be a classic value trap. Japan's central bank took an aggressive stance against deflation on Tuesday, announcing it will inject $115.7 billion into the economy. So far, the move has not been dramatic enough to bolster the market significantly or impress economists. Japan's Nikkei index was up 3.4% at the close of the day. While the move comes on the heels of good news, investors seeing an opportunity to profit should be wary. Yes, Japan has posted two straight quarters of economic growth. In its third quarter, gross domestic product grew at an annualized rate of 4.8% due to strong demand for Japanese products. When you combine the country's recent growth with its anti-deflationary measures, you would think you have a recipe for a rebounding economy -- and profits for investors. Continue reading Guru Insight: Investors beware, Japan could be a value trap Guru Insight: Investors beware, Japan could be a value trap originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Automakers report mixed sales results, with GM, Honda, Chrysler slipping December 1, 2009 at 6:00 pm Filed under: Company News, Economy, Honda Motor Co., Ford Motor Co., Toyota, General Motors November is a notoriously weak month for auto sales. So it's perhaps a bit surprising that several carmakers reported either increased or steady sales last month, despite concerns among analysts and others that last summer's "cash for clunkers" program would merely rob sales from the months to come. But Toyota Motor (TM), whose Corolla model topped sales charts during a nearly month-long rebate program, reported a surprise 2.6% sales rise last month compared to a year ago, while Nissan also beat expectations with a 20.6% jump. Hyundai Motor reported a 46% increase, and its fellow Korean brand, Kia Motor, reported a 18.3% boost. Sales were less sanguine at Ford Motor (F), which reported flat sales in November, while those at General Motors slipped 1.8%. Chrysler Group said sales tanked 25%. Continue reading Automakers report mixed sales results, with GM, Honda, Chrysler slipping Automakers report mixed sales results, with GM, Honda, Chrysler slipping originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Even after a huge rally, Apple shares still look ripe for picking December 1, 2009 at 5:40 pm Filed under: Apple, Stock Picks When it comes to Apple (AAPL) it's pretty hard to make a bear case based on fundamentals. Sure, the company could be better positioned in the relatively faster growing international markets, there's the question of CEO Steve Jobs's health and it might be hard for the company to continue to top its own high standards. But that's about it. Rather, the case against Apple usually comes down to valuation. It's no secret it's been a pretty great stock; it's just too easy to buy Apple when it's too expensive. Happily, even after rallying 120% this year to $198 a share, Apple's stock still looks attractive even at that lofty level. Continue reading Even after a huge rally, Apple shares still look ripe for picking Even after a huge rally, Apple shares still look ripe for picking originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Media-mogul smackdown! Arianna vs. Rupert December 1, 2009 at 5:20 pm Filed under: People, Media, News Corp. It's not quite The New York Times (NYT), but Rupert Murdoch could soon get control of another liberal journalistic institution -- unless he's all talk. At a Federal Trade Commission conference on the future of journalism Tuesday, Arianna Huffington (pictured) vowed to hand over her share of the Huffington Post if a possible deal between News Corp. (NWS) and Microsoft (MSFT) that's been the subject of numerous recent reports ever comes to fruition. Continue reading Media-mogul smackdown! Arianna vs. Rupert Media-mogul smackdown! Arianna vs. Rupert originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments GM CEO Fritz Henderson resigns; interim CEO named December 1, 2009 at 5:00 pm Filed under: General Motors General Motors Chief Executive Fritz Henderson, the company's second CEO this year, has resigned and been replaced by interim CEO Ed Whitacre, a member of GM's board of directors. GM made the announcement at a hastily called press conference at its Detroit headquarters "to announce significant decisions reached today by the GM Board of Directors," the website of the Detroit Free Press newspaper reported. Freep.com also reported that Whitacre has been named chairman of GM. Continue reading GM CEO Fritz Henderson resigns; interim CEO named GM CEO Fritz Henderson resigns; interim CEO named originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments The Comcast-GE deal includes NBC local stations -- triggering regulatory scrutiny December 1, 2009 at 4:45 pm Filed under: Company News, Technology, Media, General Electric , Comcast Comcast will take control of NBC Universal's 10 owned-and-operated stations, triggering a federal investigation, according to a source with knowledge of the deal. On Tuesday, the source says, GE (GE), the bellwether American icon that produces everything from jet engines to lightbulbs, agreed to sell control of news and entertainment giant NBC Universal to Comcast (CMCSA), the largest cable-TV provider in the U.S. "This is for all of NBC, not part of it," the source tells DailyFinance. NBC Local Media comprises 10 NBC owned-and-operated TV stations reaching 27% of U.S. households, according to the company. The source cautions that delays could arise due to the deal's complexity, but the companies are aiming to announce the agreement Thursday morning. Continue reading The Comcast-GE deal includes NBC local stations -- triggering regulatory scrutiny The Comcast-GE deal includes NBC local stations -- triggering regulatory scrutiny originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Abbott's deal with Teva keeps generic TriCor off the market yet again December 1, 2009 at 4:40 pm Filed under: Company News, Healthcare The case of Abbott Laboratories' (ABT) cholesterol drug TriCor is quite interesting. The drug has been a blockbuster, and it has been under patent protection for decades. That's right, decades. Now, Abbott has managed to seal a deal with generic-drug maker Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries (TEVA) that would stave off generic competition for TriCor -- yet again -- until March 2011 at least. How did Abbott manage to keep TriCor under patent protection all these years? The story begins back in the 1960s, when the drug was discovered by the French company Fournier. It began selling the product in Europe in 1975, and Abbott licensed it in 1998. The drug's underlying patent had expired by that time, but Abbott, which earns more than $1 billion in annual sales from the drug, found a way to patent it again ... and again ... and again. Continue reading Abbott's deal with Teva keeps generic TriCor off the market yet again Abbott's deal with Teva keeps generic TriCor off the market yet again originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Vegas rolls the dice on CityCenter December 1, 2009 at 4:30 pm Filed under: Economy, Real Estate The CityCenter development is a lot like Las Vegas -- about as subtle as a bull in a China shop. At a cost of about $11 billion, the largest private development in the city's history features every amenity imaginable for anyone who wants to strike it rich in Sin City. Being rich already certainly wouldn't hurt, particularly if you want to live in any of CityCenter's 2,400 residences, some of which are reportedly selling for $1 million, though the Las Vegas Sun reports that some buyers are balking at the price and threatening to walk away. Continue reading Vegas rolls the dice on CityCenter Vegas rolls the dice on CityCenter originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments With stocks so lofty, it could be time to take profits December 1, 2009 at 4:20 pm Filed under: Economy, Investing, Earnings Given the stock market's sharp surge since March, investors might do well to consider taking some profits off the table. And days like Tuesday could provide an opportunity to sell into strength. Stocks are now getting richly valued. And delivering the earnings needed to keep the rally going may require strong economic growth ahead. Given the serious problems the economy still faces, however, that's a risky proposition. Continue reading With stocks so lofty, it could be time to take profits With stocks so lofty, it could be time to take profits originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Positive economic reports lead stocks to 126 point surge December 1, 2009 at 4:15 pm Filed under: Economy, Investing A stream of good news sent the Dow Jones Industrial average 126.74 points higher as investors welcomed a number of positive economic reports and were satisfied that the debt crisis in Dubai would be contained. The Dow Jones industrial average ($INDU) rose 1.23%, to 10,471.58. The Standard & Poor's 500 index ($INX) rose 13.23, or 1.21%, to 1,108.86, while the Nasdaq ($COMPX) composite index rose 31.21 or 1.46%, to 2,175.81. Continue reading Positive economic reports lead stocks to 126 point surge Positive economic reports lead stocks to 126 point surge originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Bandit Bourse? Somali pirates hijack oil tanker, organize 'stock market' December 1, 2009 at 3:30 pm Somali pirates have seized a U.S.-bound tanker carrying $20 million worth of crude oil and taken it to a pirate harbor along the barren desert coast of central Somalia in one of the most audacious pirate strikes ever, U.S. naval officials said. "She's a big ol' girl, almost a quarter million tons. They're not speedy, they sit low in the water ... so a determined pirate like this one can be successful," Rear Adm. Peter Hudson said in Kenya on Tuesday, according to the AP. Hudson said it was the second-largest ship ever hijacked by pirates. The tanker's 30-member crew was also kidnapped. The stunning seaborne heist comes as Somali pirate gangs have set up a kind of stock exchange to fund their banditry, according to an extraordinary report from Reuters. Continue reading Bandit Bourse? Somali pirates hijack oil tanker, organize 'stock market' Bandit Bourse? Somali pirates hijack oil tanker, organize 'stock market' originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Goldman's call to arms: Bankers seeking gun permits ahead of bonus season December 1, 2009 at 2:30 pm Filed under: Goldman Sachs , American International Group, INC. Goldman Sachs Group (GS) is at the focal point of the American public's rage against Wall Street -- and probably for good reason. The firm's former chief executives have populated the highest echelons of American government, which has turned around and given Goldman -- and its partner in the current financial collapse American International Group (AIG) -- billions of dollars in taxpayer money. Now, as bonus season draws near, Bloomberg News reports that nervous Goldman Sachs partners are arming themselves. According to Bloomberg, some senior Goldman bankers are applying for gun permits ahead of the holidays for fear of the public's reaction once they start receiving their year-end rewards. Continue reading Goldman's call to arms: Bankers seeking gun permits ahead of bonus season Goldman's call to arms: Bankers seeking gun permits ahead of bonus season originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments The Doctor Is In: Where new screening guidelines for women go wrong December 1, 2009 at 2:00 pm Filed under: Columns, Healthcare I've been inundated by questions from patients and friends over the past few weeks regarding two recent recommendations concerning cancer screenings for women. The big worry that keeps coming up is "are we rationing women's health care?" That's because first, the U.S. Preventive Task Force on Nov. 16 recommended against routine mammography for women under 50 and called for regular screenings every other year instead of annually thereafter. The group also downplayed the usefulness of conducting regular breast self-exams. A few days later, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released new cervical cancer screening guidelines stating that women should begin having Pap tests at age 21, then every other year between 21 and 29. The previous recommendation had called for women to begin annual Pap tests a few years after their first sexual activity, or by 21, whichever comes first. Continue reading The Doctor Is In: Where new screening guidelines for women go wrong The Doctor Is In: Where new screening guidelines for women go wrong originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments A busy quarter for the repo man: Auto loan delinquency rates rise December 1, 2009 at 1:30 pm Filed under: Economy The ratio of U.S. auto loan borrowers who were 60 or more days past due on their payments increased in the third quarter over the second quarter from from 0.73% to 0.81%, according to Trans Union. The year-over-year delinquency rate at the national level increased by 1.25% in the third quarter. Mississippi (1.53%) and California (1.33%) were the hardest hit. The lowest auto loan delinquency rates were found in the District of Columbia (0.26%), North Dakota (0.35%) and South Dakota (0.37%). Average auto debt nationally continued to decrease slightly in the third quarter of 2009 from $12,560 to $12,542. Likewise, the year-over-year auto debt fell by 2.5%. Continue reading A busy quarter for the repo man: Auto loan delinquency rates rise A busy quarter for the repo man: Auto loan delinquency rates rise originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments CEO's Corner: Edward Jones' Jim Weddle offers post-recession advice December 1, 2009 at 1:00 pm Filed under: Columns, People, Investing Ranked as the No. 2 company to work for by Fortune magazine, St. Louis-based financial services firm Edward Jones, which has continued to expand during the economic downturn has no plans to slow growth anytime soon. In fact, with about 11,000 branches, serving more than 7 million individual investors primarily in the U.S., the privately held partnership is looking to grow nationwide. Managing partner Jim Weddle spoke to DailyFinance about the company's growth, how Edward Jones has managed to avoid layoffs since the 1960s, and who they're hiring. He also offers a few year-end tax tips and shares his outlook on the U.S. economy. Continue reading CEO's Corner: Edward Jones' Jim Weddle offers post-recession advice CEO's Corner: Edward Jones' Jim Weddle offers post-recession advice originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Murdoch to Washington: Stay out of the way, but please help December 1, 2009 at 12:30 pm Filed under: People, Media, News Corp. Rupert Murdoch is sending mixed signals. Under no circumstances does he think the federal government ought to step in and help float newspaper publishers through their current difficulties. But the key to the future solvency of news organizations lies, he suggests, in government hands. Confused yet? Murdoch spoke Tuesday morning at a conference in Washington, D.C., hosted by the Federal Trade Commission titled "How Will Journalism Survive the Internet Age?" The News Corp. (NWS) chairman reiterated his longstanding opposition to federal ownership of or subsidies for media companies. Continue reading Murdoch to Washington: Stay out of the way, but please help Murdoch to Washington: Stay out of the way, but please help originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments U.S. manufacturing grew for fourth month in a row in November December 1, 2009 at 12:15 pm Filed under: Economy The U.S. manufacturing sector notched another decent month as activity in the nation's factories continued to expand in November, though at a slower pace than in the previous month, the Institute for Supply Management announced Tuesday. The ISM said its manufacturing index fell to 53.6 in November from 55.7 in October, but the index remained in expansion territory for the fourth-straight month. Index numbers above 50 indicate an expansion; under 50, a contraction. Prior to the current four-month stretch above 50, the manufacturing index had been below 50 for about 2 years. The consensus of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News had been that the index would fall to 55.0 in November. Continue reading U.S. manufacturing grew for fourth month in a row in November U.S. manufacturing grew for fourth month in a row in November originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments October pending home sales rise, but construction spending goes flat December 1, 2009 at 11:45 am Filed under: Economy, Real Estate Just call it a mixed start to December, from a macroeconomic standpoint. First, the upside: Pending homes sales rose 3.7% in October -- the index's ninth straight monthly increase, the National Association of Realtors announced on Tuesday. However, construction spending was flat in the month, according to a report by the U.S. Commerce Department, also released on Tuesday, as an increase in residential housing spending was offset by a decline in public works. A Bloomberg News economists survey had expected construction spending to fall 0.4% in October. This measure also fell a revised 1.6% in September, which was worse than the previously announced 0.8% decline. Construction spending has declined for about a half-year. Continue reading October pending home sales rise, but construction spending goes flat October pending home sales rise, but construction spending goes flat originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Black Friday post-mortem: Sales didn't even beat the week before December 1, 2009 at 11:30 am Filed under: Economy The verdict is in: Black Friday wasn't that big a deal. But the good news for retailers is there's still plenty of holiday shopping to go. The International Council of Shopping Centers released its report on sales for the week of Thanksgiving and found the numbers slightly below those from the week before. So despite all the deals advertised for Black Friday, reports that shoppers weren't buying more turned out to be true. Continue reading Black Friday post-mortem: Sales didn't even beat the week before Black Friday post-mortem: Sales didn't even beat the week before originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Blockbuster finally hits back at kiosk firm Redbox with boxes of its own December 1, 2009 at 11:00 am Filed under: Company News, Blockbuster Blockbuster (BBI) has been bested in the online video rental business by NetFlix (NFLX) and in the online video-on-demand business by a number of other companies. The bricks-and-mortar video store firm's shares have fallen from over $10 five years ago to $0.63 as trading opened today. But it's finally making a move to challenge the threat posed by video kiosk company Redbox. Redbox operates over 17,000 film rental kiosks across the U.S. and rents most movies for $1 a day. Blockbuster has 7,100 stores around the world, but it has been cutting that number each quarter. Redbox isn't nearly as big as Blockbuster, but it is growing; third quarter revenue rose 90% to $198 million. Continue reading Blockbuster finally hits back at kiosk firm Redbox with boxes of its own Blockbuster finally hits back at kiosk firm Redbox with boxes of its own originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Sales of Celgene's multiple myeloma drug could triple if use broadens December 1, 2009 at 10:30 am Filed under: Company News, Healthcare, Johnson & Johnson There must be holiday cheer in the executive suite at biotech Celgene (CELG), where the stock is up 15% over last year. The Summit, N.J.-based company's cancer pill Revlimid generated $1.3 billion in sales last year. And it did so as a backup therapy for patients with the blood cancer multiple myeloma who don't respond to other options. Now, the drug could see its sales triple after the company releases new data next week suggesting Revlimid could emerge as a first-time treatment for myeloma, Bloomberg reports, in a development that could push aside Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ) drug Velcade. Bloomberg reports that preliminary information from a study of Revlimid as a first-line treatment indicates the drug might help patients live longer. The research also shows that Revlimid bested Velcade's results in a similar trial, the news agency says. Cancer experts say that if the results are in Revlimid's favor, it could "change the standard of care." Continue reading Sales of Celgene's multiple myeloma drug could triple if use broadens Sales of Celgene's multiple myeloma drug could triple if use broadens originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments The FHA wants a bigger stick for keeping mortgage lenders in line December 1, 2009 at 10:00 am Filed under: Economy, Real Estate Now that the Federal Housing Administration's cash reserves are below the legally required 2% of loans outstanding, the FHA has proposed new regulations to increase the net worth requirements of FHA-approved lenders and strengthen lender criteria. The agency will also make lenders liable for the practices of their correspondent mortgage brokers. That's a relief for taxpayers because the FHA could become a financial black hole without improved risk management. In a related case, the FHA withdrew its approval of Ideal Mortgage Brokers, doing business as Lend America and Lending Key, and is seeking $512,000 in civil penalties related to its lending practices. Continue reading The FHA wants a bigger stick for keeping mortgage lenders in line The FHA wants a bigger stick for keeping mortgage lenders in line originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments As GE prepares to dump NBC, is what remains the right bet? December 1, 2009 at 9:50 am Filed under: General Electric , Comcast In July 2007, I joined a group of journalists at the General Electric (GE) offices in Rockefeller Center to ask CFO Keith Sherin some questions. At the end of the meeting, a few executives took me aside and asked me what I thought GE should do to boost the company's perception among investors. I told them they ought to prune the portfolio and focus on growing industries where GE had a competitive advantage. GE is certainly taking steps to prune the portfolio. Of course, investors have been pushing GE to dump NBC and lighten up on financial services for years. Unfortunately, GE is not getting top dollar for NBC, since its ratings have fallen off dramatically since the 1990s when it enjoyed top ranking thanks to Seinfeld and Friends. I estimated in 2007 that NBC was worth between $40 billion and $45 billion. Based on the $5.8 billion GE will pay for Vivendi's 20% stake, NBC Universal is now worth about $29 billion. Continue reading As GE prepares to dump NBC, is what remains the right bet? As GE prepares to dump NBC, is what remains the right bet? originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Nintendo sees Wii sales plunge as holiday season begins December 1, 2009 at 9:30 am Filed under: Company News, Microsoft, Sony Video game console leader Nintendo says that U.S. sales of its Wii gaming system dropped 30% year-over-year to 550,000 for the week ending Nov. 28, according to numbers reported by Bloomberg. Nintendo cut the price of the Wii by $50 to $200 recently, while Microsoft (MSFT) dropped the price of its Xbox 360, and Sony (SNE) chopped the price of its PlayStation 3 console. Recent industry data shows that Xbox 360 sales and Sony PS3 sales have probably benefited from the price cuts. Nintendo may have a problem that is not easy to address: The Wii may be reaching a point of market saturation. It's aimed toward the casual gamer, while the Xbox 360 and PS3 are marketed to more sophisticated players. Nintendo has tried to offer new game programs to increase sales, such as its Wii Fit, which is aimed at the exercise market. That initiative does not appears to have pushed sales up much. Continue reading Nintendo sees Wii sales plunge as holiday season begins Nintendo sees Wii sales plunge as holiday season begins originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Stocks in the news: General Electric, AIG, Staples, Guess December 1, 2009 at 9:00 am Filed under: Company News, Investing General Electric (GE) is close to clearing a major hurdle in its path to sell control of entertainment giant NBC Universal to Comcast (CMCSA). GE has reached a tentative deal to buy Vivendi SA's 20% stake in NBC Universal for $5.8 billion. GE shares were 1.4% higher and Comcast's 2.3% higher in pre-market trading. American International Inc. (AIG) on Tuesday slashed the amount of money it owes the government by $25 billion as it moved American International Assurance Co. and American Life Insurance Co. into special holding units ahead of their planned spinoff or sale. The government received preferred shares in the two worth $25 billion. Shares jumped about 5.8% ahead of the bell. Continue reading Stocks in the news: General Electric, AIG, Staples, Guess Stocks in the news: General Electric, AIG, Staples, Guess originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Daily Blogwatch: Gold, silver, swine flu, Goldman Sachs (again), Buffett, and more December 1, 2009 at 8:30 am Filed under: Company News, Columns, Economy I can't take it anymore. Why all this hate towards Goldman Sachs (GS) when there are other candidates for your anger? _____________ More details on why super investor John Paulson is making such a big bet on gold. _____________ Here is the definitive guide to the silver ETF. _____________ Continue reading Daily Blogwatch: Gold, silver, swine flu, Goldman Sachs (again), Buffett, and more Daily Blogwatch: Gold, silver, swine flu, Goldman Sachs (again), Buffett, and more originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Stocks set for a higher open ahead of manufacturing data December 1, 2009 at 8:00 am Filed under: Economy, Investing U.S. stocks are poised to open higher Tuesday morning as concerns over the Dubai debt problems waned. Gold rebounded, reaching yet another high near $1,200 an ounce. World markets also bounced back with a strong rally. In the U.S., investors await several indicators, including manufacturing, housing and auto sales. They also considered news about the GE-Comcast deal for NBC Universal. More here: Before the bell: Futures higher as Dubia concerns fade, gold hits record Stocks set for a higher open ahead of manufacturing data originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Will higher interest payments cost the U.S. its empire? December 1, 2009 at 7:30 am Filed under: Economy Newsweek's current cover story puts forth a provocative thesis for those who own gold. It suggests the U.S. might have to raise interest rates dramatically to attract investors to its government bonds, which would make gold less attractive. And given the huge rise in U.S. indebtedness that began in 2001, such a boost in interest rates would squeeze so much cash from the U.S. Treasury that we wouldn't have enough money to pay for our military -- thus marking the end of our global empire. The author of this piece, Niall Ferguson, is a Harvard professor -- but not all Harvard professors are right, to say the least. Witness former Harvard president Larry Summers, who The Boston Globe blames for a $1.8 billion plunge in Harvard's endowment. Continue reading Will higher interest payments cost the U.S. its empire? Will higher interest payments cost the U.S. its empire? originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Asian airline stocks take flight, mining and building stocks soar December 1, 2009 at 7:00 am Filed under: Economy, Investing Shares in Asia climbed higher Tuesday. In Hong Kong the Hang Seng Index gained 1.3% to close at 22,113 and in China the Shanghai Composite Index rose1.3% to 3,235. In Japan, the Nikkei Index gained 2.4%, ending the day at 9,572. In Hong Kong the airline sector surged. Air China (AIRYY) soared 9.8% having purchased a large stake in Cathay Pacific Airways and now hinting at a takeover of Shenzhen Airlines. China Southern Airlines (ZNH) also surged, adding 7.3% on the news that Goldman Sachs raised its estimate of the airline's share price. Cathay Pacific (CPCAY) rose 3.2% in today's trading. Meanwhile, China Eastern Airlines (CEA) climbed 5.9% after gaining approal to takeover Shanghai Airlines. Continue reading Asian airline stocks take flight, mining and building stocks soar Asian airline stocks take flight, mining and building stocks soar originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. 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