Tidbits for Thursday

My meaning here is expressed in French as le détail la plus croustillant (the crunchiest details), not les potins (gossip) or la friandise (candy). When translating to another languge, one must think and not just grab the first word from the dictionary.

Hillary seems to be the iron fist for this administration, while Obama is the velvet glove. She hits the bad guys (read Iran, Taliban, etc.) in the mouth, while Obama bends over (read Castro, Chavez, etc.). I wonder if this is a coordinated effort or disarray ?

Apple reports good numbers - iPhone sales strong. I'd re-buy a pullback to 100 area for a trade, but otherwise will just stick with Mrs. B's position in Sky Fund and let it ride. I figure Apple eventually gets 25% of the PC market for its Macs, viz. every PC not tied to a work/job. In other Words, AAPL goes to 500 eventually (maybe five years).

China consumers are spending and buying. Makes sense. If you were slaving in a dusty village five years ago, how bad can this slowdown look ? American whiners live better than their parents did after World War II, yet gripe & moan how tough it is. Take a look at the old photos of houses built after World War II compared to today's. Or the kitchens, then, when most women actually could and DID cook. Today many grip while eating prepared foods or takeout.

Basic foods are so good and so cheap, IFF one is willing to prepare them.

Ken the Cad says Hank and Ben "made" him hide the looting and losses at Merrill Lynch from his shareholders. What a greasy swine ! This guy should be instantly fired.

Prices plunge in the Hamptons, says Blabberg. Aw, shucks.

Markets

I am doing nothing. Underinvested beefers are buying quickly on dips. My analogy is that the market is behaving like a balloon being pushed under water (by bears). When the pressure is released, it pops back up and out to higher levels.

I have new skim to deploy, but will wait. I have plenty invested already if the market rips to S&P 900 or 1000 ... which could happen.

Word of the Day (two for today)

"Homeopathic" - adjective [$10]
Homeopathic means of a diluted or insipid nature.

"Insipid" - adjective [$10]
Insipid means 1. lacking taste or savor: tasteless; 2. lacking in qualities that interest, stimulate or challenge: dull, flat. ALTERNATIVE: 1. lacking vigor or interest; 2. lacking flavor, tasteless.
Sentence: Timmy's "stress tests" will likely be seen to be homeopathic, worthless frauds. Why he is doing this static analysis in the dynamic situation is beyond comprehension. Reserves are made to be USED in stress, not saved. That's what J. P. Morgan ordered banks to do in 1907.

Le Mot du Jour

"Onde" - noun, feminine.
Onde means wave (generally and in physics). Ondes radioelectriques = radio waves; Ondes courts = short waves.
La Phrase: Les marchés des valeurs subissent les ondes de la vente et de l'achat.
Sentence: The securites markets are subject to waves of selling and buying.