InvestorGeeks

What is the inflation rate really?

by Jason

The PPI report came out today. While we are doing better than Zimbabwe, things are still a little scary.

I was having dinner with Chris last weekend, and I expressed concern over US inflation. He asked me what the numbers were, and I didn’t have them handy. Here are the numbers from a MarketWatch article on the January 2008 PPI report.

First, the most concerning number of all:

Year over year, the PPI is up 7.4% — the fastest pace since 1981. Also on an annualized basis, the core PPI is up 2.3%.

And here are some more details found at the end of the article: (after the jump)

An Example Of Why You Have to be Careful With Commodities

by Christian

At the FT.com there is an article with insight that says: Commodity bull run has a long way to go.

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Zimbabwean Inflation. New Site.

by Jason

That clever dude Ugly is at it again. With the Zimbabwean dollar reaching a record exchange rate of around $20 Million Zimbabwe Dollars per $1 US Dollar, Ugly has decided to repurpose a web classic by launching the Million Zimbabwean Dollar Homepage. I used it to launch an ad for my newly created MoneyShui.

The Mathematics of Averaging Down

by Christian

Do you know how to average down? Ever given averaging down some serious thought? Cramer says that you should average down in 4 buys. Is that right? How about 10 times? What about twice? Which is better? I hate when people say, oh 4 times is a good number because somebody said it was. So let’s explore the dynamics behind averaging down and how purchase count affects the overall share price.

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I Don’t Buy The Commodity Rally

by Christian

Yes I know prices for commodities are up, and yes there is growing demand. Yes the bakers are going to demand things from their government. But in the face of all this I don’t buy the commodity rally. Here’s why.

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Woo Hoo I am a Bull in Bear’s Clothing

by Christian

Yes folks you read that right I have become a bull, but in bear’s clothing mind you. On May 18, I became a Bear in Bull’s Clothing. On July 13, 2007 I said that the market had reached its high water mark. And on December 3, 2007 I became a bear. I am very optimistic, even though I should not be. I am looking at my portfolio and right now I am staring at 0.35% returns since the beginning of this year. Until the beginning of this week my returns were around 6.8%. This week I was completely walloped. But I am completely optimistic, because after seeing this week I feel like singing Pat Benetar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot!”

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Eating Crow With GPS

by Christian

I like GPS, even wrote a block entry about it. So the question is why did the share value drop faster than gravity on Jupiter? Answer is that it baffles even the CEO of the TomTom.

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According to Jim Cramer Tech Has Lost It

by Christian

You need to listen to the following video, and listen to the following words: Tech is Poison, and Short Nokia, and Short Garmin. GPS business is done.

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Is Credit Suisse is the Canary in the Mine?

by Christian

Disclosure: I hold positions in Credit Suisse, and am extremely bullish.

I like Credit Suisse because unlike its competitors they have stayed away from much of the sub-prime crisis. Though I am worried about what Credit Suisse has just announced.

Credit Suisse has written $2.85 billion off the value of its asset-backed investments and found mismarking and pricing errors on its books, it revealed on Tuesday, sending its shares plummeting.

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Is Value Investing for Chumps or Wussies?

by Christian

Tim Sykes has this habit of making fun of value investors (2).

So, value investors, listen up; you’re all a bunch of little sissy girls! You’ve become spoiled with the assets you manage, your mainstream credibility and the money you earn. I respect your strategy, but understand this:

I’m comin’ for you

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