The Money Runner
Don’t Jump – GDP Shocker
By David Nelson For the last several days leading into Tuesday’s final GDP reading economists were rapidly cutting their estimates in anticipation of a downward revision. Well it looks like they weren’t even close. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the first quarter was revised down to -2.9%. We came into the year looking for 3% […]
Did Wall Street Kill Lulu?
By David Nelson, CFA In the last few days investors and the media have been focused on the problems at Lululemon Athletica (LULU) and their controversial founder Dennis “Chip” Wilson On the surface the issue is Chip’s attempt to gain seats on the board. He still has a 27% stake in the company. The press, […]
Iraq Crisis – The Tipping Point
By David Nelson, CFA Last week most investors were blind-sided by the frightening events coming out of Iraq, an area of the world most Americans would like to forget. A wave of talking heads including yours truly took to the airwaves, some focused on the politics and others like myself looking to sort out the […]
Climbing the Wall of Worry – Alpha Select Update May 2014
By David Nelson, CFA Sometimes it all comes together and the stars are aligned for a good month. Alpha Select was up +4.4% and up +7.32% YTD. Perhaps more surprising was coming through the month with only 2 trades. This is certainly out of the norm especially during an earnings season where some companies are […]
The Search for I-95 North
By David Nelson, CFA Markets have done their best to frustrate both Bulls and Bears in 2014. We’re halfway through the second quarter and investors are still trying to find the on-ramp to I-95 North. Detours, road blocks and a series of confusing road signs have forced many to jump from one sector to the […]
AT&T / Direct TV Deal – Buyer Beware
By David Nelson, CFA In a deal rumored for weeks AT&T (T) is buying Direct TV (DTV) for $49 Billion or about $95 per share in cash and stock. Both boards have approved the deal and now begin the long regulatory process that follows. All of this comes on the heels of Comcast’s (CMCSA) bid […]
Geithner’s Stress Test – My Reflections on Financial Crisis
By David Nelson, CFA Former Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner’s book “Stress Test” comes out this week. Naturally the media will zero in on Mr. Geithner’s time in public service, along with his version of the events that led up to the financial crisis and the aftermath that followed. Let me say at the outset I […]
Buffett – Talks the Talk, Can He Walk the Walk
By David Nelson, CFA Every year around this time Warren Buffet takes the stage at what has become the Wall Street equivalent to a Grateful Dead Concert. Fans and true believers flood into Omaha to see the Oracle himself. Only this year, there was a dark cloud hovering over the event. In a shot heard […]
