MSFT is being punished again today....for no real reason. BUT....their earnings are going to happen soon.....and hopefully great results will stop the recent disrespect that I am seeing for this company and stock. And.....BONUS....as I have been reading and typing I see that the SP500 is now in the green. NOW.....lets work on pushing the NASDAQ to follow along into the green by the close today. It will take some tech stock...."reality"....to get the NASDAQ there.
A personal note.....my son and his spouse...just become small busines owners. He works for a major insurance company as a Senior Director......she is a financial advisor. They just purchased the company that she works for.......financing $3MILLION to do the purchase. Her boss wanted to sell and retire....and was willing to personally do the financing of the sale..... and she has been the Managing Director of the company, and primary rain-maker...... for some time now....so it worked out very nicely. I rarely ever talk investing with them....since she is in the business and when you are off work the last thing you want to talk about is.....work. But....as an advisor their company emphasizes the long term and operates as a FIDUCIARY......with their clients. They require a minimum of $500,000 to $1,000,000...to take on a client. I expect that the business will continue to do well and will take off from here. Their goal......to grow the....."value of the business"..... to $10MILLION to $15MILLION over the next ten years.
I watched that "Hired Gun"....TireSmoke. Pretty good documentary.......and accurate in general......although different types of music (mostly metal and pop)....than what I do. I just this morning got an email about a new music project......inviting me to rehearse. So....I will be starting out next week with them. I know the guitar/front-man, and bass player that are involved....but have never played in a band with either of them....although we have played together in various jams and little events in the past. I think it has good potential.....and...that is what I look for in any music project....long term potential. At least it will be something new.
A salute to the Mutual Fund....and I will also add....ETF's. probably the most common investment vehicle in the USA. The Next Century Depends On Mutual Funds https://www.realclearmarkets.com/ar..._century_depends_on_mutual_funds_1086496.html (BOLD is my opinion OR what I consider important content) "While 2024 was a year of notable events, it also marks a significant milestone in the financial world: the 100th anniversary of the mutual fund. Mutual funds were born in 1924 with the Massachusetts Investors’ Trust, a groundbreaking effort to bring the benefits of investing to ordinary Americans. Fast forward a century, and mutual funds have transformed the financial landscape, becoming a cornerstone of savings and investment for roughly 120 million Americans. Congress has the unique opportunity to strengthen mutual funds further, ensuring a secure retirement is within reach for every American. Even in the past year, mutual funds have shown their enduring appeal, with 2.3 million Americans opening new accounts. What was once the exclusive privilege of the wealthy – roughly 4 million Americans owned stock in 1900 – is now widely available. Thanks to low expense ratios and access to modern technology, mutual funds have never been more approachable for first-time investors and those looking to save for retirement. Nowhere is the impact of mutual funds more profound than in retirement savings. A staggering 87% of mutual fund investors cite retirement as their primary savings goal through their 401(k)s, highlighting the critical role these funds play in helping Americans secure their futures. Our 401(k) retirement system is working on overtime. Retirement assets per household are more than seven times what they were 50 years ago. From 2013 to 2022, retirement assets increased by $4.4 trillion or 13.3%, peaking at $44.3 trillion in 2021. By pooling resources and offering diversified investment opportunities, mutual funds enable millions to build the financial stability they need for a comfortable and dignified retirement. For millions of middle-class households, they’re an essential part of pursuing the American Dream. It’s no wonder the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s (EBRI) annual Retirement Confidence Survey found Americans in 2021 have near-record-high confidence in having enough money to live comfortably through retirement. In recent years, the mutual fund industry has also cultivated a diverse marketplace of investors. Around 40% of households who purchased their first mutual funds in the last five years are people of color – more than double the percentage from prior decades. Younger generations, too, are entering the fold, with 35% of Gen Z households now holding mutual funds. This diversity underscores how mutual funds have broadened financial inclusion, empowering individuals from all walks of life. Beyond individual households, mutual funds are also a driving force behind America’s economic success. They provide the capital that fuels business expansion, job creation, and innovation, turning entrepreneurial dreams into reality. They’re responsible for injecting over $30 trillion into financial markets, playing a pivotal role in making the last century one of unparalleled economic dynamism. This financial vitality extends to new investment products like exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and collective investment trusts (CITs) – all of which owe their existence to the ecosystem created by mutual funds. These innovations continue to offer Americans diverse pathways to participate in the economy’s growth. As we commemorate the centennial of mutual funds, it’s worth reflecting on how these financial instruments have not only reshaped markets but made financial aspirations attainable for millions. They’ve enabled generations to build wealth, invest in their futures, and reap the rewards of a thriving economy. But their story is far from over. The incoming Administration and a new Congress have a unique opportunity to build on this legacy and ensure the next century remains economically vibrant. By promoting policies that protect and expand access to mutual funds and 401(k)s, lawmakers can ensure these tools remain a bedrock of financial security for years to come. One hundred years ago, mutual funds were a revolutionary idea. Today, they are a testament to the power of innovation and inclusion in shaping a better future. Let’s celebrate their contributions and recommit to policies that empower Americans to invest in themselves and their country. " MY COMMENT YES....an amazing product.
It's very unusual for people in post-communist countries to invest in stocks, especially in foreign markets. It's changing slowly with an advance of technology and broker commisions being so cheap today, but still unknown area for majority of people. Since a silent generation and baby boomers managed to build and buy cheap real estate, during communist era, RE remained predominant investing vehicle even for younger generations. So for example, 90% of people in Croatia own RE, only 10% rents. In addition to that, there is no CGT after 2 years of owning a property. The same CGT relief applies for stocks.
Thanks Strathmore....interesting stuff. I had no idea RE was so big of an asset in Croatia and probably surrounding countries. Compared to the USA that 90% figure is amazing. You guys have a way better Capital Gains Tax than we do....how nice. Thanks...in real life....I have no ability to talk to foreign based investors.
I see that the markets especially the NASDAQ has made a good come-back as the day progresses toward the close. I think I have my smallest loss of the day right now. AND....that is in spite of only having three stocks in the green. With these moderate losses in six of my stocks.....I have good potential to end the day with an IRRELEVANT loss. Not quite flat....but close enough.
I dont consider this a good thing. Basically the end of HON as we have known it for a long time. In the end it seems like many of these....."creating shareholder value schemes".....do not end up creating a larger and more dominant company. About all they seem to do is eliminate an ICONIC company and replace it will a bunch of smaller niche companies that have far less staying power to weather business events. But....since I am no longer a HON shareholder.....what do I care. This company has been on a bad path for a long time now. that is why I got rid of it some years ago. Honeywell CEO: We're relooking at our businesses https://finance.yahoo.com/news/honeywell-ceo-were-relooking-at-our-businesses-193536877.html "At a time when industrial conglomerates with economy of scale are no longer rewarded with high valuations, Kapur said in October 2024 that Honeywell would spin off its advanced material business. The new pubic company is slated to begin trading at the end of 2025 or early 2026. It boasts about $3.8 billion in annual revenue. Apparently, that maneuver and promises of more weren't good enough for the activist community. Honeywell is reportedly planning to split into two independent publicly traded entities. One business would house Honeywell's automation division and the other its aerospace business. No formal announcement has been reached. This follows Honeywell saying in December it would explore the spin-off of its aerospace business." MY COMMENT The "activist community"....basically the modern version of corporate raiders. It is pretty sorry that....."economy of scale"...in a business is no longer valued. it is all about the quick buck for the....activists and often the company management. When company management starts to buckle under and play these sorts of games with the...usually very MINOR "activists"....it is time for me to get out of that business.
