Pulpit rock

Rising Market, Rising Oil, Rising Suspicion

The recent stock market rally (in conjunction with rising oil prices) has many people expecting a correction.

I’m a fan of value investing and purchasing undervalued stocks so it was refreshing to see this article in Barron’s titled “The Market’s Pullback Watch”, and to quote the article “does the market ever oblige the group that awaits the pullback?”

Some interesting statistics noted in the article:

“Investors Intelligence Survey of investment newsletters noted:

22% calling for correction
51% outright bullish
27% bearish”

The article touches on rising global oil prices (a hot political topic (hint: Iran) , and how this will affect the rally we have just seen. More on rising oil prices HERE, and HERE

This week will also be interesting to see how the BP civil trial plays out (recently delayed adding to the suspense!), and how much of an impact this will have on their stock price.

Barron’s “The Market Pullback Watch” Article located HERE.

Fastest Growing Companies of 2009 by Fortune and CNBC

To anyone who has not already seen it, this is a fantastic episode below hosted by CNBC and Fortune Magazine. Interviews are conducted with CEO’s from some of the fastest growing companies of 2009.

It is a top ten list, David Letterman style. A wide spectrum of businesses is covered including fashion, food, oil and asset management.

Companies profiled, and CEO’s interviewed are with:

-Black Rock (3 trillion under management, bigger than the Federal Reserve)
-Personal favorite Chipotle! (1.3 billion in sales from burritos)
-UGG Boots (hear how they kept the integrity of the brand)
-Oil giant Arena Resources (very detailed description of their business, and all the domestic oil we actually have! )

Most interesting is to hear about McDonald’s blooming partnership with Chipotle which was cut fast, after an apparent exploitation of the franchise. Also note Chipotle CEO Steve Ells started the business with an 85k loan from his father, and states attention to detail as one reason for his success.

Also make sure to check out the interview with Black Rock president Robert S. Kapito, towards the end of the program.

Not surprisingly a tech company was the #1 fastest growing company. But you will just have to watch the video to see who it is. A hint: it is a Canadian company.

John Arnold: From the ashes of Enron to becoming the Energy King

John Arnold was raised in Dallas, earned a degree from Vanderbilt University in 3 years, and eventually became a trader at Enron in 1995. This alone was impressive, as getting a job at Enron in 1995 was no simple task. Back then the firm only recruited about four economics majors from Vanderbilt each year.

Arnold then rose the ranks of Enron quickly, moving from Crude Oil to Natural Gas, and later became the head of natural gas derivatives trading. At the age of 26, he eventually [Read more...]