Archive for December, 2008
Obama to Tap Mary Schapiro to be SEC Chair
By David Feldman at 18 December, 2008, 5:52 am
News reports last night indicated that Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) head Mary Schapiro will be chosen by President-elect Barack Obama to replace Christopher Cox as the Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission. We understand Obama will make the announcement official today. If approved by the Senate, Schapiro would be the first permanent female [...]
Read More >>Predictions for 2009
By David Feldman at 18 December, 2008, 5:36 am
Being able to accurately predict the future is the difference between success and failure in the market. That’s why research reports from industry experts that daily analyze economic conditions can be very helpful. One research report that I came across came from the Yankee Group and I thought I would share the predictions they’ve made for 2009 in the tech world.
Read More >>Tip of the Week: No IPO 'Window' Necessary
By David Feldman at 16 December, 2008, 4:40 am
Sometimes (such as our present time) there is absolutely no market for IPOs. During these times, the IPO ‘window’ is said to be ‘closed’. In 2000, after the stock market crash, the IPO window slammed shut. The market has opened slightly since then, but only for larger companies. (In the first half of 2005, fewer than twelveIPOs raising under $25 million occurred.) The window opens and shuts without warning and at extremely inopportune moments. Numerous dot-com companies were left with uncompletedIPOs after the market crash of April 2000. (Some of these completed reverse mergers in order to obtain the benefits of public status.)
Read More >>Have You Noticed? We're Covering More and Posting More
By David Feldman at 13 December, 2008, 8:51 am
In the last few months, we have expanded the scope of coverage of the blog. In addition to continuing to give you regular updates on news and information concerning reverse mergers, SPACs and other IPO alternatives (and the occasional famous “tips of the week”), along with my self-indulgent musings, we have added discussion of issues [...]
Read More >>Doing for the Stock Market What I Tried to Do with Reverse Mergers
By David Feldman at 13 December, 2008, 6:27 am
It’s no secret that successful stock traders have been confined to an exclusive club, and that consumers lose billions annually because they lack the skill and confidence to properly invest. One company wants to put all that to an end today with the launch of WeSeed.com, a new community investing website dedicated to demystifying the stock market and enabling real, everyday, people to learn, share, grow and invest on their own terms.
Read More >>Sell & Buy Side Firms Show +500% Annual Rise
By David Feldman at 12 December, 2008, 4:31 am
Equity trade ideas have become one of the fastest growing investment products in the Asia Pacific region, with recent growth spurred by market volatility and worldwide changes in the financial services industry, according to youDevise Limited. Trade ideas are short-term, client-specific trading recommendations, developed by institutional brokers for their clients, to enhance buy side performance and generate sell side commissions. youDevise’s Trade Idea Monitor (TIM) is the leading “alpha capture” system used by more than 6,600 traders and portfolio managers at 419 brokerage firms, hedge funds, and other money managers, to create, distribute, and track ideas.
Read More >>Yes Virginia There is a Tooth Fairy – the US Government
By David Feldman at 11 December, 2008, 5:12 am
Sorry to keep using metaphors related to my young son, but here we go again! And oh yeah we’ll get back to the reverse merger and smallcap world after this. In a famous letter to the editor of the New York Sun back in 1897, a young writer asked: “DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old. [...]
Read More >>1/3 of Companies Have Cut Marketing Budgets this Holiday Season
By David Feldman at 11 December, 2008, 4:46 am
According to a new study conducted after the financial market meltdown by BDO Seidman, 32% of chief marketing officers at leading U.S. retailers state that their holiday marketing and advertising budgets have been reduced this season. Further, nearly half (43%) of the retailers say their budget will remain flat and only a quarter cite an increase in advertising and marketing spending this holiday season. Most of the retailers will spend the majority of their advertising and marketing budget on print advertising, while 21 percent will focus on broadcast outlets and 19 percent will focus spending on internet advertising, including social networking sites. Indicative of an increased interest in going green, a sizable 43 percent of retailers will be increasing their advertising and marketing focus on green products this holiday season, which is up from 37 percent in 2007.
Read More >>Tip of the Week: Choosing the Right Market Maker
By David Feldman at 10 December, 2008, 4:10 am
At the slightest hint of sleaze, quietly slip away from a market maker. Some market makers try to get compensated for their efforts, which is illegal. The only money they can make is in commissions or their own profits trading the stock in question or by performing certain advisory services. In truth, it really doesn’t make sense that market makers cannot be compensated. They benefit when a stock trades more, so why not also pay them when that happens (and, of course, disclose this to the public)? Alas, however, as of now the NASD has seen fit to maintain an appearance of objectivity, which is not borne out in reality. The SEC Advisory Committee on Smaller Public Companies has recommended developing a method to compensate a market maker for filing the necessary documents to get a newly public company trading.
Read More >>How Does the Mid and Long Tail Feel About the Economy
By David Feldman at 10 December, 2008, 4:07 am
When analysts discuss the economy, the majority of the talk centers around the key financial strongholds such as banking and finance. However it is also important to consider the mid and long tail portion of the marketplace to get a well-rounded view of the economy. Though wary about current economic conditions, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are hopeful that business will grow over the next 12 months, according to a new survey released today by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). The survey of 772 SMBs in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom found that 85 percent plan to hire new employees over the next 12 months; 54 percent anticipate revenue growth of 10 percent or more; and 40 percent plan to add new business locations.
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