You guys should feel free to do so, however.

I guess it’s time to again suggest that you start up a stock picking contest Barry. That would solve eveything. It would also bring up a lot of healthy debates as to why who picked what

I am so very happy that someone has recognized the absolutely COMPELLING value and taste in this item. Please provide credit card and mailing information and I will rush them to you. As you know, fully one half of all profits go to Mr. Ritholtz’ favorite charity– the Society for Humane Extermination of Irrational Bulls.

Regards,

Mark McCormack, President
The Sweater Marketing Group LLC

Focus and time. There are aspects of the economy that are tighly correlated to other parts. there might be a correlation to gasoline prices and causal dining. Maybe vacations. Gift purchases. Purchases where price range and perception are easily changed by having another 20 bucks in the pocket.

Also on the housing thing there is a lag aspect . Not every mortgage that will go up will go up at the same time as others. Some people will refi and make it work out. Some will sell and move, some will walk away from their debts. Some businesses like banks and housing companies will eat those losses. And curtail spending in the future or direct dollars into less riskey or areas that are considered more viable. So although there might be an overall trend the whole is a sum of it’s parts and one can make money off of the parts working on a micro basis rather than a macro one.

Be well

However, given the litigious nature of society, there is little to be gained posting the buys and sells here . . .

You guys should feel free to do so, however.

Whilst it seems a slowdown is coming, and a general slowdown in earnings COULD hit stock indices, there are plenty of good stocks out there worth owning that will grow profits and market share even in a slowdown/downturn.

I have been short S&P/DOW for a long time, and long individual stocks like Intel (new Windows and Wi-Max means PC sales => chip sales will be increasing for the next few years), Cisco (video-over-internet expansion means you HAVE to own the company that essentially BUILDS the internet), GM Corp (market WAY too bearish on ability to turnaround, company hence 50%+ increase from lows this year), IAC Corp (undervalued Ask.com that will increase market share with a product that is better presented than Google), etc. etc.

Even if you are bearish, there are rationales for SENSIBLY being long SOME stocks, either outright or against being short indices or other stocks (e.g. like banks, which I think will struggle in housing slowdown and inverted yield curve).

Lets get more into the details if we are going to have heated discussions on the direction of the market! I’m sure everyone reading this blog is after ideas of how to actually make some $$$ in these markets!!

You can guess what that does to the GDP in REAL terms.

(REAL – deflated – retail sales are already falling at a nice clip, it seems)

Hope everyone took a peek at Friday’s ROB-TV interview with Barry where his sartorial splendor was in full display as he nattily combined “The Sweater2″ into his fall ensemble. Not quite as visually stunning on his frame as the original version which featured dark horizontal striping against a white background– think Moe in The Jailbreak episode of the Stooges– but pleasing nonetheless. The Nixon 5 o’clock shadow that plagued the first introduction of The Sweater to the adoring public was also an improvement by its absence.

The Sweater2 will be available for only a short time! Order yours today!

Mark McCormack, President
The Sweater Marketing Group LLC