Comments on: Portfolio Cover Story on Timothy Geithner

By: bdg123

bdg123 — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 05:20:19 +0000

I think what the author is trying to state in more cogent terms – without putting words in his mouth – is that bureaucrats don’t have a systemic process for analyzing complex systems. It matters not whether it is a Republican or Democrat, the reality is that bureaucrats are not prepared to make the most informed and intelligent decisions on behalf of the American economy. And that their policy is often fraught with risk for this very reason.

This emotional yapping that somehow implies political ideology behind these observations are foolhardy.

By: WaveCatcher

WaveCatcher — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 04:58:26 +0000

When Geithner states that the vast majority of US Banks have ample capital, he is blatantly deceiving the public by implying that the banking system is solvent. He is using statistics to trick the public.

There are thousands of FDIC insured banks, and the financial crisis has hit mostly the few LARGEST banks only.

Out of the thousands of FDIC insured banks, the vast majority may be well capitalized, but unfortunately the LARGEST 25 banks are likely insolvent due to toxic assets. The vast majority of banks never got caught up in the fraudulent lending practices “innovated” by the LARGEST banks.

Too bad Tim that the vast majority of bank assets are held by the LARGEST 25 banks!

By: call me ahab

call me ahab — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:43:02 +0000

a person would think so Mike- not saying AAPL doesn’t make a decent product- but at twice the price- that’s what I don’t understand- bit of hype I think and the added advantage of having smaller market share- so less saturation with viruses and malware designed to attack that system- time wll tell how long thay can keep the “hip” image

By: Mannwich

Mannwich — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:40:47 +0000

Agreed, Mike in Nola. We’ve heard the same thing about the rich and their home prices “never going down”. Denial is STILL strong in many parts of this country and especially strong with this over-c0nfident bunch. Once they start getting clobbered, higher end products like Apple’s will take a hit. They won’t get clobbered as much, perhaps, but they’ll feel it, just like other so-called recession resistant sectors/companies like health care, pharm, etc.

By: Mike in Nola

Mike in Nola — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:35:42 +0000

Just saw leftback’s comment. Seems we have several fanboys here

I think the electronics market will follow the general consumer market. Look who’s doing well there: MacDonalds, Walmart and storebrands in groceries. If it’s a matter of getting something may not be quite as good (or perceived as not as good ), or of getting nothing, the lesser wins.

By: Mike in Nola

Mike in Nola — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:31:15 +0000

greg: disagree with you on Apple. They sell consumer electronics and will take a hit. They sell to the more affluent, who will take longer to feel the heat, but eventually will as we are seeing here in Houston. Also, much of what we saw this past quarter was tax refunds. My son got $800 back and immediately went out an bought a 22″ lcd monitor.

Sales of Macs dropped a bit. Win7, even though it’s really only Vista 2.0, is generating a lot of buzz without the moniker and the price advantage of pc’s may make that worse in an ailing economy.

Apple was propped up by iPhones and iPods, both of which markets are being flooded with competitors. At some point theywill have to compete on price and lower margins.

By: leftback

leftback — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:19:29 +0000

AT: Top witchcraft, mate. Again.

AAPL is a superior company with superior products. It has only taken Middle America about 20 years to see that Windows is a piece of crap and if you buy a Dell that runs Windows it’s cheap – but still a piece of crap.

By: karen

karen — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:47:51 +0000

OT: Stand By Me compilation from various street artists!

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741

By: greg

greg — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:44:37 +0000

Mannwich

I’m not so sure it’s so much sandbagging as it is a deliberate attempt to treat Wall Street with the contempt they so richly deserve.
Their earnings just hit, and once again Wall Street wasn’t even close. In case this doesn’t sink in for the analysts, I will say what I’ve always said about Apple…the recession will not affect them, period. If anyone doesn’t get that, they don’t get Apple. Go cover someone else, like Dell or something.

By: Mike in Nola

Mike in Nola — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:38:49 +0000

Mannwich: Sometimes it’s good to be chickern

There will be a much better opportunity tomorrow or later after CNBC talks about how Steve Jobs and Ebay will lead us out of the recession.