Informed Investments

Dec 24 2007

How Informed Are Your Investments?

Have you done your research?

When you select a security to invest in, you want to make sure you've done your research.  There are hundreds of sources, from your financial advisor to your buddy with the hot stock tip.  The question is, how reliable is each source and how informed are they?  The bottom line is that everyone, from Warren Buffet down to the casual Journal reader, can be wrong.  If this wasn't the case, and someone had the market penned down, we'd be following their advice and not worrying about doing research.  But we also know that the average person with full-time job doesn't have time to do hours and hours of research.  At Informed Investments, we do the research for you and provide you with the bottom line... read more »

Mar 10 2010

Baidu vs Google

Should You Invest in Baidu? Or Google?

Is Baidu really worth as much as it's trading for? Will Google leave China? If so, will other businesses follow suit, and if so, how will this affect the Chinese economy? This and more, as we discuss the ins and outs of Baidu vs Google and their role in the Chinese and world economies... read more »

Jan 14 2010

Oil and Gas Royalty Trusts

What is a Royalty Trust?

You may have heard a tip from a friend that she has a great oil and gas royalty trust for you to invest in. First, we should point out that by the time a stock tip reaches you, it's usually to late. Do your own research, and inform yourself as to what your best investment is based on your financial needs, investing time horizon, etc. Second, royalty trusts aren't always all they're cracked up to be, especially when it comes to the oil and gas industries... read more »

Dec 29 2009

Buying VALU - Value Line, Inc.

Why Are We Buying Value Line?

Value Line is a fundamentally sound company that has taken a beating due to the recent stress on the financial sector. Since Value Line is a service provider it carries no inventory. It has no debt on its books and is currently priced at attractive levels compared to its past performance... read more »

Nov 18 2009

Buying ELMG - EMS Technologies, Inc.

Is EMS Technologies a Steal?

Our bulls feel that EMS Technologies (ELMG) is a steal at its current price. A combination of new management, and a fundamental and technical valuation that indicates significant opportunity has our bulls licking their chops. Our bears, on the other hand, cite economic uncertainty along with a reduction in profits as red flags on ELMG at its current price levels... read more »

Aug 10 2009

Is Gold a Good Investment in 2009?

How Good of an Investment is Gold Right Now?

Gold barsThe markets are volatile - a recent run-up suggests that a full economic recovery might be closer than we think. Or does it? The recession that led to the Great Depression had several short-lived recovery periods on the way to a prolonged downturn. Will continued government intervention cause a rush from the dollar to gold? ... read more »

Jul 31 2009

Starbucks on 15th Ave in Seattle

If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em

Starbucks new stab at innovation is a foray into the world of old European style coffee houses. With their opening of 15th Ave's Coffee and Tea in Seattle, Starbucks veers away from the corporate brand it has been establishing over the past few years, and focuses on replicating the atmosphere of an independent neighborhood café... read more »

May 07 2009

Buying SIMO - Silicon Motion Technology Corp

Why Are We Buying Silicon Motion Technology?

We feel that SIMO carries a competitive advantage in the controller market, and has the potential to explode when old disk manufacturers switch to solid state drives. The company's fundamentals are excellent, profit margins are strong, as is cash flow, and Silicon Motion carries little to no debt. We feel this presents a unique buying opportunity... read more »

May 06 2009

Economic Stimulus Check Schedule

When Will I Get My Economic Stimulus Check?

Economic stimulus checks are typically issued by the government during difficult economic times to help spur (or "stimulate") consumer spending. 2008 was no different, being the year that bore the brunt of one of the greatest recessions of all time. 124 million households were estimated to receive a stimulus payment. If each household receives an average payment of $600, that amounts to a whopping $74,400,000,000!... read more »

Apr 21 2009

Will Tech Stocks Lead the Recovery?

Tech Will Lead the Recovery

While we have no idea when the market will begin to recover, one thing appears clear - the fact that technology companies are best positioned to lead the recovery. As far as we can tell, the recent rally was a major head fake. There's still $3 trillion (according to the IMF) of write-downs coming for the major banks (so far, they've only reported $1 trillion), much more job cutting on the way, more housing troubles, major shrinkage in retail and manufacturing, and a laundry list of woes that make the light at the end of the tunnel appear farther away than it might be.... read more »