Thoughts about the markets, automated trading algorithms, artificial intelligence, and lots of other stuff
There has been a lot of talk about housing lately.
Some are predicting a second dip.
What does the data show?
Here is a very nice visualiztion that shows the monthly percent change of home prices in various markets over time.
Notice, that things got better after March of 2009 … but have been slipping since last summer.
Mind maps are going mainstream. They're showing up throughout the office, with a wide variety of users and uses.
Initially, mind maps were simply a brainstorming, outlining, or note-taking tool. Now, they are showing up in thought processing, visual thinking, project management, process planning and presentations.
Tony Buzan is the father of modern mind mapping. Here is a video where he describes mind mapping and why you might want to use its "radiant thinking" process.
Tony Buzan's company recently released iMindMap 5. It is software that helps you create mind maps. Here is a map made with iMindMap that explains the basic best practices of mind-mapping.
iMindMap 5 is a great tool that keeps getting better. You can certainly use it for a lot more than taking notes.
The product comes in various versions (starting with a no-cost basic version) and moving up to a full-featured Ultimate version, which includes rich project management and 3-D presentation tools.
Here is a video showing the software.
The current generation of mind mapping tool is considerably more powerful, yet easier-to-use, than its predecessors. You can download a copy of iMindMap to try for yourself.
Next week, in part 2, I will show examples of maps made for specific business uses.
Mind maps are going mainstream. They're showing up throughout the office, with a wide variety of users and uses.
Initially, mind maps were simply a brainstorming, outlining, or note-taking tool. Now, they are showing up in thought processing, visual thinking, project management, process planning and presentations.
Tony Buzan is the father of modern mind mapping. Here is a video where he describes mind mapping and why you might want to use its "radiant thinking" process.
Tony Buzan's company recently released iMindMap 5. It is software that helps you create mind maps. Here is a map made with iMindMap that explains the basic best practices of mind-mapping.
iMindMap 5 is a great tool that keeps getting better. You can certainly use it for a lot more than taking notes.
The product comes in various versions (starting with a no-cost basic version) and moving up to a full-featured Ultimate version, which includes rich project management and 3-D presentation tools.
Here is a video showing the software.
The current generation of mind mapping tool is considerably more powerful, yet easier-to-use, than its predecessors. You can download a copy of iMindMap to try for yourself.
Next week, in part 2, I will show examples of maps made for specific business uses.
Business Posts Moving the Markets that I Found Interesting This Week:
Lighter Ideas and Fun Links that I Found Interesting This Week
Business Posts Moving the Markets that I Found Interesting This Week:
Lighter Ideas and Fun Links that I Found Interesting This Week
Despite some early selling, the Bears were not committed their positions – and prices held up well again last week. Going into the long Memorial Day weekend, it didn't make much sense for Bears to press their bets without a selling catalyst.
Still, the mood seems 'gloomy'.
The S&P 500 is down less than 3% from its recent closing high. Nevertheless, based on the latest sentiment figures from the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII), you would think a lot more damage had been done. Bespoke reports that Bullish Sentiment is at its lowest level since August 2010, and a far cry from the 60%+ levels we saw as recently as February.
If you have contrarian instincts, you've got to be bullish right now. Remember, a few bulls is enough to push things higher if there are even fewer bears willing to press their bets.
A Public Service Reminder From the Bear's Den.
Of course, not everyone is a contrarian. Some see smoke and warn of fire.
With that in mind, here is a list of the 7 major risks David Rosenberg sees brewing:
Source: Gluskin Sheff (with a hat tip to Pragmatic Capitalism)
Despite some early selling, the Bears were not committed their positions – and prices held up well again last week. Going into the long Memorial Day weekend, it didn't make much sense for Bears to press their bets without a selling catalyst.
Still, the mood seems 'gloomy'.
The S&P 500 is down less than 3% from its recent closing high. Nevertheless, based on the latest sentiment figures from the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII), you would think a lot more damage had been done. Bespoke reports that Bullish Sentiment is at its lowest level since August 2010, and a far cry from the 60%+ levels we saw as recently as February.
If you have contrarian instincts, you've got to be bullish right now. Remember, a few bulls is enough to push things higher if there are even fewer bears willing to press their bets.
A Public Service Reminder From the Bear's Den.
Of course, not everyone is a contrarian. Some see smoke and warn of fire.
With that in mind, here is a list of the 7 major risks David Rosenberg sees brewing:
Source: Gluskin Sheff (with a hat tip to Pragmatic Capitalism)
Image via CrunchBase
Pundits are calling for a new tech bubble.
IPOs are going off at the top of their ranges. LinkedIn now has the highest Price/Revenue ratio of any company, anywhere. At LinkedIn's valuation, Apple would be worth over $3 Trillion dollars.
So, clearly all is well in the financial world. Right?
The Canary in the Coal Mine?
Greek stocks tumbled to new 14-year lows last week, as Greek bond yields rocketed to new all-time highs.
The risk premium says something.
The Daily Reckoning asks why investors are fleeing Greek stocks and bonds faster than a chambermaid flees an IMF Director’s hotel room?
With tongue-in-cheek (and based on 'exhaustive' research), they conclude that investors prefer the securities of solvent entities over those of insolvent entities. But note investors cannot always differentiate correctly between solvent and insolvent.
So, will a worsening sovereign debt crisis in Europe harsh our mellow?
Have the underlying conditions really changed?
Image via CrunchBase
Pundits are calling for a new tech bubble.
IPOs are going off at the top of their ranges. LinkedIn now has the highest Price/Revenue ratio of any company, anywhere. At LinkedIn's valuation, Apple would be worth over $3 Trillion dollars.
So, clearly all is well in the financial world. Right?
The Canary in the Coal Mine?
Greek stocks tumbled to new 14-year lows last week, as Greek bond yields rocketed to new all-time highs.
The risk premium says something.
The Daily Reckoning asks why investors are fleeing Greek stocks and bonds faster than a chambermaid flees an IMF Director’s hotel room?
With tongue-in-cheek (and based on 'exhaustive' research), they conclude that investors prefer the securities of solvent entities over those of insolvent entities. But note investors cannot always differentiate correctly between solvent and insolvent.
So, will a worsening sovereign debt crisis in Europe harsh our mellow?
Have the underlying conditions really changed?
Business Posts Moving the Markets that I Found Interesting This Week:
Lighter Ideas and Fun Links that I Found Interesting This Week