Thoughts about the markets, automated trading algorithms, artificial intelligence, and lots of other stuff

  • Is It Bush, Or the Recession?

    American-flag
    Today is July 4th.  And as my son and I were driving into our neighborhood, we noticed how few flags we saw waving.

    A few years ago, at least two-thirds of the houses had flags.  Today I would get estimate that number being 15% to 20% of the houses.

    In our neighborhood, there is a $75 per year service that provides flags for patriotic holidays (like Independence Day, Memorial Day, etc.).

    So, did the economy make the $75 outlay feel too extravagant?  Or did the collective level of patriotism drop significantly? 

    My guess … a little of both; but it probably has more to do with the economy.  What do you think?

  • Is It Bush, Or the Recession?

    American-flag
    Today is July 4th.  And as my son and I were driving into our neighborhood, we noticed how few flags we saw waving.

    A few years ago, at least two-thirds of the houses had flags.  Today I would get estimate that number being 15% to 20% of the houses.

    In our neighborhood, there is a $75 per year service that provides flags for patriotic holidays (like Independence Day, Memorial Day, etc.).

    So, did the economy make the $75 outlay feel too extravagant?  Or did the collective level of patriotism drop significantly? 

    My guess … a little of both; but it probably has more to do with the economy.  What do you think?

  • Einstein Had a Beautiful Mind

    Albert-einstein-marilyn-monroe

    Interesting hybrid image.

    To see the change, you have to get out of your seat and walk away from your
    computer.

    Up close, you see Albert
    Einstein.  But if you stand 10 to 15 feet away, it will become Marilyn Monroe.
    Give it a try.

    For more on this, here is an article;
    and here are more examples.

  • Einstein Had a Beautiful Mind

    Albert-einstein-marilyn-monroe

    Interesting hybrid image.

    To see the change, you have to get out of your seat and walk away from your
    computer.

    Up close, you see Albert
    Einstein.  But if you stand 10 to 15 feet away, it will become Marilyn Monroe.
    Give it a try.

    For more on this, here is an article;
    and here are more examples.

  • The Only Constant is Change

    Change is constant.  Learning to respond and adapt faster and better is
    one of the foundational keys to success.

    Bill Gate VideoOne of the best illustrations of that in business has been the story of Bill Gates and Microsoft. 

    This week, was Bill’s last as a full-time Microsoft employee.  So, there was a lot of hoopla.

    This video is interesting, and puts his contribution in perspective. 

    It is worth watching.

  • The Only Constant is Change

    Change is constant.  Learning to respond and adapt faster and better is
    one of the foundational keys to success.

    Bill Gate VideoOne of the best illustrations of that in business has been the story of Bill Gates and Microsoft. 

    This week, was Bill’s last as a full-time Microsoft employee.  So, there was a lot of hoopla.

    This video is interesting, and puts his contribution in perspective. 

    It is worth watching.

  • Market Commentary from June 27th, 2008

    The Dow lost almost 500 points in the last two days.  Longer term, the stock market has been down sharply since May 2; in fact, it has been down five of
    the last six weeks. Several commentators note that the Dow experienced its worst June since 1930.
    Moreover, with this decline, it has also given back all of the gains it made since September, 2006.

    080627 Dow Low Divergence 600p

    Also worth noting is that the Dow just made new lows for the year, entering “Bear Territory” by sinking more than 20% from its October peak.  However the MACD’s downward momentum did not make new lows, even while the index price plummeted. 

    Perhaps more important, though, is that the Index broke below its 28-Year Up-Trend line.

    Dow 28 Year Uptrend 630p

    Also, Bespoke had an interesting chart comparing returns of various international indices.  Here it is:

    0806 Global Return Comparison from Bespoke

    Finally, here are a few of the posts I found interesting this week:

    And a little bit extra …

    • Trading Desks Turn to Video Game Technology to Speed Analytics. (Wall Street & Technology)
    • Your Money and Your Brain (Phil’s Favorites)
    • The Petabyte Age: Because More Isn’t Just More — More Is Different. (Wired)
    • The New Name Game: Internet Naming Rules About to Change. (CNN)
    • Will Brain Downloads will make lessons pointless? (Telegraph)
    • The Philosophy of George Carlin (Financial Philosopher)

  • Market Commentary from June 27th, 2008

    The Dow lost almost 500 points in the last two days.  Longer term, the stock market has been down sharply since May 2; in fact, it has been down five of
    the last six weeks. Several commentators note that the Dow experienced its worst June since 1930.
    Moreover, with this decline, it has also given back all of the gains it made since September, 2006.

    080627 Dow Low Divergence 600p

    Also worth noting is that the Dow just made new lows for the year, entering “Bear Territory” by sinking more than 20% from its October peak.  However the MACD’s downward momentum did not make new lows, even while the index price plummeted. 

    Perhaps more important, though, is that the Index broke below its 28-Year Up-Trend line.

    Dow 28 Year Uptrend 630p

    Also, Bespoke had an interesting chart comparing returns of various international indices.  Here it is:

    0806 Global Return Comparison from Bespoke

    Finally, here are a few of the posts I found interesting this week:

    And a little bit extra …

    • Trading Desks Turn to Video Game Technology to Speed Analytics. (Wall Street & Technology)
    • Your Money and Your Brain (Phil’s Favorites)
    • The Petabyte Age: Because More Isn’t Just More — More Is Different. (Wired)
    • The New Name Game: Internet Naming Rules About to Change. (CNN)
    • Will Brain Downloads will make lessons pointless? (Telegraph)
    • The Philosophy of George Carlin (Financial Philosopher)

  • Snap Shots

    In an effort to make this blog easier to use, I installed a tool called Snap Shots that
    enhances links with visual previews of the destination site, interactive excerpts of Wikipedia
    articles    , MySpace profiles, IMDb profiles and
    Amazon
    products    , display inline videos, RSS, MP3s,
    photos, stock charts and
    more.

    Sometimes Snap Shots bring you the information you need, without your having
    to leave the site, while other times it lets you “look ahead,” before deciding
    if you want to follow a link or not.

    Should you decide this is not for you, just click the Options icon in the
    upper right corner of the Snap Shot and opt-out.

    Hope you like it.

  • Snap Shots

    In an effort to make this blog easier to use, I installed a tool called Snap Shots that
    enhances links with visual previews of the destination site, interactive excerpts of Wikipedia
    articles    , MySpace profiles, IMDb profiles and
    Amazon
    products    , display inline videos, RSS, MP3s,
    photos, stock charts and
    more.

    Sometimes Snap Shots bring you the information you need, without your having
    to leave the site, while other times it lets you “look ahead,” before deciding
    if you want to follow a link or not.

    Should you decide this is not for you, just click the Options icon in the
    upper right corner of the Snap Shot and opt-out.

    Hope you like it.