Facebook (FB) a bad investment? Really?

There is a lot of hate about Facebook's stock, and I just don't get it.

Personally, I am not a fan of using Facebook, but that is not FB's fault. I don't like how many people seem to refuse to communicate using any other method. It formed another layer of peer pressure that makes each of us decide whether to conform or confront it--no room for anything in-between.

That's a mark of something that has developed market share, which is precisely the business model that developed from FB.

I keep hearing that FB isn't worth anything, but technology stocks aren't "value" stocks--They're "growth" stocks, and I don't know anything with more growth potential than a communication device used by almost 1 billion people.

FB just got a lot of money, and they have intelligent enough management to know how to use that money--like buying their competition and partners to enhance what they offer.

Their business model is stronger than Google's since they have actual user data. Google (G) has to think like an insurance actuary--just guessing which "types of people" are "likely to type" in certain keywords.

Facebook has actual data. I realize that people "Like" things for all sorts of reasons--discount or peer pressure--that do not relate to buying tendencies. However, they know what gender you are, in which location you're based, and in which location that you're sitting as you're using your computer.

Google+ might be better on a technical level, but Facebook already has grandparents engaged. They aren't jumping to that "new" social media platform.

Facebook is here for a while. Many people tend to be socially motivated to stay on there. They're not going anywhere. So targeted advertising there is the perfect model.

Plus, they have SO much money. Do you think that they're going to go bankrupt anytime soon?

No matter what price you buy this stock today, this stock is going to do nothing but show earnings for years to come.

If you were impressed with Google's rise, just imagine how amazed at how quickly Facebook will rise....and I don't even like Facebook!

How to Help the Housing Market Recover

How hard is this?

Would anyone like a recipe for restoring home prices or any other form of real estate?

Which people need government help?

It seems like our government keeps trying to bail out the helpless. In some cases, this is okay. On an individual level, we all need a lift now and then. I am pretty sure that most government aid programs INITIALLY intended to target those people with mostly good habits who happen to crash into a big pile of bad luck.

Okay...Let's give them a hand so that they get on their feet and return to being productive.

However, there are many other people who see these other people benefiting, and they suddenly feel entitled to "their share."

Politically, I get that there are some people beyond help who will behave better for the entire population if we "give" them enough to survive. Otherwise, many of these people will turn to more aggressive types of activity that will likely cost us more than we're paying them.

Here you go! Here is your "free" handout. Essentially, this is a bribe for these people to mostly behave themselves.

Both of these groups are worth helping for different reasons, and they are not part of my "recipe" for real estate recovery. The recipe does not involve throwing good money after bad.

Buy Low, Sell High, Old Saying, Old Results

Hi, everyone.

I know that it's been a while, but this past week or so was pretty newsworthy. So I finally have something to say.

Nearly everyone has heard the saying, "Buy Low and Sell High."

That seems obvious, doesn't it? I mean, do we really have to tell people this?

YES! We really do!!!

Why?

Most people SAY it, but they do not DO it.

Want an example?

Why do companies buy back stock shares?

First, let me explain why they sell shares in the first place.

Companies usually need to find ways to get cash to begin their business or take it to the next level. (Although, they sometimes simply need to get enough money to pay their bills.)

A company can get money one of a few different ways:
1. Loans (usually from banks)
2. Bonds (these are really loans...but from investors)
3. Stock--selling portions (equity) of their company in exchange for money

So when a company SELLS shares of stock, they get money, but they also give up a portion of their company.

Why does a company buy back shares of stock?

Explanation: TTM - Trailing Twelve (12) Months (to Today's Date)

Someone asked me a question about this. So here is my answer...

What does TTM mean?

TTM - Trailing Twelve (12) Months (to Today's Date)

Usually, it is most often used to refer to the earnings (per share) during the last 12 months to date, opposed to a specific Calendar Year, Fiscal Year, or Quarter. TTM is usually the most recently reported 4 Quarters.

In addition to Earnings (Net Profit), it could also refer to Revenue TTM, Sales TTM, or other types of Profit.

Reverse Stock Splits Explained

Sometimes, you hear or read terms that you know that you should understand, but you don't really take time to learn it well until circumstance forces you.

One of the stocks I own will be issuing a reverse stock split in about a month.

I understand the math behind this, but I really didn't know what this means. So I took a closer look.

For those of you who prefer to watch a video, here is Jason Frankl of FTI Consulting was interviewed on Bloomburg to help explain (a) what it is and (b) why it might be issued.

That Profit Is His--Not Yours!

The more I'm "playing" the stock market, the more frustrating things I notice.

The latest one involves a company that I've been eying for some time...over a year now. In fact, I even owned it for a short while...but not recently.

Lately, the stock price was falling, and it was getting near a price that would make me want to pull the trigger and buy it...a lot of it.

The good news?

Fortunately, the company released a statement that they are really profitable.

The bad news?

Stock Advice: Startup Companies: Look at Management Pay

Here is a pretty quick tip.

I've bantered about the importance of bad management vs. good management.

In good times, this might only be partially important.

In rougher times, only places with good management survive downturns--usually. I'm not looking to discuss exceptions here. I'm only setting up my point.

Without sitting beside a company's management every day, you can only speculate whether the management of a particular company is good or bad.

However, what is, at least, one major flag?

Auto Industry Taking HUGE First Step to Recovery

I am responding to this article: GM to add or keep 4,000 jobs in US.
The article's title pretty much shapes this conversation. GM will be adding (or simply keeping) a lot of jobs here in the US.

That news sounds GREAT. Is this because the company is doing better? I want to take a closer look at this.

Stock Analysis Just Like Sports

Welcome back! Actually, that was a message for me.

Truthfully, I didn't think anyone was reading this...so I stopped spending my time writing posts to this blog. (Plus, I've been working on other projects.)

A thought occurred to me last night.

As I read or listen to sports predictions, it amazes me how often things replay themselves--including people's analysis of sports events as they unfold.

For basketball and hockey, it's playoff season. So there is all sorts of analysis. A lot of this analysis tends to be extreme.

Every year, teams will play best-of-seven series. The format (usually) is that the higher ranked seed gets to play their first two (2) games at home. The next two games are played at the other team's (lower seeded team's) home arena.

At some point during the playoffs, the home team wins the first two games.

To me, that seems pretty logical. They were ranked to be the "better" team, and they had the more favorable conditions of playing at their home stadium in front of friendly fans.

However, every year, you see sportswriters doom the lower seeded team, even though they have not played a home game, yet. A lot of the fans follow in the jubilation or panic--depending which team they want to win.

There are plenty of times when a team loses the first two away (non-home) games, but they eventually win the playoff series. You'd never guess that by the headlines that people write.

What do sports playoffs have to do with the stock market?

Article: The Bull Market is Here to Stay

Here is an article from Yahoo that seemed interesting.

The link to the article is titled, "The Bull Market is Here to Stay."

I don't know how good of a predictor this article really is, but it seems to bring some points that are worth digesting:

1. Improving Earnings
2. Shipping Stocks Surge
3. America is Using Plastic (Credit Cards) Again
4. Inflation is Rising a Little
5. Manufacturing is Mending (Somewhat)
6. Improving Job Market
7. Rising Stock Prices
8. Strong 4th Quarter GDP
9. Improving 2011 GDP Outlook

Even the article admits that you should do your own research, but it seems to provide good footing for someone trying to understand our upcoming economy.

Let's hope that the article is closer to being right than wrong!

Borders (BGN): Nearing the End of an Era

Unfortunately, it looks like the bad news that has been threatening itself for a while is really coming.

In the late 1980's and throughout the 1990's, it seemed like Borders (BGP) would ALWAYS be a thriving industry.

Video: Money Mindset or Consumer Mindset?

Who are YOU making wealthy?

As long as you decide to live in a civilized world, THAT is the best question you can ask yourself, because you make that decision every day.

I was looking for something else, but as I often do, I found a video that makes a great point and makes that point really well.

It's a 2+ minute video, but it hammers home one of the most basic points of investing. You need to adjust your mindset to a money mindset--not a consumer mindset.

The video from Community Dollars addresses the spending habits of many black women. (Disclaimer: I am a white male.) However, the lessons transfers to all of us, regardless of color, gender, or ethnicity.

Making money really is not that hard, unless we don't try that hard to make it a priority.

Here is the video:

Call Options and Put Options: A Quick Explanation

I hear a lot of people talk about stocks, and they ask about options.

Options can be really cool, but many people do not even really know what they are. Some sort of know.

Let's try taking care of that here.

Explanation: Resistance and Support

Have you ever watched a stock price chart, and it seemed like it was stuck near a certain price?

Of course, it really isn't, but when you watch the prices, it feels that way.

Pure fundamental investors HATE any discussion that involves buying and selling stock based on the price patterns. It's illogical, and they're right--to a point.

True technical traders, on the other hand, vehemently insist that the markets are ruled entirely by the price charts. Most of them say that history repeats itself. Of course, even some of the best technical traders admit that's not always true.

Fundamental investors believe that a stock's price SHOULD be based upon the company's fundamental finances and industry position. They're probably right. Prices SHOULD reflect these.

However,

Advice: Understanding Risk vs. Reward is a Key to Successful Investing

Any investment carries risk. This is a true statement.

Then again, so does NOT investing, but most of you on here knew that, already. That's why you're reading something like this.

So let's take a look at risk.

When is an investment a "good" risk?

The simple answer is, "When it works!"

There is a better, more practical answer, though.

Video: Price to Cash Flow

I am always looking for new ways to evaluate potential investment possibilities.

I think I ran across one that I will check in more detail. At my first glace, it looks like it might be pretty good.

A lot of people rely on the Price/Earnings ratio, but this video shows an approach that relies on the Price per Cash Flow (Price/Cash Flow) metric instead.

Price/Cash Flow compares the stock price/share (market value/share) to the amount of cash flow/share.

We know that cash is VITAL for a company to maintain its operations. Plus, the price/cash flow is more difficult to manipulate "for the books" than the more popular price/earnings and many other measurements are.

Here is a video with Kevin Matras and Terry Ruffolo from Zacks.com that explains the scanning technique a little better:

Quick Analysis: Texas Instruments (TXN)

TXN: Texas Instruments

The company sells and designs semiconductors, serving communications, computing, industrial, consumer electronics, automotive, and education sectors. It also designs, manufactures, and sells wireless application processors and connectivity products. Plus, its name is on several handheld retail graphing and scientific calculators.

Recent Range: $15/share – $38/share (Current Price: 33.91, as of close of 1/19/11)
Price/Sales (P/S) = 2.96 (2.70, Industry)
Price/Book (P/B) = 4.00 (3.08)
Price/Earnings (P/E) = 14.3 (15.6)
Gross Profit Margin = 53.6% (58.7%)
Pre-Tax Profit Margin = 31.1% (29.0%)
Net Profit Margin = 21.9% (20.9%)
Debt/Equity Ratio = 0.00 (0.17)
Current Ratio = 3.5 (3.4)
Return on Equity = 30.0% (24.8%)
Return on Assets = 24.0% (17.4%)

Analysis: This company is really well known, and people that I know who work within this field indicate that this company is doing some really good things. However, while the stock price might rise, it is not an obvious buy to me.

Buying or Selling Stock: Another Downside of Market Order

When you buy or sell stock online, you can do this as a market order or as a limit order. (Yes, there are even more sophisticated ways, but for now this will do.)

Market Order: Buy or Sell at the price that the market allows at that moment the order is placed.

Limit Order: Do not buy or sell UNLESS the stock reaches this limit price. Do not pay more or sell for less than this limit.

Honestly, I've bought and sold both ways.

Don't Fear Taxes - Fear Your Fear

One of my biggest weaknesses as an investor is not following one of my own rules.

Don't let the fear of taxes wrongly affect your investment decisions.

Of course, you want to be aware of taxes. However, I've caught myself SEVERAL times not grabbing the profits from an abnormally quick run upward, because I didn't want to have to pay taxes during that year.

Every time I do that, my fears get answered, even though I don't pay taxes. I just lose on the ability to buy even MORE shares of the stock later. If you know that the price is too high for the moment, it will probably drop in another moment. Grab what you can.

You can always buy more later.

Also, if you have to pay taxes, that means that you have enough profit to PAY for those taxes.

Pay the $25 or so if you have a chance to pick up $100 or so. That STILL means that you have an extra $75 or so that you didn't have earlier. Take that money and run, even if you have to share if with Uncle Sam.

Common sense, right? Not for me or many other investors.