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Here at The Panelist, we have noticed that it has become fashionable to trash the U.S. dollar, which is why it doesn’t surprise me that supermodel Giselle Bundchen has asked to be paid in any currency except the greenback. Fashion is the consensus of a small group of people, and we sometimes need, as Derek…
Ethical investing, which encompasses environmentally friendly investing, is becoming increasingly popular. And, while the stock market is somewhat bullish, people are feeling more friendly towards investments that haven’t quite “made it” yet. But according to “The Clean Tech Revolution,” so-called environmentally friendly investments may be the wave of the future.
I just finished listening to none other than blog superstar, Arianna Huffington, give her keynote at the first annual WebbyConnect conference in beautiful Laguna Beach, CA. Prior to this appearance, I never really knew anything about her. I haven't spent much time at her site, www.huffingtonpost.com. Sure, I was familiar with her and of course…
When will oil prices correction mean that Big Oil stocks will head down?
This is a follow up to my piece on the feature film Evan Almighty, starring Steve Carrell. In investment terms, this movie was a complete loss, a bomb, a stinker. Universal ponied up $175 million for the feature, not to mention an additional $50 million or so in marketing. To date, this movie has grossed…
Diageo PLC (DEO ADR: $89.37) has a staggered board which protects management and the board from being accountable to shareholders by only allowing a few board members to be elected each year. That way it takes a few years to change a shareholder unfriendly board. Usually, managements that are afraid of their shareholders do this.…
After a few fumbles in the Senate, Iraq gets passed back to the House this week where members will vote on three smallish war-related bills – one requiring the administration regularly update Congress on its withdrawal plans, another beefing up the role of the Inspector General in Iraq and Afghanistan and one pointing out that…
Photo:actualmatthew, Creative Commons, Flickr This is the ongoing list of my top holdings. Due to popular demand, the list has been expanded. Top Fifteen Listed/Tradable Holdings as of June month end (prices as of August 6, 2007): 1. Ishares Inflation Protected Treasuries ETF (TIP – $102.03)2. Chevron Corp (CVX – $93.58)3. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK/A –…
a burgeoning economy and fending off pressures of global warming has, is, and will continue to be an interesting challenge for the Chinese government. China is a ratified member of the Kyoto Protocol (has been since 2002), yet is now the world’s top emitter of greenhouse gases. Just three years ago, China had emitted approximately…
During the days of maximum fear around Thronburg Mortgage (TMA), I bought some of the common and some of the preferred of this mortgage REIT after hearing the CEO give what I thought was a very honest and detailed appraisal of their losses. He impressed me. Honest, humble CEO's always do. I realized this company…
Chevron stock buyback gives CVX stock a boost.
Photo:futureatlas, Creative Commons, Flickr Why can’t BP keep up with the other Big Oil companies?
Seems like every financial institution is getting on climate change and socially responsible investing. Somehow I think they are a bit ahead of most investors. I’d be much more interested in data about companies that see themselves as responsible for the planet and how they perform financially versus companies that exist only to reward their…
The latest report from the National Association of Realtors brought discouraging news this week to many invested in real estate. An alarming report revealed that despite ocean views and beachfront property, sandcastles are practically worthless.
Even with the growing presence of corporate social responsibility in the business world and socially responsible investing in the finance world, these are still relatively small issues and niche markets. Business schools, however, are taking the lead and presenting their students with lots of opportunities to explore these emerging fields through classes, specializations, and extra-curriculars.…
Photo:phauly, Creative Commons, Flickr Picture the Middle East, and you’ll most likely picture the persistent, drawn-out Palestinian-Israeli violence that has come to typify the region.
Wow! Such a serious title, and its only about 10 in the morning. At first I wanted to call this piece something wacky like How Many Bureaucrats Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb?, but changed my mind after reading Lehmans (LEH) climate change report. Now is unfortunately not the time for How Many…
Coal is an interesting substance. In simple terms, it is a material comprised of long carbon chains of a sinister, jet black color. It will leave a black mark on everything it comes into contact with, both metaphorically and literally. Yet, when put in a high temperature and pressure environment, these sheets of carbon become…
Just like nearly everyone else, Big Oil is doing a victory dance on the stock market. And why not? The Fed rate cut made money cheaper, so that helps earnings. And oil prices are at record levels. That supposedly eats into Big Oil profits, but it never seems to really reduce profits, and the Fed…
Press releases are like first dates. Everybody tries to make a good impression until that unavoidable awkward moment at the end of the date (Run away? Handshake? Hug? Kiss? Your place or mine?) Just like singles on a first date, press releases rarely talk about the bad stuff. After reading a recent press release from…
Are CANROYs a good investment idea?
GE has really committed to its 2-year old "ecomagination" program, at least with marketing dollars. It is hard to watch TV these days without seeing a dancing animal and a light bulb. But according to the Wall Street Journal, it is more than just good PR. GE's environmentally-friendly products are selling well and are expected…
Normally composed of gadget obsessed, glasses-clad Gamers, the color of geek has suddenly gone green. This would account for the fact that this year’s Wired NextFest, the Future of Technologies Fair held at the Los Angeles convention center, devoted 18 of its 165 exhibits to "CleanTech." In fact, tucked in right next to booths on…