Random vittles
Here’s a complete run down of what every tech investor and trader needs to know into the weekend.
News of Malaysian plane crash in Ukraine hits stocks – Prayers to all involved with the Malaysian airline missing over Ukraine. Part of my job is to analyze events and their impact on our portfolios and I hate that part at times like this. No change in my strategy on this news, though.
Nadella trying to fix Microsoft’s GM problem – Terrific title and good analysis. I wrote this in 2010: “The fact that Apple has spent less than 15% of the amount that Microsoft has spent over the last three years on research and development and has still so far out-innovated ol’ Softee really puts in an entirely new perspective of mind-blowing-ness, no? Apple’s spent half as much on research and development as Google has over the last few years. Are you kidding me?”
Intel Rises as Sales Forecast Fuels PC-Market Optimism – If the PC cycle catches any more traction the upside on INTC in the next year could take it into the $40s at least. If their Mobile/Comm chips were to catch traction in the meantime, the stock would be a long-term hold forever kind of investment, so I think that downgrade is a bad idea. I’m long $INTC for the last year or so from the low $20s and still am.
This Friendly Robot Could One Day Be Your Family’s Personal Assistant – Robotics, Robots are about to hit the mainstream consumer. “Jibo acts as a helper and a partner in a variety of household experiences, much like a physical embodiment of Siri, $GOOGL Now, or any of the voice-activated concierge services available on our phones or tablets.” Here’s a neat video of the robot too.
Terrific debate about the pros and cons of drones going mainstream.
Idiots are going to be idiots and idiots who fly drones in ways that outright endanger other people’s lives and aviation law are going to be prosecuted. I hope they are at least. Come join the discussion or leave me a comment below with your opinion on drone pro v con.
Google earnings: Watch for costs, ad pricing – The company’s push into smartphone and tablet search ads, along with growing YouTube ad revenue, should boost its quarterly earnings. That said, the question for traders is whether the analysts have low-balled this number’s quarters. Feet to fire, I’d rather be long than short $GOOGL and $GOOG into tonight’s earnings report, but as volatile and seemingly random as this stock trades post-earnings, I’m just holding onto my long-held common.
