Go Apple. What else? Latest school of thought: big cap, growth companies, like DHR, NKE, Still thinking.
The worst interest rate “bet” is still awful. When long-term interest rates rise (those over which the Fed has little control), TBT will rise. But not yet.
Meantime, the value of long-term bond funds is edging back, suggesting that long-term interest rates will rise, eventually.
Personally I still like Vanguard’s VWALX. Nice yield. Probably not much growth left, for reasons above.
The economy is improving. How do I know? Because Larry Summers told me on CNBC this morning. Ever since he screwed up Harvard’s endowment and cost it billions in unwise investments, I have had zero respect for this overwieght, pompous fellow. Why does CNBC keep interviewing him as an expert? Beats me. I prefer Clint Eastwood. At least he’s intelligent.
I renewed my Australian Westpac bank CD. The best rate was for seven months. I got 5.75%, down from the 6.3% I had been receiving. Of course, I could earn 5.75 in one day with Apple. But who knew?
Afghanistan’s Opium Child Brides. More recognition of the disaster that Afghanistan has been for us. From the latest issue of the Atlantic monthly.
As the heroin trade suffers in Afghanistan, poppy farmers are marrying off their daughters, sometimes to unsavory and far-away men, to pay their debts.
A 40-year-old Afghan man sits next to his 11-year-old bride, Ghulan / AP/UNICEF
Why the drug trade isn’t legalized beats me. There are two arguments:
1. You can’t stop it, no matter how much money you throw at the Drug War.
2. The violence (e.g. Mexico) and the horrible effect on human life (e.g. Afghanistan).
You’re kidding me. when an Australian (i.e. Rupert Murdoch) gets hold of thje U.S.’s biggest newspapers (i.e. the Wall Street Journal), things get serious. From today’s WSJ web site:
Cherie, a two-year-old Swedish bunny, and owner Magdalena Åhsblom competed at the Rabbit Grand National Jan. 28 in Harrogate, England. Rabbit jumping is a new rage among young women in England, but they are no match for the Swedes who have perfected the sport.
I don’t make this stuff up. Read more here. Meantime of the newest, hottest sites on the Internet, Buzzfeed, has a lead story on “7 Reasons Ants Will Inherit The Earth.” Click here.
Favorite recent New Yorker cartoons:
Harry Newton who finally took his own advice. When something in your laptop or PC doesn’t work well, get updated DisplayLink drivers for his three external USB-connected monitors. Boots much faster now. . He finally got updated You’ll find the latest on the Internet.
Stop carrying a heavy shoulder bag. Long-term, it screws up your back and gives you a bad back. Favorite simple, small “executive” backpack: Timbuk2 Pisco Laptop & iPad Backpack. It carries an iPad or a small laptop, a few accessories and a a little paper. Click here.
