{"id":41358,"date":"2018-01-02T10:44:22","date_gmt":"2018-01-02T15:44:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.technologyinvestor.com\/?p=41358"},"modified":"2018-01-02T10:44:22","modified_gmt":"2018-01-02T15:44:22","slug":"forecasts-for-2018-and-a-wake-up-call","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.technologyinvestor.com\/?p=41358","title":{"rendered":"Forecasts for 2018 and a wake-up call"},"content":{"rendered":"

I read a bunch of learned “forecasts” over the weekends. They ranged from unbridled enthusiasm — nothing can stop the ascent into the ionosphere — to guarded pessimism — it’s gone up a lot; that’s it. Tanking is coming.<\/p>\n

I learned three things:<\/p>\n

1. No one has the slightest idea.<\/p>\n

2. A lot of gurus can write a lot of learned words that, in sum, mean absolutely nothing. Words, words and more words.<\/p>\n

3. A healthy diversification, with emphasis on areas that work — e.g. technology — makes the best sense.<\/p>\n

The best piece I read is from The New York Times<\/em> — yes, the Trump-hating, liberal, pinko New York Times,<\/em> writing this story:<\/p>\n

The Trump Effect: Business, Anticipating Less Regulation, Loosens Purse Strings<\/strong><\/p>\n

WASHINGTON – A wave of optimism has swept over American business leaders, and it is beginning to translate into the sort of investment in new plants, equipment and factory upgrades that bolsters economic growth, spurs job creation – and may finally raise wages significantly.<\/p>\n

While business leaders are eager for the tax cuts that take effect this year, the newfound confidence was initially inspired by the Trump administration’s regulatory pullback, not so much because deregulation is saving companies money but because the administration has instilled a faith in business executives that new regulations are not coming.<\/p>\n

You can read the rest of the buoyant piece here.<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Enthusiasm is great. You can do a lot with it.<\/p>\n

NASDAQ kindly gave me a list of all the Israeli companies it has. It’s around 80. I need to annotate the list with industry, profitability, P\/E, etc. Give me a day or two.<\/p>\n

Meantime, Alibaba (BABA) and Tencent (TCEHY) are huge into money transfer in China. Money transfer is hot.<\/p>\n

Don’t do stupid, again<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

+ Watch for ice when you walk and drive. I\u00a0 saw many cars in ditches over the weekend. Nasty accidents. It’s very very cold.<\/p>\n

+ You don’t have to leave the house in this cold icy weather. You can do a lot of work at home with a laptop, a scanner (Fujitsus are the best), DocuSign and the phone — remember that thing?<\/p>\n

+ Watch for the bottom step on the staircase — going down. It’s the most dangerous. Breaking bones can take momths
\nof recovery. Longer, as you get older.<\/p>\n

+ Don’t hurry. A friend slipped and fell in Penn Station and broke bones in her arm. Horribly painful.<\/p>\n

+ Don’t lift your bag into the plane’s overseas bin. Beg a young, strong person to do it. Too many of friends still
\nhave back problems 18 months later. One is going into serious back surgery this week.<\/p>\n

A big scare for me<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I had a two minute “confusion” episode in Israel. They thought it was a Tia (mini-stroke). It turned out to be a TGA — transient global amnesia. Far less severe. They did CT scans and found nothing. Still my pulse jumped to 166\/94 from its normal 110\/70. I knew that once I rested, it would drop. This morning it was\u00a0 down to 141\/90, as measured by my new trusty $37 Omron:<\/p>\n

\"BloodPressureMachine\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Available from here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

I got crazy reading Dr Google on what it all meant. The best piece I read was something called<\/p>\n

100 Ways To Live Longer
\n<\/strong>These scientifically proven tips will help you live long and prosper beyond your wildest dreams.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

It sounds corny. But each of their recommendations is backed by impressive research. It’s much more than the usual: Give up salt, sugar and red meat. It’s worth reading:<\/p>\n

Click\u00a0here.<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Swipe up.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The most useful iPhone screen. Swipe and you’ll see these useful controls.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"SwipesUp\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Easier than going through Settings.\u00a0<\/em>Careful. Sometimes they switch on by themselves. Suddenly, your phone won’t ring, or you can’t read the screen.<\/p>\n

Having dinner with the mistress<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A wealthy husband and his wife were having dinner at an upscale restaurant when an absolutely stunning young woman comes over to their table, gives the husband a big open mouthed kiss, then says she’ll see him later and walks away.<\/p>\n

The wife glares at her husband and says, “Who the hell was that?”<\/p>\n

“Oh,” replies the husband, “she’s my mistress.”<\/p>\n

“Well, that’s the last straw,” says the wife. “I’ve had enough, I want a divorce!”<\/p>\n

“I can understand that,” replies her husband, “but remember, if we get a divorce it will mean no more shopping trips to Paris, no more wintering in Barbados, no more summers in Tuscany, no more BMWs in the garage and no more yacht club. The decision is yours.”<\/p>\n

Just then, a mutual friend enters the restaurant with a gorgeous young lady on his arm.<\/p>\n

“Who’s that woman with George?” asks the wife.<\/p>\n

“That’s his mistress,” says her husband.<\/p>\n

“Ours is prettier,” she quips.<\/p>\n

\"HarryNewton\"<\/a>
\nHarry Newton, who had a great weekend and is eyeing today’s market with awe and gratitude. Thank you Matt for the refi check.<\/p>\n