I haven't posted anything to my blog in a while, so I've decided to comment on what's going on in the markets as of recent
Subprime and credit markets: I believe the consumers are to blame, along with some of the lending institutions that took on just about anybody for a huge loan or line of credit. In the end, everyone is going to pay through increased fees and interest charges. I know the banks that issue credit cards and debit cards are hiking up fees and finance charges. BAC is being creative by offering 'payment holidays' where their credit card holders can pay zero on their balance on the due date and get slapped with a finance charge the next month. Don't be stupid and fall for that. Consumers should be smart and pay their balances in full every month and force the banks to find other ways to offset their subprime losses.
MSFT, YHOO, GOOG: Google should put a cork in it and allow the regulators to decide if anti-trust law is being violated as a result of the Yahoo buyout by MSFT. GOOG wants to compete with MSFT on desktop apps and software-as-a-service while MSFT is trying to make up for ground lost in online advertising and search through a buyout of YHOO. To me, that should level the playing field between two internet giants. I don't see any anti-trust laws being violated since whatever program you want on your computer, it will run on Windows, Linux, or through your favorite web browser. The only place MSFT will have an edge over GOOG is in the back-office or server racks.
MCGC: I'm going to be short and sweet here since I've said enough about this in the past. People that missed out buying in at $10-$11/share ought to be thankful the price dropped from $13 this week. This presents another buying opportunity. I believe some may hold out and wait for Q4 announcements. I've said that they would come at the end of last month, but it appears that we may get them at the end of this month. I'm wondering if a long straddle on any options expiring after February would be a profitable trade.