Thursday, May 14, 2009

Options Trading vs Long/Short ETFs

Options vs Long/Short ETFs
In a turbulent market where many hedge managers use option instruments manage decent returns are there any common investor instruments that we could use rather than navigating complex Option contract instruments ?
I think the Long/Short ETFs could be a decent instruments to check out
In a crashing market, Short ETFs have proven the best class last year from a performance stand point, some returning over 100% returns
Consider the Long / Short ETFs pitfalls before going into this model
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/3-Pitfalls-Of-Leveraged-And-etfguide-14933372.html?.v=1

Consider some research behind the Bear Market ETFs
You can spread the Long and Short at 60 to 40 based on what direction you think the market is headed
http://finance.yahoo.com/etf/browser/mkt?k=8&c=etf_bm&f=0

Have fun, happy investing and also post me any new ideas you may have to play ???

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

ZILLOW on iPhone

Zillow on iPhone
For those Zillow users to compare property values, recent sales, sales metrics, performance graphs, Zillow has come up with their iPhone app
I think for the fellow agent community its a really good value/tool to use, Unfortunately im a Bberry user
""
Get curbside real estate data from the comfort of your car, or as you walk, with the free, new Zillow iPhone App. See Zestimate® home values, for-sale listings, home details, historical data, and more on 88+ million homes - not just those for sale - through this GPS-powered app that moves with you.
""

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Indian Elections - Are you missing it

Indian elections -
The last phase of the indian elections are tommorrow, many of us who live outside miss out the voting and representing the democractic process, here is a way to do it
http://www.nrionlinevote.com/index.php
http://www.voteindia.in/

check it out
Its interesting --

Monday, May 11, 2009

Cold way to LAYOFF employees in Singapore

Layoffs in Singapore
Check this out
http://www.your-inner-voice.com/FireDrill.html
Is this cold or what --

April 11, 2009
window.google_render_ad();
A fire alarm rang at 4 pm in a large office campus when almost all employees were present ( approx 5,000 people ).
As per past fire-drill practices, the entire office was quickly evacuated within 3 minutes, and all employees gathered outside the complex in designated areas waiting for further announcement.
Before long, the fire drill officer in-charge made the following broadcast over their loud-speakers system :
" My dear colleagues : With sincere regret, I have been asked to announce that for many of you, this will be your last evacuation drill with us. Due to the on-going recession and bad business climate, the company is laying off almost 50% of its staff. So when this announcement finishes, I ask all of you to move back into the building. And if your swipe-card does not work, then it means that you have been laid off, in which case you will not be allowed inside, and all your personal belongings will be couriered to you by tomorrow.
The company is using this innovative, never-before approach as we do not want to choke our email system with lay-off notices and farewell messages going by the thousands, and we also wish to avoid any fighting inside the office and the consequent security issues for all staff.
We hope you have had a rewarding career with us. Now please move back in... and good luck ! "

Sunday, May 10, 2009

BlackBerry App world - FINALLY -- how long did we wait ???

App World
After such a long wait, Blackberry has come out with their app world
Equivalent to you iPhone App store, i said equivalent - not a comparable service by any means
But its a start,
Lacking developer community is a big disadvantage that works in Google and Apple's favor
But since RIM is going to cater a lot of business users, i would imagine the top rated and selling apps from the other 2 platforms will be ported to Blackberry platform
so we will have a limited choice but a choice of most needed apps
www.blackberry.com/appworld
download and enjoy ---

Update ---

i downloaded an app and tried to uninstall the weather app, Blackberry throws an error message saying the device has to reboot

OMG - what is wrong with RIM why dont the get how to create apps on a mobile o/s platform

How hard is to copy APPLE, dont need to invent, can you not copy ??????????

Huhhhhhh

Friday, May 8, 2009

Gross National Happiness - Is this truly a measure of a nation's success

What is the true measure of success as a country
We in America are very very conscious about GDP, our position in the world to remain a leader to sustain a growth in GDP to avoid economic contraction with only 400M people is truly an amazing feat. No doubts or questions about that, Countries like China and India thriving and buzzing in econonmic boom with over 1B people still are halfway behind the United States
But does GDP really equate to a true success as a whole nation and this applies not just to the US but to China, Japan,Germany and India
Does it really ???
I watched Michael J Fox's documentary, an incurable optimist
It was a great 1 hour tv show, really enjoyed it
He covered Bhutan - neighbouring country to India but never focussed to learn or look into them to get any thing out of them
It was amazing how this small tiny country measures their success by Gross National Happiness
So i set out to learn what GNH is
GNH has according to researchers 7 components
Economic Wellness:
Environmental Wellness:
Physical Wellness:
Mental Wellness:
Workplace Wellness:
Social Wellness:
Political Wellness:
Bhutan as a country has set out to get an A+ in each of these categories
Some simple examples of well-being/wellness
Each individual has to walk 3 miles a day
Sale of all tobacco products banned in Bhutan
No traffic signals in the country
Signboards to constantly remind you to be happy all over

It was a different view point it may well adapt/suit a 700k population and certainly not India and china the 2 large neighbours
But there is always some thing good to learn from every thing
To learn more about GNH
http://www.grossnationalhappiness.com/

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Loudoun Job Fair -

JobFair in Loudoun
for those who are looking to get a decent job closer to home here is an oppurtunity
lot of govt jobs as well
http://wolf.house.gov/?sectionid=278
check it out

Monday, May 4, 2009

Bottled Water Disaster - Slide Show below says it all

Bottled Water
Is this good as a practice ? I recently came across a presentation that just stunned me
http://www.slideshare.net/gchalliday/bottled-water-disaster
The sheer numbers behind this briefing is scarry
so do we really need to drink bottled water apart from the environmental concern it has look at the dark side on its cancer causes - way too many
What are your thoughts ?
im very interested to hear from you all

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Sixth Sense - Nothing about Shyamlan or the movie

Sixth Sense - Yes the one we dont have - check it out --
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUdDhWfpqxg
This is incredible
Truly Amazed