Sunday, November 29, 2009

Black Sunday: Naughty or Nice?

Looks like all naughty to me -- with this band leading the group:

"People who have the financial means can take advantage of a fundamental principle of investing: buy when stocks are low and sell when they are high
"

Yeah, Merry bleeping Christmas!

Strange how that worked out considering the geniuses we have who have run the show for decades and got us into this mess, huh? And now we find out THEIR CLASS BENEFITED from the ECONOMIC DESTRUCTION?!!!!


"As market surges, many can’t afford to hop back in; Recession weighing on former investors" by Megan Woolhouse, Globe Staff | November 24, 2009

Arthur Caparell would love to be riding the stock market’s recent resurgence, but he’s still trying to recover from the recession’s blows.

The burly 57-year-old machinist watched his retirement savings wither and then, last March, he was laid off. He depleted his savings to get by, and now, with no money left to invest, he is watching the stock market rise with no hope of recouping his loss.

I know the feeling.

Related: Here Comes Santa Claus' Sleigh

Somebody getting some Christmas goodies at least!

“Now is the time to invest,’’ said Caparell, who has picked up hours working at his girlfriend’s Roslindale flower shop. “But I’m more concerned about taking care of bills than with stocks.’’

F*** that! I never will again!

Would you give your money over to crooks voluntarily?

Haven't you had enough bailouts of looters, America?

Even with the stock market roaring back - the Dow Jones industrial average rose nearly 133 points yesterday, for instance, and the Standard & Poor’s 500 index is up more than 60 percent since March - ordinary investors are not reaping the benefits of the rally.

No, but SOMEONE IS: Breaking News: The Biggest Bonuses of All Time

I'm happy for them.

By choice or necessity, they are sitting on the sidelines, unable to put money back into their retirement funds because they lost their jobs or face other economic troubles. Others are still gun-shy about the stock market and instead are pouring money into more conservative bond funds.... It can be a cruel twist of fortune: The people who are most hurt in the recession are the people who are least able to benefit from a rising stock market. Meanwhile, people who have the financial means can take advantage of a fundamental principle of investing: buy when stocks are low and sell when they are high....

Yeah, what a "CRUEL TWIST" of a CUI BONO fate in a system that is DESIGNED to ROB from the POOR and GIVE to the RICH!!!!

Some investors have even reduced contributions to retirement plans.... Other investors may have been frightened by their quarterly statements. The market still isn’t close to the highs hit in the spring of last year, and the stock market plunge was the second in this decade. Most plans lost between 20 and 50 percent of their value over the past year, said Michael Doshier, Fidelity’s vice president of workplace investing....

I'm GLAD I WITHDREW IT LAST YEAR as SOON as the CRISIS HIT -- despite the tax penalty!!!

Other investors are not in a hurry to try to ride the stock market surge....

Yeah, the ones who were right the first time.

--more--"

Btw,
WHERE DID ALL YOUR PENSION $$$s go, America?

"Grim forecast for venture capital; Year ahead looks quiet as investors struggle to recover" by D.C. Denison, Globe Staff | November 24, 2009

Money will be hard to come by for venture capitalists next year as they struggle to lure skittish investors whose portfolios are still recovering from the recession.

“There will be fewer firms, fewer venture capitalists, by this time next year,’’ said Michael Greeley, a general partner with the Boston venture capital firm Flybridge Capital Partners. “Marginal venture firms will definitely be leaving the market.’’

Former venture capitalist Howard Anderson looks toward 2010 and thinks of a line from “The Lion King’’: “Not everyone invited will be coming back from lunch.’’ Now a lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Entrepreneurship Center, Anderson said 2010 is “going to be very, very tough,’’ for venture capitalists.

Venture capital firms raise money from investors such as endowments, pension funds, foundations, and individuals and buy ownership stakes in promising young companies. But there has been an unusually quiet market for mergers and initial public offerings, and some potential investors remain reluctant. The most recently available numbers are grim....

Now you also know why the kid's tuition costs are exploding!

Massachusetts companies have benefited from decades of venture investment, particularly in the technology and life sciences sector. The state is well populated by companies that began as venture-backed start-ups and young businesses, then grew into established companies, adding jobs and economic vitality. In the Boston area, companies that began as venture capital-supported enterprises include office supplies giant Staples Inc., Internet tech leader Akamai Technologies Inc., device maker iRobot Corp., and Genzyme Corp., the Cambridge biotechnology company.

Related: Slow Saturday Special: Genzyme Going Down

War Looter's Wednesday: Peering Into the Future

James Bond in Boston

Slow Saturday Special: Evergreen Turns Brown

What do you mean they LOSE MONEY?

Also see: VenCap's Empty Vein

And you are wondering why that pension is not bouncing back?

A shrinking pool of venture capital firms could have a cascading impact on the Massachusetts economy as investments that feed young companies dry up. The latest fund-raising numbers fuel that gloomy outlook, according to industry insiders. Many institutional investors limit the amount of their investments that can be used for vehicles such as venture funding. As the stock market declined in value in 2008, some found too much of their diminished portfolios were committed to venture capital; others were less inclined to risk money on young companies, partly due to the time it takes to grow a company and cash out. Investments in venture capital funds are typically locked in for years....

Anderson cited an early investment he made in A123 Systems Inc., the high tech battery company headquartered in Watertown....

Another LOSS LEADER, 'eh?

See: Boston Battery-Maker Drained

Michigan can have 'em!

When an investment company is sold, the recession-battered price is often less than the venture capitalist had hoped, Anderson added, leaving too little profit to justify the investment.

THAT is why it does NOT get PUT BACK INTO YOUR PENSION!!!

They BURNED DOWN YOUR RETIREMENT with their FOOLISH PROJECTS!!!!

“When a company is selling for just two to three times [annual] sales, the venture guys don’t make money,’’ Anderson said. “They need much higher multiples than that.’’

There have been a few bright spots during the past year....

but....

But....

--more--"

"Tax break on profits again in jeopardy; But critics say ending benefit for financiers would hurt economy" by Michael Kranish, Globe Staff | November 27, 2009

WASHINGTON - An effort in Congress to eliminate a generous tax break for hedge fund managers, private-equity specialists, and venture capitalists, which could be taken up next week in the House Ways and Means Committee, is being met with resistance by opponents who say the move would weaken the economy.

The benefit has long been a target of tax equity advocates, who say it unfairly enriches high-earning financiers. Partners in those sectors of the investment industry enjoy a 15 percent tax rate on much of their profits, which are treated as capital gains, instead of the 35 percent rate they would pay if their earnings were taxed under normal income rules....

Taxes are ALREADY TOO HIGH and TOO NUMEROUS; however, ever notice that the ONLY ONE getting screwed is YOU, average American?

Besides, this is going nowhere so I don't know why the Globe made it a front-page lead.

"Many hedge fund managers are Democrats, including George Soros, who runs Soros Fund Management and has given millions of dollars to Democratic causes, including the liberal group MoveOn.org. --source--"

Oh, so GLOBALIST GEORGE is BEHIND MoveOn, huh?

Related:
Globalist George Says Obama Should Have Acted Sooner

Soros Says....

9/11 Truth Traitor Exposed

NO WONDER the WARS NEVER ENDED!!!

The outcome remains unclear.

Not really: Breaking News: Agenda-Pushing Prophets

What happened to your crystal ball, Glob?

The endurance of the special tax break is testament not only to the power of financial industry lobbyists but also to the support of key lawmakers. For example, Representative Richard Neal of Massachusetts, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, voted against the tax break in 2008 and acknowledges the provision is perceived by many to be unfair. But now he wants to delay action, saying he is worried that eliminating the tax break this year could be “a job killer at a very precarious time.’’

Where you been, Dick? We've lost nearly 7.5 million jobs in two years!

***************************

With Democrats scrambling to find ways to pay for a variety of costly programs, a proposal to kill the break is expected to come up for consideration as soon as Tuesday in Ways and Means....

General outrage over the role of financial companies in the economic meltdown, high executive compensation, and favorable tax provisions for the wealthy interests have made the tax break an easy target....

It is not yet clear how many businesses would be affected by the elimination of the tax break, because many details have not been worked out. Under some scenarios, the break would be eliminated for hedge funds, private-equity firms, commercial real estate partners, and venture capital companies. But there is also talk of what is known in Washington as “carve-outs,’’ preserving the break for certain narrow sectors.

Translation: The WELL-CONNECTED, AGENDA-PUSHING INTERESTS will KEEP their LOOT!

This has led to infighting among the broad coalition that in the past has worked together to save the tax break. For example, venture capitalists, who generally do not rely on borrowed money for their investments, do not like being lumped in with hedge fund managers, many of whom are heavily leveraged.

Terry McGuire, general partner of Polaris Venture Partners of Waltham, Mass., said he is concerned that Congress will undermine a system that has greatly benefited Massachusetts for years. “It is hugely important,’’ McGuire said. “We have a tried-and-true system of innovation that involves entrepreneurs and venture capital. It is one that has worked incredibly well for the Commonwealth. It is an alignment of interests.’’

Pffft!

Yeah, aligned to pilfer your wallet, American taxpayers!!!

--more--"

Related: Being able to raise money has Mass. firms breathing easier

Here is one guy who will be anyway:

"Logue’s parting gift set at $6m; ‘Transition award’ for State Street CEO" by Beth Healy, Globe Staff | November 25, 2009

The era of parting gifts for chief executives, it would seem, is far from over.

The retiring chief executive of State Street Corp., Ronald E. Logue, will receive a $6 million “transition award’’ for retiring in March....

Do you REALLY think he NEEDS IT?

See: The Logue Looting

Must be policy at State Street.

Despite experiencing its own troubles from the credit crisis, State Street reported record earnings in 2008 of $1.8 billion....

Are you 'effin kidding me?!!!

As chairman, he will continue to get a number of perks, including a company car, driver, and security guard, as well as a home security system. He also will still get special health screenings and personal liability coverage....

Where is your national health plan, 'eh, 'murka?

--more--"

What would Christmas be without a SCROOGE, huh?

Anybody around here make the nice list?



That answers that question.

Okay, readers, time for me to unhappily partake of the Sunday social ritual.

Maybe one day they will want to talk about 9/11 or Iraq, or maybe even Israel.

Thank God "terrorists" do not care about football, huh?

Wow, isn't that a right bit of Zionist war propaganda -- the same stuff we are fed all game long, starting with the global-warming war-fighter fly-overs!!