Bill Cara

Bill Cara's Community Chat, Fri., May 16, 2008, 9:24am ET

Fri, 16 May 2008 09:24:58 -0500

Should traders or investors buy the latest share offerings of the banks as they replace capital lost mostly in their investment banking operations? That’s the query I received this morning. My answer is in the ADDENDUM. Please feel free to add your thoughts.

Daily Report for Fri, May 16, 2008

Fri, 16 May 2008 09:16:06 -0500

Markets Re-cap

Stock prices moved broadly higher in the US with a modest downturn in oil prices despite negative labor and production reports. Technology (XLK +1.9%), Energy (XLE +1.3%) and Basic Materials (XLB +1.1%) as the DJIA (+94.28+0.52% to 12898.38), S&P 500 (+14.91 +0.40% to 1408.66), and NASDAQ Composite (+37.03 +0.06% to 2496.7) closed the session strongly.

Bill Cara's Community Chat, Thurs., May 15, 2008, 9:35am ET

Thu, 15 May 2008 09:35:00 -0500

I am hearing more discontent with the President… and the Prime Minister. You see, the issue is not just American. There are complaints all over the world that inflation is out of control.

Daily Report for Thu, May 15, 2008

Thu, 15 May 2008 09:30:52 -0500

Markets Re-cap

In yesterday’s CPI report, headline inflation for April reportedly lifted a mild +0.1% with the Y/Y rate up +3.9%, and core inflation lifted +0.2% with the Y/Y rate up +2.3%. That supposedly good news, coupled with an easing of petroleum prices due to a smaller-than expected inventory build, set off a modest gain in the US equity markets on Wednesday.

Bill Cara's Community Chat, Wed., May 14, 2008, 9:03am ET

Wed, 14 May 2008 09:03:56 -0500

In 4Q07 I became concerned that the credit reporting agency model was broken, so I dropped Moody’s (MCO) from the Cara 100. Now I have to believe that the so-called independent news and independent auditor models are also broken. It seems that the financial world is now one big moral hazard, with everybody is bought-and-paid-for.

Daily Report for Wed, May 14, 2008

Wed, 14 May 2008 08:43:40 -0500

Markets Re-cap

Despite the IEA cutting its global demand forecast, Crude Oil prices soared to a new intra-day high of 126.71/bbl, closing at 125.59, up +1.36/bbl, as Iran stated it will cut production next month. That high price is unnerving traders.

Bill Cara's Community Chat, Tues., May 13, 2008, 8:23am ET

Tue, 13 May 2008 08:23:27 -0500

Is it my imagination or are there very few traders remaining on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange? Are computers doing almost all the work while the few remaining warm bodies merely put a human face to things? ADDENDUM

Daily Report for Tue, May 13, 2008

Tue, 13 May 2008 07:59:08 -0500

Markets Re-cap

Risk aversion, supported by crude oil prices that dropped -$1.73/bbl on the session, led to a gain of between +1 and +2-percent in US equity prices on Monday.

Bill Cara's Community Chat, Mon., May 12, 2008, 9:06am ET

Mon, 12 May 2008 09:06:53 -0500

Today is May 12th - Whit Monday (Seventh Monday after Easter). This national holiday in The Bahamas marks the beginning of public witness of the Christian Church and is the Monday after Whit Sunday, The Feast of Pentecost, which comes 50 days after Easter. Enjoy your day.

Week in Review #19 (2008-05-11)

Sun, 11 May 2008 17:04:21 -0500

Apologies to the many that write but have to go without answers. When you are taking a break, as I am, there are only so many hours to blog.

Bill Cara's Community Chat, Sat., May 10, 2008, 8:15am ET

Sat, 10 May 2008 08:15:07 -0500

Today is time for some R&R as I'll be flying out either to the Berries or Andros (depends on the wind) to enjoy a day there. The Family Islands of The Bahamas are incredibly beautiful.

This country covers some 700 islands over 100,000 square miles. It is much more than a Cable Beach/Paradise Island casino resort.

Enjoy your day. ADDENDUM

Daily Report for Sat, May 10, 2008

Sat, 10 May 2008 08:08:16 -0500

Markets Re-cap

The worse-than-expected Q1 loss from AIG (AIG) and another record for Crude Oil pulled down the DJIA (-120.90), S&P 500 (-9.40), and Nasdaq (-5.72) on Friday.

Bill Cara's Community Chat, Fri., May 9, 2008, 8:38am ET

Fri, 09 May 2008 08:38:58 -0500

Whether the largest insurance company is in the US (like AIG) or Europe (like Allianz), or claiming the problems are sub-prime related (like AIG) or something to do with holdings of commercial and investment banks, as says Allianz, it is clear the industry is in trouble and management is not expecting a quick end to the crisis.

Daily Report for Fri, May 09, 2008

Fri, 09 May 2008 08:18:08 -0500

Markets Re-cap

Positive April chain store sales from Wal-Mart (WMT), Costco (COST), and McDonalds (MCD) boosted hopes Thursday, taking the DJIA (+52.43 +0.41%) to 12867, S&P 500 +5.11 +0.37%) to 1398, and NASDAQ Composite (+12.75 +0.52%) to 2451.

Bill Cara's Community Chat, Thurs., May 8, 2008, 9:15am ET

Thu, 08 May 2008 09:15:05 -0500

Combining an expert’s working knowledge of capital markets with the attributes of true independence and objectivity, I among too few of my peers am driven by a personal duty to society and the improvement of social equity. In that regard, I proudly direct your attention to “The Story of Deep Capture” - by Mark Mitchell.