Official Investing Thread

[The Black Hand]

Why did Apple go up so fast? Where do you expect this to top out?

[pGekko]

Why did Apple go up so fast? Where do you expect this to top out?

http://www.google.com/finance?q=NASDAQ:AAPL&fstype=ii

[ChrisBrown]

I'm a firm believer in the "all your eggs in one basket" method, because I enjoy heartbreak.

But that is sort of actually where I'm at right now. I mean, I sock away 10% of my money into a Roth, another 10% into a 401k (I really have no explanation for doing both...just seemed like the thing to do at the time), and then I put 20% into an employee stock purchase program. They let us purchase our company's stock at 15% below the lowest stock price over a 6-month period, so it's almost always a solid investment.

I work for a company called ROVI, which used to be Macrovision, which used to be All Media Guide. I was able to purchase shares of our company stock at $10.96 for two years, and last year I put me entire salary into it, because the stock price is now in the $55-65 range....500% return FTW! That's how a lowly writer can buy a house. I plan on diversifying soon...but I figure I should ride this gravy train for as long as I can.

EDIT: Market Watch FTL... can't link because of those four letters in the middle, LOL.

[Lee Dog]

Whatever happened to gekko's other thread -- "The Official Pet Thread - Fish"? That one was sweet.

[pGekko]

You're killin' me Apple.

[pGekko]

I'm clueless right now. I might just pile into gold ETFs. This doesn't look good short/mid term.

[pGekko]

I'm a firm believer in the "all your eggs in one basket" method, because I enjoy heartbreak.

But that is sort of actually where I'm at right now. I mean, I sock away 10% of my money into a Roth, another 10% into a 401k (I really have no explanation for doing both...just seemed like the thing to do at the time), and then I put 20% into an employee stock purchase program. They let us purchase our company's stock at 15% below the lowest stock price over a 6-month period, so it's almost always a solid investment.

I work for a company called ROVI, which used to be Macrovision, which used to be All Media Guide. I was able to purchase shares of our company stock at $10.96 for two years, and last year I put me entire salary into it, because the stock price is now in the $55-65 range....500% return FTW! That's how a lowly writer can buy a house. I plan on diversifying soon...but I figure I should ride this gravy train for as long as I can.

EDIT: Market Watch FTL... can't link because of those four letters in the middle, LOL.

This thing has been sh1t bomb ever since you mentioned it. Par for the course I guess.

[SportsFromA2]

I'm clueless right now. I might just pile into gold ETFs. This doesn't look good short/mid term.

I was thinking of that today, it almost seemed like Gold is as close to risk free as it can get.. The returns might not be the greatest (but hasn't gold gone up from like 1500 last week to 1600+ now?), but sure seems to be the best "safe haven"

[pGekko]

The ETF I've been in is up 40% in the last year. "GLD"

It's a nice hedge, but I don't want to be too long in it. It's trading at highs and it could be chasing a little bit. But with all the tanks in the streets talk, maybe the run will continue for a bit.

[SportsFromA2]

****, at least the dow is 100 higher than is was an hour ago.... what changed today?

[SportsFromA2]

ahhh, I guess this explains it:

Stocks are getting hammered today, with the Dow plummeting to a loss of more than 300 points amid ongoing economic panic. A dose of unimpressive jobs data has helped to stoke the bearish flames, after the Labor Department revealed a nearly negligible decline in first-time jobless claims last week. Initial claims fell by just 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 400,000, while the previous week's figure was upwardly revised to 401,000 from 398,000. Ahead of tomorrow's nonfarm payrolls report for July, traders appear to be pricing in the worst-case scenario. In fact, the Dow's one saving grace today is Kraft Foods (KFT), with the stock clinging to a healthy gain amid plans to split the company in two.

At last check, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 11,572.02) is down 324.4 points, or 2.7%, to erase its year-to-date gains. The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 1,221.87) has lost 38.5 points, or 3.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 2,605.38) has fallen 87.7 points, or 3.3%.

Checking in on Dow components, aluminum giant Alcoa (AA - 13.46) has tumbled 5.6% to pace the 29 declining blue chips. As noted earlier, Kraft Foods (KFT - 35.28) is the lone gainer, up 2.9% at last look.

Meanwhile, the CBOE Market Volatility Index (VIX - 28.42) has rocketed to a gain of 21.6%, touching its highest level since mid-March in the process. The "fear gauge" is now up about 12% for the week.

Among equities in focus, Dendreon (DNDN - 12.39) has been gutted for a 65% loss after warning of unexpectedly sluggish sales trends for Provenge. Earlier, the stock hit a multi-year low of $11.34. Career Education Corp. (CECO - 20.03) is wallowing in red ink, as well, off 8.4% after admitting to evidence of "improper practices" regarding its job-placement rates. Aeropostale (ARO - 12.80) has also succumbed to the day's bearish bias, giving up more than 22% after taking an axe to its profit outlook. Meanwhile, Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG - 19.64) tagged a new eight-year low after attracting yet another analyst downgrade this morning.

http://www.schaeffersresearch.com/co...&blogid=107438