Google wealth vs. Microsoft wealth

Last week there was a conference at Northeastern Illinois University last week centered around the use of technology. The speakers of the conference were from Google's Chicago office, You Tube, and Motorola.

There was something I noticed very interesting before the You Tube presentation was about to begin. The You Tube executive was using an IPhone! Now, I don't know the specifics of what restrictions Google employees are put under as far as product usage, but using another company's products would not happen with Microsoft. This is a shift from the Microsoft model of employee product usage.

It is well known that Microsoft employees are required to use the Microsoft version of any product if available. The Gates family has been regularly asked by the press if any carry an Apple product and always answering that they use Microsoft products.

The YouTube employee using the IPhone (made from Apple) is in direct competition to its Google phone products. The guess is that the execs at Google, while still wanting their employees to use its products, allow them to freely choose to use whatever products they like without trouble.

opportunity let go due to discipline

So there is an excellent option opportunity tonight due to Google's earnings announcement after the bell.

But I will not be taking it due to the cash being committed to a different program (call selling) for future trades. Some may say that I should use the money now. But there being a slight possibility that the trade could be incorrect is enough motivation to keep from making that trade.

So what is the trade? It is a straddle trade with either IBM, Google, and Apple. It is my feeling that the growth in the winning option will outweigh the loss in the other option.

low dollar problems

Hey



There is an interesting article below that talks about the level of petrodollar union being busted for a petroeuro system because of the falling value of the dollar. That could cause some trouble bond wise.

http://www.enn.com/energy/article/24437



The markets bounced yesterday. Continue to buy the basic companies with strong earnings and dividends (PEP, GE, GS) while continuing your research into oversold financials. I know there are some out there who didn't get sucked into the sub prime hype like Goldman Sachs. They are the ones to buy. Did I mention Goldman Sachs isn't in trouble? I just want to make sure I mentioned that Goldman has so far avoided the subprime mess.

Speaking of subprime, the Wall Street Journal has an article today talking about the smart banks and the dumb banks. As I do not have a subscription, I cannot provide a link. I can only let you know that it is on page A2 of today's paper.



Keep an eye on Apple. The stock was hit to a tune of 20% and that to me sounds alarms technically. If it does not eclipse its high during the Xmas shopping season with the new Ipod Touch (which is certainly possible), I would look to sell.

Like I said in a previous post, I am currently only holding retirement accounts while continuing my education. But come the first of the year, I will be investing again.