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Fun Stocks

Books at my aStore

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I created my aStore and added some books there. You can go there by clicking the “aStore” link at my home page. Those are the books I have read over last few years, and I will recommend to others who have interest in business, management and finance. A little comments on those books (listed in the order of easiness of reading, from easier to more difficult):

One up on wall street(*): Peter Lynch was a legendary fund manager, and his book was both full of humor and wisdom, it’s both fun and easy to read. The book got Chinese version but I don’t know the transaltion quality. As matter of fact, I felt many things just can not be translated. So I strongly recommend reading his English version.

Finding the next Starbucks: Michael Moe is the founder of Think Equity, and he was the analyst who found Starbucks in its hyper growth days (1990s). Michael is good trend reader. But we should learn his thinking instead of just taking his results, e.g., he said Crocs is a fad.

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Fun Life

Rich Dad Poor Dad

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Tomorrow is Father’s day. My parents are wonderful parents, they did all they can to support me and my brothers’ education, under difficult circumstances. But everyone has his/her limit, my dad is no exception. I think from “personal finance” point of view, my dad is a good saver, but he does not know much about investing (that’s understandable because when he was young there were no stocks, bonds). He does not like debt (even borrow from relatives); and he does not like risk either. Thus I don’t need to worry him buying Chinese stocks these days. Good.  

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Fun

NBA Finals: the winner, the loser

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All right, the all mighty San Antonio Spurs swept Cleveland Cavalier 4 games in a row, and gave the Cleveland little chance during all 4 games. So the winner is obviously the Spurs, its team and fans. Among those players in the Spurs, Michael Finley is the happiest because it’s the first championship during his 12 years NBA career. Robert Horry, on the other hand, seemed pretty cool with it because it’s his 7th. Tony Parker is happy too because not only did he get the MVP, he is going to marry with his financee soon.

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Fun

Least Volatility Day

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Today is probablly the least volatility day since I invested in the US stocks 3.5 years ago, my portifolio only changed -0.1%. Previously the biggest volatility day was Feb 27 this year, my portifolio dropped almost 10%. For reference, Dow went up 0.53%, S&P went up 0.66%, and Nasdaq went up 0.48% today.

I don’t know the exact reason. I joined my former boss’ retirement party today. Maybe all the traders were also having parties or going on vacations 🙂

For us average investors (not day traders), we don’t want big swings (up and downs). So less volatility is a good thing.

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China Stocks

Mindray Gaining Momentum in US

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Yesterday they did a presentation at Goldman Sachs 28th Annual conference (no web cast). Today they announced two new products getting FDA approval. The following picture is BC-3200, a hematology analyzer.

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Fun Stocks

I like Discover Card

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Yesterday after I bought air ticket, and refurbished iPod nano, I received an unexpected call from Discover card. It’s from “fraud prevention” department. Very good. This is a kind of customer service phone call that I like to hear. Because credit card threft (and identity threft) is not uncommon these days.

I like discover card also because of  its various bonus (5%) cash rebate program. It’s a bit complicated, but essentially they gave out 5% cash back for different things every three months. For instance, when I bought my last air ticket in the Jan., I got 5% cash back (about $50 for a $1090 ticket).

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Technology

Spammer Got Smarter

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I got this email from spammer, it feels very much like a real one except in the end it says “please act within 24 hours”. You know how desparate the spammers want your identity.

Be careful about those messages look like from eBay and PayPal.

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Fun

Air Ticket Is Expensive

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I bought air ticket for my late July trip back to Shanghai. It cost me $1260, American Airlines, STL to PVG (via ORD). Compared to $1090 I paid for my March trip (UA), it’s a little more expensive. The main reason is of course the soaring oil price lately.

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Fun

iPod refurbished deal ?

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This sounds like a deal (dealsea), $129 for a refurbished iPod nano. If you want more discount, you can click through fatwallet. You need to register at fatwallet to get the cashback.

iPod nano pic

For those iPhone junkie, here is an opportunity to win an iPhone, by participating in the stock picks contest hosted by WR Hambrecht and Motley Fool.

Categories
Fun Stocks

Lessons Learned from NINE

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1) Don’t jump into an IPO on its first day. Do some research if you really want to jump.

2) A controlling shareholder is also the CEO: usually not good for small shareholders.

3) One customer (Chinese goverment), one product (custome declaring software), be very worried.