Reading Time: < 1 minute Went to the nearby McDonald (NYSE: MCD) yesterday afternoon, and tried out the Iced Latte. Personal opinion: the latte at MCD is not as good as Starbucks ( Nasdaq: SBUX). Two things: 1) McDonald makes this mostly by machine, while in Starbucks the barista used some hand; 2) McDonald serves the latte not in a
Reading Time: 2 minutes (What a week, Yahoo Tech-ticker, link) China’s role in the Fannie/Freddie mess As Fannie/Freddie crisis deepens, people find China in akward postion because China is the largest holder of 2F’s bonds: total $376.3 billion. I don’t know exactly how China got into this mess, but I think one reason is decision maker in China must
Reading Time: 2 minutes The Coca Cola stock vs. Starbucks stock In last 10 years (Mar 6 1998 to today Feb 28 2008), according Google Finance, SBUX went up from 4.93 to 18.78 (+280%, split adjusted, SBUX has not paid any dividend). That’s about 14% price appreciation annually. On the other hand, KO went from 68.66 to 59.56 (-14.44%).
Reading Time: 2 minutes The miserable performance of CROX erased much of my 2007 gains. But thanks to the rebound of Mindray (MR), I am still be able to be above water 🙂 Some random thoughts of Q4 and year 2007 stock performance: 1) Crocs (CROX): I agree with my friend StrengthTrader, Crocs is a fashion product. It’s almost
Reading Time: < 1 minute Yesterday morning when I went to Panera (St. Louis) Bread to get morning bagel, I noticed they raised the price from 89 cents to 95 cents. I can fully understand the pressure they are facing: the rising wheat, diary, and energy cost. Today Starbucks came out with earning, and understandablely a disappointing outlook (bloomberg). SBUX
Reading Time: < 1 minute I read its earning report this morning (Shanghai is 12 hrs ahead of US EDT). They reported an inline quarter. In the past that could send the stock tank. Not this time, because the stock has been down 27% since Jan 1. The expectation is already very low. With a PE about 33, and revenue
Reading Time: < 1 minute I need to listen to the following calls because I hold those stocks. Today: CROX, I don’t want to speculate on this one…too much buzz lately. Next week 07/31: SNIC, have no idea. 08/01: SBUX, the expecation is more reasonable this time, I don’t expect block buster quarter but I think they should be OK
Reading Time: < 1 minute People who bought the Blackstone (BX) at its IPO debut (around 35), will regret “chasing hot stocks” now. I don’t know how the Chinese State Investment Co. (who took 8% stake at around $3 b) felt about this. Oh well, they are in this for long haul. Crocs stock (CROX) got a hit today. Barrons
Reading Time: < 1 minute The stock got another hit today as its CFO says that: meeting the high end of the coffee shop chain’s 2007 earnings forecast will be “very challenging” due to rising dairy costs and slowing sales growth in its U.S. business,… It seems high gas prices are really hurting them, in two ways. Some customers have to
Reading Time: < 1 minute (Update June 7) As you would have expected, the stock dropped again (about 2.66%) after I bought it yesterday. Call it Major’s rule: stock usually drops after Major buys it. (Original) I got a little more Starbucks (SBUX) this morning. After I bought it I realized the stock got cheaper today probablly because Panera (PNRA) issued a warning on its