If you missed out on investing Baidu (BIDU), which traded below $70 per share a couple years ago and is now over $360, there are plenty of other Chinese companies worth looking at. Baidu is China's answer to Google (GOOG), and has far outperformed Google. Here is some interesting trivia about China:1. It is the largest country in the world by population, with about one fifth of the world's population residing there.2. It has the second largest GDP by purchasing power parity. 3. It has the fourth largest economy in the world by GDP.4. The poverty rate went from 53% in 1981 to 8% in 2001.5. It is the second largest exporter in the world.6. It is the world's second largest importer of petroleum.7. It is is the third largest imp...
On Stockpickr Answers Tuesday and yesterday, Jim Cramer responded to a new batch of questions posed by members of the Stockpickr community. Anybody can ask, respond or comment at Stockpickr Answers; the top responders get ranked in our "Top Analysts" section. Here are a few of the questions to which Cramer recently responded:I've been doing some homework on Johnson Controls and believe it's a great company. Would you recommend starting a position here for the next 12 to 18 months?I think there's still $2.50 up with maybe $1 down in BEA Systems. Is it a buy again or should we walk away from it now?XTO and Chesapeake Energy have been strong and yet Nabors has been doing terribly. Many of the rigs are idle and rate...
On Stockpickr Answers Monday and over the weekend, Jim Cramer responded to a new batch of questions posed by members of the Stockpickr community. Anybody can ask, respond or comment at Stockpickr Answers; the top responders get ranked in our "Top Analysts" section. Here are a few of the questions to which Cramer recently responded:I got into Bank of America at $50.34. Would you dump it or hang in there?On last week's "Fast Money" show, the crew was talking about crude heading south to the $60s. I know Cramer always says we should have a position in oil, but I'm wondering if it makes sense to be in something like BP, which is also one of the biggest distributers of solar panels. Does it make sense to look fo...
Back in the 1960’s and 1970’s, who would have thought that Vietnam would become a hotbed of capitalism? Many investors are now looking at Vietnam as the next China. Financial activity has increased immensely in Viet Nam over the last few years.For example, the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange and the Tokyo Stock Exchange just announced a partnership which involves sharing of investment and technology information and might lead to cross listings of stocks on both stock exchanges. Nike (NKE) has been manufacturing in Vietnam for over 12 years. On Intel’s (INTC) website, they reported that they have committed $1 billion to build a 500,000 square foot manufacturing plant in Vietnam which should be completed by 2009, a...
On Stockpickr Answers Friday and yesterday, Jim Cramer responded to a new batch of questions posed by members of the Stockpickr community. Anybody can ask, respond or comment at Stockpickr Answers; the top responders get ranked in our "Top Analysts" section. Here are a few of the questions to which Cramer recently responded:I'm taking your "Mad Money" segment Wednesday about the difficulty of investing in the banking sector to heart. I had been building positions in both Citibank and National City. The other day you mentioned that Citi's dividend was safe. What about National City?Toyota has been absent from "Mad Money" for a long time. I am in some serious pain here on this stock. What should I ...
Some interesting trivia about Thailand:1. People have lived in Thailand since the paleolithic period.2. It is 21st in GDP purchasing power parity.3. It had the the world's highest growth rate from 1985 to 1996.4. It is the top exporter of rice.5. 55% of the land is used for rice production6. Tourism is only 5% of the economy.7. Major products include textiles, footwear, fish, rubber, jewelry, cars, computers and electronic equipment.8. It is ranked 42 in the Economist's Worldwide Quality-of-Life Index.Here are some interesting Thai stocks worth viewing:Advanced Info Service PCL (AVIFY.PK) is a provider of cellular services and mobile phones. The stock has a price to earnings ratio of 20.5 and pays a yield of 6...
Health foods are considered to be natural foods [no artificial ingredients], organic foods [grown without the use of pesticides], and whole foods [foods with very little or no processing]. Sometimes it is difficult to determine which companies should fall into the health food category, as some companies provide foods which are considered healthier than others. Included in the following list are not just owners of stores and distributors, but growers of fruits and vegetables. See if any of these stocks are healthy enough for your portfolio.Whole Foods Market ( WFMI ) owns and operates natural and organic foods supermarkets. The stock has a P/E of 36 and a PEG of 2.16 It pays a yield of 1.5%.Hain Celestial Group Inc. ( HAIN ) make...
On Stockpickr Answers Thursday and yesterday, Jim Cramer responded to a new batch of questions posed by members of the Stockpickr community. Anybody can ask, respond or comment at Stockpickr Answers; the top responders get ranked in our "Top Analysts" section. Here are a few of the questions to which Cramer recently responded:The S&P index funds aren't exactly gobbling up NYSE Euronext.I sold off E*Trade before the drop. I like the company, but I feel there's still down side here. Where would you look to get back into this stock?I bought Transocean on a pullback at $112.50. Did I pay too much?I am down $2,000 in ValueClick from the time Jim Cramer said buy it. I am still holding on to hope. Any advice?...
On Stockpickr Answers Wednesday and yesterday, Jim Cramer responded to a new batch of questions posed by members of the Stockpickr community. Anybody can ask, respond or comment at Stockpickr Answers; the top responders get ranked in our "Top Analysts" section. Here are a few of the questions to which Cramer recently responded:Do you still consider Google and Intuitive Surgical cheap after they ran yesterday? What about Amazon and Research In Motion?I got caught in Schlumberger January 110 calls. My trading plan was to stay long based on good earnings, a low U.S. dollar, the most recent drawdown and geopolitics keeping oil elevated. Any strategy advice?I bought a little AIG on Friday since I think the company shou...
On Stockpickr Answers Tuesday and yesterday, Jim Cramer responded to a new batch of questions posed by members of the Stockpickr community.Anybody can ask, respond or comment at Stockpickr Answers; the top responders get ranked in our "Top Analysts" section. Here are a few of the questions to which Cramer recently responded:Nokia is set to go higher, could this be a $40-$80 stock?I bought some Citigroup last week thinking that Chuck Prince would get fired. I think the financials might get a bounce when/if the Fed cuts at the end of the month. Would you sell?On Monday's Stop Trading! segment you indicated there were no financials you would want to own. Does that include Goldman Sachs?You once you gave us a ...
On Stockpickr Answers Monday and over the weekend, Jim Cramer responded to a new batch of questions posed by members of the Stockpickr community. Anybody can ask, respond or comment at Stockpickr Answers; the top responders get ranked in our "Top Analysts" section. Here are a few of the questions to which Cramer recently responded:Just wanted to ask your opinion on National Oilwell Varco, compared to Transocean. I own 100 shares of NOV at $71.23, would you hold the NOV or split the position with RIG?What is your opinion of the oil services sector? I know you have been very bullish, but at the end of this last week there was a huge pullback. Has your position changed?What are your thoughts on investing in wind p...
A couple weeks ago while my car was in the shop being serviced, I had the opportunity to walk around an upscale shopping area nearby while waiting for my vehicle. I noticed that Macy's, Inc. (M) took up three separate buildings and was very busy, and Nordstrom Inc. (JWN) had a lot of activity, with the hustle and bustle of the valet auto parkers. However, Coldwater Creek Inc. (CWTR) was empty, in spite of the fact that they were offering a 50% Off on Everything Sale.Macy's has a price to earnings ratio of 18, a price earnings to growth ratio of 1.08, and a yield of 1.7%; Nordstrom has a P/E of 14, a PEG of 1.16, and a yield of 1.4%. Yet Coldwater Creek has a higher PEG of 2.40, a P/E of 13.9, and no dividend. Then this weekend, I ...
Speaking of Dividends: This Barron's column highlights the latest dividend increases, initiations, and cutbacks. This week's issue includes some info on Carnival (CCL).Top Insider Purchases of the Week: Insider purchases are a lot more predictive than insider selling. Barron's list the top purchases and we take it one step further by telling you who is purchasing. Some interesting insider activity in stocks like RT, SFD and WRLD.Barron’s Summaries: Each week Barron's has bullish and bearish stories on a variety of stocks. We present the summaries in this portfolio. This week's issue includes a bullish story on Sears Holdings (SHLD) and Monster Worldwide (MNST).Research Reports: The latest analyst research reports highlight...
Some interesting trivia about Taiwan, also known as the Republic of China:1. It is one of the Four Asian Tigers.2. It is rated 16th in terms of GDP by purchasing power parity.3. It is rated 23rd in terms of GDP per capita.4. GDP real growth averages 8% for the last 30 years.5. It is a major foreign investor in mainland China, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.6. It has the third largest foreign reserves in the world.7. Their students have some of the highest test scores in the world.8. They have a literacy rate of 96.1%.Here are some Taiwanese stocks which trade on United States Stock Exchanges:Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc. (ASX), which trades on the New York Stock Exchange, is ...
