hyten1

folks does anyone know which etf match nikkei 225? I can 't see to locate one

EWJ anyone?

well for me i would go prob go with #1 assuming this net net is not burning cash and doesn't seem likely there will be any reason that it might start burning lots of cash soon. And assume there is enough trading volume. And assuming the management is not known for pissing away cash. And especially if there is some potential catalyst. #2 sounds like a lot of large cap right now :)

would like to know myself, if not a site how does people look for this type of info

thx guys, very interesting and a good reminder that anything can happen (that is why margin of safety is so important)

folks check this out http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1192305/000139834411000471/fp0002618_sc13da.htm tilson starting buying this around dec 2010 around $1.5 and continue to buy until 2/23/2011 at around $0.60 and then sold everything few days later at around $0.18 anyone know what is going on? I did some minor research, looks like they are selling off the company, but at a price which leaves equity holders with nothing. man how did tilson get this so wrong, in a span of 2 months. hy

i have also been watching this area for a little while wdc, stx, sndk i bought wdc back when it was 12 sold it in 30's i got back in again when it hit 25 (small position waiting to load up) or so. this is a very volatile area, both long and short term supply imbalances creates wild swings. i also think the issue with ssd is over blown, wdc is completely aware of ssd and they are one of the best operators in this industry. but i am still waiting since this area tend to have wild swings. hy

I think just because th 4 didn't buy anything doesn't mean there is no value around. They have much different needs and criteria (big elephants) than we do (I suspect). Also buffett has also said cash is the worst investment For me I am cautious, I then to look at individual company/stock more than macro fyi, i am 30% cash right now, waiting for the next good pitch

I'm not quite ready to live off my investments (I'm 28), but that's a question that I have been trying to answer too. The conventional wisdom is to move more heavily into bonds when you take the plunge, but I feel like there must be a way that is more tax efficient (so you don't realize too much capital gains and pay tons of taxes) and gives better return prospects over the long-term while retired, even if the ride isn't as smooth. Something like taking out enough money to live 2-4 years comfortably and leave the rest mostly into high-quality equities, so that if there's a big recession, you should have enough cushion to get through it without having to sell at the bottom. f.ex. You have 2 million in stocks. You take out 300k (after tax) because you want to live on 75k/year and leave ±1.5 million to keep compounding tax free in stocks. Sell a bit out when you feel valuations are high so that you have 3-4 years of cushion most of the time, rinse and repeat..? Is this a strategy that makes sense to the people here (even if it isn't the conventional wisdom in the mass financial media)? Or would you try to sell more, pay the taxes, and move heavily into bonds when you decide to retire? Liberty this is actually the approach I was thinking of. But i am a bid more parinoid, I would like to have maybe 10 yrs of cushion most of the time and have the rest of the money in stock or whatever investment that is the best at the time in terms of appreciation.

I had never discussed any dollar numbers in the past, up until a few days ago when I mentioned my 2009 tax bill. I regret doing that because I wanted to never discuss the money itself, because we all start with different sums at different ages (some with student loans and whatnot, and different incomes). For example, it isn't how much money that Buffett has that is interesting to people around here, it's his rate of compounding that is interesting. But anyways, when I told my manager I was quiting I had about 30 times my annual base salary. I spend far more than I "need" to. The vacations and such. But my wife still drives the same car, we still live in the same house (although for a moment there I tried to buy a larger one). We pay for house cleaning and landscaping. I bought a hot tub this year. Things like that. eric, thanks for sharing. I should've ask what multiple of your current salary or expense you had when you decide to retire. I hear agree the actual numbers is very personal. the 30 times you mention is very help! Is this 30 time pre or after tax?

ericopoly inspirational comment. I totally agree with you about building the bridge 3 times strong since you never know what will happen. I am still struggling with how much is enough. I guess technically I can retire now, move to a cheaper part of the US and live a regular medium income life, but how fun is that. Even this I am not 100% sure. I have a hard time believing base on the numbers (i.e. you have X in networth, if you spend Y per yr you can live Z years). I personally need the X to be way larger and Y way larger than what I spend now so that I feel comfortable and prepare of the unexpected. thanks for the comment. Eric not sure if its possible, just thought I ask. Can you give some specific numbers? how much you have? how much you spend per month etc etc. I understand you don't want to share this. I wouldn't in a open forum. But I thought I ask, you never know. thanks hy

Folks, I thought I'll share this with you guys, hope you guys will find this interesting. I recently publish a book called "How might Warren Buffett Invest in Real Estate?", you can check it out here http://www.warrenbuffettinvestinrealestate.com or here http://www.amazon.com/Warren-Buffett-Invest-Estate-ebook/dp/B004M8S4ZO/ I had the idea a few years back and thought it was interesting to explore the question. Hy

roger, i don't think see's only sells one product at one price last time i check. also i don't see how often you buy something have to do with pricing power. also don't get me wrong, i never said or think tpx was the best pricing power or it'll last forever. all it comes down to this is very simple. If tpx raises price will it affect their sales much, base on my analysis i don't think so. hy

roger what is your definition of pricing power? my definition is, if the company can raise their price without affecting their sales much is pricing power. people who have decided on TPX is not going to buy another brand because TPX raise their price by 50 or $100 compare to last yr. There is already a huge price difference btw TPX mattress and others.

you should read what tpx has been doing, they pretty much raise their price on a yearly bases, a mattress that cost $3000 one year its $3100 the next year doesn't deter many buyers. tpx has the brand name. Its pretty much tpx and everyone else considering what they sell. the other 3 S's pretty much get lump together, they are all pretty much the same to me, brand wise. i wouldn't buy it at current price (I am not the best when it comes to market timing). there are actually a bunch of company that i believe have some pricing power that are too rich for my blood currently, for exmaple: nflx, aapl, tpx

this is going to cause some posts ... i submit a company has some pricing power TPX bought it when it was from 6 to 12

gokou3, i am new to ccme and don't know all the details. But the thing that trouble me the most are the financial. 1. capital expenditure why so low? 2. if generate so much cash why raise money, i could understand why you want to go public (prestige, liquidity etc) but subsequent money raising is puzzling to me. I mean even addition money raising can be due to strategic partnership reason, but is Star strategic? now these things above doesn't means its fraud (there are way to can explain them). But I would like these question ask to management point blank and get a straight answer (maybe they already did, i am just not aware of it?)

for me here are some things that i do 1. i don't short (this is a big one) 2. keeping position to their respective size depending on the opportunity (how confident i am, probability etc etc). Size ranges from less than 1% to 10%. I usually like to start with a very small position and accumulate overtime (there are definitely draw back to this approach but this has work for me so far, i have miss opportunities but that is how it is right now) 3. i do have different investment types, some are long term, some are catalyst driven etc. 4. i try to go through the criterias and see if things change everytime new info comes up 5. i don't use much macro yet or any of technical indicators, i am purely bottoms up guy hy

segate is stronger on enterprise side, but i like wdc better due to their lower cost and valuation/cash

Myth465 i hear ya, i agree (i actually bought wdc when it hit 25 or so), maybe i have been spoiled by the last few years. i can definitely find plenty of quality companies trading at 10x CF i guess i am looking for even better deals. hy

Myth465 my experience has been very different from yours, i am having a very hard time finding bargains, i keep looking nothing seem very good

dealraker, wow 125k for a beach fromt property! i would like to get one, where is this specifically in florida?

i am currently working on a book regarding buffett's teachings (value investing etc.) i was wondering if anyone knows of an book editor who has background in value investing/buffett? or just investing in general?

interchange fee are paid by the banks if i am not mistaken. this doesn't have direct impact on visa or mastercard not indirect impact .... well is hard to say

for me its not about retirement its about getting out of the corporate rat race. i don't intend to retire (meaning do nothing) i just want the freedom to get out of the corporate rat race