Slope of Hope Blog Posts
Slope initially began as a blog, so this is where most of the website’s content resides. Here we have tens of thousands of posts dating back over a decade. These are listed in reverse chronological order. Click on any category icon below to see posts tagged with that particular subject, or click on a word in the category cloud on the right side of the screen for more specific choices.
Watch! Me! Slopers!
God Bless Us, Every One!
Over the years, there have been many, many adaptations of the Dickens novel A Christmas Carol, but the one starring Alastair Sim has always been my favorite. After all these years, I still find it terribly moving, and so, as I focus on family and food (hopefully in that order), I offer you the full film with the hope that Slopers the world over have a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable Christmas.
– Tiny Tim
You Can’t Make This Stuff Up (by Trade Flight Plan)
It's a wonder that Pump 'n Dump schemes continue to try and prey on unsuspecting investors. Although it's hard to imagine this stuff is legal, the frequency of penny stock solicitations in our inbox suggests these schemes are alive and well.
Every now and then, an email slips through that really offers some nice entertainment value.
The latest solication arrived last week, on 12/12/12 of all days for ticker symbol PFNI. You would think that the Psychic Friends Network Inc., of all companies, would have an edge in forecasting future stock price appreciation. We are not making this stuff up.
Just for kicks, a few days later, let's take a look at how PFNI is faring in the markets with its stampede of new investors. The yellow arrow points to the daily price candle on 12/12/12, when the spam – er marketing – email was received.
Instead of heading to the $1 level very soon, as prognosticated by Elliott Dobbs, esteemed publisher (but obviously not a psychic), we actually crater to nearly zero the past two trading days. You just can't make this stuff up.
Tiring of “Uncle Warren” (by Mark St.Cyr)
As we settle into the holiday malaise one thing keeps coming across
the airwaves, and print with more intrusive annoyance than a new colored
or shaded shopping day advertisement: Warren Buffet.
Over the years he has a great track record and has delivered share
holder value worthy of praise. So let me be clear that I respect, and
applaud it. However the sycophantic drooling over what he says; or the
unquestioning must follow cult like reactions to every word mouthed is
getting not only old – it’s down right pathetic. Not only from investors
of all stripes, but the media as well.
When it comes to investing one term that gets repeated over, and
over, and over again is “I worship at the altar of Mr. Buffet.” I
understand using hyperbole to make a point. Yet what you hear next 9 out
of 10 times is that person carrying on as if there really is some alter
within a building where this person or others receives edicts from one
of Warren’s many investing guide books. (Sorry I meant gospels) As to
instruct and follow his written word as he has written.
