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It is Time for Wall Street Executives to Meet Bubba

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Stocks ended a strong two-week run with a thud on Friday.  The week started off with news that AIG had given $165 million dollars in bonuses to the very same people that had virtually bankrupt the company and ended with the House passing a bill to tax those bonuses at a 90% rate.  No need for a 100% tax, since the states and local governments will take care of the remaining.  The Wall Street firms were so wrapped around the axle by end of the week – that they probably had their trading desks shorting financials on Thursday and Friday to remind the politicians that this ain’t time to rock the boat.

There is an obvious disconnect between Wall Street and the rest of the world.  I previously worked in sales for a software company and received a salary as well as incentive pay.  I remember three things about the compensation plans.  First, the plans were rather generous if you exceeded expectations.  Second, the goals of the individual and company were aligned.  It would be hard for the individual to excel if the company didn’t. Third, the company had the right to modify the plan at any time.  In the real world, whoever writes the contract has the leverage.  Apparently, on Wall Street that is not the case.

I find it hard to believe that AIG employees had such iron clad contracts, that even if the company had just reported the largest quarterly loss in U.S. corporate history and even if the company was within days of collapsing the entire global financial system – the employees still had enough juice to warrant $165 million dollars in bonuses.  Something doesn’t smell right!

Personally, I believe the Wall Street executives have presided over the greatest crime in American history.  Maybe if a few of them spent a little time, preferably sitting by large prisoner named Bubba, they would think twice about handing out such ridiculous bonuses.  Did you see how fast Madoff lost his smirk after he met Bubba?

As an aside, I think that Congress’ response to the matter was a little over the top.  I am not in favor of Congress taxing the smithereens out of people.  What’s going to stop them for going after anyone not aligned with their idea of fairness in the future?

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Is Stocks For the Long Run a Lie?

I can’t believe what I just read.  Mark Hulbert publishes The Hulbert Financial Digest a monthly financial newsletter tracking service.  As of the end of February, the best performing newsletter in his database dating back to 1980 belongs to a guy who is 89% cash.  Get this – he has been primarily in cash since 1986.

What about about stocks for the long run?  Someone has some splainin to do.

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401K to 201K – Next Stop 101K ?

Our hope of a better stock market in 2009 is off to a rocky start.  January goes down in the record books as the worst January EVER.  If the old adage “so goes January – so goes the year holds true” why are we playing this game?  If you aren’t asking yourself that question – maybe you should.

In the February 25, 2008 Time & Money Report, I said the following:

For the ones of you that are stuck in 401K plans, I still think that cash is the best place for now. The S&P 500 is down 7.9% for the year. Last time I checked 0% is better than negative 7.9%. If you have an option of moving your money into a self-directed IRA; I would do it in a nanosecond. Most 401K plans are so limited that it is hard to take advantage of the part of the market that is working now (Natural Resource Stocks). If the S&P 500 can break 1400 – then standard 401K options can be considered again.

After only 30 days, the S&P 500 is already down 8.6%.  Does that sound like déjà vu?  Continue reading “401K to 201K – Next Stop 101K ?”

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Look out Wall Street: Investors Are Getting Fed Up

Lifecycle funds are Wall Street’s latest concoction for the average investor.  These funds invest in a combination of equity, fixed-income and short term funds.  The funds use an automatic asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly more conservative as one’s retirement date approaches.  Since most set their allocation when joining a 401K plan and occasionally make adjustments, this product ensures that a person always has the appropriate asset mix.

On the surface, this appears to be a win-win deal.  The investor is always in the right mix of assets – in essence improving their returns.  Wall Street converts haphazard adjustments into a nice predictable fee generating event.  So, how are these products performing this year?

Continue reading “Look out Wall Street: Investors Are Getting Fed Up”

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Wall Street: Capitulation Watch, the Lie and the Mouse

Have we hit the bottom?  That’s the million dollar question.  I wish that I had the answer for you.  I watch CNBC (too much) and all of the clowns that were calling for bottoms in March and July have gone radio silent.  That’s been replaced with capitulation look out.

Capitulation is when there is a tidal wave of frantic selling typically over a day or two.  Basically everyone throws in the towel and says “no mas.”  The DOW is down 23% this month.  The S&P 500 is down 40% year to date. Commodity stocks are down 50-70% this year.  Does the market really have to go down another 10%, in a day, for people to say “Uncle?”

The theory is that after everyone finishes up chucking – the market can begin its recovery.  Maybe it will play out that way.  However, with some many people looking for it – I am sure that Mr. Market will have something else in mind. Continue reading “Wall Street: Capitulation Watch, the Lie and the Mouse”