Market Today

[Gaspar]

Oracle will be sitting pretty if they win their lawsuit against Google.

They laid off a bunch of their development staff and aren't pushing any new data utilities.  Makes me think that they are really banking everything on this suit.

[swake]

They laid off a bunch of their development staff and aren't pushing any new data utilities.  Makes me think that they are really banking everything on this suit.

Oh goodness, if Oracle loses, will they shut down?

Gasp,

I don't mean to be rude, but this is a beyond clueless statement. You make is sound like Oracle is a little start up on it's last legs grasping at a lawsuit to save the company (like Tivo) instead of one the largest most pervasive and profitable technology companies in the world.

Java isn't even a particularly important product to Oracle in the big scheme of things. They are just trying to make money on the purchase of Sun, along with trying to get into the handset game, which might become profitable to Google in the future.

[Gaspar]

Oh goodness, if Oracle loses, will they shut down?

Gasp,

I don't mean to be rude, but this is a beyond clueless statement. You make is sound like Oracle is a little start up on it's last legs grasping at a lawsuit to save the company (like Tivo) instead of one the largest most pervasive and profitable technology companies in the world.

Java isn't even a particularly important product to Oracle in the big scheme of things. They are just trying to make money on the purchase of Sun, along with trying to get into the handset game, which might become profitable to Google in the future.

Dude!  That's not what I'm saying at all.  All I am saying is that a company focused on constant innovation and gobbling up of other technologies has halted that effort, and it may be due to a perceived windfall from a lawsuit with Google.  You really read a lot into that one.

[swake]

Dude!  That's not what I'm saying at all.  All I am saying is that a company focused on constant innovation and gobbling up of other technologies has halted that effort, and it may be due to a perceived windfall from a lawsuit with Google.  You really read a lot into that one.

Well, it's really debatable if Google is making anything at all yet from Android, so any windfall from this lawsuit is completely theoretical.

And Oracle and innovation haven't been connected in some time, kinda like Microsoft, but even worse.

[Conan71]

It's all geek speak to me!

[swake]

It's all geek speak to me!

Basically, Oracle is one the largest companies in the world. They have over 100,000 employees and a market cap of more than 100 billion and produce a wide range of products that touch your life (along with most people on Earth) every day, you just don't usually see it. To say that they are not going to attempt to innovate anymore because they laid off some developers and are suing another technology behemoth over patent infringement of one of their middle level products is ludicrous.

The question about Oracle is the same one people ask about Microsoft. As an older, more entrenched, and massive tech company with ubiquitous and hugely profitable products do they still have a corporate culture that allows for real innovation. Can Oracle be part of what's next as opposed to dominating what's now. This lawsuit has little to do with that question.

[RecycleMichael]

Today the Dow dropped from 10,303 all the way to 10,302.

I guess the kids can get a few more steps in them old shoes.

[Townsend]

NEW YORK — Investors regained some enthusiasm for stocks Tuesday, sending prices sharply higher after reports showed a slight improvement in the housing market and a big jump in industrial production.

Investors were also encouraged by earnings from Home Depot Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. that were better than expected. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 103 points. All the major stock indexes were up more than 1 percent. Interest rates rose as investors moved out of the bond market and back into stocks.

Index   Last Change
I:DJI  10405.85 +103.84+1.01%
INX  1092.54 +13.16+1.22%
SPX.X  1092.54 +13.16+1.22%
I:DJI  10405.85 +103.84+1.01%

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38735496/ns/business-eye_on_the_economy

[Gaspar]

Not so worried about my decision making process now.  You guys had me spooked.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/38826988

Some are saying we will get down to 5,000, but I'm going to get back in at 6,000.  Being relatively young, most of what I had was Tech stuff, and I'm glad I sold it off the other day.  Everything else is long term and I can weather this storm.

I noticed that Soros sold most of his large US holdings last week.  Dumped most of his banking, finance, and retail stocks. 

The sky is not falling, but the ceiling is getting lower.

[RecycleMichael]

Let's put a wager on it Gaspar.

You think the Dow will drop below 6,000.

Let's bet.

I say the Dow will be over 11,000 before it drops below 8,000.

Loser buys winner a case of Marshall's Beer.

Are you in?

[nathanm]

If the fed continues sitting on their hands, Gaspar may be closer to correct than any of us would like.

Given that Bernanke was sharply critical of the Bank of Japan for fiddling while the Japanese economy stagnated in deflation, I'm surprised he's let it go this long. I suppose he's probably having trouble getting certain of the Fed Presidents on board with action. Some of them are ideologically opposed to the idea that the Fed has any place in solving this problem, despite it being legislatively mandated that they do so. (Inflation is well below target, nearly to zero; the law requires that the FRB set a target and make it happen)

[Gaspar]

Let's put a wager on it Gaspar.

You think the Dow will drop below 6,000.

Let's bet.

I say the Dow will be over 11,000 before it drops below 8,000.

Loser buys winner a case of Marshall's Beer.

Are you in?

I hate to bet on the failure of the market, but I'm in for a 12 pack (that way I can buy a case, and drink the other 12 myself to make me feel better). 

12 oz!

[Conan71]

Let's put a wager on it Gaspar.

You think the Dow will drop below 6,000.

Let's bet.

I say the Dow will be over 11,000 before it drops below 8,000.

Loser buys winner a case of Marshall's Beer.

Are you in?

Case of 22's or 12's?  I'll take that action. 

[Gaspar]

If the fed continues sitting on their hands, Gaspar may be closer to correct than any of us would like.

Given that Bernanke was sharply critical of the Bank of Japan for fiddling while the Japanese economy stagnated in deflation, I'm surprised he's let it go this long. I suppose he's probably having trouble getting certain of the Fed Presidents on board with action. Some of them are ideologically opposed to the idea that the Fed has any place in solving this problem, despite it being legislatively mandated that they do so. (Inflation is well below target, nearly to zero; the law requires that the FRB set a target and make it happen)

Catch 22 at this point.  If he raises interest rates it will further stagnate a housing market that is over 25% in the dumpster, and any growing businesses struggling for financing.  

The picture is becoming far more clear now.  Everything focuses back on housing and the bubble generated.  There is a huge amount of capital locked up (and on fire).  

[custosnox]

Case of 22's or 12's?  I'll take that action. 

And to think, you can get around the law against betting because your just "playing the market" with your own choice of stock and trade.