Matthew Rafat

http://www.gotshares.com
Total Rating:
0 / -1

14 Comments

    • Mon Nov 3rd 16:44 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Foreign Debt Holders and U.S. National Debt
      Smarty_Pants' comment directly above is right on. I couldn't have said it better.
      View article »
    • Sat Nov 1st 19:21 PM | Rating: 0 -1
      Commented on:
      The Shallowest Generation
      If you like this article, check this out out--A Nation of Debtors:

      seekingalpha.com/artic...
      View article »
    • Mon Oct 20th 00:50 AM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Visa's First Annual Shareholder Meeting a Non-Event
      Art Rimbaud: the annual shareholder is the one time ordinary investors can directly question a company and gain insight into their culture. Companies, like countries, have their own culture. I favor open, humble corporate cultures, because the more open a company is to criticism, the less likely it is to end up like Enron (just view Skilling's response to an analyst in the documentary, _The Smartest Guys in the Room_). Your comment on the number of shares I own is irrelevant, because it is precisely a company's attitude towards small investors that indicates how open it is. In addition, your comment is based on the premise is that public companies should only pay attention to institutional investors or large investors and that small investors have nothing to add. Your premise is incorrect and fails to recognize the importance of Regulation FD and the role of the small investor in keeping companies honest and responsive to the public. Recent events should demonstrate what happens when only large players are involved in decisionmaking, or when large players are insulated from public feedback.
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    • Thu Sep 11th 13:41 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Notes on VMWare's Special Shareholder Meeting
      RTFM, you've given one of the better explanations that exist about VMware's business. Thank you. In some ways, this sounds like an arms race--perhaps VMWare's products aren't absolutely necessary for a company, but if companies do not adopt the more advanced technology, they will be left behind. I realize my knowledge is extremely limited, but I am not a techie. Thank you again for your detailed post.
      View article »
    • Wed Sep 10th 21:55 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Notes on VMWare's Special Shareholder Meeting
      RTFM: explain what "virtualization&q... is. The CEO didn't do a thorough job, which is the reason my posting here is sparse on details. I have a generalized idea that "virtualization&q... can result in one machine consolidating functions and backup usually performed by multiple machines. From a storage perspective, this sounds intriguing, but I don't see how VMWare has a "wide moat" or how it can prevent its technology from becoming a commodity, like memory backup (i.e., review what happened to Iomega). I look forward to your detailed post with details on how VMWare can make money on "virtualization&q... and what prevents competitors from creating their own "virtualization&q... products to compete directly with VMWare.
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    • Wed Sep 10th 13:17 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Notes on VMWare's Special Shareholder Meeting
      You are correct about Maritz, not Peek, being the CEO. The nametags were small, and I didn't get a good view of the speaker's handwritten name. As for who the main beneficiaries were of the company's stock option reset, my understanding is that the benefits were spread to everyone, not just management. The 10-Q has more information. In the future, when a company has a stock option reset, I will ask about the primary beneficiaries.

      What's interesting about Intel owning so many VMware shares is its access to VMware's source code. Intel has recently stated it wants to compete in the same area as VMware.
      View article »
    • Tue Aug 5th 14:53 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      At Its 52-Week Low, Is Garmin a Buy?
      I sold my GRMN today, on August 5, 2008. I took a slight loss. I had originally intended to average down, but saw better opportunities in WFR and TTWO.
      View article »
    • Mon Aug 4th 19:25 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      The Case for Jamba Juice
      Alpha 26 makes a great point. If you notice, some of the new drinks, like the Granola Topper and Bright Eyed & Blueberry, are designed to be smaller portions and cost less. I think Jamba should seriously consider Alpha 26's suggestion, but personally, my main issue is the efficiency. At some point, people will not countenance waiting more than 6 minutes for a drink at any size or any price.
      View article »
    • Wed Jul 23rd 15:02 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Apple vs. Bank of America: When "Whisper Numbers" Come Home to Roost
      Not sure what Jon T's issue is. The China comment was based on the last shareholder meeting. Steve Jobs acknowledged that the iPhone wasn't receiving all possible revenue on even current subscribers because of quasi-IP issues. In addition, the middle class in China is increasing, and they will want status symbols, which include an iPhone and other Apple products.
      View article »
    • Thu Jul 17th 18:25 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Colonial Bancgroup: Sell or Hold?
      User 227819, I am not a licensed securities broker (no series 7, 63, or 66) and have no formal training in accounting or finance, so I do not recommend anyone follow my picks or rely on my writing. I am glad, however, that you seem to have made a very well-timed purchase. I liquidated my position in CNB today (July 17, 2008). I thank you for reading about my economic journey, and I wish you the best in the future!
      View article »
    • Tue Jul 15th 12:42 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Well-Capitalized Regional Banks: The Bottom Is In
      First, thank you to "ndallasj" for his careful correction. He is absolutely correct. I will change that line in my own blog. It is refreshing to see someone taking the time to make an objective correction.

      I also want to point out I published the article yesterday, and today, FHN and CNB are up around 20%. So I suppose I was correct in calling at least a short-term bottom.
      View article »
    • Fri Jun 13th 22:05 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Upshot from Circuit City's Annual Report
      Hazeleye, I just want to revisit your April 5 (Saturday) post, where you said that CC would go up "within 2 weeks":

      April 4: CC = 4.78/sh (day before hazeleye's post)

      April 11: CC = 3.90/sh (18% drop; around a 20% drop)

      April 28: CC = 4.53/sh (5% drop)

      June 13: CC = 4.35/sh (9% drop)
      View article »
    • Fri Jun 13th 18:16 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      The Dollar and the Currency Carry Trade
      SA: thank you for your useful comment. I hold DBV in a Roth IRA, so I did not consider its tax implications.
      View article »
    • Fri Jun 13th 18:15 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Upshot from Circuit City's Annual Report
      Hazeleye, in a comment you posted re: CC on April 5, you said:

      "But something, something, appears to be on the horizon within 2 weeks from today that should move the stock upwards..."

      Two weeks later, CC's stock went around 20%. That alone damages your credibility, as well as the several spelling mistakes you've made in your comments.

      In addition, it seems you are banking on Mr. Icahn coming through and boosting the value of the company. Take a look at Yahoo's stock post-Icahn. It has come down. Icahn's reputation has suffered quite a bit in recent years. He is losing his mantle as the real-life Gordon Gekko. Given that I have so few shares, I will hold onto my CC shares and enjoy the wild ride.
      View article »
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