6 posts and columns on financial markets

Battling the Cyber Warmongers

in News on May 10, 2010 at 5:00 am PT

A recent simulation of a devastating cyberattack on America was crying for a Bruce Willis lead: A series of mysterious attacks–probably sanctioned by China but traced to servers in the Russian city of Irkutsk–crippled much of the national infrastructure, including air traffic, financial markets and even basic email. If this was not bad enough, an unrelated electricity outage took down whatever remained of the already unplugged East Coast.

Report: 2008 IPO Market Obviously Lousy

in News on December 11, 2008 at 5:40 am PT

With the economy in contraction and the stock market going all to hell, 2008 was not a good year for the IPO market. In fact, volumewise, it’s looking like it was one of the worst in the last 13 years. Global IPO activity has more than halved since 2007, according to Ernst & Young’s year-end Global IPO update.

Google: Whoops! Econalypse

in News on November 10, 2008 at 1:02 pm PT

The econalypse is finally catching up with Google–according to the company’s recently released 10-Q and Barclays Capital analyst Douglas Anmuth, who apparently just read it. Noting that advertising spending generally declines in ugly economic conditions, Anmuth lowered his share price forecast for Google to $490 from $542.

Weekend Update, 10/17/08

in News on October 17, 2008 at 5:00 pm PT

Beyond the wet-your-pants whipsawing of the financial markets, the week ending Oct. 17, 2008, was one in which Apple figured prominently. On Tuesday, the company unveiled revisions to its MacBook Pro, MacBook and MacBook Air portables–as well as its new LED Cinema Display. It also issued a Steve Jobs health update: The Apple CEO’s blood pressure is 110/70.

Take a Bath With Mr. Tech Bubble

in News on October 9, 2008 at 11:00 am PT

Wall Street: Give Me Something to Stop the Bleeding

in News on September 30, 2008 at 7:20 am PT

Wall Street’s 777-point selloff on Monday–one of its worst days since 1929–hit many tech stocks harder even than the overall market on Monday. Said Ross Sandler, senior Internet analyst at RBC Capital Markets, “Tech took it on the chin disproportionately.” Indeed, it did. And a couple of other places as well, from the looks of things. A quick overview of the carnage.