WorldWinds | The World at your Fingertips: 8aweek: Save yourself from the Internet!

The glory days have returned to the Middle East it appears, with regional indices rising between 30-50% YTD. If, however, these currencies were floating, and not pegged to the dollar, one could expect that this YTD rise would be between 80-90%. There is, however, one change to my thesis about the Middle East. While previously I was a strong advocate of the lack of correlation to global markets thesis, this is changing. Foreigners have begun dumping cash into Middle Eastern markets seeking this lack of correlation, and as this fast money comes it, it can come out just as fast. While the macro story is among the most attractive in the world, and assets versus global peers are cheap, the lack of correlation story no longer exists in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. A new factor, however, highlighting the region's attractiveness is amount of foreign capital seeking currency revaluation and cheap assets being shifting towards the region.

By: Sherif Elhalwagy

2007/12/10

As we get ready to position for 2008, the most immediate question which needs to be asked before determined sector/equity strength is global market strength.I believe that stocks are not expensive, nor are they a bargain. I still believe that global rising wealth levels will drive the developed world's economic strength, but more importantly, stock markets.While 2008 should probably be year of moderate equity gains (7-10% area ), I believe it will probably be in the likes of 20% + in developed markets, and potentially more for emerging markets. One might call me crazy? However, I just call the others crazy. I think this is a likely scenario because as people watch equity markets rise moderately, a horde of cash will begin chasing them higher and higher, until we reach a global asset price "bubble scenario." Some argue that equities are in a bubble, although I have to disagree with this given that the rise in developed market equities for the decade has not been large, although the last three years have. Also, profits grew significantly during this period, keeping valuations attractive. I also do not see a significant risk to the global economy.

By: Sherif ElHalwagy

Once again Goldman has not only surpassed The Street's estimate, but has blown away investors. A quote I once heard - "'only kiss the prettiest girl in town" has come to life with Goldman's earnings.For any long-term investor in the US bulge bracket financials, it is without question that if you want to bet on the smartest, sharpest, and savviest financial experts, the team to go with is Goldman.For 3Q07, Goldman reported $6.13 EPS, versus a consensus of $4.35.While broad based strength across business lines were stronger, Goldman's mortgage unit posted a $1b gain by shorting sub-prime debt.Even better, it was not simply speculation performed by a hedge fund, but risk management. One hopes that Goldman will remain the talent it does to manage there high-risk balance sheet.

By: Sherif El Halwagy

Friday, February 15, 2008

8aweek: Save yourself from the Internet!

This brand-new Firefox add-on is the perfect cure for our addiction to pointless websites on the Internet. Studies from 8aweek.com have proven that the average employee wastes about 8 hours a week on irrelevant websites. Can you imagine how much it would be for the average college student?! A LOT more...and that's probably a huge understatement!

8aweek is seed funded by Y Combinator, a VC firm that supports promising startup-companies. This unique software tracks (no adware or spyware by the way) your individual browsing patterns and logs the amount of time you spend on specific websites. If you want, you can add those websites that you spend too much time on, to a restricted time setting. In other words, if you are spending WAY too much time on YouTube everyday, 8aweek will allow you to set a 30 min or 45 min timer for YouTube so you can measure your time much more efficiently. It's definitely something worth checking out if you're in dire need of proper time management! Download it here

1 comments:

NiCE said...: This is an awesome thing! Really nice to keep track of your children and what they do on the internet too! Also useful to track you spouses activities!; February 19, 2008 at 11:18 AM

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