WorldWinds | The World at your Fingertips: Indelible Footprints on Facebook

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

Monday, February 11, 2008

Indelible Footprints on Facebook

Have you ever wondered that it is virtually impossible to delete all traces of yourself on the popular social networking site Facebook? The only option available to the 62 million active users of the site, is to deactivate their accounts. Facebook has been permanently storing all of the users' information and pictures all along since it started up in February of 2004 without directly saying so.

There is a great deal of concern among users about potential privacy risks as a result of having their personal information saved on the Facebook database. Even if you manually were to erase all of your tracks, messages, photos, on your profile, the majority of that content has been stored up already by Facebook. Food for thought.

There are about 15 million pictures uploaded on Facebook every single day! Also, many of you with Facebook accounts may have noticed a rising number of ads on your profiles about your friends activities and applications. You are not even asked for your consent before this information is publicized. We may not realize it, but if we a long, hard look at it, there is definitely a risk of privacy abuse involved here. Just because someone is not your friend on Facebook, doesn't mean they don't have access to your information. Scary.

1 comments:

Anonymous said...: this really makes me think about the dangers of the net....glad uve started this up again man....keep the good stuff coming

-anil; February 13, 2008 at 1:42 AM

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)