noviembre 09, 2004

Rocket

I know that this blog focuses mainly on business and related topics. But I still have to brag on my Astros, even if I am the ultimate fair weather fan.

I'll let the article say it all:
At 42, Roger Clemens is the oldest Cy Young winner and an unprecedented seven-time honoree. The right-hander won the award six times in the American League — three with the Boston Red Sox, two with the Toronto Blue Jays and one with the New York Yankees.

With this latest honor, Clemens is the only player to win BBWAA postseason awards with four teams. His eight trophies, including the 1986 AL Most Valuable Player award, are the most for any player or manager. He joins Gaylord Perry, Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson as Cy Young winners in both leagues.

After pitching for the Yankees in the 2003 World Series, Clemens posted an 18-4 record and 2.98 ERA to help the Astros qualify for the playoffs, resulting in them coming within a victory of reaching the World Series for the first time in franchise history.
Clemens is a hometown Houston boy.

noviembre 08, 2004

Oil prices falling

The Houston economy is still very affected by the price of crude. The price has finally declined below $50 to about $48.

As I love Houston, I do hope that the price of oil stays as a reasonable level long-term. However, sustained short-term oil price plunges create buying opportunities in the real estate market as the economy suffers. I'll be watching the price of oil.

noviembre 07, 2004

Merck

Merck is trading at about $26 or $27. This is about a 75% decrease from the stock's January 2001 high.

Merck obviously has troubles. It faces expensive litigation even if it wins, and possible regulatory review. It has lost the earnings of one of its primary performers. According to rumors, Merck resumes are floating around the industry.

I still haven't done a thorough investigation of how I think the stock should be valued. However, my gut is telling me that the market is overreacting. Traders have a tendency to do this. The PE is 8.5, the dividend yield is almost 6%. Even if the price can only hold steady, 6% yield is pretty good.

noviembre 06, 2004

Product lines for PR

This story makes me laugh:
Jones Soda Co. takes the idea of a liquid diet to a new low. How does Green Bean Casserole Soda strike you? And how about an aggressively buttery-smelling Mashed Potato Soda?

ADVERTISEMENT

Even the creators of the fizzy concoctions at this small Seattle soda company can hardly stomach the stuff. But last year's unexpected success of the Turkey & Gravy Soda means another round of bizarre food-flavored soft drinks.

As an added bonus, they're calorie-free.

This week Jones Soda Co. launches a full meal deal of five Thanksgiving soda flavors, from the bile-colored Green Bean Casserole to the sweet — but slightly sickly — Fruitcake Soda. Last year's Turkey & Gravy is also back on the menu.
I think this is a PR stunt.

Jones is a smart, quirky company. They make "gourmet" sodas, which are generally very tasty. I believe they are from the Northwest, and seem to love that quirky semi-hippie vibe from up there. Their problem isn't so much in keeping customers; it's in getting the distribution that allows them to go after customers. Jones isn't available many places so far, but I'm sure they'd like to build some brand recognition for places that they go in the future.

And look -- they've managed to get very good coverage. Most newspapers have picked up the story!

noviembre 05, 2004

Probably last Vegas post

When you've been to Vegas for the first time, it makes you think. As I wrote yesterday, they turned one simple idea -- legal gambling -- into a huge enterprise. Today Las Vegas is a booming metropolis, but it has no industry. It is mainly populated by the people who work at casinos and the entrepreneurs who offer services to those who work at casinos. Plus some retirees who like warm weather, low cost of living, and gambling.

My guess is that Vegas provides an excellent opportunity for lower middle class of the West to get middle class service jobs. Then they have kids and the kids have the opportunity for social mobility. Given my experience, this seems particularly true for immigrants.

A couple of the suburbs looked pretty cute. I thought Henderson and Boulder City looked like a nice place to live. They were cute, suburban, and not far from some beautiful views. Living in the mountains is fun.

What I wasn't fond of: being a single guy on the street, you get mobbed by people trying to give you cards for hookers. I'm smart enough to not take things from people on the street.

I also had four different occasions on the street late at night of black guys my age walking up to me and saying in a low voice "chronic, man, chronic." Yeah... I've never done drugs and I don't think now is the time to start, buddy.

The glitz was also underwhelming to me, perhaps because I had my expectations raised by so many other people. I have to say though...it's amusing that even the McDonalds and Motel6 have neon flashing signs.

noviembre 04, 2004

More Vegas

I'm not entirely sure of the history behind Nevada's gambling. It is obviously libertarian on gambling and prostitution. The Wild West generally had a pretty libertarian bent, in general.

I do wonder if the folks who originally made these laws envisioned the potential for business. Were they thinking like entrepreneurs? Or were they just degenerate gamblers?

noviembre 03, 2004

Election over

With the election over, productivity can resume.

Personally, I know my productivity slumps significantly during election time. I keep politics out of this blog, but I'm a news junkie. When it's election time, I can't resist.

Being out of town was like being a fish out of water. I had no way to get my fix, and it drove me crazy. Then I got used to it for a few days. Still, I was glad to get home in time to watch the returns roll in.

I wonder how much employee productivity time is lost to election watching?