Thursday, March 30, 2006
Monday, March 27, 2006
Trading ideas for the week of March 27th:
Nasdaq: AMLN (Amylin Pharmaceuticals) Get in on or before 3/29.
Nasdaq: HIMX (Himax Technologies) they're going public with pricing to occur on 3/30. Lead Manager is: MWD Co-managers: CSR, BAC, PJC, ABN Amro Rothschild, and HSBC. Not sure if this one is gonna be a hottie, but I will know by my allocation, if i get any shares at the IPO. Just a small debriefing based on what I read from the prospectus. This is a 'foreign' play, so if you want some foreign exposure, this is an ADS (American Depository Shares.) These ppl are in the business of creating components for flat panel display semiconductor industry (not bad seeing how every household known to man is upgrading their televisions in some LCD form.) They also do most of their business in asia (another bullet point to buy this stock: asian play!) If you want a prospectus, email me. I have it in .pdf format.
Nasdaq: AMLN (Amylin Pharmaceuticals) Get in on or before 3/29.
Nasdaq: HIMX (Himax Technologies) they're going public with pricing to occur on 3/30. Lead Manager is: MWD Co-managers: CSR, BAC, PJC, ABN Amro Rothschild, and HSBC. Not sure if this one is gonna be a hottie, but I will know by my allocation, if i get any shares at the IPO. Just a small debriefing based on what I read from the prospectus. This is a 'foreign' play, so if you want some foreign exposure, this is an ADS (American Depository Shares.) These ppl are in the business of creating components for flat panel display semiconductor industry (not bad seeing how every household known to man is upgrading their televisions in some LCD form.) They also do most of their business in asia (another bullet point to buy this stock: asian play!) If you want a prospectus, email me. I have it in .pdf format.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Topic: Home Mortgage
There are many types of mortgage loans. The two basic types of amortized loans are the fixed rate mortgage (FRM) and adjustable rate mortgage (ARM).
In a FRM, the interest rate, and hence monthly payment, remains fixed for the life (or term) of the loan. In the U.S., the term is usually for 10, 15, 20, or 30 years.
In an ARM, the interest rate is fixed for a period of time, after which it will periodically (annually or monthly) adjust up or down to some market index. Common indices in the U.S. include the Prime Rate, the LIBOR, and the Treasury Index ("T-Bill"). Other indexes like 11th District Cost of Funds Index, COSI, and MTA, are also available but are less popular.
Adjustable rates transfer part of the interest rate risk from the lender to the borrower, and thus are widely used where unpredictable interest rates make fixed rate loans difficult to obtain. Since the risk is transferred, lenders will usually make the initial interest rate of the ARM's note anywhere from 0.5% to 2% lower than the average 30-year fixed rate.
In most scenarios, the savings from an ARM outweigh its risks, making them an attractive option for people who are planning to keep a mortgage for ten years or less.
A partial amortization or balloon loan is one where the amount of monthly payments due are calculated (amortized) over a certain term, but the outstanding principal balance is due at some point short of that term. A balloon loan can be either a Fixed or Adjustable in terms of the Interest Rate. Many Second Trust mortgages use this feature. The most common way of describing a balloon loan uses the terminology X due in Y, where X is the number of years over which the loan is amortized, and Y is the year in which the principal balance is due.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License
There are many types of mortgage loans. The two basic types of amortized loans are the fixed rate mortgage (FRM) and adjustable rate mortgage (ARM).
In a FRM, the interest rate, and hence monthly payment, remains fixed for the life (or term) of the loan. In the U.S., the term is usually for 10, 15, 20, or 30 years.
In an ARM, the interest rate is fixed for a period of time, after which it will periodically (annually or monthly) adjust up or down to some market index. Common indices in the U.S. include the Prime Rate, the LIBOR, and the Treasury Index ("T-Bill"). Other indexes like 11th District Cost of Funds Index, COSI, and MTA, are also available but are less popular.
Adjustable rates transfer part of the interest rate risk from the lender to the borrower, and thus are widely used where unpredictable interest rates make fixed rate loans difficult to obtain. Since the risk is transferred, lenders will usually make the initial interest rate of the ARM's note anywhere from 0.5% to 2% lower than the average 30-year fixed rate.
In most scenarios, the savings from an ARM outweigh its risks, making them an attractive option for people who are planning to keep a mortgage for ten years or less.
A partial amortization or balloon loan is one where the amount of monthly payments due are calculated (amortized) over a certain term, but the outstanding principal balance is due at some point short of that term. A balloon loan can be either a Fixed or Adjustable in terms of the Interest Rate. Many Second Trust mortgages use this feature. The most common way of describing a balloon loan uses the terminology X due in Y, where X is the number of years over which the loan is amortized, and Y is the year in which the principal balance is due.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
TOPIC: Mortgage Refinancing
Refinancing refers to applying for a secured loan intended to replace an existing loan secured by the same assets. The most common consumer refinancing is for a home mortgage.
Refinancing may be undertaken to reduce interest costs (by refinancing at a lower rate), to pay off other debts, to reduce one's periodic payment obligations (sometimes by taking a longer-term loan), to reduce risk (such as by refinancing from a variable-rate to a fixed-rate loan), and/or to liquidate some or all of the equity that has accumulated in real property during the tenure of ownership.
Certain types of loans contain penalty clauses that are triggered by an early payment of the loan, either in its entirety or a specified portion. Also, some refinanced loans, while having lower initial payments, may result in larger total interest costs over the life of the loan, or expose the borrower to greater risks than the existing loan. Calculating the up-front, ongoing, and potentially variable costs of refinancing is an important part of the decision on whether or not to refinance.
Refinancing can be a good idea for homeowners who:
* want to get out of a high interest rate loan to take advantage of
lower rates. This is a good idea only if they intend to stay in the
house long enough to make the additional fees worthwhile.
* have an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) and want a fixed-rate loan
to have the certainty of knowing exactly what the mortgage payment
will be for the life of the loan.
* want to convert to an ARM with a lower interest rate or more
protective features (such as a better rate and payment caps) than
the ARM they currently have.
* want to build up equity more quickly by converting to a loan with a
shorter term.
* want to draw on the equity built up in their house to get cash for
a major purchase or for their children's education.
If you decide that refinancing is not worth the costs, ask your lender
whether you may be able to obtain all or some of the new terms you want
by agreeing to a modification of your existing loan instead of a
refinancing.
Should You Refinance Your ARM?
In deciding whether to refinance an ARM you should consider these
questions:
* Is the next interest rate adjustment on your existing loan likely
to increase your monthly payments substantially? Will the new
interest rate be two or three percentage points higher than the
prevailing rates being offered for either fixed-rate loans or other
ARMs?
* If the current mortgage sets a cap on your monthly payments, are
those payments large enough to pay off your loan by the end of the
original term? Will refinancing to a new ARM or a fixed-rate loan
enable you to pay your loan in full by the end of the term?
What Are the Costs of Refinancing?
The fees described below are the charges that you are most likely to
encounter in a refinancing.
* Application Fee. This charge imposed by your lender covers the
initial costs of processing your loan request and checking your
credit report.
* Title Search and Title Insurance. This charge will cover the cost
of examining the public record to confirm ownership of the real
estate. It also covers the cost of a policy, usually issued by a
title insurance company, that insures the policy holder in a
specific amount for any loss caused by discrepancies in the title
to the property.
Be sure to ask the company carrying the present policy if it can
re-issue your policy at a re-issue rate. You could save up to 70
percent of what it would cost you for a new policy.
Check out this nifty mortgage refinancing calculator.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License
Refinancing refers to applying for a secured loan intended to replace an existing loan secured by the same assets. The most common consumer refinancing is for a home mortgage.
Refinancing may be undertaken to reduce interest costs (by refinancing at a lower rate), to pay off other debts, to reduce one's periodic payment obligations (sometimes by taking a longer-term loan), to reduce risk (such as by refinancing from a variable-rate to a fixed-rate loan), and/or to liquidate some or all of the equity that has accumulated in real property during the tenure of ownership.
Certain types of loans contain penalty clauses that are triggered by an early payment of the loan, either in its entirety or a specified portion. Also, some refinanced loans, while having lower initial payments, may result in larger total interest costs over the life of the loan, or expose the borrower to greater risks than the existing loan. Calculating the up-front, ongoing, and potentially variable costs of refinancing is an important part of the decision on whether or not to refinance.
Refinancing can be a good idea for homeowners who:
* want to get out of a high interest rate loan to take advantage of
lower rates. This is a good idea only if they intend to stay in the
house long enough to make the additional fees worthwhile.
* have an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) and want a fixed-rate loan
to have the certainty of knowing exactly what the mortgage payment
will be for the life of the loan.
* want to convert to an ARM with a lower interest rate or more
protective features (such as a better rate and payment caps) than
the ARM they currently have.
* want to build up equity more quickly by converting to a loan with a
shorter term.
* want to draw on the equity built up in their house to get cash for
a major purchase or for their children's education.
If you decide that refinancing is not worth the costs, ask your lender
whether you may be able to obtain all or some of the new terms you want
by agreeing to a modification of your existing loan instead of a
refinancing.
Should You Refinance Your ARM?
In deciding whether to refinance an ARM you should consider these
questions:
* Is the next interest rate adjustment on your existing loan likely
to increase your monthly payments substantially? Will the new
interest rate be two or three percentage points higher than the
prevailing rates being offered for either fixed-rate loans or other
ARMs?
* If the current mortgage sets a cap on your monthly payments, are
those payments large enough to pay off your loan by the end of the
original term? Will refinancing to a new ARM or a fixed-rate loan
enable you to pay your loan in full by the end of the term?
What Are the Costs of Refinancing?
The fees described below are the charges that you are most likely to
encounter in a refinancing.
* Application Fee. This charge imposed by your lender covers the
initial costs of processing your loan request and checking your
credit report.
* Title Search and Title Insurance. This charge will cover the cost
of examining the public record to confirm ownership of the real
estate. It also covers the cost of a policy, usually issued by a
title insurance company, that insures the policy holder in a
specific amount for any loss caused by discrepancies in the title
to the property.
Be sure to ask the company carrying the present policy if it can
re-issue your policy at a re-issue rate. You could save up to 70
percent of what it would cost you for a new policy.
Check out this nifty mortgage refinancing calculator.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License
This is not an endorsement, but something I found of interest that should be put in consideration if you're accumulated a lot of debt.
Debt consolidation entails taking out one loan to pay off many others. This is often done to secure a lower interest rate, secure a fixed interest rate or for the convenience of servicing only one loan.
Debt consolidation can simply be from a number of unsecured loans into another unsecured loan, but more often it involves a secured loan against an asset that serves as collateral, which is most commonly a house (in this case a mortgage is secured against the house.) The collateralization of the loan allows a lower interest rate than without it, because by collateralizing, the asset owner agrees to allow the forced sale (foreclosure) of the asset in order to pay back the loan. The risk to the lender is reduced so the interest rate offered is lower.
Sometimes, debt consolidation companies can discount the amount of the loan. When the debtor is in danger of bankruptcy, the debt consolidator will buy the loan at a discount. A prudent debtor can shop around for consolidators who will pass along some of the savings. Consolidation can affect the ability of the debtor to discharge debts in bankruptcy, so the decision to consolidate must be weighed carefully.
Debt consolidation is often advisable in theory when someone is paying credit card debt. Credit cards can carry a much larger interest rate than even an unsecured loan from a bank. Debtors with property such as a home or car may get a lower rate through a secured loan using their property as collateral. Then the total interest and the total cash flow paid towards the debt is lower allowing the debt to be paid off sooner, incurring less interest. In practice, many people are in credit card debt because they spend more than their income. If that habit continues, the consolidation will not benefit them much because they will simply increase their credit card balances again.
Because of the theoretical advantage that debt consolidation offers a consumer that has high interest debt balances, companies can take advantage of that benefit of refinancing to charge very high fees in the debt consolidation loan. Sometimes these fees are near the state maximum for mortgage fees. In addition, some unscrupulous companies will knowingly wait until a client has backed themselves into a corner and must refinance in order to consolidate and pay off bills that they are behind on the payments. If the client does not refinance they may lose their house, so they are willing to pay any allowable fee to complete the debt consolidation. In some cases the situation is that the client does not have enough time to shop for another lender with lower fees and may not even be fully aware of them. This practice is known as predatory lending. Certainly many, if not most, debt consolidation transactions do not involve predatory lending.Check out our debt consolidation calculator!
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.
Debt consolidation entails taking out one loan to pay off many others. This is often done to secure a lower interest rate, secure a fixed interest rate or for the convenience of servicing only one loan.
Debt consolidation can simply be from a number of unsecured loans into another unsecured loan, but more often it involves a secured loan against an asset that serves as collateral, which is most commonly a house (in this case a mortgage is secured against the house.) The collateralization of the loan allows a lower interest rate than without it, because by collateralizing, the asset owner agrees to allow the forced sale (foreclosure) of the asset in order to pay back the loan. The risk to the lender is reduced so the interest rate offered is lower.
Sometimes, debt consolidation companies can discount the amount of the loan. When the debtor is in danger of bankruptcy, the debt consolidator will buy the loan at a discount. A prudent debtor can shop around for consolidators who will pass along some of the savings. Consolidation can affect the ability of the debtor to discharge debts in bankruptcy, so the decision to consolidate must be weighed carefully.
Debt consolidation is often advisable in theory when someone is paying credit card debt. Credit cards can carry a much larger interest rate than even an unsecured loan from a bank. Debtors with property such as a home or car may get a lower rate through a secured loan using their property as collateral. Then the total interest and the total cash flow paid towards the debt is lower allowing the debt to be paid off sooner, incurring less interest. In practice, many people are in credit card debt because they spend more than their income. If that habit continues, the consolidation will not benefit them much because they will simply increase their credit card balances again.
Because of the theoretical advantage that debt consolidation offers a consumer that has high interest debt balances, companies can take advantage of that benefit of refinancing to charge very high fees in the debt consolidation loan. Sometimes these fees are near the state maximum for mortgage fees. In addition, some unscrupulous companies will knowingly wait until a client has backed themselves into a corner and must refinance in order to consolidate and pay off bills that they are behind on the payments. If the client does not refinance they may lose their house, so they are willing to pay any allowable fee to complete the debt consolidation. In some cases the situation is that the client does not have enough time to shop for another lender with lower fees and may not even be fully aware of them. This practice is known as predatory lending. Certainly many, if not most, debt consolidation transactions do not involve predatory lending.Check out our debt consolidation calculator!
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Good week for stocks considering it was option expiration week. Then again, thats expected. Usually during option expiration week, broader markets are going to either go up or down in one direction. Market looks like it once to position itself for a major move up or down (there's a genius prediction.) No, but seriously, investor sediment does seem negative yet the markets are going higher? Honestly, I dont think there's much uncertainty out there. We hear the same ole uncertainties day after day: higher oil/energy prices, real estate bubble, new Federal reserve chairman's transiion (although, this one is only most recent), interest rates, Iraq, etc. The bottom line is, and as much as we don't like to hear these things, they're becoming a part of our every day life. Tell me this. Whenever we see on the news that there are more deaths in Baghdad, does that really phase anyone? Of course, we're compassionate about the situation and our condolences to the the families of the lost one's, but wasn't it not so long ago (i.e. years) that when the media said someone died over there, the markets tanked/triggered sell-off? Anyway, sorry, just watned to vent.
On a side note, Iowa hurt me in the NCAA tourney. They lost to a last second 3 pointer by Northwestern state. It was a tough shot by the Northwestern player, and there wasn't anythign Iowa could do. In poker terms, it was like someone getting burned on the river card!!! Anyway, I had them going to the Final 4. I was bummed, because I thought this was going to be the first year ever (dating back to 91) that I would have ALL my sweet 16 teams alive after Day 2. Instead, I go 15/16. So go Villanova (who struggled against Monmouth) to win it all. I have them playing Pittsburgh.
On a side note, Iowa hurt me in the NCAA tourney. They lost to a last second 3 pointer by Northwestern state. It was a tough shot by the Northwestern player, and there wasn't anythign Iowa could do. In poker terms, it was like someone getting burned on the river card!!! Anyway, I had them going to the Final 4. I was bummed, because I thought this was going to be the first year ever (dating back to 91) that I would have ALL my sweet 16 teams alive after Day 2. Instead, I go 15/16. So go Villanova (who struggled against Monmouth) to win it all. I have them playing Pittsburgh.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Trading Ideas for the Week of March 13th:
Watching NYSE: LVS (Las Vegas Sands). Goldman Sachs is lead manager in this secondary, so depending on my allocation from MWD (Morgan Stanley) of which I have based on how many shares I receive, I can "try to" guage how much of the secondary is being allocated to both the retail and institutional side.)
Looking to accumulate some Nasdaq: FORM (Formfactor, Inc.) Entry price is < $38. If you look at the charts, this stock took off after it reported. By them blowing out numbers, its probably a lock they're going to blow out next quarters earnings since the analysts have to be reasonable about their estimates. Semiconductors have done very well this year so far (i.e. BRCM, RMBS, NVDA, etc.) So it will be no surprise that this stock shouldn't be any different. Another reason why I like this stock, is b/c they just did a secondary last Thursday. And I didn't get a single share. What does this mean? Chances are the institutions gobbled it up for their personal use and will guide the stock to go higher.
Energy Play: NYSE: CHK (Chesapeake Energy) Did everyone forget this is going to be added to the S&P500? Stocks hovering around the prices it was at when they made the annoucement was made that the were going to be added. Someone is trying to manipulate the price to get these S&P500 managers to add it to their index portfolio's cheaply. I'm not saying to go 'all-in', but this stock has to be part of your portfolio. And whats not to like about natural gas?
I'll post my positions as soon as I buy them. I've been busy at work since last week and this week are my final weeks. Did anyone do WCG? It had that nice 5% pop the day after I said to get in! arghhh.
Watching NYSE: LVS (Las Vegas Sands). Goldman Sachs is lead manager in this secondary, so depending on my allocation from MWD (Morgan Stanley) of which I have based on how many shares I receive, I can "try to" guage how much of the secondary is being allocated to both the retail and institutional side.)
Looking to accumulate some Nasdaq: FORM (Formfactor, Inc.) Entry price is < $38. If you look at the charts, this stock took off after it reported. By them blowing out numbers, its probably a lock they're going to blow out next quarters earnings since the analysts have to be reasonable about their estimates. Semiconductors have done very well this year so far (i.e. BRCM, RMBS, NVDA, etc.) So it will be no surprise that this stock shouldn't be any different. Another reason why I like this stock, is b/c they just did a secondary last Thursday. And I didn't get a single share. What does this mean? Chances are the institutions gobbled it up for their personal use and will guide the stock to go higher.
Energy Play: NYSE: CHK (Chesapeake Energy) Did everyone forget this is going to be added to the S&P500? Stocks hovering around the prices it was at when they made the annoucement was made that the were going to be added. Someone is trying to manipulate the price to get these S&P500 managers to add it to their index portfolio's cheaply. I'm not saying to go 'all-in', but this stock has to be part of your portfolio. And whats not to like about natural gas?
I'll post my positions as soon as I buy them. I've been busy at work since last week and this week are my final weeks. Did anyone do WCG? It had that nice 5% pop the day after I said to get in! arghhh.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Trading ideas for the week of March 6th:
I'm watching WCG (WellCare Health Plans). I will be picking up some on or before March 7th and I'm watching WTW (Weight Watchers International, Inc.), of which I will be picking up some on or before March 8th. I will keep you posted on how much and when I do it. Another thing, my most successful buy and hold positions I have had were New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) stocks. So, we'll have to wait and see what kind of positions I do in these.
I'm watching WCG (WellCare Health Plans). I will be picking up some on or before March 7th and I'm watching WTW (Weight Watchers International, Inc.), of which I will be picking up some on or before March 8th. I will keep you posted on how much and when I do it. Another thing, my most successful buy and hold positions I have had were New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) stocks. So, we'll have to wait and see what kind of positions I do in these.
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