Elmo and Finance, Corporations and Apps, Republicans Deal on Debt, and Tom Brady

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. As a interested observer, I find it amazing the federal government is so concerned with telling people what they cannot do with their own money by shutting down on line gaming, yet the same government which is in debt to the tune of 50 trillion dollars (medicare and social security unfunded liabilities) cannot figure out to wean the country off of foreign oil- they can start by passing the Pickens plan. I don't necessarily always agree with Alan Abelson of Barron's on his consistently negative opinon on financial markets, but I do agree on his belief the politicians are the worst ever, especially our brainchildren.

On a positive side, for all parents, here is a nice article on Elmo and teaching kids finance:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/16/your-money/16money.html?_r=1&ref=business

Think the digital revolution is not in full swing- here is a nice article in CFO magazine about companies starting to create their own portfolio of applications:

http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/14564889/c_14565154?f=magazine_alsoinside

Love the spine guys- the Republicans will cut a deal on raising the debt sealing- big surprise-

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704204604576268881682315782.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLETopStories

For those of you who missed it, if you want to see why having belief in yourself, working hard, and taking advantage of your opportunities in a big way when you get them matter, watch the 1 hour show on Tom Brady. Charlie Munger says real opportunities don't come along that often, so when you get them, take a huge swing. Brady proves it- well worth watching.

http://search.espn.go.com/the-brady-6/videos/6

As always, on any company mentioned here, past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. One should research any investment and make sure it is suitable with your objectives, risk tolerance, risk profile liquidity considerations, tax situation, and anything else pertinent to your financial situation. Also, the CFA credential in no way implies investment returns will be superior for any charterholder.

Yale Bock, CFA
President, Y H & C Investments