Get Markets Right

We had Alcoa diappointing but I expect corporate earnings will be good, at least on the surface. The Q4 results in 2008 were poor so the comparisons with Q4 in 2009 will be easy. The numbers will once more be helped by layoffs and other cost reductions. The sensible investor forget the headline numbers and look for information about a real pick up in sales. Then we of course need to listen to the guidance for this year, these comments will be of extreme importance.

The results I have noted in my dairy to watch out for in January are:

Date Corporation

19th IBM
25th Royal Philips Electronics
26th Catarpiller Inc.
        DuPont
        Johnson & Johnson
        Novartis AG
        Siemens…

One of the US earnings I always watch is from Alcoa because it’s the first. They are in a difficult sector which should be in mind.
The result is not satisfactory if the investor is looking for a reason to buy stocks. The net result improved (less negative) but sales was lower. It’s the sales reports investors should watch during the coming weeks, not the net result.
No surprise that the aerospace sector underperformed but there were no improvement signs from the construction section either, this should be noted.
Peter

Dear Reader,

The new issue is getting distributed right now.

This month is it includes the following subjects:

Global Equities with ”Unemployment – lower numbers needed”, “Hello Japan – are you awake ?” and “The most important Q4 earnings this month”

China with ”Cooling down the housing market”, ”confusion about the stimulus package” and ”Renminbi – Explosion ahead”

Foreign Exchange covering the major currencies and FX volatility.

India covering the rising inflation, the capital inflow and the risks for stock market.

The Hot Topic this month is global debt – Hopefully not a Japanese headache.

I hope you will find a few minutes to look at the magazine

Best regards

Peter