Reading B.I.F.

Imagine being the tech guy at this place.
Trader: "Dude, why isn't my chart working"
Tech guy: #$@%

Here's an interesting stat: the NFC has now won the coin toss for 12 straight years in the Superbowl. It doesn't necessarily mean anything to who wins the overall game though.

These are some good simple tips on how to prevent spywre on your computer. Have you heard of Kim Komando? She is a world renowned talk show radio host on computer and technology advice. This is also another helpful, spyware software that I personal purchased.

It has been a long time since my last post. With the evolution of social media websites since I started blogging in 2005, or revolution as it turns out with the popularity and appeal with current users, the power to connect to the world is more important than ever if you want to participate and prosper from the global end users.

These social media networks include, Youtube, Facebook, MySpace and now a new up and coming social website, Tweeter. I have just started using Tweeter and I can see the power this social network site can have for the end user.

I will continue posting information as it relates to business, investments and fun/interesting stuff from the web without trying hard not to regurgitate other people's post, because that would be stale. Also, I am going to be experimenting with adding new technologies and software that are in the forefront of today's technology in order to illustrate the advantages of using these products or services. For example, adding video content to posts - something I am still learning how to do but I think it will add more dynamic content to this blog.

I'll see you in my next post. Keep checking back and also, be sure to rss my blog for up to date content.

Do you watch CNBC a lot?

Follow this link or read below to find out the number one reason you may be a CNBC fanatic.

Top 10 Reasons You Know You Watch Too Much CNBC

10) You notice when Joe Kernen gets a haircut even before it is repeatedly mentioned on air.

9) Your Squawk Box Fantasy Portfolio has only increased because of correctly answering all the daily Bonus Bucks questions.

8) You recognize the new CNBC sound effects when you play your favorite video games.

7) You try calling into the “Mad Money” lightning round at the previously recorded midnight showing.

6) You have memorized the scripts of repeated “news” by the time it appears for the fifth time on the “Closing Bell.”

5) You have actually watched “Conversations with Michael Eisner.”

4) Your mind frequently wanders to the analysis of who is “hotter “? - Erin, Maria, Becky, et al.

3) You disclose your stock position conflicts of interests when giving a cocktail party stock tip.

2) You say “Booyahhhh!” when you call your mother.

And the Number 1 reason you know you watch too much CNBC….

1) Your TV has a burn-in shadow of the stock ticker

I came across this article today and it was quite the interesting read. Apparently, this company has come to analysis that Morningstar has overstated the actual returns of the majority of the investment categories that it follows by excluding weaker funds which therefore, will inflate fund returns.

You can read the entire article here:

http://www.zeroalphagroup.com/news/Survivor_Bias_and_Improper_Measurement.pdf

The study period looked at Morningstar Principia Mutual Fund data for the 10-year period from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 2004. ...purging of the weakest funds from the Morningstar database boosted apparent returns on average by 1.6 percent per year from 1995-2004.

I enjoyed watching this video of Jamie Dimon's luncheon with the Kellogg's MBA students. At the time, he was CEO of Bank One, which later was acquired by JP Morgan and opened the door for him to be CEO of JP Morgan. What I took from this video is the importance of creating relationships with people and learning how to read and understand people that can help you and get rid of people that are cancer to your company.

I'm not sure where this article is from, but a friend of mine emailed me this article:

Veterans In Demand
Bonuses For Equity Derivatives Traders Up Over 10%
--Veronica Belitski
November 23, 2005

Bonuses for equity derivatives traders will be up more than 10% this year, bolstered by an explosion in options and futures trading volume, according to trading executives and recruiters. The surge will push total compensation for derivatives traders well into the seven figure range and well above what most equities traders make. Last year derivative traders' comp was flat. These bonuses could translate into even bigger numbers next year, as investment banks and trading houses are offering guarantees to the best traders to take advantage of the hot market, recruiters and trading executives said.

"There are a lot of mandates for experienced [derivatives] traders, so firms have to become more aggressive with guaranteed bonuses to get the best," said Steven Fleming, managing partner at Wall Street Options, a recruiting firm. Recruitment in derivatives had been mediocre over the past three years until the market picked up in 2004, he added. Les Carter, recruiter with Carter, Stone & Co., expects to see bonuses for the best derivatives traders to increase by much more than 10% in the coming year. "There aren't that many people who are qualified to work on a derivatives desk; it's a much more intellectually driven business than equities," he said.

Equities derivatives desks are also much smaller than equities desks--they typically employ less than a dozen options and futures traders, while traditional cash desks often employ anywhere from 20 to 50 people. As commissions for equities continue to come down, there is much more room for growth on the options desks, said Richard Lipstein, recruiter with Boyden. "The derivatives and structured products businesses remain strong; there are cost pressures everywhere but here," he said. Several derivatives trading execs said they are increasing hiring by about 15-20% next year.

Average commissions per options contract are coming down just as for equities, but increasing volume in options and futures trading is compensating for the loss, according to a recent study by Greenwich Associates. Average commission per contract fell to $2.27 in 2005 from $2.49 in 2004, but average commissions paid by an institution increased to $1.64 million from $1.57 million last year (WSL, 11/4). Hedge funds coughed up even more cash, and paid on average $2.6 million in 2005, up from $2.2 million in 2004.

Because there is more competition among the top trading outfits, firms are expecting derivatives traders to be more sophisticated than several years ago, Fleming said. Banks expect traders who come out of the traditional investment banking background to go back to school, and get the Masters' or even Ph.D.s before applying for work on a derivatives desk, especially if the trader wants to work on the proprietary side. "This is a business dealing with complex products, and it is really specialized trading, so a higher level of education is expected," said Leah Peskin, recruiter with Cromwell Partners.