Emerging markets posts
FeedPosted Nov 16th 2009 12:20PM by Joseph Lazzaro (RSS feed)
Filed under: International markets, Recession
One aspect of globalization -- basically free markets and the transfer of jobs to lower labor cost production centers -- that remains a high research priority for many economists studying markets is consumer spending. Or, more specifically, where are all the new, international consumers going to come from?
That's because the world in this early stage of the globalization era has an abundance of manufacturers and producers, but it hasn't identified where all the new shoppers will come from for the increased amount of goods.
Continue reading Globalization is rushing ahead, but toward what?
Posted Sep 15th 2009 10:40AM by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed)
Filed under: Bad news, Industry, Marketing and advertising
Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE: LLY) is planning to cut 5,500 jobs over the next few years and reorganize into five business units. The company is looking to reduce costs and accelerate how long it takes new drugs to get to market, especially as its top performers see their patents expire. This translates to a workforce reduction of close to 14% – to 35,000. This measure doesn't include new positions in emerging markets with high potential and Japan.
The company hopes to cut as much as possible through attrition and retirements – and it would not indicate how many other positions would have to be cut.
Eli Lilly's goal is to slash its annual cost by $1 billion during this restructuring. The new business units will be: cancer, diabetes, established markets, emerging markets and Elanco, which is its animal health business. This is a change from the existing functional model, which separates U.S. and global marketing for each drug in the company's portfolio. Through the new structure, Lilly says, drug development and marketing will be tied more closely.
Continue reading Eli Lilly to restructure, bet on drug portfolio
Posted Sep 11th 2009 6:00PM by Joseph Lazzaro (RSS feed)
Filed under: China, Technology
New York Times (NYSE:
NYT) Columnist
Tom Friedman returns to the subject of China and the global economy, and it's a column investors would be wise to review.
In a nutshell, Friedman argues that those who assert that green technology doesn't have the right stuff to move the U.S. GDP needle are misguided. China is investing hundreds of billions of dollars in electric cars, solar power, energy efficiency, batteries, nuclear power, and wind power.
Continue reading If U.S. isn't careful, China will turn clean tech into massive, dollar-green tech
Posted Aug 24th 2009 2:40PM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: China, Brazil, Newsletters, ETF Investing, DJIA, Stocks to Buy
"Our latest pick combines two highly profitable asset classes, small caps and emerging markets," says Nicholas Vardy. In The Global Bull Market Alert, he an emerging markets ETF.
"The SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF (NYSE: EWX) offers you access to small caps in emerging markets that otherwise would be off limits.
"While some of the larger emerging market stocks trade in the United States, these smaller players never will.
"In addition, it's well known that U.S. small caps tend to outperform large caps over the long run. Their small size makes them nimble and quicker to react to changing market conditions.
Continue reading Vardy's view: Bet on emerging markets small caps
Posted Jul 28th 2009 11:00AM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: International markets, Newsletters, Commodities, Oil, Agriculture, Stocks to Buy
"When most people think of Africa, images of business and commerce don't usually spring to mind -- more like wildlife, safaris and famine," suggests Nathan Slaughter.
In The ETF Authority, he explains, "But those perceptions are beginning to change as these countries continue to industrialize. And at the vanguard of this transformation is South Africa." Here, he looks at the iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (NYSE: EZA).
Slaughter explains, "Once a backwater country shunned by most of the international community, South Africa has made great strides over the past decade and continues to evolve. Fifteen years ago the government began an aggressive overhaul of South Africa's economy.
Continue reading Out of Africa: ETF expert eyes South Africa
Posted Jun 22nd 2009 5:00PM by Joseph Lazzaro (RSS feed)
Filed under: Kimberly-Clark (KMB), Stocks to Buy

Readers of this space know that the investment bias is toward large-cap companies with demonstrated business models and who have a competitive advantage in established markets, preferably with a favorable, global trend as a support. And with the aforementioned in mind,
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:
KMB) is worth a review.
In general, analysts expect a sales decline of 4-6% for KMB in FY2009, including a negative foreign currency effect. Kimberly is being hurt by both the recession -- which has prompted widespread belt-tightening by consumers -- and by increased competition. The First Call FY2009/FY2010 EPS estimates for KMB
are $4.16 to $4.64.
Continue reading Kimberly-Clark is undervalued
Posted Jun 15th 2009 4:40PM by Joseph Lazzaro (RSS feed)
Filed under: Stocks to Buy
Monsanto Company (NYSE:
MON) is another one of those demonstrated business companies that was treated rudely by Wall Street in 2008. Pushed to highs over $130 during the commodities mania of 2008, the Street then proceeded to take shares to the mid-$60s. Rational? Hardly.
Hopefully, rationality will re-assert itself in the years ahead. In general, analysts see 6-9% revenue growth for FY2009, led by stable corn and soybean seeds sales.
Continue reading Monsanto provides the seeds of success
Posted Apr 23rd 2009 5:00PM by Joseph Lazzaro (RSS feed)
Filed under: Hershey Co (HSY), Stocks to Buy

Readers of this space know that the investment bias is toward large-cap companies with demonstrated business models and who have a competitive advantage in established markets, preferably with a favorable, global trend as a support. And with the aforementioned in mind,
The Hershey Company (NYSE:
HSY) is worth a review.
In general, analysts see only modest revenue growth for HSY for FY 2009. However, an improved supply chain should reduce costs, and also free-up more capital for strategic growth initiatives at home and abroad.
Continue reading Hershey delivers sweet profits
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