BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Oshkosh Corp.: Pull-Back Is Buy Opportunity]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/05/oshkosh-corp-pull-back-is-buy-opportunity/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/05/oshkosh-corp-pull-back-is-buy-opportunity/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/05/oshkosh-corp-pull-back-is-buy-opportunity/#commentsFiled under:

The logic and reasoning behind the July 6, 2009, Oshkosh Corporation (OSK) buy call at $21.48 is obvious enough: a nice U.S. Department of Defense contract win, and that's also a major reason I'm reiterating my buy rating for the company's shares. If you bought OSK in July 2009, you're up an impressive 80%.

In 2009, the company won two contracts totaling $2.1 billion work from the U.S. Army to fund production of 3,944 MRAP all-terrain vehicles for the Afghanistan War.

Continue reading Oshkosh Corp.: Pull-Back Is Buy Opportunity

Oshkosh Corp.: Pull-Back Is Buy Opportunity originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>defensemilitaryOshkosh Truck Corp.OSKtransportationTue, 05 Jan 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Contractor Spending in Afghanistan Includes $1 Billion Wasted]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/18/contractor-spending-in-afghanistan-includes-1-billion-wasted/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/18/contractor-spending-in-afghanistan-includes-1-billion-wasted/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/18/contractor-spending-in-afghanistan-includes-1-billion-wasted/#commentsFiled under:

An audit memorandum prepared by Senator Claire McCaskill's staff puts the amount of money spent on reconstruction and redevelopment contracts in Afghanistan at $23 billion, with $1 billion of it waste. So, was $22 billion well spent?

The funds have been spent on a variety of projects, including the construction of roads and the development of power generation utilities to agriculture, urban development and water sanitation.

Continue reading Contractor Spending in Afghanistan Includes $1 Billion Wasted

Contractor Spending in Afghanistan Includes $1 Billion Wasted originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>afghanistanAfghanistan warAfghanistanWarHomeland SecurityHomelandSecurityhouse of representativesHouseOfRepresentativesinthenewsmilitarymilitary contractsMilitaryContractsSenateFri, 18 Dec 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Military housing woes to persist for a while]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/19/military-housing-woes-to-persist-for-a-while/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/19/military-housing-woes-to-persist-for-a-while/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/19/military-housing-woes-to-persist-for-a-while/#commentsFiled under: ,

When you're serving your country, there's a good chance you'll move around a few times . . . which can conflict with the traditional American dream of homeownership. Soldiers who bought homes several years ago could be stuck selling now at depressed prices -- and on fairly short notice.

Needless to say, the financial pressure can be profound. A Staff Sergeant with a decade of service behind him, for example, is paid just under $37,000 a year. Even when you add in the health care and other benefits provided by the Department of Defense, it's still hard to handle a serious loss on a home.

The February stimulus plan included provisions to help military personnel in this situation, but little has happened. Soldiers complain that information is hard to find and guidelines aren't available. So far, none of the funds have been disbursed, and the federal government is keeping its collective mouth shut.

Continue reading Military housing woes to persist for a while

Military housing woes to persist for a while originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airforceairmenamerican dreamAmericanDreamarmycoastguarddepartment of defenseDepartmentOfDefensehomeownershomeownershipmarinecorpsmarinesmilitarynavyreal estatereal estate marketRealEstateRealEstateMarketsailorsoldiersSun, 19 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Oil bounces on news of Iranian missile test]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/09/oil-bounces-on-news-of-iranian-missile-test/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/09/oil-bounces-on-news-of-iranian-missile-test/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/09/oil-bounces-on-news-of-iranian-missile-test/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

The past couple of trading days it started to look as though oil had finally run out of steam and was coming back to "reasonable" levels. Well, prices are moving higher once again today following news that Iran has test-launched 9 missiles today.

After heading up to $145 a barrel last week, oil had fallen nicely over the past two trading sessions, and as of last night prices were down at $136.04. Today, oil is moving up $1.63 a barrel as the market once again is facing the hard reality of an unpredictable future in the Middle East.

Iran has been all over the news over the past couple of years, and the main theme is the country's nuclear energy ambitions. The West, and Israel, have been claiming for a long time now that Iran has one goal in mind... nuclear weapons. But Iran has been defiant in its claims that it is only after nuclear energy and that its nuclear program is purely for peaceful means.

Continue reading Oil bounces on news of Iranian missile test

Oil bounces on news of Iranian missile test originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inthenewsIranIsraelmilitarynuclearoiloil pricesOilPricesUnited StatesUnitedStatesWed, 09 Jul 2008 08:56:00 EST<![CDATA[KBR reports surprising first-quarter earnings on arbitration award]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/02/kbr-reports-surprising-first-quarter-earnings-on-arbitration-awa/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/02/kbr-reports-surprising-first-quarter-earnings-on-arbitration-awa/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/02/kbr-reports-surprising-first-quarter-earnings-on-arbitration-awa/#commentsFiled under: , ,

KBR Inc. (NYSE: KBR), an engineering and construction company that was once a unit of Halliburton Co. (NYSE: HAL), reported this morning that profit more than doubled for its first-quarter as the company benefited from a arbitration award gain.

KBR posted earnings for the quarter of 58 cents per share, which was much higher than the 34 cents per share that analysts predicted. The income figures were definitely something to cheer about. During its first quarter last year, the company had a profit of $28 million. That number surged this quarter to $98 million.

Analysts had been expecting revenue of $2.30 billion, but KBR surprised everyone by posting $2.52 billion in sales, a 24.3% increase, during the quarter. This is a nice rebound from the same period last year when the military contractor's sales were $2.03 billion.

Continue reading KBR reports surprising first-quarter earnings on arbitration award

KBR reports surprising first-quarter earnings on arbitration award originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 May 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsengineeringKBRmilitaryFri, 02 May 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Does support of our troops affect your perception of a company?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/14/does-support-of-our-troops-affect-your-perception-of-a-company/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/14/does-support-of-our-troops-affect-your-perception-of-a-company/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/14/does-support-of-our-troops-affect-your-perception-of-a-company/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

question markThe comments on a recent blog post by Sarah Gilbert, about Starbucks retraining efforts took an interesting turn towards discussion about whether or not that company supports our troops. This seems to be a subject which elicits strong passion among many blog readers, which prompts me to ask this question of you: Does a company's position, openly declared or not, regarding support for our troops, affect your perception of that company and whether or not you'll intentionally do business with them?

This issue can be difficult to assess, because often times a company's position on the matter is cloaked, unavailable or skewed by misinformation. The comments on Sarah's blog post give clear evidence of that. Some folks seem convinced that Starbucks doesn't care about our troops, yet packages bearing its logo are reported to arrive at military addresses every day. What's more is the fact that often companies elect not to state a position regarding our restructuring efforts in Iraq. To some people, silence on the matter is interpreted as contempt rather than consent.

I must admit that my own opinions about individual companies regarding their stance on our military involvements are sometimes colored by unconfirmed email commentary and careless internet banter. That is why I generally refrain from discussing the issue. What about you? Do you base your opinions on random emails which purport to reveal a company's stance regarding our military, or do you research the topic before coming to your conclusions?

Continue reading Does support of our troops affect your perception of a company?

Does support of our troops affect your perception of a company? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AirforceArmycorporateIraqMarinesmilitaryNational GuardNationalGuardNavyopinionpoliticalPresident BushPresidentBushpublicsoldiersThu, 14 Feb 2008 20:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Futuristic technology plays: Trap 'em and zap 'em]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/26/furturistic-technology-plays-trap-em-and-zap-em/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/26/furturistic-technology-plays-trap-em-and-zap-em/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/26/furturistic-technology-plays-trap-em-and-zap-em/#commentsFiled under: , ,

robotReal world, futuristic technology plays can be had in the recently declared working partnership between Taser International (NASDAQ: TASR) and iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT). The team is developing machines and equipment which could revolutionize the worlds of the military, security and law enforcement, all the while seeking to take real people (in their own bodies) out of harms way.

By forming this working alliance, Taser and iRobot have accomplished two very significant things. First, iRobot has deeply jammed their foot in the door of a market sector which will only grow larger. By taking advantage of the position already secured by Taser, iRobot has eliminated years of marketing work which would have been required to gain for themselves the same position. Second, by teaming with iRobot, Taser has fulfilled a grand desire to enhance product mobility and they have done it without the time and massive capital investment which would have been required to accomplish it alone.

If you're looking for a long-term technology play with relative safety, I'd say this working alliance provides a couple good ones and remember, you're hearing that from the biggest bear on the block. ;)

Futuristic technology plays: Trap 'em and zap 'em originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 26 Aug 2007 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>engadgetIRBTirobotlaw enforcementLawEnforcementmilitaryrobotsecuritytaserTSRSun, 26 Aug 2007 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[The real business of Memorial Day]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/05/28/the-business-of-memorial-day/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/05/28/the-business-of-memorial-day/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/05/28/the-business-of-memorial-day/#commentsFiled under: ,

As you go about your picnics, parties, socials and reunions, please remember to take some time to remember the purpose of Memorial Day. Please take just a few moments to turn your focus away from all the whirling, swirling activities of life, take a deep breath and utter a word of thanks. Many are the ranks of brave souls who have given their lives for us. Think of them, remember them, give them thanks and be rightly humbled.

Thanks to all the many proud armed forces personnel who have set aside their own worthy lives to serve the likes of me. Thanks to the spouses, sons and daughters of our guardians, you have sacrificed everything to the prospects of uncertainty so that we may be safe. Thanks to the military chains of command which faithfully execute their tasks in an effort to successfully complete their mission and bring our warriors home safely. Thanks to our Commander in Chief, if for no other reason than because his is a difficult job. Thanks to each of you who through your tax funding help maintain the single most effective fighting force in the world.

Please just take one solitary moment to forget all the political arguments and half truths. Forget who's right or who's wrong. Forget who started it or when it should end. Please, just remember at the end of your day or somewhere in it that this one single thing is true: Someone out there is willing to die for you.

Say thanks.

The real business of Memorial Day originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 May 2007 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>IraqMemorial DayMemorialDaymilitarypartypersonnelpicnicreservistsreunionwarMon, 28 May 2007 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA['The Bachelor' officer, Prince Harry: Will hot men in uniform bring new attention to the war?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/05/21/the-bachelor-officer-prince-harry-will-hot-men-in-uniform-br/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/05/21/the-bachelor-officer-prince-harry-will-hot-men-in-uniform-br/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/05/21/the-bachelor-officer-prince-harry-will-hot-men-in-uniform-br/#commentsFiled under: ,

Tonight is the finale of ABC's The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman, starring outrageously handsome (and blue-eyed, tan, white-toothed, chiseled-chested) Navy diver and doctor Andy Baldwin. As I wait with bated breath for him to choose Tessa (he must, he must!), I have to wonder: Just how big an effect does the media's portrayal of military men have on the war? As we begin to accept the glamorization of Officer Andy (let's remember it's been a long time since everyone was hot for Richard Gere in the movie An Officer and a Gentleman), if Walt Disney Co.'s (NYSE: DIS) ABC can bank on a military guy -- if anyone can make money from a man in uniform -- will this change America's currently blasé attitude toward the war?

If Mr. Officer/Gentleman and his new bride-to-be are a symbol that popular culture is starting to fall back in love with the military, how much more so must one of the two ultimate romantic icons: Prince Harry. Although the British military recently reversed its decision to send him to Iraq (there were "unacceptable risks" said the Ministry of Defence), the media is nonetheless flooded with photos of Harry in dress uniform, Harry in fatigues, Harry painted up with full camouflage. Suddenly, the military is big business again -- and I'm not even talking Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) or Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT). No, the military is big cultural business. We can't stop talking about it. We can't stop romanticizing the hot men in uniform, and I predict television, movies and other popular media will be full of chiseled-chested officers in the coming few years.

The military is never half as romantic in real life as it has been in some of the most iconic movies and television shows over the years, but lately it has been portrayed as decidedly unromantic (no one, for instance, could call George Clooney's character in Gulf War movie Three Kings "romantic"). The tide is most obviously turning. Will America turn too?

(And for the record, pick Tessa!)

'The Bachelor' officer, Prince Harry: Will hot men in uniform bring new attention to the war? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 May 2007 21:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abcandyandy baldwinAndyBaldwinbaldwindisdisneygentlemanharryiraqmilitaryofficerofficer and a gentlemanOfficerAndAGentlemanprinceprince harryPrinceHarrytelevisiontessatvwalt disneyWaltDisneywarMon, 21 May 2007 21:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Robots for the home provide endless potential]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/24/robots-for-the-home-provide-endless-potential/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/24/robots-for-the-home-provide-endless-potential/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/24/robots-for-the-home-provide-endless-potential/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Issac Asimov would be proud. In today's ever expanding universe of artificial intelligence and robotics, it would seem that no barriers remain to the boundless potential of what robots can accomplish. From cleaning swimming pools to exposing makeshift bombs, robots are now assisting humankind in tasks both dangerous and mundane. As an investment, the world of robotics can potentially provide wondrous long term growth when one considers that mobile robotics are finally being widely accepted as practical in mainstream lifestyles.

On March 30, 2007 Kevin Shult reported that Benchmark initiated iRobot Corp.(NASDAQ: IRBT) with a buy rating and a target price of $17. Kevin stated that Benchmark "believes the company is a compelling investment given its market potential and undervalued stock." Since that time, the company's shares are performing well, which has prompted me to check out the iRobot Corp. company website.

Founded in 1990 by a development team with roots from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. iRobot currently has interests in some 80 or more robotics and artificial intelligence patents. iRobot is dedicated to developing robotic technologies that can make a positive impact on peoples lives. iRobot manufactures robots that vacuum, pick up, scrub, fight fire, patrol, investigate, detect, extract and educate. It is newly shaping the fundamental practices of military, law enforcement and domestic tasks. Sporting names like Roomba, Scooba and Verro, iRobot has produced name recognition for its products by providing products that function as prescribed.

If investment in cutting edge technology is your thing (and I believe it should be a part of any investment portfolio), then I think you owe it to yourself to check this company out. Robotics and artificial intelligence are tomorrow's new horizons. iRobot has a fun and easy to investigate website which will provide you with everything you need to know in deciding if it's a good investment choice.

Robots for the home provide endless potential originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 24 Apr 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artificial intelligenceArtificialIntelligencebombdetectionfire firghtingFireFirghtingirbtiRobotlaw enforcementLawEnforcementmilitarypoolpool cleaningPoolCleaningremovalrobotroboticsscrubswimmingvacuumTue, 24 Apr 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aim High, AIM Pages]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2006/05/12/aim-high-aim-pages/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2006/05/12/aim-high-aim-pages/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2006/05/12/aim-high-aim-pages/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Tom Taulli's recent post about AIM Pages reminded me of my high school days.

My freshman year, the Air Force had a recruiting slogan that was two words: Aim High. They gave out book covers and bumper stickers and lapel pins sporting this short catch-phrase. Of course, the other students in my class -- unlikely candidates  for military service -- changed the words to read "I am High".

What does this have to do with the new AOL counterpart to MySpace, AIM Pages? Well, aside from the fact that it's ridiculously easy to make fun of as well, I fear that it will be as short-lived as the Air Force's "Aim High" campaign.

Why? Well, take a look at the average age and demographic of a MySpace user -- under 35 and Internet-savvy. Whereas the name AOL will be immortally associated with the "You've got mail!" set -- an over-35, less Internet-savvy crowd.

While I commend AOL for trying to reach out to a younger demographic, this is probably not the silver bullet it needs right now. To tap into this more youthful demographic, AOL (the folks who brought you "Parental Controls") is going to need nothing short of a revolution of the spirit .

Aim high, AIM Pages, aim high.

Aim High, AIM Pages originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 12 May 2006 13:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aim HighAIM PagesAimHighAimPagesAir ForceAirForceAmerican OnlineAmericanOnlineAOLmilitaryMySpaceTime WarnerTimeWarnerTom TaulliTomTaulliTWXFri, 12 May 2006 13:09:00 EST