Greek debt write-downs will wait until at least 2018 says Germany. Retail sales in the U.S. are still feeling the pain as the latest report from Best Buy (BBY) shows a rather miserable outlook ahead.

Volumes are slowing into the summer and M&A rumors as well as upgrades by Sell-side should be in full swing. Markets choppy, one day up and one day down. The cycle could play out for the foreseeable future.

A smattering of interesting news that may move markets and a few stock picks in this episode.

 

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Big day on Wall Street – DJIA up 200 points+, S&P and NASDAQ moving higher – no news to explain. Big day Tuesday! Oil gains in after hours as inventory released – now at $49 again.

Interesting – over the past 10 trading days – every other day is up or down. Seems that there is no direction… Volumes starting to dry up into summer so…. There will be more rumors about M&A and upgrades by sell-side analysts to keep things on a happy note for markets.

Uber announces a leasing program available for “$250” for a car. Different cars, but when you look into it, $116- $150 per week for 150+ weeks. Cost is deducted from your Uber earnings. How is this going to play?

Follow up on Kombucha – have you seen how this stuff is made? Watched a video as my son said we should make as he heard it was good for you… Nasty process!   (Rethinking investment in REED)

– Kombucha starts out as a sugary tea, which is then fermented with the help of a scoby. “SCOBY” is actually an acronym for “symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast.”

SCOBY Pic

 

Fedex – when was that last time you shipped anything ? Have you noticed the prices? 2 day from Florida to New York – price?

Very interesting story about pharma and charities. Charities set up to pay for prescriptions for people that do not have the means to pay the high prices – seeded by pharma companies and other donors. What a scam! [LINK]

Takata recalls still coming in – upwards of 125 million airbags now recalled. Currently about 1.25 billion cars now in world. So, only 10% but is that low and how is the company staying in business? (Answer: Japan govy will protect)

French police and prosecutors swooped on Google’s Paris offices, intensifying a tax-fraud probe amid accusations the Internet giant fails to pay its fair share across the European Union.

What is our take on markets? Topping pattern or just consolidation? (See chart below)

S&P 500 Chart

ANNOUNCING THE Progress of the

DHUnplugged Closest to the Pin Contest for Intel (INTC)

Currently CTP = Intel (INTC)

Winners will be getting great stuff like the new DHUnplugged Shirts (Designed by Jimbo)