Analyst Frame Of Mind

Thought this quote was interesting.

My motto as a research analyst is, “Talk to an industry participant every day, or I fail.” If I am not on the phone or meeting in person with someone who works in the industry that I cover then I have failed as an analyst that day. So I spend a lot of my time trying to create a mosaic of research by finding as many people in the industry who are working day to day with advertisers, publishers and content creation—[people] who are excited to talk about what they do. (Brad Slingerlend, Janus)

Just one danger I see in it: getting caught in the mood of the day, as you're being influenced by real-time information and not so much long-term trends. I guess the best analysts can filter correctly and have good judgement about what an industry participant leaves out when he/she is talking.

I wish I could talk to central bankers on a regular basis (well any basis :D). Anyone who does must have a nice information head start.

Very impressed by Eike Batista

I was watching Bloomberg TV by chance on Monday. Normally I don't watch any financial tv networks anymore. Fox is too sentimental and superficial. CNBC is superficial and I don't like the way the hosts seem to love themselves. And Bloomberg, well, they're the most professional of the bunch I guess. What I hate about all of them is their stupid adverts that repeat themselves 25 times an hour!

Yes I fucking know about Bloomberg Anywhere, etc..... (!)

But on Monday, cos it was a holiday, don't know what kind actually, bit ignorant in that respect I admit... where was I ... ah yes Monday... zapped into the beginning of an interview between Charlie Rose and more importantly Eike Batista (brazilian billionaire commodities tycoon). Too my great surprise and pleasure the whole 50minute interview wasn't interrupted once! Couldn't believe it.

And this guy Eike Batista is a real genius. He had a lot of very interesting things to say about Oil (brasil will pump 6m barrels/day in future), China (will be 50% of World! GDP again he believes), Brasil (is a great partner of China and they will help each other grow rich), Populist Govts (he hates them!), Brasil credit spreads (now lower than that of Germany), Venezuela/Argentina (he feels sorry for them, cos they have populist leaders), USA (need to tighten the belt, won't be good for much growth)... 50 minutes of wisdom.

I also liked what he says about education/kids. It should never be made too easy for his children. They should have to know what labour is, what sweat is. Not to give them jobs in his billion-$ empire for starters...

So that's my rant for today :)