Daily Intent

I am thankful on a daily basis for my father, for my father’s health, for my father’s support, for my father’s guidance.  Where I stand, how I stand, how I speak, how I see, how I hear, how I feel, all of which my father has had great influence.

That said, I have a new appreciation for Father’s Day this year.  As many of you know, I was fortunate enough to go through the Bone Marrow Donation process.  Jason Huffman, a father or two, in turn was given a second chance at life.   His kids are the greatest beneficiary.

I, thus, want to extend the opportunity to you.  This Father’s Day you have the opportunity to sign up for the Bone Marrow Registry.  In doing so, you will be putting yourself in the position to save a father’s life, to preserve a child’s paternal figure.

It’s easy.  Join online at http://join.marrow.org.  When asked to provide a “Promo Code”, please enter PSBC09.

Patients need donors who are between the ages of 18 and 60, in good general health, and are willing to donate to any patient in need.

Complete the online registration form and you will be mailed a cheek (buccal) swab kit to complete.
 
Please note that their funding is limited. The cost is covered for the first 100 people who join online between June 8th through June 22nd!

Once the funding has been depleted, you may be prompted to pay for your typing fee.  So sign up today.

Please contact me should you have questions regarding the process.
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Catalyst - Meeting of the Minds - “Tapping global resources, locally”
Premier executive lunches that bridge the entrepreneur with inspirational leaders who have dreamed, achieved, and created change.  Gain Insight. Be one of the Eight.
Peter Matthies will be our guest Wednesday, June 24th.  12pm.  Please contact me if you’d like to attend.

Buzzword: Momo Play
“A slang term used to describe an investment purely as a momentum play, not worrying about the company’s fundamentals.  This is practiced more often by day traders. ”
-Investopedia.com

  Six Points to Ponder:

   1. President Obama lays out his plan for financial regulations today while many banks begin to repay TARP funds.
   2. Markets - All are down. The Dow is trading at 8485, S&P 500 at 908 and the Nasdaq at 1789.  Oil is down to $69/bbl.
   3. Iran experiences its largest protest in 30 yrs due to election scandal.
   4. FedEx comes out with dismal results and forecasts.
   5. Eased inflationary concerns better bond yields, in turn lowering interest rates.
   6. The Los Angeles Lakers are NBA Champions!  Pittsburgh Penguins take the Stanley Cup.  Christiano Ronaldo off to Real Madrid for $131 million.  US Open begins tomorrow.  Tiger!

Positives:

    * If regulated correctly, the financial markets will have stronger river walls to guide and focus its energy and success moving forward.  Smart regulation is important, whereas excessive, fear based regulation can hinder progress and innovation.  Obama’s challenge will be to show a tough parental image that holds accountable poor decision making, while at the same time showing his belief and support in what financial markets can do for our economy.
    * The Iranian youth are being heard in their support of Presidential candidate Mousavi.  An increased yearning for freedom and ties to the West are strong.  “Election turmoil is pitting young Iranians and more educated voters who want social freedom and better ties with the West against the Islamic republic’s ruling clergy. Ahmadinejad’s opponents accuse him of wrecking the economy, which suffers from high unemployment and inflation, and driving Iran into international isolation through his confrontation over the country’s nuclear program.” -Bloomberg
    * Bodacious bond yields have come down more than .25% this week.  As we’ve discussed in earlier MSRs, lowering yields means lowering mortgage rates.  They parallel each other in movement.  The recent drop is in large part due to easing inflationary concerns (inflation erodes the benefits of holding bonds) and more stable economic recovery.  This is excellent news as rates last week had risen too high, in my opinion, to support our economy and prevent a relapse of the housing market crisis.  5.5% 30 year conforming rates appears to be the threshold under which we need to remain.
    * The Lakers Win the Championship!  The Lakers Win the Championship!  Lucas Herrera, our sports guy, has been supported in his early season prediction.   He is a genius.  Maybe we should start paying him $131 million as his stock market value rises in line with Ronaldo.  I’ll start passing the hat.

Negatives:

    * FedEx called these times an “extremely difficult” economy.  They failed to meet analysts quarterly expectations.  More specifically, they mentioned Business-Business transactions and higher fuel prices being the cause for current and future challenges.  Kinkos, now known as FedEx office, has fared quite poorly of late as well.
    * A national vote should be low on fraud and high on voter turnout.  The people should be able to believe in the vote they are casting, that it will be counted correctly.  May the most favored man / woman win.

Services: Microfinance Support
As of June 1st, part of the proceeds from loans that I close will go toward a $25 loan to the world’s poorest entrepreneurs.  KIVA.org allows me to research entrepreneurs and lend directly to them.  Over time they will pay me back and earn the right to take out a loan for even more money.  I then will take that money and lend to other entrepreneurs in need.  The default rate is less than 1%.  All the while, the entrepreneur (more than 80% women) will be empowered, their children will better educated and fed, and communities will be bettered.  Should you wish to learn more, please email me or go on Kiva.org and join my team “PhilAdventures”.

Local:

Summer Solstice Parade
Where: State Street.  Cota to Alameda Park.
When: Noon
Cost: Free
Why:  Community.  Color.  Captivation.

Live and Be Well,

Jeff Bochsler