A pretty interesting blog post on kaChing and the overall social investing sites

http://www.drama20show.com/2008/12/16/kaching-there-goes-your-money-here-come-the-lawsuits-if-the-sec-doesnt-shut-them-down-first/

The author's objectively is questionable in his article. Nevertheless, a very interesting article presenting the other side of the story.

Due diligence is needed in any case, and it's worth to wait and see if this kind of "out-sourcing" will ever happen between average retail investors.

Investment books that shape my investment rationale

The following books are great, please let me know any other book you feel is fantastic!

Investment Readings:

• The Dragon and the Elephant: China, India and the New World - David Smith, (2007)
• The Tao of Warren Buffett: Warren Buffett's Words of Wisdom - Mary Buffet (2006)
• The Little Book of Value Investing - Christopher H. Browne (2006)
• The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century - Thomas L. Friedman (2005)
• Die Kunst über Geld nachzudenken - André Kostolany (2000)
• One Up On Wall Street - Peter Lynch (2000)
• Buffettology - Mary Buffett (1999)
• The Warren Buffett Way - Robert G. Hagstrom (1997)
• Beating the Street - Peter Lynch (1994)
• Kostolanys beste Geldgeschichten - André Kostolany (1993)
• Kostolanys Börsenpsychologie - André Kostolany (1991)

kaChing launched...web 3.0 or web bust?

Very interesting model, there is certainly a long way to go, but worth to wait and see.

I remember we had a whole bunch group-buying websites trying to revolutionize buying decisions between 2000-2004. In fact there were 13 websites of them and all have disappeared, with millions of dollars burned.

I do want to share my enthusiasm about investment with others and hope to help someone making more informed decisions in a simple, ethical manner.

Below are some interesting articles on kaChing's launch:

http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/15/sec-gives-social-investing-site-kaching-green-light-to-take-on-mutual-funds/

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/15/BUJ214OE86.DTL

http://www.wallstreetandtech.com/trading-technology/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212500778

What I learned from this stock meltdown...

This stock market meltdown has taught a lot to everyone. I have certainly learned a lot. Stay rationale, avoid leverage, and maintain a long-term outlook.

Have a really good understanding of who you are under these critical conditions is key. This is a really good opportunity to test your character and behavior.

FSX turned into KaChing ?! What a name...??

FSX (incorporated as an SEC registered investment advisor) is a fantasy stock exchange that is available on the Facebook website with more than 288,000 users worldwide. The portfolio I managed has achieved over 20% return since April 2008 inception and is currently one of the top 25 elite ranked portfolios worldwide. The portfolio history and analytic can be access from http://apps.facebook.com/hedgestop/?ht=portfolio/2988/holdings.

If you don't have a Facebook account, an alternative link is here.

The FSX portfolio is used to demonstrate my strong interest in investment management and equity research, which I started learning by personally investing in the US market in 2002. Investment is a life-long learning course, and I have committed myself to learn continuously from all sources with an open mind.

If you are interested for an unbiased or second opinion related to equity investment. Please feel free to contact me.

My current investment holding

The following are currently the stocks I own and have researched on.

• Harbin Electric, Inc.
  
• Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. Co. Ltd. (ADR)
• Tongxin International Ltd.
• VASCO Data Security International, Inc.

Three of the stocks I own are in the China / Taiwan region with VASCO having an international exposure with business in Europe and Japan.

Harbin (HRBN) and Tongxin (TXIC) are both located within China and a big part of their revenue source is coming from the auto market. HRBN makes special micro auto motors and TXIC is an auto body manufacturers. The automotive market in China can have a sustainable above average growth. Oil price definitely has an impact on the demand for fuel-based cars, but these two businesses can easily mitigated the problem, since people will still need micro motors within their cars and an auto body to cover themselves. The types of engine involved will not necessary have a huge impact with their underlying business.

VASCO is involved with online security business. Their primary competition is RSA security which is a division of EMC who also provide digi-pass to consumers. The idea of digipass is the pass will generate a random set of numbers that users need to input with their usual log-in and passwords. This is an added layer of security and it's gaining popularity in the banking sector. This can be a sustained business if supported by the banking sector. Althought the technology can changed rapidly, the banking industry doesn't always jump the ship right away.

Buffet on CNBC interview talking about I.O.U.S.A and other issues

I would recommend people watch this segment, very informative.


http://www.cnbc.com/id/19206666/


Couple Interesting Points I have from this interview and from other readings:

• International market will become an important area for investment.
  
• Future is unpredictable but stick with solid company.
• The market is relatively cheaper than last year, perhaps there are some bargains.