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Miscellaneous

2018 is the year of the EARNING$, baby!

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It’s time for Corporate America… to shine! Wall Street is getting ready for some crazy good earnings results over the next few weeks. Analysts have predicted earnings for the S&P 500 will go up close to 20% compared to last year. The fourth quarter is looking very promising, as well.

 

But don’t get too excited… because these blockbuster earnings may be short-lived. Bond yields are rising which means companies will be paying more to fund growth (and will have less money, as a result). There is also the looming “trade war” that seems to have no end in sight. And last, but not least, 2018 will leave behind tough shoes to fill.

 

Because of these reasons… earnings are expected to grow around 7% in the first half of 2019. Growth is growth, but 7% is a far cry from the expected 20% this quarter. That is what the “professionals” are predicting, anyway. But hey – who really knows – just be sure to enjoy the earnings while they last!

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Fang

Facebook: stop stealing our failures, Google!

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Well, goodbye, Google+… actually, most of us probably used that phrase within the first five seconds of using the social media platform. Created in 2011, Google+ attempted to rival the increasingly popular Facebook at the time. Seven years later, Google is finally putting this thing out of its misery.

 

But wait, there’s more… because the reason Google is shutting down Google+ is a recently discovered security bug that exposed as many as 500,000 accounts full of personal information. Oh, and Google didn’t mention that little detail until six months after the fact.

 

This issue is classified as… pretty much the same one that plagued Facebook. And Google basically followed Facebook straight into the crapper with this move. However, luckily for Google, hardly anyone used Google+, and the breach was far smaller compared to that of Facebook. See, things always work out for the best…

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Mid caps

Is Papa John’s really going private?!

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If you wanted Tesla to go private… sorry, that ain’t gonna happen. However, if you want a company to go private for the sake of going private – Papa John’s may provide that fix for you (you weirdo). That’s right – shares of the pizza chain were up 8% after the Wall Street Journal reported that Trian Fund Management is considering taking the company private.

 

But not so fast… because there are no promises (or tweets) that have confirmed this is actually going to happen. Trian contacted Papa John’s to gather information about possibly making a bid. But with all of the controversy surrounding the company, one has to wonder if they won’t seriously consider the offer.

 

Papa John’s is still feuding… with Papa John Schnatter himself. If you can believe it, Schnatter still owns nearly 30% of the company’s shares. And interestingly enough, whenever news about this guy getting the boot gets reported, shares of the company surge. Maybe this guy should take a hint?

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Miscellaneous

No one is perfect – so give yourself some credit!

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We usually talk about the stock market… here at Sanebull. However, you will have to hit it big (really big) in the market to avoid having to worry about that credit score of yours. But today we have excellent news – you don’t need a perfect credit score, or even a high credit score – all you really need is a ‘meh’ credit score to thrive in this world!

 

Just make it to 760… and really, you have made it. Once your credit score hits 760, you will be eligible for the best interest rates, according to Greg McBride, the chief analyst at Bankrate. It’s essential to get started building credit – and make on-time payments so you don’t become some schmuck with a sub-650 credit score – but no need to go above-and-beyond.

 

The bare minimum really pays off… because a score of 760 compared to 680 could save you over $10,000 in interest over a 30-year home mortgage. A good credit score can also get you better insurance rates and qualify you for the best credit cards (points, points, points).  So let’s recap: pay your s#!% on time and don’t be a hero. BOOM.

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