Week on Wall Street

Friday, July 11, 2008

Stockbroker and business analyst David Johnson chats with host Kai Ryssdal about what happened on Wall Street this week and what may lie ahead.

Wall Street sign (iStockPhoto)

Comments

Comment | Refresh
By Vince Rocchi

From Dublin, CA, 07/12/2008

Curtis

Great to hear a similar opinion so close to home!

After hearing David's story, I wanted to see if there was a way to provide feedback.

I'd like to hear these guys do a story on what real speculators are doing (or not as the Economist says) to the market. I believe any speculation buying or selling will impact the price of a barrel of oil as well as gallon of gas. The Economist continues to say that because a speculator doesn't take delivery it all just comes out in the wash.

How about it Kai/David?

Thanks
Vince

By Kris Heslop

From Turlock, CA, 07/12/2008

I agree the speculation that causes problems is not the person buying a home to live in, or the airline hedging their fuel costs. It is rather the person that bought a home he never lived in or oil that he will not get.

I am not certain what will do more damage, the high prices or a oil bust.

Kris Heslop

By Curtis Macchioni

From Livermore, CA, 07/11/2008

I strongly disagree with David Johnson's characterization of the airlines as oil speculators. By his definition everyone who buys cereal or paper towels in bulk at CostCo is a speculator. The dictionary defines a speculator as one who "buys and sells stock, commodities, land, etc. hoping to take advantage of an expected rise or fall in price ... on the chance of making huge profits." Now, if I bought up all the cereal at all the CostCos in my town and then offered to sell it to the highest bidder, I would be a speculator. Just like the Hunts, David's fellow Texans, tried to do with silver some decades ago. But just like the airlines, when I buy in bulk or in advance to save money by volume or advance purchase of items I will use myself and not re-sell, I am not a speculator. It is more like the airlines are smart enough and big enough to protect themselves from speculators, at least to some degree. Sounds to me like David is trying to provide cover for guys like himself who buy and sell stocks/bonds/commodities on speculation.

Thanks for hearing me out. I always enjoy the show, none the less.

Regards,
Curtis Macchioni (Mac - key - o - knee)
Post a Comment: Please be civil, brief and relevant.

Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. All comments are moderated. Marketplace reserves the right to edit any comments on this site and to read them on the air if they are extra-interesting. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting.

Processing...

* indicates required field

First Name *

Last Name *

E-mail *

City

State

Comments *

May we contact you about future stories? *

Yes

No

You must be 13 or over to submit information to American Public Media. The information entered into this form will not be used to send unsolicited email and will not be sold to a third party. For more information see Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.