Dell Computers:Serving the World;Managing Transformation

Dell's earnings per share and cash flow were up because we changed our business to be an end-to-end solutions provider,says Michael Dell,founder and CEO of the multinational Dell Computers.We're growing our R&D expenditure along with cash flow.
Our growth is both organic and inorganic.You'll continue to see us active in both.We acquired 18 businesses the last three years.We gained share across the board.We're number one in servers in the U.S.,China and India.Our margins grew 370 basis points in the past year.Our job is to do it again this year.
With all these mobile devices,the amount of data is doubling every 18 months.We're building data centers of the future that take in all the data and feed all those devices.There's lots of opportunity in the ecosystem that Dell participates in.There's a lot of demand for a Dell/Windows tablet.We'll be there right on the very first day that Windows 8 is available,Mr.Dell promised.
Dell has a presence on six continents,with facilities from Canada to Qatar and beyond.In the U.S.,the company has launched a national command center with the Red Cross.It's a social media command center for humanitarian purposes,to redirect resources,people and tools through social media.We're really proud to be putting this in place,Michael Dell added.
Dell Computers,Inc.(DELL)

War With Iran:What To Expect-and what to do

President Barack Obama warned Iran Wednesday that the time left for a diplomatic solution is shrinking.Investors are contemplating just what to expect and how to respond if war indeed breaks out.Aaron Gurwitz,Chief Investment Officer at Barclays Wealth,says the problem is,this is an unknown unknown.I don't know how to assess the chances of a war.
In an attack on Iran,the price of oil would probably rise very sharply.It would be very hard to get oil to customers.Expect 150-200 dollar a barrel oil if the Strait of Hormuz is closed.
It would be a huge impact on markets and the global economy.Risk assets such as equities and junk bonds would be sold.We at Barclays don't want to go into cash now.You might want to buy the VXX as volatility would spike,or an oil etf.
I worry about it as a citizen and an investment strategist.You hear people talking about starting a war in a very sensitive region.Those who would lose sleep should probably put something in their portfolio,Mr.Gurwitz counseled.
Barclays PLC ADR(BCS)
Some possibilities for the situation researched by this blog include:
iPath S&P GSCI Crude Oil Total Return(OIL)
iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN(VXX)
iPath S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN(VXZ)
It is generally unwise to concentrate too much in any one asset.Also bear in mind that VXX is more volatile than VXZ.None of the notes above pay dividends or interest.
For less experienced investors,allocating more to the bond and cash portions of their portfolios would seem the safest course in difficult times.Some of the most popular bond funds are:
iShares Barclays Aggregate Bond Fund(AGG)
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF(BND)

FT/Citi Ingenuity Awards: Urban Ideas in Action

FT/Citi Ingenuity Awards: Urban Ideas in Action: FT/Citi Ingenuity Awards to recognize ingenious solutions to urban challenges in the fields of education, energy, healthcare and infrastructure. Submit your application today: http://bit.ly/tvjIQD. For more information visit www.FT.com/ingenuity

Asset Manager:Fairly Good News Ahead-and what limits it

I think we're going into a fairly good news economy,said Christian Thwaites,CEO of Sentinel Investments.The regional Federal Reserve Banks reported gains;exports and imports look good.It's gonna be difficult to get beyond 2.5-3% growth,however,because the government is a drag on the economy.
Manufacturing has posted some very impressive productivity numbers.That's the way employers would rather grow,than by hiring more people.The employment picture is only gonna improve very,very gradually.
The inflation number is not a problem.Inflation in China is not down to a point they are comfortable with.There is definitely a very robust consumption story from China.
It's a more subdued consumer recovery in the U.S.Play it carefully.Choose very good,solid,well-managed consumer discretionary companies if that's where you're going to go.You're only going to see 3-5% growth,rather than the 7-8% you saw during past recoveries,Mr.Thwaites noted.
Since 1934,Sentinel Investments has grown to manage more than 18 billion dollars in mutual fund and institutional accounts.As a provider of core,back to basics strategies,standing the tests of time is their criterion for success.

Asia Executive:ASEAN Region Looking Robust This Year

The ASEAN Region-the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its environs-is growing 5-5.5% this year,according to Stuart Dean,President,ASEAN Region at General Electric.We grew 30% there last year,and we expect double digit growth again this year.
All the businesses had a good year in 2011,and it looks similar this year.GE Aviation had a strong year,and we're gonna be pretty big this year as well.
I think the China landing is likely to be soft.For the next 4-5 years,ASEAN is likely to see growth of 5-6%.There's a lot more opportunity to sell locomotives in ASEAN.The living standards increase,and infrastructure plays a big part in that,Mr.Dean explained.
Stuart Dean has a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Duke University,as well as an MBA from Harvard University.ASEAN has 10 members,including Indonesia,Malaysia,Singapore and Vietnam.
General Electric(GE)

Investment Problems and Prospects:Thoughts From Alliance Bernstein

Our point of view on the Volcker Rule is that it reduces liquidity all over the world,says Peter Kraus,Alliance Bernstein CEO.Investors want to trade securities at a price that's fair;at the end of the day,the Rule reduces liquidity.Our view reflects our clients' views.
The Volcker Rule,part of the Dodd-Frank financial reform legislation,takes effect in July.It bans proprietary trading by financial institutions.Big banks will be required by the Rule to maintain a staff of 50-60 people to comply with it.
That the Rule applies to foreign institutions as well has increased the criticism of it.Complaints have been rolling in from around the world.
The changes on Alliance Bernstein's business will not be particularly large,Mr.Kraus added,but it will crimp our clients' returns.It will hinder the sale of mutual funds.If you buy securities from a seller,you must sell at the end of each day,making it difficult to price the sale.The Rule is very complex from both the compliance and the structural point of view.
As for the overall investing environment,we certainly understand the flow of funds is still into fixed income.That makes it an interesting time to consider tilting back into equities,Mr.Kraus explained.
Mr.Kraus' colleague at AB,Vadim Zlotnikov,observes that some of the positives from the U.S. and China should be able to overcome the problems in Europe.To the extent Greece defaults,and there is no contagion,I don't think it would be a big enough event.
Mergers and acquisitions economically would make a lot of sense.The financial availability is improving;the deals are looking attractive.It could be April or mid-year before conditions deteriorate,in Mr.Zlotnikov's estimation.
Alliance Bernstein is a client-centered and research-driven asset management firm.Their global client base includes a broad range of individuals and institutions who are assisted by the firm's array of products and service organisations,which are tailored to their distinctive needs,from offices worldwide.
Alliancebernstein Holding,LP(AB)

Author and Professor:Getting Back to Prosperity

The best thing is for the creditors and authorities to get a deal that helps Greece to grow,in the view of John B. Taylor,Professor of Economics at Stanford University.Each side is gonna try to get the best deal they can.If they can put in some good economic growth plans,I think that's the answer to this-to get Europe back on the growth track.The growth in the early eighties was 5.9%.Steady as you go,keeping the tax rate low-that's what my research shows.
We in America could get into a situation like Greece.We can get back on track with just some sensible adjustments.It shouldn't be that hard.The Fed has bought so much debt,people don't know how they're gonna get out of that,so the banks are sitting on all that cash.
We just have to contain the entitlement growth.It'll lead to a better system.We got away from all this in the eighties and nineties,but we fell back into it,the interventionist policies.Get back to predictable,reliable monetary policies and we'll be in good shape,Dr.Taylor feels.
John Taylor is a former member of the President's Council of Ecomomic Advisors from 1989-91.He is currently a Senior Fellow in Economics at the Hoover Institution.Dr.Taylor is author of the book "First Principles:Five Keys To Restoring America's Economic Prosperity."