Accentuating the caveat emptor perspective with critical commentary on financial disclosure. I adopt a skeptical persona and look for chinks in the teflon coating of financial disclosure. My job is to identify financial warts. Perhaps a Black Swan. Disclosure: I do not hold positions in stocks mentioned for three trading days before or after blog post.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Google Finance Trojan Horse
Google Finance initial offering is under whelming in a Trojan horse manner. Yes much of the data sources and links are to existing offerings. In fact they rely on sources that many would consider their natural competitors. This may evoke images of two pugilists trying to mutually choke each other. One may die the other may suffer brain damage. In traditional business models competitors attack. Ford does not sell GM cars. Burger King will not offer you a Big Mac. The Google Finance offering is just the first round. Google will attempt to capture eyeballs. As new sources of data, analytics and other information develop they will sign exclusive deals. Perhaps even venture fund the little ideas. Then when ready they discontinue large dinosaurs and catapult new providers into stardom. Google and the others are not the secret to successful investing. Developing better understanding and being as smart as possible will eventually win the day.