Filed under: Google (GOOG), Apple Inc (AAPL), Indices, Market matters, Technical Analysis, S and P 500

In recent weeks, the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) has lost considerable ground on an absolute basis and relative to the S&P 500 index.

Interestingly, if you graph the relationship between the large cap, technology-heavy bellwether and the broad market index going back to 2002, the pattern of recent months looks vaguely familiar.

In fact, it seems to be a mirror image of the false breakdown that occurred in the summer of 2006. After that particular “head fake,” the ratio staged a major upside reversal, and technology shares outpaced the S&P 500 index by a wide margin over the course of the following 12 months.

With that in mind, could we now be looking at an equally dramatic reversal of fortunes for technology shares in the period ahead?

Amid evidence that many investors are quickly souring on long-time sector leaders such as Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Google Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG) and that cutbacks in spending at financial services firms and a weaker U.S. economy are weighing on the bottom lines of many firms in the industry, that seems quite likely.

Under the circumstances, investors may want to pare back exposure to technology shares — the sooner, the better.

Michael Panzner is a 25-year veteran of the global stock, bond, and currency markets and the author of Financial Armageddon: Protecting Your Future from Four Impending Catastrophes and The New Laws of the Stock Market Jungle.

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Filed under: Casting, Fandom, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Remakes and Sequels

Because of Heath Ledger’s premature death and the uncertainty of what will now happen to the actor’s unfinished final film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, I’ve been thinking a lot about The Crow this week. Aside from the Joker/Crow connection from last April, I’m sure you recall that Brandon Lee died while filming that comic book adaptation, and some clever special effects had to be employed in order for the picture to be finished. Anyway, I really loved the film when it came out back in 1994, but I eventually let go of being its fan, partly because of the kids who were too obsessed with the title character (if you ever hung out at goth clubs, you know what I’m talking about) and ruined it for me, and partly because of the crappy film franchise that it spawned. But I’ve been thinking about revisiting the first installment, at least for nostalgic purposes.

I’m apparently not the only one thinking of revisiting The Crow, though others seem to have different reasons for looking back. According to actor Jason Statham, who talked about available comic book roles with IESB.net, there’s talk in Hollywood of a remake. The action star seemed to say that if he was offered the part of Eric Draven (aka The Crow), then he would be quick to grab it (the actual quote: “So if that one comes my way, bang!”). He also mentioned taking a meeting to play Namor (aka Sub-Mariner), but wasn’t so keen on wearing the green Speedo and ankle wings. He also expressed a desire to play the Hulk, though he points out that he’s glad Edward Norton, his Italian Job co-star, is doing that one (The Incredible Hulk is being helmed by Louis Leterrier, Statham’s director on the first two Transporter movies, by the way). But despite continuing on with three franchises with Crank 2: High Voltage, Transporter 3 and The Brazilian Job, the actor hopes he’ll be able to one day snag a comic book part. Should it be The Crow? Or should there be a remake of The Crow (or new adaptation of James O’Barr’s comics) at all?

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Filed under: Celebrities, Obituaries

A roundup of TV people from in front of the camera and behind the scenes who have passed away.

• Lois Nettleton: She was a veteran TV, film, and stage actress who appeared in a number of TV shows, including The Twilight Zone, Seinfeld (she played the mother of the woman George was dating when he ate out of her garbage), Crossing Jordan, Babylon 5, Coach, Murder, She Wrote, The Flash, Full House, In The Heat of the Night, The Facts of Life, The Golden Girls, Love Boat, Medical Center, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and dozens of others. She was also in the films Come Fly with Me, A Face in the Crowd, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and The Bamboo Saucer, and the plays A Streetcar Named Desire and The Biggest Thief in Town. She died of lung cancer at age 80.

Continue reading TV Obits: Nettleton, Eagle, Elkes

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Filed under: OpEd, Celebrities

John Ritter’s widow Amy Yasbeck is suing two doctors who treated her husband before his death in 2003. She is suing for the potential earnings of the show he starred in before his death, 8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter.

I’m kind of ambivalent regarding this lawsuit. On one hand, the death of a loved one is always a tough time and my heart always goes out to anybody who lost someone special in their lives. On the other hand, we have too many frivolous lawsuits in this country and suing a couple of doctors isn’t going to bring John Ritter back.

Continue reading John Ritter’s family sues over his death

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Filed under: Late Night, TV Royalty, Programming, Celebrities, Talk Show

Here’s who’s on the late night shows tonight.

• Charlie Rose: Orhan Pamuk and E.L. Doctorow
• The Daily Show: TBA
• The Colbert Report: TBA
• The Late Show with David Letterman: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, T.J. Miller, and Super Furry Animals
• Jay Leno: TBA
• Jimmy Kimmel Live: Heidi Montag
• Tavis Smiley: Muhammad Yunus and Rev. Jesse Jackson
• Late Night with Conan O’Brien: John C. Reilly, John Mayer, and Vlasta (repeat)
• The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson: Ringo Starr
• Last Call with Carson Daly: Shanna Moakler and Chingy (repeat)

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If you have been waiting for the Sony Mylo 2, an eagle-eyed Ubergizmo commenter spotted that it was shipping tomorrow on sonystyle.com

In case you missed it, the Sony Mylo 2 is an internet communicator that connects via WiFi, its strongest point is the magnificent 800×480 display while its weakness is that it’s not a phone and it is a little bulky. The good side is: there are no expensive monthly charges and users can browse on Wayport’s network for free. Check out our full review of the Sony Mylo 2.

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Well look here - after hearing news of Palm’s intention to close down the majority of their retail stores, along comes more information of the upcoming Treo 800w’s specifications. A case of a little bit too late, perhaps?

• mini-USB plug located on the bottom for syncing and charging
• Approximately as thin as a Centro
• It will ship with WinMo 6.0 and will be compatible with WinMo 6.1 once an update is released
• Compatible with Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008
• WiFi on/off button
• 2 megapixel camera
• EV-DO Rev. A radio, Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR, and 802.11g WiFi connectivity
• microSD memory card slot
• 256MB memory

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Now I know where that miserly Mario stashes all his gold coins - why, in the Super Mario Mushroom Bank, of course! ThinkGeek is offering this deliciously geeky video gaming accessory for $14.99 - perfect for folks who think that hitting bricks with their heads will result in money dropping from the sky. You can choose from two iconic versions - the 1UP Mushroom and the Super Mushroom. I think the former would be more appropriate since having some savings on a rainy day is somewhat akin to having an extra life…

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Samsung has a couple of rather interesting looking handsets - the SGH-L310 and SGH-L320. Targeting fashion-conscious users, these handsets will hit Eastern Europe sometime next month or March, and come with the following features.

• 1.9″ display


• Bluetooth connectivity


• 2 megapixel camera


• MP3/AAC playback

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According to Newsweek, Heath Ledger may have died after mistakenly taking too much prescription medication.

Among the medicines found in the apartment were reportedly Lunesta, Valium, Lormetazepam, Temazepam, Xanax and Donormyl-doxylamine.  If taken in the prescribed doses, experts say it’s safe.  However, various combinations may be harmful.

For example, if someone takes Xanax and Ambien in and increased dose, they could suffer a fatal overdose.

The initial autopsy on Ledger was inconclusive.  A more detailed examination will be carried out in the coming days.

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