Items Tagged With MSFT

1. Ishares Inflation Protected Treasuries ETF (TIP - $103.42) - Still my biggest disclosed position but I sold a quarter of it today.
2. Chevron Corp (CVX - $89.04)  Oil up and stock down.  I don't understand so I hold. According to their press releases this past month they are really making an effort at renewable energy.
3. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK/A - $131,250) - Wish I owned more.  This just keeps going up huge.
4. Conoco Philips (COP - $83.21) See my comments on CVX, except they don't have the same commitment to alternative energy.
5. B P Prudhoe Bay Oil RoyaltyTrust (BPT - $76.89) This is an embarrassment of riches.  I wouldn't buy this now but I have so much in capital gains this year that I can't sell till 2008.  My least socially conscious investment.
6. Usiminas S.A. Brazil ADR (USNZY - $77.80) This Brazilian steel company is my favorite in the world and has everything going for it.  I keep holding and collecting fat dividends.
7. Citigroup (C- $38.51) I bought more this month on the way down but above today's price; ouch.  I remain committed to this franchise through the pain.  Besides, with trillions in assets, the Fed is my best auditor of this company.
8. Freeport Mcmoran Copper & Gold (FCX - $112.05) Gold is not up; it's the dollar that is down.
9. Vanguard Pacific ETF (VPL - $73.68) Asian exposure. 
10. Anglo America PLC UK ADR (AAUK - $32.78) Cheapest major global mining company.
11. Chubb Corp (CB - $52.00)  No hurricanes and the cheapest and highest quality of the property and casualty insurers.  I'll probably buy more if it falls.
12. Andarko Petroleum. (APC - $57.24) - this Texas-based oil exploration company went up so much it ended up in my top 15.  They are so cheap. I should sell BPT and buy more APC.
13. 3M (MMM - $83.90) Solid and creative company.  They had a tough earnings report.  I'm sticking with 3M.
14. General Electric (GE - $40.34) - Multinational benefits from falling dollar.  They are trying (but not yet there) to remake themselves into an eco-friendly company of the future.  I'm holding but wouldn't buy more above $37.00.
15.  Microsoft (MSFT - $37.06) Huge run-up in the last few days.  This giant is finally getting recognition for their global exposure (falling dollar helps) and increasing revenues from tech spending.

Off the List since last month:
Bank Of America (BAC - $45.71) I cut part of the position, as I had to be prudent with my bank exposure. If I have to hold a falling money center giant, I prefer Citigroup.
Pfizer Inc (PFE - $23.95) - stock is up a bit since last month but relative performance is weak.  I continue to hold this cheap super giant pharma until new information changes my opinion.

In fact, if Microsoft really wanted to play hard ball at this point they could simply give Yahoo 48 hours to accept the terms or pull the offer off of the table. With the offer off of the table Yahoo stock would immediately drop. The lawsuits would take place driving the stock down further and if Microsoft just waited 6 months or so they might be able to end up buying the stock in the end for somewhere around $8 a share.