The mid-year performance report for the Fat Pitch Financials Portfolio. The number remain ugly, but not much worse than the S&P 500.

After its second bid was rejected, a frustrated Microsoft turned its back and walked away. This infuriated Yahoo shareholders who had seen the bid as the company’s last chance to regain profitability. A contingent led by Carl Icahn instigated a proxy battle, seeking to oust Yahoo’s current board of directors and replace it with candidates of his choosing.

Who would have thought?

Turley presents an interesting analysis comparing the value of Google to Yahoo, and why Microsoft was smart in not upping their bid for Yahoo.

Jeff Matthews recalls his impressions of seeing Bill Gates and Sue Decker at the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting. Maybe Buffett's friendship with Bill Gates has had an impact on how Microsoft operates.

It appears that the Microsoft and Yahoo saga is over. Microsoft withdrew its offer today and it doesn't appear they are going to pursue a merger with Yahoo anymore. There were a lot of rumors flying, so I wanted to share this official release.

The Fat Pitch Financials Portfolio was down 1.21% in April. I held tight as the markets continued to be stormy.

Despite attractive economics and the potential for lasting competitive advantages, the Software sector is not a favorite of the Magic Formula screen. I examine why in this article, as well as providing some attributes to look for when picking a Software company from the screen.

A review of the performance of the Fat Pitch Financials Portfolio for the first quarter of 2008.

After 13 years at number 1 Bill Gates falls to number three as Buffett moves to number 1.

The Fat Pitch Financials Portfolio held steady in February. I added a position in Premier Exhibitions (PRXI) and watched several positive developments in other positions. The portfolio continues to beat out the S&P 500.

I examine the idea that software companies in general share business advantages that give them a 'built-in' moat.

We try to buy businesses at big discounts to what they're worth, focusing mostly on out-of-favor or forgotten stocks, the ones nobody wants until they start going up," Mark Boyar explains. Once described as "the most patient man on Wall Street," Mr. Boyar has outperformed the S&P 500 during the past decade with a compounded annual growth of better than 2-to-1 (roughly 11.9%, versus 5.3%).

Leverage is one of the best tools of profit. Leverage is what fed the real estate boom and continues to feed the popularity in forex trading. Unfortunately for equities investors, leveraging your stock purchases means borrowing from your broker.

Comparing the Microsoft/Yahoo! merger to past mega-mergers shows that these two companies are unlikely to live in perfect harmony.