The monthly meeting of the Houston Investors Association will take place Saturday, March 10, 2012 at University Center on University of Houston Campus, Houston, TX. 

FEATURED PRESENTATION:

Bob Martin, CPA
Robert E. Martin & Associates, P.C.

Topic:  "TAX LAW CHANGES & OTHER TOPICS YOUR ACCOUNTANT MAY NOT HAVE DISCUSSED WITH YOU" 

• Overview of the current income tax and estate tax changes
• Coping with Cost Basis Reporting & new IRS Form 8949
• Basic tax and estate planning documents that you need now
• Common misconceptions about probate in Texas

Bob Martin is a founding shareholder of Robert E. Martin & Associates, P.C., a CPA firm in Houston, Texas.  He provides income tax and estate planning services to a variety of clients in businesses ranging from real estate, oil and gas, and law firms. 

Mr. Martin is also frequently interviewed on Houston radio and TV stations to discuss current tax and financial topics and is featured every Monday morning on the "Your Money" segments on KRIV-Fox 26.  He has also worked with the investigative units of Houston television stations KTRK, KHOU and KRIV reviewing the financial aspects of their reports.

Prior to founding his own CPA firm in the mid 1980's, He was a tax manager in the Detroit, Denver and Houston offices of Arthur Andersen & Co.   

Mr. Martin is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Texas and he holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Wayne State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Michigan State University.

HIA's March 10, 2012 Agenda

– 08:30 AM –

Stock Market SIG:  Speakers: New SIG Leader & Alice Van Dyke 

Topic:  "Market Discussion"

Al will lead a discussion of this still difficult market and how we might conceivably make some money in it. Please bring your own best ideas, and we'll talk about them.

Derivatives / Advanced Options SIG: Speaker: Jim McWilliams

Topic: "To be announced"

 Trading 101 SIG: Speakers: John Godell & Ron Stockstill

Topics:  "Review Big Picture plus more 

John and Ron will review the Big Picture; review future trades and commodity start on Bill William's Book #2, New Dimensions in Trading.  We will continue to focus on the expert techniques to trade with the trend                                                                     

– 09:30 AM –

ETF & Market Outlook SIG:  Speaker: Jimmy Hixson

Topic: "Is a correction over due and economic outlook!"

Fixed Income SIG:  Speaker: John Bott

Topic: "Are Stocks Finally a Long Term Buy?"

 – 10:45 AM –

Club Business: Speaker: Gus Salinas

 – 11:00 AM –

 Main Meeting:  Speaker: Bob Martin, CPA, Robert E. Martin & Associates, P.C.

Topic:  "TAX LAW CHANGES & OTHER TOPICS YOUR ACCOUNTANT MAY NOT HAVE DISCUSSED WITH YOU"

• Overview of the current income tax and estate tax changes
• Coping with Cost Basis Reporting & new IRS Form 8949
• Basic tax and estate planning documents that you need now
• Common misconceptions about probate in Texas

Bob Martin is a founding shareholder of Robert E. Martin & Associates, P.C., a CPA firm in Houston, Texas.  He provides income tax and estate planning services to a variety of clients in businesses ranging from real estate, oil and gas, and law firms. 

Mr. Martin is also frequently interviewed on Houston radio and TV stations to discuss current tax and financial topics and is featured every Monday morning on the "Your Money" segments on KRIV-Fox 26.  He has also worked with the investigative units of Houston television stations KTRK, KHOU and KRIV reviewing the financial aspects of their reports.

Prior to founding his own CPA firm in the mid 1980â€ēs, He was a tax manager in the Detroit, Denver and Houston offices of Arthur Andersen & Co.   

Mr. Martin is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Texas and he holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Wayne State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Michigan State University.

 – 12:45 PM –

 Future/Commodities SIG: Featured Speaker: Phil Langford

 Topic: "To be Announced."

see also the    Downloads from previous meetings

Coffee and doughnuts at HIA meetings are generously provided by John Bott of Tri-Star Financial.

The Houston Investors Association, founded in 1981, is a non-profit association of active investors with a wide range of investment experience and interests. Members meet monthly to exchange investment knowledge and ideas in an informal and friendly environment.

Help Houston Investors Association grow!

If you have benefited from the information and sharing at the HIA meetings, let your friends know about us. Invite a guest to join you at one of our monthly meetings. The first visit for guests is free; and let us know so we can make them feel at home.

Want to Get More Involved?

Houston Investors Association is a volunteer organization, and we can't survive without your help. Let us know whether you can just donate a couple of hours a year to assist at the meetings, or take a leadership role. Get involved and enjoy the satisfaction of helping your fellow Houstonians achieve secure financial futures.

Leigh Anderson
HIA Communications Director
Questions? Email leigh@...

http://www.houstoninvestors.com/

HIA Members:

Al Robison has been the leader for the Stock Sig for many years.  He has
notified the board that he needs to step down.  The board would appreciate any
suggestion you might have as to a possible leader or co-leaders for the Stock
Sig.  If we could get 2 people then they could share the responsibilities. 
Guest speakers from time to time provides variety to the programming.

Here are some suggested ideas that the Stock Market SIG leader can use:

Leader of the discussion in the Stock Market SIG.
Give perspective of the current direction of the market (May quote sources of
market timing guru's).
Present equities recently purchased or is currently evaluating.
Solicit ideas from the audience on equity ideas and recent investments they have
made.
Present ideas in income producing equities such as MLPs, REITs, dividend stocks,
closed end funds, etc.
Present ideas on other equity investments such as growth stocks and IBD stocks.
Arrange for guest speakers to the SIG such as Jeff Friedberg and his group.

(Co-leader Alice Van Dyke will review the stock lists on FINVIZ from time to
time.)

Please email Jimmy Hixson any suggestions and come prepared to help the Board
find a Leader for the Stock Sig.

Sincerely,
HIA Board

Jimmy Hixson
E-mail Address:
   jhixson@...
Personal Information:
   Phone: 337-478-4696
   Phone: 337-477-0166

Houston Investors Association Meeting, April 14, 2012

The monthly meeting of the Houston Investors Association will take place Saturday, April 14, 2012 at University Center on University of Houston Campus, Houston, TX. 

Meeting UPSTAIRS in April

The meeting  will be on the second floor (up the stairs) of the University Center building. Same building, just upstairs. When you arrive at the building, go up the main stairs and look for the HIA signs. Note that this will be a permanent change for HIA meetings. The UC Underground is undergoing a major multi-year remodeling and will will be unavailable. 

All events will be in rooms 202 and 250 (Bayou City and Bluebonnet). Click to see Room Assignments: HIA Room Schedule -Apr12

Click to see Map to Upstairs: 

FEATURED PRESENTATION:

Speaker: Jeff Noblin, Realty Capital Securities.

Jeff Noblin is a Regional Vice President for Realty Capital Securities. He joined Realty Capital Securities in November 2008. Prior to joining RCS, he spent 4 years with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and 11 years as a real estate wholesaler. He has the FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses. Mr. Noblin received a Bachelor in business from Mississippi State University with a major in Marketing and Minor in Sociology. He received an MBA in Finance from Texas A&M.

Topic: Raising the Bar

Jeff will discuss the advantages of Commercial Real Estate. He will compare it to other types of investments.

HIA's April 14, 2012 Agenda

– 08:30 AM –

Stock Market SIG:  Speakers: New SIG Leader & Alice Van Dyk

Topic:  "Portfolio Review & Rising cost of Gasoline" 

Alice will have an update of the "IBD 50 1-15-2012â€ģ and the energy portfolio "Energy Sweet 16 Growth".

Bring your ideas on how to benefit from high gasoline prices and the best stocks to own supporting the rise in gasoline prices.

Derivatives / Advanced Options SIG: "SIG will no longer be held."

 Trading 101 SIG: Speakers: John Godell & Ron Stockstill

Topics:  "Review Big Picture plus more"

 John and Ron will review the Big Picture; review future trades and commodity start on Bill William's Book #2, New Dimensions in Trading.  We will discuss the need for a compass in trading & how to trade the breakaway Fractal.

– 09:30 AM –

ETF & Market Outlook SIG:  Speaker: Jimmy Hixson

Topic: The Economy: Good, Bad & Ugly

Fixed Income SIG:  Speaker: John Bott

 Topic: "To be Announced."

 – 10:45 AM –

Club Business: Speaker: Gus Salinas

– 11:00 AM –

Main Meeting:  Speaker: Jeff Noblin – VP of Realty Capital Securities

 Topic: Raising the Bar

Jeff will discuss the advantages of Commercial Real Estate.  He will compare it to other types of investments.  

Jeff  Noblin is a Regional Vice President for Realty Capital Securities. He joined Realty Capital Securities in November 2008. Prior to joining RCS, he spent 4 years with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and 11 years as a real estate wholesaler. He has the FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses. Mr. Noblin received a Bachelor in business from Mississippi State University with a major in Marketing and Minor in Sociology. He received an MBA in Finance from Texas A&M.

 – 12:45 PM –

Future/Commodities SIG: Featured Speaker: Phil Langford

Topic: "To be Announced."

see also the    Downloads from previous meetings

 Coffee and doughnuts at HIA meetings are generously provided by John Bott of Tri-Star Financial.

 The Houston Investors Association, founded in 1981, is a non-profit association of active investors with a wide range of investment experience and interests. Members meet monthly to exchange investment knowledge and ideas in an informal and friendly environment.

Help Houston Investors Association grow!

If you have benefited from the information and sharing at the HIA meetings, let your friends know about us. Invite a guest to join you at one of our monthly meetings. The first visit for guests is free; and let us know so we can make them feel at home.

Want to Get More Involved?

Houston Investors Association is a volunteer organization, and we can't survive without your help. Let us know whether you can just donate a couple of hours a year to assist at the meetings, or take a leadership role. Get involved and enjoy the satisfaction of helping your fellow Houstonians achieve secure financial futures.

Leigh Anderson
HIA Communications Director
Questions? Email leigh@... 

http://www.houstoninvestors.com/

Hi Fellow HIA members,

Leigh Anderson will not be available to send the email containing the
agenda in May for the May 12th meeting.  I will be sending it in his
place.  To assure that everything goes well, I am sending this email as
a test.

Thanks,

Cleve

Houston Investors Association Meeting, Saturday May 12, 2012

FEATURED PRESENTATION:

Bruce Robinson, "The Future Isn't What it Used to Be"

This famous quote, often attributed to Yogi Berra, is never more true than in today's markets. The last decade has seen huge changes in economic fundamentals and also the structure of markets. This presentation will focus on how those changes affect individual investors, including the problems that they pose and the opportunities that they create. We will look at some techniques that still work, some that don't, and some that require us, as investors, to adapt more quickly than ever. Recent experience, in particular, has shown that these changes have actually given individual investors certain advantage over money managers in an environment that often presents impediments. Some example trading systems will be shown in order to demonstrate this.

Bruce Robinson spent 25+ years in hi-tech, leading groups in product development and software R&D. Currently consults with several money managers on the development of trading systems, and also trades for his own accounts. Also, he is a frequent speaker at conferences such as NAAIM, and training seminars, and is a principal in two websites devoted to trading systems. He has spoken several times at the Houston Investors Association on trading systems development, technical analysis, the critical examination of conventional and commercial systems.

=====================================================

The monthly meeting of the Houston Investors Association will take place at University Center on University of Houston Campus, Houston, TX. The main meeting is 11am-noon. The SIG meetings begin at 8.30. Detailed schedule will be posted later.

The meeting will be on the second floor (up the stairs) of the University Center building. Same building, just upstairs. When you arrive at the building, go up the main stairs and look for the HIA signs. Note that this is a permanent change for HIA meetings. The UC Underground is undergoing a major multi-year remodeling and will will be unavailable. 

Click to see Map to Upstairs: 

 see also the    Downloads from previous meetings

 Coffee and doughnuts at HIA meetings are generously provided by John Bott of Tri-Star Financial.

 The Houston Investors Association, founded in 1981, is a non-profit association of active investors with a wide range of investment experience and interests. Members meet monthly to exchange investment knowledge and ideas in an informal and friendly environment.

Help Houston Investors Association grow!

If you have benefited from the information and sharing at the HIA meetings, let your friends know about us. Invite a guest to join you at one of our monthly meetings. The first visit for guests is free; and let us know so we can make them feel at home.

Want to Get More Involved?

Houston Investors Association is a volunteer organization, and we can't survive without your help. Let us know whether you can just donate a couple of hours a year to assist at the meetings, or take a leadership role. Get involved and enjoy the satisfaction of helping your fellow Houstonians achieve secure financial futures.

Leigh Anderson
HIA Communications Director
Questions? Email leigh@... 

http://www.houstoninvestors.com/

HIA’s May 12, 2012 Agenda

-- 08:30 AM --

Stock Market SIG:  Speakers: Jeff Jacobi & Alice Van Dyk

Topic: “IBD Portfolio Review”

Following a quick review of the Income, Jeff Friedberg and IBD portfolios, Jeff Jacobi will review in detail the selected stocks of the IBD Portfolio.

Derivatives / Advanced Options SIG: "SIG will no longer be held."

 Trading 101 SIG: Speakers: John Godell & Ron Stockstill

Topics: “Review Big Picture plus more”

John and Ron will review the Big Picture. We will discuss and show examples of

Bill William's 5 trading dimensions.

-- 09:30 AM --

ETF & Market Outlook SIG: Speakers: Pat Finnegan & Jimmy Hixson

Topic: Stockcharts.com

Pat will spend about 35 minutes helping you get familiar with his web site (http://stockcharts.com/public/1940551/tenpp).

Jimmy will talk briefly on:

Did you know that Ike lived in Lake Charles, La? 

Fixed Income SIG: Speaker: John Bott

Topic: “To be Announced.”

 -- 10:45 AM --

Club Business: Speaker: Gus Salinas

-- 11:00 AM --

Main Meeting: Speaker: Bruce Robinson

 Topic: The Future Isn't What it Used to Be

FEATURED PRESENTATION:

This famous quote, often attributed to Yogi Berra, is never more true than in today's markets. The last decade has seen huge changes in economic fundamentals and also the structure of markets. This presentation will focus on how those changes affect individual investors, including the problems that they pose and the opportunities that they create. We will look at some techniques that still work, some that don't, and some that require us, as investors, to adapt more quickly than ever. Recent experience, in particular, has shown that these changes have actually given individual investors certain advantage over money managers in an environment that often presents impediments. Some example trading systems will be shown in order to demonstrate this.

Bruce Robinson spent 25+ years in hi-tech, leading groups in product development and software R&D. Currently consults with several money managers on the development of trading systems, and also trades for his own accounts. Also, he is a frequent speaker at conferences such as NAAIM, and training seminars, and is a principal in two websites devoted to trading systems. He has spoken several times at the Houston Investors Association on trading systems development, technical analysis, the critical examination of conventional and commercial systems.

-- 12:45 PM --

Future/Commodities SIG: Featured Speaker: Phil Langford

Topic: “To be Announced.”

HIA

Houston Investors Association

Location: University Center

Second Floor (stairs or elevator)

SIG Meeting Meeting Room

----------------- --------------------

8:30 AM

Stock Market SIG Bluebonnet Room 250

Trading 101 SIG Bayou City Room 202

9:30 AM

ETF & Market Outlook SIG Bluebonnet Room 250

Fixed Income SIG Bayou City Room 202

10:45 AM

Club Business Bluebonnet Room 250

11:00 AM

Featured Speaker Bluebonnet Room 250

12:15 PM

Futures/Commodities SIG Bluebonnet Room 250

HIA’s May 12, 2012 Agenda

-- 08:30 AM --

Stock Market SIG:  Speakers: Jeff Jacobi & Alice Van Dyk

Topic: “IBD Portfolio Review”

Following a quick review of the Income, Jeff Friedberg and IBD portfolios, Jeff Jacobi will review in detail the selected stocks of the IBD Portfolio.

Derivatives / Advanced Options SIG: "SIG will no longer be held."

 Trading 101 SIG: Speakers: John Godell & Ron Stockstill

Topics: “Review Big Picture plus more”

John and Ron will review the Big Picture. We will discuss and show examples of

Bill William's 5 trading dimensions.

-- 09:30 AM --

ETF & Market Outlook SIG: Speakers: Pat Finnegan & Jimmy Hixson

Topic: Stockcharts.com

Pat will spend about 35 minutes helping you get familiar with his web site (http://stockcharts.com/public/1940551/tenpp).

Jimmy will talk briefly on:

Did you know that Ike lived in Lake Charles, La? 

Fixed Income SIG: Speaker: John Bott

Topic: “Insurance you don't need, and Insurance you do!!

 -- 10:45 AM --

Club Business: Speaker: Gus Salinas

-- 11:00 AM --

Main Meeting: Speaker: Bruce Robinson

 Topic: The Future Isn't What it Used to Be

FEATURED PRESENTATION:

This famous quote, often attributed to Yogi Berra, is never more true than in today's markets. The last decade has seen huge changes in economic fundamentals and also the structure of markets. This presentation will focus on how those changes affect individual investors, including the problems that they pose and the opportunities that they create. We will look at some techniques that still work, some that don't, and some that require us, as investors, to adapt more quickly than ever. Recent experience, in particular, has shown that these changes have actually given individual investors certain advantage over money managers in an environment that often presents impediments. Some example trading systems will be shown in order to demonstrate this.

Bruce Robinson spent 25+ years in hi-tech, leading groups in product development and software R&D. Currently consults with several money managers on the development of trading systems, and also trades for his own accounts. Also, he is a frequent speaker at conferences such as NAAIM, and training seminars, and is a principal in two websites devoted to trading systems. He has spoken several times at the Houston Investors Association on trading systems development, technical analysis, the critical examination of conventional and commercial systems.

-- 12:45 PM --

Future/Commodities SIG: Featured Speaker: Thomas Wills

Topic: The Futures Sig will be doing a presentation, showing how a trader can program his trades within a trading platform, to be utilized repeatedly by the trader. The presentation will be done by Thomas Wills an HIA member, utilizing “Think or Swim’s”  ProdigioRTS application. The ProdigioRTS is a robotic trading system. This removes emotions and uncertainty when making the types of trades our members make. All trades can be programmed to generate automatically, and at any given time you desire. This helps maintain position sizing and risk management. This is a very interesting presentation. Please join us.

In accord with the educational mission of Houston Investors Association, the board of directors endorses the following student research survey and encourages HIA members to participate

  Dear Members of the Houston Investors Association,

Greetings!  My name is Christopher Mathey, I would like to thank the HIA Board and members for agreeing to participate in my graduate studies survey.  I am a graduate student of economic sociology at the University of Houston-Clear Lake.  I am currently working on my Thesis, which will test whether social networks and behavioral norms cause money managers to share a common definition of investment risk.  Part of the research process includes administering a confidential and anonymous survey instrument that takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. 

The survey—administered through the online survey tool, Survey Monkey—and the directions for filling out the survey are found by clicking on the following link:

 https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DQK583T

The survey is straight-forward and the directions are simple.  Please use your experience when answering questions.  Since no identifying questions are asked that could link you with your responses, please answer each question honestly so as to maintain the integrity of the research.

Lastly, I extend a sincere thank-you to the members who choose to participate in this research.  Without your input, the research will not happen.  Therefore, humbly, thank you.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments—my contact information is listed below.

With best wishes,

Christopher Mathey
MA Candidate, University of Houston-Clear Lake
(413) 824-9799

Christopher.Mathey@...

MatheyC8625@...

The Houston Investors Association will hold its July meeting on the THIRD SATURDAY, July 21, at the University Center of the University of Houston. An earlier automatic notice from Yahoo was in error. See http://houstoninvestors.com/wp/?p=1440 

A heads up: In August, the club will meet in a new location. This will be announced at the July meeting, and we will send out email directions to the new site. 

 NOTE: MEETING IS ON 3RD SATURDAY THIS MONTH (JULY 21)

The monthly meeting of the Houston Investors Association will take place on the second floor (up the stairs) of the University Center on University of Houston Campus, Houston, TX.  When you arrive at the building, go up the main stairs and look for the HIA signs. 

The main meeting is 11am-noon. The SIG meetings begin at 8.30. Detailed schedule will be posted later.

HIA's July 21, 2012 Agenda

 – 08:30 AM –

Stock Market SIG:  Speakers: Jeff Friedberg
Topic:  "Market Review"
 
Jeff Friedberg will present a general discussion of the markets.  One topic Jeff will address is investing in balanced stocks — companies that pay a decent dividend that increases over time. This shouldn't take long, leaving a lot of time for Q&A.
 
Trading 101 SIG: Speakers: John Godell & Ron Stockstill

Topics:  "Review of Macro and Big Picture"

Using current charts continue with demonstration of Bill Williams Method of trend trading.

– 09:30 AM –

ETF & Market Outlook SIG:  Speaker: Jimmy Hixson

Topic: The taxman cometh to police you on health care.

General overview of Affordable Care Act plus Economic Outlook

Fixed Income SIG:  Speaker: Austin Marrs – Tri-Star Financial

Topic: "To be announced"

 – 10:45 AM –

 Club Business: Speaker: Gus Salinas

– 11:00 AM –

Main Meeting:  Moderator: Cleve Fontenot

Topic: "Round Table Discussion"

Panelists, Jeff Friedberg, James McWilliams, and Steve Johnson, will discuss the general condition of the markets and outlook for the future.

- 12:45 PM –

Future/Commodities SIG: Featured Speaker: Phil Langford

Topic: "To be Announced."

All events will be in rooms 202 and 250 (Bayou City and Bluebonnet). 

Click to see Map to Upstairs: 

 see also the    Downloads from previous meetings

 Coffee and doughnuts at HIA meetings are generously provided by John Bott of Tri-Star Financial.

 The Houston Investors Association, founded in 1981, is a non-profit association of active investors with a wide range of investment experience and interests. Members meet monthly to exchange investment knowledge and ideas in an informal and friendly environment.

Help Houston Investors Association grow!

If you have benefited from the information and sharing at the HIA meetings, let your friends know about us. Invite a guest to join you at one of our monthly meetings. The first visit for guests is free; and let us know so we can make them feel at home.

Want to Get More Involved?

Houston Investors Association is a volunteer organization, and we can't survive without your help. Let us know whether you can just donate a couple of hours a year to assist at the meetings, or take a leadership role. Get involved and enjoy the satisfaction of helping your fellow Houstonians achieve secure financial futures.

Leigh Anderson
HIA Communications Director
Questions? Email leigh@... 

http://www.houstoninvestors.com/

With the construction going on and numerous open fences, the North entrance to our usual building was closed last weekend, but it was not apparent; the North access initially appeared open until arrival. After parking in the closest lot, this is what I suggest based on last weekend: Walk out of the parking's South entrance, then toward the building outside of the fenced in area [West] along the street sidewalk to the South entrance of the building[as opposed to the South walkway along the building perimeter]. There were no signs posted last weekend to clarify; not knowing the lay out in advance can be time consuming and lead to multi attempts to enter the building.