December is usually a good time to reflect back, but as investors we need to look forward. Yes, even if it defies the very nature of this weekly column's theme, I may as well discuss the four predictions for 2009 that I made earlier this week.

In a nutshell:

  • Yahoo! (NASDAQ:YHOO) will beat the market.
  • Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ:SIRI) won't go bankrupt.
  • Tech stocks will lead the market recovery later in 2009.
  • Chinese stocks will outperform domestic equities.

Shortly after my four trips out to the limb, news stories began to fall into place.

  • Yahoo! went through with its pre-announced layoffs on Wednesday, but also killed a controversial severance package clause that now makes it easier for a company to acquire the dot-com giant.
  • In an encouraging sign that Chinese stocks may have bottomed, Baidu.com (NASDAQ:BIDU) lowered its current quarter revenue targets by 13% to 14% on Thursday, yet the stock still opened higher.

Sure, a lot can happen between now and next year. However, the best investors learn from the past and apply it to the future.

Briefly in the news
And now let's take a quick look at some of the other stories that shaped our week.

  • Organic grocer Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ:WFMI) is suing the Federal Trade Commission, essentially for being a pesky nuisance when it comes to its integrated acquisition of Wild Oats. Usually it's the regulators suing the capitalists, so tune in to see how this plays out.
  • General Electric's (NYSE:GE) majority-owned NBC Universal is going to keep Jay Leno. The popular Tonight host was set to give up his 11:30 p.m. weeknight slot to Conan O'Brien. That will still happen, but now NBC is moving Leno to 10 p.m., five nights a week. It will save a good chunk of change in programming at NBC, and possibly create a trend for its tightfisted rivals.
  • I interviewed Blockbuster (NYSE:BBI) CEO Jim Keyes on Tuesday. Despite the many industry challenges and its "buck and change" share price, he has a refreshing contrarian attitude at a time when digital delivery is making all of the headlines. Check it out.

Until next week, I remain,
Rick Munarriz