The Basic Idea:
Allow users to create and publish spreadsheets with dynamically updating data online to their own websites. The method used to cull the data is quite easy -a little too easy if you have a desire to publish complex data results- and has the potential to make any Joe Shmoe an instant RSS expert (Not sure about this, but typically, RSS feeds allow for very little customization by the end user; this is unlike Google’s new dynamic cell formulas).
Here are the formulas users will apply in Google Spreadsheets:

GoogleLookup function
Syntax: =GoogleLookup(“entity”, “attribute”)

GoogleFinance function
Syntax: =GoogleFinance(“symbol”, “attribute”)

In The Past:
Only VB programmers and businesses wealthy enough to subscribe to Bloomberg and Reuters data services have been able to harness the vast amounts of dynamic data available over the internet. Today, they still are pretty much the only ones who can do this – Although, Google Spreadsheets has integrated these very interesting functions which at least takes a step in that direction.

The following is a live example embedded into this post:
(This was super easy)

Publishing your own dynamic spreadsheet:

1) If you haven’t already, sign up for a Google account. Play around with the above formulas until you’re happy with what the spreadsheet looks like (you’ll see the data dynamically populate the cell once you enter a “proper” attribute, entity and/or symbol – this wan’t so easy for me while messing with different LookUp function).

2) Click the “Publish” tab on the top right. Change the “Automatically update every 5 minutes?” option to YES. Now click on the “Re-Publish” button to save your settings.

3) Look further down in this section and click on “More publishing options”

4) For “File format” choose: HTML to embed in a webpage – adjust the other settings as desired.

5) Now, simply Generate URL and copy the HTML into your webpage (note: WordPress users should go into their options and revert from the RTF editor to avoid any problems).

Get examples & read more about these functions here:

National Debt at all-time highs, a deep and growing current account deficit – the U.S. may find itself in an extremely sticky situation in a very short time. Just today we saw producer prices up more than expected. The Fed loathes inflation and the pressure is mounting on them to continue with their interest rate hikes.

The stock market has gone into a tailspin due to this realization and a global equity meltdown has cost investors $2 trillion of wealth.

As political instability, vulnerable emerging markets and a worldwide push toward socialism all grow, the economy seems to be in for a long and rough ride. At the same time, congress is pushing for further tax cuts and increased spending.

In a rising rate environment, cash is always king
Companies with ample supplies of reserves will fair far better than those without. Debt is becoming ever more expensive and those who have over-leveraged themselves will have to eventually pay the piper. These effects will also be seen in the housing market, and even more worrisome, in the U.S. government. As our national debt becomes more expensive to pay back to foreign lenders, the government will have no choice but to finally tighten those purse strings..

Bush to public: “You’re gonna have to fend for yourselves”
This was never actually said…well, at least in so many words – In fact, the same message was heard after FEMA’s botched response to hurricane Katrina. I suspect (regretfully) we’ll be hearing more of this in the not too distant future. Although this time, it will be reflected in the loss of many cherished public services that we have become so familiar with and now take for granted. It’s the middle and lower classes of America who will truly suffer for the failure of the current administration and congress to act with more frugality and to reign in spending.

Elected Officials Are the CEO & Board Members of a Giant Corporation, We Like to Call it: The United States of America
This is a thought I hope we keep in mind the next time we are faced with national elections. Any company’s leaders with a performance like the one we now see in the government would be out the door in a second – the shareholders (public citizens) would never stand for it. We, the shareholders, need competent managers in charge of this company…We must demand it!

Always remember: You reap what you sow.

NOTE: I’m not advocating a particular party here; only a responsible leadership.

Six months have now passed since I started trying to ‘globalize’ my stock portfolio. Results of this rebalancing have been astounding. Risks involved with foreign stocks are greater, so half of these investments were put in two different ETF’s (Exchange Traded Funds). Here’s a link to a site which is dedicated to this type of investment vehicle; finance.yahoo.com is also a great tool for investment research. Here are my four biggest holdings & their returns to date…I hope this might provide a little motivation to get involved in some of these new emerging markets…but I must add this disclaimer; this had much more to do with luck than any skills I might dream to possess:

Templeton Russia and East European Fund Inc. (TRF)
Date Purchased: 7/29/2005
Cost Basis: $43.89
Annualized Return: 107.6%
6 Month Chart:


Turkish Investment Fund Inc. (TKF)
Date Purchased: 7/29/2005
Cost Basis: $17.76
Annualized Return: 125%
6 Month Chart:

HDFC Bank Ltd. (HDB)
Date Purchased: 10/03/2005
Cost Basis: $54.17
Annualized Return: 25.6%
6 Month Chart:


Cemex SA de CV (CX)
Date Purchased: 10/14/2005
Cost Basis: $47.55
Annualized Return: 135.1%
6 Month Chart: