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As any Sirius (SIRI) investor knows, Jim Cramer has seemingly been attempting to pummel the stock lately. There seems to be a mass knee-jerk reaction to perceived negativity, with no one venturing out to look at whether or not his statements have any merit. In this case the argument stems from opposing viewpoints, yet all parties seemingly have the same facts.

Firms such as Merrill Lynch and Citigroup have set much higher price targets than Jim Cramer and Goldman Sachs. Just like Republicans and Democrats, they are looking at the same picture and arriving at opposite conclusions. It’s easy to see the reasoning behind Merrill Lynch’s Jessica Reif Cohen’s analysis of the stock as she continually provides updates and gives solid reasoning for her methodology.

In the case of Cramer, he seems to offer only opinion and that is where the problem lies. According to a recent filing from Goldman Sachs, however, his opinion may be based on certain facts that I have discovered. As it turns out, Goldman Sachs owns nearly 130 million dollars worth of those February 2009 convertibles that Jim references in most of his Sirius XM “bashing sessions.” Most people understand that Jim worked for Goldman Sachs and it would stand to reason that certain “information” found its way to him from the top. I’m not saying Goldman is manipulating the stock price, I’m just saying Jim seems to be warning people that that the price may be manipulated going into Q1 of next year. That’s not what a bad guy does. A bad guy would tell people to buy despite the risks.

Everyone is blaming Jim for the merger deal getting killed initially and forcing Sirius into a corner. It is beginning to look more to me like Jim is a pawn in all of this. What appears to be Goldman padding their already beefy portfolio with Sirius XM stock is more likely to be short covering as the “bond bullies” of Goldman and Friends keep manipulating the stock by shorting and covering; over and over again just as Jim stated. The conflict boils down to the perceptions of traders vs. investors. The long term growth prospects of Sirius make it an appealing stock to own, but short term bumps are something a trader would play rather than go long on.

Not coincidentally, I’m sure, Jim has come out and stated as much without naming names or pointing fingers. When Mel did the Mad Money interview, he also gave insight into this problem. Cramer has suggested that people looking to initiate new positions wait until the refinancing deal is done in February. That’s probably a prudent thing to do if you are in his line of work. Mel stated that the company is working to get this convert issue out of the way. An investor, on the other hand, would use any dips to lower their cost average.

The prospects of Q4 could cause the company’s stock to reach that magical 4.00 price at which time the convertibles would execute the swap and go long. In my opinion,  Cramer may actually be looking out for the little guy in this as I believe he was just as blindsided as the rest of the Sirius XM investment community - but of course he cannot admit that. It may be time to give Jim the benefit of the doubt, and begin a conversation about what to do about the convertible situation and the arbitrage that has been plaguing shareholders.

In my opinion I believe this is the first priority of Mel and Co.. I believe they are working diligently behind the scenes to get these matters in order. As an investor, I’ve certainly had ups and downs but I’m ok with that because the long term prospects of the company are sound in my opinion. Is Sirius a stock for the weak-hearted? Possibly not at this time. Is Jim Cramer doing what he feels is right? Probably so based on the information he has.

Position: Long SIRI

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This article has 19 comments:

  •  
    "I’m just saying Jim seems to be warning people that that the price may be manipulated going into Q1 of next year."

    Your correct, Jim Cramer is the one manipulating. LOL
    2008 Aug 23 05:03 PM | Link | Reply
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    Give Cramer the benefit of the doubt? LOL Ya right. Hes an evil man who has destroyed companies with naked short selling. No thanks. You go ahead though. I didnt buy on his recommendation and I wouldnt sell on it either. Your articles sucks, and offers no information for investors. I noticed the constant reshorting EVERY uptick, its a wall of around 1.5 million shares at any one time to overcome. Thats HUGE.
    Now, if you want to tell me WHY they are shorting the stock at 1.40, im all ears, because you and everyone out their offers NO information. NONE. O . Message boards offer more than you. So stop writing Sirius articles if your not going to offer new information. Thank you.
    2008 Aug 23 06:01 PM | Link | Reply
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    Ok, ill just tell everyone why its still being shorted. The big money wants all your shares. All of them. Not some of them, ALL of them. Wall Street was designed to take your money, not make you money. Tell ur readers that, and then tell them how to beat that. Otherwise , your just blowing hot air. The short is to protect from the company going bankrupt, but we know it wont, because the bonds are unsecured, and no one would buy them otherwise if they thought that. Goldman is not "buying shares to short", they are buying shares to keep the price low, to make sure they and there buddies have frustrated enough stockholders to maximize the amount they can steal from the masses. There you go.
    2008 Aug 23 06:05 PM | Link | Reply
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    I agree - Cramer is not all evil in SIRI case. This stock is a great find for a long term investor or a very active trader.
    The company will make tons of money sooner rather than later, at some point one of the really BIG boys may even buy it at a nice premium. But at this time the stock sucks as an investment and is almost impossible to trade because of the manipulation.
    2008 Aug 23 07:03 PM | Link | Reply
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    Further guidance and an announcement on future technologies will propel this forward... not until then though. Cramer et al won't be able to stop it.
    2008 Aug 23 07:09 PM | Link | Reply
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    Good balanced view. I too think that the debt deal is being negotiated right now, and once it moves into the background, the stock will really have a chance at reaching the Citi target price.
    2008 Aug 24 08:01 AM | Link | Reply
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    Oh what is the use? Why comment on Sirius/XM which everyone who owns the stock knows it is being manipulated. The approved merger was good news yet the stock is sitting at an all time low. The poor investor is at the mercy of the manipulators. Perhaps trading Sirius/XM should be halted for a period of say six months to see what CEO Mel and his staff can report more positive bullish news regarding the newly merged company. Of course hope the good news doesn't furthur drive the stock lower and continue at the expense of the holders. This small investor in Sirius stock will hold on no matter what.
    2008 Aug 24 12:49 PM | Link | Reply
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    Long live sirius XM----F--k ugly cramer
    2008 Aug 24 01:28 PM | Link | Reply
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    Love the product, but sold out my small position in Sirius long ago at a slight gain. Don't know why so many are so passionate, but I am very leery of any common stock in a company subject to heavy government "help" (FRE, FNM, anyone?). The FCC's capitulation to the NAB is similar to some of the stuff going on with RIAA and internet and satellite radio royalties--but Cramer, whom I take with large helpings of salt, is not to blame in this toxic mess. Mel Karmazin strikes me as smart and honest, but Mozillo sounded pretty good until the roof collapsed. There is a lot of information and opinion out there, but the mantra is Do your own homework
    BerkeleyBob
    2008 Aug 24 05:05 PM | Link | Reply
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    Initially I got in to trade but, knowing this goes against the basics, I have taken sides with Sirius XM in its valiant struggle for success. The company got forced into a weak position, a Korean War "Pusan Perimeter" of sorts, by merger approval delay and short oriented manipulation of the company's stock by influential individuals and powerful institutions. Extending the comparison a breakout at Pusan was enabled by the "Battle of Inchon, " which was preceded by brilliant planning and a surprise move to neutralize the enemy's strength and change the battlefield landscape. General Douglas MacArthur planned the Inchon landings. In one regard and with all due respect to the famous general, Karmizen is like MacArther in that he is an embattled and cunning leader who should not be underestimated. Sirius XM is encircled by financial circumstance and malevolent forces. If the company innovates at maximum speed and executes its plan with strong discipline, then it will prevail.
    2008 Aug 24 05:12 PM | Link | Reply
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    Edster: All-time low for siri stock is 39 cents in November of 2002 not the $1.50 it is trading around today.
    2008 Aug 24 08:05 PM | Link | Reply
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    Edster: Correction: All-Time low for SIRI was on March 14th 2003 at 38 cents a share. My Bad!!
    2008 Aug 24 08:10 PM | Link | Reply
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    I am also pretty angry about my bet on SIRI and XM but let's be realistic GS and anyone else associated with this stock are not manipulating it - for what a couple of lousey million $$. The short coverage is necessary because no one in the financial business is going to let their position go uncovered that increases risk and they are all about minimizing risk. SEC rules are you cannot have open short interest without owning the stock so as trades wind and unwind you have a market effect on the price of the shares - no conspiracy here.
    The one's to blame here are the #$&%^% FCC and the damn politicians who jerked every single investor around by jerking these two companies around until their fundamentals were damaged (maybe beyond repair). The politicians in the pockets of the cable industry and Clear Channel are the ones to blame here.
    2008 Aug 24 09:04 PM | Link | Reply
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    I find it so hilarious that ANY article that does not meet the expectations of all the Siriots out there automatically gets bashed.

    Brandon has been nothing but positive on Sirius XM. He simply takes one step back from the hysteria you freaks are in to think that perhaps Cramer is not the devil in disguise that you all paint him to be, and now Brandon is a traitor to everyone!

    Perhaps these are the unsophisticated investors that Mel was speaking of.... Cant look past their own noses at a possibilit, even when it is posted by a Sirius XM supporter. Rediculous.
    2008 Aug 24 09:38 PM | Link | Reply
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    Cramer is another Dan Dorfman. Cramer repeatedly practices the fine art of manipulation. It doesn't matter which stock Cramer touts or trashes, or why. His credibility is zilch.

    2008 Aug 25 12:27 AM | Link | Reply
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    Can't stand Cramer and his constant crap. seems to say nothing new but dumping on Sirius/XM, most writers tagging SIRI just to get someone to read their other nonsence. Listen to the Contant on Sirius/Xm Nothing else comes close to thier lineup. New car sales may be down because of the Oil crisis, but penetration is up. New subscriber base is groing and nothing else comes close to thier content. Look back at Cable TV and thier growth over the years with Sat TV and Basic TV competing for market share. In the years to come when SIRI is trading over $40.00 investors will look back and kick themselves for not buying as much as they could under $2.00.
    2008 Aug 27 02:19 PM | Link | Reply
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    I dont know what to do? everyone is saying to sell, its not safe. I got in, high @2.52 tks to a know it all boyfriend of mine, since then I have been at lost.
    any advice?
    2008 Aug 28 01:27 PM | Link | Reply
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    Anybody who seriously believes that Cramer, and the people who watch him, in any way shape or form influence the stock price of Sirius, should let someone else handle their money!
    2008 Aug 29 09:28 AM | Link | Reply
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    Sirius sucks. I first heard about it when i was working for a huge firm from some of my clients. If after all my years in the business I would have heard of this now, I would call it a pump and dump. Cramer is trying to cover his butt for all the people he got into it years ago! Oh how short our memories are! did my homework, then invested some of my money. that was about 2003-2004. I have so far lost about 80% of my value. Don't listen to anyone but yourself! all these guys have their hands in the pot and the NASD and SEC do nothing about it ;they are puppets of the system!! I since took some other money and invested in well known staple companies and have made all that money back!
    2008 Sep 03 12:23 PM | Link | Reply