Comments on Frank J. Maura's articles RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.com/author/frank-j-maura/articles http://seekingalpha.com/article/96676-balancing-free-market-forces-and-regulation?source=feed#comment-261367 261367 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:15:27 -0400 To have a healthy economy we should ensure that companies only attain mammalian sizes and not these monstrous Dynosaurs. The problem with the Dynosaurs was that their brains were very small in relation to their bodies. So they could not quickly adapt to change. After all a company has only 1 CEO , 1 CFO etc. If this can be considered the BRAIN of the company, to mantain mammalian proportions and intelligence a company should not be allowed to grow much beyond 10 Billion. One easy way to ensure this would be to require companies to pay at least a third of their earning as dividends.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/96676-balancing-free-market-forces-and-regulation?source=feed#comment-261279 261279 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:06:25 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-237993 237993 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 20:10:56 -0400 directly from the Visa Corporate Website:

www.corporate.visa.com...

Statement by Visa Inc. Regarding Summary Judgment Rulings in Discover Litigation


SAN FRANCISCO, August 22, 2008 --


"Visa is pleased that the court resolved several disputes in this case at this stage. Among other things, the court:



Dismissed Discover's claims of debit monopolization against Visa; and
Rejected Discover's allegations of an inter-association antitrust conspiracy between Visa and MasterCard.

"As a consequence of these summary judgment rulings, Discover cannot challenge the legality of the agreements Visa has signed with its debit issuance partners. As such, it is unlikely the Discover litigation will have a significant impact on Visa's ongoing business operations.


"In addition, the court granted collateral estoppel on a limited number of issues that were determined in an earlier, related lawsuit. This ruling, however, does not establish all the elements of Discover's claims. Discover must still prove the remaining elements of its case and any damages at the upcoming jury trial.


"Visa believes it will be clear to a jury that it is Discover's own business model and decisions - not the actions of competitors - that have limited its options in the marketplace. Discover has been free to engage in bank issuing partnerships since 2004, but has yet to demonstrate that it can do so in a meaningful way.


"Although we expect Discover will be unable to prove the level of damages that it seeks in this case, Visa remains committed to resolving legal challenges in a manner that allows us to remain focused on our business activities. To that end, as part of the Visa Inc. restructuring process, the company developed a retrospective responsibility plan that addresses potential liability in certain U.S. litigation ("covered litigation"), including the Discover case. Additional information regarding the company's retrospective responsibility plan is available in the company's Final Prospectus, dated March 18, 2008, at sec.gov."

Nice way to end the weekend, thanks Anthony- ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-236252 236252 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:56:13 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-236247 236247 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:49:59 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/90011-why-visa-got-spanked?source=feed#comment-236010 236010 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:21:15 -0400

Institution
The 10 Largest Institutional Investors Share Holdings Change in Share Holdings* Date Reported
Fidelity Management & Research 24,777,683 3,956,955 4/30/08
Marsico Capital Management, L.L.C. 10,343,050 266,705 4/30/08
Atticus Capital, L.P. 7,799,500 7,799,500 3/31/08
Viking Global Investors LP 6,712,000 6,712,000 3/31/08
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. 6,419,500 -43,400 5/31/08
Delaware Investments 5,365,690 5,365,690 3/31/08
Shumway Capital Partners, L.L.C. 5,005,000 5,005,000 3/31/08
Jennison Associates LLC 5,001,300 158,000 4/30/08
MFS Investment Management 4,263,190 -1,558,760 4/30/08
Davis Selected Advisers, L.P. 4,000,000 4,000,000 3/31/08
Mutual Funds
The 10 Mutual Funds with the largest holdings Share Holdings Change in Share Holdings* Date Reported
Fidelity Contrafund 5,593,393 880,200 4/30/08
Fidelity Growth Company Fund 4,264,100 2,900,000 4/30/08
EQ/Marsico Focus Portfolio 3,269,251 3,269,251 3/31/08
Columbia Marsico Focused Equities Fund 3,119,631 -401,685 4/30/08
T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Fund 2,911,600 2,911,600 3/31/08
Marsico Focus Fund 2,748,376 -407,972 4/30/08
Harbor Capital Appreciation Fund 2,070,700 2,070,700 3/31/08
Hartford Capital Appreciation Fund 2,066,100 -50,000 4/30/08
Fidelity Magellan Fund 1,608,400 0 4/30/08
T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund 1,401,400 1,401,400 3/31]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-235947 235947 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:22:03 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-235852 235852 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:25:31 -0400
I feel honored that so many people have taken an interest in me- the one and only V Winner! I would like to first thank my mother and father, my wife, friends, and associates. You have all helped me to reach such prominence on seeking alpha. Bravo! Oh- and before I forget - let me thank user 246127, 189906, and 172125 for your kind words and support.

Ok- first- this has to be the funniest series of posts I have ever read on any finacial site or blog. I have had a chance to read all of these wonderful and nasty comments people have made about me- and really don't have anything to say about my detractors. I would comment as a general rule that your time would be better spent doing research and making investments than worrying about me (just an opinion).

I would also like to say that I find it quite comical that people are complaining about me insulting people while simultaneously hurling personal attacks (seems sort of hypocritical).

If anyone wants to know what I think about Visa (sort of the pupose of the Visa forum!)- I have a blog devoted to Visa:

www.visawinners.com

All of my opinions are on my blog (and I can assure you that I have been misquoted several times in the preceeding posts).

We also have a few other blogs (linked to Visa Winners)- and my e-mail is on the site should any of you wish to hear directly from me. I love Visa- and feel it is a wonderful company.

As far as some of the negative people - there are always going to be negative people consumed with envy, anger, frustration and despair. I feel pity for them and hope they are able to find success and happiness in their lives so that they may contribute something productive to society in general- and to investors in particular. This is the only thing I have ever tried to do with my blogs and sites and newsletters- and posts- and brokerage; help people to help them selves.

I feel no animosity for those poor unfortunate souls (even those that falsify my identity- or produce fictitious e-mails or posts). As I've said- it is very simple to verify what I think or have thought just visit any of my blogs and its all there.

Good luck to all of you invested in Visa- it is a wonderful company with a great future. Good luck to all on Seeking Alpha- friend of foe.

Jon

PS- THIS is the only post that represents my true feeling- you can dismiss any previous posts as someone else's as they are not mine!
Also, as I don't have the endless time or energy (as some of these people seem to) this will be my ONE and ONLY response to this nonsense. As other gentleman so eloquently put it- GROW UP GUYS!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-235159 235159 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:22:45 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-235126 235126 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:30:18 -0400
Knightowl- come on - grow up. You sound like a child as well.

Are you both grown men or teenagers.

You are all being hypocritical as you continue to attack someone who has obviously put out much more (both in quantity and credibility) information about Visa.

I was curious to see what the three individuals have actually contributed to this site so I took a look at all three of your own histories on Seeking Alpha and found very little redeeming value in any of your own contributions. As they say - men in glass houses should not throw bricks. From what else I was able to gather none of you even have experience in the financial services or investment business.

Please- do us all a favor and grow up. As I have better things to do with me time I will reserve any and all comments I have in the future to Visa.

One last thing knightowl- you have taken a Visa forum and turned it into an oil forum. Are there not better places to post your comments about energy?

Last- and getting back to substance- I must say (if we can focus on the article itself) that I don't find much of value there as well.

Let us all try to move forward and keep the focus on Visa. That is why I came here- not to hear what I assume (perhaps incorrectly) grown men whining about 'V Winner'- do you all get together for manicures together as well???]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-235069 235069 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:03:06 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-235063 235063 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:51:43 -0400 I hope Mr. Bill that you are successful in getting this clown off Alpha. You are dojg a great service. Thank you!!!!!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-234988 234988 Mr. Bill- I have read many of posts from virtually anyone and everyone > posting on Visa since the IPO- I have learned a lot from V Winner- > I have learned nothing from you. Why, for example- are you in particular > so upset at V Winner- when the author of the article is the one out > of line? You seem to have your own insecurity about him- and it is > out of line- as the author of the article here is obviously the one > out of line. > > I, for one, would like to actually go to a visa post- and discuss > Visa- instead of this child-like dribble that will not make me any > money. > > I was very happy to see that institutional ownership increased to > beyond 50% (something I learned from the much-maligned V Winner blog!)- > So could we get back to the Visa discussion people!!!Please?]]> Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:04:49 -0400 UK poster.


On Aug 20 10:44 AM User 246127 wrote:

> Mr. Bill- I have read many of posts from virtually anyone and everyone
> posting on Visa since the IPO- I have learned a lot from V Winner-
> I have learned nothing from you. Why, for example- are you in particular
> so upset at V Winner- when the author of the article is the one out
> of line? You seem to have your own insecurity about him- and it is
> out of line- as the author of the article here is obviously the one
> out of line.
>
> I, for one, would like to actually go to a visa post- and discuss
> Visa- instead of this child-like dribble that will not make me any
> money.
>
> I was very happy to see that institutional ownership increased to
> beyond 50% (something I learned from the much-maligned V Winner blog!)-
> So could we get back to the Visa discussion people!!!Please?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-234921 234921 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:55:45 -0400 contact-editorial@seek...]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-234851 234851 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:54:07 -0400 The US may be finally somewhat cutting back on oil usage but the rest of the world isn't standing still. If Opec cuts back on production in September like they have hinted to....then you will see oil back in the 140's in short order.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-234750 234750 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:44:52 -0400
I, for one, would like to actually go to a visa post- and discuss Visa- instead of this child-like dribble that will not make me any money.

I was very happy to see that institutional ownership increased to beyond 50% (something I learned from the much-maligned V Winner blog!)- So could we get back to the Visa discussion people!!!Please?
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-234736 234736 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:31:31 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-234709 234709 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:11:17 -0400
For the record- I checked Mr. Bill's past posts- and I see very little in the way of actual posts. He too seems to be obsessed with the messenger instead of the message.

As a serious investor and someone who has a substantial investment in Visa-I appreciate having a blog devoted to one of my largest holdings.

I think people can judge what V Winner did by going to his blog. They can also see what he has had to say over time.

www.visawinners.com

(Oh-and before I start getting attacked- I am only providing this link so that if people want to begin comparing the contributions of the author to this article or Mr. Bill's brilliant insight)- they can make up their own mind. Enough said.

]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-234571 234571 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:47:53 -0400 V $5,545 MA $4,584 DFS $5,180 ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-234358 234358 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:49:40 -0400 V WINNER AKA USER 172125 please join us in his ouster. P.S. Please spend the time to check his past posts. Let's get back to basics.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-234345 234345 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:24:32 -0400 of 8/15/08. Look for an announced increase first quarter 09.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-234344 234344 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:21:57 -0400
Enough is enough. Can't we get some thoughtful insight on these threads w/o all of you bashing each other. I'm tired of reading this drivel just to get to some useful data spotted throughout, to help in my investing. I don't need to read this and I don't have the time for this crap!! I come here only for what I had hoped was thoughtful insight and useful investing tips not all your bs!!

Can't we keep the posts here to just the topic at hand? You all sound just like each other and even your alias' sound just like each other. You all constantly have to try and bait each other and each and every time you all rise to the occassion, take the bait and continue. And on and on it goes. What good can come from this? Do you think that by responding to the other person's comments you're actually going to make a difference? Do you think they're actually going to change their opinion? What does it matter anyway? Just stick to the topic and ignore the comments, the rest of us already see it for what it all is, just plain GARBAGE!!!!

Having to read your constant useless crap comments shows us again how childish you all are and how little hope there is for humanity!!!

Let's get back to the subject at hand and keep it that way. PLEASE!!!!!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-234259 234259 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:16:28 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-234256 234256 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:13:36 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-234247 234247 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:57:16 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-234245 234245 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:56:04 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-234223 234223 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:27:45 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-234211 234211 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:09:29 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-234209 234209 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:04:00 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/91269-on-visa-and-commodities-an-addendum?source=feed#comment-234202 234202 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:54:51 -0400