Prudent Speculations

Big Oil: Dark Skies Ahead?

I just want to point out that I am a fan of owning oil stocks. Just not XOM, as I believe the company is significantly overvalued right now relative to its peers. There are numerous other small to mid cap companies out there that would make for great investments in the oil and natural gas sector.

Forest Laboratories: Perhaps the Next Consolidator?

Dan, I think that WPI could be a consolidator in its own right. The company, while not nearly as strong financially as Forest, is still well positioned to expand in the generics industry.

Dow and Rohm & Haas: Some Deals Are Too Risky These Days

Highwater 888, I was disappointed to read about the efforts of Dow's lawyers. They've taken a poor approach in their efforts to get Dow out of the company's merger with ROH. As a longtime Dow shareholder I can only hope that the company comes to some sort of compromise with ROH.

The Dwindling Value in AIG

I'm long AIG because I believe that the government will extend the loan terms and reduce the interest rate on its loan to AIG. While I am down slightly on the stock since my purchase of it in late September, I still believe that long term value exists. However, it is without a doubt a risky bet.

Lehman Brothers: Accomplishing What Bear Could Not?

Zenvestor, you are right buying a stock based on what a handful of institutional investors do is not smart investing. Perhaps my article wasn't clear enough. I in no way would advise anyone to invest in Lehman Brothers given the current situation. It is important to note though that others would and the fact that Lehman can convince them to do so is a good sign for the market in general. Their success in raising capital should stand in stark contrast to Bear Stearns which failed miserably in its own efforts to raise capital. In my opinion, there is a clear difference between the two as a result. That is why I believe that you can't throw Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers into the same boat.

How to Invest in Norway

Norse Energy is another Norwegian oil & gas stock that I have found to be of interest. They have a large position in the Marcellus Shale out in western Pennsylvania, among other things.

First Marblehead Fights to Free Itself from Credit Market Whims

Thanks for your comment. You are right, the bank is really only a temporary fix until the credit markets open up. If the surge in deposits that occurred last quarter is a sign of things to come then they may just survive to originate another day.

In regards to CapitalSource, the Tier One deal fell through and the Fremont deal took its place. The Fremont deal will be huge for CapitalSource.

Battle of the Building Material Makers: Owens Corning vs. USG Corp.

Great article. USG clearly has a lot of smart people as shareholders but I still think OCs international division and relatively limited exposure to new home construction will help it outperform USG in the long run.

Buffett Should Have Picked Owens Corning Over USG

I know they paid off fully but I still think they took some money from buffett prior to their emergence. I tried to paste a link above but something didn't work, here is another one that you might find interesting.

online.wsj.com/article...

Buffett Should Have Picked Owens Corning Over USG

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