Brian Powers's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/124882/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/141409-canadian-oilfields-set-for-a-rebound-ubs?source=feed#comment-532905 532905
Long PDS]]> Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:55:31 -0400
Long PDS]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/109161-bet-on-buying-boyd?source=feed#comment-320690 320690
When BYD begins expensing Echelon costs next year instead of capitalizing them, its profitability and financial ratios will be affected making your models obsolete. Also, there is some risk over the next year that BYD's metrics will violate its covenants.

I am long BYD, but I understand the risks to my satisfaction. I hope your readers understand they should be doing their own research before making any investing decisions.

This may be a nice college project, but it does not contain real world diligence.]]> Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:54:15 -0500
When BYD begins expensing Echelon costs next year instead of capitalizing them, its profitability and financial ratios will be affected making your models obsolete. Also, there is some risk over the next year that BYD's metrics will violate its covenants.

I am long BYD, but I understand the risks to my satisfaction. I hope your readers understand they should be doing their own research before making any investing decisions.

This may be a nice college project, but it does not contain real world diligence.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/92615-grey-wolf-shareholders-deserve-better-buyout-offer?source=feed#comment-239190 239190 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:52:03 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/58215-fisking-ben-stein-on-goldman-s-wrongdoing?source=feed#comment-106706 106706
]]> Mon, 24 Dec 2007 10:05:42 -0500
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/58215-fisking-ben-stein-on-goldman-s-wrongdoing?source=feed#comment-106705 106705
These mortgage products were hot, hot, hot and if Goldman did not offer them, their clients would have gone elsewhere. Despite Goldman's own opinion, the clients still wanted them likely due to the hype. That is good business to give the customer what they want.

However, when it comes to Goldman's own trading and investing, I expect them to do the best they can. They new these real estate investing vehicles were overdue for a dose of reality and they invested accordingly.

They did not hurt their customers, they were helping them by giving them what they demanded. They did not push these vehicles like a floating interest rate mortgage on a minimum wager. They left it to these customers to make the decision where to invest. Then, Goldman did their own investing. End of story.]]> Mon, 24 Dec 2007 10:05:14 -0500
These mortgage products were hot, hot, hot and if Goldman did not offer them, their clients would have gone elsewhere. Despite Goldman's own opinion, the clients still wanted them likely due to the hype. That is good business to give the customer what they want.

However, when it comes to Goldman's own trading and investing, I expect them to do the best they can. They new these real estate investing vehicles were overdue for a dose of reality and they invested accordingly.

They did not hurt their customers, they were helping them by giving them what they demanded. They did not push these vehicles like a floating interest rate mortgage on a minimum wager. They left it to these customers to make the decision where to invest. Then, Goldman did their own investing. End of story.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/56771-jim-cramer-s-mad-money-12-7-07-don-t-nix-nyx?source=feed#comment-104748 104748
First, there was Arca and then Euronext, two big acquisitions that needed to be integrated. It is hard to estimate forward earnings with these variables. Then, you have speculation that NYSE could buy NYMEX, or ICE. Again, it is hard to forecast that kind of uncertainty.

Now, investors have the loss this week of the NYSE CEO and CFO to Merrill Lynch.

When you look at all of these variables, you see a company that, for many, is hard to value (especially over the short term that seems so in vogue). Nevertheless, the company has grown revenues and earnings by about 50% over the trailing twelve month period.

The best opportunities often arise when companies are hard to value.
]]> Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:59:53 -0500
First, there was Arca and then Euronext, two big acquisitions that needed to be integrated. It is hard to estimate forward earnings with these variables. Then, you have speculation that NYSE could buy NYMEX, or ICE. Again, it is hard to forecast that kind of uncertainty.

Now, investors have the loss this week of the NYSE CEO and CFO to Merrill Lynch.

When you look at all of these variables, you see a company that, for many, is hard to value (especially over the short term that seems so in vogue). Nevertheless, the company has grown revenues and earnings by about 50% over the trailing twelve month period.

The best opportunities often arise when companies are hard to value.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/56346-the-13-basis-point-portfolio?source=feed#comment-104320 104320
jamy, you could, for example, set up a Roth IRA with Zecco.com and pay no commissions. Then, you could rebalance at regular intervals (quarterly, yearly, etc.). The only drawback to Zecco is if you reinvest, they do not offer partial shares on equity positions. This may offer a very inexpensive way to invest for those just starting out with small balances.

I have no connection to Zecco other than using it myself for my Roth IRA.
]]> Thu, 06 Dec 2007 12:29:04 -0500
jamy, you could, for example, set up a Roth IRA with Zecco.com and pay no commissions. Then, you could rebalance at regular intervals (quarterly, yearly, etc.). The only drawback to Zecco is if you reinvest, they do not offer partial shares on equity positions. This may offer a very inexpensive way to invest for those just starting out with small balances.

I have no connection to Zecco other than using it myself for my Roth IRA.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/55700-lhc-group-strong-management-says-it-all?source=feed#comment-103398 103398
EDGAR at SEC.GOV
sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse...

LHC Group's homepage
lhcg.com/PageDisplay.a...

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
www.cms.hhs.gov/

Big Charts
bigcharts.com/
]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:10:11 -0500
EDGAR at SEC.GOV
sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse...

LHC Group's homepage
lhcg.com/PageDisplay.a...

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
www.cms.hhs.gov/

Big Charts
bigcharts.com/
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/55208-investing-in-water-and-water-etfs?source=feed#comment-103112 103112
If you are looking for a desalination company, check out Consolidated Water (CWCO). They are based in the Cayman Islands and use reverse osmosis to desalinate water. They develop and operate water systems primarily in the Caribbean.

It is a small company with a market cap of $450 million. Their P/E has been between 30 and 60 for almost 3 years. P/Sales was between roughly 8 and 12 for the same time period. Short interest has exploded since August with the ratio now over 22. Insiders own about 10% of the shares outstanding and institutions about 55%.

Of course, do your own research.

I do not own CWCO, but it is held in PHO which I own.
]]> Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:42:39 -0500
If you are looking for a desalination company, check out Consolidated Water (CWCO). They are based in the Cayman Islands and use reverse osmosis to desalinate water. They develop and operate water systems primarily in the Caribbean.

It is a small company with a market cap of $450 million. Their P/E has been between 30 and 60 for almost 3 years. P/Sales was between roughly 8 and 12 for the same time period. Short interest has exploded since August with the ratio now over 22. Insiders own about 10% of the shares outstanding and institutions about 55%.

Of course, do your own research.

I do not own CWCO, but it is held in PHO which I own.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/55208-investing-in-water-and-water-etfs?source=feed#comment-103109 103109
In my article I wanted to look at the global water situation and then compare the ETF's that were available in that industry right now. I do not claim they are perfect, but I am satisfied so far with my holding in PHO. I feel that in and of themselves, most of the companies are solid despite their importance as a pure play on water. Honestly, I think it is a good fund despite the fact that it is called a water ETF.

GE has 3% of its business in water. This is small. However, they are one of the most important companies in the water industry. It would be hard to ignore them completely in a water fund despite the dilemma. As I stated above though, I am comfortable with how this position is treated. In addition, I will say that GE, or Siemens are still excellent companies. I have no problem with exposure to them.

Franklin Electric? They design and build water well pumping systems. They had two acquisitions this year to pump up that division - Pump Brands, Ltd. (South Africa), completed in June 2007, and the pump division of Monarch Industries (Canada), completed in September 2007. Water sales were down in the most recent quarter.
(10-Q)
sec.gov/Archives/edgar...

Millipore cites strong demand for laboratory water products and higher sales in growing Asia/Pacific markets. It is not 100% of their business, but it is large and growing.
sec.gov/Archives/edgar...

Agilent also noted strong growth in water and waste testing despite the size of that business.
sec.gov/Archives/edgar...

Yes, some water utilities are in a tough spot, but in the long run, they will need to raise prices to deliver water. There is simply no way around it if the world wants water delivered to their homes. It will not happen overnight, but this is a long term investment for me, so I can be patient.

In truth, I look at these ETF's more broadly than just pure water plays. I look at PHO as an industrial ETF with exposure to utilities and tech. It is a focused fund and I like the companies. Perhaps I should have spent more time addressing this point.

Are these four specific water ETFs a gimmick? You may be able to make that point, but I do not think the need for water is a gimmick. Water is a fundamental need for all life and is not like "alternative energy" and "nanotech" which are emerging, untested industries.

The truth is this that these ETFs are not "right" or "wrong" investment vehicles. Your research may show you they are not for you. That is fine. If we all had the same strategy, no one would make money. I have done the research and am satisfied to have the 3/4 sized position I hold in my Roth IRA.

One other point, the alternative to holding a water ETF is to hold several individual companies. My account targets 12-15 security positions, so for me, this is the best way to play the industry despite its imperfections.

Thanks for your comments. They really made me think.

Good luck.
]]> Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:29:22 -0500
In my article I wanted to look at the global water situation and then compare the ETF's that were available in that industry right now. I do not claim they are perfect, but I am satisfied so far with my holding in PHO. I feel that in and of themselves, most of the companies are solid despite their importance as a pure play on water. Honestly, I think it is a good fund despite the fact that it is called a water ETF.

GE has 3% of its business in water. This is small. However, they are one of the most important companies in the water industry. It would be hard to ignore them completely in a water fund despite the dilemma. As I stated above though, I am comfortable with how this position is treated. In addition, I will say that GE, or Siemens are still excellent companies. I have no problem with exposure to them.

Franklin Electric? They design and build water well pumping systems. They had two acquisitions this year to pump up that division - Pump Brands, Ltd. (South Africa), completed in June 2007, and the pump division of Monarch Industries (Canada), completed in September 2007. Water sales were down in the most recent quarter.
(10-Q)
sec.gov/Archives/edgar...

Millipore cites strong demand for laboratory water products and higher sales in growing Asia/Pacific markets. It is not 100% of their business, but it is large and growing.
sec.gov/Archives/edgar...

Agilent also noted strong growth in water and waste testing despite the size of that business.
sec.gov/Archives/edgar...

Yes, some water utilities are in a tough spot, but in the long run, they will need to raise prices to deliver water. There is simply no way around it if the world wants water delivered to their homes. It will not happen overnight, but this is a long term investment for me, so I can be patient.

In truth, I look at these ETF's more broadly than just pure water plays. I look at PHO as an industrial ETF with exposure to utilities and tech. It is a focused fund and I like the companies. Perhaps I should have spent more time addressing this point.

Are these four specific water ETFs a gimmick? You may be able to make that point, but I do not think the need for water is a gimmick. Water is a fundamental need for all life and is not like "alternative energy" and "nanotech" which are emerging, untested industries.

The truth is this that these ETFs are not "right" or "wrong" investment vehicles. Your research may show you they are not for you. That is fine. If we all had the same strategy, no one would make money. I have done the research and am satisfied to have the 3/4 sized position I hold in my Roth IRA.

One other point, the alternative to holding a water ETF is to hold several individual companies. My account targets 12-15 security positions, so for me, this is the best way to play the industry despite its imperfections.

Thanks for your comments. They really made me think.

Good luck.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/53706-powershares-water-resources-capitalize-on-the-clean-water-trend?source=feed#comment-102973 102973
I find PHO a little more diversified than CGW and PIO in holdings, but a little less geographically. That said, many of the US based companies that are held in PHO have strong international sales.

I have written a comprehensive post on my blog about water which also compares the four water ETF's if you want to check it out at:

cavemanus.com

Long PHO
]]> Sat, 24 Nov 2007 13:29:28 -0500
I find PHO a little more diversified than CGW and PIO in holdings, but a little less geographically. That said, many of the US based companies that are held in PHO have strong international sales.

I have written a comprehensive post on my blog about water which also compares the four water ETF's if you want to check it out at:

cavemanus.com

Long PHO
]]>