TouchStone Investments

A Reason To Be Cautious on Visa, Mastercard

Why is it that the people who don't have a vested interest always have the most derogatory things to say about world class companies that derive a large percentage of their income from a global business format and for the most part are impervious to what has become regionalized (US) problems? Mr. Cullen should get out of the V/Ma bashing business it isn't going to enhance or help out his position in Amex they have been & will continue to be a fringe player at best. Surely this website has better to offer?

U.S. Credit Card Industry Moving into Uncharted Territory

I have to chuckle when I read some of the negative commentary on visa & Ma. It is crystal clear to me that the largest segment of so called analysts and reader commentary are totally range bound in their assessment and overall thinking. What they fail to admit to and/or recognize is that the business models of V/Ma have left the U.S. problems virtually in the dust due to their worldwide operating platforms. I'm sorry if this hurts their feelings, but it is time they learned that the U.S. is not the biggest dog on the porch, and companies of this breadth are not going to run screaming into the night because U.S politicians use their positions as opportunities to grab a nap and play golf. I understand the frustration of the average investor and everyday worker, but that has little effect on world class companies doing business internationally with their bottom line in tact and growing at astounding rates as their red headed step child (the US) is being taken to the wood shed for a lessen in how to conduct business. Frankly most analysts can't write an article that isn't based on hidden agenda.....as a matter of fact Moodys isn't the first agency to come close to losing it's rating and it won't be the last! So before you listen to anyone shouting about things that go bump in the night and what will happen if..... have a hard look at the size of the playground your company frequents and relax and enjoy. Chances are very good that the fear mongering has some shorts attached to the rumours and don't you just love to watch them scramble for cover?

Dryships' Short Squeeze Potential

As much as I advocate longterm charters on a 70% fleet ratio I have to admit that an upside of 20-30 dollars over the next six weeks under current conditions is more likely than not. The key as I see it is to establish core long term investors once that is achieved by establishing long term cash flow rates through static charter agreements, increasing dividends significantly, and a possible share repatriation program. These things would give Drys a longrange perspective & forward looking visibility that few businesses of any ilk could match.
Last but not least Mr. Economou being one of the captains of this industry should take the lead and organize a powerful political lobby that would make those responsible within the SEC answer for the unwarranted deletion of the "uptick rule" in 07. This was the catalyst for the massive shorting activity by large hedgefunds that followed!
Any public servants or politicians that quietly participated in this rule removal after a 70 year tenure successfully protecting small investors should be instantly dismissed after they are exposed.

DRYS: Shipper of the Global Commodities Boom

50 % of Dryships float are shorts-what is needed is a short squeeze that leaves them bleeding in the streets for their interference with a top company!