PA's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/17684/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/157805-invo-bioscience-giving-birth-to-a-profitable-company?source=feed#comment-642152 642152 Sun, 23 Aug 2009 14:50:15 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/145775-why-i-m-buying-micron-part-ii?source=feed#comment-566392 566392 U.S. Research
Please read domestic and foreign disclosure/risk information beginning on page 6 and Analyst Certification on page 9.
© 2009 Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC. All rights reserved.
International Headquarters:
The Raymond James Financial Center | 880 Carillon Parkway | St. Petersburg, Florida 33716 | 800-248-8863
Micron Technology, Inc. June 26, 2009
(MU:NYSE) Company Comment
Hans Mosesmann, (212) 856-5404, Hans.Mosesmann@Raymond...
Semiconductors ______________________...
MU: DDR3 Transition Starting - Advantage Micron
♦ Thursday after the close Micron reported May quarter EPS of $(0.36), above our $(0.53)
and the Street’s $(0.43) estimate primarily driven by a $242 million benefit from sales of
products written down in prior periods and significant reductions in manufacturing costs.
May quarter sales were $1.1 billion, up 11% sequentially and in-line with our estimates.
♦ This was a solid recovery quarter for Micron as demand trends in DRAM are good and
suggest seasonality entering the second half of the year.
♦ Core DRAM ASPs continued to improve, however specialty DRAMs (non-PC) continued to
languish keeping overall ASP’s in check. Micron gained DRAM market share in the quarter.
♦ NAND memories were a mixed bag with trade ASPs up significantly offset by lower ASPs
overall given sales to JV partner Intel (which benefited from lower NAND wafer expenses as
Micron sells to Intel at cost). Unit demand is seasonally weak entering the summer.
♦ The CMOS sensor business is being sold and will become less of a drag. This benefits our
operating expense assumptions going forward.
♦ Micron expects PC demand to be fairly seasonal going forward and has not seen any
evidence of channel accumulation of inventories as all players are cash flow conscious.
♦ Interestingly, Micron believes that ~30% of global DRAM capacity that was “turned-off”
earlier in the year and only 5-10% may be coming back. Current DRAM prices are still
below the cost of the industry laggards.
♦ More intriguing is that the bulk of that 30% industry capacity (and some that was not taken
off) is not viable in producing DDR3 DRAM. Hence, the decision to bring this existing
capacity back to the market is one that is complicated by the fact that DDR2 has begun a
decline into obsolescence in PCs.
♦ The shares may trade off somewhat today due to recent upward estimate revision, but the
structural changes in the DRAM industry that are driving the current consolidation will, in
our view, lead to memory undersupply in 2H09 and 2010. Micron's commentary confirms
this worldview, in our opinion.
♦ We are raising our price target to $15 per share from $14 based on a mid-teens P/E
multiple to our new CY10 EPS estimate of $1.05, which we view as conservative given that
the consolidation dynamic set to play out over the next one to two years is one that has
never occurred in the history of commodity memories. We continue to recommend the
shares as a Strong Buy for more aggressive investors.]]> Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:19:49 -0400 U.S. Research
Please read domestic and foreign disclosure/risk information beginning on page 6 and Analyst Certification on page 9.
© 2009 Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC. All rights reserved.
International Headquarters:
The Raymond James Financial Center | 880 Carillon Parkway | St. Petersburg, Florida 33716 | 800-248-8863
Micron Technology, Inc. June 26, 2009
(MU:NYSE) Company Comment
Hans Mosesmann, (212) 856-5404, Hans.Mosesmann@Raymond...
Semiconductors ______________________...
MU: DDR3 Transition Starting - Advantage Micron
♦ Thursday after the close Micron reported May quarter EPS of $(0.36), above our $(0.53)
and the Street’s $(0.43) estimate primarily driven by a $242 million benefit from sales of
products written down in prior periods and significant reductions in manufacturing costs.
May quarter sales were $1.1 billion, up 11% sequentially and in-line with our estimates.
♦ This was a solid recovery quarter for Micron as demand trends in DRAM are good and
suggest seasonality entering the second half of the year.
♦ Core DRAM ASPs continued to improve, however specialty DRAMs (non-PC) continued to
languish keeping overall ASP’s in check. Micron gained DRAM market share in the quarter.
♦ NAND memories were a mixed bag with trade ASPs up significantly offset by lower ASPs
overall given sales to JV partner Intel (which benefited from lower NAND wafer expenses as
Micron sells to Intel at cost). Unit demand is seasonally weak entering the summer.
♦ The CMOS sensor business is being sold and will become less of a drag. This benefits our
operating expense assumptions going forward.
♦ Micron expects PC demand to be fairly seasonal going forward and has not seen any
evidence of channel accumulation of inventories as all players are cash flow conscious.
♦ Interestingly, Micron believes that ~30% of global DRAM capacity that was “turned-off”
earlier in the year and only 5-10% may be coming back. Current DRAM prices are still
below the cost of the industry laggards.
♦ More intriguing is that the bulk of that 30% industry capacity (and some that was not taken
off) is not viable in producing DDR3 DRAM. Hence, the decision to bring this existing
capacity back to the market is one that is complicated by the fact that DDR2 has begun a
decline into obsolescence in PCs.
♦ The shares may trade off somewhat today due to recent upward estimate revision, but the
structural changes in the DRAM industry that are driving the current consolidation will, in
our view, lead to memory undersupply in 2H09 and 2010. Micron's commentary confirms
this worldview, in our opinion.
♦ We are raising our price target to $15 per share from $14 based on a mid-teens P/E
multiple to our new CY10 EPS estimate of $1.05, which we view as conservative given that
the consolidation dynamic set to play out over the next one to two years is one that has
never occurred in the history of commodity memories. We continue to recommend the
shares as a Strong Buy for more aggressive investors.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/114183-nice-short-squeeze-on-palm?source=feed#comment-352560 352560 Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:48:09 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/93978-why-airline-stocks-are-so-often-bad-investments?source=feed#comment-245966 245966 Despite anticipated demand softness, industry RASM is expected to surge
starting in September, lifting estimates along the way. While airline shares tend
to seasonally find traction starting in November or December, we suggest
positions instead be established before the release of September demand data.
• All Eyes on RASM – With fuel prices at manageable levels, demand trends
are expected to retake center stage. Starting in September, we expect system
mainline RASM to exceed 10%, remaining there until well into 2009.
• We Are Boosting Our RASM Estimates – On an ATA basis, our Q3
system mainline 5% rises to 7%, Q4 10% to 11%, and 2009 8% to 9.5%.
• Our Forecasts Are Actually Conservative – Should August~December
sequential trends mirror those of 2007, Q4 RASM would exceed 15%. But
we’re modeling just 11%, reflective of anticipated demand softness. Put
differently, supply is exiting the industry at a far greater rate than
demand has ever softened, ex-9/11.
• Our 2009 Forecast Is Similarly Diffident, Yet Shares Look Cheap – On
an ATA basis, 2008 RASM is expected +7% on a 2% decline in capacity. For
2009, we anticipate 9.5% RASM on a 6% decline in capacity. Yet despite
this implied demand erosion, shares in many names are trading at or below
5x EV/EBITDAR.]]> Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:53:02 -0400 Despite anticipated demand softness, industry RASM is expected to surge
starting in September, lifting estimates along the way. While airline shares tend
to seasonally find traction starting in November or December, we suggest
positions instead be established before the release of September demand data.
• All Eyes on RASM – With fuel prices at manageable levels, demand trends
are expected to retake center stage. Starting in September, we expect system
mainline RASM to exceed 10%, remaining there until well into 2009.
• We Are Boosting Our RASM Estimates – On an ATA basis, our Q3
system mainline 5% rises to 7%, Q4 10% to 11%, and 2009 8% to 9.5%.
• Our Forecasts Are Actually Conservative – Should August~December
sequential trends mirror those of 2007, Q4 RASM would exceed 15%. But
we’re modeling just 11%, reflective of anticipated demand softness. Put
differently, supply is exiting the industry at a far greater rate than
demand has ever softened, ex-9/11.
• Our 2009 Forecast Is Similarly Diffident, Yet Shares Look Cheap – On
an ATA basis, 2008 RASM is expected +7% on a 2% decline in capacity. For
2009, we anticipate 9.5% RASM on a 6% decline in capacity. Yet despite
this implied demand erosion, shares in many names are trading at or below
5x EV/EBITDAR.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/93978-why-airline-stocks-are-so-often-bad-investments?source=feed#comment-245822 245822 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:45:11 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/90198-monster-rally-produces-pricey-valuation-for-fuel-systems-solutions?source=feed#comment-227485 227485 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:38:22 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/90198-monster-rally-produces-pricey-valuation-for-fuel-systems-solutions?source=feed#comment-227134 227134 Sun, 10 Aug 2008 11:21:04 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/87130-profiting-from-the-pickens-plan-fan-clean-fuels-fuel-systems?source=feed#comment-215876 215876 Sun, 27 Jul 2008 16:11:34 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/87130-profiting-from-the-pickens-plan-fan-clean-fuels-fuel-systems?source=feed#comment-214741 214741
A Visible Path To $600 Million In Revenue And $2.40 In EPS
Even Without U.S. Adoption – With the leading market position, a
large number of key OEM and distributor relationships, and a big
macro tailwind, we believe Fuel Systems can become a $600 million
revenue company generating $78+ million of EBITDA and EPS of
roughly $2.40 even without U.S. adoption.


CALIFORNIA BALLOT INITIATIVE COULD BE A CATALYST
In addition to overall favorable macro conditions for alternative fuels, we
think a pending ballot initiative in California could be a significant catalyst
for alternative fueled vehicles and would benefit Fuel Systems. The
California Renewable Energy Clean Alternative Fuel Act will be on the
November 2008 ballot and would invest $5 billion in projects and incentive
programs to promote renewable energy and alternative fueled vehicles. This
initiative would allocate $2.9 billion (58% of the total) to cash incentives for
the purchase alternative fueled vehicles, as detailed in figure 6, and $550
million to develop and qualify alternative fueled vehicles.

]]> Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:30:36 -0400
A Visible Path To $600 Million In Revenue And $2.40 In EPS
Even Without U.S. Adoption – With the leading market position, a
large number of key OEM and distributor relationships, and a big
macro tailwind, we believe Fuel Systems can become a $600 million
revenue company generating $78+ million of EBITDA and EPS of
roughly $2.40 even without U.S. adoption.


CALIFORNIA BALLOT INITIATIVE COULD BE A CATALYST
In addition to overall favorable macro conditions for alternative fuels, we
think a pending ballot initiative in California could be a significant catalyst
for alternative fueled vehicles and would benefit Fuel Systems. The
California Renewable Energy Clean Alternative Fuel Act will be on the
November 2008 ballot and would invest $5 billion in projects and incentive
programs to promote renewable energy and alternative fueled vehicles. This
initiative would allocate $2.9 billion (58% of the total) to cash incentives for
the purchase alternative fueled vehicles, as detailed in figure 6, and $550
million to develop and qualify alternative fueled vehicles.

]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/83565-fuel-systems-solutions-time-to-take-profits?source=feed#comment-201965 201965 – The number of gaseous fueled vehicles has been growing at a 23%
rate since 2000, but it’s not obvious to U.S. investors because the
growth has been almost entirely outside of this country. However,
we believe the U.S. is now at the tipping point of increased adoption
of gaseous fueled vehicles driven by high oil prices, political desires
for a domestic energy solution, and increasingly stringent worldwide
emission standards. We believe a number of catalysts are on the
horizon to spur the U.S. market, the largest being a ballot initiative
this November in California that would create a $2.9 billion fund to
provide incentives for alternative fueled vehicles.]]> Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:50:00 -0400 – The number of gaseous fueled vehicles has been growing at a 23%
rate since 2000, but it’s not obvious to U.S. investors because the
growth has been almost entirely outside of this country. However,
we believe the U.S. is now at the tipping point of increased adoption
of gaseous fueled vehicles driven by high oil prices, political desires
for a domestic energy solution, and increasingly stringent worldwide
emission standards. We believe a number of catalysts are on the
horizon to spur the U.S. market, the largest being a ballot initiative
this November in California that would create a $2.9 billion fund to
provide incentives for alternative fueled vehicles.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/70439-solar-stocks-show-signs-of-life?source=feed#comment-133788 133788 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:53:59 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/65818-beware-of-the-solar-stock-fad?source=feed#comment-118320 118320 Secondly, Solar energy is abundant energy for the next 2 million years and companies that can capture this energy efficiently will be worth 10x XOM and create a vast new lifesyle and industry that will enhance our productivity and heath for a very long time...and Finally, I believe Solar energy is the only way out of our cuurent deteirotating enviromental catastrophe.....

As I understand, Silicon Valley is now heavily investing in the future of Solar Energy with the idea that solar efficiency and now being mirrored into Moore's Law....

Fact is fact, my utility and gasoline bills continue to go up and up..we need to do something and something big....sooner rather than later]]> Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:08:46 -0500 Secondly, Solar energy is abundant energy for the next 2 million years and companies that can capture this energy efficiently will be worth 10x XOM and create a vast new lifesyle and industry that will enhance our productivity and heath for a very long time...and Finally, I believe Solar energy is the only way out of our cuurent deteirotating enviromental catastrophe.....

As I understand, Silicon Valley is now heavily investing in the future of Solar Energy with the idea that solar efficiency and now being mirrored into Moore's Law....

Fact is fact, my utility and gasoline bills continue to go up and up..we need to do something and something big....sooner rather than later]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/28412-the-effect-of-internet-video-market-or-investor-discontinuity?source=feed#comment-82029 82029 Sat, 03 Mar 2007 22:41:26 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/10220-bsquare-could-fall-further-bsqr?source=feed#comment-81505 81505 Thu, 15 Feb 2007 19:10:06 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/26035-it-s-netsol-technologies-time-to-shine?source=feed#comment-81369 81369 CALABASAS, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 02/12/07 --
NetSol Technologies Inc. ("NetSol") (NASDAQ: NTWK), a multinational provider
of enterprise software and IT services to the financial services industry,
today announced financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2007,
ending December 31, 2006.
Second Quarter FY 2007 Consolidated Financial Highlights
-- Revenues increased 60% to $7.2 million
-- Operating income rose 36% to $375 thousand
-- GAAP EPS was ($0.27) due to one-time, non-cash charge of $4.3 million
relating to the financing for the acquisition of McCue Systems
-- EBITDA was $527 thousand, or $0.03 per basic and diluted share,
excluding the one-time non-cash charge
-- Pro forma EPS was ($0.02) per basic and diluted share, excluding the
one-time non-cash charge

NetSol Technologies, Inc. reported consolidated revenues of $7.2 millionfor
the second quarter of fiscal year 2007, a 60% increase compared to the $4.5
million in revenues reported for the same period in fiscal year 2006.
Consolidated gross profit for the second quarter was approximately $3.6
million, or 50%.
Net loss for the second quarter of fiscal year 2007 was approximately $4.6
million, or a loss of $0.27 per basic and diluted earnings per share,
whichcompares to net income of $125 thousand, or $0.01 per basic and diluted
earnings per share, reported in the second quarter of fiscal year 2006. The
Company recorded a one-time, non-cash charge of $4.3 million relating to the
financing for the acquisition of McCue Systems in June 2006. Excluding this
one-time charge, NetSol would have reported EBITDA of $527 thousand, or $0.03
per basic and diluted share, and a net loss of $375 thousand, or a loss of
$0.02 per basic and diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2007.
Najeeb Ghauri, chairman and CEO, commented, "NetSol recorded strong
revenuegrowth in the second quarter of fiscal 2007, driven by our ability to
closecontracts in the Asia Pacific and European markets. We also continued to
make progress in the North American market, as the integration of McCue Systems
proceeds according to plan. In addition, we are seeing strong growth in the
Pakistan market, as evidenced by several, important non-traditional NetSol
projects initiated with both the federal and Punjab governments.
"Our second quarter results also reflect a one-time, non-cash charge relating
to the acquisition of McCue Systems in June 2006. With this charge, all costs
relating to that acquisition are expensed and behind us, so we may now move
forward aggressively in the North American market. We expect to have that
division substantially integrated into the NetSol organization and leveraging
our superior offshore capabilities by the end of this fiscal year."
Mr. Ghauri concluded, "Historically, NetSol posts its strongest results in the
second half of the fiscal year. Our pipeline of orders for commercial finance
products, particularly in the Chinese market and in Europe, indicate that this
trend will continue. Moreover, our pipeline of business in Pakistan is
stronger than ever. As a result, we continue to believe we can deliver
revenues of approximately $30 million and improved operating profitability for
fiscal year 2007."
Second Quarter Business Highlights
Asia-Pacific (APAC) Division
-- Signed two new multi-million dollar contracts for LeaseSoft with
global, blue chip brand names in the Captive Finance sector - one in
Australia, the other in China;
-- Continued to expand pipe line of opportunities in Australia, Thailand,
New Zealand and China; and
-- Expanded client and market reach beyond traditional leasing market
into local Pakistan market;
-- Successful implementation of Motor Transport Management Information
System (or MTMIS) in Lahore, with an additional 28 districts to go live by
the end of calendar year 2007.

Europe/Middle East (EMEA) Division-- Completed major client projects on time
and on budget to deliver
record UK service revenue - one significant project was with Investec Asset
Finance;
-- Introduced new products to support front and middle office operations
of leasing companies, providing end-to-end contract management - three
system implementations are currently scheduled or in progress, with
significant interest generated; and
-- Recorded the first sale of the division's newest software offering,
LeaseSoft Evolve, to broker Kennet Equipment Leasing for the management of
its own equipment leasing portfolio.

North America Division-- Delivered LeasePak 6.0, the largest and most
comprehensive release of
the product to date - receiving excellent customer response and reviews;
-- Initiated rollout of the IT Services line of business to the US
commercial finance technology sector, and
-- Integration of McCue Systems into NetSol Technologies is on track and
progressing well - with continued success in the leveraging of offshore
resources, improved internal resource utilization and effective marketing
efforts.]]> Mon, 12 Feb 2007 17:23:51 -0500 CALABASAS, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 02/12/07 --
NetSol Technologies Inc. ("NetSol") (NASDAQ: NTWK), a multinational provider
of enterprise software and IT services to the financial services industry,
today announced financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2007,
ending December 31, 2006.
Second Quarter FY 2007 Consolidated Financial Highlights
-- Revenues increased 60% to $7.2 million
-- Operating income rose 36% to $375 thousand
-- GAAP EPS was ($0.27) due to one-time, non-cash charge of $4.3 million
relating to the financing for the acquisition of McCue Systems
-- EBITDA was $527 thousand, or $0.03 per basic and diluted share,
excluding the one-time non-cash charge
-- Pro forma EPS was ($0.02) per basic and diluted share, excluding the
one-time non-cash charge

NetSol Technologies, Inc. reported consolidated revenues of $7.2 millionfor
the second quarter of fiscal year 2007, a 60% increase compared to the $4.5
million in revenues reported for the same period in fiscal year 2006.
Consolidated gross profit for the second quarter was approximately $3.6
million, or 50%.
Net loss for the second quarter of fiscal year 2007 was approximately $4.6
million, or a loss of $0.27 per basic and diluted earnings per share,
whichcompares to net income of $125 thousand, or $0.01 per basic and diluted
earnings per share, reported in the second quarter of fiscal year 2006. The
Company recorded a one-time, non-cash charge of $4.3 million relating to the
financing for the acquisition of McCue Systems in June 2006. Excluding this
one-time charge, NetSol would have reported EBITDA of $527 thousand, or $0.03
per basic and diluted share, and a net loss of $375 thousand, or a loss of
$0.02 per basic and diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2007.
Najeeb Ghauri, chairman and CEO, commented, "NetSol recorded strong
revenuegrowth in the second quarter of fiscal 2007, driven by our ability to
closecontracts in the Asia Pacific and European markets. We also continued to
make progress in the North American market, as the integration of McCue Systems
proceeds according to plan. In addition, we are seeing strong growth in the
Pakistan market, as evidenced by several, important non-traditional NetSol
projects initiated with both the federal and Punjab governments.
"Our second quarter results also reflect a one-time, non-cash charge relating
to the acquisition of McCue Systems in June 2006. With this charge, all costs
relating to that acquisition are expensed and behind us, so we may now move
forward aggressively in the North American market. We expect to have that
division substantially integrated into the NetSol organization and leveraging
our superior offshore capabilities by the end of this fiscal year."
Mr. Ghauri concluded, "Historically, NetSol posts its strongest results in the
second half of the fiscal year. Our pipeline of orders for commercial finance
products, particularly in the Chinese market and in Europe, indicate that this
trend will continue. Moreover, our pipeline of business in Pakistan is
stronger than ever. As a result, we continue to believe we can deliver
revenues of approximately $30 million and improved operating profitability for
fiscal year 2007."
Second Quarter Business Highlights
Asia-Pacific (APAC) Division
-- Signed two new multi-million dollar contracts for LeaseSoft with
global, blue chip brand names in the Captive Finance sector - one in
Australia, the other in China;
-- Continued to expand pipe line of opportunities in Australia, Thailand,
New Zealand and China; and
-- Expanded client and market reach beyond traditional leasing market
into local Pakistan market;
-- Successful implementation of Motor Transport Management Information
System (or MTMIS) in Lahore, with an additional 28 districts to go live by
the end of calendar year 2007.

Europe/Middle East (EMEA) Division-- Completed major client projects on time
and on budget to deliver
record UK service revenue - one significant project was with Investec Asset
Finance;
-- Introduced new products to support front and middle office operations
of leasing companies, providing end-to-end contract management - three
system implementations are currently scheduled or in progress, with
significant interest generated; and
-- Recorded the first sale of the division's newest software offering,
LeaseSoft Evolve, to broker Kennet Equipment Leasing for the management of
its own equipment leasing portfolio.

North America Division-- Delivered LeasePak 6.0, the largest and most
comprehensive release of
the product to date - receiving excellent customer response and reviews;
-- Initiated rollout of the IT Services line of business to the US
commercial finance technology sector, and
-- Integration of McCue Systems into NetSol Technologies is on track and
progressing well - with continued success in the leveraging of offshore
resources, improved internal resource utilization and effective marketing
efforts.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/25593-ciphergen-partnering-with-the-big-boys?source=feed#comment-80964 80964 Fri, 02 Feb 2007 13:12:39 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/22118-uranium-stock-uranerz-on-fire-with-more-upside-expected?source=feed#comment-79164 79164
most toxic-looking are based in Canada and trade on the AMEX.

Uranerz Energy (AMEX: URZ) is perhaps the most baffling of these. This stock has quadrupled over the past year, yet this is a company with $0 (that's zero, zilch, nada) revenues. What it's got going for it is various claims for uranium properties in various locations across the globe -- often acquired for such negligible amounts that you have to wonder just how promising they are.

And even the Uranerz filings note that it has never earned revenues and can't be assured of getting any of its claims (in places like Mongolia, for instance) to the operational stage.

The filings also note that there's enormous lead time to get any of these claims up and running -- if they should prove economical -- and that the company lacks the money to bring them to the commercial stage. The latest Q3 10QSB even raised doubt as to whether the company can even continue as a going concern.

So, no revenues. Burning cash. Why on earth is this stock rising?

Who knows? I suspect much of it has to do with self-promotion. It's pretty frequent with the PR, and this is the keynote on the company's website: "Uranerz Energy Corporation is the only pure-play uranium company listed on the American Stock Exchange (symbol URZ)."

But I suggest investors treat it as if it's radioactive.

In cases like this, where we can count on no revenues or profits, and are basically asked to trust management to make good things happen in the future, I find it especially instructive to look into the past. What's the track record for other publicly traded companies in the histories of management and directors? In the case of Uranerz, investors have more to fear.

According to the filings, Uranerz's chairman, Dennis Higgs, is the CFO at Miranda Gold, a company that (according to my information from Capital IQ) has not earned any revenue since at least 1999. (Several other members of Uranez's advisory board are also Miranda Gold alums.)

The resumes of other managers and directors include stocks such as Asia Payment Systems, Manaris, China World Trade, and Lincoln Gold Corp.

If that's not enough to give you second thoughts, dig deeper. The filings (check out page F-11 in the recent 10-QSB) reveal a nest of related-party transactions that ensure that managers and directors get plenty of company business (via consulting fees and other deals) while investors foot the bill.

Of course, none of this is proof that Uranerz can't succeed, but I have to believe that if the future were as bright as market action implies, managers and directors wouldn't be shedding shares at the pace they have been over the past couple of months.]]> Fri, 15 Dec 2006 01:32:18 -0500
most toxic-looking are based in Canada and trade on the AMEX.

Uranerz Energy (AMEX: URZ) is perhaps the most baffling of these. This stock has quadrupled over the past year, yet this is a company with $0 (that's zero, zilch, nada) revenues. What it's got going for it is various claims for uranium properties in various locations across the globe -- often acquired for such negligible amounts that you have to wonder just how promising they are.

And even the Uranerz filings note that it has never earned revenues and can't be assured of getting any of its claims (in places like Mongolia, for instance) to the operational stage.

The filings also note that there's enormous lead time to get any of these claims up and running -- if they should prove economical -- and that the company lacks the money to bring them to the commercial stage. The latest Q3 10QSB even raised doubt as to whether the company can even continue as a going concern.

So, no revenues. Burning cash. Why on earth is this stock rising?

Who knows? I suspect much of it has to do with self-promotion. It's pretty frequent with the PR, and this is the keynote on the company's website: "Uranerz Energy Corporation is the only pure-play uranium company listed on the American Stock Exchange (symbol URZ)."

But I suggest investors treat it as if it's radioactive.

In cases like this, where we can count on no revenues or profits, and are basically asked to trust management to make good things happen in the future, I find it especially instructive to look into the past. What's the track record for other publicly traded companies in the histories of management and directors? In the case of Uranerz, investors have more to fear.

According to the filings, Uranerz's chairman, Dennis Higgs, is the CFO at Miranda Gold, a company that (according to my information from Capital IQ) has not earned any revenue since at least 1999. (Several other members of Uranez's advisory board are also Miranda Gold alums.)

The resumes of other managers and directors include stocks such as Asia Payment Systems, Manaris, China World Trade, and Lincoln Gold Corp.

If that's not enough to give you second thoughts, dig deeper. The filings (check out page F-11 in the recent 10-QSB) reveal a nest of related-party transactions that ensure that managers and directors get plenty of company business (via consulting fees and other deals) while investors foot the bill.

Of course, none of this is proof that Uranerz can't succeed, but I have to believe that if the future were as bright as market action implies, managers and directors wouldn't be shedding shares at the pace they have been over the past couple of months.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/16231-tat-technologies-flies-ahead?source=feed#comment-71823 71823 Wed, 25 Oct 2006 01:44:55 -0400