Strike's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.com/user/264980/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/1448911/comments?source=feed#comment-19063431 19063431
Now we know who the real "Terrorists" are .........

But from a purely financial viewpoint the article is good.]]> Tue, 21 May 2013 07:49:31 -0400
Now we know who the real "Terrorists" are .........

But from a purely financial viewpoint the article is good.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/1033911?source=feed#comment-18984651 18984651
Banco Santander is a steal. Botin has taken great pains to emphasize that the 2nd half of 2013 will see a dramatic rise in net profits as they get the rest of the bad loans off their books by June. Botin has an incredible reputation for honesty, so I really don't understand why few appear to believe him. I do and am now fully invested in BSD2 and enjoying the annual 10+ % dividend. I feel the risk lies in missing the lift-off to EUR 8 rather than experiencing another drop to EUR 5 or below.]]> Sat, 18 May 2013 13:43:22 -0400
Banco Santander is a steal. Botin has taken great pains to emphasize that the 2nd half of 2013 will see a dramatic rise in net profits as they get the rest of the bad loans off their books by June. Botin has an incredible reputation for honesty, so I really don't understand why few appear to believe him. I do and am now fully invested in BSD2 and enjoying the annual 10+ % dividend. I feel the risk lies in missing the lift-off to EUR 8 rather than experiencing another drop to EUR 5 or below.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1168551/comments?source=feed#comment-18033751 18033751 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:45:22 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1168551/comments?source=feed#comment-17993901 17993901
I see the stock at minimum EUR 8 in 2013. It could easily gain 20 % in a week when the message finally sinks in that it is the most undervalued stock in the banking world.]]> Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:47:47 -0400
I see the stock at minimum EUR 8 in 2013. It could easily gain 20 % in a week when the message finally sinks in that it is the most undervalued stock in the banking world.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1128681/comments?source=feed#comment-17967641 17967641
I wrote in this thread that I would wait till it hits the $ 10 - 15 level but I'm beginning to have doubts. It shot up 17 % in one day and then retraced the gains, which suggests it's a fool's market, so I am not going to invest in ANV and am focussing on industries which I know and where the company has an outstanding history of divulging accurate information about its revenues and future prospects. When I locate such a stock that's been beaten down for no apparent reason other than general scare-talk ("The Euro is dead", "the European Union will break up") I'll invest, but small cap stocks are a gamble since the prices are heavily influenced by insider trading, rumour-mongering, short-term speculators and such like. Since I am none of these, why should I contribute to their profits?

Alternatively, we can become Vice Presidents of large nations, invest in Halliburton, set up a Blind Trust and invade some hapless Middle East nation .........................

;-)]]> Tue, 23 Apr 2013 05:32:06 -0400
I wrote in this thread that I would wait till it hits the $ 10 - 15 level but I'm beginning to have doubts. It shot up 17 % in one day and then retraced the gains, which suggests it's a fool's market, so I am not going to invest in ANV and am focussing on industries which I know and where the company has an outstanding history of divulging accurate information about its revenues and future prospects. When I locate such a stock that's been beaten down for no apparent reason other than general scare-talk ("The Euro is dead", "the European Union will break up") I'll invest, but small cap stocks are a gamble since the prices are heavily influenced by insider trading, rumour-mongering, short-term speculators and such like. Since I am none of these, why should I contribute to their profits?

Alternatively, we can become Vice Presidents of large nations, invest in Halliburton, set up a Blind Trust and invade some hapless Middle East nation .........................

;-)]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1340371/comments?source=feed#comment-17619651 17619651
BSD2, by the way, has an 11 % dividend yield, so you're getting paid for waiting for the upturn! (It had over EUR 23 billion in revenues in FY2012, most of which was allocated to Spanish mortgage write-offs, so when the write-offs end the stock will take off).]]> Sun, 14 Apr 2013 22:40:44 -0400
BSD2, by the way, has an 11 % dividend yield, so you're getting paid for waiting for the upturn! (It had over EUR 23 billion in revenues in FY2012, most of which was allocated to Spanish mortgage write-offs, so when the write-offs end the stock will take off).]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1168551/comments?source=feed#comment-17498161 17498161
I will definitely exercise my Scrip rights as always and allow them to be converted in shares next month.

I believe SAN (or the BSD2 which I own) will go through the roof later this year when the write-offs end and net revenues are compared YoY.]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:30:50 -0400
I will definitely exercise my Scrip rights as always and allow them to be converted in shares next month.

I believe SAN (or the BSD2 which I own) will go through the roof later this year when the write-offs end and net revenues are compared YoY.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1295731/comments?source=feed#comment-16732511 16732511
The stock is traded in European exchanges under BSD2.

It was voted several years consecutively by Euromoney as the World's Best Bank. The Management is superb, lost a bundle in Spanish real estate but stayed completely away from U.S. derivatives because the Chairman didn't understand the concept and forbade the entire bank from dealing in them.

They made EUR 23 billion last year, wrote off 20 billion in bad real estate loans, paid out 2 billion in dividends and still made 1 billion net. The Chairman has been telling everyone within earshot that net profits will take off from HII/2013, since he says the write-offs will end in HI/2013, so get ready for blast-off!]]> Sun, 24 Mar 2013 12:53:08 -0400
The stock is traded in European exchanges under BSD2.

It was voted several years consecutively by Euromoney as the World's Best Bank. The Management is superb, lost a bundle in Spanish real estate but stayed completely away from U.S. derivatives because the Chairman didn't understand the concept and forbade the entire bank from dealing in them.

They made EUR 23 billion last year, wrote off 20 billion in bad real estate loans, paid out 2 billion in dividends and still made 1 billion net. The Chairman has been telling everyone within earshot that net profits will take off from HII/2013, since he says the write-offs will end in HI/2013, so get ready for blast-off!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1295731/comments?source=feed#comment-16718591 16718591
Go to Page 46 ("Know your risk of ruin"):

http://bit.ly/X4rm9G

http://bit.ly/Xz5RJi]]> Sun, 24 Mar 2013 05:03:50 -0400
Go to Page 46 ("Know your risk of ruin"):

http://bit.ly/X4rm9G

http://bit.ly/Xz5RJi]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1295731/comments?source=feed#comment-16718171 16718171
1. Never invest your entire retirement fund in stocks. Invest only that amount which won't give you stomach cramps when it's significantly down. I bought Banco Santander at EUR 5.20, watched it go all the way down to 4, then up to 6.70 and now it's at 5.60. None of this affects me as I'm earning an annual 10 % dividend. I feel zero emotion when it's either up or down. So buy what you're comfortable with, no matter how severe the fluctuations.

2. Have an even balance between fixed income, bonds and stocks.

3. Never "buy at the top" or chase a rapidly rising stock (= momentum plays), no matter how great the fear of missing the bandwagon.

4. Exercise iron discipline to ensure you stick to 1. and 2. and 3. above no matter how tempted you are to alter the strategy, or how impatient you are with your short term performance.

5. Do the hard work (your last paragraph). I do hours and hours of research before acting on a stock tip. There are so many genuine bargains out there that your chance of finding one is directly proportional to the time spent on discovering it.]]> Sun, 24 Mar 2013 03:58:22 -0400
1. Never invest your entire retirement fund in stocks. Invest only that amount which won't give you stomach cramps when it's significantly down. I bought Banco Santander at EUR 5.20, watched it go all the way down to 4, then up to 6.70 and now it's at 5.60. None of this affects me as I'm earning an annual 10 % dividend. I feel zero emotion when it's either up or down. So buy what you're comfortable with, no matter how severe the fluctuations.

2. Have an even balance between fixed income, bonds and stocks.

3. Never "buy at the top" or chase a rapidly rising stock (= momentum plays), no matter how great the fear of missing the bandwagon.

4. Exercise iron discipline to ensure you stick to 1. and 2. and 3. above no matter how tempted you are to alter the strategy, or how impatient you are with your short term performance.

5. Do the hard work (your last paragraph). I do hours and hours of research before acting on a stock tip. There are so many genuine bargains out there that your chance of finding one is directly proportional to the time spent on discovering it.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1295731/comments?source=feed#comment-16710661 16710661
In case you can't find it:

http://seekingalpha.co...

The readers' comments are superb.

And here is where I desisted from following a strong call:

http://seekingalpha.co...

I also had strong debates about Banco Santander which I believe will sky-rocket in the 2nd half of 2013. Here are the 2 debates in case you are interested in my largest hoding:

http://seekingalpha.co...

and

http://seekingalpha.co...

Good luck!]]> Sat, 23 Mar 2013 17:57:23 -0400
In case you can't find it:

http://seekingalpha.co...

The readers' comments are superb.

And here is where I desisted from following a strong call:

http://seekingalpha.co...

I also had strong debates about Banco Santander which I believe will sky-rocket in the 2nd half of 2013. Here are the 2 debates in case you are interested in my largest hoding:

http://seekingalpha.co...

and

http://seekingalpha.co...

Good luck!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1295731/comments?source=feed#comment-16692241 16692241
Kingmob: Of course it's not enough, but if you read my today's post you'll see it's a fabulous starting point. Each reader must learn to differentiate between the lightweight "stock pumping" posts and the in-depth analyses. I have never read an article (with 150 very interesting arguments and counter-arguments") as useful as in the "Buy Sony hand over fist" post. Although the article proved brilliant in hindsight the biggest contributions were from the readers.

There is no blog comparable to SA, and I've made a lot of money, and avoided a lot of mistakes, by analysing the articles and readers' comments.]]> Sat, 23 Mar 2013 07:50:31 -0400
Kingmob: Of course it's not enough, but if you read my today's post you'll see it's a fabulous starting point. Each reader must learn to differentiate between the lightweight "stock pumping" posts and the in-depth analyses. I have never read an article (with 150 very interesting arguments and counter-arguments") as useful as in the "Buy Sony hand over fist" post. Although the article proved brilliant in hindsight the biggest contributions were from the readers.

There is no blog comparable to SA, and I've made a lot of money, and avoided a lot of mistakes, by analysing the articles and readers' comments.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1295731/comments?source=feed#comment-16691341 16691341
On the other hand, I read a strong article in support of ANV when it was $ 25 but held off because I had no faith in the gold price. I told everyone I would scale in at the $ 10 -15 area and it's now $ 17 and still sinking. I agreed the company was well managed but knew the gold price would fall. One has to judge the company, and the macroeconomic fundamentals that might affect that company, in equal measure.

It just shows the amazing amount of information on SA and the very high quality of the readers and contributors. The last thing I do is to follow stock recommendations of funds or fund managers, for precisely the reasons mentioned in this article. SA is my number one source.]]> Sat, 23 Mar 2013 06:37:59 -0400
On the other hand, I read a strong article in support of ANV when it was $ 25 but held off because I had no faith in the gold price. I told everyone I would scale in at the $ 10 -15 area and it's now $ 17 and still sinking. I agreed the company was well managed but knew the gold price would fall. One has to judge the company, and the macroeconomic fundamentals that might affect that company, in equal measure.

It just shows the amazing amount of information on SA and the very high quality of the readers and contributors. The last thing I do is to follow stock recommendations of funds or fund managers, for precisely the reasons mentioned in this article. SA is my number one source.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1094441/comments?source=feed#comment-16391071 16391071 Sun, 17 Mar 2013 05:56:57 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1168551/comments?source=feed#comment-15939371 15939371 Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:19:09 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1168551/comments?source=feed#comment-15885751 15885751 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:49:33 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1168551/comments?source=feed#comment-15885661 15885661
I'm in for the long ride and enjoying the dividend in the meantime.]]> Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:47:17 -0500
I'm in for the long ride and enjoying the dividend in the meantime.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1168551/comments?source=feed#comment-15885151 15885151
Imagine EUR 23 billion in annual revenues (= FY2012 result) without EUR 20 billion in write-downs ..... a mouth-watering prospect.

And this means that fears of a dividend reduction are also unfounded, so shareholders can keep enjoying the junk-bond yield offered by the best managed bank in the world.]]> Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:35:31 -0500
Imagine EUR 23 billion in annual revenues (= FY2012 result) without EUR 20 billion in write-downs ..... a mouth-watering prospect.

And this means that fears of a dividend reduction are also unfounded, so shareholders can keep enjoying the junk-bond yield offered by the best managed bank in the world.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1128681/comments?source=feed#comment-15147041 15147041
Disclosure: I'm not invested but am considering placing a scaled GTC at 15 all the way down to 10. Gold is looking extremely weak in general. ]]> Mon, 18 Feb 2013 07:55:17 -0500
Disclosure: I'm not invested but am considering placing a scaled GTC at 15 all the way down to 10. Gold is looking extremely weak in general. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1168551/comments?source=feed#comment-14876191 14876191 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 07:30:18 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1168551/comments?source=feed#comment-14875211 14875211 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 06:27:29 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1168551/comments?source=feed#comment-14758381 14758381 Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:46:47 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/627431/comments?source=feed#comment-14407861 14407861
I see the glass as half full,and after a correction the bank will reach new highs above EUR 8 later this year]]> Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:06:03 -0500
I see the glass as half full,and after a correction the bank will reach new highs above EUR 8 later this year]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/627431/comments?source=feed#comment-14208311 14208311
Thank you, Hale, for reinforcing my own independent analysis.]]> Sat, 26 Jan 2013 22:56:29 -0500
Thank you, Hale, for reinforcing my own independent analysis.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1047371/comments?source=feed#comment-13992451 13992451 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 01:42:39 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1094441/comments?source=feed#comment-13956421 13956421
I'm up over 20 % in just 13 days. Dipped my toes, hoping to average down below EUR 8.00. Should have bought more (sigh).]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 06:34:43 -0500
I'm up over 20 % in just 13 days. Dipped my toes, hoping to average down below EUR 8.00. Should have bought more (sigh).]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1047371/comments?source=feed#comment-13916211 13916211 That's exactly what I mean by the biased and scaremongering U.S. media, which I have always ignored to my benefit!

The Euro is safe and will prosper. All EU members have already agreed to ECB supervision of EU banks in order to create an EU banking union. This is a first step towards genuine and permanent fiscal and monetary union. The strong EU countries (even Germany) realize that "divided we fall" and have made negative noises only to pressure the weaker nations into fiscal reforms. (German industry and exports were the biggest benefactors of the Euro, and Germany would be suicidal to torpedo the mechanism that contributed immensely to its prosperity).

Unemployment? In the U.S. it's also 25 % if you include U-4 to U-9 which were conveniently removed from the headline figure 3 decades ago. Remember, the EU enjoys a trade and current account surplus with the rest of the world, while the U.S. has a perennial $ 800 billion deficit. The EU is working its way out of the crisis through strong fiscal and monetary reforms (hence the short term pain among the weaker nations), while the U.S. has just begun QEIV and is printing a trillion dollars each year to prop up the economy. Which of the two strategies, in your opinion, will contribute to long term and stable growth? ]]> Sat, 19 Jan 2013 12:46:25 -0500 That's exactly what I mean by the biased and scaremongering U.S. media, which I have always ignored to my benefit!

The Euro is safe and will prosper. All EU members have already agreed to ECB supervision of EU banks in order to create an EU banking union. This is a first step towards genuine and permanent fiscal and monetary union. The strong EU countries (even Germany) realize that "divided we fall" and have made negative noises only to pressure the weaker nations into fiscal reforms. (German industry and exports were the biggest benefactors of the Euro, and Germany would be suicidal to torpedo the mechanism that contributed immensely to its prosperity).

Unemployment? In the U.S. it's also 25 % if you include U-4 to U-9 which were conveniently removed from the headline figure 3 decades ago. Remember, the EU enjoys a trade and current account surplus with the rest of the world, while the U.S. has a perennial $ 800 billion deficit. The EU is working its way out of the crisis through strong fiscal and monetary reforms (hence the short term pain among the weaker nations), while the U.S. has just begun QEIV and is printing a trillion dollars each year to prop up the economy. Which of the two strategies, in your opinion, will contribute to long term and stable growth? ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1047371/comments?source=feed#comment-13915711 13915711 Sat, 19 Jan 2013 12:29:12 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1047371/comments?source=feed#comment-13908041 13908041
Disclosure: BSD2 is my biggest holding by a big margin. What's the biggest in yours? Since we're on the same wavelength I'd love to know and maybe I'll dip in if it's not too late.

By the way, I do sometimes look at the technicals, out of sheer curiosity, and I don't see any serious resistance before EUR 8 +/-, so I may lighten up and take some profits in that region.]]> Sat, 19 Jan 2013 07:19:11 -0500
Disclosure: BSD2 is my biggest holding by a big margin. What's the biggest in yours? Since we're on the same wavelength I'd love to know and maybe I'll dip in if it's not too late.

By the way, I do sometimes look at the technicals, out of sheer curiosity, and I don't see any serious resistance before EUR 8 +/-, so I may lighten up and take some profits in that region.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1047371/comments?source=feed#comment-13901841 13901841
I was encouraging everyone on SA to pile into BSD (my posts are self-evident) and those who did so will have made a huge capital gain plus a massive dividend.]]> Fri, 18 Jan 2013 23:11:26 -0500
I was encouraging everyone on SA to pile into BSD (my posts are self-evident) and those who did so will have made a huge capital gain plus a massive dividend.]]>