Strike's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/264980/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/101700-wall-street-breakfast-must-know-news?source=feed#comment-290729 290729

On Oct 24 05:38 PM JGDe wrote:

> God gave all of us a beautiful Earth, its up to the people to take
> care of it or not. That's why there are rain. wind. hurricanes, earthquakes
> and so on
> to let people know how God feels.]]> Sun, 26 Oct 2008 10:31:30 -0400

On Oct 24 05:38 PM JGDe wrote:

> God gave all of us a beautiful Earth, its up to the people to take
> care of it or not. That's why there are rain. wind. hurricanes, earthquakes
> and so on
> to let people know how God feels.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/99341-wall-street-breakfast-must-know-news?source=feed#comment-278872 278872
Yolosetodo, the fundamental problem since time immemorial (or at least for the past century) has been the arrogance of the American capitalist elite in continually claiming that theirs is the most beneficial form of capitalism in existence. It is as if Europe, with its free education, universal health care, superior infrastructure and superior products (Germany sells exports more than America despite having only one-third of the U.S. work force) didn't exist. The same applies to the U.S. financial system which is a giant Ponzi-scheme that depends solely on selling the nation's mounting debt to other gullible nations. The U.S. manufacturing base has shrunk 60 % since the end of WWII, and GM/Ford are both bankrupt.

The problem is that Americans have gotten so used to flag-waving, anthem-singing and cheerleading that they actually believe their own B.S.. The sooner America learns from Europe the better.]]> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:37:08 -0400
Yolosetodo, the fundamental problem since time immemorial (or at least for the past century) has been the arrogance of the American capitalist elite in continually claiming that theirs is the most beneficial form of capitalism in existence. It is as if Europe, with its free education, universal health care, superior infrastructure and superior products (Germany sells exports more than America despite having only one-third of the U.S. work force) didn't exist. The same applies to the U.S. financial system which is a giant Ponzi-scheme that depends solely on selling the nation's mounting debt to other gullible nations. The U.S. manufacturing base has shrunk 60 % since the end of WWII, and GM/Ford are both bankrupt.

The problem is that Americans have gotten so used to flag-waving, anthem-singing and cheerleading that they actually believe their own B.S.. The sooner America learns from Europe the better.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/98804-latest-on-hedge-funds-banks-and-bailouts-housing-tracker?source=feed#comment-276449 276449
“Bill Ackman, who heads the Pershing Square hedge fund [and has been short financials for a long time] has switched gears, snapping up significant stakes in Wachovia and American International Group Inc.(AIG)—his first investments in financial institutions in five years. Mr. Ackman said he began acquiring a 180 million-share, or 9%, stake in Wachovia last Monday, after the North Carolina bank agreed to be acquired by Citigroup Inc. Since then, he’s had the good fortune to see his stake rise significantly after Wells Fargo & Co. trumped Citi’s (C) bid late last week.” (Crain’s NY Business, Oct. 6)

Sounds like a case of sour grapes to me.


On Oct 07 05:16 PM zebra zebra wrote:

> SELL!! AIG is DONE!!]]> Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:41:47 -0400
“Bill Ackman, who heads the Pershing Square hedge fund [and has been short financials for a long time] has switched gears, snapping up significant stakes in Wachovia and American International Group Inc.(AIG)—his first investments in financial institutions in five years. Mr. Ackman said he began acquiring a 180 million-share, or 9%, stake in Wachovia last Monday, after the North Carolina bank agreed to be acquired by Citigroup Inc. Since then, he’s had the good fortune to see his stake rise significantly after Wells Fargo & Co. trumped Citi’s (C) bid late last week.” (Crain’s NY Business, Oct. 6)

Sounds like a case of sour grapes to me.


On Oct 07 05:16 PM zebra zebra wrote:

> SELL!! AIG is DONE!!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/97091-aig-could-easily-cover-loan-with-asset-sales-cs-analyst?source=feed#comment-267243 267243 Sun, 28 Sep 2008 04:36:56 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/95992-is-aig-a-buy-following-the-government-bailout?source=feed#comment-267242 267242
Credit Suisse believes AIG can sell $ 85 billion of assets immediately and still have $ 30 billion left over, which represents a remaining net worth of around $ 11/share.

Since this company has been saved from bankruptcy by the U.S.Government, so how low can it go??? Those people holding out for an opportunity to purchase at the old low of $ 1.25 can dream on ......... I loaded up at $ 2.20 and definitely see $ 40 in about 2 years' time, though I'll probably chicken out and liquidate my holdings beforehand ;-).

P.S., I wouldn't be surprised if the price exceeds $ 5 once the $ 700 billion financial bailout is approved by Congress.]]> Sun, 28 Sep 2008 04:33:29 -0400
Credit Suisse believes AIG can sell $ 85 billion of assets immediately and still have $ 30 billion left over, which represents a remaining net worth of around $ 11/share.

Since this company has been saved from bankruptcy by the U.S.Government, so how low can it go??? Those people holding out for an opportunity to purchase at the old low of $ 1.25 can dream on ......... I loaded up at $ 2.20 and definitely see $ 40 in about 2 years' time, though I'll probably chicken out and liquidate my holdings beforehand ;-).

P.S., I wouldn't be surprised if the price exceeds $ 5 once the $ 700 billion financial bailout is approved by Congress.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/97272-aig-details-of-its-punishing-bailout?source=feed#comment-265642 265642
However, after dilution our 20 % equity stake will have a net worth of $ 11/share based on the Credit Suisse estimate above.

So essentially this is a good long-term value play. (If the Treasury had been obliged to return its 80 % stake it would have represented the deal of the century at a current price of $ 3/share and a net worth above $ 50/share!!!).]]> Fri, 26 Sep 2008 07:09:43 -0400
However, after dilution our 20 % equity stake will have a net worth of $ 11/share based on the Credit Suisse estimate above.

So essentially this is a good long-term value play. (If the Treasury had been obliged to return its 80 % stake it would have represented the deal of the century at a current price of $ 3/share and a net worth above $ 50/share!!!).]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/97272-aig-details-of-its-punishing-bailout?source=feed#comment-265632 265632
Ex-CEO Greenberg sold 40 million shares at an average price of $ 3.77, so the fact that the price is holding above $ 3 despite a massive physical offload mens it seems to have found a floor.

Second, "AIG may get $115 billion by selling all its units, Credit Suisse Group AG analyst Thomas Gallagher said in a Sept. 23 note. The company may need to sell more than half its businesses to repay the debt, he said.":

www.bloomberg.com/apps...

This means that the Credit Suise analyst thinks there's a $ 30 billion cushion even at fire-sale prices.

Am very happy to hear contrary views (Cramer thinks AIG is worth zero!), though I believe my own opinion in this turbulent period is in fact the one that's 'contrary' ;-)




]]> Fri, 26 Sep 2008 06:49:02 -0400
Ex-CEO Greenberg sold 40 million shares at an average price of $ 3.77, so the fact that the price is holding above $ 3 despite a massive physical offload mens it seems to have found a floor.

Second, "AIG may get $115 billion by selling all its units, Credit Suisse Group AG analyst Thomas Gallagher said in a Sept. 23 note. The company may need to sell more than half its businesses to repay the debt, he said.":

www.bloomberg.com/apps...

This means that the Credit Suise analyst thinks there's a $ 30 billion cushion even at fire-sale prices.

Am very happy to hear contrary views (Cramer thinks AIG is worth zero!), though I believe my own opinion in this turbulent period is in fact the one that's 'contrary' ;-)




]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/97272-aig-details-of-its-punishing-bailout?source=feed#comment-265578 265578
www.businessweek.com/m...



]]> Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:25:44 -0400
www.businessweek.com/m...



]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/97272-aig-details-of-its-punishing-bailout?source=feed#comment-265560 265560
Disclosure and strategy:

I bought a sizable stake in the $ 2.20 - 2.25 area (sold half my position at $ 4.90) and will re-purchase on any further pullback that will solidify the long term technical base. I will keep selling half the position at $ 5.00 (= below the double top) and keep the remaining half as a long term investment.

Since I expect this extremely volatile stock to keep bouncing between $ 2 and $ 5 for the foreseeable future I expect to gain several $ 100 % gains while waiting for the stock to eventually break out. ]]> Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:37:27 -0400
Disclosure and strategy:

I bought a sizable stake in the $ 2.20 - 2.25 area (sold half my position at $ 4.90) and will re-purchase on any further pullback that will solidify the long term technical base. I will keep selling half the position at $ 5.00 (= below the double top) and keep the remaining half as a long term investment.

Since I expect this extremely volatile stock to keep bouncing between $ 2 and $ 5 for the foreseeable future I expect to gain several $ 100 % gains while waiting for the stock to eventually break out. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/97355-the-hedge-fund-of-america-lp?source=feed#comment-264880 264880 Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:56:45 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/97355-the-hedge-fund-of-america-lp?source=feed#comment-264875 264875
No, the Texas Mafia has no interest in reforming the system, whether economically or politically, because "The Lord helps him who helps himself". I wouldn't hold your breath aiting for anyone in this Administration to (Heaven forbid) actually do something POSITIVE....]]> Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:52:54 -0400
No, the Texas Mafia has no interest in reforming the system, whether economically or politically, because "The Lord helps him who helps himself". I wouldn't hold your breath aiting for anyone in this Administration to (Heaven forbid) actually do something POSITIVE....]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/95992-is-aig-a-buy-following-the-government-bailout?source=feed#comment-258616 258616
My personal target is $ 40 in 5 years' time, but this is just an arbitrary figure depending on developments and I may eventually chicken out for a 100 % profit at $ 5! I'm just happy that I today I bought huge amounts at $ 2.20 - 2.25, because I just don't see bankruptcy as even a remote option any longer.]]> Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:32:19 -0400
My personal target is $ 40 in 5 years' time, but this is just an arbitrary figure depending on developments and I may eventually chicken out for a 100 % profit at $ 5! I'm just happy that I today I bought huge amounts at $ 2.20 - 2.25, because I just don't see bankruptcy as even a remote option any longer.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/95992-is-aig-a-buy-following-the-government-bailout?source=feed#comment-257752 257752
Also, AIG is "too big to fail", which means that in the worst case the U.S. Government will throw good money after bad: There's no way it will write off its initial $ 80 billion, but will increase the loan if AIG needs more time to recover.

I bought a substantial stake (by my standards) last night at $ 2.20, because I don't consider it speculative but strategically misunderstood by investors: AIG cannot and will not be allowed to fail, which offers considerable upside. My 5-year target is minimum $ 20, which is a good risk:reward for a stock which is backed to the hilt by U.S. Government funds, giving it a sovereign guarantee that is AAA.]]> Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:07:34 -0400
Also, AIG is "too big to fail", which means that in the worst case the U.S. Government will throw good money after bad: There's no way it will write off its initial $ 80 billion, but will increase the loan if AIG needs more time to recover.

I bought a substantial stake (by my standards) last night at $ 2.20, because I don't consider it speculative but strategically misunderstood by investors: AIG cannot and will not be allowed to fail, which offers considerable upside. My 5-year target is minimum $ 20, which is a good risk:reward for a stock which is backed to the hilt by U.S. Government funds, giving it a sovereign guarantee that is AAA.]]>