GimliJan

Finding Investment Opportunities in Modern Agriculture

Elliott,
I enjoyed your analysis of the market for fertilizer and best farming methods. I particularly like how you broke down what is needed to produce the fertilizers. POT is certainly a company worth getting into but I was wondering about Natural Gas Producers and MLP Pipeline Operators as ancillary investment opportunities. Since Natural Gas is used in Nitrogen and Phosphate production it would seem to make since, especially since most fertilizer produced is used locally.
What do you think?

Global Market Outlook: Improved Expectations

Cliff, Ken & Chris,
This is a good article, with excellent opposing & supporting commenting, that made the author reply in a way that turned it into an excellent article!
I agree that the data is flawed. It has been since the late 60's and has gotten much worse as the governments and corporations have gotten better at manipulating the data (or guesses) on jobs, GDP, trade imbalance, unemployment, etc.
I do believe in your thesis that "trigger events" are needed to change the direction of the USD and the markets. I agree that the markets are affecting the USD and other currencies in ways that are outside "the norm". I believe that we are seeing that emotional momentum is driving ALL trading in both the equities and forex markets. Emotional trading doesn't always respond how we expect it to based on past history. Neither do the markets. I am not in the forex markets yet as I am still a new investor and still building a core portfolio. I have started diversifying out of US only companies into multi-national and overseas companies. This way I do get some exposure to currencies without actually trading them.
Please keep up the great articles, as much like the nuns that taught me how to read, write and do arithmetic, sometimes you have to whack the students to get their attention before you can teach them anything!
PS (I also agree with Ken's suggestion to make love to your wife instead of spending time answering nitwits like us, but seeing as how I am 7500 miles away from my wife...sigh...I guess I will just keep trying to learn how to invest!)

Astra-Zeneca Flies to 'Jupiter' on Drug Results

For anyone who has high cholesterol and a history of heart disease, I highly recommend reading "The Eight Week Cholesterol Cure" by Robert Kowalski. I had very high Cholesterol levels over 350 total with almost no HDL and all LDL. After three months of Zocor I was sick to my stomach and saw only a 5% reduction in my cholesterol levels. The doctor wanted to up the dosage ignoring the side effects as "necessary". I did my own research into high cholesterol and discovered this book. In three months of following this simple plan of using time release Niacin, using Oat Bran and making sure I get my daily allowance of it in my meals and eating healthy as recommended in the book, I dropped my cholesterol from 377 to 244. In Six months I was below 200. Last May during my annual physical I was at 170 with the recommended levels of LDL and HDL. I do take a low 10mg dosage of Lipitor but plan on cutting that out to see if I can hold my cholesterol to normal without it.
So much for better health care by taking the latest drug the pharmaceutical companies push! Just think of the money I saved myself, my family, my insurance company and the government by taking responsibility for my own health and welfare!

Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News

In Answer to your request to hear from "bulls" I would answer "NONE!" I am waiting for a long overdue correction of at least 25%, maybe as high at 50% of the current market highs. I am NOT buying anything except good quality stocks that are still reasonably valued (Benjamin Graham valuations), have growth potential and pay a dividend yield they can afford to pay!
That way I don't have to watch the markets closely just the overall trends, and watch my stocks for pre-determined entry and exit points.
I realize you are a more experienced investor than I from your previous posts, but I am practicing a technique of Peter Lynch's to "Know Why To Buy" and beg your indulgence so I may clarify in my own mind my investment goals and objectives.

The Smart Grid Gets Its Own ETF

Maybe they should consider weighting the fund based on the amount of actual orders for the company's products. Of course you could also include how much of the stimulus money the company is receiving as part of the calculation since it gives those company's a competitive advantage.
I would buy some of these companies but I too am not sure about the way they have it weighted.

2 Israeli Smallcaps Languishing at Ridiculous Levels, Given Performance

Interesting Stocks. Thanks for bringing them to my attention.
I already hold Ituran Location and Control (ITRN) as a play on a Brazilian Law requiring new vehicles to have a tracking system so they can be located in case of theft. ITRN is the major player in the field and is already doing business in Brazil. It is moving up from my buy price of $8.62 and is currently at $12.58 and pays an annual dividend of $.17 or 1.32%. Their board just voted to double the dividend payout to 50% of Net Income. This should drive the price up. I think it could go as high as mid $20's by the time of the Olympics.
I tried to include a link to the article but it's on my trading account and didnt' work.
Here is the article:
Ituran Location and Control Ltd Announces a Doubling of the Dividend Issuance Policy
RELATED QUOTES
Symbol Last % Change
ITRN 12.58 -2.25%

AZOUR, Israel, November 17, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Ituran Location and Control Ltd. (NASDAQ: ITRN, TASE: ITRN), today announced that the Board of Directors has approved an increase in the dividend policy, providing for an annual dividend distribution in an amount not less than 50% of the Company's net income whereby the annual dividend policy has historically been to issue approximately 25% of annual net income, calculated based on the financial statements for the period ending on December 31 of the fiscal year with respect to which the relevant dividend is paid.

According to Company's current dividend policy and Israeli law, an annual dividend will only be declared and paid if, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, there is no reasonable foreseeable concern that the distribution will prevent the Company from being able to meet the terms of Company's existing and contingent liabilities, as and when due all based on Company's needs as will be determined from time to time.

The distribution of dividends is further limited by Israeli law to the greater of retained earnings and earnings generated over the two most recent years. The Company's dividend policy may change from time to time at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

The payment of dividends may be subject to Israeli withholding taxes.

Eyal Sheratzky, Co-CEO of Ituran said, "The Board made this decision based on our exceptionally strong balance sheet combined with our ongoing and continued strong results, especially as the global economy improves. We very much support sharing the fruits of efforts and rewards with our shareholders, and the increase in dividend policy does not change our ability to make strategic acquisitions, if and when required."

What Are Your Dividend Investment Goals?

Bravo!
Excellent easy to understand article. Great comments with additional information for performing your own "due diligence".
David is right. We seem to be "flocking" to DGI, Dividend Tree, Dividends for Life, and others that have commented here. I am learning and these articles are helping me do that with less pain from my investments than if I was alone.
Long MSFT, INTC, KMP, EPD, PGH, PVX, DUK, GLW

Disney's Quarter Just Okay

What would you consider to be a good entry point into DIS? I am thinking that we will have a market correction and during that time I would like to acquire some Disney as I believe once they have integrated the Marvel Brand and leverage it with it's brand through their web portal, Hulu and other sites they are making deals with, it should increase the share value and price. I "think" that around $24 is a good price to start buying. I would appreciate your opinion.

International Oil Companies: The Challenges Ahead

Dennis,
A very good analysis of the political, economic and business ethics and attitude of IOC's and NOC's. China's CNOOC is certainly flexing it's muscles in just about every oil producing region including the Canadian Oil Sands in Alberta. I wonder when our government and oil companies are going to wake up and realize that it's no longer "their sandbox" to drill in anymore? I have read some very good articles here about the trends in oil. Keep up the good work!

Itron, EnerNOC and MYR Group: Smart Grid Takeover Candidates?

A good list to do DD on. I like Itron right now and for the next 5 years. I would look for a pullback then buy. I don't know if they will be a takeover target but acquiring the stock just on the smart meter surge is a good investment.

10 Dividend Stocks for Enterprising Investors

I looked forward to reading this article and came away disappointed. I try to follow the value investing philosophy of Benjamin Graham, Warren Buffet, etc. but also need growth.
I have watched Pfizer, Bristol-Meyers, Merck and Dupont since I started investing last November. None of them has impressed me with their performance versus the dividend stocks and MLP's I purchased and hold or held. (Buy and Hold is not dead as advertised by many pundits). I have not run the calculations to see how many of the metrics described my choices met, but all except one met my three most important metrics.
1.) They pay a dividend that has been consistent over a long time.
2.) The stock price has shown growth or at least stability. Stability measured by how the stock price has performed in it's industry group and market.
3.) I have made or am making a profit!
You will see that I have a mix of SuperOil. MLP's Pipeline Operators, Canadian Energy Trusts, Technology & Utility Stocks.
I plan on holding these long term and adding overseas dividend companies and US companies in the Food, Agriculture, Water Utilities sectors.
I have other speculative holdings in my portfolio in Pharmacuetical stocks that are smaller companies that have huge growth potential on drug approvals.
Teppco (TPP now a part of EPD) Bought from $18.92 to $35
Converted to EPD stock at 1 to 1:24 at $28.85 a share. Cash Distribution for TPP was 8.9%, for EPD is $2.21 / 7.75%
Kinder-Morgan Energy Partnership (KMP) Bought at $47.74 Current Price $55.07 Cash Distribution $4.20 / 7.63%
Pengrowth Energy Trust (PGH) Bought at $9.38 Current Price $9.55 Cash Distr $0.79 / 8.23%
Provident Energy Trust (PVX) Bought at $6.50 Current Price $6.55 Cash Distr $0.70 / 10.52%
Microsoft (MSFT) Bought at $21.82 Current Price $28.52 Dividend $0.52 / 1.82%
Intel (INTC) Bought at $16.24 Current Price $18.93 Dividend $0.56 / 2.96%
Ituran Control (ITRN) Bought at $8.63 Current Price $12.60 Dividend $0.17 / 1.35%
Duke Energy Corp. (DUK) Bought at $15.94 Current Price $16.05 Dividend $0.96 5.98%
Corning (GLW) Bought at $15.85 Current Price $15.30 Dividend $0.20 / 1.31%
British Petroleum (BP) Bought at $35.50 Sold at $57.95 & 57.20 Dividend 6.8%
I sold BP last week due to anticipation of a market correction. I plan on buying back in at a lower price.
GE Bought at $16.05 Sold $14.91 (Only Loss on Stock Price) Dividend
I owned GE until last week when I felt an overdue market correction would wipe out my small profit so I cashed out to buy back in at a lower price.

Spectrum Pharma: CMS Rules in Favor of Zevalin

Keep the updates coming Justin. But please try to let "Charlie" and the rest of your followers know about updates on other stocks besides SPPI !
Thanks,
Jan

Five Reasons to Invest in China Armco Metals

Dear GeoTeam and President Maj?
Thank you for a good article introducing a company with clear concise information in a very easy to understand format. I agree with Aden som that the format should be a default standard for such articles. I want to also thank you for redirecting the commentator's back to the focus of the article which is providing information about a company so those of us who are not professional investors can benefit from your methods. I appreciate your efforts to educate and inform us.

Microsoft: Free Cash Flow Analysis

This is one of the best articles explaining how to use Free Cash Flow and Return on Capital to give a consistent measurement for all companies. The comments and replies were very educational as they allowed the Author to explain his method and philosophy. I will start using this method to evaluate my picks immediately!
Thank You for helping a new, non-professional investor!

New Industry Emerging Around Electric Vehicles

Interesting article about the possibilities of new industries. However I would like to add to Mr. Carlini's post and take issue with that statement that "electric" cars will reduce our dependence on foreign oil. If you look at the amount of oil used in the production of electricity to run the factories that make the vehicles, batteries, etc, and also look at the fuel source for the recharges, you don't significantly reduce the dependence on foreign oil. Electric cars, trucks and mass transit vehicles (buses and trains), will only reduce the oil dependence when adopted and used by a large percentage of the driving population, municipalities, states and federal government agencies for all their fleet replacements. So we would need a national policy that mandates the replacement of the gas & diesel vehicles with electric and the replacement of Oil in Industry with alternatives where possible (Natural Gas, Nuclear, Wind, Solar). Just look at Europe and Japan which have high gas prices, excellent mass transit and government subsidies for alternative energy as well. Their oil usage is also high. So clearly the electrification of transportation is not the total solution.