Derrick Lilly

Apple's Software Sales: Investors' Heaven

I've been riding the AAPL roller coaster for a while. Apps are something a lot of people overlook, but the revenue stream will be a sweet treat, and with all of Apple's cash on hand, it is a long-term buy.

E*TRADE FINANCIAL Corporation Q4 2008 Earnings Call Transcript

Do you mean Citadel? They got in around what the $5 range? I doubt they are going to dump their stake now. Just look at the progress Layton has made at E*trade. You can't deny he is turning things around operationally, and because of this ETFC is holding up. Plus they have capital spread between the parent and the bank that they can move around if needed. Aside from Citadel taking that stake, you have not seen ETFC out begging for capital infusions. ETFC is continually adding new customers too and the volatile market is increasing DARTS - not really the signs of a company going to fold. If they were going to go under it would have happened already.


On Jan 30 05:02 AM ROLEX18K wrote:

> You don't know the power of the market, even Lehman or Stearns was
> gone with the wind, Etrade is only holding because it's investors
> loan it the money to continue, when one big investor will say ENOUGH,
> the dust will fly and Etrade will be gone.

Raytheon Company Q4 Earnings Call Transcript

excellent company with a great diversification of products. couldn't ask for much more in this environment.

Apple Moves to Dual CDN Vendor Strategy: Limelight and Akamai

diversification of vendors definitely makes sense, it also presents the opportunity to negotiate competitive contracts. the only thing possibly better would be to use some of their cash on hand to take the distribution fully in-house which would ultimately be more cost effective over the long-term.

E*TRADE FINANCIAL Corporation Q4 2008 Earnings Call Transcript

E*trade is definitely not going into chapter 11. Their banking and brokerage side is performing very well and if it wasn't for their continual determination to be well above "well capitalized" they would have been reporting a profitable quarter. Management is doing a fine job righting the ship. They are planning for the worst and executing well. The rate of non-performing loans is slowing and so is the amount of capital they are setting aside. E*trade is here to stay regardless of what the shorts and naysayers hope for. I would not rule out a merger, but even without one, the company is handling the problems well and doing a stellar job on making their platform more intuitive and divesting itself of non-core practices.


On Jan 29 03:52 PM ROLEX18K wrote:

> ETrade ( my trusted broker since 1997 !!! ) will survive till DJIA
> will not reach 6000-7000 points, by then it will be taken over or
> will fill for Chapter 11 and nothing will remain of it, but takeover
> is more likely as Etrade have a brand name.

How to Create a Balanced Investment in Energy

I thought the US has an arrangement with the UK where their dividend stocks are treated the same as ours tax-wise?


On Jan 29 03:09 PM jack kreg wrote:

> nice summary of energy investing, certaining energy based securities
> are lower valued than over the past few years, so I think that we
> are entering a period where value investors can purchase energy security's
> for the long term and current income.
>
> Having said that, couple of other points;
> 1-BP is an UK company, as such, the after UK tax yield is not 8%,
> dont they give you a 25% hair cut, before paying the dividend?

>
> 2-WTI is a rolling forward futures contracts, aren't they current
> facing "cantango", that is a spot price under the next months? does
> not this lose money, every month, or at least in more months than
> ones with gains?
>
> I any case, you are onto a good sector over the coming years, buying
> many times over the coming few years, buying otherwise solid co's,
> and buying on the worst news. Thats my plan. Thanks for posting.

If Apple Does Correct, It Will Do So Soon

If AAPL can regain and hold $100+ I believe confidence will return to the stock. We can clearly see quarter after quarter that AAPL products are good and continue to remain in demand - even when things were looking horrible for the holidays - so it is hard to imagine that would suddenly change.

Yes, Steve's health is a major factor on what the stock will do, but it is totally illogical to think that if he were in fact not coming back to the company that he would leave this ship without a capable captain.

Also, looking at charts in this market is totally misleading - especially for AAPL. AAPL had stellar results all of last year and the stock was dragged down by rumors, shorts and fear alone - not by fundamentals. Plus looking at the last chart, you can see the stock has previously had significant downward drops then went sky rocket.

Long term AAPL is a solid company and a good company to invest in if you can be patient and handle the volatility.

Plus, with $25 per share in cash they are fiscally stable - something most companies can't claim to be. Once AAPL acquires the companies needed to produce their products in-house, I would expect a dividend to be offered. Until then, that cash will be a safety net and will also fund R&D.

Just my opinion.

Some Thoughts on Dow Placing Dividend Cut on the Table

Amen. If only Liveris was thinking so clearly.

As a shareholder I could not be more disappointed by Liveris' actions. With the stock price so depressed as it is, if he does cut the dividend I wouldn't be surprised to see it fall under $10 - which is quite sad for a company with its track record.

I'm going to continue to hold the stock for the long-term. If Liveris can't right the ship, I believe he will be cast away. I can't image the board or majority shareholders are very pleased with his recent failings. The economy is tough yes, but he is running Dow into the ground.

New Enthusiasm for Nuclear Power

I'm not sure a pure play on nuclear would be that wise since there is so much uncertainty about whether plants will be built or not. But, Cameco (CCJ), mines uranium, and Shaw Group (SGR), would be a decent nuclear infrastructure play.


On Jul 25 09:59 AM Stockguy456 wrote:

> What are some good pure Nuclear stocks?

DryShips Looks Good, Even Without Its Dividends

The only shipping companies I am willing to hold over the long-term are Frontline (FRO) and Seaspan (SSW). I know that cuts out the dry-bulk sector, but each of the major players in dry bulk have had their fair share of issues, dividend cuts or suspensions and shrinking margins. FRO and SSW on the other hand have management teams that really look out for the best interest of their companies and investors. Just my opinion.

Which Way Are Shipping Stocks Headed?

I am also surprised that there is no mention of Seaspan (SSW), which is another excellently run company. The shares took a beating and have since doubled back up. Dividend is secure, and all current and future ships are booked for long-term charters.

14 Stem Cell, Renewable Energy Opportunities for the Obama Era

I've been holding KOOL for quite a while. The product recall last year was painful - especially since things were looking good otherwise - but I agree that it should turn profitable in the foreseeable future - especially if government gets truly involved with stem cell R&D.


On Jan 26 01:01 PM cool hand luke wrote:

> My pick for 2009 and beyond...? Thermogenesis (seekingalpha.com/symbo...).
>
>
> Fell hard last quarter due to a minor recall and bad timing (some
> mutual funds dumped when it fell below $1 in last November).
>
> Should be the 1st profitable stem cell company from operation. No
> debt, plenty of cash and tons of pricing power (just raised price
> 25% of its products) because no real competition to its products.

>
>
> Do your dd like you own the company before investing as always.

Which Way Are Shipping Stocks Headed?

FRO did not suspend its dividend. It did trim it, but that was expected by most shareholders. They also plan to drydock a number of ships to reduce costs while the market is soft, which is a smart move. FRO is a very well run company.


On Jan 23 10:58 AM oilsands wrote:

> Tim, I really hope you will do a shipping blog. While the overall
> market impacts everything, as Rolex18k indicated, shipping will be
> one of the strong sectors, relatively speaking. I believe you are
> correct, many analysts lack the depth of understanding needed to
> cover this complex sector. So money is likely to be spread across
> the board in the sector.
> DRYS suspended its dividend, following similar actions by DSX, SBLK
> and FRO. Expect more of the same for the next year of two.

>
> Hope to see your comments on the current state of PRGN, TNK, EXM,
> SBLK, VLCCF.
> Rolex18K, the real impact of the BDI is on the fund managers, whose
> perceptions of the market are easily swayed.