movies555's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.com/user/5312481/comments http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/1041541?source=feed#comment-19132711 19132711
Umm...yay, I guess? Apparently a dinosaur of a company doing badly but less badly than expected is worth a double digit AH gain.]]> Wed, 22 May 2013 16:23:49 -0400
Umm...yay, I guess? Apparently a dinosaur of a company doing badly but less badly than expected is worth a double digit AH gain.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1446071/comments?source=feed#comment-19069551 19069551 CSG) started trading today. Brad has highlighted this company in a prior article here and at theStreet.com (there is an interview with the CEO at thestreet.com)]]> Tue, 21 May 2013 10:05:14 -0400 CSG) started trading today. Brad has highlighted this company in a prior article here and at theStreet.com (there is an interview with the CEO at thestreet.com)]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/1015331?source=feed#comment-18641311 18641311
It's an interesting company, no doubt, but I think Monitise is really more speculative. It may get bought, but if not, I think there's a fair amount of larger competition.

Additionally, Cooperman is a tremendous investor, but in sort of the same industry, I also believe he bought a lot of Verifone (PAY) before that took a tumble.]]> Thu, 09 May 2013 15:39:25 -0400
It's an interesting company, no doubt, but I think Monitise is really more speculative. It may get bought, but if not, I think there's a fair amount of larger competition.

Additionally, Cooperman is a tremendous investor, but in sort of the same industry, I also believe he bought a lot of Verifone (PAY) before that took a tumble.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1404091/comments?source=feed#comment-18501181 18501181 Mon, 06 May 2013 14:12:14 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1347841/comments?source=feed#comment-18501041 18501041
There are both foreign ordinary and ADR (American Depository Receipt) shares, although some foreign companies have only foreign ordinary shares. ADRs end with Y, foreign ordinary symbols end with F.

With foreign ordinary shares, you are basically investing in a foreign share (of Singtel, lets say) priced in USD$. ADRs are also buying ordinary shares, but often times the ADR shares have better liquidity and may vary in terms of what you are essentially investing in (1 singtel ADR = 10 singtel shares, and there are many ADRs like this where it is not 1=1, but may be 1 = 10 or 20 or another number.

ADRs do result in small fees from the institution holding the original shares that issued the ADR. However, a positive (and this is not in all cases) is ADRs (not always) sometimes allow dividend reinvestment, whereas most foreign ordinary shares that I've owned (aside from a fair amount of Canadian ones) do not.

There are also sponsored (company participates in the creation) and unsponsored (company has nothing to do with the creation, a bank issued the ADR shares likely due to investor demand) ADRs. Sponsored ADR shares often enjoy the same rights as foreign ordinary shareholders and are noted on the company website.

In the case of either ADRs or foreign ordinary shares, you do have to be concerned with currency movements, as they do effect the price.

adr.com provides the details for each ADR and more about ADRs in general.

Some brokerages do charge added fees (which are not visible up front) for foreign ordinary share purchases. Do check with your broker before buying.

Singtel, personally, is a long-term holding due to their diversification across the region and their interesting (if small as an overall part of the company) steps into investing in start-ups and private companies such as Amobee (which I think is a compelling long-term story, but I like that it is part of the dividend-paying Singtel in the meantime.)]]> Mon, 06 May 2013 14:10:32 -0400
There are both foreign ordinary and ADR (American Depository Receipt) shares, although some foreign companies have only foreign ordinary shares. ADRs end with Y, foreign ordinary symbols end with F.

With foreign ordinary shares, you are basically investing in a foreign share (of Singtel, lets say) priced in USD$. ADRs are also buying ordinary shares, but often times the ADR shares have better liquidity and may vary in terms of what you are essentially investing in (1 singtel ADR = 10 singtel shares, and there are many ADRs like this where it is not 1=1, but may be 1 = 10 or 20 or another number.

ADRs do result in small fees from the institution holding the original shares that issued the ADR. However, a positive (and this is not in all cases) is ADRs (not always) sometimes allow dividend reinvestment, whereas most foreign ordinary shares that I've owned (aside from a fair amount of Canadian ones) do not.

There are also sponsored (company participates in the creation) and unsponsored (company has nothing to do with the creation, a bank issued the ADR shares likely due to investor demand) ADRs. Sponsored ADR shares often enjoy the same rights as foreign ordinary shareholders and are noted on the company website.

In the case of either ADRs or foreign ordinary shares, you do have to be concerned with currency movements, as they do effect the price.

adr.com provides the details for each ADR and more about ADRs in general.

Some brokerages do charge added fees (which are not visible up front) for foreign ordinary share purchases. Do check with your broker before buying.

Singtel, personally, is a long-term holding due to their diversification across the region and their interesting (if small as an overall part of the company) steps into investing in start-ups and private companies such as Amobee (which I think is a compelling long-term story, but I like that it is part of the dividend-paying Singtel in the meantime.)]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1404091/comments?source=feed#comment-18500051 18500051
Curious your thoughts regarding WP Carey - while they are doing well, at some point do you think the run indicates larger activity on the horizon for the company is expected?]]> Mon, 06 May 2013 13:48:19 -0400
Curious your thoughts regarding WP Carey - while they are doing well, at some point do you think the run indicates larger activity on the horizon for the company is expected?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1347841/comments?source=feed#comment-18455511 18455511 Sun, 05 May 2013 06:54:31 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1383131/comments?source=feed#comment-18315361 18315361 O), while a very good company, is heavily retail. WPC is not only more diversified, but really more interested in essential properties (HQ, major distribution centers, etc.) for the business in question (as discussed in the investor day presentation.)

Not that O isn't a great company and not that they haven't done very well,but if I had to pick one (and I did), I just felt like WPC had a more diverse and appealing portfolio.]]> Wed, 01 May 2013 11:32:46 -0400 O), while a very good company, is heavily retail. WPC is not only more diversified, but really more interested in essential properties (HQ, major distribution centers, etc.) for the business in question (as discussed in the investor day presentation.)

Not that O isn't a great company and not that they haven't done very well,but if I had to pick one (and I did), I just felt like WPC had a more diverse and appealing portfolio.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1379621/comments?source=feed#comment-18207021 18207021 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 21:36:56 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1348901/comments?source=feed#comment-17849651 17849651
On a related note, I think timberland stocks have run up too much (I'm highly skeptical of the housing recovery for a number of reasons; I don't think housing is going to continue to fall, but the enthusiasm is for a number of reasons overdone), but Acadian (a Canadian co) is kinda interesting - that's owned by Brookfield Asset Management (although that's not readily apparent.) Additionally, I'd be curious as to current levels of timber demand from Asia.

Additionally, as for WY: "Weyerhaeuser underperformed the Standard & Poor's 500 in total shareholder return both in 2008 and over the previous five years.[9] According to Peter Robison and Christopher Donville of Bloomberg News, as reported in the Seattle Times (April 17, 2009), "Weyerhaeuser is in a financial crisis so deep the largest U.S. lumber producer turns down the heat in its offices to save money..."[10] On September 28, 2009, Moody's reported Weyerhauser's proposed new notes rated at Ba1,[11] a rating that puts them with junk bonds.[12] S&P rated Weyerhaeuser's credit at BBB- and downgraded Weyerhaeuser stock from stable to negative on December 16, 2009.[13]"

http://bit.ly/YAaAuL]]> Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:00:34 -0400
On a related note, I think timberland stocks have run up too much (I'm highly skeptical of the housing recovery for a number of reasons; I don't think housing is going to continue to fall, but the enthusiasm is for a number of reasons overdone), but Acadian (a Canadian co) is kinda interesting - that's owned by Brookfield Asset Management (although that's not readily apparent.) Additionally, I'd be curious as to current levels of timber demand from Asia.

Additionally, as for WY: "Weyerhaeuser underperformed the Standard & Poor's 500 in total shareholder return both in 2008 and over the previous five years.[9] According to Peter Robison and Christopher Donville of Bloomberg News, as reported in the Seattle Times (April 17, 2009), "Weyerhaeuser is in a financial crisis so deep the largest U.S. lumber producer turns down the heat in its offices to save money..."[10] On September 28, 2009, Moody's reported Weyerhauser's proposed new notes rated at Ba1,[11] a rating that puts them with junk bonds.[12] S&P rated Weyerhaeuser's credit at BBB- and downgraded Weyerhaeuser stock from stable to negative on December 16, 2009.[13]"

http://bit.ly/YAaAuL]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1348901/comments?source=feed#comment-17814761 17814761 Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:01:11 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1348901/comments?source=feed#comment-17809151 17809151
Lastly, with a float of about 3.77M shares (according to Yahoo finance), not exactly a large audience.]]> Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:01:58 -0400
Lastly, with a float of about 3.77M shares (according to Yahoo finance), not exactly a large audience.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1344861/comments?source=feed#comment-17695621 17695621
Loews is well-managed but I don't see any reason that the discount will go away any time soon. Brookfield is more compelling, although I wish it offered a nicer div.]]> Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:35:08 -0400
Loews is well-managed but I don't see any reason that the discount will go away any time soon. Brookfield is more compelling, although I wish it offered a nicer div.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1339721/comments?source=feed#comment-17613691 17613691 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 19:51:30 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1333851/comments?source=feed#comment-17540451 17540451 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:31:52 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1331401/comments?source=feed#comment-17442001 17442001
Another terrific article, Brad. Your articles are highly informative, but also entertaining reads - you get a lot of information across in a way that isn't dry.]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:37:46 -0400
Another terrific article, Brad. Your articles are highly informative, but also entertaining reads - you get a lot of information across in a way that isn't dry.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1319951/comments?source=feed#comment-17202681 17202681 Thu, 04 Apr 2013 07:03:32 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1310841/comments?source=feed#comment-17061701 17061701
For me it's really a long-term holding.]]> Mon, 01 Apr 2013 08:28:11 -0400
For me it's really a long-term holding.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1297721/comments?source=feed#comment-16758321 16758321 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:15:46 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/895981?source=feed#comment-16482861 16482861
The fact that people can lose nearly 6% because overpriced pants are too sheer should be a wake-up call for people investing in stuff like this.]]> Tue, 19 Mar 2013 07:03:48 -0400
The fact that people can lose nearly 6% because overpriced pants are too sheer should be a wake-up call for people investing in stuff like this.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1283221/comments?source=feed#comment-16482661 16482661 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 06:57:46 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/895821?source=feed#comment-16482001 16482001 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 06:30:07 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1283221/comments?source=feed#comment-16468731 16468731
Which is what people said at a thousand, and 1250 (and 500 and 750.)

"The idea that a metal that doesn't do anything useful is a sound investment has always baffled me."

It's a matter of a highly durable metal with monetary history with no counterparty risk. Futures, as seen with MF Global, have counterparty risk. People who thought they owned gold futures with MF Global ... suddenly didn't. Hence the discussion of paper vs physical.

That's not to say that there's no risk or that people should put everything into gold, but that a portion of one's portfolio in physical metals does offer the diversification of tangible assets and some insurance against political stupidity. Speaking of, I can guarantee you that there will be more than a few sales in Europe in the days ahead for that very reason.

No one who owns gold - at their core, I think - wants gold at 5,000 or 10,000, due to the implications of what is happening if it ever reached those levels. However, a bit of physical metals is not a bad insurance policy.

"It seems like once a generation, we're worked up into a frenzy about gold."

Who's in a frenzy? The price has gotten to it where it is with the majority of media and many others making comments about how silly gold is. What happened when gold fell last? Interest rates went into the double digits. Tell me when ZIRP is going to end or the effect on this country in terms of interest expense if rates even normalized.

" I can understand the investment case for oil, copper etc. much better because we actually use these things in the economy. "

Gold and silver are not without their uses either. However, yes, oil and copper have more common uses. That doesn't mean that people are not going to put their money into gold and silver when countries are debasing currencies. Gold and Silver also remain among the few commodities that people can easily take possession of. People can't easily store a barrel of oil.]]> Mon, 18 Mar 2013 20:29:05 -0400
Which is what people said at a thousand, and 1250 (and 500 and 750.)

"The idea that a metal that doesn't do anything useful is a sound investment has always baffled me."

It's a matter of a highly durable metal with monetary history with no counterparty risk. Futures, as seen with MF Global, have counterparty risk. People who thought they owned gold futures with MF Global ... suddenly didn't. Hence the discussion of paper vs physical.

That's not to say that there's no risk or that people should put everything into gold, but that a portion of one's portfolio in physical metals does offer the diversification of tangible assets and some insurance against political stupidity. Speaking of, I can guarantee you that there will be more than a few sales in Europe in the days ahead for that very reason.

No one who owns gold - at their core, I think - wants gold at 5,000 or 10,000, due to the implications of what is happening if it ever reached those levels. However, a bit of physical metals is not a bad insurance policy.

"It seems like once a generation, we're worked up into a frenzy about gold."

Who's in a frenzy? The price has gotten to it where it is with the majority of media and many others making comments about how silly gold is. What happened when gold fell last? Interest rates went into the double digits. Tell me when ZIRP is going to end or the effect on this country in terms of interest expense if rates even normalized.

" I can understand the investment case for oil, copper etc. much better because we actually use these things in the economy. "

Gold and silver are not without their uses either. However, yes, oil and copper have more common uses. That doesn't mean that people are not going to put their money into gold and silver when countries are debasing currencies. Gold and Silver also remain among the few commodities that people can easily take possession of. People can't easily store a barrel of oil.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1283221/comments?source=feed#comment-16466481 16466481
If people are selling it because they need to, it's not an indicator of a great economy by any means, but it's certainly not an indicator of a mania in the market. If people are selling it at absurd discounts to spot because they don't do any research as to what the hell spot price is, that's a sign of - what? A mania in buying? Or a mania in people getting taken advantage of by fly-by-night shops?

Curious why you're SO eager/desperate to find some sort of negative spin on metals. Or is sitting and riffing on other investors on a message board some manner of sociology experiment?

Yeesh.]]> Mon, 18 Mar 2013 19:32:52 -0400
If people are selling it because they need to, it's not an indicator of a great economy by any means, but it's certainly not an indicator of a mania in the market. If people are selling it at absurd discounts to spot because they don't do any research as to what the hell spot price is, that's a sign of - what? A mania in buying? Or a mania in people getting taken advantage of by fly-by-night shops?

Curious why you're SO eager/desperate to find some sort of negative spin on metals. Or is sitting and riffing on other investors on a message board some manner of sociology experiment?

Yeesh.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1283221/comments?source=feed#comment-16465911 16465911
Hmmm....in many cases, holders of gold ETFs have no claims on physical (unless they have an institutional-level amount of shares - Soros, Paulson.) If ever people wanted physical en masse, those who own paper claims would be SOL. If you don't hold it, you don't own it.]]> Mon, 18 Mar 2013 19:16:42 -0400
Hmmm....in many cases, holders of gold ETFs have no claims on physical (unless they have an institutional-level amount of shares - Soros, Paulson.) If ever people wanted physical en masse, those who own paper claims would be SOL. If you don't hold it, you don't own it.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1283221/comments?source=feed#comment-16465671 16465671 Mon, 18 Mar 2013 19:10:38 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1277861/comments?source=feed#comment-16372651 16372651 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 13:29:12 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1277861/comments?source=feed#comment-16353681 16353681
Additionally, the author didn't say that Panera wasn't making money and would stop making money in the future, but at some point there's the possibility that people who are eating this stuff constantly because they think it's "healthy" start realizing that it's not. That's not something that can be timed at all, certainly.

I wouldn't exactly be quoting Cramer, though.]]> Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:03:53 -0400
Additionally, the author didn't say that Panera wasn't making money and would stop making money in the future, but at some point there's the possibility that people who are eating this stuff constantly because they think it's "healthy" start realizing that it's not. That's not something that can be timed at all, certainly.

I wouldn't exactly be quoting Cramer, though.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/891051?source=feed#comment-16320911 16320911
"Downfall of a Market Guru":
http://bit.ly/10QfExd]]> Fri, 15 Mar 2013 09:15:50 -0400
"Downfall of a Market Guru":
http://bit.ly/10QfExd]]> http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/890581?source=feed#comment-16316061 16316061
Maybe break the post office up into different levels, Fedex/Fedex Ground style - regular mail would be delivered less often and maybe be a bit cheaper; package and express happens daily. Maybe with less focus on regular mail, they could devote more time to the "same day" delivery they have been experimenting with in some major areas.

Speaking of Fedex, I still think it would be a better idea to break up the post office and have it be handled by Fedex/UPS instead, but that'll never happen.]]> Fri, 15 Mar 2013 06:36:41 -0400
Maybe break the post office up into different levels, Fedex/Fedex Ground style - regular mail would be delivered less often and maybe be a bit cheaper; package and express happens daily. Maybe with less focus on regular mail, they could devote more time to the "same day" delivery they have been experimenting with in some major areas.

Speaking of Fedex, I still think it would be a better idea to break up the post office and have it be handled by Fedex/UPS instead, but that'll never happen.]]>