Herbalife (HLF +4.1%) hires PricewaterhouseCoopers as its new auditor. PwC will begin to immediately re-audit the company's financial statements for the fiscal years ending in 2010, 2011, and 2012, as well as review 2013 Q1. (PR) [View news story]
If recent improvement in stock price is short's unwinding, then I should hold on and see what develops. Otherwise, I want to sell calls on my position. Bill? What should I do?
Alcoa (AA -1.8%) plans to review 460K metric tons of capacity over the next 15 months for potential curtailment, ~11% of global capacity, in a bid to compete in a market where aluminum prices have plunged more than 33% since peaking in 2011. Alcoa already has 13% of its smelting capacity idle; just weeks ago, it reported solid demand in its auto and aerospace end markets. [View news story]
It's all about sustainable competitive advantage. Where is it coming from in the future? Former employee
Herbalife's 'Build It Better' Program: 1 Thing That Still Needs To Change [View article]
I suspect this is why Icahn's 2 board members are there, to help the company steer though these alternatives, to become more bullet proof (vis a vis regulatory authority), while maintaining, improving profitability.
A Johnson-Less J.C. Penney Is Still Dead In The Water [View article]
Johnson was a bad fit. Apple retail and clothing retail are 2 different animals. One sells unique, high entry barrier products. The other presents multiple alternative, competing products whose uniqueness is transitory, coming not from the product itself, but from demand creation based on advertising. But, this disaster is the result of a weak, uninspired and likely inbred board of directors.
Aastrom Biosciences Announces Strategic Change in Research and Development Programs to Focus on Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Other Rare Disease Indications [View article]
There is a window here for those parties with a continuing interest in the CLI program. In time, however, current enrollees will no longer be available to participate and the core team, now needing employment will no longer be available. But I would suggest there may still be a deal to be done, sooner, but maybe not later.
U.S. Steel's Corporate Culture And Its Poor Financial Performance [View article]
I agree with comments taking issue with author's worker safety discussion. Having worked in a production environment in a flat glass company, an aluminum rolling mill and a chemical firm, I know that opening a meeting (any meeting) with a review of safety performance and issues is SOP. It is proof to workers that when management says "safety is job 1," it really means to walk the walk. There is nothing unusual about this and it is not, in any way, a symptom of a problem with the corporate culture. If there is such a problem, the safety discussion in no way makes the case.
What You Need To Know About Aastrom Bio [View article]
Hopefully, the development of a partnering agreement is on Astrom's front burner right now. As the clock ticks down (& the cash burn continues), Astrom's leverage in any such negotiation slips away. By now, Astrom should be in talks with 2 to 3 potential serious contenders and their ability to execute on this business plan within a fairly short time frame will determine the company's ultimate success or failure.
Congress is increasing its efforts to force the Postal Service to maintain Saturday deliveries, with the Senate considering a provision about the issue in a budget resolution after the House passed similar legislation last week. There are also dark mutterings that the decision, which would save $2B a year, would make it more difficult for Congress to make other changes the Postal Service wants. [View news story]
No, Mia. I don't believe that or feel that way. I know we already DO the things I said sarcastically we should do. What I mean is, lets stop doing those things. That includes Saturday mail delivery. My solution to the unemployment situation? I don't have the perfect policy solution. But I know it is not to pay people to produce goods and services for which there is no demand. For the individual, the solution has to be customized - age, education, health, geography all play a role. I've been unemployed and for me, the solution was to treat finding a job as a full time job, to close the mental door on self-doubt and to stay optimistic and flexible on location, pay and work environment. In the end, you have to decide if you are going to go down, you'll go down swinging. In terms of help from the government, there should always be a safety net, but it should be set at a level that is less than comfortable and should not demotivate the individual from doing all that he/she can do to land a job. You have to have a mind-set that the solution to your employment issue is going to come from you and not from the government, friends, family or the church.
Congress is increasing its efforts to force the Postal Service to maintain Saturday deliveries, with the Senate considering a provision about the issue in a budget resolution after the House passed similar legislation last week. There are also dark mutterings that the decision, which would save $2B a year, would make it more difficult for Congress to make other changes the Postal Service wants. [View news story]
Right and lets continue to build obsolete weapons systems to save those jobs as well and lets restore cabooses on the back of trains to restore those jobs. Lets pay our farmers not to grow certain crops. In fact, lets rebuild our entire economy to produce useless or outmoded gadgets and mindless incentives so that we can keep everyone employed.
Congress is increasing its efforts to force the Postal Service to maintain Saturday deliveries, with the Senate considering a provision about the issue in a budget resolution after the House passed similar legislation last week. There are also dark mutterings that the decision, which would save $2B a year, would make it more difficult for Congress to make other changes the Postal Service wants. [View news story]
How hypocritical !
You can reduce my mail delivery to 2 days/week --- trash day. That way I can take my mail from the box and drop 90 to 100% of it in the trash can that is already out on the curb by the mailbox.
Staples (SPLS): Q4 EPS of $0.46 beats by $0.01. Revenue of $6.57B misses by $150M. (PR) [View news story]
Earnings beat by 1 cent & 1 cent improvement in dividend when viewed against the coming consolidation in the industry (office max - office depot deal), Staples strong internet presence vs Amazon and the upturn in the economy, I feel good about my position in Staples. The 3+% dividend that is moving in the right direction also makes me feel that if I need to be patient, I'm being paid for my trouble.
Herbalife (HLF +4.1%) hires PricewaterhouseCoopers as its new auditor. PwC will begin to immediately re-audit the company's financial statements for the fiscal years ending in 2010, 2011, and 2012, as well as review 2013 Q1. (PR) [View news story]
Alcoa (AA -1.8%) plans to review 460K metric tons of capacity over the next 15 months for potential curtailment, ~11% of global capacity, in a bid to compete in a market where aluminum prices have plunged more than 33% since peaking in 2011. Alcoa already has 13% of its smelting capacity idle; just weeks ago, it reported solid demand in its auto and aerospace end markets. [View news story]
Former employee
Herbalife's 'Build It Better' Program: 1 Thing That Still Needs To Change [View article]
Carhops, Coneys, And Healthcare: Why I'm Short Sonic Drive-Ins, Part I [View article]
5 New Questions For Herbalife Investors [View article]
A Johnson-Less J.C. Penney Is Still Dead In The Water [View article]
Repros Therapeutics ZA-301 Study: Odds Of Success Have Just Increased [View article]
Aastrom Biosciences Announces Strategic Change in Research and Development Programs to Focus on Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Other Rare Disease Indications [View article]
U.S. Steel's Corporate Culture And Its Poor Financial Performance [View article]
What You Need To Know About Aastrom Bio [View article]
Congress is increasing its efforts to force the Postal Service to maintain Saturday deliveries, with the Senate considering a provision about the issue in a budget resolution after the House passed similar legislation last week. There are also dark mutterings that the decision, which would save $2B a year, would make it more difficult for Congress to make other changes the Postal Service wants. [View news story]
Congress is increasing its efforts to force the Postal Service to maintain Saturday deliveries, with the Senate considering a provision about the issue in a budget resolution after the House passed similar legislation last week. There are also dark mutterings that the decision, which would save $2B a year, would make it more difficult for Congress to make other changes the Postal Service wants. [View news story]
Congress is increasing its efforts to force the Postal Service to maintain Saturday deliveries, with the Senate considering a provision about the issue in a budget resolution after the House passed similar legislation last week. There are also dark mutterings that the decision, which would save $2B a year, would make it more difficult for Congress to make other changes the Postal Service wants. [View news story]
You can reduce my mail delivery to 2 days/week --- trash day. That way I can take my mail from the box and drop 90 to 100% of it in the trash can that is already out on the curb by the mailbox.
Repros Therapeutics ZA-301 Study: Odds Of Success Have Just Increased [View article]
Staples (SPLS): Q4 EPS of $0.46 beats by $0.01. Revenue of $6.57B misses by $150M. (PR) [View news story]