thinking ahead's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/57580/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/162345-answers-to-recent-questions-taxes-k-1s-mlps-and-why-these-7-pipeline-companies?source=feed#comment-684934 684934 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:32:34 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/157233-global-warming-investment-implications?source=feed#comment-666699 666699 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:53:14 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/159341-three-coal-investments-and-a-sector-on-fire?source=feed#comment-656658 656658 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:42:57 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/158991-master-limited-partnerships-for-your-portfolio-three-key-questions-and-answers?source=feed#comment-656635 656635 www.naptp.org/

note that the author's San Francisco Money Show reference is listed as the most recent investor event on this web site. I currently own BWP, LINE, ETP, RGNC and PAA. Sold KMP and EPD for valuation reasons, but still like the stories. Got burned a little in NRP when the coal story went south. My favorite plays now are BWP and PAA which have large nat gas storage capacity and benefit from the Nat gas contango.]]> Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:34:09 -0400 www.naptp.org/

note that the author's San Francisco Money Show reference is listed as the most recent investor event on this web site. I currently own BWP, LINE, ETP, RGNC and PAA. Sold KMP and EPD for valuation reasons, but still like the stories. Got burned a little in NRP when the coal story went south. My favorite plays now are BWP and PAA which have large nat gas storage capacity and benefit from the Nat gas contango.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/138460-smartphones-the-mobile-industry-is-about-to-get-blown-apart?source=feed#comment-513500 513500 Thu, 21 May 2009 16:59:35 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/138709-capturing-higher-distribution-growth-in-mlps?source=feed#comment-513467 513467
On Apr 07 03:28 PM thinking ahead wrote:

> A tip for fellow MLP holders: once cashflows reach certain thresholds,
> amounts diverted to the GP increase. These are called incentive distribution
> rights (IRD's), and they usually top out at tier 3 - 50%, after 15%
> and 25% steps. Most of the more established MLP's have already reached
> the top 50% IDR level (e.g. KMP, ETP, OKS). EPD is an example of
> a MLP that has a lower IDR threshold - 25% maximum.
>
> Once MLP's reach tier 3, the distribution growth typically slows
> - not stops, just slows - because more of the growth is being sent
> to the GP. It's all a way to incentivize the GP to do a good job
> for the MLP unit holders.
>
> One way to take advantage of this is to buy the GP's. But there are
> far fewer available, because these are the most profitable parts
> of the partnership structure and the smart guys like Kinder and Dan
> Duncan and Lowes like to keep the GP slot for themselves. But there
> are some available. One that has reached the 50% IDR limelight is
> ETE. ETE is the GP for well known ETP. If ETE follows the past pattern
> it should start to boost dividends significantly, while ETP grows
> somewhat slower that in the past. I've left some detail out to keep
> this post short, so do your reading. Disclosure: I own both ETP and
> ETE, along with KMP,BWP and EPD.]]> Thu, 21 May 2009 16:37:26 -0400
On Apr 07 03:28 PM thinking ahead wrote:

> A tip for fellow MLP holders: once cashflows reach certain thresholds,
> amounts diverted to the GP increase. These are called incentive distribution
> rights (IRD's), and they usually top out at tier 3 - 50%, after 15%
> and 25% steps. Most of the more established MLP's have already reached
> the top 50% IDR level (e.g. KMP, ETP, OKS). EPD is an example of
> a MLP that has a lower IDR threshold - 25% maximum.
>
> Once MLP's reach tier 3, the distribution growth typically slows
> - not stops, just slows - because more of the growth is being sent
> to the GP. It's all a way to incentivize the GP to do a good job
> for the MLP unit holders.
>
> One way to take advantage of this is to buy the GP's. But there are
> far fewer available, because these are the most profitable parts
> of the partnership structure and the smart guys like Kinder and Dan
> Duncan and Lowes like to keep the GP slot for themselves. But there
> are some available. One that has reached the 50% IDR limelight is
> ETE. ETE is the GP for well known ETP. If ETE follows the past pattern
> it should start to boost dividends significantly, while ETP grows
> somewhat slower that in the past. I've left some detail out to keep
> this post short, so do your reading. Disclosure: I own both ETP and
> ETE, along with KMP,BWP and EPD.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/138837-emerging-market-equities-now-far-more-interesting-than-u-s-market?source=feed#comment-513459 513459
Your lazy US student/worker image is specious. Everybody I know in America has been working their butts off for the past 25 years, and that includes most students. Statistics regarding our average national workweek and annual vacation days confirm this. Your own situation may be different.]]> Thu, 21 May 2009 16:29:50 -0400
Your lazy US student/worker image is specious. Everybody I know in America has been working their butts off for the past 25 years, and that includes most students. Statistics regarding our average national workweek and annual vacation days confirm this. Your own situation may be different.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/129047-mlps-success-story-in-an-otherwise-dismal-quarter?source=feed#comment-456324 456324 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:51:15 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/126622-master-limited-partnerships-an-island-of-stability-for-dividend-investors?source=feed#comment-455265 455265
Once MLP's reach tier 3, the distribution growth typically slows - not stops, just slows - because more of the growth is being sent to the GP. It's all a way to incentivize the GP to do a good job for the MLP unit holders.

One way to take advantage of this is to buy the GP's. But there are far fewer available, because these are the most profitable parts of the partnership structure and the smart guys like Kinder and Dan Duncan and Lowes like to keep the GP slot for themselves. But there are some available. One that has reached the 50% IDR limelight is ETE. ETE is the GP for well known ETP. If ETE follows the past pattern it should start to boost dividends significantly, while ETP grows somewhat slower that in the past. I've left some detail out to keep this post short, so do your reading. Disclosure: I own both ETP and ETE, along with KMP,BWP and EPD.

]]> Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:28:46 -0400
Once MLP's reach tier 3, the distribution growth typically slows - not stops, just slows - because more of the growth is being sent to the GP. It's all a way to incentivize the GP to do a good job for the MLP unit holders.

One way to take advantage of this is to buy the GP's. But there are far fewer available, because these are the most profitable parts of the partnership structure and the smart guys like Kinder and Dan Duncan and Lowes like to keep the GP slot for themselves. But there are some available. One that has reached the 50% IDR limelight is ETE. ETE is the GP for well known ETP. If ETE follows the past pattern it should start to boost dividends significantly, while ETP grows somewhat slower that in the past. I've left some detail out to keep this post short, so do your reading. Disclosure: I own both ETP and ETE, along with KMP,BWP and EPD.

]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/116662-the-gas-price-roller-coaster-its-not-an-amusement-park-ride?source=feed#comment-368013 368013 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:31:28 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/82117-potashcorp-and-mosaic-get-your-orders-ready?source=feed#comment-191236 191236 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:31:48 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/81909-is-whiting-petroleum-undervalued?source=feed#comment-188448 188448 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:01:57 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/81085-anadarko-petroleum-s-positives-outweigh-negatives?source=feed#comment-184948 184948 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:47:28 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/80760-transocean-drilling-for-profits?source=feed#comment-183348 183348 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:11:48 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/79655-petrobras-extremely-overvalued?source=feed#comment-177911 177911 Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:31:42 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/79156-4-stocks-in-trouble?source=feed#comment-176079 176079 MOS is a wild ride lately, but I'm looking forward to the next earnings report. Now is the time to buy this group (ag) -- not sell it.]]> Thu, 29 May 2008 12:34:22 -0400 MOS is a wild ride lately, but I'm looking forward to the next earnings report. Now is the time to buy this group (ag) -- not sell it.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/79132-perfect-oil-storm-brewing-in-the-u-s?source=feed#comment-175447 175447 Wed, 28 May 2008 15:31:42 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/79124-smells-good-the-case-for-natural-gas?source=feed#comment-175281 175281 Wed, 28 May 2008 12:09:08 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/77813-can-steel-stocks-continue-to-climb?source=feed#comment-170016 170016 Mon, 19 May 2008 10:52:49 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/77216-gold-and-oil-price-limits?source=feed#comment-167518 167518 Don't you think that before even liberal democrats pay $25 for bread, that they will demand the US tap the big oil reserves in Alaska and offshore Florida, California and the whole east coast?]]> Wed, 14 May 2008 13:00:28 -0400 Don't you think that before even liberal democrats pay $25 for bread, that they will demand the US tap the big oil reserves in Alaska and offshore Florida, California and the whole east coast?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/77201-potash-arena-shrinking-after-bhp-s-acquisition-of-anglo-potash?source=feed#comment-167365 167365 Wed, 14 May 2008 09:30:06 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/77026-what-s-better-blackberry-or-iphone?source=feed#comment-167072 167072
But I sure don't have my identity mixed up with some company that doesn't know or care about me. So if either or both vanish tomorrow, I'll get along fine anyway.]]> Tue, 13 May 2008 17:11:14 -0400
But I sure don't have my identity mixed up with some company that doesn't know or care about me. So if either or both vanish tomorrow, I'll get along fine anyway.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/76539-a-look-at-earnings-from-transocean-and-devon?source=feed#comment-164856 164856
One comment on DVN. Why exclude the "one time charge" on gas hedges? That is nonsense. Those hedges are integral to the business as much as the cost of drill pipe. Put the $780 million loss back in the Q1 results - those dollars count too.]]> Fri, 09 May 2008 11:24:06 -0400
One comment on DVN. Why exclude the "one time charge" on gas hedges? That is nonsense. Those hedges are integral to the business as much as the cost of drill pipe. Put the $780 million loss back in the Q1 results - those dollars count too.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/74087-ag-stocks-could-have-steep-pullbacks?source=feed#comment-156815 156815 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:35:56 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/72744-options-traders-call-potash-the-new-crude?source=feed#comment-154219 154219 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:33:13 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/72857-why-new-oil-price-highs?source=feed#comment-153127 153127
All of the commodities you list fall into one of two categories. Either 1) they are destroyed by use, but can be replaced (coffee, wheat) or 2) they are not destroyed by use and can be recycled (copper, gold). But there is one exception: Oil (and Nat gas, but not on your list). When we use hydrocarbons we destroy them forever. We cannot grow more of it and we cannot recycle it. The extraordinary money, effort and technology needed to replenish oil reserves is a hard fact to ignore. And finally, oil is an essential input to human society. We can devise substitutes for almost anything else now, but not oil. For instance, how would we power our airplanes without it? Yet we are helpless to stop destroying more of our diminishing supply every day.]]> Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:39:39 -0400
All of the commodities you list fall into one of two categories. Either 1) they are destroyed by use, but can be replaced (coffee, wheat) or 2) they are not destroyed by use and can be recycled (copper, gold). But there is one exception: Oil (and Nat gas, but not on your list). When we use hydrocarbons we destroy them forever. We cannot grow more of it and we cannot recycle it. The extraordinary money, effort and technology needed to replenish oil reserves is a hard fact to ignore. And finally, oil is an essential input to human society. We can devise substitutes for almost anything else now, but not oil. For instance, how would we power our airplanes without it? Yet we are helpless to stop destroying more of our diminishing supply every day.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/72476-annual-infrastructure-spending-expected-to-reach-2-trillion?source=feed#comment-151719 151719 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:55:17 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/72252-will-the-iphone-eat-blackberry-s-business-lunch?source=feed#comment-151183 151183 1. Apple makes most of its revenue from selling discretionary products to the US consumer. Is that clear enough now?

2. Canada? What are you talking about? I never wrote anything about Canada. ]]> Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:56:04 -0400 1. Apple makes most of its revenue from selling discretionary products to the US consumer. Is that clear enough now?

2. Canada? What are you talking about? I never wrote anything about Canada. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/72252-will-the-iphone-eat-blackberry-s-business-lunch?source=feed#comment-150751 150751 Try this: 1) read the article again then 2) read the comments in order. I bet it's not really beyond you to follow all this if you try again. ]]> Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:40:07 -0400 Try this: 1) read the article again then 2) read the comments in order. I bet it's not really beyond you to follow all this if you try again. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/72252-will-the-iphone-eat-blackberry-s-business-lunch?source=feed#comment-150608 150608
Regarding AAPL, get out now while you can. Millions of people who were counted on to expand Apples market share are tied up with more important things. Like trying to not get tossed out of their house. Like trying to feed their kids. Don't make the oldest investing error of all -- assuming that the past is prologue.]]> Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:42:01 -0400
Regarding AAPL, get out now while you can. Millions of people who were counted on to expand Apples market share are tied up with more important things. Like trying to not get tossed out of their house. Like trying to feed their kids. Don't make the oldest investing error of all -- assuming that the past is prologue.]]>