Blackbrit's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.com/user/735331/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/1393001/comments?source=feed#comment-18394401 18394401
Thanks again for your insight (and time in replying to everyone) - good luck, all who read this!]]> Fri, 03 May 2013 07:31:34 -0400
Thanks again for your insight (and time in replying to everyone) - good luck, all who read this!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/1393001/comments?source=feed#comment-18348311 18348311 Thu, 02 May 2013 08:32:36 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1127171/comments?source=feed#comment-15050381 15050381 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:47:34 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1127171/comments?source=feed#comment-14090681 14090681 Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:01:49 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/1127171/comments?source=feed#comment-14049921 14049921
... you gotta hand it to the "experts": mortgage rates will move higher, stay where they are, or even go lower? Wow, that is some serious prescience!!]]> Wed, 23 Jan 2013 12:02:38 -0500
... you gotta hand it to the "experts": mortgage rates will move higher, stay where they are, or even go lower? Wow, that is some serious prescience!!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/297696/comments?source=feed#comment-10728011 10728011
PWE - down c.5%
ERF- down c.30%
SDRL- up c.50%
ALSK - down c.65%
UAN - up c.15%
GGN - pretty much flat

.... so, had someone invested an equal amount in each, they'd be looking at (very roughly) a 6% drop; but with an average 9-10% yield (ignoring taxation), that leaves the hypothetical investor a little better off than when she/he started - so, well done the Author!]]> Sat, 20 Oct 2012 11:34:07 -0400
PWE - down c.5%
ERF- down c.30%
SDRL- up c.50%
ALSK - down c.65%
UAN - up c.15%
GGN - pretty much flat

.... so, had someone invested an equal amount in each, they'd be looking at (very roughly) a 6% drop; but with an average 9-10% yield (ignoring taxation), that leaves the hypothetical investor a little better off than when she/he started - so, well done the Author!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/843361/comments?source=feed#comment-9114551 9114551 Wed, 05 Sep 2012 14:01:04 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/843361/comments?source=feed#comment-9052371 9052371 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 13:58:53 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/824681/comments?source=feed#comment-8848921 8848921 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 09:34:38 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/812051/comments?source=feed#comment-8549871 8549871 Sun, 19 Aug 2012 10:14:07 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/812051/comments?source=feed#comment-8533821 8533821
Could anyone hazard a guess as to what effect the proposed changes to the Treasury Dept's backing of Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac (link below) is likely to have on Mreits such as AGNC over time? I note that whilst the share price of both those companies plummeted 20+% on Friday, AGNC rose by almost 1% ....

Thanks in advance!

http://bit.ly/NvZemZ]]> Sat, 18 Aug 2012 12:29:13 -0400
Could anyone hazard a guess as to what effect the proposed changes to the Treasury Dept's backing of Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac (link below) is likely to have on Mreits such as AGNC over time? I note that whilst the share price of both those companies plummeted 20+% on Friday, AGNC rose by almost 1% ....

Thanks in advance!

http://bit.ly/NvZemZ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/717451/comments?source=feed#comment-7389251 7389251
Good luck with your various investments, all

Gabe aka Blackbrit]]> Sat, 14 Jul 2012 20:38:48 -0400
Good luck with your various investments, all

Gabe aka Blackbrit]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/683321/comments?source=feed#comment-7323941 7323941
CFD = Contract for Difference.

It is a leveraged product, allowing you to buy (or "short") the equivalent of 10 shares for the price of 1 - if the share price moves in your favour, you make an enhanced profit.

In (over)simplified terms, I think of it as equivalent to buying a house with a 10% downpayment.

I also get an enhanced yield, so - for example - I can buy the equivalent of10 shares of AGNC for a downpayment of $34, which means that if the share price remains the same, I will effectively get my money back through the dividends alone in one year!

Of course, there's no such thing as a free lunch, and if the share price drops, losses are magnified ten-fold!!! So a 10% drop means you've lost your entire downpayment (a bit like being "underwater" in mortgage terms)

Hope that explains things - but I don't claim any expertise and am just feeling my way around this investment malarky!!! As for the options strategy, I'm still trying to get my head around that, and would also be grateful for anyone's input; for the time being, I just set stop-losses on my shares (at a 'step' slightly greater than the amount of the next quarter's dividend)

Good luck, matey!!

Gabe aka BB]]> Thu, 12 Jul 2012 14:34:09 -0400
CFD = Contract for Difference.

It is a leveraged product, allowing you to buy (or "short") the equivalent of 10 shares for the price of 1 - if the share price moves in your favour, you make an enhanced profit.

In (over)simplified terms, I think of it as equivalent to buying a house with a 10% downpayment.

I also get an enhanced yield, so - for example - I can buy the equivalent of10 shares of AGNC for a downpayment of $34, which means that if the share price remains the same, I will effectively get my money back through the dividends alone in one year!

Of course, there's no such thing as a free lunch, and if the share price drops, losses are magnified ten-fold!!! So a 10% drop means you've lost your entire downpayment (a bit like being "underwater" in mortgage terms)

Hope that explains things - but I don't claim any expertise and am just feeling my way around this investment malarky!!! As for the options strategy, I'm still trying to get my head around that, and would also be grateful for anyone's input; for the time being, I just set stop-losses on my shares (at a 'step' slightly greater than the amount of the next quarter's dividend)

Good luck, matey!!

Gabe aka BB]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/697041/comments?source=feed#comment-7042161 7042161
Gabe
Oh, and (whilst, as you can guess from my username, I'm not from your country) Happy 4th July to all the Americans!!]]> Tue, 03 Jul 2012 15:09:57 -0400
Gabe
Oh, and (whilst, as you can guess from my username, I'm not from your country) Happy 4th July to all the Americans!!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/569391/comments?source=feed#comment-7021111 7021111 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 05:13:18 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/697041/comments?source=feed#comment-7021051 7021051
Thanks for your response. Good luck with your investing!

Gabe]]> Tue, 03 Jul 2012 05:04:29 -0400
Thanks for your response. Good luck with your investing!

Gabe]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/697041/comments?source=feed#comment-7008801 7008801
I have given your post a "like", as I hadn't previously heard of Sandstorm; it certainly looks interesting, but why do you think it is a better buy than SLW?

Comparing the fundamentals (courtesy of Googlefinance) - most, in my view, would suggest that SLW was the better bet, although SSL's share price performance has far outshone that of SLW in recent times (certainly since about late feb this year).

I hold a small amount of SLW, and FNV - I would be most interested to hear your views (and those of anyone else reading).

Good luck in your investing

Gabe aka BB]]> Mon, 02 Jul 2012 17:25:33 -0400
I have given your post a "like", as I hadn't previously heard of Sandstorm; it certainly looks interesting, but why do you think it is a better buy than SLW?

Comparing the fundamentals (courtesy of Googlefinance) - most, in my view, would suggest that SLW was the better bet, although SSL's share price performance has far outshone that of SLW in recent times (certainly since about late feb this year).

I hold a small amount of SLW, and FNV - I would be most interested to hear your views (and those of anyone else reading).

Good luck in your investing

Gabe aka BB]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/683321/comments?source=feed#comment-6835151 6835151
I emphasise "trading", however, because from an investment point of view it is easier (and, unless your timing is spot-on as a trader, probably just as if not more profitable) to buy whichever you think is the 'better' of the mReits (in my view, that would be AGNC, CMO, HTS - all of which I hold) and collect the double-digit dividend.

As the author states, they are attractive longer-term investments...chances are, near-zero interest rates, in which mReits are likely to continue making profits and paying dividends, will be with us for a good few years yet.

Incidentally, if anyone wants to take a real 'gamble', go long through CFD's - and buy 10 times as many (perhaps protecting yourself with appropriate put options, if you can get them): if that strategy pays off, you will make close to 100% returns each year!!!

Good luck all readers, whatever your strategy - and thanks to the author for an interesting read.

Gabe aka Blackbrit]]> Wed, 27 Jun 2012 06:13:12 -0400
I emphasise "trading", however, because from an investment point of view it is easier (and, unless your timing is spot-on as a trader, probably just as if not more profitable) to buy whichever you think is the 'better' of the mReits (in my view, that would be AGNC, CMO, HTS - all of which I hold) and collect the double-digit dividend.

As the author states, they are attractive longer-term investments...chances are, near-zero interest rates, in which mReits are likely to continue making profits and paying dividends, will be with us for a good few years yet.

Incidentally, if anyone wants to take a real 'gamble', go long through CFD's - and buy 10 times as many (perhaps protecting yourself with appropriate put options, if you can get them): if that strategy pays off, you will make close to 100% returns each year!!!

Good luck all readers, whatever your strategy - and thanks to the author for an interesting read.

Gabe aka Blackbrit]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/318095/comments?source=feed#comment-6747171 6747171 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 15:22:41 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/630821/comments?source=feed#comment-6600651 6600651
As firstinsnow says, the answer to your question is "yes". However, unless you have a robot/computer doing your trading for you, it is generally not as clever an idea as it may first appear to buy shares immediately before the ex-div date, with a view to collecting some "easy money". There are two reasons for this (as I see it). First, the net asset value of the company is of necessity diminished by the amount of the dividend, so the value of the shares ought logically to drop by a proportionate amount the following day (yes, I know it doesn't always work like that!!). Secondly, and more importantly, there are lots of other people/institutions - some of whom use very clever high-tech/spec computers - doing pretty much the same thing, so the share price tends to rise significantly as the ex-div date approaches, and tends to fall sharply immediately afterwards (run a googlefinance chart on AGNC, which went ex-div this week, to see what I mean). Apollos's Cheese if I haven't explained this very well, or if it was painfully obvious to you (or anyone else reading) in the first place!!]]> Wed, 20 Jun 2012 09:00:53 -0400
As firstinsnow says, the answer to your question is "yes". However, unless you have a robot/computer doing your trading for you, it is generally not as clever an idea as it may first appear to buy shares immediately before the ex-div date, with a view to collecting some "easy money". There are two reasons for this (as I see it). First, the net asset value of the company is of necessity diminished by the amount of the dividend, so the value of the shares ought logically to drop by a proportionate amount the following day (yes, I know it doesn't always work like that!!). Secondly, and more importantly, there are lots of other people/institutions - some of whom use very clever high-tech/spec computers - doing pretty much the same thing, so the share price tends to rise significantly as the ex-div date approaches, and tends to fall sharply immediately afterwards (run a googlefinance chart on AGNC, which went ex-div this week, to see what I mean). Apollos's Cheese if I haven't explained this very well, or if it was painfully obvious to you (or anyone else reading) in the first place!!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/649401/comments?source=feed#comment-6332821 6332821
Thanks for this, an interesting read - I was lucky enough to buy SJT back in mid-2009, and sold within a few months at an almost 100% profit (with the 'dividend' on top!); I'd be interested to hear your views and those of other readers on BPT - which seems to be sitting about mid-way between its 52-wk high & low, and which (as I understand, but am happy to be corrected) is the largest of the RoyaltyTrusts...

regards

Blackbrit]]> Tue, 12 Jun 2012 07:18:07 -0400
Thanks for this, an interesting read - I was lucky enough to buy SJT back in mid-2009, and sold within a few months at an almost 100% profit (with the 'dividend' on top!); I'd be interested to hear your views and those of other readers on BPT - which seems to be sitting about mid-way between its 52-wk high & low, and which (as I understand, but am happy to be corrected) is the largest of the RoyaltyTrusts...

regards

Blackbrit]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/630821/comments?source=feed#comment-6129911 6129911 Tue, 05 Jun 2012 12:46:19 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/630821/comments?source=feed#comment-6046761 6046761
Have you written any articles lately? It is so easy to criticize. I am sure many investors less sophisticated than yourself find articles like this useful, even if only as a springboard for their own research. Ok, perhaps I shouldn't say "many investors"; I really meant myself!! ]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2012 13:57:39 -0400
Have you written any articles lately? It is so easy to criticize. I am sure many investors less sophisticated than yourself find articles like this useful, even if only as a springboard for their own research. Ok, perhaps I shouldn't say "many investors"; I really meant myself!! ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/569391/comments?source=feed#comment-5629751 5629751 regards
BB]]> Sun, 20 May 2012 14:16:53 -0400 regards
BB]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/601521/comments?source=feed#comment-5594411 5594411
I'd certainly agree with your view that people should wait a while to evaluate FB (although I admit I bought a few, as a pure gamble)]]> Fri, 18 May 2012 19:17:09 -0400
I'd certainly agree with your view that people should wait a while to evaluate FB (although I admit I bought a few, as a pure gamble)]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/569391/comments?source=feed#comment-5477531 5477531
(1) Say, Stock X currently trades for $100, paying an annual dividend of $11.

(2) I buy 1000 shares, for $100,000

(3) At the same time, I use $10,000 within my derivatives account, as a 10% margin, to short the stock.

(4) Other than (a) the trading fees and (b) the bid-offer spread, I don't make a capital gain or loss. However, I reap the $11,000 a year dividend (thus c.10% pa on my outlay).

(5) If the shares go up significantly, such that I face a margin call in my derivatives account, I either (a) close/reduce my short position, and sell the corresponding number of stock, or; (b) increase the funds in my derivatives account, and buy more stock.

(6) If the company cuts the dividend, I either (a) sell the stock (and close the short position), or (b) do nothing, but continue to receive the reduced dividend.

I’m quite new to derivatives trading (which would explain any misuse of terminology), so would be grateful for any explanation of where I’ve gone wrong in my theory….

Regards!]]> Tue, 15 May 2012 22:10:23 -0400
(1) Say, Stock X currently trades for $100, paying an annual dividend of $11.

(2) I buy 1000 shares, for $100,000

(3) At the same time, I use $10,000 within my derivatives account, as a 10% margin, to short the stock.

(4) Other than (a) the trading fees and (b) the bid-offer spread, I don't make a capital gain or loss. However, I reap the $11,000 a year dividend (thus c.10% pa on my outlay).

(5) If the shares go up significantly, such that I face a margin call in my derivatives account, I either (a) close/reduce my short position, and sell the corresponding number of stock, or; (b) increase the funds in my derivatives account, and buy more stock.

(6) If the company cuts the dividend, I either (a) sell the stock (and close the short position), or (b) do nothing, but continue to receive the reduced dividend.

I’m quite new to derivatives trading (which would explain any misuse of terminology), so would be grateful for any explanation of where I’ve gone wrong in my theory….

Regards!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/569391/comments?source=feed#comment-5304021 5304021
JD - nice article, thanks.

I hold a number of what I call 3D stocks (Double-Digit Dividends), which you & your readers might consider

Mreits: NLY, HTS, AGNC, CIM, ARR (you/others have already mentioned these)

Shipping: TNK, VLCCF

Oil/gas: ERF, am considering FGP

Hedge Fund: EMG (London-listed)

Telecoms: am considering NZT & TEF (the latter is based in Spain, which should have most people running a mile!)

.. all the above are, of course, relatively high-risk (for one thing, the companies may slash the dividends at any time, which will cause 'income-investors' to drop the stock 'prontissimo'), and form part only of my overall portfolio - I am in no sense 'recommending' them, and I have no particular knowledge of the stock market (there, how's that for a comprehensive disclaimer?); however, I'd be interested in hearing your views, or those of anyone else....]]> Thu, 10 May 2012 12:53:45 -0400
JD - nice article, thanks.

I hold a number of what I call 3D stocks (Double-Digit Dividends), which you & your readers might consider

Mreits: NLY, HTS, AGNC, CIM, ARR (you/others have already mentioned these)

Shipping: TNK, VLCCF

Oil/gas: ERF, am considering FGP

Hedge Fund: EMG (London-listed)

Telecoms: am considering NZT & TEF (the latter is based in Spain, which should have most people running a mile!)

.. all the above are, of course, relatively high-risk (for one thing, the companies may slash the dividends at any time, which will cause 'income-investors' to drop the stock 'prontissimo'), and form part only of my overall portfolio - I am in no sense 'recommending' them, and I have no particular knowledge of the stock market (there, how's that for a comprehensive disclaimer?); however, I'd be interested in hearing your views, or those of anyone else....]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/488101/comments?source=feed#comment-4799131 4799131
Of course, American & European companies don't pay bribes, do they?

Wal-mart, Siemens, Morgan Stanley (see today's news), etc.....]]> Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:14:31 -0400
Of course, American & European companies don't pay bribes, do they?

Wal-mart, Siemens, Morgan Stanley (see today's news), etc.....]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/450801/comments?source=feed#comment-3934391 3934391
You say "Banks have had a good run-up since Jan but are not the best investment bet today" ... I'd be interested to know what, in your view, IS the best investment bet today?

Thanks, and good luck with your investments]]> Thu, 29 Mar 2012 04:42:32 -0400
You say "Banks have had a good run-up since Jan but are not the best investment bet today" ... I'd be interested to know what, in your view, IS the best investment bet today?

Thanks, and good luck with your investments]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/437091/comments?source=feed#comment-3564991 3564991 Sat, 17 Mar 2012 08:13:11 -0400