Flush with profits from shorting the yen, hedge funds turn their attention to the aussie (FXA) in a bet the end of the commodities boom will drive it lower. It's not exactly a new idea and a lot of funds have gotten smoked from having to pay big carry (Oz short rates have been in the 4% area vs. near 0% here) while the currency failed to move, but the bet's paid off in the last 6 weeks as the aussie has fallen 10 handles. It's off another 1% today. [View news story]
Is this why TLSYY has fallen 8+% in the last 3 days?
Note, it is possible that: "the company may, at their option, force the preferred shares to be converted into common shares" under the described conditions.
I think the Portnoys got so efficient at milking CWH they got greedy and drove a once $50 stock with a $40 book value all the way down to $14. I owned it at $35 and threw good money after bad at it all the way down to $18. Knowing that the book value was a tempting a target, I held on and the day it hit $25 I sold at $24.08 and turned a $55,000 unrealized loss into a $9300 gain. Needless to say, I would never buy CWH while being mismanaged by the Portnoys.
Those who purchased the stock between 1/10/12 and 8/8/12 might be interested in this:
Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd announced that a class action has been commenced in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts on behalf of purchasers of CommonWealth REIT common shares during the period between January 10, and August 8, (the "Class Period").In a release, the firm stated:If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than 60 days from today. If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, please contact plaintiff's counsel, Samuel H. Rudman or David A. Rosenfeld of Robbins Geller at 800/449-4900 or 619/231-1058, or via e-mail at djr@rgrdlaw.com. If you are a member of this class, you can view a copy of the complaint as filed or join this class action online at rgrdlaw.com/cases/comm... Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member.According to the firm, the complaint charges CommonWealth and certain of its officers and directors with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. CommonWealth is a real estate investment trust, or REIT, which primarily owns office and industrial properties located throughout the United States.The complaint alleges that, during the Class Period, defendants issued materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's financial performance and future prospects. Specifically, defendants misrepresented and/or failed to disclose the following adverse facts: (a) that the Company was experiencing softness in the leasing market as the number of leased office spaces, especially in the Company's suburban office segment, was below internal expectations; (b) that existing tenants were demanding and receiving significant concessions, which was further eroding the Company's rental income; and (c) as a result of the foregoing, defendants lacked a reasonable basis for their positive statements about the Company's leverage ratio, occupancy rate and dividend payout.On August 8, the Company announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2012, the period ended June 30. Following the earnings press release, CommonWealth held a conference call with analysts and investors. During the conference call, defendant Adam D. Portnoy, the Company's President and Managing Trustee, stated that CommonWealth would likely reduce its dividend because, among other things, the Company's cash available for distribution payout ratio had increased to 108 percent. Moreover, the Company revealed that its occupancy rate fell to 84.5 percent, as of June 30, compared to 84.8 percent on March 31. In reaction to these announcements, the price of CommonWealth common shares fell $1.57 per share, or 9 percent, to close at $16.48 per share. The price of the Company's shares continued to decline over the next two trading days to $15.67 per share as the market digested this news.On October 9, CommonWealth announced its quarterly common and preferred dividends. In that regard, defendants announced a common dividend of $0.25 per common share - a 50 percent reduction from the Company's previous dividend rate.Plaintiff seeks to recover damages on behalf of all purchasers of CommonWealth common shares during the Class Period (the "Class"). The plaintiff is represented by Robbins Geller, which has expertise in prosecuting investor class actions and extensive experience in actions involving financial fraud.Robbins Geller represents U.S. and international institutional investors in contingency-based securities and corporate litigation. With nearly 200 lawyers in nine offices, the firm represents hundreds of public and multi-employer pension funds with combined assets under management in excess of $2 trillion. The firm has obtained many of the largest recoveries and has been ranked number one in the number of shareholder class action recoveries in MSCI's Top SCAS 50 every year since 2003. According to Cornerstone Research, the firm's recoveries have averaged 35 percent above the median for all firms over the past seven years (2005-2011).More Information:http://www.rgrdlaw.com
Strategic Hotels: Is The CEO Ready For A Vacation? [View article]
Jane - Thanks for the excellent report. Any speculation as to the fate of the preferred stock, BEEpA, presently at $25.38 paying $0.5313 / qtr div, if there was a take over?
Windstream (WIN): Q1 EPS of $0.10 misses by $0.01. Revenue of $1.5B (-2% Y/Y) misses by $0.03B. (PR) [View news story]
Here is some more:
(WIN) first-quarter earnings fell 13% as the rural telecommunications company's consumer-service and wholesale revenue declined. Windstream was formed in 2006 as a spinoff of Alltel Corp.'s landline business and Valor Communications Group Inc. The company's revenue had improved for over three years, aided by an aggressive expansion plan. But the ongoing trend of customers canceling their landlines in favor of wireless phones has pressured its bottom line. In response, Windstream has looked to boost its broadband business. Windstream reported a profit of $52.3 million, or nine cents a share, down from $60.4 million, or 10 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue decreased 2.5% to $1.5 billion. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had most recently forecast per-share earnings of 11 cents on revenue of $1.53 billion. Operating margin edged down to 15.8% from 16%. Overall consumer-service revenues fell 2% to $328 million and wholesale revenue dropped 17% to $152 million. Meanwhile, business-service revenue rose 2% to $914 million and consumer-broadband-ser... revenue increased 5% to $117 million. Shares closed Wednesday at $8.52 and were inactive premarket. The stock has climbed 2.9% since the beginning of the year.
More on CommonWealth REIT (CWH) Q1 earnings: The conference call may be where the action is on this one, and it's set for 1 ET (webcast). Normalized FFO/share of $0.78 down from $0.90 a year ago. No acquisitions or agreements to acquire made during quarter. Company reports a 90% occupancy rate, flat from a year ago. (PR) [View news story]
I would attend but I don't think the airlines would let me on with tar and feathers in my luggage.
Is Windstream The Next Dividend Death Trap? [View article]
Thanks for the opinions. Another option for WIN to avoid a div cut would be a reduction of staff. Have they already done this after mergers? What would the potential size of this option be?
Personally my WIN position has morphed into my speculation classification. Their divs to me have covered most of the unrealized cap loss since I added to the position recently. Moreover, I had the good fortune to buy 3 times as much TLSYY at $14.93 (it is now $26.26) at the same time I originally bought the WIN. Therefore I can afford let the WIN position ride.
Is Windstream The Next Dividend Death Trap? [View article]
I have really appreciated the various comments here concerning WIN and would like to see the discussion turn to the expected possibilities if the div is cut down the road. I agree with Tom that the aspect of WIN's morphing into a quite different company has largely been ignored. However, if the div has to be cut next year due to financially trying to skate on too thin ice, what would one expect? I would think the cut would be in the range of 5 to 10 cents, giving a div of $0.20 to $0.15 / qtr. This is because of management's determination not to cut. I would expect the stock to then fall to perhaps $5, giving a div return of 16% to 12% at that price. If it fell to $2.50 that would still be 8% to 6%. Assuming WIN does become the new company it is aiming at, how long would one expect the cut to be in effect and the stock price to be depressed?
Is Windstream The Next Dividend Death Trap? [View article]
Beaverbeliever - Most managers know that when they lie to shareholders they end up in court defending themselves in class action lawsuits, ie like CWH and MMAB. If they loose it is their companies insurance issuer that has to pay damages, making it very expensive to obtain coverage in the future.
CommonWealth REIT (CWH) is issued a governance score of 8 by ISS (1-10 scale with 10 being the riskiest), and a shareholder rights score of 10. The influential proxy advisory firm also suggests shareholders vote against board of trustee member Joe Morea who is up for re-election. Hedge funds Corvex and Related are attempting to oust the entire board, but CommonWealth is attempting to squash even a vote being taken. [View news story]
Meanwhile, shareholders of CWH who bought between 1/10/12 and 8/8/12 should check this out.
Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd Files Class Action Suit Against CommonWealth REIT. Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd announced that a class action has been commenced in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts on behalf of purchasers of CommonWealth REIT common shares during the period between January 10, and August 8, (the "Class Period").In a release, the firm stated:If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than 60 days from today. If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, please contact plaintiff's counsel, Samuel H. Rudman or David A. Rosenfeld of Robbins Geller at 800/449-4900 or 619/231-1058, or via e-mail at djr@rgrdlaw.com. If you are a member of this class, you can view a copy of the complaint as filed or join this class action online at rgrdlaw.com/cases/comm... Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member.According to the firm, the complaint charges CommonWealth and certain of its officers and directors with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. CommonWealth is a real estate investment trust, or REIT, which primarily owns office and industrial properties located throughout the United States.The complaint alleges that, during the Class Period, defendants issued materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's financial performance and future prospects. Specifically, defendants misrepresented and/or failed to disclose the following adverse facts: (a) that the Company was experiencing softness in the leasing market as the number of leased office spaces, especially in the Company's suburban office segment, was below internal expectations; (b) that existing tenants were demanding and receiving significant concessions, which was further eroding the Company's rental income; and (c) as a result of the foregoing, defendants lacked a reasonable basis for their positive statements about the Company's leverage ratio, occupancy rate and dividend payout.On August 8, the Company announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2012, the period ended June 30. Following the earnings press release, CommonWealth held a conference call with analysts and investors. During the conference call, defendant Adam D. Portnoy, the Company's President and Managing Trustee, stated that CommonWealth would likely reduce its dividend because, among other things, the Company's cash available for distribution payout ratio had increased to 108 percent. Moreover, the Company revealed that its occupancy rate fell to 84.5 percent, as of June 30, compared to 84.8 percent on March 31. In reaction to these announcements, the price of CommonWealth common shares fell $1.57 per share, or 9 percent, to close at $16.48 per share. The price of the Company's shares continued to decline over the next two trading days to $15.67 per share as the market digested this news.On October 9, CommonWealth announced its quarterly common and preferred dividends. In that regard, defendants announced a common dividend of $0.25 per common share - a 50 percent reduction from the Company's previous dividend rate.Plaintiff seeks to recover damages on behalf of all purchasers of CommonWealth common shares during the Class Period (the "Class"). The plaintiff is represented by Robbins Geller, which has expertise in prosecuting investor class actions and extensive experience in actions involving financial fraud.Robbins Geller represents U.S. and international institutional investors in contingency-based securities and corporate litigation. With nearly 200 lawyers in nine offices, the firm represents hundreds of public and multi-employer pension funds with combined assets under management in excess of $2 trillion. The firm has obtained many of the largest recoveries and has been ranked number one in the number of shareholder class action recoveries in MSCI's Top SCAS 50 every year since 2003. According to Cornerstone Research, the firm's recoveries have averaged 35 percent above the median for all firms over the past seven years (2005-2011).More Information:http://www.rgrdlaw.com
CommonWealth REIT (CWH) is issued a governance score of 8 by ISS (1-10 scale with 10 being the riskiest), and a shareholder rights score of 10. The influential proxy advisory firm also suggests shareholders vote against board of trustee member Joe Morea who is up for re-election. Hedge funds Corvex and Related are attempting to oust the entire board, but CommonWealth is attempting to squash even a vote being taken. [View news story]
The last chance CWH shareholders got to vote the options were yes or abstain, no wasn't an available choice. I think that says it all about the management.
Flush with profits from shorting the yen, hedge funds turn their attention to the aussie (FXA) in a bet the end of the commodities boom will drive it lower. It's not exactly a new idea and a lot of funds have gotten smoked from having to pay big carry (Oz short rates have been in the 4% area vs. near 0% here) while the currency failed to move, but the bet's paid off in the last 6 weeks as the aussie has fallen 10 handles. It's off another 1% today. [View news story]
REIT Focus: Commonwealth REIT [View article]
http://bit.ly/THYjCr
Note, it is possible that: "the company may, at their option, force the preferred shares to be converted into common shares" under the described conditions.
REIT Focus: Commonwealth REIT [View article]
REIT Focus: Commonwealth REIT [View article]
Those who purchased the stock between 1/10/12 and 8/8/12 might be interested in this:
Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd announced that a class action has been commenced in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts on behalf of purchasers of CommonWealth REIT common shares during the period between January 10, and August 8, (the "Class Period").In a release, the firm stated:If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than 60 days from today. If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, please contact plaintiff's counsel, Samuel H. Rudman or David A. Rosenfeld of Robbins Geller at 800/449-4900 or 619/231-1058, or via e-mail at djr@rgrdlaw.com. If you are a member of this class, you can view a copy of the complaint as filed or join this class action online at rgrdlaw.com/cases/comm... Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member.According to the firm, the complaint charges CommonWealth and certain of its officers and directors with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. CommonWealth is a real estate investment trust, or REIT, which primarily owns office and industrial properties located throughout the United States.The complaint alleges that, during the Class Period, defendants issued materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's financial performance and future prospects. Specifically, defendants misrepresented and/or failed to disclose the following adverse facts: (a) that the Company was experiencing softness in the leasing market as the number of leased office spaces, especially in the Company's suburban office segment, was below internal expectations; (b) that existing tenants were demanding and receiving significant concessions, which was further eroding the Company's rental income; and (c) as a result of the foregoing, defendants lacked a reasonable basis for their positive statements about the Company's leverage ratio, occupancy rate and dividend payout.On August 8, the Company announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2012, the period ended June 30. Following the earnings press release, CommonWealth held a conference call with analysts and investors. During the conference call, defendant Adam D. Portnoy, the Company's President and Managing Trustee, stated that CommonWealth would likely reduce its dividend because, among other things, the Company's cash available for distribution payout ratio had increased to 108 percent. Moreover, the Company revealed that its occupancy rate fell to 84.5 percent, as of June 30, compared to 84.8 percent on March 31. In reaction to these announcements, the price of CommonWealth common shares fell $1.57 per share, or 9 percent, to close at $16.48 per share. The price of the Company's shares continued to decline over the next two trading days to $15.67 per share as the market digested this news.On October 9, CommonWealth announced its quarterly common and preferred dividends. In that regard, defendants announced a common dividend of $0.25 per common share - a 50 percent reduction from the Company's previous dividend rate.Plaintiff seeks to recover damages on behalf of all purchasers of CommonWealth common shares during the Class Period (the "Class"). The plaintiff is represented by Robbins Geller, which has expertise in prosecuting investor class actions and extensive experience in actions involving financial fraud.Robbins Geller represents U.S. and international institutional investors in contingency-based securities and corporate litigation. With nearly 200 lawyers in nine offices, the firm represents hundreds of public and multi-employer pension funds with combined assets under management in excess of $2 trillion. The firm has obtained many of the largest recoveries and has been ranked number one in the number of shareholder class action recoveries in MSCI's Top SCAS 50 every year since 2003. According to Cornerstone Research, the firm's recoveries have averaged 35 percent above the median for all firms over the past seven years (2005-2011).More Information:http://www.rgrdlaw.com
Strategic Hotels: Is The CEO Ready For A Vacation? [View article]
Latest BDC Rankings For Q1 2013 [View article]
Windstream (WIN): Q1 EPS of $0.10 misses by $0.01. Revenue of $1.5B (-2% Y/Y) misses by $0.03B. (PR) [View news story]
(WIN) first-quarter earnings fell 13% as the rural telecommunications company's consumer-service and wholesale revenue declined.
Windstream was formed in 2006 as a spinoff of Alltel Corp.'s landline business and Valor Communications Group Inc.
The company's revenue had improved for over three years, aided by an aggressive expansion plan. But the ongoing trend of customers canceling their landlines in favor of wireless phones has pressured its bottom line. In response, Windstream has looked to boost its broadband business.
Windstream reported a profit of $52.3 million, or nine cents a share, down from $60.4 million, or 10 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue decreased 2.5% to $1.5 billion.
Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had most recently forecast per-share earnings of 11 cents on revenue of $1.53 billion.
Operating margin edged down to 15.8% from 16%.
Overall consumer-service revenues fell 2% to $328 million and wholesale revenue dropped 17% to $152 million.
Meanwhile, business-service revenue rose 2% to $914 million and consumer-broadband-ser... revenue increased 5% to $117 million.
Shares closed Wednesday at $8.52 and were inactive premarket. The stock has climbed 2.9% since the beginning of the year.
Fifth Street Finance (FSC): FQ2 EPS of $0.28 in-line. Revenue of $54.7M beats by $0.65M. (PR) [View news story]
http://bit.ly/1453H8o
http://bit.ly/171mt4K
http://bit.ly/1453H8s
http://seekingalpha.co...
More on CommonWealth REIT (CWH) Q1 earnings: The conference call may be where the action is on this one, and it's set for 1 ET (webcast). Normalized FFO/share of $0.78 down from $0.90 a year ago. No acquisitions or agreements to acquire made during quarter. Company reports a 90% occupancy rate, flat from a year ago. (PR) [View news story]
Is Windstream The Next Dividend Death Trap? [View article]
Personally my WIN position has morphed into my speculation classification. Their divs to me have covered most of the unrealized cap loss since I added to the position recently. Moreover, I had the good fortune to buy 3 times as much TLSYY at $14.93 (it is now $26.26) at the same time I originally bought the WIN. Therefore I can afford let the WIN position ride.
Is Windstream The Next Dividend Death Trap? [View article]
Is Windstream The Next Dividend Death Trap? [View article]
CommonWealth REIT (CWH) is issued a governance score of 8 by ISS (1-10 scale with 10 being the riskiest), and a shareholder rights score of 10. The influential proxy advisory firm also suggests shareholders vote against board of trustee member Joe Morea who is up for re-election. Hedge funds Corvex and Related are attempting to oust the entire board, but CommonWealth is attempting to squash even a vote being taken. [View news story]
Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd Files Class Action Suit Against CommonWealth REIT.
Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd announced that a class action has been commenced in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts on behalf of purchasers of CommonWealth REIT common shares during the period between January 10, and August 8, (the "Class Period").In a release, the firm stated:If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than 60 days from today. If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, please contact plaintiff's counsel, Samuel H. Rudman or David A. Rosenfeld of Robbins Geller at 800/449-4900 or 619/231-1058, or via e-mail at djr@rgrdlaw.com. If you are a member of this class, you can view a copy of the complaint as filed or join this class action online at rgrdlaw.com/cases/comm... Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member.According to the firm, the complaint charges CommonWealth and certain of its officers and directors with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. CommonWealth is a real estate investment trust, or REIT, which primarily owns office and industrial properties located throughout the United States.The complaint alleges that, during the Class Period, defendants issued materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's financial performance and future prospects. Specifically, defendants misrepresented and/or failed to disclose the following adverse facts: (a) that the Company was experiencing softness in the leasing market as the number of leased office spaces, especially in the Company's suburban office segment, was below internal expectations; (b) that existing tenants were demanding and receiving significant concessions, which was further eroding the Company's rental income; and (c) as a result of the foregoing, defendants lacked a reasonable basis for their positive statements about the Company's leverage ratio, occupancy rate and dividend payout.On August 8, the Company announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2012, the period ended June 30. Following the earnings press release, CommonWealth held a conference call with analysts and investors. During the conference call, defendant Adam D. Portnoy, the Company's President and Managing Trustee, stated that CommonWealth would likely reduce its dividend because, among other things, the Company's cash available for distribution payout ratio had increased to 108 percent. Moreover, the Company revealed that its occupancy rate fell to 84.5 percent, as of June 30, compared to 84.8 percent on March 31. In reaction to these announcements, the price of CommonWealth common shares fell $1.57 per share, or 9 percent, to close at $16.48 per share. The price of the Company's shares continued to decline over the next two trading days to $15.67 per share as the market digested this news.On October 9, CommonWealth announced its quarterly common and preferred dividends. In that regard, defendants announced a common dividend of $0.25 per common share - a 50 percent reduction from the Company's previous dividend rate.Plaintiff seeks to recover damages on behalf of all purchasers of CommonWealth common shares during the Class Period (the "Class"). The plaintiff is represented by Robbins Geller, which has expertise in prosecuting investor class actions and extensive experience in actions involving financial fraud.Robbins Geller represents U.S. and international institutional investors in contingency-based securities and corporate litigation. With nearly 200 lawyers in nine offices, the firm represents hundreds of public and multi-employer pension funds with combined assets under management in excess of $2 trillion. The firm has obtained many of the largest recoveries and has been ranked number one in the number of shareholder class action recoveries in MSCI's Top SCAS 50 every year since 2003. According to Cornerstone Research, the firm's recoveries have averaged 35 percent above the median for all firms over the past seven years (2005-2011).More Information:http://www.rgrdlaw.com
CommonWealth REIT (CWH) is issued a governance score of 8 by ISS (1-10 scale with 10 being the riskiest), and a shareholder rights score of 10. The influential proxy advisory firm also suggests shareholders vote against board of trustee member Joe Morea who is up for re-election. Hedge funds Corvex and Related are attempting to oust the entire board, but CommonWealth is attempting to squash even a vote being taken. [View news story]
James Altucher: Why The Stock Market Is A Sucker's Game Right Now (And What Stocks I Own) [View article]
Perhaps you left out one of the major things, over 4 years of Obama screwing things up.