Reaves Utility Income - Great Fund Now On Sale At $1 Off [View article]
I have looked at this fund several times. For a low turnover utility fund I don't get the almost 2% management fee. With hidden fees and transaction costs the full load must be easily over 2%. Am I missing something here?
Is True Religion's Stock Price Following The Fundamentals? [View article]
The limited product line is THE key strategic issue. The company has proven it can perform very well in the narrow niche of high fashion jeans. There is still room to grow there but to get the valuation of a Ralph Lauren they need more diversified products to support long term growth.
Comparing 4 Different Dividend ETFs [View article]
I don't think the myth you "busted" exists. You compare a 2.5% yielding EFT to a 5.7% EFT, SDIV. Who would consider these equal? You did make the useful point that investors should look carefully at the portfolios of the EFT before they invest, and the rules the EFT follows when investing. Many would find the names of companies they've never heard of, or that reside in countries they couldn't locate on a map.
Chimera: The Huge Dividend Must Die [View article]
I consider myself a novice when it comes to the mREITs as I've only been tracking them for about a year. After reading this I'm upgrading myself to "expert".
First let me say kudos to you for sticking your detailed analysis out there for all to critique, most are no so brave. You're clearly a self-proclaimed "heretic" , dissenting from the dogma of "True Religion". But very name is supposed to inspire you to mentally leap over mere COGS driven companies, and "value" products, and into the much fuzzier realm of luxury apparel. (BTW, if you could analyze their COGS, which is low, in detail, I'd guess USA finishing/labor far exceeds cotton. Anyway, this is a 60-70 % gross margin company on it's direct sales! Cost ain't the killer.)
All of the analysis aside, I think the core issues are really strategic: Is this a global luxury brand that will stand the test of time? Is the market big enough? (Can China and Russia keep minting millionaires and wannabes faster than TRLG can build outlets?) Is the management team up to the task of international brand management and retailing. (Do they pay David Beckham $20 mil a year to pose in their jeans? Where do they build stores, etc?) Here's some interesting data to digest courtesy of 2 minutes on the internet, and a recent WSJ article: GAP polo shirt, 29.99 on sale now for $7.99 (holy cow, cost of every inch of thread must matter! "Made in China" cost = 1 to 3 dollars)
Ralph Lauren or KP MacLane or similar "designer" polo, USA made cost $29 including shipping; wholesale mark up to retailer like Macy's $65; mark up to retail sales price, $155 (lotta gross margin in this food chain!)
Hermes polo, retail $455. (includes a pocket)
In the last 3 years Lauren stock has gone from 42 to 182! While I'm sure there's plenty of money to be made trading a stock between $22 and $32, based on short term news, I'd rather find a 3-year 300-percenter like Lauren. If anyone out there can help me understand if that's TRLG, I'm all-in.
For the record, I'm long GAP polos and LEVI jeans.
Reaves Utility Income - Great Fund Now On Sale At $1 Off [View article]
Is True Religion's Stock Price Following The Fundamentals? [View article]
True Religion Apparel (TRLG): Q1 EPS of $0.40 beats by $0.04. Revenue of $106.8M (+13.9% Y/Y) beats by $4M. Shares +9.4% AH. (PR) [View news story]
Comparing 4 Different Dividend ETFs [View article]
You did make the useful point that investors should look carefully at the portfolios of the EFT before they invest, and the rules the EFT follows when investing. Many would find the names of companies they've never heard of, or that reside in countries they couldn't locate on a map.
Chimera: The Huge Dividend Must Die [View article]
No Real Faith In True Religion [View article]
(BTW, if you could analyze their COGS, which is low, in detail, I'd guess USA finishing/labor far exceeds cotton. Anyway, this is a 60-70 % gross margin company on it's direct sales! Cost ain't the killer.)
All of the analysis aside, I think the core issues are really strategic:
Is this a global luxury brand that will stand the test of time?
Is the market big enough? (Can China and Russia keep minting millionaires and wannabes faster than TRLG can build outlets?)
Is the management team up to the task of international brand management and retailing. (Do they pay David Beckham $20 mil a year to pose in their jeans? Where do they build stores, etc?)
Here's some interesting data to digest courtesy of 2 minutes on the internet, and a recent WSJ article:
GAP polo shirt, 29.99 on sale now for $7.99 (holy cow, cost of every inch of thread must matter! "Made in China" cost = 1 to 3 dollars)
Ralph Lauren or KP MacLane or similar "designer" polo, USA made cost $29 including shipping; wholesale mark up to retailer like Macy's $65; mark up to retail sales price, $155 (lotta gross margin in this food chain!)
Hermes polo, retail $455. (includes a pocket)
In the last 3 years Lauren stock has gone from 42 to 182! While I'm sure there's plenty of money to be made trading a stock between $22 and $32, based on short term news, I'd rather find a 3-year 300-percenter like Lauren. If anyone out there can help me understand if that's TRLG, I'm all-in.
For the record, I'm long GAP polos and LEVI jeans.