johnybutts's Comments

Sandstorm CEO Nolan Watson's Exclusive Interview For Seeking Alpha

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:24:54 -0500

I respectfully disagree with Nolan on the point that the juniors are intrinsically worthless without capital funding. Reason being, at some pricing level, the big players *should* step in to buy projects for pennies on the oz. This should provide a floor for prices at some point.

Of course if a junior isn't holding economically mineable projects... then yeah, it's worthless in either scenario.

The Treasury sells $29B in seven-year notes at 1.045%. Bid-to-cover ratio of 2.81, vs. a recent average of 2.65; indirect bidders take 39%, vs. a recent 39.5%. Direct bidders take 19.7%, vs. a recent 15%.

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:12:16 -0500

Please explain to us ignorant people on the sidelines.

Jeff Lacker's down vote today means he's dissented (12 times) from FOMC decisions more often than he's joined the majority (11). He's also on track to dissent at every FOMC meeting this year, a record matched by Thomas Hoenig in 2010. His actions may earn him the ire of his colleagues, but the thumbs-up from those uncomfortable with overwhelming consensus.

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:46:06 -0400

"down vote"? Someone's spent too much time on reddit.

More on Nike-Lance Armstrong: The former world-class athlete's resignation from the Lance Armstrong Foundation could bolster the chances that Nike (NKE +0.3%) sticks with its Livestrong brand of clothing and shoes. More than just a sideshow for Nike, the flareup over Armstrong's doping has forced the company to strongly deny an accusation it bribed an exec with a governing cycling body $500K to cover up a positive drug test.

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 11:29:43 -0400

You're wasting your breath on him.

More on Nike-Lance Armstrong: The former world-class athlete's resignation from the Lance Armstrong Foundation could bolster the chances that Nike (NKE +0.3%) sticks with its Livestrong brand of clothing and shoes. More than just a sideshow for Nike, the flareup over Armstrong's doping has forced the company to strongly deny an accusation it bribed an exec with a governing cycling body $500K to cover up a positive drug test.

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 08:45:22 -0400

A few things.
1) this is not a criminal investigation. There is no "burden of proof".
2) LA has already made his career. His net worth is north of 100 $million.
3) The statements the riders made were originally made under oath as part of a federal investigation. If they lied then, they are goign to jail.
4) Every american rider who has ever raced with LA has now admitted to doping and admitted LA doped along with them, and that JB and MF helped them dope.
5) Every rider who's stood on a TDF podium with LA is a convicted doper.
6) Lance Armstrong was given the chance to tell his story along with everyone else. He chose not to.

If you're waiting for a smoking gun - pictures of LA with a needle in his arm, you can keep waiting. I realize plenty of people are emotionally invested in LA and Livestrong which makes it hard to give up "hero" status he has.

As always, this is a free country you can believe what you want. I simply urge you to put all the testimony into context. Some of it is weak, but some of it is also very strong.

More on Nike-Lance Armstrong: The former world-class athlete's resignation from the Lance Armstrong Foundation could bolster the chances that Nike (NKE +0.3%) sticks with its Livestrong brand of clothing and shoes. More than just a sideshow for Nike, the flareup over Armstrong's doping has forced the company to strongly deny an accusation it bribed an exec with a governing cycling body $500K to cover up a positive drug test.

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 16:44:22 -0400

Oh boy...

You are woefully misinformed. My explanations will likely not convince you. I urge you to read a little bit here: http://bit.ly/Tv9NaC

More on Nike-Lance Armstrong: The former world-class athlete's resignation from the Lance Armstrong Foundation could bolster the chances that Nike (NKE +0.3%) sticks with its Livestrong brand of clothing and shoes. More than just a sideshow for Nike, the flareup over Armstrong's doping has forced the company to strongly deny an accusation it bribed an exec with a governing cycling body $500K to cover up a positive drug test.

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 11:43:48 -0400

That link is Nike's statement that it is dumping Armstrong, but maintaining its Livestrong support.

More on Nike-Lance Armstrong: The former world-class athlete's resignation from the Lance Armstrong Foundation could bolster the chances that Nike (NKE +0.3%) sticks with its Livestrong brand of clothing and shoes. More than just a sideshow for Nike, the flareup over Armstrong's doping has forced the company to strongly deny an accusation it bribed an exec with a governing cycling body $500K to cover up a positive drug test.

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 11:43:07 -0400

http://bit.ly/RCEAT7

Primero Mining (PPP +1.5%) says it will expand its San Dimas gold and silver mine in Mexico to 2,500 metric tons/day, spending a total of $14.4M. Construction of the mine and mill expansion will begin immediately, with estimated completion during Q1 2014.

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 10:25:47 -0400

Even with that, they are sitting on a huge pile of cash.

September Nonfarm Payrolls: +114K vs. consensus +115K, +142K previous (revised from 96K). Unemployment rate 7.8% vs. consensus 8.2%, 8.1% previous.

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 09:29:46 -0400

Oil Field

Primero Mining (PPP) soars 26.1% premarket as it notes Mexico has given its subsidiary there a positive tax ruling on an Advance Pricing Agreement from last October, confirming the company's approach to recording silver revenue and taxes at realized prices rather than spot. The favorable ruling covers fiscal years 2010-2014.

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 09:23:53 -0400

Huge news for PPP. They have the best management in the industry. Long and overweight.

The tentacles of creditors reach a long way as an Argentine naval vessel is seized in Ghana as part of hedge fund Elliot Capital's attempt to collect on bonds which Buenos Aires defaulted on in 2001. "Vulture funds have crossed a new limit in their attacks on the Argentine republic," says the foreign ministry.

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:51:55 -0400

Can someone post the articles text? No subscription

The tentacles of creditors reach a long way as an Argentine naval vessel is seized in Ghana as part of hedge fund Elliot Capital's attempt to collect on bonds which Buenos Aires defaulted on in 2001. "Vulture funds have crossed a new limit in their attacks on the Argentine republic," says the foreign ministry.

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:29:07 -0400

Umm, did we default? Or did I miss something?

Can Silver Wheaton Break $40?

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 09:42:28 -0400

Another article with absolutely no substance that got pushed to my phone with the new SA app.

1) Choose random stock that's run 50% in the last 3 months.
2) Throw up obligatory 12 month chart
3) Make up some technicals
4) Compare to another company with a completely different business model
5) Discuss random other companies in a similar sector
6) Conclude: "You might want to buy now, or you might want to wait a little bit to buy. As the author of this article I have chosen not to buy and don't plan to buy"
7) Publish

Forget discussing the commodity underlying all these companies - gold and silver

Forget any QEinfinity discussion - the primary reason these stocks have run.

Forget any profit projections or silver production projects

Forget any discussion of the mines SLW has a stream from.

Forget dividiend discussion.

What did I miss?

Building a war chest for an acquisition? IAMGOLD (IAG) completes a $650M offering of 6.75% senior unsecured notes due in 2020. (PR)

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 08:26:26 -0400

yes please!

The surge in gold prices has led to a golden cross, the technical indicator that's often bullish for many markets. But gold is a different story, in the short term: In gold's 12 other golden crosses since 1976, gold prices have averaged a 1% decline over the next week and 2.5% over the next month. “From a technical perspective and based on historical analysis, it’s hard plowing into gold here,” Justin Walters says.

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:50:24 -0400

How many of those other 12 times were immediately after the Federal Reserve Chairman announcing an ongoing monetisation of US Debt indefinitely into the future, in addition to pumping 40 bln/mo into the mortgage market?

Brilliant analysis nontheless.

How To Build A GLD-Free Gold Bug Portfolio

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:11:09 -0400

"Isn't that in essence what all investment articles do? I do find this article to portray a unique perspective against the frequently recommended GLD."

Any article dismissing GLD without discussing CEF or PHYS/PSLV is a waste of time. These are the PM funds with physical and insured backing. The author made no discussion on the merits/demerits of GLD other than using the keyword "paper", then went on to discuss parallel "funds" which are also paper.

Bottom line is that there's nothing remotely resembling to analysis in this article. You could have just gone to google.com/finance typed in GLD and looked at all the similar equities and you'd be better informed than if you read this article.

How To Build A GLD-Free Gold Bug Portfolio

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 15:36:51 -0400

How is this possibly an editor's pick SA article?

1) Throw dice to get a bunch of gold ETFs which have been in existence 3 years.
2) Copy and paste ETF description from other website
3) List historical returns
4) Project returns 30 years in the future
5) Disclaim everything/Disclose nothing
6) Publish

The Obama administration on Monday again delayed release of a report on expanding liquefied natural gas exports, likely pushing beyond the presidential election a decision on sending U.S. gas abroad. The report initially was expected in March. Natural gas exports to all but a handful of countries with Free Trade Agreements require approval from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 11:04:24 -0400

Cheap gas/energy for the US gives us an economic/manufacturing advantage. Exporting it brings $s in but not jobs.

FOMC Announcement: QE3 is on to the tune of an open-ended pledge to buy $40B in MBS per month. The pledge to keep rates extraordinarily low is extended until mid-2015.

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 12:55:16 -0400

I know I did.

Silvercorp Metals (SVM +1.6%) reports H1 results of its ongoing underground diamond drilling program at its TLP mine in China. SVM says the program has succeeded in further defining the known mineralization zones as well as extending the major mineralized vein structures downdip and along strike.

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 11:50:21 -0400

I'm no expert in the field, but I would venture a guess that almost any industrial use for diamonds are industrially manufactured (cheaply).

I would imagine that certain crystaline structures and size are more difficult/expensive to manufacture than others. Maybe these are more suited to jewelry, etc.

Silvercorp Metals (SVM +1.6%) reports H1 results of its ongoing underground diamond drilling program at its TLP mine in China. SVM says the program has succeeded in further defining the known mineralization zones as well as extending the major mineralized vein structures downdip and along strike.

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 11:38:53 -0400

Ummm... broseph.... They aren't drilling for diamonds. "SILVER"corp "METALS". Diamonds are neither silver nor metal. They are using a diamond drill bit to drill exploratory cores for silver. And of course the diamonds used for the bit are manufactured in an industrial facility like you suggest.

Thanks for playing.

The CBO, in likely its last official forecast ahead of the November elections, says the U.S. economy will quickly go into recession if Congress fails to address the fiscal cliff of spending cuts and tax increases set to kick in next year. Even if the cliff is averted, the economy is expected to grow at only 1.7% in 2013.

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 11:12:58 -0400

gold/silver.

ATP Oil & Gas (ATPG) +11.9% premarket and looking to extend yesterday's rally after a partner reported flow tests from an Israeli natural-gas discovery announced earlier this month. After shares have slid 79% YTD, the company and its investors would be grasping for any good news.

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 09:30:42 -0400

What's the short interest?

Apple (AAPL): FQ3 EPS of $9.32 misses by $1.04. Revenue of $35B (+22% Y/Y) misses by $2.5B. 26M iPhones sold, 17M iPads, 4M Macs. Shares -5.5% AH. (PR).

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:36:26 -0400

I got one too. That's 8% accounted for...

Walgreen (WAG) introduces a new program that will allow customers to print photos directly from their iPhone and Android devices at Walgreens stores. The company says it will provide an open software platform that will allow third-party developers to write apps for the in-store photo service.

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 08:50:22 -0400

This is actually a great idea.

A Facebook (FB) phone will arrive next year, multiple sources tell the NYT's Nick Bilton - a prior report suggested a Q3 launch. It's added Facebook has hired Apple engineers with iPhone experience, and is exploring multiple smartphone projects. The news comes as Facebook comes under pressure to improve mobile monetization, and rolls out a PC/mobile app store and an HTML5 app development platform. Facebook is also rumored to be interested in browser maker Opera.

Sun, 27 May 2012 19:13:59 -0400

Lets be honest, they can do it quite easily just by adding ads. A major selling point for users of Facebook is that the experience is clean, which pop up ads, sound ads, movie ads, etc... FB engineering has revolved around creating a sticky powerful experience for both users and developers. At some point they will move to focus on ad revenue.

You also must understand that FB simply doesn't need that money right now. They can raise $12B with an IPO, why would they rush to earn another $million in ad revenue each quarter?

"Where will the next $400B in market cap come from," asks Gene Munster to himself as his $1K price target call on Apple (AAPL) by 2014 implies a $1T valuation. Half will come out of the hides of the firm's "most relevant" competitors as Apple takes market share and the other half from increased investment in tech companies, of which Apple should continue to get a sizable chunk. Shares +1.3% premarket.

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 08:53:41 -0400

Revolutionary analsysis here...

2 Profitable, Dirt Cheap Gold Miners To Consider

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:00:15 -0400

Good article. The deal with primero is primarily two things:
1) silver streaming tax. Slw has the first 4 million oz at $4 and half thereafter each year. This wouldn't be a huge drawback except they are paying Mexico taxes at spot prices. They have applied for changes in the tax provision which should be decided on this year.
2) gold grades. the San Dimas mine has been suffering from unpredictable grade estimations. This makes mine planning difficult and makes it difficult to project future production. Recently management decided to refresh its mine model. And if I remember correctly it is complete.

Read the last two press releases on their site. It details the problems they've faced and what they're doing about it in more detail than I can describe. I must say that I'm totally impressed with the management. Everything I see points to exceptional long term planning.

Silver Wheaton Corporation: Price Target Remains At $100.00

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:34:21 -0500

Bob, What's your take on the streaming co's not following miners today? I'm pretty new, but it looked systematic. Is that indicative of anything besides a good deal?