Hello Friends!  Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting my blog, Stock Picks Bob's Advice!  As always, please remember that I am an amateur investor, so please remember to consult with your professional investment advisers prior to making any investment decisions based on information on this website.

I messed up today.  I would like to apologize to my readers and to myself.  (Can one really apologize to oneself?)  In any case I would like to dissect this error a bit.  Yesterday I was feeling particularly brilliant about moving into Graham (GHM) Friday and then exiting Monday with a nice gain.  And success went right to my head.  This is why I have all of these trading rules.  I don't do well when I am doing it seat of the pants style.

Even so, I still reserve the right to 'take a chance' on any particular investment as long as the bulk of my entire portfolio is still with my relatively rigid trading rules.  But I do not think I shall be doing too much of this when the rest of my portfolio is working just fine.

This is the picture of the 'Oracle at Delphi'.  As opposed to the Oracle of Omaha, the Delphi Oracle is thought to be the originator of the phrase "Know Thyself."  As related:

"The best known Delphic injunction was carved into the lintel at the Temple of Apollo: GNOTHI SEAUTON, Know Thyself. These words may have originated in Apollo's response to a question Chilon of Sparta asked: "What is best for man?" The reply, "Know thyself," is similar to the one believed to have been given to the Lydian king, Croesus, when he was told that he must know himself if he would live most happily. Croesus, a man of action and not philosophical, took this to mean that he should know his own strength, know what he wanted, and should rely on his own judgment. Others have found deeper meaning in these words, taking the "self" to mean the higher self, the true Self; to imply that as man is the microcosm of the macrocosm, he who knows himself knows all."

And I am still learning to 'know myself' even after 40 years of investing!  I like to believe that I am a good trader, that I can pick a stock that may move higher that day, and then sell it a few moments ago.  But frankly, that is a talent and knowledge-base entirely different from my stock-picking strategy.  I think I am pretty good at 'picking investments' and really pretty lousy at 'picking trades'.  There is a big difference between investing and managing a portfolio and trading stocks over the short-term.

Ironically, both of these two stocks: Graham (GHM) and Bolt (BTJ) share some similar criteria that allowed me to fool myself that since I had done well in one on Monday, I could do well with the other on Tuesday :).  What I mean is that both of these companies are involved in the petroleum industry, Bolt in exploration, and Graham in refining.  Both are AMEX stocks, both have small cap size with outstanding shares in the single digit millions of shares,  and both are stocks that have great Morningstar.com reports and have been subjects of my reviews on this blog.

One big difference.

Momentum.

Isaac Newton expressed this best in his First Law of Motion in 1686 in the "Principia Mathematica Philosophiae Naturalis":

"A body continues in a state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line unless made to change that state by forces acting on it."

Graham (GHM) had positive price momentum when I bought it the other day.  Bolt (BTJ) didn't.  Graham was noted to be on the top % gainers list when I thought of investing in it, Bolt was something I thought about first rather than by evaluating the top gainers.  What a world of difference!

So I apologize to all of you for this diversion.  As I like to state, I am always learning about the market and yes, I am learning about myself.  I tend to work best in a fairly rigid, rule-framed investing situation.  I don't do as well just 'shooting from the hip'.  There is so much more in picking up stocks for a trade that I really don't understand.  For the time being, I shall leave these trades alone (until I break all of my rules once again!)

Anyhow, that's what happened.  So today, when the market was moving higher, and virtually every single stock in my regular portfolio participated as they should, my over-sized investment in Bolt (BTJ) brought down my overall portfolio performance to just under break-even.  I hope I learned my lesson.

Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting my blog!  If you get a chance, you might be interested in listening to my Stock Picks Podcast.  Furthermore, to see more about my actual trading portfolio, be sure and visit my Covestor Page.  And if you would like to review some of my picks from the past year, be sure and stop by and visit my SocialPicks page.

Thanks again for visiting!  If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them on my blog or email me at bobsadviceforstocks@lycos.com.  Wishing you all a wonderful Tuesday evening and a successful trading week.

Bob 

O.K. I don't have the steel nerves to do these short-term trades! :).  I shall try to stick more to my usual plodding style and not get my fingers burnt so quickly.  With the market heading higher, Bolt (BTJ) is moving in the opposite direction.  With a quick loss developing, I sold 1/2 of my 800 share position to reduce my exposure at $35.6725.  Still sitting on the other 400 shares.  I shall learn a lesson yet.  Do what you know and don't go looking for the quick trade unless you understand the dynamics of the market and the stock!  I should have known better on this one!

Bob

Hello Friends!  Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting my blog Stock Picks Bob's Advice!  As always, please remember that I am an amateur investor.  So please remember to consult with your professional investment advisers prior to making any investment decisions based on information on this website.

I am probably getting over-confident.  So I tried another trade this morning.  One of my favorite stocks, Bolt (BTJ) is under-valued from my perspective.  So I went ahead and purchased 800 shares of Bolt (BTJ) at $37.3299.  With the market rebounding this morning, I thought perchance that this stock might cooperate.  It hasn't been technically very strong in the recent trading past.

Wish me luck.

Bob

Hello Friends!  Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting my blog, Stock Picks Bob's Advice!  As always, please remember that I am an amateur investor so please remember to consult with your professional investment advisers prior to making any investment decisions based on information on this website.

A few moments ago I sold my 400 shares of Graham (GHM) at $66.1701.  This position was not part of my long-term strategy, I have loads of margin, my own 'signals' are directing me to sit on my hands, and it was a nice short-term trade.  I still like the stock. 

GRAHAM (GHM) IS RATED A BUY

But I am no longer a stock-holder in this great company. I just purchased these shares on 11/23/07 at a cost basis of $62.47, so I had a gain of $3.70/share or 5.9% on my investment.  

My sale is not due to my lack of interest in this company.  I am concerned about staying within my trading rules, continuing to reduce my margin levels and buying and selling on signals.  

Occasionally, I like to 'break all of the rules' and make a trade like this.  But thus far, I have undone these trades after a short period of time and returned to my usual disciplined trader mentality.  But it is nice to take a quick profit occasionally on a stock like this.  I suspect that Graham (GHM) has lots further to go on the upside.  But it will have to do it without me.

Thanks again for visiting!  If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them on the blog or email me at bobsadviceforstocks@lycos.com.

Bob 

Hello Friends!  Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting my blog, Stock Picks Bob's Advice!  As always, please remember that I am an amateur investor, so please remember to consult with your professional investment advisers prior to making any investment decisions based on information on this website.

The weekend is almost over and I haven't written up my review.  Let's take a look at the stocks I posted on this blog during the week of May 22, 2006.  Each weekend I try to move ahead a week on this review which is now more like a year-and-a-half out, instead of a year.  Last week I reviewed the picks from May 15, 2006. 

These reviews assume a buy-and-hold approach to investing with equal dollar sized purchases of each of the stocks reviewed.  In reality, I advocate and follow a fairly disciplined buying and selling strategy with my holdings including quick sales on stock declines and partial sales on stock appreciation.   This difference in strategy would certainly affect portfolio performance but for the ease of this review, I assume a simple purchase of each stock discussed and an analysis is based on this assumption.

On May 25, 2006, I posted Toro (TTC) as a 'revisit' on Stock Picks Bob's Advice when the stock was trading at $47.89/share.  Toro closed at $53.02 on November 23, 2007, for a gain of $5.13 or 10.7% since posting.

On August 23, 2007, Toro (TTC) reported 3rd quarter 2007 results.  The company reported revenue of $478.7 million, up slightly from revenue of $477.9 million in the same quarter the prior year.  Net earnings came in at $42.5 million or $1.02/diluted share, up from $40.3 million or $.91/diluted share the prior year. 

The Morningstar.com "5-Yr Restated" financials page is intact, with steady revenue growth, earnings growth, dividend growth and free cash flow growth.  The outstanding shares have been modestly declining and the balance sheet is solid. 

TORO (TTC) IS RATED A BUY

Let's take a look at the 'point & figure' chart from StockCharts.com:

We can see that while the stock price momentum has recently been under pressure, the upward move of this stock is still intact.

On May 26, 2006, I posted Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) on Stock Picks Bob's Advice when the stock was trading at $39.42.  On June 18, 2007, BWLD had a 2:1 stock split, making my effective 'pick price' actually $19.71.  BWLD closed at $27.23 on November 23, 2007, for a gain of $7.52 or 38.2% since posting.

On October 30, 2007, Buffalo Wild Wings announced 3rd quarter 2007 results.  Total revenue climbed 20.5% to $82.4 million up from $68.3 million.  Same store sales increased 8.3% at company owned restaurants and 5.9% at franchised restaurants.  Earnings per share for the quarter came in at $.24/share, up from $.20/share the prior year. 

Unfortunately, the company missed expectations on earnings which per Thomson Financial had been at $.26/share.  However, revenue beat expectations of $81.4 million.

On a positive note, the Morningstar.com "5-Yr Restated" financials page appears intact.  The company shows steady revenue growth, earnings growth, and relatively stable outstanding shares since 2004. (up sharply from 5 million to 16 million shares between 2002 and 2004.)  Free cash flow is positive and growing and the balance sheet is solid.

BUFFALO WILD WINGS (BWLD) IS RATED A BUY

Let's take a closer look at the 'point & figure' chart on BWLD from StockCharts.com:

We can see in the above chart how the recent correction in the market has been bringing the price of BWLD down.  I suspect the latest quarterly report when the company came in a couple of pennies light on estimates of earnings is making a difference in the price movement.

So how did I do with these two stocks?  Really not bad.  In fact, they both appreciated in price and the average of these two stocks was a gain of 24.5%.  

Thanks again for visiting!  If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them on the blog or email me at bobsadviceforstocks@lycos.com.  If you get a chance, be sure and visit my Stock Picks Podcast Website.  Also check out my Covestor Page where Covestor has been analyzing my actual trading portfolio.  And my SocialPicks page where all of my many picks from the first of the year have been evaluated.

Have a great week trading and stay well!

Bob 

Hello Friends!  Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting my blog, Stock Picks Bob's Advice!  As always, please remember that I am an amateur investor, so please remember to consult with your professional investment advisers prior to making any investment decisions based on information on this website.

I was getting to do the weekend review and I realized I hadn't really picked any stocks this week for the blog :(.  So since the market had climbed nicely, I figured there 'must be a pony in there somewhere' and set out to look. 

Looking through the list of top % gainers on the NASDAQ I came across BIDZ.com (BIDZ), a jewelry auction website that made the list and appears to deserve a place on this blog.  BIDZ closed at $19.94, up $2.43 or 13.88% on the day!

BIDZ.COM (BIDZ) IS RATED A BUY

Let's take a look at this stock and I will explain why I chose this stock from all of the others moving higher yesterday.  I do not own any shares nor do I have any options on this stock.  And I still am leery of 'dot.com' stocks!

What exactly does this company do?

According to the Yahoo "Profile" on BIDZ, the company

"...operates as an online retailer of jewelry primarily in the United States and internationally. The company operates a Web Site, BIDZ.com, for the purpose of selling merchandise, utilizing an online sales auction platform. Its product inventory includes gold, platinum, and silver jewelry set with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and other precious and semi-precious stones; and watches. Its products also include rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets."

How did they do in the latest quarter?

On November 12, 2007, BIDZ announced 3rd quarter 2007 results for the quarter ended September 30, 2007.  Revenue came in at $40.1 million, up 48% over last year's $27.1 million.  Net income for the period came in at $3.6 million or $.14/diluted share, up sharply from the $997,000 or $.04/diluted share reported the prior year. 

The company easily beat expectations for the quarter which had been for $.11/share according to Reuters Estimates.  In addition. the company raised guidance for the full year 2007 to revenue of $180 to $182 million.  Analysts, per Reuters, had been expecting full year revenue of $170 to $180 million. 

What about longer-term results?

Looking at the Morningstar.com "5-Yr Restated" financials on BIDZ, we find that revenue has steadily increased from $35 million in 2002 to $132 million in 2006 and $162 million in the trailing twelve months (TTM).

Earnings have also steadily improved from a loss of $(.40)/share in 2002 to break-even in 2004 to $.10/share in 2005 and $.40/share in the TTM.

Free cash flow has been a little less exciting with $-0- reported in 2004 improving to $1 million in 2006 and $0 million in the TTM.  I, of course, would like to see a little positive free cash flow, but at least the company is not burning up its cash like some small companies and the old dot.com stocks.

Looking at the balance sheet, we see a satisfactory picture (imho), with $1 million in cash and $50 million in other current assets, balanced against current liabilities of $32.8 million.  There are not long-term liabilities reported on Morningstar.com.  This yields a satisfactory current ratio of 1.55.

What about some valuation numbers?

Looking at Yahoo "Key Statistics" on BIDZ, we can see that this is a small cap stock with a market cap of $475.45 million.  The trailing p/e is a bit rich at 45.32, with a forward p/e a bit better at 39.88.  However, the earnings are growing so quickly that the PEG (5 yr expected) works out to a downright cheap figure of 0.67.  (I figure on a PEG of 1.0 to 1.5 being reasonable.) 

Utilizing the Fidelity.com eresearch website, we find that the Price/Sales (TTM) ratio works out to 2.89, compared to the industry average of 11.80.  In terms of profitability, the Return on Equity (TTM) also looks terrific at 85.81%, compared to an industry average of 16.72%.

Returning to Yahoo, we can see that there are 23.84 million shares outstanding but only 10.96 million that float.  As of 10/26/07, there were 912,120 shares out short, resulting in a short ratio of 5.6 I generally use an arbitrary '3 day rule' for the short ratio in determining significance.  With this significantly over 3, the stock looks vulnerable to a short squeeze.  For me, without any negative news, this may well be a bullish sign.

No cash dividend is paid and no stock splits are reported on Yahoo.

What does the chart look like?

Looking at the "point and figure" chart on BIDZ from StockCharts.com, we can see that while the stock was consolidating between $10.50 and $7.00 between June and July of this year, the stock broke out to the upside in September climbing to $15, pulling back and climbing again higher to $20.  The stock is nearing this high and appears to be poised to move higher.  The chart looks strong to me. 

Summary:  What do I think?

Needless to say, I like this stock!  Let me review some of the things that piqued my interest (how do you like THAT word!)  The stock moved nicely higher yesterday, the latest quarter was strong and the company beat expectations and raised guidance.  The longer-term fundamentals look great with steadily improving revenue and earnings while the outstanding shares have remained very stable.  Free cash flow could be better but isn't negative, and the balance sheet is solid.

Valuation-wise, the p/e is certainly a bit rich but the PEG is under 1.0, the Price/Sales is lower than the industrial group, and the Return on Equity is higher than its peers.  

Finally, there are lots of shares out short, and the chart looks strong.  As a final note, I feel some loyalty to the stock as I grew up near Culver City where this company is headquartered in California.  I know that's a silly reason, but I like to share with you all of my thinking.  And no, I don't know anyone in the management or who owns shares.

A picture of Culver City.

 

Thanks so much for visiting!  If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them on the blog or email me at bobsadviceforstocks@lycos.com.  If you get a chance, be sure and visit my Stock Picks Podcast website where you can hear me discuss a few of the stocks on the blog and perhaps listen to me read a poem :).  Hey it's my podcast, and I get to do what I like :).  I promise not to pull of any heads of syrofoam animals or throw any chairs like my favorite investor/entertainer Jim Cramer!

Also, be sure and visit my Stock Picks Covestor Page where my actual trading portfolio is monitored and evaluated.  While you are at it stop by and visit my SocialPicks Page where all of my stock picks are discussed.

Finally, if you are interested in a different kind of investment, one that is not without significant rich, but potentially showing nice returns, consider visiting Prosper.com where you can participate in person-to-person loans in an eBay fashion bidding process where you anonymously enter small portions of a larger loan as a bid and become part of a loaning consortium.  I now have about 19 loans outstanding.  So far everyone is current and I am earning an average of approximately 15% on my loans.  Now of course, there is tremendous risk in these unsecured loans, so do you homework before investing in Prosper.  If you sign up before the end of the year and make a loan, you will be credited with $25 (and I will also receive credit for sending you over!)

Have a great weekend everyone!  Please feel free to comment here on the blog or email me at bobsadviceforstocks@lycos.com.

Bob

Hello Friends!  Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting my blog, Stock Picks Bob's Advice!  As always, please remember that I am an amateur investor, so please remember to consult with your professional investment advisers prior to making any investment decisions based on information on this website.

What a volatile week!  Thank goodness trading was closed on Thursday for Thanksgiving.  And I am already having buyer's remorse for buying the big chunk (for me) of Graham (GHM).  Not that I don't think it is a fabulous stock--it is just that I did break all of my rules, investing when my system was telling me to pull back into equities, and then buying a larger position than usual.  I guess I shall just employ my 8% limit and selling strategy on that position as well.

Anyhow, I had a nice letter from Gleb today who is a fellow covestor participant.  Gleb wondered about my buying strategy.  (After my impulse buy on Graham I wonder if I am qualified to give an opinion at all :().  Gleb wrote a nice letter:

CLICK HERE FOR MY PODCAST ON GRAHAM 

Hello Friends!  Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting my blog, Stock Picks Bob's Advice!  As always, please remember that I am an amateur investor, so please remember to consult with your professional investment advisers prior to making any investment decisions based on information on this website.

I just spent I don't know how much ink writing about trading discipline and there I go again.  Buying a stock without a "permission slip".  But I would like to start thinking about a 'hybrid' trading system.  That is, utilizing a basic portfolio management system and also investing occasionally in single issues with larger positions taken without regards to the 'rules'.  I am probably going to regret this diversion, but I am still learning, and I hope you are learning as well with me.

Last month I wrote about Graham Corporation (10/27/07), a stock that Doug S. brought to my attention, thinking correctly that it was 'my kind of stock'.  I will refer you back to last month's entry for details about the company.

In a nutshell,

The stock made the top % gainers list today, trading at  $61.60, up $2.85 or 4.85% on the day as I write. 

Latest quarterly report was very strong.

The company announced a 5:4 stock split and raised its dividend.

The Morningstar.com "5-Yr Restated" financials looks solid.

And the 'point & figure' chart from StockCharts.com appears to show continued positive momentum.

With all of that in mind, I broke my trading rules (once again) and purchased 400 shares at $62.4399.  Wish me luck.

I am concerned about the general direction of the market.  The sub-prime mess, the near-$100/barrel oil price, the weak dollar, and the imploding housing market.

So once again, throwing caution to the wind, I jumped in on Graham (GHM).  It's a great stock.  But can it hold up in a correction?  Time will tell.

If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them on the blog or email me at bobsadviceforstocks@lycos.com.  If you get a chance, feel free to visit my podcast site where I discuss many of the same stocks I write about on the blog, my Covestor Page where Covestor tracks my actual trading account, and my SocialPicks page, where for the last year, SocialPicks has been tracking all of my stock picks.

Bob

Hello Friends!  Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting my blog, Stock Picks Bob's Advice!  As always, please remember that I am an amateur investor, so please remember to consult with your professional investment advisers prior to making any investment decisions based on information on this website.

Happy Thanksgiving!

(Turkey from the MIT website)

I hope that you all have a chance to spend some time with family and friends, enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday, and share your expressions of appreciation with each other.

I am personally thankful of all of you who visit, write, and make blogging here on this website as enjoyable experience as it is for me!

Speaking of receiving email, I had a good email a short while back about investing that I kept meaning to respond to and tonight I guess is as good a time as any to comment.

Terry wrote me about investing in general and in particular, the SIRI and XMSR merger.

He wrote:

Hey Bob,

 

   I just Ran into your site searching and wanted to ask you a question. I am new to Trading and have been studying real hard and as of yet. Haven't bought a thing but hope to trade in the near future.

 

   I wanted to ask you. How do you do in trading ?

 

   What is the most important things you think a new trader should look at in a company before buying their stock.

 

One of my big problems as of now is I don't know how people figure out all of these percents of companies income's. Like this one about the 14%. I'm not a real smart guy but I do have common sense and can do this over time. How did this guy figure the 14%.

 

When the merger agreement was signed (Feb 23rd) SIRI traded at $3.74 and XM traded at $15.10. The agreement stated that each XM share will be exchanged for 4.6 SIRI shares.
At the time of the announcement that meant that SIRI would pay $17.204 per XM share (4.6 x 3.74) which is a premium of about 14% ( $2.1 premium per share).

 

   Hope you don't mind me asking and good luck to you in your Trading. Future Trader. Terry

"What is the most important things you think a new trader should look at in a company before buying their stock."

 

Hello Friends!  Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting my blog, Stock Picks Bob's Advice!  As always, please remember that I am an amagteur investor, so please remember to consult with your professional investment advisers prior to making any investment decisions based on information on this website.

That bear market is gnawing at my portfolio!  (Or is it a bear yet?  Supposed to be a 10% correction---it ought to be close).  My recent purchase of BMC Software (BMC) was undone this morning as the stock hit an (8)% loss and I sold my 210 shares at $31.61.  These shares were just purchased on  11/7/07 at a cost basis per share of $34.43.  Thus, my loss was $(2.82)/share or (8.2)% since purchase.

Since I don't know of any fundamental difference between when I purchased the stock and now, except that the market is weak and most stocks are down, even though I have now sold my own shares,

BMC SOFTWARE (BMC) IS RATED A HOLD

Regarding what I do with the proceeds, since this is a sale on 'bad news', that is a decline in stock price, I 'sit on my hands' with the proceeds.  That is, I am shifting from equity towards cash as I would want my portfolio do do in a weak market.  But I don't really need to think about it.  I just need to pay attention and listen to what my own shares are telling me to do!

Thus, I am now down to 13 positions (from a maximum of 20 and above the minimum of 5) and shall be waiting for some 'good news' to add a postion.

Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting.  Please feel free to leave any comments you might have, otherwise you can certainly email me at bobsadviceforstocks@lycos.com with your comments or questions.  I read all of my emails but don't have time to answer all of them.

Bob