Hello Friends! Last weekend, I took a look at stock picks from the week of June 23, 2003. This weekend, let's review June 30, 2003, selections. As always, please remember that I am an amateur investor, thus am learning as I go as well, and that you should thus consult with your professional investment advisor before taking any action based on information on this website. Also, for review purposes, I assume a buy and hold strategy for investments. However, this website is clearly geared towards selling any stock that hits an 8% loss quickly, and then peeling off stocks that are gaining in a much slower fashion. These techniques would also affect real-life trading results.
I posted TransMontaigne (TMG) on Stock Picks on 6/30/03 when it was trading at $6.48. TMG closed at $5.35 on 7/9/04 for a loss of $(1.13) or (17.4)%. On May 12, 2004, TMG announced 3rd quarter 2004 results. For the quarter ended March 31, 2004, revenue jumped to $3.1 billion from $2.3 billion. However, net earnings per basic share dropped to $.45/share from $.55/share the prior year.
I posted ChoicePoint (CPS) on Stock Picks on 7/1/03 at a price of $36.14. CPS closed on 7/9/04 at $43.01 for a gain of $6.87/share or 19%.On April 22, 2004, CPS reported 1st quarter 2004 results. Revenue grew 11% to $217.2 million. Earnings per share grew 5% to $.37/share compared to $.35 in 2003.
Mid Atlantic Medicals Services (MME) was posted on Stock Picks Bob's Advice on 7/2/03 at $55.56. On Octobert 27, 2003, UnitedHealth Group (UNH) announced that it was acquiring MME for $18 in cash and 0.82 shares of UNH. UNH closed on 7/9/04 at $60.25, thus this deal currently values each former share of MME (now MAMSI) at $45.40 + $18.00 or $63.40. This would work out to a gain of $7.84/share or 14.1%.
I posted Metrologic Instruments (MTLG) on 7/2/03 at $35.60. On July 3, 2003, MTLG had a 3:2 stock split reducing the pick price to $23.73. Again on 10/30/03, MTLG split its stock 2:1 reducing our pick price again this time to $11.87. MTLG closed at $17.65 on 7/9/04 for a gain of $5.78 or 48.7%.On 4/22/04, MTLG announced 1st quarter 2004 results. For the quarter ended March 31, 2004, sales increased 24.6% to $39.7 million. Net income was up more than 100% to 5.1 million compared to $1.9 million or $.22/share this year compared to $.11/share last year. These were very nice results!
Finally, Digital River (DRIV) was selected for Stock Picks on 7/2/03 at a price of $21.69. DRIV closed at $28.50 on 7/9/04 for a gain of $6.81 over the past year or 31.4%.So how did these stocks do from the week of June 30, 2003? Of these 5 stocks, one had a loss (TMG) of (17.4)%. The others had gains ranging from 14.1% to 48.7%, for an average gain of 19.16%. Not too bad a week for this blog at all!
Thanks again for stopping by! If you have any questions, comments, or words of encouragement, please feel free to email me at bobsadviceforstocks@lycos.com
Bob