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 remaining 215 shares of Jones Soda (JSDA) at $23.55/share.  I had purchased these shares just last month on 3/12/07 at a price of $18.22/share so this represented a gain of $5.33/share or 29.3% on the purchase.  

Why did I sell?  This sale was simply a result of the price movement of Jones more than any fundamental issue.  It may well be a mistake to have sold this stock as I do not particularly see anything fundamentally wrong with the company.  It is just an extremely volatile stock that hit my own sale target on the downside.

You may recall, if you follow this blog, that I have a very disciplined selling strategy for the stocks I own.  I sell stocks slowly and partially on the upside at appreciation targets of 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, etc. % targets.  On the downside, after an initial purchase I sell a stock if it declines 8%.  If I have sold once at a gain, I allow the stock to go to break-even before unloading it.  If I have sold the stock more than once, I allow the stock to go to 50% of the highest appreciation sale and then sell the remaining shares.

After purchasing Jones on 3/12/07, the stock quickly appreciated, and I sold 50 shares of my 300 on 4/4/07 at a 30% appreciation point, another 35 shares on 4/16/07 at a 60% appreciation point.  With the stock now declining back to the 30% appreciation level, a sale was triggered (even if I do it manually!) to unload all of my shares.  And I did.

I hope this was the right move.  My strategy depends on disciplined trading and management of my portfolio.  Time will tell if it is a good approach.  I am not certain.  But I intend to stick to my rules even if it does occasionally mean parting with a stock that later goes to higher price levels.

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.

I was looking through the list of the top % gainers on the NYSE today and saw that an old favorite of mine, ITT Educational Services (ESI) had made the list, trading at $91.25, up $7.88 or 9.45% today as I write.   I do not own any shares of ESI nor do I have any options on this stock.

I say "revisit" and an "old favorite" because it has been several years since I first reviewed ESI.  This stock was written up early on this blog, when I wrote up ESI on July 17, 2003, when the stock was trading at $36.13.  With the stock currently trading at $93.62 (as I write), this represents a gain of $57.49/share or 159.1% since posting!

Because of the nice move today, and the rest of the information I will review on this entry,

ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (ESI) IS RATED A BUY

What exactly does this company do?

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

 "...provides postsecondary degree programs in the United States. It offers diploma, associate, bachelor, and master degree programs in the fields of information technology, electronics technology, drafting and design, business, criminal justice, and health sciences."

How did they do in the latest quarterly report?

As I have found myself saying over and over again on the blog, it was the report of 1st quarter 2007 results today before the opening of trading that produced the big price appreciation in the stock! Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2007, increased 15.8% to $204.2 million from $176.3 million in the same quarter in 2006.  Net income climbed 34.8% from $20.5 million in 2006 to $27.6 million in the latest quarter.  Diluted earnings per share increased even more, up 46.7% from $.45/share to $.66/share in 2007.

As part of this terrific earnings report, the company went ahead and raised guidance for 2007 earnings from $3.17 to $3.21 to the new range of $3.40 to $3.50/share.

The reported earnings beat expectations of $.54/share (they came in at $.66/share) and revenue of $198.4 million (they came in at $204.2 million) per analysts at Thomson Financial.   Thus, the company did what I call the "trifecta-plus", by reporting terrific revenue growth, earnings growth, beating expectations on both, and raising guidance!  As if this wasn't enough, the company added a bit of "icing on the cake" by announcing an increased buyback of shares, adding an additional 5 million shares to its repurchase plans. 

How about longer-term financial results?

Reviewing the Morningstar.com "5-Yr Restated" financials, we can see the steady increase in revenue from $454 million in 2002 to $758 million in 2006.  Earnings have also been steadily increasing from $.94/share in 2002 to $2.33/share in 2005 and $2.72/share in 2006.  The company does not pay a dividend.  However, unlike most stocks I review on this blog, the company has been reducing its outstanding shares, with 46 million reported in 2002, down to 43 million in 2006 and 41 million in the trailing twelve months (TTM).  Whenever a company buys back shares  this serves both to improve financial results, by dividing earnings by a fewer number of shares, as well as directly driving up the price of shares by adding demand to the marketplace. 

Free cash flow has been positive with $107 million in 2004, $133 million in 2005 and $121 million in 2006.

The balance sheet, as reported by Morningstar.com, appears solid with $356.9 million in cash alone, enough to pay off all of the $284.5 million in current liabilities and much of the $171.9 million in long-term liabilities as well.  Combining the cash and other current assets gives us a total of $380.9 million in total current assets, which, when compared to the $284.5 million in current liabilities yields a current ratio of 1.34.  Generally ratios of 1.25 or higher are satisfactory.

What about some valuation numbers?

Checking Yahoo "Key Statistics" on ESI, we find that this is a mid cap stock with a market capitalization of $3.85 billion.  The trailing p/e is a tad rich at 34.55, but the forward p/e of 24.76 is a bit more reasonable (fye 31-Dec-08) as estimated.  The PEG is also reasonable at 1.30 (5 yr expected).

In another assessment of valuation, using the Fidelity.com eresearch website, we can see that the Price/Sales (TTM) is priced a bit richly at 4.63, compared to an industry average of 2.65.  However, the company is far more profitable than its peers, with a Return on Equity (TTM), according to Fidelity, coming in at 89.07% (TTM), compared to an industry average of only 3.52%.  I guess you get what you pay for :).

Finishing up with Yahoo, we find that there are 41.08 million shares outstanding but only 34.27 million that float.  Of these, 1.33 million shares were out short as of 3/12/07, representing a slightly significant 4.4 trading days of volume (the short ratio).   Today's volume of 1.37 million shares thus far may well represent some of the short-sellers feeling the 'squeeze' and scrambling to buy shares to close out their positions.  The normal average trading volume for this stock is only 333.5 thousand shares.

As I noted, the company does not pay a dividend and the last stock split was a 2:1 split back in June 6, 2002.

What does the chart look like?

Examining the "Point & Figure" Chart on ESI from StockCharts.com, we can see that the stock actually traded rather poorly between April, 2003, when the stock was at $27, to a high of $61 in February, 2004, then fell back to the $28 level where it hit twice before moving sharply higher after July, 2004, and moving to its current level of around $93.

 

Summary: What do I think?

I wrote this stock up because I like this stock :).  The company has been a great performer for me even if I don't own the stock.  Their latest quarterly report out today was great.  They reported strong results, beat expectations, raised guidance, and announced an additional stock buyback!  Longer-term, they have been a solid performer fundamentally with steady revenue and earnings growth, free cash flow solidly positive, a reduction in the number of shares outstanding and a solid balance sheet.

Valuation-wise, the p/e is a bit rich as is the Price/sales ratio.  However, the PEG suggests that growth will be sufficient to justifify the p/e, and the return on equity suggests that the incredible profitability of this company may well justify the premium in the price.  Finally the chart looks very strong if a bit over-extended.

Thanks again for dropping by and 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!

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 decisions based on information on this website.

CLICK HERE FOR MY PODCAST ON TELEDYNE TECHNOLOGIES (TDY)

I am always on the 'look-out' for new stock market investment ideas!  These are the stocks that make up my blog, the stocks that I call my "vocabulary" of investing.  It is from these stocks that I have built my portfolio.  These are the companies that fit my profile of investable companies.  Teledyne Technologies (TDY) appears to fit the bill for me!

When I first start looking for a new name to write up here on the blog, I simply go over to the list of top % gainers and see if any of the stocks making nice moves higher, either on the AMEX, the NASDAQ, or the NYSE deserves a spot on the blog.  I do not check every stock.  I do not even look every day.  But when I get a chance, if I find anything I try to write it up, and this serves me well in learning about the company as well as offers my readers a chance to perhaps learn about a stock that they haven't considered before.

Teledyne (TDY) made the list today, and as I write, is trading at $46.33, up $5.14 or 12.48% on the day.  I do not own any shares nor do I have any options on this stock.  Let me go over the things that I saw that made me think it was a good "pick".

TELEDYNE (TDY) IS RATED A BUY

What exactly does this company do?

If we look at the Yahoo "Profile" on Teledyne, we can see that the company

"...provides electronic components, instruments, and communications products in United States, Europe, Japan, and Canada. It operates in four segments: Electronics and Communications, Systems Engineering Solutions, Aerospace Engines and Components, and Energy Systems."

How did they do in the latest quarter?

Shortly before the open today, Teledyne announced what I consider a very strong 1st quarter 2007 earnings report.  As they noted, revenues climbed 16.8% to $385.6 million compared to sales of $330.2 million last year.  Net income worked out to $20.5 million or $.57/diluted share, up from $17.9 million or $.51/diluted share in the same period last year.

One of the important part of any earnings announcement is the expectations on earnings. In this case, Teledyne beat expectations, which, according to Thomson Financial, analysts were expecting revenue of $383.3 million, and earnings of $.50/share.

As also reported, the company raised guidance:
"For the full year, Teledyne now expects earnings of $2.50 to $2.54 a share, excluding options expense and other items. It had in January forecast earnings of $2.41 to $2.44 a share for the year on the same basis.

Analysts were expecting earnings of $2.39 a share for the full year, excluding exceptional items, according to Reuters Estimates."  In my 'lingo', I call this a "trifecta-plus", which is like getting 'straight A's in middle school'!  That is, a near perfect report card from the company which reported increasing revenue, increasing earnings, beat expectations, and raised guidance!  Everything an investor hoping for appreciation in a stock price could wish for!

How about longer-term results?

In my idiosyncratic stock-picking technique, I am not looking for a 'one quarter wonder'.  I am looking for a company with the kind of management and business able to consistently produce good or great financial results.  For this information I have been turning to Morningstar.com, in particular the "5-Yr Restaqted" financials page.

Reviewing the "5-Yr Restated" financials on TDY from Morningstar, we can see that revenue has grown steadily with $773 million in 2002 increasing to $1.43 billion in 2006.  Earnings have also increased steadily from $.77/share in 2002 to $2.26/share in 2006.  Meanwhile, the company has maintained a very steady hand on the outstanding shares with 32 million in 2002 and $35 million reported in 2006.  While this is an increase of a bit under 10%, revenue has nearly doubled and earnings have nearly tripled.  This is a very acceptable dilution of the shareholders' equity interest.

Free cash flow has been positive recently but not particularly increasing with $66 million in 2004, $73 million in 2005 and $52 million reported in 2006.

The balance sheet appears solid with $13 million in cash and $433.8 million in other current assets.  This total of $446.8 million, when compared to the current liabilities of $230.4 million yields a current ratio of 1.94.  Generally, current ratios of 1.25 or higher are considered 'healthy'.  The company also has $399.2 million in long-term liabilities per Morningstar.

How about some valuation numbers on this stock?

Looking at Yahoo "Key Statistics" on TDY, we can see that this is a mid cap stock with a market capitalization of $1.61 billion.  The trailing p/e is a very moderate 20.46 with a forward p/e (fye 31-Dec-08) estimated at 17.27.  Thus, with the rapid growth in earnings expected, the PEG (5 yr expected0 works out to a nice 1.16.  (As I have written elsewhere, I like to see PEG's between 1.0 and 1.5 for a 'reasonable' valuation.)

Checking the Fidelity.com eresearch website on valuation also reveals good valuation information that the Price/Sales (TTM) for TDY comes in at .99, below the industry average of 1.40.  From a 'profitability' perspective, TDY comes in just below the industry average of 20.66 return on equity with a 20.28% ROE figure (TTM).

Finishing up with Yahoo, we can see that the company has 34.85 million shares outstanding with 31.46 million that float.  As of 3/12/07, there were 1.97 million shares out short, representing 6.1 trading days of volume (the short ratio) or 5.9% of the float.  My own figure of 3 days for a cut-off of significance, suggests that we may well be seeing a bit of a short-squeeze on the short-sellers today, as the company reported strong results ahead of expectations, buyers came into the market, and the short sellers added to the stampede as they sought to close out their 'pre-sold' short positions, by adding shares to actually cut their losses.  I do not have any information on this beyond this statistic, but it does make a person wonder!

What about the chart?

If we examine a "Point & Figure" chart on Teledyne from StockCharts.com, we can see a very strong price chart with a stock moving strongly higher from a low in the $11 range in March, 2003, to its current level of $46.  The chart looks strong to me!

Summary: What do I think?

Basically, I like this stock a lot!  The company reported great numbers today in the face of a significant short interest, exceeding expectations and going ahead and raising guidance.  They have been performing well for several years, have a reasonable valuation, a strong chart, and a solid financial underpinning.  If I were in the market to buy shares today, this is the kind of stock I would be buying, it deserves a spot on my blog and a place in my 'vocabulary' of stocks!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  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 when I get a chance, I like to discuss some of the many stocks I write about here on the blog.

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.

This evening, looking at the list of top % gainers on the NYSE, I saw that Harsco Corporation (HSC) had made the list.  HSC closed at $51.27, up $2.66 or 5.47% on the day.  I believe Harsco (HSC) deserves a spot on this blog.  I do not own any shares nor do I have any options on this stock.

HARSCO (HSC) IS RATED A BUY 

What exactly does this company do?

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

"...provides industrial services and engineered products primarily to steel, construction, railways, and energy industries. It operates in three segments: Mill Services, Access Services, and Gas Technologies."

How did they do in the latest quarterly report? 

It was the announcement of 1st quarter 2007 results this morning before the market opened that resulted in the sharp price appreciation today.   First quarter sales increased 23% to $840 million from sales of $682 million last year.  Diluted earnings per share of continuing operations came in at $.54, up 39% from $.39/share in the same quarter in 2006.  

In the same report, the company also raised guidance for 2007 from $2.52 to $2.57 to the new estimates of $2.69 to $2.74/share.

The company beat expectations of $.43/share on revenue of $769.1 million.  Thus, the earnings report really was what I call a "trifecta-plus".  Everything was Goldilocks said "just right"....increasing revenue, increasing earnings, beating expectations and raising guidance.  What else could an investor want?  Not much apparently, as the stock price charged ahead in an otherwise anemic market.

How has the company done longer-term?

For that I turn to the Morningstar.com "5-Yr Restated" financials on Harsco.  Here we can see the record of steady revenue growth from $1.98 billion in 2002 to $3.4 billion in 2006.  Earnings during this period rose just as consistently from $1.11/share in 2002 to $2.33/share in 2006.  The company also pays a dividend (an added plus!) with $.50/share paid in 2002, increasing it each year to $.65/share in 2006.  Meanwhile, the company has kept a pretty tight hold on the outstanding shares with 81 million in 2002 increasing only to 84 million, less that a 5% increase, by 2006.  During the same period, the revenue almost doubled and the earnings climbed by more than 100%.

Free cash flow has been positive and improved recently.  The company reported $66 million in free cash flow in 2004, $25 million in 2005 and $69 million in 2006.

The balance sheet, as reported by Morningstar.com, appears adequate with $101.3 million in cash and $1.13 billion in other current assets.  This total of $1.23 billion, when compared with the $.91 billion in current liabilities, yields a satisfactory current ratio of 1.35. The company has an additional $1.27 billion in long-term liabilities.

What about some valuation numbers on this stock?

Examining the "Key Statistics" on Harsco from Yahoo, we find that this is a mid cap stock with a market capitalization of $4.31 billion.  The trailing p/e is a reasonable (imho) 22.04, with a forward p/e (fye 31-Dec-08) even nicer at 17.68.  The PEG ratio (5 yr expected) comes in at what I view as an acceptable 1.35.

Reviewing the Fidelity.com eresearch website, we can see that Harsco (HSC) comes in with a reasonable Price/Sales (TTM) ratio of 1.19, below the industry average of 1.39.  However, the profitability figure of a Return on Equity (TTM) of 17.74%, is not as impressive as the industry average of 23.55%.

Yahoo shows that there are 84.03 million shares outstanding with 83.49 million that float.  The company has a relatively low number of shares out short: 669,080 shares, as of 3/12/07, representing 0.8% of the float or 1.7 trading days of volume.

The company pays a forward dividend of $.71/share yielding 1.5%.  The company also just split its shares 2:1 on March 21, 2007.

What does the chart look like?

If we examine the "Point & Figure" chart on HSC from StockCharts.com, we can see that except for a dip from May, 2003, when the stock was trading at around $20, down to a low of $11.50 in October, 2003, the stock has subsequently traded strongly higher.   This chart looks strong to me, if perhaps a bit overextended (?).

Summary: What do I think?

In a word or two, I like this stock a lot.  The latest quarter's earnings (out today) were quite strong, beating expectations and the company went ahead and raised guidance.  The past several years have had the company growing revenue steadily, increasing earnings regularly, and consistently increasing the dividend.  That is often a winning combination!  The company is generating free cash flow, has maintained the # of shares outstanding stable, and has a satisfactory balance sheet.  

Valuation-wise, the Price/Sales is reasonable and the Return on Equity is close to the industry average. Finally, the chart looks strong.  This company deserves a spot in my "vocabulary".  I have not sold any stocks at a gain entitling me to add a new position, and in fact, at 20 positions, I am currently 'maxed-out'.  

Thanks so much for stopping by and 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.

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.

One of my weekend 'tasks' that I have given myself is to review one of my holdings in my Trading Account every other weekend.  Two weeks ago I reviewed my holding in Starbucks (SBUX).  I am now up to my full complement of 20 positions in my account (I have decided to top out at 20 instead of 25 to allow my margin balance to begin being paid off...hopefully!).  Thus it should take me about 40 weeks to completely go through the list...and figuring on an occasional missed week, then about a year for the cycle.  I am going alphabetically by symbol and am now up to Universal Electronics (UEIC)

I currently own 180 shares of Universal Electronics with a cost basis of $25.24 that were acquired February 23, 2007, just a couple of months ago.  UEIC closed at $28.33 on April 20, 2007, for an unrealized gain of $3.09 or 12.2% since my purchase.  When am I planning to sell?  On the downside, if the stock should decline to an 8% loss or .92 x $25.24 = $23.22, then I shall be selling all of my shares.  On the upside, I shall plan on selling 1/7th of my holding or 180/7 = 25 shares, if the stock should reach a 30% appreciation target, my first targeted sale, or 1.3 x $25.24 = $32.81.  Thus far, in the past two months, I have not sold any shares of this holding.

Let's take a closer look at this company and see if it still deserves a spot in my portfolio and whether it belongs in my blog!

UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS (UEIC) IS RATED A BUY 

What exactly does this company do?

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

"...provides pre-programmed wireless control products and audio-video accessories for home entertainment systems. Its products include standard and touch screen remote controls; antennas; and various audio/video accessories, including digital antennas, signal boosters, television brackets, and audio and video cleaning products, as well as microcontrollers."

How did they do in the latest quarter?

On February 22, 2007, UEIC reported 4th quarter results.  For the quarter ended December 31, 2006, net sales were $69.7 million, up nicely from $49.3 million in the same period the prior year.  Net income for the 2006 fourth quarter was $5.4 million, or $.37/diluted share, up 50% from last year's $3.5 million or $.25/diluted share.   

This result beat expectations of analysts from Thomson Financial that were expecting earnings of $.32/share.   The company also raised guidance in the same report, boosting 2007 earnings estimate to $1.13 to $1.23/share, with sales between $260 and $271 million.  Apparently current expectations are at $1.09/share.  The combination of strong earnings results, beating expectations, and raising guidance was the source of my original interest in purchasing shares of this company.  

How about longer-term financial results?

Reviewing the Morningstar.com "5-Yr Restated" financials, we can see that revenue, which dipped from $119 million in 2001 to $104 million in 2002, has subsequently climbed steadily to $181 million in 2005 and $215 million in the trailing twelve months (TTM).

Earnings follow a similar pattern, dipping from $.78/share in 2001 to $.42/share in 2002, however, they have climbed steadily since to $.69/share in 2005 and $.81 in the TTM.  Also attractive is the stability in the outstanding shares with 14 million recorded in 2001, unchanged at 14 million in the TTM.

Free cash flow has been positive but erratic with $17 million reported in 2003, $1 million in 2004, $11 million in 2005 and $9 million in the TTM.

The balance sheet is solid with $57.3 million in cash, which by itself can easily cover both the $49.4 million in current liabilities and the small $100,000 in long-term debt.  Calculating the current ratio,  the combined current assets total $143.6 million, which, when divided by the $49.4 million in current liabilities yields a healthy ratio of 2.91.  This ratio is particularly noteworth because of the virtual absence of any long-term liabilities as reported by Morningstar.com.

What about some valuation numbers?

Looking at the Yahoo "Key Statistics" on UEIC we can see that this is a small cap stock with a market capitalization of only $404.44 million.  The trailing p/e is a bit rich at 30.23 but the forward p/e (fye 31-Dec-08) is estimated at a more reasonable 19.95.  Thus, with rapid growth, the PEG ratio (5 yr expected) is 1.16.  I like PEG's that are between 1.0 and 1.5 as being 'reasonably priced'.  UEIC fits the bill!

Another aspect of valuation is Price/Sales.  I always like to credit Paul Sturm from Smart Money who wrote a great article on using the Price/Sales ratio by comparing it to other companies in the same type business.   In this case, Universal Electronics is reported to have a Price/Sales ratio of 1.66 which is actually higher than the industry average of 1.17, meaning the stock is priced at a premium to similar companies in the same industry.

Looking at Return on Equity as a measure of profitability,  UEIC comes in close to the average at 11.14%, with an average ROE (TTM) in its industry recorded at 11.29% by Fidelity.

Finishing up with Yahoo, we can see that there are 14.28 million shares outstanding and 14.13 million that float.  There are 688,580 shares out short as of 3/12/07, representing 3.4 trading days of volume (the short ratio).  I use a 3 day cut-off for 'significance' in this ratio.  So this is borderline significant...with more shares out short being a bullish factor.

No dividends are reported and the last stock split per Yahoo was a 2:1 split in February, 2000.

What does the chart look like?

Examining the "Point & Figure" chart on UEIC from StockCharts.com, we can see what appears to me to be a "cup and handle" chart pattern, which usually is recorded in a 'bar chart'.   In any case, the stock which has been consolidating for almost three years between the $15 and $18 level, appears now to have clearly broken-out to the $29 level.  The chart looks encouraging to me.

Summary:  What do I think about this stock?

I still like this stock and still rate it a "buy".  I do own shares now so that should be taken into consideration.  However, the latest quarter was very strong, with both earnings and revenue growth and the company exceeding expectations on earnings.  In addition, they raised guidance on future revenue.  The Morningstar.com report looks solid with steady revenue and earnings growth the past several years, maintenance of a steady number of shares outstanding, free cash flow generation, and a solid balance sheet. 

Valuation-wise, the PEG is below 1.5, but the Price/Sales is a bit rich relative to similar companies, and the ROE is fairly average.  Finally, the chart looks encouraging.

Thanks again for visiting my blog.  If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them right on the website or email me at bobsadviceforstocks@lycos.com.  If you get a chance, be sure and visit my Stock Picks Podcast Website where I discuss some of the stocks that I have written about here on the blog.

Have a great weekend everyone!

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.

It is another weekend and another opportunity to look back at past stock selections on this blog.  As I like to point out on these reviews, my evaluations assume a "buy and hold" strategy on each stock purchase, with equal amounts of money used to purchase each of the stocks held that week.  Of course in reality, I purchase only a very small number of stocks that I discuss on this blog.  I refer to my actual purchases as part of my "Trading Portfolio".  Those purchases are real transactions.  The rest of my picks are just stocks that I view as "investable" and they become part of my 'candidates list' or as I refer to them, part of my "vocabulary" of investing!

In practice, I employ a very disciplined portfolio management approach to all of the stocks I own.  I do not use a buy and hold strategy at all in reality.  I sell my losing stocks quickly and completely and sell my gaining stocks slowly and partially at targeted appreciation points.  This difference in strategy would certainly affect any performance (as has been pointed out to me multiple times), and should be taken into consideration when reading these reviews which assume this 'buy and hold' approach which I use for this review simply because it is easier to evaluate performance without a real-time reconstruction of price movement required by a disciplined portfolio strategy.

Well, that's enough of the disclaimers and warnings and explanations :).  Let's take a look at the stocks discussed during that week in December, 2005.  (I know it is more like a year-and-a-half out and not looking back a year at all.  I am pretty sure I started out at a year out :), but then miss a week here and miss a week there and you know how that goes!) 

On December 7, 2005, I posted Hurco Companies (HURC) on Stock Picks Bob's Advice when it was trading at $27.33. Hurco closed at $42.77 on April 20, 2007, for a gain of $15.44 or 56.5% since posting.

On February 16, 2007, Hurco reported 1st quarter 2007 results.  Sales for the quarter ended January 31, 2007, came in at $26.9 million, up 47% from the year earlier period.  Net income came in at $5.4 million or $.84/share, up sharply from the $3.0 million or $.48/share the prior year.  Thus,

HURCO (HURC) IS RATED A BUY

Here is the "Point & Figure" chart on Hurco from StockCharts.com:

On December 8, 2005, I posted Veritas DGC (VTS) on Stock Picks Bob's Advice when the stock was trading at $37.28.  As reported VTS was acquired by Compagnie Generale de Geophysique (GGY).  The company related:

" As you know, on September 4 th , Veritas and CGG signed a definite agreement whereby CGG would offer Veritas shareholders the equivalent of $37 in cash plus 1.14 CGG ADS per Veritas share. At the time of the announcement, this represented a 35% premium to Veritas’ previous 30-day average share price of $55.69. This agreement was anonymously approved by both CGG’s and Veritas’ board of directors. We are in the process of filing various documents with the regulatory and stock exchange authorities. On September 25 th , we made our ... filing and expect that the Form F-4 will be filed with the SEC and the ... will be filed with the French AMF in the next two weeks. Other country filings are ongoing."

Trying to reconstruct the current value of the acquisition, with Compagnie Gnrale de Geophysique-Veritas trading at $41.61 on April 20, 2007, this would give the value of that acquisition at $37 + (1.14)($41.61) =  $37 + $47.43 = $84.43.  This would have meant a gain of $47.15 or 126.5% since posting.

Here is the "Point & Figure" chart on VTS up to the last day of trading as an independent company in January, 2007.

So how did I do with these two "picks" from December, 2005.  In a word phenomenal!  Hurco was up 56.5% since my post, and VTS climbed 126.5% with an acquisition!  This was an average gain of 91.5% on these two stock picks.  This is an unusual week even for me.  The past couple of reviews have shown negative returns, so do NOT expect this is typical!  However, it is nice to have a couple of good picks, isn't it?  

Remember that past performance is not a good indicator of future performance and that all investments are subject to losses!  (I need a couple of extra disclaimers after a great week picking stocks to review!)

I hope you all have a great weekend!  If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them on the blog or email me at bobsadviceforstocks@lycos.com.  Also, feel free to drop by and visit my Stock Picks Podcast Website where I talk about some of the many stocks I have looked at here on the blog!

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.

On a day like today it is easy to forget that investing is a dangerous game.  That a loss is also just around the corner.  That on a day when even an amateur blogger looks brilliant, it is easy to forget that 'what goes up may go down'.  

There have been plenty of books written about investor psychology.  The muse that is the stock market has attracted many investors.

Or perhaps it is like a Siren as in this painting by John William Waterhouse, seducing the unwary sailor to his doom with the lure of something other-worldly.

In any case, as I have written many times, it is imperative for the investor, especially the new investor, to invest in a calm fashion, to avoid being seduced by the lure of easy riches, fast gains, and money to be taken without sacrifice.  It isn't like that at all.  

For those of you who have recently become enthralled with the market, beware her siren call.  Respect the risk that she presents.  Learn from her and above all do not fall head-over-heels into a swoon that may well lead to your financial destruction.  Do I sound gloomy enough?

Having a realistic strategy in dealing with the market and your investments is necessary for success.  When initially getting involved in the market, move slowly, commit only small amounts of funds into a new venture and give yourself time to consider what is really happening in the investment world.

If you feel like the stock market is getting away from you, or a stock you had seen is moving higher without you, do not panic.  Do not chase that siren, she may well fall under her own weight.  You do not need to own every single stock that climbs to do well in the market.  You need to monitor your investments closely, understand your planned course of action in the event of every possible outcome, and then implement that action as the time to deal with your investments arises.

It is essential to have a calm mind when investing.  To avoid excessive euphoria when stocks rise and the same amount of 'depression' when the stocks move against your interests.  Stocks and the market do not know you exist.  They live and breathe almost like a living organism.  Stocks will not rise because you have sold them, nor will they fall because you have purchased them.  Stocks simply don't care.

So if you are a new investor, do not get overly enthusiastic when things are working right.  Consider yourself lucky, examine your plan, and determine your response.  Above all, stick with your rules that you made when you were calm inside and anticipating whatever the market might deliver you.

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.

As I just wrote up on my last entry, my Coach Stock (COH) has been an absolutely phenomenal performer in my portfolio.  The stock hit an appreciation target and I sold 1/7th of my position.  Being under my maximum (my new level) of 20 positions, I thus had a "permission slip" to add a new position to the mix.

And you know how I love to buy stocks!

Anyhow, checking the list of top % gainers today, I immediately saw a stock that I recently reviewed, Satyam Computer Services (SAY), trading at $25.81, up $1.87 or 7.91% on the day.  The company released earnings early today that showed revenue up 36.7% from a year earlier and earnings up 38.6% for the quarter as well.  This strong performance was enough to get the stock onto the top % gainers list and was enough to get my attention as well!

I often talk about the 'vocabulary' of stocks in making investing decisions.  Having a bunch of 'candidates' that are 'investable' helps me make a relatively quick decision as I did.  These decisions aren't always successful as my recent sale of Medtox demonstrates, but it helps being an informed investor.  And that is what my homework is all about!

Wish me luck!

Thanks so much for dropping by!  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 I talk about some of the stocks I have been writing about here on the blog.

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 noticed that my remaining 71 shares of Coach (COH) had hit a new sale point and I sold 10 shares of Coach (COH) (1/7th of my position), at $53.41.  These shares were acquired 2/25/03 at a cost basis of $8.33/share, so I had a gain of $45.08 or 541.2% on these shares.

This was my tenth (!) partial sale of Coach, and using my own idiosyncratic system of selling at targeted appreciation points, I have sold at approximately 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 450, and now 540% appreciation levels. 

When would I sell more shares?  Since I am up to the eleventh partial sale level (where I have never been before), my goal would be to sell 1/7th of my remaining shares should the stock appreciate to a 630% appreciation level.  I am going by 90% intervals as this is my third group of four sales.  I hope you follow this.  Thus, since my basis is at $8.33/share, the next targeted sale on the upside would be at 7.3 x $8.33 = $60.81.  On the downside, I plan on selling if any 'bad' news should be reported, otherwise, if Coach retraces to 1/2 of the highest % sale at a gain, which works out to a 315% appreciation level or 4.15 x $8.33 = $34.57, I would sell all remaining shares.

One of the unfortunate aspects of selling any shares in Coach is that this is the strongest stock in my portfolio.  This is compounded by my early 1/4 position sales which reduced the size of the position significantly.  Hopefully, as I have now switched to the 1/7th position sale at the same targeted appreciation levels, we shall find that both the size of the portion sold as well as the remaining value of the holding should continue to grow over time. 

Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting!  If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them on the blog or email me at bobsadviceforstocks@lycos.com.  P.S., since I am at 19 positions, and under my NEW MAXIMUM of 20 positions, that 'nickel' is burning a hole in my pocket already!

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 check with your professional investment advisers prior to making any investment decisions based on information on this website.

 I was looking through the list of top % gainers on the NYSE this afternoon and came across Valmont Industries (VMI) near the top of the list.  VMI closed at $63.97, up $6.66 or 11.62% on the day.  I do not own any shares nor do I have any options on this stock.  I would like to share with you some of my thoughts on this stock and explain why I believe

VALMONT (VMI) IS A BUY

What exactly does this company do? 

According to the Yahoo "Profile" on Valmont (VMI), the company

"...and its subsidiaries produce fabricated metal products; metal and concrete pole, and tower structures; and mechanized irrigation systems worldwide. The company operates through five segments: Engineered Support Structures, Utility Support Structures, Coatings, Irrigation, and Tubing."

How did they do in the latest quarter?

It was the announcement of 1st quarter 2007 results yesterday after the close of trading that pushed the stock price higher today.  The company announced that for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, sales came in at $340.7 million, up sharply from sales of $303.6 million in the same period last year.  Net earnings were $18.7 million, up from $13.1 million or $.72/diluted share, up from $.52/diluted share in the same period last year.

The company beat expectations of $.63/share per Thomson Financial. 

How about longer-term financial results?

Checking the Morningstar.com "5-Yr Restated" financials on Valmont, except for a dip in sales from $855 million in 2002 to $838 million in 2003, sales have steadily grown to $1.28 billion in 2006.   Earnings also dipped from $1.37/share in 2002 to $1.05 in 2003, then resumed their climb going up to $2.38/share in 2006.  The company has been paying dividends during this time, increasing it intermittently from $.29/share in 2002 to $.37/share by 2006.  The shares outstanding has been fairly stable, increasing only from 24 million in 2002 to 26 million in the trailing twelve months (TTM).

Free cash flow has been a bit erratic as well with $(12) million reported in 2004, improving to $99 million in 2005 and pulling back to $31 million in 2006.

The balance sheet appear solid with $63.5 million in cash and $431.2 million in other current assets.  This total of $494.7 million in current assets, when compared with the $216.9 million in current liabilities yields a healthy current ratio of 2.28. In addition, the company has $274.1 million in long-term liabilities as reported by Morningstar.

What about some valuation numbers on this stock?

Checking the Yahoo "Key Statistics" on Valmont Industries, we find that this is a mid cap stock with a market capitalization of $1.64 billion.  The trailing p/e is a moderate 26.88 with a forward p/e of 18.54 (fye 30-Dec-08) estimated.  Thus, the PEG comes in at a reasonable 1.24.  (5 yr expected).

Using the information from the Fidelity.com eresearch website, we can see that the Price/Sales (TTM) comes in at a reasonable 1.11, when compared to the industry average of 1.39.  In terms of profitability, the company was a little less than the average of 23.33% Return on Equity, coming in at 17.04%.

Finishing up with Yahoo, we can see that there are 25.66 million shares outstanding with only 17.18 million that float.  As of 3/12/07, there were 1.52 million shares out short representing 9.6 trading days of volume.  With the announcement of strong earnings last night coming in ahead of expectations, there was likely a bit of a short squeeze today, as the short-sellers scrambled to buy shares to close-out their positions. The company traded over 1.1 million shares today, more than five times the usual volume of 179,883 shares/day.  

As I reported above, the company does pay a dividend with a $.38/share forward dividend yielding 0.7%.  The company last split its stock 2:1 back in June, 1997.

What does the chart look like?

Reviewing the "Point & Figure" chart on Valmont from StockCharts.com, we can see that except for an apparent breakdown in support for the chart in March, 2007, the company now with the sharp rise in price, is again well above its support line, having broken through the short-term area of resistance.  That means simply, that while the chart recently showed a bit of a struggle, the company stock appears to be moving higher without difficulty at this time.

Summary:  What do I think?

I like this stock.  The company moved strongly higher today in a relatively anemic market.  The company reported strong earnings last night and beat expectations.  They have a strong record of steady revenue, earnings, and dividend growth the past several years while maintaining a relatively stable number of shares.  Free cash flow is positive, the balance sheet is solid, and valuation is reasonable with a PEG under 1.5, a Price/Sales low for its group, and a Return on Equity that could be a bit stronger, coming in below the industry average.  Finally, the chart looks strong and the significant short interest may well support further price appreciation.

Thanks so much for stopping by and 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 drop by my Stock Picks Podcast Website, where I get a chance to talk about many of the same stocks I write about here on the blog.

Bob