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Showing posts with label Enterprise Product Partners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Enterprise Product Partners. Show all posts

Friday, October 01, 2010

Like its Dynamite

If you haven't heard the song Dynamite by Taio Cruz you have got to check it out. Great song and it describes how our picks have been lately. My goal is to hopefully post more but write less. In this turbulent market, I think we have the right strategy for investors: wait for huge discounts in stocks and don't be foolish... take gains where they make sense. I try to frequently summarize recent picks and give status updates on older picks:

American International Group (NYSE:AIG) - I am trying to track down the most recent post of AIG. If my tracker is finally up and running I will look to see when I bought the shares. AIG was a pick that practically hit me in the head. I had a hard time recommending this stock but to be honest I listened to Bill Gross awhile back who said buy what the US Government is buying. I will write more later, as to my opinion on why this would be the case with stocks that are basically owned by Uncle Sam.
Disclosure: I own share of AIG

Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) - Not a stock for weak stomach. But this company has made an acquisition and bounced high recently on publication about their defibrilator devices. This is one where I would continue to buy on dips. Dollar cost average in and be patient and this company is in a restructuring mode.
Disclosure: I own shares of BSX

Exar Corp (NASDAQ:EXAR) - Appears to have found a nice floor around the 52 week low mark. This could have good upside from here. Moving nicely already.

Audiovox (NADSAQ:VOXX) - Moving above recommend price.

Theravance (NASDAQ:THRX) - This one was a really solid call. It ripped up from recommended level after positive news based on FDA comments.

I also written recently about these stocks and continue to see solid upside going forward:

Iron Mountain (NYSE:IRM) Up very nicely from recommended price. I watched this closely and there was a chance to buy this stock at an even further discount around the $20.80 and above. Doing well so far.

Comcast - Note there are two tickers for this company. Its up over the recommended price. I will write more about the difference in a new post.

Long-Term Stocks:
I love these names and they continue do very well:
Enterprise Partners (EPD)
Radisys (RSYS)
Disclosure: I own shares of RSYS
Collectors Universe (CLCT)
Disclosure: I own shares of CLCT
Visa (V)
Disclosure: I own share of V

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Wall Street Gold Medal

Going for gold might be replaced with the phrase 'Going for Phelps' one of these days. But if you are in the financial markets getting your Michael Phelps on has been difficult because the markets have been more volatile than a crazy ex-girlfriend. If you know where I am going with this she's up one day and then flying off the charts the next day in the other direction. The nice thing is I have been picking good girls lately as stocks and I haven't been whipped around as much as others have. If you followed our post just a month ago, I posted the steps to navigate these choppy markets --> http://urbanomics.blogspot.com/2008/07/navigating-choppy-markets.html.

One again the market has had two sharp day to the downside, however most investors feeling the brunt of that pain are people exposed to the financial sector. After recent articles spooked the investment community, investors have been selling off banks and Fannie and Freddie rather quickly. There have been articles that have highlighted that another big bank may go under due to the ongoing credit crunch. Then Barron's pointed out that there is a likelihood that the government may have to bail out Fannie and Freddie which could leave current stakes invested in the government sponsored agencies worthless. All this proves is that financials suck and will continue to suck for the forseeable future. Why people choose to ignore that fact is beyond me. In your 401K plan or in your IRA, I would stick with less volatile investments at this point like the Treasury Inflation Protection Securities (TIPS). This is still a solid pick because the Producers Price Index (PPI) was recently released and again inflation is steadily rising. And in my brokerage account I see myself steadily moving towards dividend yielding stocks, technology, transportation, and infrastructure plays.

And for a quick discussion on some of the stocks in my actual portfolio and/or in my stock tracker portfolio:

Collectors Universe (CLCT) - Although, you may want to smack this company like many others for spending without a conscious, they have announced a strategy to cut back on expenses now that their gem grading business is gaining traction. I hope that this business continues to take off like I observed after reading the last quarterly report and while we wait enjoy the 14% dividend this stock touts. I know the fear may be that the dividend will be cut due to such a high yield, but as long as the payments are made keep 'collecting' and participate in a dividend re-investment program (DRIP) to obtain more shares at these low prices.

Burlington Northern (BNI) - This transportation company has whethered the storm and continues to hold steady. Transports should benefit from the declining oil prices and stronger pricing power. I ain't selling until Buffet does.

Microsoft (MSFT) - Thank goodness the Yahoo mess is over and the world can move on and realize that MSFT is a world class technology company that continues to sit on an unbearable amount of cash. I would prefer that they start to increase the dividend amount so that I can get paid as I wait for great results from these guys. I would take dividends here and partipate in the DRIP.

Radisys (RSYS) - This stock reported great earnings and analysts raised the expected guidance for the next quarter by a whopping 9c! It holds steady on these tough days and usually outpaces the market on good days. It hit a bit of a rough patch after insiders sold in the last few weeks but the downside should ease and this stock should move higher.

EPD, ETE - This is a play on natural gas and I like the pipeline stocks in the future because there is good dividend insulation which should be re-invested for a great long term gain. The yield is around 7% here and is considered stable.

MOVE - This stock has rebounded from the dungeons of $2 after their earnings announcement and will move higher as real estate eventually rebounds way down the line from now.

China Digital (STV) - STV is like an ex-girlfriend and is more volatile than a Jerry Springer show. I think the international slowdown causes this stock to sag and the drop has been sharp. This stock rebounds when the market is positive and does so rather sharply. I would recommend adding to your positions slowly.

AK Steel (AKS) - I believe is still a solid company but get out of the way of the commodities. Its like trying to catch a falling knife and thats not too smart.

EWJ - Great play on the downturn in the international markets, especially Japan.

OPTR - Don't know a lot about this stock which met my screen. It was up sharply then retreated. I don't own this stock but would look to take profits after another quick run up.

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Mystery Market

Right now the market is like a victim on the tv special 48 Hours Mystery or Dateline. If you are are a bullish investor your portfolio gains are disappearing faster than Star Jones weight...I know amazing. That is why I have to say, without hesitation, that we are in the midst of an ugly recession that has many forces against it. Whether its a slumping housing market, skyrocketing oil, expensive food, vanishing jobs, or a weak dollar, we all seem to be affected in our wallets and now in our portfolio.

I haven't taken this stance in the few years that I have been investing but I am going to go on record and say "like a good poker player" you should tighten your game up right now. If you have big gains sitting out there keep a watchful eye out on those positions and look to sell to the upside. Capital on the sidelines can definitely be your friend when this all turns around. And for new stock positions or stocks that are currently trading at a loss you may want to set a floor, or stop loss, that limits your downside risk. It will all depend on how much you can stomach but I will remind you that it when you take a loss in a stock position, you actually have to gain "MORE" than your original loss to "JUST BREAK EVEN". Don't believe me run the number's...Let's say you buy a stock for $10 and it falls to $5, you just lost 50%. Now calculate how much you have to earn on $5 to get back to $10...try a 100% return!

My recommendations:

~ Take cover and move your 401K benefits to a safe investment like a money market fund or even better I found a inflation protected bond fund to hold me over until the market gains its footing

~ I believe that exposure to the commodities (oil, gas, steel) is a good hedge to the downward pressure. As you can see I have increased my tracking portfolio to see how GOLD and OIL perform during these turbulent times. I am also slightly bullish on pipeline companies. A few have surfaced on my screening and this sector may be signaling a timely opportunity to buy. I like Enterprise Product Partners (EPD) and Boardwalk Pipelines (BWP).

~ The international and emerging markets are no longer a complete safe haven. Many countries are feeling the effects of higher prices of food and oil and are also reeling from inflation. And as international countries raise their interest rates to combat inflation...earnings may be under attack. If you have moderate gains, take profits here for safer investments.

~ Set stop losses or floor limits for new stock positions and current positions that are at a loss. It is harder to break even from deep losses