4th Quarter 2012: PREMIUM STOCK ALERTS

4th Quarter 2012: 3 PREMIUM STOCK ALERTS

Please contact me directly (email_urbanomics@yahoo.com) to subscribe to this quarter’s premium stock alerts.  Find out what I have my eye on and more importantly when I will be adding these stocks to my portfolio.

4th Quarter 2012 Premium Stock Alerts

My 4^th quarter picks are FINALLY OUT. I’ve been researching these stocks over the course of the last 3 months of 2012 and found 3 stocks with margin of safety and the right catalysts.  Please see the following stocks that were sent to subscribers receiving premium alerts. 

Stock #1: **********

Details

Sector: Technology Industry: Multimedia & Graphics Software Tip Moving around on Mars?

Stock #2: **********

Details

Sector: Financial Industry: Property & Casualty Insurance Tip Nothing says thank you like a lawyer.

Stock #3: **********

Details

Sector: Healthcare Industry: Biotechnology Tip You might confuse this stock for a car.

Its January and my newest picks are finally out. Stocks have moved up nicely so finding value is no easy task. Stay tuned for my stock reveals from 2012.

3rd Quarter 2012: PREMIUM STOCK ALERTS

3rd Quarter 2012: 2 PREMIUM STOCK ALERTS

Please contact me directly (email_urbanomics@yahoo.com) to subscribe to this quarter’s premium stock alerts.  Find out what I have my eye on and more importantly when I will be adding these stocks to my portfolio.

3rd Quarter 2012 Premium Stock Alerts

I’m still on the constant search for value. Please see the following stocks that were recommended to subscribers receiving premium alerts. 

Stock #1: **********

Details

Sector: Technology Industry: Application Software Tip I think of the movie Matrix when it comes to this stock.

Stock #2: **********

Details

Sector: Basic Materials Industry: Oil & Gas Refining Tip Check mate when it comes to this stock.

For anyone playing at home, guess these picks...sorry for the late time stamp but subscribers received these stock picks in the 3rd quarter.  Enjoy

Best Buy - The Price Is Now "Matched"

When was the last time you shopped at Best Buy?? If most people are like me it has been ages since you've physically been into their store. I used to appreciate the days when they were perceived as the low cost alternative against Circuit City and other high cost electronic box stores.  When Circuit City departed, I thought it was smooth sailing for these guys.  They were the place to turn for all my electronics and gadgets, until I started shopping online.  I still was somewhat loyal to Best Buy but this dried up because they had nothing for shoppers that valued nice products and moderate prices.  The 'Magnolia' line of products is great but EASILY way too pricey and the other lines of Best Buy branded products aren't appealing for a semi-techie guy like me that actually reads CNET reviews.  So unfortunately I exclusively started shopping online with Amazon, Newegg, and directly from electronic manufacturers (Lenovo, Dell, etc) that offered the best pricing for my products.  I even became a dreaded comparison shopper recently when I bought my entertainment system for my HD, surround sound, bass booming media room.  I went to Best Buy and was quoted thousands for a TV alone and then thousands for my surround sound system, and wiring.  I decided to by my TV online and applied the extra saving to more inches (I'm over 60 inches).  Then my receiver for my entertainment system was bought through an Amazon Gold Box deal.  My surround sound speakers came from Newegg (they even threw in free wiring) and boast enough beats to watch sports or pound out a building thumping boom from the 4th floor.

But, there may be redemption!! Best Buy just announced that they will price match competitors INCLUDING their online prices. This price effect starts NOW and is good through Nov. 17. They will revisit this matching program for the BLACK FRIDAY seasonal dates: Nov. 27 - Dec. 24. I follow the company as a possible investment but Main Street should take advantage of this unique opportunity to go back to the old school way of touching and buying your product in a store. You can walk away feeling pretty good because you came in with the BEST PRICE and they will match it without much hassle. I like physically inspecting my items and this is music to my ears.

The Economy's First TIme...

First times are usually associated with fond memories that will last a lifetime. However, some first times are not what we truly expect.  I was listening/reading a discussion with hedge fund manager Kyle Bass.  I find him interesting because he tends to like going against the grain. The things that I hear from him don't always align with what many investors and analysts are saying at that particular point in time.  If you've paid attention to my posts or random outbursts I've definitely slowed down writing about all things Wall Street because the rules are being written and changing as we speak.  In the last year, you have often heard me say that the data and thus the signals I am getting are mixed.  Maybe it would be better put that situations are changing so rapidly that its tough to keep a gauge on the market unless I am watching constantly.  I prefer not to watch constantly because that would throw off my investment style and likely lead to a little more hedging or second guessing of my strategies.  While listening to Kyle Bass speak, I thought he put an interesting take on things which made me understand why I've had this whipsawed feeling about how the market is acting.  He simply stated, "We've never been here before".  Ever!  And the point he noted was quite interesting...during a peace-time era (may wanna slightly debate this part) the amount of debt we've amassed has never been this large.  Historically, it's interesting that countries massively massively build up debt during times of war to get through those periods of time.  However, why did and why now is debt level so far away from what we've historically been used to?!?  I've favored being in the market but tilted to the defensive side of things.  That is where I will stay for the foreseeable future. So dividends, growth, and maybe even higher risk debt securities are the road that I plan to take.  A little hint for my subscription folks, you'll notice that technology and software have surprisingly been in the mix!  I'll embed the video below, take a listen:

Til Debt Do Us Part...

URB - Social 

The new conversation line may go a little something like this, "So How Much Debt Do You Have?".  This might follow: (1) Are You Married, (2) Do You Have Kids, and (3) What Do You Do?

All are common conversation starters when chatting up the future Mr. or Mrs. Right.  I have always been called 'mechanical' but I always held onto the need to ask or discuss the financial health of your significant other just like we discuss other serious topics: such as health, kids, and marriage.  I held onto to this useful tip when a alum came back to campus and oddly enough ended with that as one of his life lessons.  Its a touchy subject but consider talking to your significant other about debt just like you bring up conversations on kids and marriage. So I found it shocking to listen to a radio segment that was reporting on this very subject of debt and relationships.

Here is an excerpt from NPR's segment and call, "Call Me Maybe When Your School Loan is Paid In Full:

"The increasing debt load of college graduates has affected young people's lives in untold ways, from career choices to living arrangements. Now add another impact on a key part of young adult life: dating and marriage.

Rachel Bingham, an art teacher in Portland, Maine, learned this a few years back, when a guy broke it off after four months of a budding relationship. Among other reasons, he cited her $80,000 in student loan debt.

"He said it scared him," she recalls, "that it really made him anxious. And he just did not want to take on my responsibility."

Included is a link to the full article: Debt Caused My Break Up

Next time, I'll share the lesson learned from a Toyota's executive on the beginnings of the Lexus concept. 

Investing for Growth or Is It a Slowdown?...

URB - Economics

I barely lasted through a board meeting that proves my building morale is in a recession maybe a depression.  The arguing gave me the impression I was watching Congress debate about taxes or healthcare. :)

Speaking of Congress! While they talk about it often, it seems like things are only done about the economy in spurts or bursts. When it gets really bad, you and I get loud enough, Congress hears our anger and they throw us a bone or two and then get back to fighting about real issues...I guess.  It's interesting the topic is never 100% about the economy.  I would like to finally write a post about whether I definitively think the economy is growing or slowing down.  Its pretty hard to tell and as you know I constantly keep my ear to da streets to get a pulse from the people.  The real people that are trying to make ends meet day to day, rather than just arguing.  There are many mixed signals out there...and I see positive signs from improving housing trends to people starting to switch jobs.  But then there are the constant reminders of high unemployment, rising grocery bills, foreclosures, city governments struggles, and the federal budget problem which confirm that the coast is not clear.

Build Your Own Case Study: Barnes and Noble (BKS)

I am good with numbers but unfortunately I am behind the 8 ball this year when it comes to posting my thoughts.  I've kept busy doing a lot of research to maintain a thoughtful blog.  Based on feedback you'll notice some changes to the site. First, many people will be happy to know that we've responded to your calls for any easy way to know what stocks I'm interested in. I developed a quarterly 'Subscription Service' to highlight long-term value stocks.  I continue to appreciate the feedback and the questions and we will definitely explore posts about socials issues, retirement, and life/wellness in the future.  They'll probably have some sort of financial bend to them so I won't stray to far away from the roots.

I want to talk about how to invest and why we all can do it.  I was just relaxing after taking in a couple of "Mad Men" episodes on Netflix and noted that I should revisit some of my old writings.  I flashed back to my thoughts earlier in the year in the posting "Companies Watch". I wrote the following about Barnes and Noble (BKS):

Barnes and Noble – I am a sucker for stocks on the decline and Barnes and Noble is showing up on my radar. The other day is dropped roughly 20% on news that they were changing their future outlook lower.  That is never good and investors let them have it.  BKS even mentioned making changes such as spinning of their NOOK business.

Price: $11.65 

If you noticed on January 12th, I brought BKS to your attention because it was a large company that's going through some tough times.  These companies can be good investments if you keep a level head and strong stomach.  I want to show you how I built a case study and how you can build yours. 

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Things to Do:

1. Identify stocks that are need further analysis and write their pros and cons down.

2. Determine if the price is right by looking for discounts or mismatches in the prices.

3. Figure out what the price will be in future...think long term.  

4. Research the company to find out what and who supports your view of this stocks. This could range from charts, to investors to new articles.

 5. Stick to your guns and only buy the stock when the price is right.

6. Key a watchful eye out for strategic events that could tell you to buy more or sell the stock.

See how it might work, case study for BKS:

1. BKS 

Pros: Borders is gone, Nook/readers are hot right now

Cons: Amazon, decline in readership

2. See price above: $11.65

3. ?? My initial thoughts was say $20

4. Saw some good articles on e-readers and a few tough ones on book sales

5. I didn't buy BKS but after the huge drop I like the thought of purchasing some shares

6. Followed the story and saw these events as positive:

- Barry Rosenstein runs  JANA Partners which disclosed roughly a 7 million share position in BKS.  BKS was up big (around 18%) and rumors have already started to rise about will he force them to split the company up. 

- Microsoft invests in the Nook e-reader

- An investor who started off negative has has a change of heart. See Whitney Tilson