15 September 2006
Creating Your Own Portfolio
Interesting article in CNN Money yesterday about picking stocks, and creating your own portfolio. Worth a read.
New Search Tool - Relevant to Site Content and Target Group Interests
If you haven't noticed, I added a swicki to the site, to help with search on related topics. I have seeded it with some phrases and words, and it will learn to focus searches relative to the blog topics or your interests, over time. Feel free to check it out, and let me know how you make out.
As always, if the site is useful, please feel free to make a donation with PayPal (top left corner above the swicki) for the site upkeep.
As always, if the site is useful, please feel free to make a donation with PayPal (top left corner above the swicki) for the site upkeep.
13 September 2006
Telus Conversion to Income Trust
A little late on getting this info out...Telus is considering going the income trust route;
http://www.cbc.ca/story/money/national/2006/09/11/telus-incometrust.html
For a primer on income trusts, go here.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/money/national/2006/09/11/telus-incometrust.html
For a primer on income trusts, go here.
09 September 2006
HP - Can the Stock Price Hold?
HP's board really screwed up...by authorizing the investigation into the board leaks, and the resulting press mess over how the investigation has unfolded.
These types of messes usually affect the stock price. However, I think that HP will survive the attention. Should Dunn resign? Absolutely...unless it can be shown that she didn't have any knowledge on how the investigation was executed.
I expect Hurd to keep his distance, as he should, and let's hope that the success of the company to date, is not lost, due to illegal investigation methods.
Shame on you, Keyworth!
These types of messes usually affect the stock price. However, I think that HP will survive the attention. Should Dunn resign? Absolutely...unless it can be shown that she didn't have any knowledge on how the investigation was executed.
I expect Hurd to keep his distance, as he should, and let's hope that the success of the company to date, is not lost, due to illegal investigation methods.
Shame on you, Keyworth!
Ford and Mulally: When Will the Price Be Right?
I can't help but comment on the news of Mulally's compensation of $18.5 million for moving to Ford. CNN reported that this was compensation for what he will be giving up by moving from Boeing.
I would think that in order to gain the confidence of the rest of Ford's employees, a gesture on Mulally's part would be to take less compensation now, and merit bonuses as he turns the company around. That being said, how much faith does Mulally have in his confidence and ability to turn Ford around, if he is taking his money upfront?
If I was a Ford employee, I would seriously consider what might be happening down the road. It would have been in better faith, if Bill Ford made Mulally's compensation dependent on his results...and not give such a hefty upfront signing bonus.
A short time down the road, we will see if things pan out...but I don't think the stock is going up anytime soon, and do what the GM stock did this year.
Stay tuned...I am sure things are going to get interesting in Dearborn towards the end of the year.
I would think that in order to gain the confidence of the rest of Ford's employees, a gesture on Mulally's part would be to take less compensation now, and merit bonuses as he turns the company around. That being said, how much faith does Mulally have in his confidence and ability to turn Ford around, if he is taking his money upfront?
If I was a Ford employee, I would seriously consider what might be happening down the road. It would have been in better faith, if Bill Ford made Mulally's compensation dependent on his results...and not give such a hefty upfront signing bonus.
A short time down the road, we will see if things pan out...but I don't think the stock is going up anytime soon, and do what the GM stock did this year.
Stay tuned...I am sure things are going to get interesting in Dearborn towards the end of the year.
Reading Corporate Report Footnotes
Came across and interesting link today on CNN;
http://www.footnoted.org/
Great information to be gleamed from corporate SEC filings and additional information, and how to read corporate reports. I had a look through Michelle's blog, and it's great reading.
http://www.footnoted.org/
Great information to be gleamed from corporate SEC filings and additional information, and how to read corporate reports. I had a look through Michelle's blog, and it's great reading.
06 September 2006
10 Biggest Stocks on Fortune's Fastest Growing List
Here is another list of interest, for future consideration.
Top 10 Fastest Growing Small Companies
Some good reading in FSB. Here is the top 100 fastest growing small public companies. Of the stocks on my list, LaBarge is the only one I have that made it. The other companies on my list are larger public companies and wouldn't be considered for the list.
LaBarge might be considered a good buy right now.
LaBarge might be considered a good buy right now.
Companies Under Options Investigation
I came across this list in the WSJ...lists the 103 companies under scrutiny. Good background investigation for consideration.
Is Ford Still on it's Way Forward Program?
The latest with Ford is the hiring of Mulally from Boeing, to try and turnaround the company. While I didn't quite agree with Bill Ford heading the automaker, I don't think bringing in Mulally will get things done to get Ford on track. The next 6-9 months may be a good time to watch for bargains in Ford stock.
One can argue points for and against a new leader at Ford, but there are fundamental problems at Ford that need to be addressed, regardless of who is at the helm. I don't think Mulally can pull it off, and having a new leadership team in place won't fix things any time soon. The legacy costs with Ford autoworkers is a fundamental problem within North America, and needs to be part of any new restructuring plan for future survival. The secondary issue, is cars that people want and consider reliable.
I can't help but wonder if any Toyota execs were looked at to come into Ford? Bottom line is, Fords are not selling, and there is an issue with perceived quality and reliability issues with the product lines. The only exception might be the pickups, but, as we have seen, Ford's truck share has also declined with the advent of consumers moving more to cars, and away from the big gas guzzlers of years past.
What Ford needs to do, is spice up its cars, and inject more reliability into its product lines, and above all, reduce overhead and legacy costs. This is about servicing the consumer with a product that is reliable, looks good, and is fun to drive. I have yet to see anything in their lineup that can compete with the likes of the Chrysler 300, except for their reminiscing with the new Mustang Pony edition...this will appeal to the "car guys" only...Ford needs a product that is perceived by the general population, to be a good deal. Hiring Toyota people and sprinkling them within the ranks would be a good start...if anything, perhaps Toyota's culture might rub off onto Ford, and push them into the right direction.
Ford's stock price still has a way to go before it can be considered a "buy"...I expect the stock price to drop even further by the end of the next quarter, as Ford execs work to trim production, and come up with a game plan and new business model. If Ford seriously considers selling a stake in its financial arm, this will provide a big boost to the stock price.
In 2007, perhaps Ford shares can show gains like GM did this year. Ford will be worth watching, as changes start to happen by the end of the year. Although Mulally may not have been my first choice, I wish him well.
One can argue points for and against a new leader at Ford, but there are fundamental problems at Ford that need to be addressed, regardless of who is at the helm. I don't think Mulally can pull it off, and having a new leadership team in place won't fix things any time soon. The legacy costs with Ford autoworkers is a fundamental problem within North America, and needs to be part of any new restructuring plan for future survival. The secondary issue, is cars that people want and consider reliable.
I can't help but wonder if any Toyota execs were looked at to come into Ford? Bottom line is, Fords are not selling, and there is an issue with perceived quality and reliability issues with the product lines. The only exception might be the pickups, but, as we have seen, Ford's truck share has also declined with the advent of consumers moving more to cars, and away from the big gas guzzlers of years past.
What Ford needs to do, is spice up its cars, and inject more reliability into its product lines, and above all, reduce overhead and legacy costs. This is about servicing the consumer with a product that is reliable, looks good, and is fun to drive. I have yet to see anything in their lineup that can compete with the likes of the Chrysler 300, except for their reminiscing with the new Mustang Pony edition...this will appeal to the "car guys" only...Ford needs a product that is perceived by the general population, to be a good deal. Hiring Toyota people and sprinkling them within the ranks would be a good start...if anything, perhaps Toyota's culture might rub off onto Ford, and push them into the right direction.
Ford's stock price still has a way to go before it can be considered a "buy"...I expect the stock price to drop even further by the end of the next quarter, as Ford execs work to trim production, and come up with a game plan and new business model. If Ford seriously considers selling a stake in its financial arm, this will provide a big boost to the stock price.
In 2007, perhaps Ford shares can show gains like GM did this year. Ford will be worth watching, as changes start to happen by the end of the year. Although Mulally may not have been my first choice, I wish him well.
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