Praxair, Inc. ( PX ) is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric and process gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair products, services and technologies bring productivity and environmental benefits to a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, chemicals, food and beverage, electronics, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others.
The company’s leading market position in North and South America should support long-term growth.
Fourth-quarter earnings per share of 98 cents outpaced the consensus estimate by 2% and surpassed the previous year’s 82 cents. For the full year, PX posted earnings per share of $3.62, topping the year-prior $3.00. more
armin's stock selection blog here
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
PCP(Precision Castparts Corp.) Update
Precision Castparts Corp., which makes metal components for the aerospace and automotive markets, said that its fiscal 2008 third-quarter profit jumped 55 percent, boosted by strong sales across all major segments.
The company reported income of $246.5 million, or $1.76 per share, compared with $158.7 million, or $1.15 per share, in the year-ago period.
Total sales rose 23 percent to $1.7 billion from $1.38 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2007.
Analysts polled by Thomson Financial, on average, estimated earnings of $1.72 per share on sales of $1.74 billion.
Sales from the company's investment cast products segment rose 24 percent to $540.9 million in the third quarter.
Forged products sales increased 21 percent to $771.8 million, while sales from the company's fastener products division grew 24 percent to $383.9 million. Additionally, year-over-year non-aerospace shipments increased to oil and gas, chemical processing, pollution control and other markets, Precision Castparts said.
Risk to the PCP's operations are directly linked to the aerospace industry. As a result, any
slowdown in the industry could lead to a decline in demand for its products. Additionally, fluctuation in the prices of basic materials could affect PCP's business.
I believe that demand for its products will remain high.
Astra portfolio: PCP Marketocracy tracking records as of January 25, 2008.
Portion of fund: 3.24%
Days held: 179
Inception return: - 19.15%
Opinion: Buy
Astra
my funds @ Marketocracy...
The company reported income of $246.5 million, or $1.76 per share, compared with $158.7 million, or $1.15 per share, in the year-ago period.
Total sales rose 23 percent to $1.7 billion from $1.38 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2007.
Analysts polled by Thomson Financial, on average, estimated earnings of $1.72 per share on sales of $1.74 billion.
Sales from the company's investment cast products segment rose 24 percent to $540.9 million in the third quarter.
Forged products sales increased 21 percent to $771.8 million, while sales from the company's fastener products division grew 24 percent to $383.9 million. Additionally, year-over-year non-aerospace shipments increased to oil and gas, chemical processing, pollution control and other markets, Precision Castparts said.
Risk to the PCP's operations are directly linked to the aerospace industry. As a result, any
slowdown in the industry could lead to a decline in demand for its products. Additionally, fluctuation in the prices of basic materials could affect PCP's business.
I believe that demand for its products will remain high.
Astra portfolio: PCP Marketocracy tracking records as of January 25, 2008.
Portion of fund: 3.24%
Days held: 179
Inception return: - 19.15%
Opinion: Buy
Astra
my funds @ Marketocracy...
Thursday, January 24, 2008
AAPL!
Love is Blind
an odd opinion about apple
inspired by the book:KARAOKE CAPITALISM
We have heard already people talking about apple in a language usually reserved for small, fluffy animals and close family members! If you like more soul than life, lick the buttons( Steve Jobs once said: " We made the buttons on the screen look so good you'll want to lick them" ) and wow experience you get all in one apple! If your company has to hire a new CEO, you hire Steve and you'll most likely have a true Chief Emotional Officer also. It seems like that magic apple has a synesthetic content, too..
But AAPL is about first, being fit by creating business models that are well adapted to the new business conditions and second, being sexy by building and creating emotional innovations and moods that attract and addict customers. In my opinion the company has the answers about what does the apple sound, feel, taste or smell like.
I'm not smart enough to predict whether share price will double or triple, but for sure more emotions will be added in any product they deliver so driving the sales.
Who will win, fundamental or emotional analysis?
I believe both, the latter being the likeliest place to imagine its future value.
I bought AAPL in my Astra portfolio on very first day of SLO I, will hold through the SLO II .
Activity:
Days held: 178
First trade: Jul 30, 2007
Inception return: - 1.10%
post
Apple Core Hits Wall Street
armin's stock selection blog here
an odd opinion about apple
inspired by the book:KARAOKE CAPITALISM
We have heard already people talking about apple in a language usually reserved for small, fluffy animals and close family members! If you like more soul than life, lick the buttons( Steve Jobs once said: " We made the buttons on the screen look so good you'll want to lick them" ) and wow experience you get all in one apple! If your company has to hire a new CEO, you hire Steve and you'll most likely have a true Chief Emotional Officer also. It seems like that magic apple has a synesthetic content, too..
But AAPL is about first, being fit by creating business models that are well adapted to the new business conditions and second, being sexy by building and creating emotional innovations and moods that attract and addict customers. In my opinion the company has the answers about what does the apple sound, feel, taste or smell like.
I'm not smart enough to predict whether share price will double or triple, but for sure more emotions will be added in any product they deliver so driving the sales.
Who will win, fundamental or emotional analysis?
I believe both, the latter being the likeliest place to imagine its future value.
I bought AAPL in my Astra portfolio on very first day of SLO I, will hold through the SLO II .
Activity:
Days held: 178
First trade: Jul 30, 2007
Inception return: - 1.10%
post
Apple Core Hits Wall Street
armin's stock selection blog here
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Recessions/Stock drops
But what's a recession? Business cycles are made up of periods of economic expansion and recessions, when the economy is contracting. The generally accepted arbiter of when U.S. recessions begin and end is the "business cycle dating committee" of the 87-year old National Bureau of Economic Research, a non-profit group based in Cambridge, Mass., that is made up of 600 academic economists. The NBER defines a recession as "a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months," and usually visible in measures such as gross domestic product, employment, incomes and industrial production. A popular rule of thumb says a recession is two consecutive quarters of shrinking GDP, although that doesn't fit some NBER-designated recessions. But recessions don't always coincide with stock drops:
more
armin's stock selection blog here
more
armin's stock selection blog here
Monday, January 21, 2008
POST Strategy!
My experience in the stock market investing is more about what I do and less about what you should do!
The pillars of the POST:
Portfolio Management Opportunities Sense Time
about me at marketocracy...
The pillars of the POST:
Portfolio Management Opportunities Sense Time
about me at marketocracy...
Investing Axioms
There is a book The Zurich Axioms, The rules of risk and reward used by generations of Swiss bankers by Max Gunther, providing a practical philosophy for the realistic management of risk, which can be followed successfully by anyone, not merely the 'experts'. Of course. it's not a kind of recipe for success, but you can enjoy reading, too. Some sayings are not necessarily bound to investing world, but sound practical. Strategy Lab Open competition seems like golf tournament, not all of us will become next Tiger Woods who is a great golfer, but, strangely, he usually hits lousy bunker shots. How has he dealt with the problem?Living in a bunker!No! By perfecting and refining his main strength, the swing. If it works like a clock, he never has to pay the bunkers a visit.
I suggest this Latin proverb:
"Quidquid agis, prudenter agas et respice finem!"
translation:
Whatever you do, do cautiously, and look to the end.
You can read more at:
marketocracy general forums Quote of the Year
What's your favorite one?
I suggest this Latin proverb:
"Quidquid agis, prudenter agas et respice finem!"
translation:
Whatever you do, do cautiously, and look to the end.
You can read more at:
marketocracy general forums Quote of the Year
What's your favorite one?
Thursday, January 17, 2008
TNH /Terra Nitrogen
Update:
Terra Nitrogen is the smallest agricultural company , but it shows the most interesting short-term opportunity. The stock rallied up to 140 in July and pulled back. It returned to this level in December and broke out two weeks later, completing a cup-and-handle pattern.
The rally spike hit 159 a few days later, with price then pulling back sharply. That decline undercut the breakout level for three sessions. The stock jumped higher on Friday and ran up to a new high on Monday. This sets up an excellent trade entry when price pulls back to fill the 147 to 150 gap.
larger image
Will hold this stock into SLO Round 2.
ASTRA portfolio::
TNH
Portion of fund: 8.15%
Inception return: 36.48 % (Since July31, 2007)
more
BUSINESS SUMMARY
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P., through its subsidiary, Terra Nitrogen, Limited Partnership, engages in the production and distribution of nitrogen fertilizer products for use in agricultural and industrial markets. Its nitrogen product includes anhydrous ammonia, a form of nitrogen fertilizer and the feedstock for the production of other nitrogen fertilizers, such as urea ammonium nitrate solutions (UAN). Terra also produces UAN by combining urea solution and ammonium nitrate solution. Terra Nitrogen GP, Inc. serves as the general partner of the company. It sells its products primarily in the Central and Southern Plains and Corn Belt regions of the United States. Terra's customers include dealers, national farm retail chains, distributors, and other fertilizer producers and traders. The company was founded in 1991 and is based in Sioux City, Iowa. Terra Nitrogen Co. LP operates as a subsidiary of Terra Nitrogen Corporation.
Visit also:
about me at marketocracy...
my funds...
Terra Nitrogen is the smallest agricultural company , but it shows the most interesting short-term opportunity. The stock rallied up to 140 in July and pulled back. It returned to this level in December and broke out two weeks later, completing a cup-and-handle pattern.
The rally spike hit 159 a few days later, with price then pulling back sharply. That decline undercut the breakout level for three sessions. The stock jumped higher on Friday and ran up to a new high on Monday. This sets up an excellent trade entry when price pulls back to fill the 147 to 150 gap.
larger image
Will hold this stock into SLO Round 2.
ASTRA portfolio::
TNH
Portion of fund: 8.15%
Inception return: 36.48 % (Since July31, 2007)
more
BUSINESS SUMMARY
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P., through its subsidiary, Terra Nitrogen, Limited Partnership, engages in the production and distribution of nitrogen fertilizer products for use in agricultural and industrial markets. Its nitrogen product includes anhydrous ammonia, a form of nitrogen fertilizer and the feedstock for the production of other nitrogen fertilizers, such as urea ammonium nitrate solutions (UAN). Terra also produces UAN by combining urea solution and ammonium nitrate solution. Terra Nitrogen GP, Inc. serves as the general partner of the company. It sells its products primarily in the Central and Southern Plains and Corn Belt regions of the United States. Terra's customers include dealers, national farm retail chains, distributors, and other fertilizer producers and traders. The company was founded in 1991 and is based in Sioux City, Iowa. Terra Nitrogen Co. LP operates as a subsidiary of Terra Nitrogen Corporation.
Visit also:
about me at marketocracy...
my funds...
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Dry Bulk Shipping
International shipping plays a vital role in global trade given that 2/3 of the world's goods are transported by sea. The shipping industry provides a cost effective and practical means of transportation internationally of large volumes of cargoes.
The dry bulk carrier market refers to the transportation of homogeneous commodities in bulk. Dry bulk commodities are divided into two distinct categories, major bulks and minor bulks. Major bulks include iron ore, coal and grain, which are usually shipped on the larger size Capesize and Panamax vessels and comprise about 67% of dry bulk trade. Minor bulks are fertilizers, steels, sugars, cement etc., which are shipped in smaller more versatile vessels such as Handymax and Handysize, and comprise about 33% of the dry bulk commodities trade.
Dry bulk carrier ownership is fragmented with many owners and operators of shipping tonnage, including independent operators, state-controlled shipping companies and proprietary owners. Vessels utilised for transport of dry bulk cargoes are usually classified into four categories based on their carrying capacity in deadweight tons (DWT) (i) handysize (10,000-39,999 DWT) (ii) handymax/supramax (40,000-59,999 DWT) (iii) panamax (60,000-99,999 DWT) and (iv) capesize (higher than 100,000 DWT).
The shipping industry is highly cyclical, experiencing volatility in profitability, vessel values and charter rates resulting from changes in the supply of and demand for shipping capacity. Fluctuations result from the interaction of various factors between demand and supply. The demand for vessels is influenced by global and regional economic conditions, international trade developments, port congestion, trading routes and weather pattern changes, crop yields, armed conflicts, political developments, embargoes and strikes, demand for consumer goods, dry bulk commodities, and crude oil and oil products.
Supply of shipping capacity is mainly a function of the delivery of new vessels and the number of older vessels scrapped and is also affected among other things by port congestion and regulation of maritime transportation practices by governmental and international authorities.
Visit also:
armin's stock selection blog here
The dry bulk carrier market refers to the transportation of homogeneous commodities in bulk. Dry bulk commodities are divided into two distinct categories, major bulks and minor bulks. Major bulks include iron ore, coal and grain, which are usually shipped on the larger size Capesize and Panamax vessels and comprise about 67% of dry bulk trade. Minor bulks are fertilizers, steels, sugars, cement etc., which are shipped in smaller more versatile vessels such as Handymax and Handysize, and comprise about 33% of the dry bulk commodities trade.
Dry bulk carrier ownership is fragmented with many owners and operators of shipping tonnage, including independent operators, state-controlled shipping companies and proprietary owners. Vessels utilised for transport of dry bulk cargoes are usually classified into four categories based on their carrying capacity in deadweight tons (DWT) (i) handysize (10,000-39,999 DWT) (ii) handymax/supramax (40,000-59,999 DWT) (iii) panamax (60,000-99,999 DWT) and (iv) capesize (higher than 100,000 DWT).
The shipping industry is highly cyclical, experiencing volatility in profitability, vessel values and charter rates resulting from changes in the supply of and demand for shipping capacity. Fluctuations result from the interaction of various factors between demand and supply. The demand for vessels is influenced by global and regional economic conditions, international trade developments, port congestion, trading routes and weather pattern changes, crop yields, armed conflicts, political developments, embargoes and strikes, demand for consumer goods, dry bulk commodities, and crude oil and oil products.
Supply of shipping capacity is mainly a function of the delivery of new vessels and the number of older vessels scrapped and is also affected among other things by port congestion and regulation of maritime transportation practices by governmental and international authorities.
Visit also:
armin's stock selection blog here
Monday, January 14, 2008
Congrats to Vad!
The winner of SLO Round1
Frankly, I didn't know you're good in Greek language as well.
stretcheddelta
iis a new letter!
Significant difference is a keyword!
Congrats again!
Visit also:
armin's stock selection blog here
Thanks!
Frankly, I didn't know you're good in Greek language as well.
stretcheddelta
iis a new letter!
Significant difference is a keyword!
Congrats again!
Visit also:
armin's stock selection blog here
Thanks!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)