It's a market than remains the province of those who make astute calculations and who can tolerate moderate risk (or high risk). This market has demonstrated that it can certainly frustrate -- and humble -- institutional investor and individual investor alike.

Moreover, perhaps the most memorable dimension to the bear market that began in October 2007 will be its ability to take down the stocks of healthy companies with demonstrated business models.

Chicago Bridge & Iron (NYSE: CBI) is one such business model. A global, engineering, procurement and construction company that specializes in turnkey projects for customers that produce, process, store and distribute the world's natural resources, the market hammered CBI as it became clear that emerging markets, a key CBI customer, had entered a recession. The First Call F2009/F2010 EPS estimates for CBI are $1.64 / $1.42.

Continue reading Chicago Bridge & Iron: A get-ahead-of-the-pack play

Chicago Bridge & Iron: A get-ahead-of-the-pack play originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In his Validea newsletter, John Reese selects stocks using the investment strategies of the market's leading gurus, such as Benjamin Graham, John Neff, Warren Buffett, David Dreman, and Peter Lynch.

The advisor, and author of the just-published The Guru Investor, recently ran a screen based on the investment strategy of Kenneth Fisher to find his latest buy recommendation -- Kennametal (NYSE: KMT).

Reese explains, "For decades, the price-to-earnings ratio has been the most widely used valuation measure for stock investors, and a key tool in the arsenals of many of the gurus I follow. ut in 1984, Kenneth Fisher sent a shockwave through the P/E-conscious investment world.

Continue reading Kennametal (KMT): A 'Kenneth Fisher' guru play

Kennametal (KMT): A 'Kenneth Fisher' guru play originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, A Dozen Ways to Play an Obama Building Boom.

"One theme that already seems likely to dominate the playbook for the Obama team is 'infrastructure plus' -- encompassing alternative energy, the environment, and health care," says Patrick DeSouza.

The contributing editor to Steven Leeb's The Complete Investor explains, "These priorities will translate into tremendous opportunities for well-situated firms in these areas." Here are some ideas:

"The Obama Administration is likely to link infrastructure with specific policy priorities such as alternative energies and environmental protection.

"In this way, it can launch public work ventures that create jobs while simultaneously fulfilling campaign promises to tackle climate change and resource degradation. Companies with crossover appeal-a foot in both infrastructure and environmental businesses- are the ones to look at.

"Fluor (NYSE: FLR) and General Electric (NYSE: GE) -- which are already holdings in our growth model portfolio -- both fit this bill, with diversified product lines that range from large-scale infrastructure engineering projects to alternative energy infrastructure to renewable power.

Continue reading Obama team targets infrastructure

Obama team targets infrastructure originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, A Dozen Ways to Play an Obama Building Boom.

"URS Corp. (NYSE: URS) provides engineering, construction, and technical services to a wide range of markets," says quantitative analyst Vahan Janjigian.

In The Forbes Growth Investor, he adds, "There is increased speculation that the federal government will enact a stimulus package containing substantial spending on infrastructure; as a leader in federally-funded projects, URS could benefit significantly."

"The U.S. was responsible for 91% of first half 2008 revenues with the remainder derived from various global markets. URS operates three divisions. The Washington division was responsible for 41.2% of first half sales.

"Acquired last November, its primary markets are energy and power. The URS division,which generated 35.4% of first half sales, serves the commercial, industrial, environmental, facilities, homeland security, transportation, water/waste water, and specialty markets.

"Customers include federal, state and local governments, and private enterprises, such as nuclear energy and mining companies, chemical and drug makers, and oil and gas firms.

Continue reading URS Corp. (URS): Forbes quant eyes infrastructure stimulus

URS Corp. (URS): Forbes quant eyes infrastructure stimulus originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, A Dozen Ways to Play an Obama Building Boom.

"Some of the most aggressive buying we've seen from insiders has come from Terex (NYSE: TEX), where seven have bought since October 24th," says Bill Martin.

In his BullMarket.com, he explains, "The Westport, Conn.-based company manufactures capital equipment for construction, infrastructure, quarrying, mining, shipping, transportation, refining, and utility industries worldwide." Here's his review of the stock.

"The shares recently traded at $9.33, down -86% year to date. The stock hit a 52-week high of $76.25 in May and is currently trading at multi-year lows.

"The company announced Q3 results on October 22nd that fell well short of analyst earnings estimates. For the quarter, Terex reported its profit fell year over year to $93.8 million, or 96 cents per share, down from $151.1 million, or $1.45 per share. Adjusted earnings came in at $1.08, which was well below the $1.33 profit analysts were expecting.

"Looking forward, Terex cut its 2008 earnings outlook for the second time in less than two months, faulting weakness in worldwide construction. As such, the company said it is expecting to post a FY08 profit of $5.69-$5.79 a share, down from earlier guidance of $6.35-$6.65 per share.

Continue reading Terex (TEX): Insiders step up to infrastructure play

Terex (TEX): Insiders step up to infrastructure play originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.