Value Stocks posts
FeedPosted Oct 12th 2009 1:30PM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: International markets, Newsletters, Expedia Inc (EXPE), Stocks to Buy, Recession
"Vacationers and professionals finally appear to be hitting the road, and many are relying on Expedia (NASDAQ: EXPE) to handle the details," says Nathan Slaughter in Half-Priced Stocks.
The value investor explains, "Expedia's travel sites processed 15.3 million transactions during the second quarter, 18% above the same period last year. Howevver, the gross dollar amount of those bookings dipped slightly to $5.6 billion/
"Whenever you have more trips bringing in less money, it's a pretty good indication that prices are way down.
Continue reading Expedia (EXPE): Travel firm books gains
Posted Sep 18th 2009 1:30PM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: Newsletters, Teva Pharm Indus ADR (TEVA), Stocks to Buy, Israel, Obama Picks
The Cabot Benjamin Graham Value Letter focuses on stocks that meet the strict value criteria of the legendary investor. Here, J. Royden Ward looks to Teva Pharmaceutical (NASDAQ: TEVA), noting, "Teva is based in Israel and develops, makes and sells generic and proprietary-branded (store brand) drugs."
The advisor explains, "The company is one of the largest generic drug-producing companies in the world and, in addition, sells active ingredients to other pharmaceutical companies.
"Teva's aggressive acquisition and product development programs are driving strong sales growth. The company recently purchased U.S.-based Barr Pharmaceuticals for $7.5 billion. Barr will increase Teva's generic drug sales significantly in the U.S. and parts of Europe.
Continue reading Teva: A 'Ben Graham' selection
Posted Aug 13th 2009 11:00AM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: Newsletters, Carnival Corp (CCL), Stocks to Buy
"Like a sailboat waiting for a gust of wind, Carnival (NYSE: CCL) hasn't had any means of propulsion lately; in fact, they've been anchored by swine flu and sluggish travel demand," notes value investor Nathan Slaughter.
Nevertheless, in his Half-Priced Stocks, he remains optimisticbullish, noting "Eventually these storm clouds will clear." Here's his bullish long-term outlook for the cruise ship opertor.
"Fortunately, these negatives are macro-level factors, not company-specific issues. All things considered, the world's largest cruise operator is performing admirably in this tepid environment.
Continue reading Carnival (CCL): Clear sailing ahead?
Posted Jun 11th 2009 11:00AM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: Management, Newsletters, Stocks to Buy, Housing, Recession
"Hudson City Bancorp (NASDAQ: HCBK) is a fortress of safety with plenty of upside potential," says value investor Nathan Slaughter.
In his Half-Priced Stocks, he explains, "The 140-year old bank is a classic example of the tortoise and hare fable. Its slower, measured approach has paid off handsomely and keptit at arms length from the problems plaguing other banks."
"Hudson City manages a network of 130 bank branches spread throughout affluent regions of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. At last count, the firm had over $20 billion in deposits and approximately $56 billion in total assets.
"According to an independent study, this tight-knit institution has been rated one of the nation's three strictest mortgage underwriters. So when most other banks relaxed their standards in recent years to attract riskier clientele, Hudson City stuck to its conservative roots and refused to budge.
Continue reading Hudson City (HCBK): 'Best in breed' bank bet
Posted Jun 2nd 2009 10:40AM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: International markets, Newsletters, Commodities, Oil, Agriculture, Stocks to Buy
In The Cabot Benjamin Graham Value Letter, editor J. Royden Ward searches for stocks that meet the investing criteria of the legendary Ben Graham, known as the father of value investing and mentor of Warren Buffett.
Here, the advisor takes a look at Overseas Shipholding Group (NYSE: OSG), a crude oil and energy shipping operation.
"Overseas Shipholding is a leading crude oil and energy shipping company with 120 vessels either owned or leased. In addition, the company derives 25% of revenues from grain, coal, and iron ore.
Continue reading A 'Ben Graham value' in shipping
Posted May 4th 2009 6:30PM by Sheldon Liber (RSS feed)
Filed under: Major movement, Good news, Rants and raves, Market matters, Wells Fargo (WFC), Chasing Value, Headline news, Stocks to Buy

I have written many times in the past year about
Wells Fargo (NYSE:
WFC) and since it is up another 23.66% today, I'd like to come back to it. As an investor I have done more than just blab (or blog) about it. I have been loading up on the stock, acquiring shares at $12.00 when the bears were ruling the market only a short time ago --
a very short time ago!In the last month,
Wells is up an amazing 48.41%, and that for
the safest bank in the United States. The stock closed today at $24.25, up $4.64.
In addition to buying the stock, I have been playing with naked put options at multiple levels. The extreme negativity in the market created a huge opportunity, so much so that I wrote
Chasing Value: Will we be eating out of trash cans? which includes a discussion of naked put options.
Continue reading Chasing Value: Wells Fargo - squeezing out the shorts!
Posted Apr 22nd 2009 6:00PM by Sheldon Liber (RSS feed)
Filed under: Major movement, Rants and raves, Chasing Value, Stocks to Buy, Intuitive Surgical Inc (ISRG)

It is not possible to follow all stocks or companies with equal intensity, focus, or depth of knowledge. One that I have followed for over ten years is
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:
ISRG).
I originally bought in at the very bottom, about $7.70 and last year sold about 20% of our position for $192. The stock had reached an all time high about 18 months ago just shy of $360, so my timing was far from ideal, but I was influenced by other factors. In this case a real estate transaction.
Over the past six months I have been buying more shares and have more than doubled our position. I believe that ISRG remains a growth stock, but for quite some time it has been value priced. However, I cannot tell you what exactly is the right price -- that is a big question.
Continue reading Chasing Value: Intuitive Surgical's right price
Posted Mar 9th 2009 4:20PM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: Management, Newsletters, Staples Inc (SPLS), Stocks to Buy
Concerning the current debate over executive bonuses, value investor Charles Mizrahi contents, "As a shareholder, I have the choice of becoming partners with more than 7,000 businesses on the American stock exchanges."
In his Hidden Values Alert he states, "I've found two companies with managers who are aligned with shareholders. Their compensation packages put them in the same boat as shareholders, and as an owner that is exactly where you want them to be."
Here, the advisor looks at insurance firm Markel Corporation (NYSE: MKL) and business supplies retailer Staples (NYSE: SPLS).
Continue reading Shareholder-focused managements: Markel (MKL) & Staples (SPLS)
Posted Feb 18th 2009 10:35AM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: International markets, Newsletters, Stocks to Buy, Loews Corporation (L)
"Loews (NYSE: L), the holding company of the New York-based Tisch family, is a way of buying a collection of good stocks at a discount, with much else thrown in free," says Adrian Day.
The editor of the top-notch The Global Analyst explains, "These value investors have a long record of buying quality assets cheaply when they are out of favor, nurturing them, and eventually monetizing them."
"Everyone loves a sale, right? Typically, the Tisch family buys major chunks of out-of-favor businesses, often publicly traded, and holds them for many years. They exemplify the important traits of successful value investors: discipline and patience.
"I calculate a New Asset Value for Loews-taking current (depressed) stock prices for its publicly traded holdings, the cash, and conservative valuations for the private assets-of almost $39 per share.
Continue reading Loews (L): Buying value assets at a discount
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