BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: BUD, H, HPT, HTHT, ISRG, KFY, NOC, NTAP, THI ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/10/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/10/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/10/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Hyatt Hotels (H) and Hospitality Properties (HPT) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
  • AB InBev (BUD) to buy from neutral at Goldman.
  • Amerisafe (AMSF) to buy from hold at Wunderlich.
  • Northrop Grumman (NOC) to sector perform from underperform at RBC Capital.
  • China Lodging Group (HTHT) to buy from hold at Brean Murray and to buy from neutral at Roth Capital.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BUD, H, HPT, HTHT, ISRG, KFY, NOC, NTAP, THI ...

Analyst Calls: BUD, H, HPT, HTHT, ISRG, KFY, NOC, NTAP, THI ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AB InBevAIAmerisafeAMSFanalyst upgradesARCLBKCCBlackRock KelsoBUDdowngradesHHPTHTHTHyattinitiationsinthenewsIntuitive SurgicalISRGIxiaKFYKornFerryNetAppNOCNorthrop GrummanNTAPTHITim HortonsVCVisteonXXIAThu, 10 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Serious Money: Buffett's Next Buys -- You Pick'em]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/04/serious-money-buffetts-next-buys-you-pickem/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/04/serious-money-buffetts-next-buys-you-pickem/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/04/serious-money-buffetts-next-buys-you-pickem/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Prognosticators the world over are throwing in their 2 cents about "my pal Warren's" next market moves; especially since he announced last week that his trigger finger was itchy. When Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A and BRK.B) speaks, investors listen.

On Wednesday March 2, this investor threw in his two cents worth (see:Serious Money: What Should Warren Buffett Do Next?) discussing possible acquisitions. Since all the "pro's", I use the term loosely, have had a say I thought I would give readers a chance to express some of their ideas too.

Continue reading Serious Money: Buffett's Next Buys -- You Pick'em

Serious Money: Buffett's Next Buys -- You Pick'em originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLAIGamerican expressamerican international groupApple IncAXPberkshire hathawaybrk.abrk.bCCBChubb CorpCiscocitigroupCSCOfeaturedhartford financialHIGINTCIntel Corp.Intuitive SurgicalISRGMetareviewMetLife Inc.MicrosoftMSFTnational gridnggRepublic ServicesRSGSerious Moneytravelers insuranceTRVFri, 04 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasing Value: Apple's Great, but This Stock Is Better!]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/05/chasing-value-ezcorp-beats-apple/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/05/chasing-value-ezcorp-beats-apple/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/05/chasing-value-ezcorp-beats-apple/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

This company has been on my recommended list for longer than any other company in the four and a half years that I have been writing for BloggingStocks -- with only one exception, Intuitive Surgical (ISRG). The company is EZCorp (EZPW), which beat the Street again with third quarter earnings per share of $0.56, three cents better than the analyst estimate.

Revenue for the quarter was $198.2 million, which tops the estimate of $191.01 million. The company projects 2011 earnings higher too: EPS of about $2.35 vs. an estimate of $2.25. EZCorp grew earnings by 33% and increased its footprint by 127 stores through new construction and acquisitions.

Continue reading Chasing Value: Apple's Great, but This Stock Is Better!

Chasing Value: Apple's Great, but This Stock Is Better! originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLApplebargain stocksChasing ValueChasingValueExxon MobilEZCorpEZCorp earningsEZPWfeaturedinthenewsIntuitive SurgicalISRGmcdmcdonaldsFri, 05 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasing Value: 'Challenging' Is Expensive]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/20/chasing-value-challenging-is-expensive/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/20/chasing-value-challenging-is-expensive/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/20/chasing-value-challenging-is-expensive/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Every time a CEO utters the word challenging you can hear the stampede of investors to the exit. You would think that corporate management would have learned to use some other word to describe the the times ahead.

Many a CEO has unwittingly cost his company billions in stock value while speaking at an earnings conference by stating that the business outlook was going to be challenging. If they put the word very in front of the word challenging, then still more value will be lost, at least in the short run.

Continue reading Chasing Value: 'Challenging' Is Expensive

Chasing Value: 'Challenging' Is Expensive originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BRK.ABRK.Bbusiness challengesChasingValueCisco Systems CSCOIntuitive SurgicalISRGISRG EarningsJohn ChambersWarrenBuffettwordsWed, 20 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasing Value™: 2009 Results Crushed the S&P 500]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/31/chasing-value-2009-results-crushed-the-sandp-500/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/31/chasing-value-2009-results-crushed-the-sandp-500/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/31/chasing-value-2009-results-crushed-the-sandp-500/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) logoI have always felt that for all the blabbing we do -- or blogging, in my case -- we should try as best we can to be accountable for our good and bad calls. This report is long overdue, but I will post it anyway since all of my past year's picks and results have been made public.

The market was very harsh in the early part of 2009, filling investors fear and trepidation, and sinking to a March 9, 2009 bottom. Perhaps some of the bleeding has stopped, but the economy has not healed as bears and bulls seem to carry the day, or every other day.

Continue reading Chasing Value™: 2009 Results Crushed the S&P 500

Chasing Value™: 2009 Results Crushed the S&P 500 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAUKYAEOamerican eagleAmericanEagleanadarko petroleumAnadarkoPetroleumanglo americanAngloAmericanannaly capital managementAnnalyCapitalManagementAPCBuffettchasing valueChasingValueDEOdiageoDJIAezcorpEZPWfeaturedGEgeneral electricGeneralElectricintuitive surgicalIntuitiveSurgicalISRGNASDAQNLYsheldon liberSheldonLibervalue investingvalue stocksValueInvestingValueStockswells fargoWellsFargoWFCTue, 31 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasing Value™: Tale of Two Tech Stocks (ISRG and SCON)]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/27/chasing-value-tale-of-two-tech-stocks-isrg-and-scon/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/27/chasing-value-tale-of-two-tech-stocks-isrg-and-scon/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/27/chasing-value-tale-of-two-tech-stocks-isrg-and-scon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

You win some you lose some. This story is about one of my less successful investments, which I acquired and sold many years ago. Over the past four years, I have written many times about Intuitive Surgical (ISRG), by far my best stock investment, up 4,500%, give or take, over a ten-year period. I bought in at the bottom and held on for the ride, until last year when the market tanked and took Intuitive Surgical with it.

The other company was Superconductor Technologies (SCON), the makers of high-temperature devices that improve communications transmission quality.

Continue reading Chasing Value™: Tale of Two Tech Stocks (ISRG and SCON)

Chasing Value™: Tale of Two Tech Stocks (ISRG and SCON) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alcatel-lucentALUATTChasingValuefeaturedIntuitive SurgicalISRGSCONSuperconductor TechnologiesTverizon communicationsVZwells fargoWFCFri, 27 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasing Value: Intuitive Surgical Is Not a Bargain, but It's Close]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/25/chasing-value-intuitive-surgical-is-not-a-bargain-but-its-clo/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/25/chasing-value-intuitive-surgical-is-not-a-bargain-but-its-clo/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/25/chasing-value-intuitive-surgical-is-not-a-bargain-but-its-clo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Over most of the last ten years my favorite investment has been Intuitive Surgical (ISRG), the developers of the da Vinci robotic surgical technology.

The stock has been on quite a roller coaster ride over the past two years, rising as high as $360, then plummeting to around $86 a share. This spring it reached a new high of $393.92 on spectacular earnings and investor euphoria. That was ridiculous, but in the short run you cannot predict what the market will do.

Now, with economic concerns building, an investor lawsuit pending, and perhaps a dose of reality seeping into the stock price, it has taken another dramatic turn downward again. It closed Tuesday at $269.12, a 32% fall from its high.

Continue reading Chasing Value: Intuitive Surgical Is Not a Bargain, but It's Close

Chasing Value: Intuitive Surgical Is Not a Bargain, but It's Close originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLAppleChasingValuefeaturedIntuitive SurgicalISRGValue StocksWed, 25 Aug 2010 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasing Value: EZCORP Is Easy Buy, Beating APPL, ISRG and XOM]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/16/chasing-value-ezcorp-is-easy-buy-beating-appl-isrg-and-xom/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/16/chasing-value-ezcorp-is-easy-buy-beating-appl-isrg-and-xom/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/16/chasing-value-ezcorp-is-easy-buy-beating-appl-isrg-and-xom/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

EZCorp (EZPW) logoAre folks afraid to invest in EZCORP (EZPW)? Perhaps they are, because the stock has not moved even though the metrics improve every time I check. On July 23, EZCORP reported a year-over-year net income rise of 39%. That is, after reporting similar gains the year before.

The metrics are so strong I can't imagine why the company has not made the front page of every investment journal -- but it hasn't. EZCORP has a market-beating P/E of 10.75 (forward 8.55) and very little debt. It's earning a ROE of 19.55%, ROA of 18.75%, and a ROIC of 19.18%. Is there something evil going on here I that I've missed?

Continue reading Chasing Value: EZCORP Is Easy Buy, Beating APPL, ISRG and XOM

Chasing Value: EZCORP Is Easy Buy, Beating APPL, ISRG and XOM originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aapleApple IncChasingValueExxonMobilezcorpEZPWfeaturedgrowth stocksIntuitive SurgicalISRGvalue stocksXOMMon, 16 Aug 2010 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasing Value: EZCORP Easily Beats the Street]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/26/chasing-value-ezcorp-easily-beats-the-street/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/26/chasing-value-ezcorp-easily-beats-the-street/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/26/chasing-value-ezcorp-easily-beats-the-street/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Another day another dollar, and more, everywhere you look, as EZCORP (EZPW) beats consensus estimates once again. But what is the value proposition?

EZCORP was an easy pick for me in late December 2009 when it was trading at $14.46. It is one of my two repeat picks for 2010, trading at the time of that writing at $17.35 after a 20% gain. Friday's close of $23.31 adds another 34.35%, and I do not see anything getting in the way of further growth for the next ten years.

Here are the glowing words of Chief Executive Officer, Joe Rotunda, stated, "This was another outstanding quarter for EZCORP, our 31st consecutive quarter of year over year earnings growth, and clearly demonstrates our ability to consistently enhance earnings and shareholder value. Coupled with this strong financial performance is our expanding worldwide presence, as seen through our continued store growth in Mexico and Canada, as well as our strategic affiliations with Albemarle & Bond in the United Kingdom and Cash Converters in Australia."

Continue reading Chasing Value: EZCORP Easily Beats the Street

Chasing Value: EZCORP Easily Beats the Street originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chasing ValueezcorpEZCorp IncEZPWinthenewsIntuitive SurgicalISRGSheldon LiberValue StocksMon, 26 Apr 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Serious Money: Intuitive Surgical Hits New Highs]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/02/serious-money-intuitive-surgical-hits-new-highs/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/02/serious-money-intuitive-surgical-hits-new-highs/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/02/serious-money-intuitive-surgical-hits-new-highs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

It was only a matter of time before Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) surpassed it's previous all time high of $359.59 set on December 14, 2007. I have blogged many times about ISRG in my Chasing Value column. Today, I'm delighted that the stock is rising, but I think it is getting a bit rich and the value proposition has changed -- intra-day it hit $366.50.

Intuitive has a trailing P/E ratio of 61 and a projected P/E of 46. I commonly average the two for such volatile stocks which translates to 53.5. There are certain times when that might be alright, but with a PEG ratio (price-to-earnings-to-growth) of 2.05, this is not one of them. If you own it I am not suggesting selling it, but if you do not it might be wiser to put it on your watch list and wait for the market to calm down.

Continue reading Serious Money: Intuitive Surgical Hits New Highs

Serious Money: Intuitive Surgical Hits New Highs originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredintuitive surgicalIntuitiveSurgicalISRGJapanJNJjohnson johnsonJohnsonJohnsonMDTmedtronicnew stock highsNewStockHighsrobotrobotic surgeryRoboticSurgeryserious moneySeriousMoneysheldon liberSheldonLiberTue, 02 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasing Value: Ten stocks for 2010 -- Part 2]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/12/chasing-value-ten-stocks-for-2010-part-2/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/12/chasing-value-ten-stocks-for-2010-part-2/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/12/chasing-value-ten-stocks-for-2010-part-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The clock is ticking away the time before the year ends and I have only begun to sort out the possibilities. In Part 1 of this series, I discussed breaking up my potential picks into three categories: contender, on the fence, and out of the running until the 10 stocks have been identified.

Four contenders have been considered so far: American Eagle Outfitters (AEO), Anadarko Petroleum (APC), Anglo American ADR (AAUKY) and Diageo plc (DEO).

Six more are included in today's review: EZCorp Inc. (EZPW), General Electric Company (GE), Wells Fargo & Company (WFC), Annaly Capital Management ( NLY), Intuitive Surgical Inc (ISRG) plus Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B). These include the remaining five from 2009 and one more familiar to most investors.

Continue reading Chasing Value: Ten stocks for 2010 -- Part 2

Chasing Value: Ten stocks for 2010 -- Part 2 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 stock picks2010StockPicksannalycapitalmanagementberkshire hathawayBerkshireHathawayBNIBRK.ABRK.Bburlington northernBurlingtonNorthernchasing valueChasingValueezcorpEZPWfeaturedGEgeneral electricGeneralElectricGSintuitive surgicalIntuitiveSurgicalISRGNLYsheldon liberSheldonLiberwells fargoWellsFargoWFCThu, 12 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasing Value: What's wrong with Intuitive Surgical?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/27/chasing-value-whats-wrong-with-intuitive-surgical/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/27/chasing-value-whats-wrong-with-intuitive-surgical/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/27/chasing-value-whats-wrong-with-intuitive-surgical/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Another earnings report, another blowout quarter for Intuitive Surgical Inc. (NASDAQ: ISRG), the maker of the da Vinci robotic surgical system. Intuitive Surgical reported last Wednesday and the stock jumped Thursday and Friday on the news while analysts were busy revising their projections for future earnings and upgrading their recommendations and price projections (see: Chasing Value: The amazing Intuitive Surgical).

I have been one of Intuitive's biggest cheerleaders for years and like everyone else was encouraged to find the company still growing successfully on all fronts. Given my favorable opinion of the company, and the stock, I took a look at where it stood after the run-up (closing Friday at $222.53) to see whether there might be any value left, or if the frenetic buying had exhausted the possibility.

Continue reading Chasing Value: What's wrong with Intuitive Surgical?

Chasing Value: What's wrong with Intuitive Surgical? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BRK.ABRK.Bfeaturedintuitive surgicalIntuitiveSurgicalISRGjames cramerJamesCramerwarren buffettWarrenBuffettMon, 27 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Earnings highlights: Apple, Microsoft, Yahoo!, Bank of New York, Capital One ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/25/earnings-highlights-apple-microsoft-yahoo-bank-of-new-york/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/25/earnings-highlights-apple-microsoft-yahoo-bank-of-new-york/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/25/earnings-highlights-apple-microsoft-yahoo-bank-of-new-york/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Here are some highlights from last week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Apple, Microsoft, Yahoo!, Bank of New York, Capital One ...

Earnings highlights: Apple, Microsoft, Yahoo!, Bank of New York, Capital One ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 25 Jul 2009 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLAMDAmerican ExpressAppleAXPBank of New YorkBKCapital OneCOFearningsHCBKHudson CityIntuitive SurgicaliPhoneISRGJDAJDASJim CramerKeyCorpMicrosoftMSFTMT BankMTBState StreetSTTTARPVMWVMWareYahooYHOOSat, 25 Jul 2009 10:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasing Value: The amazing Intuitive Surgical ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/24/chasing-value-the-amazing-intuitive-surgical/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/24/chasing-value-the-amazing-intuitive-surgical/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/24/chasing-value-the-amazing-intuitive-surgical/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Anybody reading Bloggingstocks.com for any length of time will know that I have been following Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISRG) since its beginning.

Yesterday the company reported strong top and bottom line growth, with profits of $1.62 per share, about 37 cents ahead of analyst estimates, and its revenue of $260.6 million was $30.6 million greater than expected. Intuitive also raised its forecast for procedures performed using da Vinci systems, which can lead to increased sales.

Continue reading Chasing Value: The amazing Intuitive Surgical

Chasing Value: The amazing Intuitive Surgical originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 stock picks2009StockPicksChasing ValueChasingValuefeaturedintuitive surgicalIntuitiveSurgicalISRGISRG EarningsIsrgEarningsJames CramerJamesCramerSheldon LiberSheldonLiberFri, 24 Jul 2009 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasing Value: 2009 picks 731% better than S&P -- 2nd quarter review ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/02/chasing-value-2009-picks-731-better-than-sandp-2nd-quarter-re/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/02/chasing-value-2009-picks-731-better-than-sandp-2nd-quarter-re/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/02/chasing-value-2009-picks-731-better-than-sandp-2nd-quarter-re/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The second quarter is now behind us and for the most part it was a positive one in terms of the market pushing higher almost 40%. This is the second review of my 2009 stock picks through June 30 (see: Chasing Value: 9 picks for 2009 -- APC, GE, ISRG, WFC and more). There was a lot of talk about green shoots this past quarter as Wall Street was looking for any small bit of optimistic data to support the market.

The federal printing presses continued to run at full speed pushing the dollar lower and oil prices higher. While the feds were printing money to cover their deficits, the States do not have that same luxury and many of them are having trouble balancing their budgets to the tune of billions of dollars.

Continue reading Chasing Value: 2009 picks 731% better than S&P -- 2nd quarter review

Chasing Value: 2009 picks 731% better than S&P -- 2nd quarter review originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAUKAEOamerican eagleanadarko petroleumanglo americanAngloAmericanannalycapitalmanagementAPCChasing ValueDEODiageoDividendsezpawnEZPWGEGeneral Electricintuitive surgicalISRGNLYSheldon Liberwells fargoWFCThu, 02 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasing Value: Intuitive Surgical surging ahead!]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/24/chasing-value-intuitive-surgical-surging-ahead/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/24/chasing-value-intuitive-surgical-surging-ahead/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/24/chasing-value-intuitive-surgical-surging-ahead/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

If stocks were drums then there would be no stock that I have been pounding louder than Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG) for the last decade!

The stock has been moving upward every day for over a week gaining more than 50% in that time. It is up about 11% to $152.00 in mid day trading.

It was only two days ago that I posted Chasing Value: Intuitive Surgical's right price outlining why the stock was a value, but determining the exact value was not possible. If there was anyone that heeded my call then, they must be smiling today.


Continue reading Chasing Value: Intuitive Surgical surging ahead!

Chasing Value: Intuitive Surgical surging ahead! originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chasing ValueChasingValueda VinciDaVincifeaturedIntuitive SurgicalIntuitiveSurgicalISRGSheldon LiberSheldonLiberStock PicksStockPicksFri, 24 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasing Value: Intuitive Surgical's right price]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/22/chasing-value-intuitive-surgicals-right-price/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/22/chasing-value-intuitive-surgicals-right-price/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/22/chasing-value-intuitive-surgicals-right-price/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

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

Chasing Value: Intuitive Surgical's right price originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chasing ValueChasingValuefeaturedIntuitive SurgicalIntuitiveSurgicalISRGSheldon LiberSheldonLiberStocks to buyStocksToBuyvalue stocksValueStocksWarren BuffettWarrenBuffettWed, 22 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The week in preview: The new earnings season ramps up]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/12/the-week-in-preview-the-new-earnings-season-ramps-up/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/12/the-week-in-preview-the-new-earnings-season-ramps-up/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/12/the-week-in-preview-the-new-earnings-season-ramps-up/#commentsFiled under: ,

Alcoa Inc. (NYSE: AA) started off the new earnings season with disappointing results that helped to stifle the recent rally. Was that enough of a sign of what's to come? No, probably not. But the earnings reports start to fly in earnest this week, which should provide a more detailed picture of the state of things.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters anticipate that some of the biggest names will prove to be holding their own. Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) is expected to post a profit of $4.91 per share, marginally higher than a year ago, and Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE: JNJ) expected $1.22 per share profit is slightly lower year over year. Even Mattel Inc.'s (NYSE: MAT) estimated loss of $0.13 per share is the same as in the year-ago period.

Continue reading The week in preview: The new earnings season ramps up

The week in preview: The new earnings season ramps up originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 12 Apr 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAAbbot LabsABTACIAlcoaAMRArch CoalBank of OzarksBAXBaxter InternationalBBTBGGBIIBBiogen IdecBriggs and StrattonBTUCarl IcahnCitigroupCSXearningsfeaturedGannettGCIGEGeneral ElectricGenuine PartsGoldman SachsGOOGGoogleGPCGSHarley-DavidsonHOGINTCIntelIntuitive SurgicalISRGJNJJohnson JohnsonJPMJPMorganLinear TechnologyLLTCLUFKLufkinLUVMATMattelMerckMRKNOKNokiaOZRKParker HannifinPeabody EnergyPGRPHProgressive Corp.Sherwin-WilliamsSHWSouthwestWells FargoWFCSun, 12 Apr 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Serious Money: No secret for market turn-around -- AAPL, AEO, CISCO, & ISRG]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/10/serious-money-no-secret-for-market-turn-around-aapl-aeo-ci/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/10/serious-money-no-secret-for-market-turn-around-aapl-aeo-ci/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/10/serious-money-no-secret-for-market-turn-around-aapl-aeo-ci/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Given the current state of the economy all would agree it's going to be a long road home. The market is up today on a few bits of news following what has been a dreadful last ten days. Maybe it's the merger and acquisition activity, maybe it's the news that Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) "let slip" that they earned a profit the first two months of the year. Perhaps the market was just due for a bounce before another slide?

Every day we read various rationales for why the market may be undervalued, or as some believe, still has a long way to drop. We look at stocks of strong companies with historically low price-to-earnings ratios and think now is the time to get in. However, someone will be quick to point out that forward earnings are perhaps going to be less than projected.

Continue reading Serious Money: No secret for market turn-around -- AAPL, AEO, CISCO, & ISRG

Serious Money: No secret for market turn-around -- AAPL, AEO, CISCO, & ISRG originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLAEOAmerican Eagle OutfittersAmericanEagleOutfittersApple Inc.AppleInc.CCisco SystemsCiscoSystemsCitigroupCSCOfeaturedInflationIntuitive SurgicalIntuitiveSurgicalSerious MoneySeriousMoneySheldon LiberSheldonLiberTue, 10 Mar 2009 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Nostradamus was a punk! Have we reached bottom?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/09/nostradamus-was-a-punk-have-we-reached-bottom/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/09/nostradamus-was-a-punk-have-we-reached-bottom/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/09/nostradamus-was-a-punk-have-we-reached-bottom/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

If there is anything that makes me think we could be close to a market bottom, it is all the people that have gone off the deep end thinking the world may be coming to an end.

For the time being highly leveraged debt obligations seem to have come to an end. Large independent investment banks may have come to an end for now. The idea of a balanced budget may have come to an end a long time ago. However, the world is not coming to an end.

If anybody out there thinks that the times we live in come close to the Dark Ages, the American Revolution, the Civil War, World Wars I or II, or the Great Depression, then they are wimps who know nothing about history or true misery.

Continue reading Nostradamus was a punk! Have we reached bottom?

Nostradamus was a punk! Have we reached bottom? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLAEOamerican eagle outfittersAmericanEagleOutfittersApple IncAppleInccisco systemsCiscoSystemsCSCOfeaturedGEGeneral ElectricGeneralElectricintuitive surgicalIntuitiveSurgicalISRGNostradamusSheldon LiberSheldonLiberstock marketStockMarketMon, 09 Mar 2009 14:10:00 EST