Diana Shipping Inc. (DSX)

(A Top Pick March 25/11. Down 8.16%.) Still likes.

There is a lot of shipping capacity and a lot of new ships coming out and freight rates have been depressed. This one has the cleanest balance sheet in the industry, the youngest fleet and the best operating metrics and are able to make a profit. Strong clientele. Able to buy ships at depressed prices from the competition.

Headquartered out of Athens. Ships iron ore, coal and grains globally with some ownership in a container ship business they spun off. Industry has been decimated. Characteristically this normally has a positive relationship to commodities but lately has had a negative relationship. Believes this will revert back again and this company will be best positioned for this. Have $311 million available in cash. Fleet averages 4.7 years versus peers of 8+.

Have to be ready for tremendous volatility. He generally keeps a basket of them and at year-end sells and buys new ones. Bulk Dry Index (?) has been ticking up slowly after a horrendous Q4, which he feels indicates more optimism in China.