TOP PICK
Recently cut distributions by half but now at a point where they might be able to stabilize them. If gas prices stay at current levels, distributions should be safe. New CEO. Still some danger in that they have more debt than revenues.
TOP PICK
Mace and security systems manufacturers. Also into carwashes and selling these off for cash going forward. Have moved into Internet marketing, which is risky if it does not go well. Trading at about 2/3 of book value. Have a substantial debt level.
TOP PICK
Cancer therapy. Revenues have grown. Acquired a $10 million company for $30 million, which was questionable. Fairly clean balance sheet.
BUY
Got your Top Picks listed, but have company and the rest will have to wait for a few days. Happy Holidays. Bill
PAST TOP PICK
(A Past Top Pick Apr 20/07. Up 14.1%.) Acquired by Flextronic (FLEX-Q) for $3.89 or shares. He elected to keep the shares and Flextronic is on his Buy list.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Past Top Pick Apr 20/07. Down 46.4 %.) Just doubled his position in it. Board of directors was changed for the better. New CEO. Have a debt load they have to deal with this month.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Past Top Pick Apr 20/07. Down 72.5%.) Still comfortable holding and is on his Buy list. Acquired Legerity, which doubled the company’s size but took on about $75 million debt giving it a messy balance sheet. Still has a lot of cash. Last quarter was a blood bath. Very competitive field. Management has been accumulating stock. Big insider buying. Speculative.
BUY
Likes the acquisitions that they made of Solectron, which gives them a good size and makes him a very strong company. Has a lot of upside still.
DON'T BUY
Solar is a hot field and a lot of companies have done very well. This one has gone up about 4X from its low, which makes him a little wary. Have been signing new contracts, working in China and everything seems to be going their way. Not a contrarian investment.
DON'T BUY
(London Stock Exchange)Huge company with over $30 billion of revenues. Big in North America and the United Kingdom. Lovely balance sheet. One caveat, Have decided to de-list from the NYSE and will be OTC, which is like a wild west show. Far harder to trade OTC.
DON'T BUY
This is on his Stock Watch list. As a contrarian, he likes to avoid a falling knife and this one is still falling precipitously. Could possibly go into receivership.
HOLD
Canadian banking sector, until recently, has had the best-run sector globally. Expects more shoes to fall. He would be wary of this sector. If selling, wait until the new year. Good dividend.
DON'T BUY
Have done well in this sector. Hasn't moved far too much for him and is no longer a contrarian play.
DON'T BUY
Debt load is too big for him. Has not done well in this sector. Still have all kinds of difficulties.
DON'T BUY
See comments under Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS-T).