COMMENT
Put the tech stock weakness in perspective. It's entirely normal, and we see it 3-4 times every year. After the enormous run-up, no one should be surprised about the 3-day drop.
COMMENT
The discounted dividend is one measure of the true value of a stock. Interest rates are close to zero. In the old days, if we discount Apple's dividend by 5%, you can come to some sort of value. But discounted by 1/2 of 1%, the discounted dividend model would suggest that stocks are much more valuable today than when interest rates were higher.
COMMENT
Will we have a directionless market until the result of the US election? Three major areas of uncertainty. Most important is when we might have a Covid vaccine and how effective it will be. Secondly is whether Congress will provide protection for the millions who've lost their jobs. The third thing is the election result and whether it will be respected.
COMMENT
Is the current disparaging of the US election process, with very little evidence, depressing? Depressing and scary. If you value democracy, you have to value the institutions that make democracy viable. If the results are questioned, the entire process is devalued.
BUY
Their largest single holding. Big believers. Dedicated user base. It has both the hardware, as well as software as a service. Enormous amount of cash on hand. The company will grow into its valuation. Dividend will likely rise. Expensive right now, but he has no trouble buying.
HOLD
After the last crash, its value was decimated. He saw it as a utility company, as people need to pay MSFT to upgrade. Tremendous job of growing its cloud business. He's not selling anytime soon.
DON'T BUY
Oil is a sunset industry, not a growth industry. Price of oil volatile. He doesn't like companies that can't set the price of the product they sell. SU has vertical integration, so it's not a bad one to own, but he doesn't like the industry.
COMMENT
Feds announced infrastructure spending, and this would help all the construction companies. In general, not great nest egg investments. Earnings can be volatile. Funding for projects is not steady over time. Nothing against owning it, but doesn't see it as a lifetime hold.
DON'T BUY
One of the tech darlings, so it's expensive. Not like the rest of the FANG stocks where the valuations are more connected to the earnings. There's a lot of speculation built into the price. A good company, might be great over time, but too expensive.
DON'T BUY
The glory days when Intel had the secret sauce, and most devices had an "Intel inside" sticker, are gone. It no longer has the pricing power that it needs to have. It's a "me too" company, not a market leader.
DON'T BUY
It's twice as expensive as it should be. Subject of extraordinary speculation and trading activity. Traders buy the stock not based on fundamentals, but on momentum and sentiment. Based on psychology, not on economics or finance. When momentum cools, everyone heads for the exits. Remember the cautionary tales of Nortel and JDS Uniphase.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Oct 04/19, Up 7%) Has great assets like toll roads, airports, railways, seaports. Low interest rates mean that pension plans and lifecos have to buy into these types of assets to lock in long-term yields to meet obligations.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Oct 04/19, Up 14%) Growth play and yield play. With 5G and smart cars, more equipment has to be mounted on towers. Not sexy, but steady. Sees a growing dividend over time.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Oct 04/19, Down 5%) Will be opening all resorts in the Fall. Has both day use and overnight properties. Unique properties. Pleasantly surprised by its recovery since March. Can increase revenues by increasing prices and expanding services to its current user base.
BUY
The rally has ignored the low growth, high-yield, blue chip stocks like CVS. Tading at less than 10x earnings, with a dividend of about 3.5%. A lot to be said for owning this kind of a stock. Could be a nest egg. Drugstores won't disappear, even with online shopping. Better buy than a pharma. Steady eddy.