***Official*** 2008 Stock Market Thread

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Azurik

Platinum Member
Jan 23, 2002
2,206
12
81
Originally posted by: OS

the stock market is still massively overvalued on nearly all indicies


http://online.barrons.com/publ...0-indexespeyields.html

http://online.wsj.com/mdc/publ...html?mod=mdc_uss_pglnk

This is an area where one needs to analyze beyond the surface numbers. A year ago, the indices were higher with lower P/E ratios. Now we have sinking indices with much higher P/E's. Why?

There really is one main reason, and that is the financial sector. This sector distorts the valuation with their massive write-offs. If you take out financials (which bear a significant weight to the indices), the current valuations are moderately undervalued, which supports a bullish market view. Earnings for the entire S&P 500 slumped 23% from last year's period. But excluding the financials, earnings were actually up 16%. The weakness in housing and finance has not permeated through manufacturing and consumer spending. It has affected them sure, but no where near recession levels, at least not with the current data we have on hand.

The big worrisome factor that is affecting Wall Street right now is renewed inflation concerns, which is caused by a multitude of factors, including oil. Earlier this year, there was a flight to quality into bonds. Now, it looks like people are dumping stocks, but not buying as much bonds because investors are worried that inflation will erode the treasuries value.

Economic growth is also questionable at this point, but the numbers do not simply point to a recession. I track all the weekly data that come out, and it tells me that yes, growth has slowed significantly, but it has not detoriated into recession-like levels.

This isn't like the dot-com bubble folks. Neither I or Joe-Six-Pack can't predict what will happen in the next few months, but on a valuation basis, things look very reasonable.
 

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
15,581
1
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heh, you are sadly mistaken if you think the financials have taken all their writedowns, which actually means the P/E of the indicies can look even worse.

the woes of the financial sector are going to eventually drag down the rest of the economy.

the fate of the financials and the consumer are actually more or less tied together now, the era of cheap and easy credit is over, considering the consumer being 2/3rds or whatever of the US economy.

 

imported_Lothar

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2006
4,559
1
0
I'm now looking for an exit point in BHP. I believe the company is now seriously overvalued especially comparing it's historical valuations.
It's seen a nice rise since I bought it at $51.96 in early May last year. I also bought FCX during that period, but I still plan on keeping it.

LUK has been good, and is a little overpriced now, but I'll still hold it.
They're the only company that have demonstrated to me that they can both walk and chew gum at the same time IMO.

My healthcare stocks are doing excellent...GILD, JNJ, TEVA, ESRX, COV, and MR. :thumbsup:

I will still keep PWE(till the end of the year at least for their dividends) and NOV.
I bought NOV ($74.50 before stock split) when oil was about $58/barrel in March '07.
The company has backlog orders going back almost 5 years. Whether oil drops to $60/barrel or increases to $150/barrel tomorrow, I'll still hold the stock.
I will probably end up selling PWE sometime this year since Canadians will soon start taxing CANROY's. The fat dividends was nice while it lasted.

I've put myself on hold for now on buying most financial companies(AXP, BAC, and others). I'd rather be "late" to a financial rally than too early.

Interesting that BAC is now at the target price I calculated a few months ago.
Their dividend is pretty high and it only makes sense that they will cut it, however Ken Lewis said last week he sees no reason to cut the dividend. They raised $12 billion in January which certainly gives them some legroom unlike the crappy banks like WB and WM. I'm a little confused on the CFC purchase...I think it's a good deal but I expect it to dilute their earnings per share. The question for me at this point in time is not "if" but "when" to step in.
If BAC cuts their dividend, I'll put it on equal footing with WFC, and USB...But currently I still like BAC better than both.
 

imported_Lothar

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2006
4,559
1
0
Originally posted by: Naustica
Originally posted by: Azurik
Increased my stake in GE by another 50% right before the close at $30.03. Added additional money to the DOW and S&P 500 Index Fund.

I think you're early but who really knows. I think we're in for more pain and S&P has at least another 4-5% drop real soon and Dow another 500 points easily. Today didn't feel like a panic to me. It felt like a start of a major decline.

I'm going to slowly put together my shopping list but I don't intend to shop right now. In the meantime I'm looking for names to short.

What's on your potential shopping list?

My "potential" shopping list so far includes MYL, MDT, GSK, MKL, PGR, BAC, WFC, AXP, MHK, JOE and even SHLD of all companies.
I'm seeing serious valuations in all of them.

Of course the 18 individual stocks already in the portfolio automatically takes priority over any new shopping list as long as they aren't overvalued.
I'm not someone who believes one must have 50+ stocks. I hope to never have more than 20-23.
 

Azurik

Platinum Member
Jan 23, 2002
2,206
12
81
Originally posted by: her209
Gah!!! Why are my bonds [PTRAX] taking a beating? :(

That's where I had over 50% of my money from December through June. I still have about 20%-30% of it, decided to move the other in equities.

I wouldn't worry about the day to day fluctuations. Bonds have been falling out of favor the past month... it'll come back and forth... meanwhile, it pays a good dividend and you can't beat Bill, he's the grand daddy of bonds.
 

Azurik

Platinum Member
Jan 23, 2002
2,206
12
81
We're pretty much sitting near year lows at this point. Pretty important numbers coming out at 2pm with the beige book.
 
Sep 29, 2004
18,656
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Originally posted by: Lothar
Originally posted by: Naustica
Originally posted by: Azurik
Increased my stake in GE by another 50% right before the close at $30.03. Added additional money to the DOW and S&P 500 Index Fund.

I think you're early but who really knows. I think we're in for more pain and S&P has at least another 4-5% drop real soon and Dow another 500 points easily. Today didn't feel like a panic to me. It felt like a start of a major decline.

I'm going to slowly put together my shopping list but I don't intend to shop right now. In the meantime I'm looking for names to short.

What's on your potential shopping list?

My "potential" shopping list so far includes MYL, MDT, GSK, MKL, PGR, BAC, WFC, AXP, MHK, JOE and even SHLD of all companies.
I'm seeing serious valuations in all of them.

Of course the 18 individual stocks already in the portfolio automatically takes priority over any new shopping list as long as they aren't overvalued.
I'm not someone who believes one must have 50+ stocks. I hope to never have more than 20-23.

Piggyback Buffet with financials:
BAC
WFC
ACP (I think?)

Toss MDT aside and go after JNJ..... do a DCF and it is easy to understand why Buffet bought it.
 

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,811
126
Originally posted by: Lothar
Originally posted by: Naustica
Originally posted by: Azurik
Increased my stake in GE by another 50% right before the close at $30.03. Added additional money to the DOW and S&P 500 Index Fund.

I think you're early but who really knows. I think we're in for more pain and S&P has at least another 4-5% drop real soon and Dow another 500 points easily. Today didn't feel like a panic to me. It felt like a start of a major decline.

I'm going to slowly put together my shopping list but I don't intend to shop right now. In the meantime I'm looking for names to short.

What's on your potential shopping list?

My "potential" shopping list so far includes MYL, MDT, GSK, MKL, PGR, BAC, WFC, AXP, MHK, JOE and even SHLD of all companies.
I'm seeing serious valuations in all of them.

Of course the 18 individual stocks already in the portfolio automatically takes priority over any new shopping list as long as they aren't overvalued.
I'm not someone who believes one must have 50+ stocks. I hope to never have more than 20-23.


I've two ideas floating right now. One, agricultural commodity rise will continue well into next year. Still looking for entry into DBA. Two, companies like Halliburton, Raytheon, Lockhead, Northrop Grumman are short near end of the year if Obama wins the election which I think he will.

Near term, I'm watching the financials and the betas. As the saying goes, "As go the piggies, so goes the poke." I've always been told to watch the financials as a tell as we can't rise without the banks in this finance based economy and I believe it. Betas are trading relatively dry and markets usually don't bottom until everyone gets hit including the betas. I went short Apple this morning and that's tough way to make money.

I don't believe in diversification so I usually hold only like 5-6 stocks and won't go over 10 max. Some of the names I'm looking at include KMX, GSK, COST, KFT, LUK, BAC, WFC, UNH, WLP, BNI, UNP, GE. Mainly Buffett stocks. Way I look at it is if it's good for Buffett, it's good for me. I'm also watching MA, BIDU, and GS as potential rentals if the market turns.

 

imported_Lothar

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2006
4,559
1
0
Originally posted by: Slew Foot
Told you to sell in May

The additional KO shares I bought earlier are lower than the current price.
I've gained on the additional investment (theoretically at least).

Your theory proves nothing.
 

imported_Lothar

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2006
4,559
1
0
Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Originally posted by: Lothar
Originally posted by: Naustica
Originally posted by: Azurik
Increased my stake in GE by another 50% right before the close at $30.03. Added additional money to the DOW and S&P 500 Index Fund.

I think you're early but who really knows. I think we're in for more pain and S&P has at least another 4-5% drop real soon and Dow another 500 points easily. Today didn't feel like a panic to me. It felt like a start of a major decline.

I'm going to slowly put together my shopping list but I don't intend to shop right now. In the meantime I'm looking for names to short.

What's on your potential shopping list?

My "potential" shopping list so far includes MYL, MDT, GSK, MKL, PGR, BAC, WFC, AXP, MHK, JOE and even SHLD of all companies.
I'm seeing serious valuations in all of them.

Of course the 18 individual stocks already in the portfolio automatically takes priority over any new shopping list as long as they aren't overvalued.
I'm not someone who believes one must have 50+ stocks. I hope to never have more than 20-23.

Piggyback Buffet with financials:
BAC
WFC
ACP (I think?)

Toss MDT aside and go after JNJ..... do a DCF and it is easy to understand why Buffet bought it.

I'm already in JNJ.

As I said earlier, my current 18 stocks takes priority over any new purchase if I think they're cheap.
JNJ is my 3rd largest stock holding behind LUK and GILD; and probably the only "pharma" I plan on holding.
They are the only one that seems to make any sense and provide me with a margin of safety.
How many companies do you know have increased dividends consecutively for the past 40 years?

Most pharmas face a "patent cliff" by 2010.
JNJ has the correct business strategy by expanding in the OTC and consumer market.
Pfizer was stupid to sell their consumer health group to JNJ.

I'm interested in MDT mainly because it's cheap especially compared to historical levels, and most of JNJ's stents and medical devices are getting old. Sure JNJ is still making a hefty profit but they're losing some serious market share to MDT in stents.
 
Sep 29, 2004
18,656
68
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Lothar,

Nice to see a real investor pop up once in a while. Most here probably have no idea what margin of safety is.
 

imported_Lothar

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2006
4,559
1
0
Originally posted by: Naustica
Originally posted by: Lothar
Originally posted by: Naustica
Originally posted by: Azurik
Increased my stake in GE by another 50% right before the close at $30.03. Added additional money to the DOW and S&P 500 Index Fund.

I think you're early but who really knows. I think we're in for more pain and S&P has at least another 4-5% drop real soon and Dow another 500 points easily. Today didn't feel like a panic to me. It felt like a start of a major decline.

I'm going to slowly put together my shopping list but I don't intend to shop right now. In the meantime I'm looking for names to short.

What's on your potential shopping list?

My "potential" shopping list so far includes MYL, MDT, GSK, MKL, PGR, BAC, WFC, AXP, MHK, JOE and even SHLD of all companies.
I'm seeing serious valuations in all of them.

Of course the 18 individual stocks already in the portfolio automatically takes priority over any new shopping list as long as they aren't overvalued.
I'm not someone who believes one must have 50+ stocks. I hope to never have more than 20-23.


I've two ideas floating right now. One, agricultural commodity rise will continue well into next year. Still looking for entry into DBA. Two, companies like Halliburton, Raytheon, Lockhead, Northrop Grumman are short near end of the year if Obama wins the election which I think he will.

Near term, I'm watching the financials and the betas. As the saying goes, "As go the piggies, so goes the poke." I've always been told to watch the financials as a tell as we can't rise without the banks in this finance based economy and I believe it. Betas are trading relatively dry and markets usually don't bottom until everyone gets hit including the betas. I went short Apple this morning and that's tough way to make money.

I don't believe in diversification so I usually hold only like 5-6 stocks and won't go over 10 max. Some of the names I'm looking at include KMX, GSK, COST, KFT, LUK, BAC, WFC, UNH, WLP, BNI, UNP, GE. Mainly Buffett stocks. Way I look at it is if it's good for Buffett, it's good for me. I'm also watching MA, BIDU, and GS as potential rentals if the market turns.

I already left my defense pick General Dynamics a few months ago(I think I posted it somewhere here before?) in anticipation of a democratic president.
I don't believe in shorting stocks so I wouldn't even try what you're doing.

The current "top 10" individual stocks.
LUK
GILD
JNJ
UNP
KFT
HPQ
NTDOY
WMI
KO
NOV


The "top 10" alone accounts for 68%. The remaining "bottom 8" only accounts for 12%.
Even if I may have 18 (like I do now) or my 20 max limit stocks, I still run a very concentrated portfolio.

I don't see any reason for wide moat diversification.
 

imported_Lothar

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2006
4,559
1
0
Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Naustica,

You missed out on BNI. it is up something like 25-30% since WEB bought it.

All the railroads are up significantly, but I still think they have a lot of pricing power left.

At this point though, I'd rather increase my stake in KFT than buy more UNP shares.
Buy good companies at "great" prices.

KFT looks to be approaching <$30 again...Maybe it will get there if the market drops by -200 each the next two days.
 
Sep 29, 2004
18,656
68
91
Buy good companies at great prices ..

WEB can but improtant concepts into words so well:
"It's far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price."

Such a simple quote but it says so much. The guy really has a gift with words. If he made a video and sold it such that proceeds went to charity, I would pay in the hundreds of dollars for the video. For a 6 hour video, I would pay $1,000. He won't write a book because there is nothing left to be written that has not been written already (like "The Intelligent Investor"). But if he were to write a book or do a video or anything and donate the proceeds to charity, wouldn't that be wonderful?

I think WEB sold UNP when he bought BNI. For that reason alone, I would only want to buy BNI ... especially if all the railroads are up by about the same percentage.

Well Lothar .... it's actually nice talking to you. Consider the PM I sent you. I think you would liek the forums over there ;)
 

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,811
126
Playing with fire. Three potential shorts on my screen. GE, YHOO, LEH.

GE to $25-26.
YHOO to $19.5
LEH to under $20.

I've got my order to short GE at $29.5. YHOO I'm considering. Lehman at $24.
Still holding the Apple short from yesterday.
 

Azurik

Platinum Member
Jan 23, 2002
2,206
12
81
Originally posted by: Naustica
Playing with fire. Three potential shorts on my screen. GE, YHOO, LEH.

GE to $25-26.
YHOO to $19.5
LEH to under $20.

I've got my order to short GE at $29.5. YHOO I'm considering. Lehman at $24.
Still holding the Apple short from yesterday.

You're going to short GE here? Whyyyy? I thought you were a potential buyer... did something change your mind or you're just going with the overall market?

News from the wire:

"GE Execs Dig In as Stock Falters
By Teresa Rivas

SHARES OF GENERAL ELECTRIC (ticker: GE) have continued their slide, but insiders have continued to signal confidence, snapping up $4.5 million in stock in the last two weeks.

On Wednesday Vice Chairman Michael Neal purchased 35,000 shares for $1 million, or $29.99 a share. He now owns 520,154 shares directly and 3,729 shares in his 401(k) plan.

On May 28 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Immelt purchased 115,000 shares for $3.5 million, an average of $30.63 a share. The purchase was the largest insider buy at GE in ..."
 

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,811
126
Originally posted by: Azurik
You're going to short GE here? Whyyyy? I thought you were a potential buyer... did something change your mind or you're just going with the overall market?

I'm a potential buyer. Just not right now. GE is a big financial institution. Their finance division smoothed out their earnings in the past. Now it's a liability. $30 broke rather easily and the trend is down. Just trying to play the trend. There's also rumor GE is going to raise capital.

My order didn't get hit.

Don't mind me. I'm just noise in the big picture.