Riding The Cycle With Weatherford (WFT, NOV, BHI, OIH)

http://community.investopedia.com/news/IA/2008/Riding-The-Cycle-With-Weatherford-WFT-NOV-BHI-OIH1023.aspx


I spent a lot of the first half of this year worried that I was missing the boat on energy services and second-guessing my feeling that energy was going to retreat with the recession. Glad I stuck with my thesis.

Tracking UTX's Moving Parts (UTX, IR, DHR)

http://community.investopedia.com/news/IA/2008/Tracking-UTXs-Moving-Parts-UTX-IR-DHR1022.aspx

A Rare Opportunity In Steel Dynamics (STLD)

Along with Peabody (which I also wrote on recently), this is one of the few companies where I actually believe what management tells me and trust them to run the business.

Sadly, an increasingly novel concept...

http://community.investopedia.com/news/IA/2008/A-Rare-Opportunity-In-Steel-Dynamics-STLD1022.aspx

The Peabody Story Is Elementary (BTU, ACI, CNX)

Once again I get to write about one of the better-run companies out there today...
Seems like every commodity is just collapsing into a puddle of goo, but that won't last forever.


http://community.investopedia.com/news/IA/2008/The-Peabody-Story-Is-Elementary-BTU-ACI-CNX1022.aspx

Waiting For The Dips On Intuitive Surgical (ISRG)

http://community.investopedia.com/news/IA/2008/Waiting-For-The-Dips-On-Intuitive-Surgical-ISRG1021.aspx

A Rare Stryker Buying Opportunity (SYK, ZMH, MDT)

http://community.investopedia.com/news/IA/2008/A-Rare-Stryker-Buying-Opportunity-SYK-ZMH-MDT1021.aspx

Linear Throws A Curve (LLTC, MXIM, NSM)

http://community.investopedia.com/news/IA/2008/Linear-Throws-A-Curve-LLTC-MXIM-NSM1020.aspx

Since I wrote this, we've now seen Texas Instrument's guidance. Not good.
Looks like LLTC mgmt had this one right...

Will St. Jude Keep The Beat? (STJ, MDT, BSX)

Sorry for the slight delay, folks.

Here's the latest that I've written for Investopedia.

http://community.investopedia.com/news/IA/2008/Will-St.-Jude-Keep-The-Beat-STJ-MDT-BSX1020.aspx.

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The Particular Conundrum Of This Market

So, here's the latest thing that's driving me crazy about this market (and at this point, it's a REALLY short drive)...

I'm finally seeing a chance to buy really good companies like Alcon, T.Rowe Price, and the like at pretty reasonable valuations. All the while, there's a host of "okay to pretty good" companies trading at "are you >bleeping< kidding me?!?!" valuations.

It's enough to drive a value-oriented guy to the edge...

Polaris Still Shining (PII, FLE, BC)

http://community.investopedia.com/news/IA/2008/Polaris-Still-Shining-PII-FLE-BC1016.aspx

Frankencapitalism At Your Local Bank (GS, MS, BAC)

This was written for Investopedia:

http://community.investopedia.com/news/IA/2008/Frankencapitalism-At-Your-Local-Bank-GS-MS-BAC1015.aspx

Strange days indeed.

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Monsanto - A Non-Commodity Commodity Play (MON, DD)

Here's the latest I've written on Monsanto for Investopedia.
http://community.investopedia.com/news/IA/2008/Monsanto---A-Non-Commodity-Commodity-Play-MON-DD1015.aspx

I've long loved this company and lamented the valuation. Boy howdy is this a volatile one!

Cheers
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The Icelandic Saga

Interesting piece in BusinessWeek on the collapse of Iceland (http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/oct2008/gb2008109_947306.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily).

Interesting if, for no other reason, than this seems to be getting relatively little play, what with our financial system collapsing and all. It certainly is/was remarkable to see how a tiny country (smaller, population-wise, than my hometown of Omaha) could get so big on the global banking stage.

Of course, that's the wonderful thing about debt, isn't it? It allows you to get big REALLY fast. Then, of course, there's a reckoning and you get a whole lot smaller REALLY fast ... But nobody ever seems to remember that part until it's too late.

If I were Western Europe, I'd be a little more eager to help them out. After all, the last time the Vikings took it in the shorts, they sacked half of known civilization. Granted, that produced the material for bands like Amon Amarth to sing about today, so it's not all bad ...

But with Iceland possibly cozying up to Russia for assistance, maybe it's time to find a few spare dimes for our Viking brothers. After all, keeping Putin from making new friends in "our" part of the world is probably something that's in our long-term best interests.

Trouble Below The Surface At Acergy (ACGY, RIG, NE)

http://community.investopedia.com/news/IA/2008/Trouble-Below-The-Surface-At-Acergy-ACGY-RIG-NE1014.aspx

Can Aluminum (And Alcoa) Shine Again? (AA, CENX, RTP)

Here's an article I wrote for Investopedia.

Hard to get a good read on commodities right now. I still think we have a long way to go with this "super cycle", but the thing that the commodity perma-bulls always seem to forget is that you can have some white-knuckle corrections during that long upward march.

In any event, enjoy.
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http://community.investopedia.com/news/IA/2008/Can-Aluminum-And-Alcoa-Shine-Again-AA-CENX-RTP1014.aspx

... And We're Live

Here we go folks...

I decided to start this blog principally as a way of cataloging my freelance writing (primarily for Investopedia these days). But since I'm here, I'll probably make the occasional posting on other items of interest and ideas that I can't write about for Investopedia or other sites.

By all means, feel free to offer up feedback. I know it looks a little crude for now, but I hope to refine elements of this as we go along (assuming there's the interest level).

The Curious Bid For Atmel (ATML, ONNN, MCHP)"

I wrote the following for Investopedia on the unusual potential three-way deal between chip companies Atmel, ON Semiconductor, and Microchip.

Enjoy.

http://community.investopedia.com/news/IA/2008/The-Curious-Bid-For-Atmel-ATML-ONNN-MCHP1007.aspx.

Actuant A Growth Company In Training (ATU)

A piece for Investopedia:

http://community.investopedia.com/news/IA/2008/Actuant_A_Growth_Company_In_Training_ATU.aspx.

Wachovia-Wells Fargo A Victory For Us All (WB, WFC, C)

I wrote the following for Investopedia:

http://community.investopedia.com/news/IA/2008/Wachovia-Wells_Fargo_A_Victory_For_Us_All_WB_WFC_C.aspx.

Clearly we're in brand-new territory when it comes to government involved in the banking sector. Nevertheless, I can't see any reason for the government to spurn a viable all-private deal in favor of a Citi bid that requires government assistance.

Wolverine No Cowering Kitten (WWW, NKE, KSWS, TBL)

A piece written for Investopedia:

http://community.investopedia.com/news/IA/2008/Wolverine_No_Cowering_Kitten_WWW_NKE_KSWS_TBL.aspx