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  • Bigger is Not Better in Banking
    As a small business owner, what I've seen over the last decade as larger banks eat smaller banks (and now the prospect of mega-banks), is a chilling insensitivity to a major sector of the US economy, namely, the small business owner. So, the world economy aside, I might favor some of these mega-banks being broken up if it will benefit the little guy.
    Oct 24 09:50 am |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
  • Bigger is Not Better in Banking
    As one who never invested in banks because I felt I could never understand their machinations well enough, I value this kind of intelligent "big-picture"... strategy Mr. Whalen. Thank you for this great article.
    Oct 22 09:27 am |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
  • Taking a Risk - With 20% Yields
    I predict massive consolidation going forward in dry-bulk shipping. Some of this will be driven by the commodity companies that are placing orders for ships, and also, I project, snapping up smaller players in the industry. For an example, see Rio Vale (RIO). I agree EXM is one with the power and management to succeed, but this economy is for patient players only.
    Sep 28 13:45 pm |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
  • Obama or McCain: Who’s Better for Healthcare Investors?
    Lex Luz - I'm with you - let's get rid of ALL the insurance companies - Americans want to be protected from scraping their knees. Insurance companies have seeped into every part of our life. They reward the weak and expect you and me to pay for it. Responsible, hard-working, honest americans should not be paying for the failures of irresponsible and reckless persons. Think how much money you'd have in your pocket if you didn't pay insurance premiums and what that would contribute to the overall economy. It will never happen of course, the lawyers in this country would fight it to the death.

    I think states should be allowed the liberty and resources to design public programs for the uninsured - tax dollars would pay for them. A federally administered system would be an unbelievable disaster.

    Sep 13 18:26 pm |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
  • Focusing on Medical Equipment
    Well there you go, Boris. We'd make a team, I could scout the companies and you could scratch the numbers. I expect it will narrow in the longer term, but based upon my investment experience this discount will be good for another two years I'd say. I wouldn't bet on more than that. My feeling is Exactech has too much to lose at this point to be anything but squeeky clean.
    Sep 08 12:57 pm |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
  • Focusing on Medical Equipment
    Boris, okay. Though my reply may not include the kind of response you are looking for because my investing style may be quite different. I first look at the ownership, ie, the original SEC filings, and follow it from there. I rely on qualitative research more than quantitative research, but also watch carefully all the valuation ratios and cash flow. I've had Exactech for almost two years and watched it plateau before.

    - It lapped around the first plateau at $14-$16 before bumping up to its high of $29 and now its lapping around $27/$28.

    - There is alot of family ownership, with a second generation on board, and I think they have and will show good stewardship.

    - It's a profitable company that has avoided, for the most part, the current FDA investigation into sales practices that has plagued its peers.

    - It is spurring growth through acquisition of complementary products/companies (a spine products company whose name I don't remember offhand) and has acquired a global orthopedics distribution facility, with an existing sales force, in France. They have obtained a $40M credit facility and growth will be accretive.

    - They have just been named to the Russell 3000.

    - I expect future sales to be healthy because of the aging population.

    My expectations are not based upon the heavy quantitative research that the Seeking Alpha audience tends to favor, but based upon my own personal investing experience which is more intuitive. Sometimes I lose, and sometimes I win mightily. I don't follow the crowds. Ever. I look for smaller growth companies in specific sectors that I understand. I never invested in financials because I do not understand them well enough, and they are not directly asset-based. A company, even if highly leveraged, must be asset based. I look for good cash flow. Obviously I could go on and on but I hope this answers your question in part, if not in whole.
    Sep 04 10:04 am |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
  • Focusing on Medical Equipment
    I think you're very foolish to back out of Exactech - I own it, I think it still has a lot of upside at $27/$28, and in this market particularly, one simply has to be a little bit more patient. This stock's price is going to have plateaus. This is one of them.
    Sep 03 21:25 pm |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
  • The Election's Impact on the Market
    Excellent, Roger, I agree on all points. But further to my own circumstances, Obama is just going to redistribute the wealth. I'm voting for McCain. Period. He's a man with a long record of experience and, even if imperfect, at least he has learned personal lessons that only come from real experience. He also has endured the kind of spiritual/physical stress that informs the heart and mind. Sarah Plain and Tall (god I love it) works for me. A woman who is unafraid of hardship. Has Obama ever worked a day in his life?
    Sep 01 10:23 am |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
  • Prime Foreclosures Now Greater Than Subprime
    Is part of this so-called "rise" in prime delinquencies really due to the expanded resources made available to sub-prime borrowers? Putting the question another way, are "prime" borrowers eligible for the same protections and work-outs that have been created specifically for the sub-prime sector? Has the sub-prime rise softened at the expense of the prime sector?
    Aug 31 08:43 am |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
  • FreightCar America: Coal Car Orders Will Pick Up Soon
    An Obama victory in November? It would spell bad news not just for coal as you suggest, but bad news for anyone in small business. Obama is going to re-distribute the wealth. Sorry, but you brought it up first.
    Aug 13 10:03 am |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
  • Medical Devices Are Solid Long-Term
    No value in this article. Scattered, unfocused commentary.
    Aug 13 09:41 am |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
  • A New Way for Investors to Sail the Seas
    Mike, first, some ownership disclosure please. Second, is this chart from another source, or did you assemble it yourself?
    Jul 27 11:04 am |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
  • Majority of Americans Support Ethanol
    Further to the topic of renewable energy as a whole, solar power technologies are essential. Wind farms make me really nervous. The positive aspects aside - I can't help worrying about the impact on sealife and the migratory patterns of birds and other land animals. Does anyone have any fact-based intelligence on this issue?
    Jul 20 11:51 am |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
  • Majority of Americans Support Ethanol
    Wow. I was opposed to ethanol from the very start, even before news of the "energy loss" of production was known. I simply cannot support, morally, using farmland to do anything but feed people and animals. Particularly in light of the part weather has played most recently in production and distribution worldwide. I've learned a lot from posters here, thanks. Part of the answer to energy dependency in the US is obviously conservation (which I don't think we will ever "get"), more domestic production, better fuel efficiency technologies and, well, better BATTERIES too. Can anyone speak with authority on batteries?
    Jul 20 11:23 am |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
  • Mannkind: Overlooked Biotech With Excellent Prospects (Part VI)
    Daddy One - "Again, I repeat, money used to matter, until it didn't." No one could say it any better, Daddy. And for sure, I agree, god bless the man for the sheer drive and passion he has devoted, for a very long time, to diabetes care. BTW, if it is any help - even after 45 years I have no cardiovascular complications - eyes, kidneys, heart, etc. are all 100%. So, monitoring blood sugar, along with regular cardio exercise, are absolutely key. Good luck to you and yours!
    Jul 20 10:18 am |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article

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