tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80608237880396620792024-03-14T00:12:38.489-07:00Stock Picky1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-30966761589496069392010-10-20T20:23:00.000-07:002010-10-20T20:42:07.132-07:00Netflix's Reports Earnings Stock Soars Again In After hours TradingIn this tough stock market it is good to see there are still a few winners... Netlfix stock symbol <a href="http://www.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=NASDAQ:NFLX">NFLX</a> reported stellar earnings today and boosted their quarterly and yearly guidance. How high can this one go? Well as long as they don't disappoint this stock could easily go way higher, if they do though it could fall rather sharply.<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong, overall the picture for Netflix is looking pretty bright with it's recent major deals and increase in subscribers as well as gross margins. The shorts certainly are getting cooked on this one that is for sure... I would find it hard to bet against them with the kind of increase in subscribers quarter over quarter over quarter and I think many people are still covering their positions. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/TL-0z1TQqWI/AAAAAAAAUWA/gxZYADDetU4/s1600/NFLX+Stock+Price.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/TL-0z1TQqWI/AAAAAAAAUWA/gxZYADDetU4/s640/NFLX+Stock+Price.jpg" width="596" /></a></div><br />
Here are the highlights of the quarter... <br />
<br />
“Q3 represents our fourth consecutive quarter of more than one million net subscriber additions. This growth is clearly driven by the strength of our streaming offering. In fact, by every measure, we are now primarily a streaming company that also offers DVD-by-mail,” said Reed Hastings, Netflix co-founder and CEO. “At the same time, the introduction of our streaming offering in Canada in late September has provided us with very encouraging signs regarding the potential for the Netflix service internationally.”<br />
<br />
Third-Quarter 2010 Financial Highlights<br />
Subscribers. Netflix ended the third quarter of 2010 with approximately 16,933,000 total subscribers, representing 52 percent year-over-year growth from 11,109,000 total subscribers at the end of the third quarter of 2009 and 13 percent sequential growth from 15,001,000 subscribers at the end of the second quarter of 2010.<br />
<br />
Net subscriber change in the quarter was an increase of 1,932,000 compared to an increase of 510,000 for the same period of 2009 and an increase of 1,034,000 for the second quarter of 2010. Gross subscriber additions for the quarter totaled 4,101,000, representing 88 percent year-over-year growth from 2,180,000 gross subscriber additions in the third quarter of 2009 and 34 percent quarterover-<br />
quarter increase from 3,059,000 gross subscriber additions in the second quarter of 2010. Of the 16,933,000 total subscribers at quarter end, 94 percent, or 15,863,000, were paid subscribers. The other 6 percent, or 1,070,000, were free subscribers. Paid subscribers represented 98 percent of total subscribers at the end of the third quarter of 2009 and 97 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2010. Revenue for the third quarter of 2010 was $553.2 million, representing 31 percent year-over-year growth from $423.1 million for the third quarter of 2009, and 6 percent sequential growth from $519.8 million for the second quarter of 2010.<br />
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Gross margin for the third quarter of 2010 was 37.7 percent compared to 34.9 percent for the third quarter of 2009 and 39.4 percent for the second quarter of 2010. GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2010 was $38.0 million, or $0.70 per diluted share compared to GAAP net income of $30.1 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2009 and GAAP net income of $43.5 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2010. GAAP net income grew 26 percent on a year-over-year basis and GAAP EPS grew 35 percent on a year-over-year basis.<br />
Percentage of subscribers who watched instantly more than 15 minutes of a TV episode or movie in the third quarter of 2010 was 66 percent compared to 41 percent for the same period of 2009 and 61 percent for the second quarter of 2010. In Q4 a majority of Netflix subscribers will watch more content streamed from Netflix than delivered on DVD. With that transition in the business from mostly DVD to mostly streaming, this will be the last quarter the company will report this metric. Subscriber acquisition cost for the third quarter of 2010 was $19.81 per gross subscriber addition compared to $26.86 for the same period of 2009 and $24.37 for the second quarter of 2010. Churn for the third quarter of 2010 was 3.8 percent compared to 4.4 percent for the third quarter of 2009 and 4.0 percent for the second quarter of 2010. Churn includes free subscribers as well as paying subscribers who elect not to renew their monthly subscription service during the quarter.<br />
<br />
Free cash flow4 for the third quarter of 2010 was $7.8 million compared to $25.5 million for the third quarter of 2009 and $34.2 million for the second quarter of 2010. Trailing twelve-month free cash flow for the third quarter of 2010 was $109.8 million compared to $117.9 million for the third quarter of 2009 and $127.5 million for the second quarter of 2010. Cash provided by operating activities for the third quarter of 2010 was $42.2 million compared to $78.3 million for the third quarter of 2009 and $60.3 million for the second quarter of 2010.<br />
<br />
Business Outlook<br />
The Company’s performance expectations for the fourth quarter of 2010 and full-year 2010 are as follows:<br />
Fourth-Quarter 2010<br />
Ending subscribers of 19.0 million to 19.7 million, up from 17.7 million to 18.5 million<br />
Revenue of $586 million to $598 million, versus $580 million to $596 million<br />
GAAP net income of $32 million to $40 million, unchanged<br />
GAAP EPS of $0.59 to $0.74 per diluted share, unchanged1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-32849749629930154892009-07-16T13:11:00.001-07:002009-07-16T13:14:01.440-07:00Google Reports Solid 2nd Quarter Earnings AgainWall Street yawn as Google reported stellar earnings as usual. Here are some highlights from the release...<br /><h4 class="uline">Q2 Financial Summary</h4> <p>Google reported revenues of $5.52 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, an increase of 3% compared to the second quarter of 2008. Google reports its revenues, consistent with GAAP, on a gross basis without deducting traffic acquisition costs (TAC). In the second quarter of 2009, TAC totaled $1.45 billion, or 27% of advertising revenues.</p> <p>Google reports operating income, operating margin, net income, and earnings per share (EPS) on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis. The non-GAAP measures, as well as free cash flow, an alternative non-GAAP measure of liquidity, are described below and are reconciled to the corresponding GAAP measures in the accompanying financial tables.</p> <ul><li>GAAP operating income for the second quarter of 2009 was $1.87 billion, or 34% of revenues. This compares to GAAP operating income of $1.58 billion, or 29% of revenues, in the second quarter of 2008. Non-GAAP operating income in the second quarter of 2009 was $2.17 billion, or 39% of revenues. This compares to non-GAAP operating income of $1.85 billion, or 34% of revenues, in the second quarter of 2008.</li><li>GAAP net income for the second quarter of 2009 was $1.48 billion as compared to $1.25 billion in the second quarter of 2008. Non-GAAP net income in the second quarter of 2009 was $1.71 billion, compared to $1.47 billion in the second quarter of 2008.</li><li>GAAP EPS for the second quarter of 2009 was $4.66 on 319 million diluted shares outstanding, compared to $3.92 for the second quarter of 2008 on 318 million diluted shares outstanding. Non-GAAP EPS in the second quarter of 2009 was $5.36, compared to $4.63 in the second quarter of 2008.</li><li> Non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP operating margin exclude the expenses related to stock-based compensation (SBC). Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS exclude the expenses related to SBC and the related tax benefits. In the second quarter of 2009, the charge related to SBC was $293 million as compared to $273 million in the second quarter of 2008. The tax benefit related to SBC was $69 million in the second quarter of 2009 and $48 million in the second quarter of 2008. Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to GAAP operating income, operating margin, net income, and EPS are included at the end of this release. </li></ul><strong></strong>As of June 30, 2009, cash, cash equivalents, and short-term marketable securities were $19.3 billion.<br /><br />Google also increases it ever growing stock pile of Cash, as of June 30, 2009, cash, cash equivalents, and short-term marketable securities were $19.3 billion. Impressive, but then again I was sold on Google a long, long, time ago. Let's see how the aftermarket treats it...1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-45719516515784312912009-06-24T18:28:00.000-07:002009-06-24T18:41:35.973-07:00Odyssey Marine Down But Not OutWhen the <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idINN0422009620090604?rpc=44">courts ruled</a> the <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2008/05/buried-treasure-from-odyssey-marine.html">Odyssey Marine</a> (<a href="http://www.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=NASDAQ:OMEX"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">OMEX</span></a>) should return the sunken treasure to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Spanish</span> government on June 4, 2009 Odyssey's stock price lost nearly half its value in a single trading day. Without a doubt this is a huge blow to Odyssey, but the fight is not over. Anyone in their right mind would realize that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Odysesey</span> Marine should at least be given a massive finders fee for discovering, recovering and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">preserving</span> this historical find. <br /><br />If you caught the program on the Discovery Channel called Treasure Quest you can see that this company is serious about finding treasure. There is a lot of different shipwrecks in the sea and it is only a matter of time before they discover another big find like the Black Swan. Sure this stock is risky, but not as risky as it was at $4. Think of buying this stock like a ongoing lotto ticket, you never know when you are going to strike it rich, but you have a chance and a pretty good one if you ask me at this bargain basement prices. <br /><br />What do you think about Odyssey <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Marine's</span> stock, are they a good buy at these levels or do you think they could sink even lower?1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-47677595348245459122009-03-14T20:48:00.000-07:002009-03-14T21:12:54.318-07:00Uncensored Jim Cramer John Stewart InterviewI feel it is important to watch this uncut interview between John Stewart and Jim Cramer... It kinda puts things in perspective and let's us know just how off path we have gone... So many people have been devastated from this financial collapse...<br /><br /><style type='text/css'>.cc_box a:hover .cc_home{background:url('http://www.comedycentral.com/comedycentral/video/assets/syndicated-logo-over.png') !important;}.cc_links a{color:#b9b9b9;text-decoration:none;}.cc_show a{color:#707070;text-decoration:none;}.cc_title a{color:#868686;text-decoration:none;}.cc_links a:hover{color:#67bee2;text-decoration:underline;}</style><div class='cc_box' style='position:relative'><a href='http://www.comedycentral.com' target='_blank' style='display:inline; float:left; width:60px; height:31px;'><div class='cc_home' style='float:left; border:solid 1px #cfcfcf; border-width:1px 0px 0px 1px; width:60px; height:31px; background:url("http://www.comedycentral.com/comedycentral/video/assets/syndicated-logo-out.png");'></div></a><div style='font:bold 10px Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif; float:left; width:299px; height:31px; border:solid 1px #cfcfcf; border-width:1px 1px 0px 0px; overflow:hidden; color:#707070; position:relative;'><div class='cc_show' style='position:relative; background-color:#e5e5e5;padding-left:3px; height:14px; padding-top:2px; overflow:hidden;'><a href='http://www.thedailyshow.com/' target='_blank'>The Daily Show With Jon Stewart</a><span style='position:absolute; top:2px; right:3px;'>M - Th 11p / 10c</span></div><div class='cc_title' style='font-size:11px; color:#868686; background-color:#f5f5f5; padding:3px; padding-top:1px; line-height:14px; height:21px; overflow:hidden;'><a href='http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=221516&title=jim-cramer-unedited-interview' target='_blank'>Jim Cramer Unedited Interview Pt. 1</a></div></div><embed style='float:left; clear:left;' src='http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:221516' width='360' height='301' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='window' allowFullscreen='true' flashvars='autoPlay=false' allowscriptaccess='always' allownetworking='all' bgcolor='#000000'></embed><div class='cc_links' style='float:left; clear:left; width:358px; border:solid 1px #cfcfcf; border-top:0px; font:10px Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif; color:#b9b9b9; background-color:#f5f5f5;'><div style='width:177px; float:left; padding-left:3px;'><a target='_blank' href='http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/index.jhtml'>Daily Show Full Episodes</a><br /><a target='_blank' href='http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/important_things/index.jhtml'>Important Things w/ Demetri Martin</a></div><div style='width:177px; float:left;'><a target='_blank' href='http://www.indecisionforever.com'>Political Humor</a><br /><a target='_blank' href='http://blog.indecisionforever.com/2009/03/13/jon-stewart-and-jim-cramer-the-extended-daily-show-interview/'>Jim Cramer</a></div><div style='clear:both'></div></div><div style='clear:both'></div></div><br /><br />The Second Part... <br /><br /><style type='text/css'>.cc_box a:hover .cc_home{background:url('http://www.comedycentral.com/comedycentral/video/assets/syndicated-logo-over.png') !important;}.cc_links a{color:#b9b9b9;text-decoration:none;}.cc_show a{color:#707070;text-decoration:none;}.cc_title a{color:#868686;text-decoration:none;}.cc_links a:hover{color:#67bee2;text-decoration:underline;}</style><div class='cc_box' style='position:relative'><a href='http://www.comedycentral.com' target='_blank' style='display:inline; float:left; width:60px; height:31px;'><div class='cc_home' style='float:left; border:solid 1px #cfcfcf; border-width:1px 0px 0px 1px; width:60px; height:31px; background:url("http://www.comedycentral.com/comedycentral/video/assets/syndicated-logo-out.png");'></div></a><div style='font:bold 10px Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif; float:left; width:299px; height:31px; border:solid 1px #cfcfcf; border-width:1px 1px 0px 0px; overflow:hidden; color:#707070; position:relative;'><div class='cc_show' style='position:relative; background-color:#e5e5e5;padding-left:3px; height:14px; padding-top:2px; overflow:hidden;'><a href='http://www.thedailyshow.com/' target='_blank'>The Daily Show With Jon Stewart</a><span style='position:absolute; top:2px; right:3px;'>M - Th 11p / 10c</span></div><div class='cc_title' style='font-size:11px; color:#868686; background-color:#f5f5f5; padding:3px; padding-top:1px; line-height:14px; height:21px; overflow:hidden;'><a href='http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=221517&title=jim-cramer-unedited-interview' target='_blank'>Jim Cramer Unedited Interview Pt. 2</a></div></div><embed style='float:left; clear:left;' src='http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:221517' width='360' height='301' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='window' allowFullscreen='true' flashvars='autoPlay=false' allowscriptaccess='always' allownetworking='all' bgcolor='#000000'></embed><div class='cc_links' style='float:left; clear:left; width:358px; border:solid 1px #cfcfcf; border-top:0px; font:10px Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif; color:#b9b9b9; background-color:#f5f5f5;'><div style='width:177px; float:left; padding-left:3px;'><a target='_blank' href='http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/index.jhtml'>Daily Show Full Episodes</a><br /><a target='_blank' href='http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/important_things/index.jhtml'>Important Things w/ Demetri Martin</a></div><div style='width:177px; float:left;'><a target='_blank' href='http://www.indecisionforever.com'>Political Humor</a><br /><a target='_blank' href='http://blog.indecisionforever.com/2009/03/13/jon-stewart-and-jim-cramer-the-extended-daily-show-interview/'>Jim Cramer</a></div><div style='clear:both'></div></div><div style='clear:both'></div></div><br /><br />The grand finale... <br /><br /><style type='text/css'>.cc_box a:hover .cc_home{background:url('http://www.comedycentral.com/comedycentral/video/assets/syndicated-logo-over.png') !important;}.cc_links a{color:#b9b9b9;text-decoration:none;}.cc_show a{color:#707070;text-decoration:none;}.cc_title a{color:#868686;text-decoration:none;}.cc_links a:hover{color:#67bee2;text-decoration:underline;}</style><div class='cc_box' style='position:relative'><a href='http://www.comedycentral.com' target='_blank' style='display:inline; float:left; width:60px; height:31px;'><div class='cc_home' style='float:left; border:solid 1px #cfcfcf; border-width:1px 0px 0px 1px; width:60px; height:31px; background:url("http://www.comedycentral.com/comedycentral/video/assets/syndicated-logo-out.png");'></div></a><div style='font:bold 10px Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif; float:left; width:299px; height:31px; border:solid 1px #cfcfcf; border-width:1px 1px 0px 0px; overflow:hidden; color:#707070; position:relative;'><div class='cc_show' style='position:relative; background-color:#e5e5e5;padding-left:3px; height:14px; padding-top:2px; overflow:hidden;'><a href='http://www.thedailyshow.com/' target='_blank'>The Daily Show With Jon Stewart</a><span style='position:absolute; top:2px; right:3px;'>M - Th 11p / 10c</span></div><div class='cc_title' style='font-size:11px; color:#868686; background-color:#f5f5f5; padding:3px; padding-top:1px; line-height:14px; height:21px; overflow:hidden;'><a href='http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=221518&title=jim-cramer-unedited-interview' target='_blank'>Jim Cramer Unedited Interview Pt. 3</a></div></div><embed style='float:left; clear:left;' src='http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:221518' width='360' height='301' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='window' allowFullscreen='true' flashvars='autoPlay=false' allowscriptaccess='always' allownetworking='all' bgcolor='#000000'></embed><div class='cc_links' style='float:left; clear:left; width:358px; border:solid 1px #cfcfcf; border-top:0px; font:10px Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif; color:#b9b9b9; background-color:#f5f5f5;'><div style='width:177px; float:left; padding-left:3px;'><a target='_blank' href='http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/index.jhtml'>Daily Show Full Episodes</a><br /><a target='_blank' href='http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/important_things/index.jhtml'>Important Things w/ Demetri Martin</a></div><div style='width:177px; float:left;'><a target='_blank' href='http://www.indecisionforever.com'>Political Humor</a><br /><a target='_blank' href='http://blog.indecisionforever.com/2009/03/13/jon-stewart-and-jim-cramer-the-extended-daily-show-interview/'>Jim Cramer</a></div><div style='clear:both'></div></div><div style='clear:both'></div></div><br /><br />What do you think? Where are we headed from here?1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-413691918584846492009-01-22T17:30:00.000-08:002009-01-22T17:40:01.536-08:00Google Keeps On Trucking As The Rest Of The World BurnsThe recession proof Google proved that well... it's recession proof! Even with the major downturn in essentially all the economies around the world Google managed to beat analysis estimates and actually grow year over year and quarter over quarter. They manged to make GAAP operating income for the fourth quarter of 2008 of $1.86 billion! That is nothing to sneeze at when a lot of other companies are reporting losses. They also have 15.85 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term marketable securities as of December 31, 2008. Not too bad either... Here are the other highlights from the quarter...<br /><br />• Revenue growth of 18% Y/Y and 3% Q/Q<br />– Google properties revenue growth of 22% Y/Y and 4% Q/Q<br />– Network revenues increased 4% Y/Y and 1% Q/Q<br />– International revenue was $2.9 billion<br />• Operational Highlights<br />– Traffic and revenue solid in Q4 despite difficult economic environment<br />– Key investments continue in our core search and ads businesses<br />– Increasing prioritization of our newer investments:<br /><br />And my personal favorite the visual evidence of Google's growth...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SXkfjrzlrZI/AAAAAAAAK3g/rFZTcLUIJcI/s1600-h/Google+4th+Quarter+2008+Quarterly+Revenue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SXkfjrzlrZI/AAAAAAAAK3g/rFZTcLUIJcI/s400/Google+4th+Quarter+2008+Quarterly+Revenue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294297534865714578" border="0" /></a>I don't have to tell you what to do... the numbers speak for themselves...1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-63171802174697927882009-01-06T17:00:00.001-08:002009-01-06T17:10:59.832-08:00Rocky Ride To The Poor HouseIt has been a rough couple of months for the stock market the Dow fell from its high of just over 14000 down to under 8000 at one point! What a vicious drop that was... by far the worst I have traded through in my career. So what should you do now? <br /><br />Well things certainly aren't looking that good with the overall economy, but the real question is how long can this downturn last? 6 months? A year? 2 years? Either way you need to consider your time horizons for your investments. Being that I tend to hold on to a position for over a year I am not worried. In fact, now is one of the best entry points I have ever seen. The valuations of stocks have come down so much that even with companies making less money then in previous years there are plenty of companies out there worth investing in. Sure it could get worse, but I think we have already put in the bottom on this downturn. <br /><br />Of course if you follow the blog I kinda start to sound like a broken record, but it is important to understand. First of all don't buy all at once, as you can tell from the recent volatility in the stock market putting all your money in at once just doesn't make any sense. If you scale into a position and have a long time horizon you will do fine. <br /><br />My personal recommendations at this point are <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2008/07/evergreen-solar-announces-biggest.html">ESLR</a>, <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2008/09/google-is-screaming-buy.html">GOOG</a>, <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2008/10/time-to-buy-canadian-banks.html">RY</a>, SU, ORA and YUM...1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-60589644644504718582008-10-16T13:19:00.000-07:002008-10-16T13:52:21.317-07:00Google Reports Stellar Earnings In A Horrible Market<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SPeifH3JwaI/AAAAAAAAJZE/gz3zSIDbDW0/s1600-h/Google+3rd+Quarter+Results+Revenue+Slide.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SPeifH3JwaI/AAAAAAAAJZE/gz3zSIDbDW0/s400/Google+3rd+Quarter+Results+Revenue+Slide.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257849745548362146" border="0" /></a><br />With investors wondering if anything will go right for them this year, Google comes out and knocks it out of the park. A glimpse of light at the end of this dark financial tunnel. Here are a couple highlights from the quarter...<br /><br />Revenue growth of 31% Y/Y and 3% Q/Q<br />– Google properties revenue growth of 34% Y/Y and 4% Q/Q<br />– Network revenues increased 15% Y/Y and 1% Q/Q<br />– International revenue was $2.8 billion<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SPemHzQSfYI/AAAAAAAAJZM/vPUeM_uXtp8/s1600-h/Google+3rd+Quarter+US+VS+International+Slide.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SPemHzQSfYI/AAAAAAAAJZM/vPUeM_uXtp8/s400/Google+3rd+Quarter+US+VS+International+Slide.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257853742926167426" border="0" /></a><br />Here is what the big wigs had to say about the quarter...<br /><br />"We had a good third quarter with strong traffic and revenue growth across all of our major geographies thanks to the underlying strength of our core search and ads business. The measurability and ROI of search-based advertising remain key assets for Google," said EricSchmidt, CEO of Google. "While we are realistic about the poor state of the global economy, we will continue to manage Google for the long term, driving improvements to search and ads, while also investing in future growth areas such as enterprise, mobile, and display."<br /><br />A summary of the numbers...<br /><p>Google reported revenues of $5.54 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, an increase of 31% compared to the third quarter of 2007 and an increase of 3% compared to the second quarter of 2008. Google reports its revenues, consistent with GAAP, on a gross basis without deducting traffic acquisition costs (TAC). In the third quarter of 2008, TAC totaled $1.50 billion, or 28% of advertising revenues. </p><p>Google reports operating income, net income, and earnings per share (EPS) on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis. The non-GAAP measures, as well as free cash flow, an alternative non-GAAP measure of liquidity, are described below and are reconciled to the corresponding GAAP measures in the accompanying financial tables. </p><p>-- GAAP operating income for the third quarter of 2008 was $1.74 billion, or 31% of revenues. This compares to GAAP operating income of $1.58 billion, or 29% of revenues, in the second quarter of 2008. Non-GAAP operating income in the third quarter of 2008 was $2.02 billion, or 37% of revenues. This compares to non-GAAP operating income of $1.85 billion, or 34% of revenues, in the second quarter of 2008. </p><p>-- GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2008 was $1.35 billion as compared to $1.25 billion in the second quarter of 2008. Non-GAAP net income in the third quarter of 2008 was $1.56 billion, compared to $1.47 billion in the second quarter of 2008. </p><p>-- GAAP EPS for the third quarter of 2008 was $4.24 on 318 million diluted shares outstanding, compared to $3.92 for the second quarter of 2008 on 318 million diluted shares outstanding. Non-GAAP EPS in the third quarter of 2008 was $4.92, compared to $4.63 in the second quarter of 2008. </p><p>-- Non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income, and non-GAAP EPS are computed net of stock-based compensation (SBC). In the third quarter of 2008, the charge related to SBC was $280 million as compared to $273 million in the second quarter of 2008. Tax benefits related to SBC have also been excluded from non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS. The tax benefit related to SBC was $63 million in the third quarter of 2008 and $48 million in the second quarter of 2008. Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to GAAP operating income, operating margin, net income, and EPS are included at the end of this release.<br /></p><p>Congratulations to all the longs... and don't forget that Youtube just passed up Yahoo as the #2 search engine... that is an amazing fact!<br /></p>1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-60212800157205546152008-10-12T09:00:00.000-07:002008-10-12T09:18:02.051-07:00Time To Buy Canadian Banks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SPIiCNKbEBI/AAAAAAAAJV4/6RfLXGD-ZP8/s1600-h/Royal+Bank+Of+Canada.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SPIiCNKbEBI/AAAAAAAAJV4/6RfLXGD-ZP8/s400/Royal+Bank+Of+Canada.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256301136383250450" border="0" /></a><br />With the banking industry continuing to be in free fall all around the world <a href="http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20081009/canadian_banks_081009/20081009?hub=TopStories">a new report</a> has just come out that names Canada as the soundest banks in the world. As the banking situation continues to weaken around the world this puts Canadian banks in a good place. <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2007/11/riding-royal-bank-of-canada-to-new.html">Royal Bank Of Canada</a> is, and has been my favorite banking stock since even before this whole mess started. Their stock price has been holding up much better than most other banking stocks as well, but they have taken a hit in just the last week as the markets sunk. Still even off of their 52 week low this stock is still a buy. Royal Bank Of Canada provides a fat 5% dividend at this price level of $36.10 so this is a stock that pays you to own! While you might think it is crazy for someone to be recommended a banking stock in this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">environment</span>, things will turn around eventually. There might even be a v shaped recovery if all goes well. As long as you have a long term view on things, now is the time to be buying, not selling. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Concentrate</span> on the future and you should do fine...1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-71107470581320453772008-09-29T13:25:00.000-07:002008-09-29T13:48:36.316-07:00Blood In The Streets<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SOE-ixnILzI/AAAAAAAAJKU/YqA_cp8i7G4/s1600-h/Wall+Street.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SOE-ixnILzI/AAAAAAAAJKU/YqA_cp8i7G4/s400/Wall+Street.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251547407644634930" border="0" /></a><br />Today marked one of the worst collapses in financial history as the Dow lost 778 points or almost 7% as the House failed to pass a bill for 750 billion dollars to help the credit markets. The Nasdaq had it even worse losing over 9% or 199 points! Brutal, absolutely brutal!<br /><br />Now I hate to beat a dead horse, but if you are a long term investor this is not the end of the world. In fact, because in most cases the baby is getting thrown out with the bathwater there might even be some stocks worth owning that are looking very cheap. Unfortunately, this credit crisis has spread into mainstream and there is really no way to tell how long this will last. That is why it was so crucial to pass the bill that failed today. Every day that passes without a resolution will be a blood bath... sure not as bad as today hopefully, but who knows, there isn't any certainty what so ever which is very bad for stocks in general.<br /><br />Now there are companies that I would still be picking up at this point. Let's all remember that there will be a tomorrow and a next week, next month and next year. The election is quickly approaching and both candidates are preaching investing in solar and wind power. So with that in mind I still like ESLR which was beaten up very badly by the fallout with Lehman Brothers and now stands at just over $6! I really can't believe it got that cheap, but the whole thing with Lehman Brothers caused a panic and the stock sold off. Another one I like at these levels is ORA Ormat technologies which today hit a fresh 52 week low at 36.39. These two companies are going to benefit from the next president, especially if it is Barrack Obama who has a real plan to change or energy structure.<br /><br />I have said it before and I will say it again, Google GOOG is just an unbelievable buy at these levels. Today it fell $46 to $385, that's right $385! This gives it just a 25 P/E ratio! For a company that grows like Google this is very reasonable.<br /><br />Now could everything crash again tomorrow and the next day? Sure, but how about 2-4 years down the line? The market will correct itself from time to time, this all be it is a real problem and we need congress to pass something ASAP, until then we will most likely drift lower.<br /><br />As always, buy in increments and over time your investments will do fine. Good luck to all and most importantly don't panic...1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-45258747828920813672008-09-08T23:03:00.000-07:002008-09-18T08:55:15.587-07:00Google Is A Screaming Long Term BuyAs I watched Google fall over 5% today I couldn't help but think there was some force pulling it down. I mean with the market up so much you would think that beaten down <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">GOOG</span> would shine, but just the opposite. Now in after hours Google announces a major partnership with NBC Universal to run TV ads. This stock has come down from $747 hard to find itself at nearly $420. With just a 27 P/E ratio this stock has literally never been this cheap! It really boggles the brain to even think about it. They have almost 13 billion in cash and are still raking in the money. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SMYWWPY38SI/AAAAAAAAHb8/UDVzXRxBF-g/s1600-h/Google+9-9-08.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SMYWWPY38SI/AAAAAAAAHb8/UDVzXRxBF-g/s400/Google+9-9-08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243903387463315746" border="0" /></a>Sure they are not smashing the park out of the numbers from last year, but you have to consider the law of large numbers and the fact that Google is throwing money in a lot of different places. They have the money to burn and they are taking advantage of that so they can reap the benefits in the years to come. I don't know about you, but I am going to be buying some Google, these price levels are just an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">unbelievable</span> entry point.1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-47705008005448466592008-07-24T17:37:00.000-07:002008-07-24T18:14:59.271-07:00Vasco Data Securities Reports Better Than Expected 2nd Quarter EarningsVasco Data Securities surprised Wall Street with a solid quarter lifting the stock almost 18% on over 8 times average volume. Here is what the big whig had to say about the quarter...<br /><br /><pre class="release">"We are pleased with the progress we saw in the business in Q2," stated<br />T. Kendall Hunt, Chairman & CEO. "Not only did we report a record level of<br />revenues for a quarter, but we also increased our deferred revenues and saw<br />a strong order flow throughout the quarter. The current order flow<br />reinforces our belief that our growth rates over 2007 will accelerate in<br />the second half of the year. We are, however, reducing our revenue guidance<br />for two primary reasons. One is to more fully consider the impact of our<br />business strategies where a larger portion of our business activity relates<br />to recurring software revenue, which may be deferred and recognized in<br />future periods. The second is to reflect a more conservative outlook for<br />the full year given the uncertainty of the world economies."</pre><br />Net income for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008 was $7.5 million, or $0.20 per share, up 9% from $6.9 million, or $0.18 per share in the same period last year and exceeded the $0.15 predicted by the analysts.<br /><br />Revenue grew by 9% to $35.4 million for the second quarter from $32.4 million in the corresponding period of the previous year, and topped Street analysts consensus estimate of $34.20 million.<br /><br />Net income for the first six months of 2008 increased to $12.4 million, or $0.32 per share on revenues of $64.3 million from $11.8 million or $0.31 per share on revenues of $58.8 million in the year-ago period.<br /><br />Here are a few more of the highlights from the quarter...<br /><br /><pre class="release"> Operational and Other Highlights:<br /> -- VASCO won 516 new customers in Q2 2008 (79 new banks and 437 new<br /> enterprise security customers). For the first six months of 2008,<br /> VASCO won 1,107 new customers (150 banks and 957 enterprise security<br /> customers).<br /> -- Banco Itau (Brazil) secures more than 1.6 million end users with VACMAN<br /> Controller/Digipass GO3<br /> -- Independent Bankers' Bank (U.S.) secures online banking with VACMAN<br /> Controller/Digipass GO6<br /> -- Mizuho Bank (Japan), Intesa Sanpaolo (Italy) and Banco Itau (Brazil)<br /> receive VASCO's Market Vision Award<br /> -- Digipass integrated into SonicWall SSL-VPN<br /> -- VASCO opens subsidiary in Mumbai India<br /> -- VASCO expands US Channel Partner Program<br /> -- VASCO ranks 5th in Fortune Small Business Top 100 and 14th in<br /> BusinessWeek's Hot Growth Companies top 50.</pre><br />Congratulations to all the longs... I <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/search/label/Vasco%20Data%20Securities">still think</a> that this is a great long term investment as the world turns more and more to online banking and security. Don't forget that Vasco Data Securities just jump up almost 17% on a day that all the major averages tumbled.1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-53437531536164895762008-07-17T13:38:00.000-07:002008-07-17T14:38:55.478-07:00Google Misses By 9 Cents... Big Deal<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Today Google reported numbers that most companies would kill for. Revenues grew 39% year over year, but this still wasn't enough to keep the bears at bay. Analysts</span> were looking for Earnings Per Share of $4.72 Google came in at $4.63. Revenues for Google's 2nd Quarter 2008 came in at 5.37 Billion, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">analysts</span> were looking for 5.4 Billion. Of course, the knee jerk reaction to this created a sell off in after hours where Google (<a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?client=ig&q=GOOG">goog</a>) fell about 7%.<br /><br />Giving <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Google's</span> already decent P/E ratio this earnings report has created a fabulous buying opportunity. There P/E ratio is currently 37, but after today's earnings report it will be closer to 32 based on a price of $490 per share! To put that into perspective Yahoo is trading at a 30 P/E ratio and Apple is trading at a 35 P/E ratio. Not to mention Google is sitting on 12.7 Billion in cash! That number alone is more than a lot of companies are even worth and Google can afford to just watch it collect interest.<br /><br />Do your children a favor and go out and buy some Google stock while it is on sale. That is unless you think that Google, the Internet, Advertising and Youtube are just going to disappear. Just check out these slides below from the 2nd Quarter Earnings Report...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SH-vP17dV9I/AAAAAAAAG7E/xpTYvSXs_tE/s1600-h/Google+2nd+Quarter+2008+Revenue.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SH-vP17dV9I/AAAAAAAAG7E/xpTYvSXs_tE/s400/Google+2nd+Quarter+2008+Revenue.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224086779482429394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SH-u3k-YplI/AAAAAAAAG68/DGDRccubvog/s1600-h/US+Vs+International+Revenue+2008+Q2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SH-u3k-YplI/AAAAAAAAG68/DGDRccubvog/s400/US+Vs+International+Revenue+2008+Q2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224086362614441554" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SH-ufuAZ38I/AAAAAAAAG60/LU_V5pSYb0Q/s1600-h/Google+Traffic+Acquisition+Costs+2008+Q2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SH-ufuAZ38I/AAAAAAAAG60/LU_V5pSYb0Q/s400/Google+Traffic+Acquisition+Costs+2008+Q2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224085952721969090" border="0" /></a>1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-84147033954192996692008-07-15T22:41:00.000-07:002008-07-15T22:44:39.059-07:00Evergreen Solar Announces The Biggest Contract In Its HistoryEvergreen Solar (<a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=NASDAQ:ESLR">ESLR</a>) shares rose nearly 11.5% today as they announced a 1.2 Billion, yes with a "B" contract with the German company IBC Solar. I am sure some of you have never heard of IBC Solar so here are the quick facts. They where established in 1982 and have installed solar panels in more than 50,000 locations! <br /><br />Of course this is great for Evergreen Solar which has been beaten down along with the market and since its offering of new notes this contract raises their backlog to almost 3 Billion with only 5 customers! This contract further extends through 2013 which gives ESLR even more earnings visibility. Here is what the big wigs had to say...<br /><br />“We are very pleased to begin this significant long term relationship with IBC SOLAR, the largest PV distributor in the world”, said Richard M. Feldt, Evergreen Solar's chairman, president and chief executive officer. “This contract represents the single largest contract in the history of our company and is one of the largest contracts ever between a panel manufacturer and a distributor.”<br /><br />“Quality comes first at IBC SOLAR”, said Udo Möhrstedt, President and CEO of IBC SOLAR. “Our aim is to make the use of solar energy easy and competitive for our customers. Evergreen’s solar panels are one of the highest quality products in the industry. By adding Evergreen to our product portfolio, we can meet the growing demand of our customers.”<br /><br />This news comes as The Michigan Economic Growth Authority Tuesday approved a 10-year, 100 percent high-tech employment tax credit for Evergreen Solar (ESLR). Valued at $1.8 million this will help with their new Midland, Michigan plant. Not only this, but the City of Midland will give Evergreen Solar a $3.9 million property tax credit. <br /><br />This company is on a roll this year, but watch out they are just about to report their earnings on Thursday July 17th, so be careful if you are just starting to build a position into this stock. There is no doubt that <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2008/06/will-evergreen-solar-fly-high-on.html">Evergreen Solar is a great Long Term Investment</a>, but a earnings miss here would obviously hurt the stock in the short term. As always average into this one as it is very volatile. It looks like though that any time you can pick up ESLR for under $10 at this point would be a great time to buy more. Certainly don't wait too long before jumping into the water, the analyst have really been waking up and smelling the money on this one. The simple fact that Evergreen Solar is only a 1.24 Billion Dollar is has almost 3 billion is sales backlog! This stock is prime for a serious breakout if earnings don't disappoint and this stock is still undiscovered by mainstream wallstreet.1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-51589130336934394022008-07-02T13:18:00.000-07:002008-07-02T16:43:14.733-07:00It's A Bear Market, What To Do Now?Today the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq officially hit bear market territory. A bear market simply means that an average is 20% below its all time high. That's right both the Dow and the Nasdaq have hit these lows on the same day as oil climbs to new heights! So what should you do with your money that you have invested in the stock market. Well, it is really quite simple... You should do little or nothing. No one ever made a profit selling at the bottom and anyone that has an outlook of more than a couple years should be adding to their positions not selling them at the worse point possible! You should be selling when the times are good and buying when the times are bad, it is just that simple.<br /><br />Sure the economy is in the tank and oil is crippling business and consumers alike, but it won't last forever. A lot of the rise in oil has to do with a weak dollar which was caused by the federal reserve lowering interest rate to help stimulate the economy. Don't get me wrong, the Federal Reserve did the right thing, they were just a little late to the party. A lot of speculators have been pumping up oil prices too, which only makes things that much worse. The public will only take it so long, before they demand action. The oil bubble will then weaken and will in turn make the markets skyrocket back upwards. Take a look at a 20 year chart of the Dow Jones Industrial Average below...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SGvmPl2KfbI/AAAAAAAAGps/t97ROAoWTX0/s1600-h/Dow+Jones+20+Year+Chart.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SGvmPl2KfbI/AAAAAAAAGps/t97ROAoWTX0/s400/Dow+Jones+20+Year+Chart.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218517748770569650" border="0" /></a>As you can see we have had corrections like this before, but the general long time trend has always been up. So let's say this time is different and oil continues to ride high. Well you should have protection, which means you should have alternative energy stocks in your portfolio. You know that with these outrageous energy cost, <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2008/06/will-evergreen-solar-fly-high-on.html">solar</a>, <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2008/01/fueling-winds-of-change-with-zoltek.html">wind</a> and <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2008/05/ormat-technologies-pure-play-on.html">geothermal</a> plays become all the more economically viable. Focus on the future of the world and not the past, just look at how investors did with <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2008/04/google-blows-out-numbers.html">Google</a>, and they are just getting started! With a Democrat (most likely) coming into office you can bet that there will be some major government subsidies for all these alternative energy plays as well!<br /><br />So whatever you do, don't get caught up in the selling panic and liquidate your portfolio. Even if the market continues to go down a bit more, or we even see a sell off that triggers the capitulation that everyone loves to see. We are very near the bottom and we are also very near the economic reign of terror by George W. Bush. I think history will look back at this as one of the greatest buying opportunities... Just do your research, <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2007/11/dont-get-buy-all-at-once.html">don't buy all at once</a> and you should do fine. Your kids will thank you...1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-59836425020418679322008-06-17T22:20:00.000-07:002008-06-18T10:03:07.496-07:00Will Evergreen Solar Fly High On Investor Day?"Once we get into the first quarter of next year we should start making money. We should go into the black and hopefully stay there," Chief Executive of Evergreen Solar Richard <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Feldt</span>.<br /><br />(<a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=NASDAQ:ESLR"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ESLR</span></a>) has only a 1.24 billion dollar market cap, <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2007/10/buy-evergreen-solar-ahead-of-earning.html">a strong connection in Germany</a> and a <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2008/05/evergreen-solar-announces-1-billion-in.html">1.85 billion dollar sales backlog</a> as of the middle of May 2008, this company's stock is certainly worth taking a look at.<br /><br />The Marlboro, Massachusetts-based company reported a first-quarter net loss of $25,000, or break-even on a per share basis, compared with a loss of $6.2 million, or 9 cents per share, in the year-earlier quarter.<br /><br />Their new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Devens</span> plant opens this month and will be capable of producing 80 megawatts of wafer cells and panels a year based on Evergreen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Solar's</span> estimates.<br /><br />Here is what you can expect on Thursday, June 18, 2008 from the press release...<br /><br />Evergreen Solar Chairman and CEO Richard M. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Feldt</span>, Chief Financial Officer Michael El-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Hillow</span> and other members of the executive team will provide a strategic overview of the Company's business through a series of presentations. The meeting will be followed by a factory tour of the company’s new state-of the-art wafer, cell and String Ribbon™ solar panel manufacturing facility.<br /><br />Just like Energy Conversion Devices (<a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?q=ener&hl=en"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ENER</span></a>), this stock could easily make a substantial move upwards once it begins consistently breaking into the black. I think it will even make a nice move on Thursday, as they show off their superior manufacturing capabilities during investor's day.<br /><br />Now, I am not one for charts but you can obviously see the double top below, if you follow the company though, you would know that financial are in a much better position then they were even a year ago. Not only that, their recent stock offering which dilutes the shares <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">artificially, have</span> kept the share range bound. This dilution also makes it harder for any stock to go up in value initially.<br /><br />Evergreen Solar looks to me like it is poised for a breakout, and this investor day could easily trigger it. Then again, I am a bit bias since <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/search/label/Evergreen%20Solar">Evergreen Solar has been one of my favorite</a> long term stock picks...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SFif6wRfjWI/AAAAAAAAGVg/4XOUecxGpVQ/s1600-h/ESLR+6-17-08.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SFif6wRfjWI/AAAAAAAAGVg/4XOUecxGpVQ/s400/ESLR+6-17-08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213092400420851042" border="0" /></a>What do you think of Evergreen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Solar's</span> stock?1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-52234641157084887672008-06-12T19:04:00.000-07:002008-06-13T07:32:49.817-07:00Yahoo Seals The Deal With GoogleIt is final, Google (<a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?client=ig&q=GOOG">goog</a>) has official one the search engine race. Some people might think they had already won it, but with the announcement from Yahoo today that it will begin running <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2008/04/yahoo-tests-outsourcing-search-to.html">even more Google ads</a> with it search results, it's over. This will certainly be good for Google's stock price, which has lost a bit of steam after even <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2008/04/google-blows-out-numbers.html">it's last earnings jump</a>. Obviously, the test that Yahoo was running with Google went well and this should be a win-win for both companies. They have also decided to link up their instant messages services, in another sign that they plan on becoming even tighter in the future. Sorry Microsoft! Here is the press release...<br /><br />Google (Nasdaq: <a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?client=ig&q=GOOG">GOOG</a>) today announced that it has reached an agreement that gives Yahoo! the ability to use Google's search and contextual advertising technology through its AdSense™ for Search and AdSense for Content advertising programs. Under the agreement, Yahoo! has the option to display Google ads alongside its own natural search results in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, Yahoo! can serve contextually targeted ads on its U.S. and Canadian web properties as well as on its current publisher partner sites. Yahoo will continue to operate its own search engine, web properties and advertising services.<br /><br />In addition, Yahoo! and Google agreed to enable interoperability between their respective instant messaging services bringing easier and broader communication to users.<br /><br />"This commercial agreement provides Yahoo! with the opportunity to deliver more relevant ads to users and provide advertisers and publishers with better advertising technology to help them succeed in their own businesses," said Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO of Google. "This agreement will preserve the competitive and dynamic online advertising space."<br /><br />As a result of the agreement, Yahoo! will be able to complement its own advertising program with Google’s advertising technology. As a result, advertisers will be able to better reach consumers, and Yahoo! and its current publisher partners can generate more revenue. Yahoo can use Google's advertising technology on as many or as few of its search results and content pages as it chooses.<br /><br />This non-exclusive agreement allows Yahoo! to enter into similar agreements with other advertising providers. In addition, Yahoo! will maintain relationships with its own advertising customers and will continue to rely exclusively on its own advertising program outside of the U.S. and Canada. The agreement has a term of up to ten years: a 4-year initial term and two 3-year renewals at Yahoo!’s option. Financial terms between the two companies were not disclosed.<br /><br />Although Google and Yahoo are not required to receive regulatory approval of the arrangement before implementing it, the companies have voluntarily agreed to delay implementation for up to three and a half months to give the U.S. Department of Justice time to review the arrangement.<br /><br />Take a look back at all our Google posts <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/search/label/Google">here</a>!1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-25105571971874532272008-05-29T10:42:00.000-07:002008-05-29T11:28:04.097-07:00Sunken Treasure Discovered By Odyssey Marine Exploration (OMEX)Normally, here at <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/">Stock Picky</a> we concentrate on relatively safe stocks for the long term, but I felt like I had to share this one with my readers! The name of this speculative play is <a href="http://www.shipwreck.net/">Odyssey Marine Exploration</a>, ticket symbol (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=NASDAQ:OMEX">OMEX</a>). This is a company that literally hunts for sunken treasure!<br /><br />Based out of Florida, Odyssey Marine Exploration has over 20 ongoing shipwreck projects throughout the world. Past projects include the shipwreck of the SS Republic which brought in 50,000 coins and 14,000 artifacts, and just last year the company announced it recovered 500,000 silver and gold pieces from The Black Swan!<br /><br />As if that wasn't enough, the company <a href="http://shipwreck.net/pr168.html">just filed today</a> that it had filed Admiralty Arrest on two more shipwreck sites. Both of these new found sites are near the English Channel, but are outside the territorial waters of any sovereign nation. The sites both contain cannon and other artifacts which are believed to dated back to the colonial period.<br /><br />More good news came earlier this week as they announced they will be the focus of an 11-part Discovery Channel series. Now this might not seem like a big deal, but it will certainly bring this company into the public light, which will most like bring a lot more buyers to the table and in turn raise the stock price.<br /><br />Before you get too excited though, let me remind you that this stock is very, very speculative and you could easily lose your shirt. With that in mind, I am sure you can imagine what would happen to the stock price if they made a really big find!<br /><br />Now for the numbers... <a href="http://www.shipwreck.net/">Odyssey Marine Exploration</a> has only been traded on the Nasdaq since October of 2006, with a market cap of only 239 million this is a very small company. The stock has traded between $7.75 and $4.42 over the past year and today stands at around $5.00.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SD7zak26KSI/AAAAAAAAEoo/x9yD4f4y-xA/s1600-h/OMEX.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SD7zak26KSI/AAAAAAAAEoo/x9yD4f4y-xA/s400/OMEX.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205865857183000866" border="0" /></a><br />I look at this as a long term lottery ticket, one that could go down to zero, but could also win you that big prize. Remember, you want to be in before they make that big discovery on National Television in the upcoming documentary : )1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-28392417778802764382008-05-23T10:18:00.000-07:002008-05-23T11:14:09.773-07:00Evergreen Solar Announces 1 Billion In ContractsEvergreen Solar (<a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=NASDAQ:ESLR">eslr</a>) surged over 20% yesterday as it announced that is had signed two contracts worth approximately 1 billion dollars. Evergreen Solar and German-based Ralos Vertriebs GmbH signed an agreement valued at approximately $750 million for panel deliveries beginning in 2008 and extending through 2013. They also signed an agreement just last week with an unnamed United States-based installer, for approximately $250 million. Both of these contracts are going to be manufactured in their Devens, Massachusetts plant.<br /><br />In addition to the two contracts listed above Evergreen Solar (<a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=NASDAQ:ESLR">eslr</a>) already has a backlog of $850 million from six different sources to be completed in Ever-Q, it's German based joint venture.<br /><br />Here is what the big whigs at Evergreen Solar had to say about the recent contracts...<br /><br />“We offer our customers a long-term value proposition because our string ribbon technology consumes less than half of the polysilicon as compared to the industry average, which enables us to provide a unique combination of cost and cell conversion efficiency," said Richard M. Feldt, Evergreen Solar's president and chief executive officer. “We will enter into selective long-term supply agreements with additional companies that also bring differentiated value to their customers and serve markets that are at the forefront of solar growth.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SDcBU026JWI/AAAAAAAAEf4/zbGvglamdhI/s1600-h/evergreen+solar.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SDcBU026JWI/AAAAAAAAEf4/zbGvglamdhI/s400/evergreen+solar.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203629351747855714" border="0" /></a><br />So, here we are watching a company that has 1.85 billion dollar in backlog yet the entire company itself is only worth 1.32 billion by market cap! Based on this factor alone it would appear that Evergreen Solar is grossly undervalue at these levels. One of the biggest problems with solar companies is the perceived shortage of polysilicon. Evergreen has this covered already though as they have signed <a href="http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080130006160&newsLang=en">several long term supply agreements</a> over the past year.<br /><br />Here at Stock Picky we have been behind ESLR for a long, long time and we still believe that it is a great buy even at these much higher levels then just a couple days ago. The key of course is to <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2007/11/dont-get-buy-all-at-once.html">not buy all at once</a>, take advantage of the dips and always invest for the long-term. After all, this stock was a buy at $100 oil, but now at $135 people will be flocking to <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/search/label/Alternative%20Energy">alternative energy plays</a> like this one. To research more into this company check out all of our Evergreen Solar articles <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/search/label/Evergreen%20Solar">here</a>!1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-51510014023542756922008-05-06T17:29:00.000-07:002008-05-06T18:02:18.484-07:00Ormat Reports 1st Quarter 2008 ResultsWhy this took so long to come out, I am not quite sure, but here are the 1st quarter 2008 results for Ormat Technologies ticker NYSE:(<a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=NYSE:ORA">ORA</a>).<br /><br /><span class="ccbnTxt">The Company reported net income of $10.1 million, or $0.24 per share of common stock (basic and diluted), as compared to a net loss of $5.8 million, or $0.15 per share of common stock (basic and diluted), for the first quarter of 2007. This smashed analyst's estimates of $0.18 per share!<br /><br />On the revenue side though they came in a little light, r</span><span class="ccbnTxt">evenues for the first quarter were $69.4 million, versus $61.7 million for the first quarter of 2007, an increase of 12.4%. This trailed analyst's estimates of 76.5 million.<br /><br /></span><span class="ccbnTxt">Ormat's Board of Directors approved the payment of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share pursuant to the Company's dividend policy, which targets an annual payout ratio of at least 20% of the Company's net income, subject to Board approval. The dividend will be paid on May 27, 2008 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 20, 2008. The Company expects to pay a dividend of $0.05 per share in the next two quarters as well.<br /><br />Here is what the big bosses had to say...<br /><br /></span><p>Dita Bronicki, Chief Executive Officer of Ormat, stated: "The first quarter performance was in line with our expectations for 2008 and highlighted our improved operating performance, increase in our overall generating capacity and improvement in power prices in certain projects. </p> <p>"Since the beginning of the first quarter, we declared commercial operation for the Galena 3 and Heber South projects and continued to make progress on our exploration work to secure geothermal resources for 2010 and beyond. Also during the quarter, we strengthened our products backlog signing three EPC agreements for a total amount of over $100 million, consisting of one geothermal and two recovered energy generation power plants, out of which approximately $50 million are still subject to a Notice to Proceed. We expect to add an additional 174 MW by the end of 2009 from projects that are currently under construction, including Olkaria and Brawley," Ms. Bronicki continued.<br /></p><span class="ccbnTxt"><p>Commenting on the outlook for 2008, Ms. Bronicki said, "Following our first quarter earnings results, we maintain our guidance for 2008 and expect our 2008 Electricity Segment revenues to be approximately $245 million. We also expect an additional approximately $9 million of revenues from our share of electricity revenues generated by Mammoth that is accounted for under the equity method. With regard to our Products Segment, we maintain our guidance for 2008 revenues and expect them to be between $70 million and $80 million." </p> <p>Ms. Bronicki concluded, "We are excited with the progress we have made this quarter, especially in recovered energy generation, which has experienced increasing interest as the need for energy efficiency begins to play a greater role in combating global warming."<br /></p>We will have to see what tomorrow brings for this stock as it did not appear to be traded after the earnings were released...<br /><br />To see all of our posts on Ormat Technologies including an in-depth analysis <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/search/label/Ormat%20Technologies">click here</a>!<br /></span>1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-8074518372164434242008-05-02T14:13:00.001-07:002008-05-02T15:57:35.507-07:00Ormat Technologies, The Pure Play On GeothermalOrmat Technologies ticker NYSE:(<a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?client=ig&q=ORA">ora</a>) might be looking a little pricey at first glance with it's 75 p/e, but with earnings coming up on May 6, 2008 after the close, we will soon know if the run up the past 3 months really has legs to break through it's 52 week high of $57.93. Here is their chart since becoming publicly traded...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SBubhIsuSaI/AAAAAAAAERE/com7IHcYHLY/s1600-h/Ormat+5-2-08.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SBubhIsuSaI/AAAAAAAAERE/com7IHcYHLY/s400/Ormat+5-2-08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195917588675053986" border="0" /></a><br />Now for some background information in case you are not familiar with Ormat Technologies. The company designs, develops, owns and operates geothermal and recovered energy-based power plants around the world. Additionally, the company designs, manufactures and sells geothermal and recovered energy power units and other power-generating equipment, and provides related services. Ormat Technologies has more than four decades of experience in the development of environmentally-sound power, primarily in geothermal and recovered-energy generation.<br /><br />The coming election is increasingly looking like alternative energy is going to win no matter if a Democrat or Republican is elected. Sure, there is Solar, but a lot of people don't realize the potential of geothermal and heat recovery systems. Ormat is the only pure play, just look at these numbers...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SBuVWYsuSWI/AAAAAAAAEQk/E2f1E3nu6_8/s1600-h/Ormat+Slide+8.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SBuVWYsuSWI/AAAAAAAAEQk/E2f1E3nu6_8/s400/Ormat+Slide+8.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195910806921693538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SBuVmYsuSXI/AAAAAAAAEQs/dPQBGBkur6A/s1600-h/Ormat+Slide+9.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SBuVmYsuSXI/AAAAAAAAEQs/dPQBGBkur6A/s400/Ormat+Slide+9.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195911081799600498" border="0" /></a><br />They also have just recently announced two deals one in Montana...<br /><br />Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. have announced that Ormat has entered into an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) agreement to build a 5.3 MW recovered energy generation facility to be located in Morton County, North Dakota. The facility, which is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2009, will produce electricity without burning additional fuel. The project, subject to regulatory approvals, will increase the utilization of the energy content by approximately 25 percent and will produce enough renewable energy to supply about 5,000 residential electric customers in Montana-Dakota's service territory.<br /><br />And one in Nevada... I particularly like this side of Ormat's business... retrofitting existing power plants and turning the heat that is given off as waste into energy!<br /><br />Energy Holdings Company, and Ormat Technologies Inc. have announced plans to build a six-megawatt (MW) waste-heat recovery renewable energy project in the Goodsprings area south of Las Vegas. The project, subject to regulatory approvals, is scheduled to be completed in 2010 and will produce enough renewable energy to supply 1,200 residential customers in southern Nevada. The best part about these waste-heat recovery systems is that they will generate additional power with no increase in emissions. Check out this slide that shows the dependability and cost effectiveness of various forms of energy...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SBuWE4suSYI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/aOs6iqTRcZ0/s1600-h/Ormat+Slide+12.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SBuWE4suSYI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/aOs6iqTRcZ0/s400/Ormat+Slide+12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195911605785610626" border="0" /></a>If that wasn't enough, I also like Ormat's Dividend policy which is for <span class="ccbnTxt">an annual payout ratio of at least 20% of the Company’s net income, subject to Board approval. That means that as Ormat grows it's dividend will grow right along with it, always nice for long term investors like me.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SBuWqIsuSZI/AAAAAAAAEQ8/gM3mvfnQwAo/s1600-h/Ormat+Slide+22.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SBuWqIsuSZI/AAAAAAAAEQ8/gM3mvfnQwAo/s400/Ormat+Slide+22.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195912245735737746" border="0" /></a>The conclusion that I come to is that Ormat is a great long term investment, but always around an earnings report I urge caution. Make sure <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2007/11/dont-get-buy-all-at-once.html">never to buy all at once</a> and slowly build your position in a stock. Develop a <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2007/11/dont-get-buy-all-at-once.html">good cost basis</a> and you should do find... take advantage of the dips and ride this one out, because this is a big part of the future of energy.<br /><br />To learn even more about Ormat Technologies visit <a href="http://www.ormat.com/">their website</a> or check out Stock Picky's <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2007/12/tapping-earth-with-ormat.html">Tapping The Earth With Ormat</a>!<br /><span class="ccbnTxt"><br /></span>1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-68030120404227609192008-04-22T16:59:00.000-07:002008-04-22T17:47:30.049-07:00Another Yummy Quarter From Yum BrandsYum Brands Inc. (<a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?q=YUM">yum</a>) the world's largest restaurant chain which owns Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut and A & W restaurants announced a 31% jump in quarterly profit today April 22, 2008. Of course, growth was fueled by China were they saw 12% year over year growth!<br /><br />Things will only be getting stronger for Yum Brands in China were they open up a KFC every single day of the year! Not only do the Chinese people love KFC, but the upcoming Olympics should also bode well for them, as Westerners will flock to the restaurants they know in China like KFC and Taco Bell.<br /><br />Let get to the numbers, first-quarter net income rose to $254 million, or 50 cents per share compared to $194 million, or 35 cents per share, a year earlier.<br /><br />Earnings per share were 42 cents a share after backing out a gain from the sale of KFC in Japan, analysts were looking for 40 cents, so they beat that handily, even in this tough economic environment. Revenues for the quarter were $2.4 billion up from $2.2 billion. <p> One of the more promising signs from the earnings from <a href="http://www.yum.com/">Yum Brands</a> was that they posted growth at established restaurants in the United States, reversing year-earlier declines and quelling fears that a slowdown in the US would hurt Yum's bottom line.<br /></p> Yum Brands (<a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?q=YUM">yum</a>) also raised its forecast for 2008 per-share earnings to $1.87 from $1.85, another encouraging sign from the fast food giant!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SA6C1vwF2UI/AAAAAAAAEKg/bRxvl9fChmU/s1600-h/yum+brands.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SA6C1vwF2UI/AAAAAAAAEKg/bRxvl9fChmU/s400/yum+brands.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192231280267614530" border="0" /></a><br />Of course, here at Stock Picky we have been behind this slow moving giant for quite some time now. Sure, it is not the most exciting stock to watch, but it pays a decent dividend of 0.15 cents per share or a 1.56% dividend yield. Nothing too exciting, but this company still has a lot of room to grow not just in China, but all over the world! Everyone knows about KFC, Taco Bell, A & W and Pizza Hut, they are strong brands that will always draw in customers time and time again as they spread across the globe.<br /><br />Yum Brands is a great long term investment for anyone who wants own a stock they don't have to watch every day. For more reasons to own Yum Brands <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2007/10/yum-brands-continues-to-grow-in-china.html">check out Yum Brands in China</a>.1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-21302988335765086312008-04-17T13:43:00.000-07:002008-04-17T19:25:29.113-07:00Google Blows Out The Numbers!Nervous Google investors got a big reassurance as Google (<a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=GOOG">goog</a>) reported 1st quarter earnings per share today 4-17-08 of $4.84 per share. The analysts were looking for $4.52 per share. Gross revenue rose 42 percent to $5.19 billion, analysts were looking for $5.13 billion.<br /><br />With the ridiculous news coming out of comscore a few weeks back, the stock was punished for inaccurate comscore's paid click data. If you were paying attention you would know that Google had already told us that they were reducing bad clicks, and that there click data could suffer, but that it would generate higher revenue per paid click. Obviously, they were correct and comscore now has zero credibility! Here is a couple highlights from the quarter...<br /><br />• Revenue growth of 42% Y/Y and 7% Q/Q<br />– Google properties revenue growth of 49% Y/Y and 9% Q/Q<br />– Network revenues increased 25% Y/Y and 3% Q/Q<br />– Growth in international markets continued to be strong, with $2.7 billion in Q1 international revenue<br /><br />• Operational Highlights<br />– Improvements in search quality remain key focus<br />– Continued ads quality initiatives to show users better, more relevant ads<br />– Increasing value for advertisers and publishers with broader and deeper solutions<br /><br />• Acquisition of DoubleClick gives Google the leading display ad platform<br />– Strong Apps traction and addition of functionality to Google Apps suite of products<br /><br />Take a look a <a href="http://investor.google.com/pdf/2008Q1_ConfCall.pdf">these slides</a> from their earnings report and let me know if you notice a pattern...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Google's Quarterly Revenue Growth Graph</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SAffAFsQvUI/AAAAAAAAEHg/GpJSWqqBDis/s1600-h/google+1st+quarter+revenue.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SAffAFsQvUI/AAAAAAAAEHg/GpJSWqqBDis/s400/google+1st+quarter+revenue.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190362288188603714" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Google's US Vs. International Revenue Growth</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SAfgIlsQvVI/AAAAAAAAEHo/LIkLR4-wrNY/s1600-h/google+US+vs+International+growth.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/SAfgIlsQvVI/AAAAAAAAEHo/LIkLR4-wrNY/s400/google+US+vs+International+growth.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190363533729119570" border="0" /></a><br />In summary, I have been behind Google since very near the beginning and their growth has still only just begun the way I see it. If you have been waiting on the sidelines to jump in now is the time. Google's stock has been beaten down with the rest of the market unfairly, and they have silenced all the critics with this beat. The shorts are running to cover as Google is up over $80 in after hours!<br /><br />Internet advertising and mobile advertising are the waves of the future because of their unique ability to target. This makes a for great return on investment for advertisers which is exactly what they are all looking for. The advertising market is estimated at 1 trillion dollars and Google is only going to capture more of that quarter after quarter, year after year. One of the best long term investments out there.<br /><br />Think about this, many analysts had lowered their first-quarter estimates by 12 cents a share on average. So, 1st quarter 2008 earnings still beat by those lofty analyst's targets by 0.20 cents! Those same analysts that have price targets as high as $900... Google still beat them. This story is far from over...<br /><br />For more reasons to own Google check out these posts...<br /><br /><h3 style="font-weight: bold;" class="post-title entry-title"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2008/04/yahoo-tests-outsourcing-search-to.html">Yahoo Tests Outsourcing Search To Google</a></span></h3><h3 style="font-weight: bold;" class="post-title entry-title"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2008/03/google-checkout-effect.html">The Google Checkout Effect</a></span></h3><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2008/01/google-misses-by-penny-does-it-matter.html">Google Misses By A Penny, Does It Matter In The Long Term?</a><br /><br /><a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2007/12/stock-outlook-2008.html">Stock Outlook 2008</a><br /></span><h3 style="font-weight: bold;" class="post-title entry-title"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2007/11/real-winner-of-cyber-monday-is.html">The Real Winner Of Cyber Monday Is...</a></span></h3><br />Or you can view all of them on one page <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/search/label/Google">here</a>!<br /><a><br /></a>1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-50386169423571873352008-04-09T17:35:00.000-07:002008-06-13T07:23:09.618-07:00Yahoo Tests Outsourcing Search To GoogleIn what could be considered the ultimate white flag of surrender Yahoo has agreed to begin using <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Google's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Adsense</span> for search to help boost it's revenue and fend off an increasingly hostile <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Microsofty</span>. Even though this test is small at only 3% of search queries in The United States, just the fact that Yahoo is considering such a move shows you how much of a lead Google has on Yahoo's ad platform.<br /><br />Analysts have been suggesting Yahoo try out this partnership a long time ago, and that Yahoo could actually benefit as Google generates more money for each search query, and has superior results. Google meanwhile managed to continue it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">dominance</span> in search by gaining <a href="http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/4/hitwise_google_goog_search_share_hits_all_time_high">an amazing 67% of all US searches according to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Hitwise</span></a>, and most say that numbers for the world are even greater!<br /><br />So, what does this mean for "low" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Google's</span> share price? Well, they report earnings on April 17<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span>, next Thursday so I would say if you don't have a position already, I would be waiting on the sidelines till after the earnings report, or perhaps just dip your toes in the water and buy a little bit. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Google's</span> stock price has been hammered along with most of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Nasdaq</span> this year falling from as high as $747 on the G-phone rumors.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/R_1nUXEoDYI/AAAAAAAAEFk/jw7_7DUF1RY/s1600-h/goog+4-9-08.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/R_1nUXEoDYI/AAAAAAAAEFk/jw7_7DUF1RY/s400/goog+4-9-08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187415945289141634" border="0" /></a><br />The economy could weigh on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Google's</span> results this quarter, but I think that long-term Google will be one of the best investments in the Tech Sector. Microsoft is looking increasing desperate with it's very generous offer to buy Yahoo to form... uh <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Microhoo</span> I guess. Yahoo, is meanwhile being distracted by this offer as their employees fear for what may be coming tomorrow.<br /><br />Google on the other hand continues marching on... gaining market share and implementing quality controls to their ad platform that will in the end produce better results, and higher revenues.<br /><br />That being said, if they miss the numbers the stock will drop, possibly even quite dramatically. If this is the case though, I will certainly be adding to my position as a slowdown in the economy can only last so long and Internet advertising will continue to grow for years and years to come as consumers increase their consumption online adding to Google bottom line. Plus, the <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2008/03/google-checkout-effect.html">Google Checkout Effect</a> should help in the future as they compete with the entrenched <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Paypal</span> and <a href="http://seekingalpha.com/article/71648-google-s-new-app-engine-why-microsoft-should-be-shaking-in-its-boots"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Google's</span> new App Engine</a> will add to their revenues as well once they start charging for it.<br /><br />What are your thoughts on company's coming earnings report and it's long term prospects?1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-76619705409695871172008-03-31T16:45:00.000-07:002008-03-31T17:15:56.053-07:00CECO Announces 33 New Orders<p>CECO Environmental Corp ticker symbol (<a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=CECE">CECE</a>) rose over 9% today as they announced a total of 33 new orders each valued at over $200,000. The largest was in the automotive sector, and was worth more than 2.5 million. The recent addition of Fisher Klosterman even contributed to the orders <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2008/02/ceco-environmental-makes-entrance-into.html">which is a good sign that the acquisition</a> is going well. If you follow this company closely you could have seen this one coming. Multiple insiders were buying up the stock over the past week and CECO tends to announce orders like this throughout the quarter. These type of announcements tend to make the stock spike since it is a small cap stock at only 126 million in market cap.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/R_F-pQGdbMI/AAAAAAAAEA4/_SiCwe95bn4/s1600-h/cece+3-31-08.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/R_F-pQGdbMI/AAAAAAAAEA4/_SiCwe95bn4/s400/cece+3-31-08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184063893241949378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is what the President and CEO had to say about the orders. <br /></p><p>Rick Blum, President and Chief Operating Officer, commented, "As usual, our orders are coming from a wide variety of industries. The largest order, which is in excess of $2.5 million, was received from an automotive company. Another significant order was received from a tire manufacturer. The rest of the business came from the metals, power, electric equipment, ethanol, steel, aluminum, gypsum, refining, and copper smelting industries."</p><p>Phillip DeZwirek, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Fisher-Klosterman's China operation booked a significant order just last week. We are seeing ever increasing quoting activity in China and have already had established CECO customers visit the facility. Now that Fisher- Klosterman is part of CECO, we are in the process of establishing that facility as CECO Filters' manufacturing base in China along the lines of the facility that CECO Filters already has in India."</p>This stock has climbed over 25% in just the past 5 days, so I consider waiting till the dust settles before jumping into this one if you don't have a position already. I still believe this stock has simply been beaten up with the rest of the market and still represents a great value at these prices. Don't forget that it is always a good thing to see insiders putting their money where their mouth is as well... They think it is a bargain, do you?<br /><br />For all of our articles on CECE <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/search/label/CECE">click here</a>.1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060823788039662079.post-9583136348636831692008-03-26T13:43:00.000-07:002008-03-26T14:31:37.568-07:00Appetite For Destruction Or Just Risk?As an investor it is very important to realize where you are in your life, and what exactly your investment goals are. Generally, if you are a younger investor you can tend to take on more risk or more "speculative plays" if you will. Now, this doesn't mean you should go out and buy all risky stocks, you always need those stable dividend paying stocks.<br /><br />In fact, one of the ways the rich get richer is that they just purchase a few high paying, stable, dividend paying stocks. Then take those cash dividends that you receive quarterly, and invest them into more speculative stocks. Once you make a bit of mad money on your speculative stocks, cash out some, or all of them, and re-invest into your high paying dividend stocks or other safer investments. Rinse and repeat...<br /><br />Of course, this does take a lot of money/stock to generate much in the form of cash dividends, but it is none the less very possible. I am sure there are many rich investors out there taking advantage of it all the time. As a small investor though, you might just not be aware of this trick of the trade.<br /><br />Now, if you are an older individual it is more important to have steady stocks that pay large dividends as you can use this as a source income. Not only this, but you should have a fair amount of bonds, mutual funds and even cds as a source of income. The most boring investments after all, are the safest, and that it what you need going into retirement.<br /><br />So, before you invest make sure you know what your goals are... and be sure not to take on too much risk as you can get burned. Since this is <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/">Stock Picky</a>, I will leave you with two long term investments. <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2008/03/google-checkout-effect.html">Google</a> (<a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=GOOG">goog</a>) for all you young fellows out there... there's this new thing called the Internet perhaps you've heard of it, and <a href="http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2007/11/riding-royal-bank-of-canada-to-new.html">Royal Bank Of Canada</a> (<a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?q=ry&hl=en">ry</a>) for all of you grey haired folks which pays out a hefty dividend and has always been dedicated to increasing shareholder value.<br /><br />Good luck with all your investments and let me know if you have any questions...1Green Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960796089036943537noreply@blogger.com0