ISSUE 13
4 November 2008
TO BUY, OR NOT TO BUY?
STOCKCENTRAL MEMBERS PONDER THE BIG QUESTIONS
In the GE Forum, Dan Hess questions the strength of the company's balance sheet, "GE in years past has seen a significant source of its growth coming from GE Capital. With the current uncertainty in the financial markets and the likely prospect of new regulations from Congress, I would expect controls...This, of course, means lower profits and slower growth."
ICLUBcentral Chairman Robert Brooker sounds off au contraire with a vote of confidence on GE's future growth in said forum, offering both his opinion and a stock study to back it up. "It is conceivable that the PE ratio could climb back to 20 in five years. After all, GE sustained this PE ratio for quite a long time despite its being a large, diversified company. Its ability to attract good managers and to train them is strong and will probably improve as talented managers will less likely go to Wall Street or become entrepreneurs in the next few years."
How do other shareholders feel? Will you be selling? Do others plan to buy?
No one, it is certain, has been reticent in the recent no-holds-barred, anything-goes political climate. Don't be the first. If you have an opinion on the matter, chime in by clicking the above link and posting your own dissertation on the matter.
Was October a Trick or a Treat?!
Ghosts and Goblins Run Amuck
October, traditionally a month when the stock market waxes and wanes -- not unlike the golden Harvest Moon that follows in the footsteps of the Autumnal Equinox -- did not disappoint. History reveals that eight of the Dow's ten biggest point moves have taken place during this most scary and ghoulish of months, with 2008 going into the books as no exception. And while those hiding in the shadows were quick to point their long, cold, bony fingers at supposedly telltale signs of what could be nothing less than impending doom, their chipper and cheery counterparts noted with glee that the first full month of fall ended on a far less chilly note than the prattling pundits predicted.
Certainly, long-term, fundamental investors will not be boondoggled by the short-term shrieks of the ghosts and goblins that ran amuck across the floors of the stock exchanges during those 31 days, flicking the spinner on the Big Board like so many jesters entangled in a nostalgic game of Twister.
Speaking of Twister, this reporter may be a bit, uh, green, but she knows that StockCentral's sage and savvy investors will not be bamboozled by the antics of these naysayers. Opportunity, she feels emboldened to say, abounds -- both in the stock market as well as within the confines of Harvard Square, where ongoing clandestine operations are coming to light. So, without further delay, on to this week's headlines...
CHARTRUESE ROADSIGN PROCLAIMS: SMARTER INVESTING RIGHT AHEAD
TOOKLKIT 6 HAS JUST WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR
Stunning news from Harvard Square today, as a source deep inside the ICLUBcentral headquarters revealed that the list of new features in the recently unveiled, highly-touted Golden Egg also known as Toolkit 6 is so long that it is impossible to keep it under wraps. Indeed, so sweeping is the tally that even this intrepid reporter dares not to report it in its entirety, lest she be chastised by her word-count conscious editor. Those privy to this goldmine can now:
- Identify top-rated companies as potential stocks to study using the regularly-updated "Complete Roster of Quality Companies" listing, downloaded automatically and directly into the program
(StockCentral subscription required)
- Choose to calculate Return on Equity using beginning-of-year equity instead of end-of-year data to better reflect management's performance
- Display preliminary judgment for any new stock using Toolkit 6's "First Impression" screen to help you instantly weed out unlikely candidates and focus only on stocks with the most promising prospects
- Navigate more easily through the program using an improved, cleaner graphical toolbar
- Share completed stock studies and discuss conclusions with like-minded investors in the StockCentral community, all from within Toolkit 6 (StockCentralsubscription required)
Let it suffice to say that this is but a smattering, a mere sampling, my dear readers, of this software's amazing and highly-coveted features, and that savvy ICLUBcentral investors -- finding themselves no more satisfied with this rendering than they would be from a mere tablespoon of cornbread stuffing on Thanksgiving Day -- will flock to upgrade or purchase this latest and greatest wonder of the stock analysis world. All of this, and perhaps, a discount to boot? Ah, it is so. This reporter has received confirmation from a highly-trusted, albeit anonymous source, that StockCentral members can receive an additional $10 discount off both the upgrade and new user price of Toolkit 6.
As soon as any more news breaks, your indefatigable reporter will be the first on the scene. In the meantime, might she solicitously suggest that both the wise and thrifty investor take advantage of the upcoming, free Webinars led by World-Renowned Investing Guru and ICLUBcentral Prez Douglas Gerlach:
Registration is limited, so don't dare dawdle! And, while you're at it, spread the wealth...of information, that is! Tell a friend!
As this is a case wherein history will not be repeating itself, this reporter has got you covered. To whet your appetite, the Introduction to Toolkit 6 Webinar is available in its entirety, soon to be followed by the other not-to-be-missed topics in the series. Check the Learning tab of ICLUB.com for updates.
TODAY'S ENTIRELY RELEVANT QUOTATION
"We simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful."
-Warren Buffet