After more than nine months of high-stakes dealmaking, Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S ) and Clearwire (NASDAQ: CLWR ) have finally found their permanent homes. I think they're turning Japanese.
DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH ) dropped its $25.5 billion bid for Sprint and then abandoned the $6.3 billion offer to buy Clearwire. That leaves Japan-based wireless operator Softbank unopposed in its quest to own Sprint, which in turn lost its only challenger for Clearwire ownership. Sprint shareholders have already approved the Softbank merger. It's only a matter of time and formalities before the Sprint-Clearwire bundle lands in Japanese hands.
Shareholders in Sprint and Clearwire may or may not be sad to see DISH leave the negotiating table, but they certainly should appreciate the bidding war that just ended. Sprint shares have more than doubled over the past year, while Clearwire quadrupled.
Where does that leave DISH? Scouring the wireless market for leftovers, of course. In the following video, Fool contributor Anders Bylund dismisses the idea that DISH might give up on ground-based wireless networking at this point, and suggests two options to move Chairman Charlie Ergen closer to his wireless broadcasting ambitions.
Arris Group, Inc. develops, manufactures, and supplies telephony, data, video, construction, rebuild, and maintenance equipment for the broadband communications industry worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Broadband Communications Systems (BCS); Access, Transport, and Supplies (ATS); and Media and Communications Systems (MCS). The BCS segment provides VoIP and high speed data products, including CMTS edge routers, 2-line residential EMTA, multi-line EMTA for residential and commercial services, wireless gateway, and high speed data cable modems; video/IP products comprising CMTS edge routers, broadband and universal EdgeQAM, and whole home gateway and media players; and video processing products, such as switched digital video systems, digital video encoders, transcoders, transraters, and statistical multiplexers. The ATS segment offers hybrid fiber-coaxial plant equipment products comprising headend and hub products, optical transmitters, optical amplifiers , optical repeaters, optical nodes, WiFi access points, ePON optical network units and line terminals, RF over glass optical network units, and radio frequency amplifiers; and infrastructure products for fiber optic or coaxial networks, which include cable and strand, vaults, conduit, drop materials, tools, connectors, and test equipment. The MCS segment provides media, delivery, and monetization platform products, such as video on demand management and distribution, and linear and advanced advertising; operations management systems comprising network and service assurance, and mobile workforce management; and fixed mobile convergence platform products, such as mobility application servers for continuity of services in wireless and PacketCable networks, and voice call continuity application servers for continuity of services in IP multimedia subsystem networks. The company offers its services to cable system operators. Arris Group, Inc. was founded in 1969 and is headquarter ed in Suwanee, Georgia.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Lee Jackson]
Arris Enterprises Inc. (NASDAQ: ARRS) has become a major competitive threat to Cisco after its acquisition of the set-top box business of Motorola Mobility. IHS estimated that the global set-top box shipment will grow 8% year-over-year to 269 million units in 2013 from 250 million units in 2012. This is further expected to increase 6% in 2014 to 286 million units and another 1% in 2015 to 290 million units. Moreover, IHS also estimated that the global set-top box revenues will reach a record-high $22.2 billion in 2013. The consensus price target for Arris is $17.25.
- [By Rich Smith]
Suwanee, Ga.-based Arris Group (NASDAQ: ARRS ) is clear to buy Google's (NASDAQ: GOOG ) Motorola Home cable set-top box division, the company announced Friday.
Top 10 Japanese Companies To Invest In Right Now: Heineken NV (HEINY)
Heineken N.V. (Heineken), incorporated on January 27, 1873, is a beer brewer with brands available in 178 countries worldwide with operations in 71 countries. Heineken owns, markets and sells more than 250 of the brands. The Company�� principal global brand is Heineken is the international premium beer brand. Other international premium, regional, local and specialty beers include Amstel, Birra Moretti, Cruzcampo, Desperados, Dos Equis, Foster��, Newcastle Brown Ale, Ochota, Primus, Sagres, Sol, Star, Tecate, Zlaty Bazant and Zywiec. Its joint venture brands include Anchor, Cristal, Kingfisher and Tiger. In addition, its global portfolio include Heineken is the cider maker with brands, such as Strongbow Gold and Bulmer��. It has a global network of distributors and 140 breweries. Heineken operates in six segments: Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, The Americas, Africa and the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Head Office and Other/eliminations. On December 2, 2011, Heineken acquired the Galaxy Pub Estate (Galaxy) in the United Kingdom from The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). In January 2013, it acquired remaining 18.4% interest in Asia Pacific Breweries Ltd.
During year ended 31 December 2011, Heineken disposed of 25% of its 100% interest in Commonwealth Brewery Limited (CBL). In January 2011, the Company acquired two Nigerian holding companies from the Sona Group. The two acquired businesses have controlling interests in each of the Sona, IBBI, Benue, Life and Champion breweries in Nigeria. The acquisition provided the Company with an additional technical capacity of 3.7 million hectoliters. During 2011, HEINEKEN acquired five new breweries in Nigeria and two new breweries in Ethiopia. On January 12, 2011, Heineken acquired two holding companies, which together own the Sona brewery group from Lewiston Investments SA. On August 11, 2011, Heineken acquired two breweries named Bedele and Harar from the government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
Wester! n Europe
Heineken has operating companies in 10 countries, which include Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, Finland, France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. The Company owns and operates 25 breweries, five non-brewing production sites and two malteries. In Belgium its brands include Maes, Grimbergen, Cristal, Mort Subite, Ciney, Affligem, Judas, Hapkin, Brugs, Postel, Desperados and Heineken. In Finland, its brands include Lapin Kulta, Karjala, Foster��, Heineken, 1836 Classic Gourmet, Jaffa, Pepsi, Novelle, Original Long Drink and Upcider. In France its brands include Heineken, Pelforth, Desperados, Affligem, Fischer tradition, ��3��Export, Panach�� Adelscott, Amstel, Georges Killians and Murphy�� Irish Stout. In Ireland its brands include Heineken, Amstel, Coors Light, Desperados, Tiger, Sol, Murphy�� Irish Stout, Beamish Stout, Foster��, Paulaner, Birra Moretti, Z.ywiec and Affligem.
In Italy the Company�� brands include Birra Moretti, Heineken, Dreher, Ichnusa, Classica von Wunster, Birra Messina, Prinz Brau, Sans Souci, Amstel, Fischer and Strongbow. In Netherlands its brands include Heineken, Amstel, Wieckse Witte, Jillz, Strongbow, Desperados, Lingen�� Blond, Murphy�� Irish Red Brand Crystal Clear, Royal Club, Sisi, Sourcy, Vitamin Water, Pepsi, 7-Up and Rivella. In Portugal, its brands Sagres, Luso, Cruzeiro, Cergal, Imperial, Heineken, Foster��, Jansen, Sao Jorge and Bulmer. In Spain its brands include Cruzcampo, Amstel, Heineken, Shandy, Paulaner, Guinness, Latino, Foster��, Legado de Yuste, Maes, John Smith, Judas, Mort Subite and Newcastle. In Switzerland its brands include Heineken, Eichhof, Calanda, Desperados, Ittinger, Haldengut, Ziegelhof, Erdinger, Clausthaler and Amstel. In the United Kingdom its brands Foster��, Strongbow, John Smith��, Kronenbourg, Bulmers, Heineken, Newcastle Brown Ale, Amstel, Sol, Woodpecker, Tiger, Jacques and Deuchars IPA.
Central and Eastern Europe
Heineken! has a pr! oduct portfolio of over 180 brands. The Company owns more than 60 breweries and has operating companies in 14 countries, which include Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Slovakia. In Austria its brands include Heineken, Zipfer, Gosser, Puntigamer, Desperados, Edelweiss, Schlossgold, Kaiser, Schwechater, Wieselburger, Reininghaus and Schladminger. In Belarus its brands include Heineken, Zlaty Bazant, Rechitskoe, Bobrov, Gosser, Doctor Diesel and Dneprovska. In Bulgaria its brands include Heineken, Zagorka, Desperados, Ariana, Amstel, Stolichno, Starobrno and Kaiser. In Croatia its brands include Heineken, Karlovacko, Desperados and Edelweiss. In Czech Republic its brands include Heineken, Krusovice, Starobrno, Zlatopramen, Breznak, Frij, Zlaty Bazant, Hostan, Cerveny Dark and Baron Trenck.
In Germany the Company�� brands include Paulaner Weissbier, Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, Thurn & Taxis, Auer, Hopf Weisse, Kulmbacher, Monchshof, EKU, Kapuziner, Sternquell, Braustolz, Scherdel, Wurzburger Hofbrau, Keiler, Furstenberg, Riegeler, Hoepfner, Grape, Schmucker. In Greece its brands include Heineken, Amstel, Alfa, Fischer, Sol, Buckler, McFarland, Murphy�� Irish Stout, BIOS 5 and IOLI. In Hungary its brands include Heineken, Gosser, Soproni Aszok, Amstel, Kaiser, Zlaty Bazant, Edelweiss, Schlossgold, Steffl, Adambrau and Buckler. In Kazakhstan its brands include Heineken, Tian Shan, Efes, Beliy Medved, Stary Melnik, Sokol and Gold Mine. In Macedonia its brands include Heineken, Amstel, Skopsko and Gorsko.
In Poland the Company�� brands include Heineken, Desperados, Z ywiec, Warka, Tatra, Strong, Special, Krolewskie and Lezajsk. In Romania its brands include Heineken, Ciuc, GoldenBrau, Silva, Bucegi, Neumarkt, Gambrinus, Horgita, Hatigana, Desperados and Edelweiss. In Russia its brands include Heineken, Amstel, Bochkarev, Ochota, Zlaty Bazant, Guinness, Buckler, Stepan Razin, PI! T, Edelwe! iss, Doctor Diesel, Tri Medvedya, Gosser, Amur-Pivo, Zhigulevskoye, Patra, Strelets, Bereg Baikala, Okskoye, Rusich, Volnaya Sibir, Sedoy Ural, Shikhan, Ostmark and Kenigsberg. In Serbia its brands include Heineken, MB, Master, Amstel PilsPlus, Efes and Zajecarsko. In Slovakia its brands include Heineken, Zlaty Bazant, Corgon, Kelt, Starobrno, Gemer and Martiner.
Africa and the Middle East
Heineken operations include 20 countries, 34 breweries (consolidated), 12 breweries (managed), three soft drink plants, three malteries, two packaging plants, two wineries, one distillery and one extract plant. The Company exports to more than 50 countries, including its operating companies and joint ventures. In Algeria its brands include Tango, Samba, Fiesta, Heineken and Amstel. In Burundi its brands include Amstel, Primus and Heineken. In Cameroon its brands include Amstel, Mutzig and Heineken. In Congo its brands include Guinness, Maltina, Mutzig, Ngok, Primus, Turbo King and Heineken. In Democratic Republic of Congo its brands include Maltina, Mutzig, Primus, Turbo King, Legend, Heineken and Amstel. In Egypt its brands include Heineken, Birell, Fayrouz, Meister Max, Sakara, Stella, Amstel Zero and Luxor. In Ethiopia its brands include Bedele and Harar. In Ghana its brands include Amstel Malta, Guinness, Gulder, Star, Malta and Heineken.
In Israel the Company�� brands include Heineken, GoldStar, Maccabi, Nesher Malt and Newcastle Brown Ale. In Jordan its brands include Amstel and Heineken. In Lebanon its brands include Almaza, Laziza, Amstel and Heineken. In Morocco its brands include Heineken and Fayro. In Namibia its brands include Heineken, Guinness, Windhoek, Amstel and Tafel. In Nigeria its brands include Heineken, Amstel Malta, Gulder, Legend, Maltina, Star, Fayrouz, Life Continental Lager, Goldberg Lager, Malta Gold ��3��Export, Hi-malt, Maltex, Turbo King, More Lager, Williams and Champion Lager. In Reunion its brands include Bourbon, Dynamalt and Heineken. In! Rwanda i! ts brands include Amstel, Guinness, Mutzig, Primus, Turbo King and Heineken. In Sierra Leone its brands include Heineken, Guinness, Maltina and Star. In South Africa its brands include Heineken, Amstel, Windhoek, Strongbow and Guinness. In Tunisia its brands include Heineken, Golden Brau, Fayrouz, Bravo and Sahara.
The Americas
Heineken Americas operates 20 majority-owned breweries and seven joint venture breweries, a maltery and a distillery in the region, as well as producing soft drinks in some markets. In Argentina its brands include Heineken, Budweiser, Paulaner, Birra Moretti, Guinness, Corona, Negra Modelo, Salta, Santa Fe, Cordoba, Kunstmann, Palermo, Biecker, Schneider, Imperial and Otro Mundo. In Bahamas its brands include Heineken, Guinness, Kalik and Vitamalt. In Brazil its brands include Kaiser, Bavaria, Sol, Summer Draft, Gold, Heineken, Kaiser Bock, Xingu, Dos Equis, Amstel Pulse, Birra Moretti, Edelweiss, Murphy�� and Santa Cerva. In Chile its brands include Heineken, Cristal, Escudo, Royal and Kunstmann. In Costa Rica its brands include Heineken, Bavaria, Imperial, Pilsen and Rock Ice. In Dominican Republic its brands include Presidente. In Haiti its brands include Guinness, Malta and Prestige.
In Jamaica the Company�� brands include Heineken, Dragon Stout, Guinness and Red Stripe. In Martinique its brands include Heineken, Lorraine, Malta and Porter. In Mexico its brands include Tecate, Sol, Dos Equis, Bohemia and Coors. Light, Indio, Carta Blanca, Superior, Kloster, Noche Buena and Soul Citric. In Nicaragua its brands include Heineken, Bufalo, Tona and Victoria. In Panama its brands include Heineken, Crystal, Guinness, Panama, Soberana and Budweiser. In St. Lucia its brands include Heineken, Guinness and Piton. In Suriname its brands include Heineken and Parbo. In Trinidad its brands include Carib, Stag and Guinness.
Asia Pacific
Heineken operates a part of the region through joint ventures. These include S! ingapore-! listed Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) and India-listed United Breweries Limited (UBL). APB is the Company�� primary investment vehicle in Asia Pacific with 23 breweries in 14 countries. UBL is in India and has 18 breweries. In Cambodia its brands include ABC Extra Stout, Anchor, Gold Crown and Tiger. In China its brands include Heineken, Reeb, Tiger, Anchor, Aoke, Tiger Crystal, Sol, Strongbow and Murphy�� Irish Red. In India its brands include Heineken, Cannon 10000, Arlem, Baron�� Strong Brew, Kingfisher, Kalyani and UB. In Indonesia its brands include Heineken, Bintang, Guinness, Bintang Zero and Green Sands. In Laos its brands include Tiger, Namkong, ABC Stout and Heineken. In Malaysia its brands include Heineken, Anchor, Baron��, Guinness, Strongbow, Kilkenny, Tiger, Lion, Malta and Angli. In Mongolia its brands include Tiger and Sengur. In New Caledonia its brands include Heineken, Number One, Desperados, Havannah and Hinano.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Ben Levisohn]
Who knew that consolidation speculation in the beer industry could be sung to the tune of the Butthole Surfers’ “Pepper.” SABMiller (SBMRY) wants to buy Heineken (HEINY). Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD) might want to buy SABMiller. And Molson Coors Brewing (TAP) might scoop up the leftovers.
- [By Charles Sizemore]
I��e never been a big fan of STZ stock, as the economics of the wine business are much less attractive than those of beer and spirits. Wineries have far less brand value than beer brewers and liquor distillers and tend to have lower margins. In February of last year, I recommended that readers steer clear of STZ stock and instead focus on Dutch megabrewer Heineken (HEINY).
Top 10 Japanese Companies To Invest In Right Now: Hyundai Motor Co (HYMLF.PK)
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY is a Korea-based automobile manufacturer. Along with its subsidiaries, the Company operates in three business divisions: vehicle division, financial division and other business division. Its vehicle division manufactures passenger cars under the brand names of Centennial, Genesis, Veloster, Azera, Sonata, i40, Elantra, Accent, i30cw, i20, ix20 and others; sport utility vehicles (SUVs) under the brand names of Veracruz, Santa Fe and Tucson, and commercial vehicles, including trucks, buses, special vehicles and bare chassis, as well as provides automobile maintenance services and related components. Its financial division mainly provides automobile financing services and credit card services. Its other business division includes construction of railways and others.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Quoth the Raven]
It was reported this morning that Hyundai's (HYMLF.PK) CEO, John Krafcik, has gone on the record and said that the U.S. government shutdown could affect the U.S. automobile market negatively. He's made a headline that's been picked up by news organizations across the board this morning. It echoes sentiments from executives at both Ford and GM. Autonews.com reported:
Top 10 Japanese Companies To Invest In Right Now: Genius Brands International Inc (GNUS)
Genius Brands International, Inc., formerly Pacific Entertainment Corporation, provides music-based products, which entertains and educates infants and young children under its brands, including Baby Genius. It creates, markets and sells children�� digital versatile discs (DVDs), compact disc (CD) music and book products in the United States by distribution at wholesale to retail stores and outlets and direct to consumers through various deal for a day sites. It also licenses the use of its brands, both domestically and internationally, to others to manufacture, market and sell products based on its characters and brand, whereby the Company receives advances and royalties. In addition to the distribution of its CD and DVD products, the Company has developed and will continue to develop multiple revenue streams, which include worldwide licensing and merchandising opportunities for toys, books, and other customer products. During the year ended December 31, 2011, Pacific Entertainment Corporation, which is a California corporation, merged into the Company. On July 25, 2012, it sold approximately 500,000 Baby Genius DVDs and CDs and over 50,000 Little Genius CDs through its campaigns on Groupon.
Distribution
In 2008, the Company began self-distributing its DVD and CD products through direct relationships with customers. It also has third party licensing agreements under which it has developed musical products under other brands and receives revenue and pay a royalty for distributing those products through its distribution channels. The Company has licensed its brands for production of additional product lines, such as toys, books and other products, the products are primarily distributed by the licensee through the licensee�� marketing channels. As of December 31, 2011, it had one exclusive license agreement, which is with Jakks Pacific�� Tollytots (Tollytots) division.
Products
The Company�� products consist primarily of family and children��! DVD and CD music products. These products are manufactured and sold under brand names, such as Baby Genius, Kid Genius, Wee Worship, 123 Favorite Music and Pacific Entertainment Presents. The Company�� music products also include 50 Classic Lullabies & Soothing Songs and Favorite Guitar and Piano Melodies. During 2011, it released three new music titles, Best of Baby Genius, Sleighbells and Snowflakes and Favorite Country Christmas Music. The entire library of Baby Genius DVD and CD music products includes both English and Spanish versions. It also licenses its Baby Genius brand for various product lines, including toys, books, games and puzzles, sippy cups, and early learning aids, as well as others, and receives royalties based on sales of these products.
The Company has third party licensing agreements under which it has developed musical products under other brands, such as Guess How Much I Love You, The Snowman and Precious Moments. It also licensed the rights to eight DVDs previously created by Precious Moments in exchange for royalty payments on net sales of the DVD products. Through an exclusive licensing agreement with the San Diego Zoological Society, the Company created a series of Baby Genius DVD�� featuring footage from the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Wild Animal Park.
The Company competes with Baby Einstein, Brainy Baby, So Smart, The Wiggles, Sesame Baby, Disney, Universal Studios, Playskool, Fisher Price, Little Tykes and Leapfrog.
Advisors' Opinion: Top 10 Japanese Companies To Invest In Right Now: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.(HOT)
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. operates as a hotel and leisure company worldwide. The company operates luxury and upscale full service hotels, select-service hotels, extended stay hotels, resorts, retreats, and residences under St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Westin, Le M�idien, Sheraton, Four Points, Aloft, and Element brand names. It also engages in the development and operation of vacation ownership resorts; marketing and selling vacation ownership interests in the resorts; and provision of financing to customers who purchase such interests. In addition, the company develops, markets, and sells residential units at mixed use hotel projects. As of December 31, 2011, its hotel portfolio included 1,076 owned, managed, or franchised hotels with approximately 315,300 rooms; and 13 stand-alone vacation ownership resorts and residential properties. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwid e Inc. operates independently of ITT Corporation as of December 19, 1995.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Dan Caplinger]
Starwood Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: HOT ) : up 150%
Unlike most companies, Starwood makes dividend payments only once a year, but its end-of-2012 payout of $1.25 per share was far above the $0.50 it paid in 2011. Even with its international exposure leaving it facing headwinds in troubled areas such as Europe, recovering prospects in its key U.S. market and expansion into growth markets around the world have led to strong performance for Starwood, and sharing the wealth with shareholders shows that Starwood expects the good times to continue.
Top 10 Japanese Companies To Invest In Right Now: BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc.(BCRX)
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company, designs, optimizes, and develops small-molecule pharmaceuticals that block key enzymes involved in infectious diseases, cancer, and inflammatory diseases. It uses structure-based drug design, which incorporates multiple scientific disciplines, including biology, crystallography, medicinal chemistry, and computer to develop new therapeutic candidates. The company has three novel late-stage compounds in development, which include Peramivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor for the potential treatment of influenza; BCX4208, a purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) inhibitor for gout; and Forodesine, a PNP inhibitor for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Peramivir is being developed under a contract from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority within the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Forodesine has been granted orphan drug status by the FDA for thr ee indications, which include T-cell non-Hodgkin?s lymphoma, including CTCL; CLL and related leukemias, including T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, adult T-cell leukemia, and hairy cell leukemia; and for treatment of B-ALL. The FDA has also granted fast track status to the development of forodesine for the treatment of relapsed or refractory T-cell leukemia, and special protocol assessment from the FDA for forodesine to conduct a pivotal clinical trial in CTCL with an oral formulation. The company announced the initiation of a Phase 2b study of BCX4208 as add-on therapy in gout patients who have not responded to allopurinol therapy alone. BioCryst Pharmaceuticals utilizes crystallography and structure-based drug design to discover additional compounds and to progress others through pre-clinical and early development to address the unmet medical needs of patients and physicians. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina.
Advisors' Opinion: Top 10 Japanese Companies To Invest In Right Now: GTSI Corp.(GTSI)
GTSI Corp., together with its subsidiaries, provides information technology (IT) hardware and solutions to federal, state, and local government customers, as well as to prime contractors in the United States. It offers IT infrastructure solutions, including data center consolidation and optimization solutions, server and desktop virtualization solutions, cloud computing solutions, network modernization solutions, unified communications and collaboration solutions, database and software development solutions, asset management solutions, and financial services solutions. The company also provides various services comprising software development and maintenance, program and project management, database development and maintenance, and legacy systems modernization services. In addition, it offers computer hardware, software, and peripheral products, as well as provides technical support and assistance services. The company markets and sells its computer hardware and software, and solutions through GTSI.com. It has strategic partner relationships with Cisco, Hewlett Packard, Crossmatch Technologies, Microsoft, Dell, Oracle, Net App, and Hitachi. GTSI Corp. was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Geoff Gannon]
I picked GTSI (GTSI) for the Ben Graham: Net-Net Newsletter.
And that is not a good business. It lost money in about half of the last 10 years. It had no history of earning more than about 6% on equity over time. It was a truly terrible business.
- [By Geoff Gannon]
Someone who reads my articles sent me this question: My��uestion has to do with the type of investments you tend to put your energy toward. Evaluating a net-net is a whole lot different than evaluating a company that has a competitive advantage and trades at much higher multiples. To me, the net-net evaluation process is a whole lot more straightforward, as there are fewer intangibles (if any) and less prediction about the future involved. I don't have to worry about whether GTSI (GTSI) has any competitive advantage ��I know it doesn't. Then again, I look at a company like Becton Dickenson (BDX) and I see a highly predictable company with a decent moat selling at a reasonable price. I can look at BDX and figure I might earn 10-15% annually over a long time frame. That's really different from thinking about investing in a net-net where I can see how it's 30-50% undervalued now, but it's not something I'm going to hold onto for decades. It's more of a matter of waiting for that one-time "pop" that will happen sometime in the next 1-5 years. How do you decide where to put your energy?
- [By Geoff Gannon]
I would never assume that $1 of retained earnings at GTSI (GTSI) was worth $1. It�� not.
So it would be hard to buy GTSI on an earnings basis. I didn��. I bought it for the Ben Graham: Net-Net Newsletter�� model portfolio simply based on its cash, receivables, and stake in another company. Those 3 things meant the company�� liquidation value was higher than the price I paid for the stock.