We received one last earnings report over the weekend, and it came from our single largest position, which happens to be the holding company for Warren Buffett, explains Matt Coffina, editor of Morningstar Stock Investor.
It was a strong finish to an all-around solid year for Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B). The high-level takeaway is that book value per share advanced 18%.
CEO Warren Buffett focuses on book value per share as an objective��hough significantly understated��roxy for intrinsic value.
Under Buffett's leadership over the past 49 years, Berkshire's book value per share has compounded at an incredible 19.7% annual rate.
However, over the last ten years, book value per share has grown roughly 10% annually, reflecting the challenges of growing from such a large base. I suspect 10% annual book value growth is about what we can expect from Berkshire going forward.
Assuming the price/book multiple stays at the current level��hich I think is likely, if not conservative��hen we can expect similar total returns from Berkshire's stock over the long run.
Top 5 US Stocks To Own Right Now: Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. (UBP)
Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc., a real estate investment trust (REIT), engages in the acquisition, ownership, and management of commercial real estate properties in the United States. Its properties primarily consist of neighborhood and community shopping centers, office buildings, and industrial properties in Fairfield County, Connecticut; Westchester and Putnam Counties, New York; and Bergen County, New Jersey. As of October 31, 2007, the company owned or had an equity interest in 39 properties containing approximately 3.7 million square feet of gross leasable area. As a REIT, it is not subject to federal income tax to the extent that it distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rich Smith]
Urstadt Biddle Properties (NYSE: UBP ) (NYSE: UBA ) -- the real estate investment trust with two tickers -- now has two separate executives at the top of its corporate structure, as well.
Top 10 Prefered Companies To Buy Right Now: Encore Wire Corp (WIRE)
Encore Wire Corporation (Encore), incorporated on April 5, 1989, is a manufacturer of electrical building wire and cable. The Company is a supplier of building wire for interior electrical wiring in commercial and industrial buildings, homes, apartments, and manufactured housing. Encore offers an electric building wire product line that consists of nonmetallic-building ( NM-B) cable, underground feeder-building (UF-B) cable, thermoplastic high heat resistant nylon coated/thermoplastic heat and water resistant nylon coated (THHN/THWN)-2 and other types of wire products, including metal clad and armored cable. All of these products are manufactured with copper or aluminum as the conductor. The principal customers for Encore�� wire are wholesale electrical distributors, who sell building wire and a variety of other products to electrical contractors. The Company sells its products primarily through 31 manufacturers��representatives located throughout the United States. The Company also purchases small quantities of other types of wire to re-sell to customers that buy products that the Company manufactures. The manufacturing process for the Company�� various products involves multiple steps, including: casting, drawing, stranding, compounding, insulating, jacketing and armoring.
The Company�� non-metallic sheathed cable is used primarily as interior wiring in homes, apartments and manufactured housing. NM-B cable is composed of either two or three insulated copper wire conductors, with an un-insulated ground wire, all sheathed in a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) jacket. UF-B cable is an underground feeder cable is used to conduct power underground to outside lighting and other applications remote from buildings. UF-B cable is composed of two or three PVC insulated copper wire conductors, with an un-insulated ground wire, all jacketed in PVC. THHN/THWN-2 cable is used primarily as feeder, circuit and branch wiring in commercial and industrial buildings. It is composed of a copper or aluminu! m single conductor, either stranded or solid, and insulated with PVC, which is further coated with nylon.
Cross-linked high heat water resistant insulated wire (XHHW)-2 Cable is a XHHW-2 wire used for general purpose applications utilized in conduit or other recognized raceways for service, feeders, and branch-circuit wiring. It�� composed of a copper or aluminum single conductor, either stranded or solid, and with a single layer of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation. Underground service entrance (USE)-2 Cable. USE-2 or rubber high heat-resistant (RHH) or RHW-2 wire is used for general purpose applications utilized in conduit or installed in underground applications or in recognized raceways for service, feeders, and branch-circuit wiring. It�� composed of a copper or aluminum single conductor, either stranded or solid, and with a single layer of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation suitable for wet locations.
Metal clad and armored cable is used primarily as feeder, circuit and branch wiring, primarily in commercial and industrial buildings. It is composed of multiple conductors, either stranded or solid, and insulated with PVC, which are further coated with nylon and then fully encased in a flexible aluminum or steel armored protective sheath that eliminates the need to pull the wire through pipe or conduit. The Company�� photovoltaic style cables are designed to meet the different needs of the emerging solar industry by providing connections between photovoltaic (PV) panels, collector boxes and inverters; and where also allowed by the National Electric Code (NEC). Its bare copper conductors are used in overhead electrical transmission and distribution systems for grounding electrical systems and circuit grounding.
The Company competes with Southwire Company, Cerro Wire LLC, United Copper Industries, BICC General and AFC Cable Systems, Inc.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
Basic guidelines
In this series, I examine inventory using a simple rule of thumb: Inventory increases ought to roughly parallel revenue increases. If inventory bloats more quickly than sales grow, this might be a sign that expected sales haven't materialized. Is the current inventory situation at Encore Wire (Nasdaq: WIRE ) out of line? To figure that out, start by comparing the company's inventory growth to sales growth. How is Encore Wire doing by this quick checkup? At first glance, not so great. Trailing-12-month revenue decreased 9.2%, and inventory increased 0.3%. Comparing the latest quarter to the prior-year quarter, the story looks decent. Revenue grew 3.9%, and inventory expanded 0.3%. Over the sequential quarterly period, the trend looks healthy. Revenue dropped 4.1%, and inventory dropped 5.1%. - [By Eric Volkman]
Encore Wire (NASDAQ: WIRE ) , like a strip of its namesake product, seems to believe in keeping its shareholder payouts long and straight. The company has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.02 per share, to be paid on July 19 to shareholders of record as of July 5. That amount is in line with every one of the firm's previous distributions stretching back to early 2007.�
Top 10 Prefered Companies To Buy Right Now: Morgans Hotel Group Co.(MHGC)
Morgans Hotel Group Co., a hospitality company, engages in the acquisition, ownership, operation, development, and redevelopment boutique hotels, nightclubs, restaurants, bars, and other food and beverage venues. It has operations primarily in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is based in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Roberto Pedone]
Morgans Hotel Group (MHGC) operates, owns, acquires, develops and redevelops boutique hotels, primarily in gateway cities and select resort markets in the U.S., Europe and other international locations and nightclubs, restaurants. This stock closed up 3.8% to $6.99 in Tuesday's trading session.
Tuesday's Range: $6.73-$7.06
52-Week Range: $4.66-$8.15
Tuesday's Volume: 388,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 196,219From a technical perspective, MHGC spiked higher here right above its 200-day moving average of $6.45 with above-average volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of MHGC within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if MHGC manages to take out Tuesday's high of $7.06 and then once it takes out more near-term resistance at $7.20 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in MHGC as long as it's trending above its 200-day at $6.41 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 196,219 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then MHGC will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $8 to its 52-week high at $8.15. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give MHGC a chance to tag its next major overhead resistance levels at $9 to $10.
Top 10 Prefered Companies To Buy Right Now: Hasbro Inc.(HAS)
Hasbro, Inc. engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing of games and toys. The company principally provides children?s and family leisure time and entertainment products and services. It offers various games, including traditional board, card, hand-held electronic, trading card, roleplaying, and DVD games, as well as electronic learning aids and puzzles. Hasbro?s toy products include boy?s action figures, vehicles and playsets, girl?s toys, electronic toys, plush products, preschool toys and infant products, electronic interactive products, creative play products, and toy related specialty products. The company also licenses certain of its trademarks, characters, and other property rights to third parties for use in connection with consumer promotions and for the sale of noncompeting toys and games, and non-toy products. It offers its products primarily under PLAYSKOOL, TRANSFORMERS, NERF, MY LITTLE PONY, LITTLEST PET SHOP, TONKA, G.I. JOE, SUPER SOAKER, MILTON BRAD LEY, PARKER BROTHERS, CRANIUM, AVALON HILL, TIGER, FURREAL FRIENDS, BABY ALIVE, STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brand names. The company markets its products to various customers, including wholesalers, distributors, chain stores, discount stores, mail order houses, catalog stores, department stores, and other retailers, as well as Internet-based e-tailers. It has a strategic licensing agreement with Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), which provides EA with the worldwide rights to create digital games for various platforms, including mobile phones, personal computers, and game consoles, as well as; and a strategic relationship with Universal Pictures to produce approximately three motion pictures based on certain of company?s brands. Hasbro sells its products through its own sales force and distributors primarily in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and South America. The company was founded in 1923 and is headquartered in Paw tucket, Rhode Island.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rick Munarriz]
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS ) is making a bet on social gaming, and it probably couldn't have happened without Zynga (NASDAQ: ZNGA ) .
- [By Monica Gerson]
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is estimated to report its Q3 earnings at $1.29 per share on revenue of $1.34 billion.
Gannett Co (NYSE: GCI) is expected to report its Q3 earnings at $0.41 per share on revenue of $1.27 billion.
- [By Sue Chang]
Hasbro Inc. (HAS) �is forecast to post earnings of $1.29 a share in the third quarter.
Top 10 Prefered Companies To Buy Right Now: Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc.(JOSB)
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Inc. engages in designing, manufacturing, retailing, and direct marketing men?s tailored and casual clothing and accessories in the United States. The company?s product offerings include tuxedos, suits, shirts, vests, ties, sport coats, pants, sportswear, overcoats, sweaters, belts and braces, socks, and underwear. It sells its products primarily under the Jos. A. Bank label through its own and franchised stores, and catalogs, as well as the Internet at josbank.com. The company also sells branded shoes from various vendors. As of April 30, 2011, it operated 515 retail stores, which consists of 489 company-owned full-line stores, 12 company-owned outlet and factory stores, and 14 stores owned and operated by franchisees in 42 states and the District of Columbia. The company was founded in 1905 and is based in Hampstead, Maryland.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Eric Volkman]
Would anyone care to sell a fine asset to a network of gentlemen's clothing stores? Jos. A. Bank (NASDAQ: JOSB ) is trying to find out the answer to that question. In a press release, the company revealed that it "has been and is considering strategic opportunities to enhance shareholder value, including seeking potential acquisitions."
- [By Chris Hill]
In this installment of Investor Beat, our analysts explain why they're watching Bank of America (NYSE: BAC ) and Jos. A. Bank (NASDAQ: JOSB ) .
- [By Jacob Meredith]
The Men's Wearhouse (NYSE: MW ) and Jos. A. Bank Clothiers� (NASDAQ: JOSB ) have been caught up in a hostile takeover battle for nearly six months. It all started on Oct. 8 when Jos. A Bank made a bid to acquire its much larger rival, Men's Wearhouse.
Top 10 Prefered Companies To Buy Right Now: Rossi Residencial SA (RSID3)
Rossi Residencial SA is a Brazil-based company involved in the real estate sector. The Company is principally engaged in the development, construction and sale of residential and commercial real estate properties. In addition, it is involved in the subdivision of land and provision of civil engineering services. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had four subsidiaries, including Astir Assessoria Tecnica Imobiliaria e Participacoes Ltda, RCI Consultoria de Imoveis Ltda, Rossi Consultoria de Imoveis Ltda and Rossi Industria de Artefatos de Concreto Ltda, as well as a number of joint ventures, such as Argentea Empreendimentos SA, Damacena Empreendimentos SA, Minulo Empreendimentos SA and Nicandra Empreendimentos SA, among others. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ney Hayashi]
MMX Mineracao & Metalicos SA rose to a one-week high after saying it is seeking partners to expand a mining project. Rossi Residencial SA (RSID3) led gains among homebuilders as traders reduced bets on higher borrowing costs. EDP-Energias do Brasil SA advanced after selling a stake in some of its power plants in Brazil to China Three Gorges Corp. Car-rental company Localiza Rent a Car SA climbed after Fitch Ratings increased its credit rating.
- [By Ney Hayashi]
Rossi Residencial SA (RSID3) climbed 2.1 percent today to 2.98 reais, leading homebuilders higher, as traders pared bets for higher borrowing costs in Brazil following the inflation report. The BM&FBovespa Real Estate Index added 0.5 percent.
Top 10 Prefered Companies To Buy Right Now: Britton & Koontz Capital Corporation(BKBK)
Britton & Koontz Capital Corporation operates as the holding company for Britton & Koontz Bank, National Association that provides commercial and consumer banking services in Adams and Warren Counties, Mississippi, and East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, as well as in the adjoining counties and parishes in Mississippi and Louisiana. The company offers various deposit products, including personal and commercial checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, savings accounts, non-interest bearing deposits, negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, and certificates of deposit. Its loan portfolio comprises commercial, financial, and agricultural loans; real estate construction, residential, and other loans; installment loans; consumer loans; and overdrafts. In addition, the company provides automated clearinghouse services; safe deposit box facilities; brokerage services; automated teller machines; cash management services, including remote deposit, money transfer, direct de posit payroll, and sweep accounts; VISA credit cards; and letters of credit. As of May 17, 2011, it operated three full service offices in Natchez, two in Vicksburg, Mississippi; three in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and a loan production office in Central, Louisiana. The company was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in Natchez, Mississippi.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Tim Melvin]
HBCP recently announced a deal to buy Britton & Koontz Capital Corporation (BKBK) in a deal that will add eight branches and more than $300 million of assets to the bank. It also gains access to the Mississippi marketplace and increases Home Bancorp’s deposit base in Baton Rouge.
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