Friday, October 8, 2021

AIQ, CXP, DEA, FIVG, GNL, MCBC, MGK, MILN, RDS/B, SCHC, SCHD, SCHK, SCHV, VONV, VTI, WMB

Economy

The government reported earlier today that the economy added 194K jobs last month. The consensus was for 366K. The unemployment rate fell .4 to 4.8%. Average hourly earnings rose by 19 cents to $30.85, following large increases in the prior 5 months. The job increases for July and August were revised up by 169,000. The average work week increased by .02 to 34.8 hours which is a big deal considering the size of the labor force. Employment Situation Summary The U-6 number declined to 8.5% from 8.8% on a seasonally adjusted basis and to 8.1% from 8.9% on a non-seasonally adjusted basis. Table A-15. Alternative measures of labor underutilization The revised numbers for July and August take away the sting from the September miss IMO, which will be revised anyway next month. 

ADP reported that private sector employment increased by 568,000 last month with the consensus estimate at 425K. ADP National Employment Report

Key inflation gauge watched by the Federal Reserve (core PCE Prices) hits another 30-year high

Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine Loses Effectiveness Against Infection Over Time | Barron's (effectiveness at preventing infections dropped to 47% after 5 months)

As mortgage rates shoot even higher, refinance demand plummets 10%

The September ISM services index was reported at 61.9. The new orders index was 63.5. Both numbers are solid and are close to unchanged from the August report. The Price index is troubling at 77.5, up from 75.4 in August. 

In its earnings report released yesterday, Conagra estimated that its impute costs would rise 11% this year. SEC Filed Earnings Press Release Price hikes can not keep pace with the percentage increases in cost, pressuring margins and profits. 

The FED will do nothing to restrain inflation. The problem will have to fix itself, if possible. 

The same is true for the ECB. Euro zone inflation jumps to 13-year high, worsening ECB headache | Reuters

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Markets and Market Commentary

The DJIA rallied 500+ decline last Wednesday, retracing a 400+ decline to close up over 100 points, when McConnell made the following statement: “To protect the American people from a near-term Democrat-created crisis, we will also allow Democrats to use normal procedures to pass an emergency debt limit extension at a fixed dollar amount to cover current spending levels into December." It is the Democrats fault in TrumpWorld that all Republican senators voted for a default by filibustering a bill to increase the debt limit, preventing it from even coming to a vote until yesterday.  

Yesterday, only 11 Republican Senators voted to end their filibuster. After barely breaking the Republican filibuster, the vote to temporarily increase the debt limit passed 50 to 48. All 50 Democrats voted to increase the debt ceiling. The 48 no votes were, of course, cast by Republican Senators. Senate Approves Bill to Raise Debt Ceiling and Avert Default, for Now - The New York Times Short-term debt limit increase passes Senate, heads to House - Roll Call Democrats joined with Republicans to raise the debt limit three times when Trump was President. Senate Raises the Debt Limit. Default Could Loom Again in Early December. | Barron's

Market is unprepared for inflation fallout: Wharton's Jeremy Siegel

Stocks are at a 70-year high as a share of household financial wealth

Small-Bank Stocks See Insider Buying on the Rise | Barron's

Buy the dip has failed. Here’s what investors need to do next, says Morgan Stanley. - MarketWatch The MS recommends buying the financial, healthcare and consumer staples sectors.  

Why Merck's Celebrated Covid Pill Could Be Riskier Than People Think | Barron's The drug Molnupiravir enters the virus and causes mutations. The issue is whether it will cause other potentially harmful mutations.  After reading this article, I have reservations about the FDA giving emergency authorization now, requiring instead more comprehensive trials to study potential harmful side effects. I sold a few MRK shares in response. I will discuss that trade in about a month. 

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Kari Lake, Trump's Pick for Arizona Governor, Says She Wouldn't Have Certified Biden's WinTrump's Arizona Gov. Pick Says She Would Not Have Certified 2020 Election She also said that Donald should be added to Mount Rushmore. It does not matter that Biden won the state according to the initial vote count that was confirmed by multiple audits. Ms. Lake is stating what I would now call the Republican position regarding elections. The certified tabulations from the counties can be cancelled by republican officials when they do not like the result.  

Fact check: Arizona voter fraud not proven in viral canvassing report: USA Today

Warning: Jan. 6 was not a one-time event - Los Angeles Times

Trump lawyer tells former aides not to cooperate with Jan. 6 committee - The Washington Post  

Trump campaign loses NDA case against Omarosa for tell-all book 

January 6 rioter who said she looked for Pelosi 'to shoot her in the friggin' brain' pleads guilty to misdemeanor for illegally protesting

Executive Privilege and the Jan. 6 Investigation - Lawfare 

‘One day in January’: Mike Pence decries media focus on Capitol attack -The GuardianMike Pence just said something absolutely ridiculous about January 6 Sure, Republicans will always try to minimize the 1/6 attack, even when they recognize that the attack was carried out by Trump supporters attempting to prevent the constitutionally required vote count occurring then, the last perfunctory step prior to Biden becoming President. Most IMO will not even admit that it was Republicans who attempted the insurrection. 

New Details of Trump Pressure on Justice  Department Over Election - The New York TimesInterim Staff Report FINAL.pdf

Idaho official says he's sending MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell the bill for an audit debunking the CEO's claims of voter fraud

Jeffrey Burnham killed pharmacist brother over COVID vaccine shots he thought government was using to poison people, court documents say - CBS News I have heard Republicans claim that the vaccine will cause Covid. A recent poll showed that the unvaccinated blame the vaccinated for the recent rise in infections. Unvaccinated Americans Blame Everyone But Themselves For Covid Surge, Poll FindsKFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor: September 2021 | KFF

For the first time in U.S. history, a political party used the filibuster rule to prevent the majority party from raising the debt limit. PolitiFact | Fact-checking Biden’s claim that raising debt limit is usually bipartisan Many Trumpster Republican Senators were openly hostile to Mitch McConnell relenting on using the filibuster to prevent a vote, preferring instead to cause a government debt default, U.S. credit downgrades, and a recession and then blaming Biden for the results. Trump's party has become aggressively irresponsible IMO. 

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1. Added 1,000 GNL at $16.15:

Quote: Global Net Lease Inc.

As of June 30, 2021, GNL "owned 311 properties consisting of 38.2 million rentable square feet, which were 99.7% leased, with a weighted-average remaining lease term of 8.5 years. Based on the percentage of annualized rental income on a straight-line basis, as of June 30, 2021, 60% of our properties were located in the United States (“U.S.”) and Canada and 40% of our properties were located in Europe, and our portfolio was comprised of 52% industrial/distribution properties, 43% office properties and 5% retail properties. These percentages as of June 30, 2021 are calculated using annualized straight-line rent converted from local currency into the U.S. Dollar (“USD”) as of June 30, 2021 for the in-place lease on the property on a straight-line basis, which includes tenant concessions such as free rent, as applicable." GNL 10-Q for the Q/E 6/30/21 at page 38

GNL SEC Filings

10-Q for the Q/E 6/30/21 (property list starts at page 40)

GNL is classified as a diversified net lease REIT. I view equity REITs as bond substitutes and the net lease REITs as the most bond like in that stock sector. Why Income Investors Should Consider a Net Lease REITs ETFWhy to Get Caught in a Net Lease REIT | ETF Trends

GNL Website: Overview | GNL

Investment CategoryEquity REIT Common and Preferred Stock Basket Strategy

I mentioned this purchase in a 10/1/21 comment

I recently discussed this REIT in two posts published last month: 

Item # 1.M. Added to GNL in Fidelity Taxable-Bought 3 at $16.49 and 4 at $16.12 (9/24/21 Post) I noted in that post that GNL was held in disfavor by investors that count, as evidenced by the dividend yield and 5 year chart.  

This post is my last substantive discussion. Item # 2.G. Added to GNL in Fidelity Taxable-Bought 3 at $17.12; 2 at $16.57 (9/17/21 Post) I discussed the 2021 second quarter report in this post. SEC FilingGlobal Net Lease, inc (GNL) Q2 2021 Earnings Call Transcript | The Motley Fool ("year-to-date closed and forward pipeline acquisitions exceed $380 million of contract purchase price at a weighted average cap rate of 9.7% and a weighted average remaining lease term of 16.9 years.")

New AC per share this account: $15.98 (1,110+ plus shares) 

Snapshot Intraday 10/1/21 after 1,000 share add

When that snapshot was taken, GNL had a 2.25% weighting in this account which is 1 of 5 taxable accounts that I have.  I mention the overall portfolio weighting to emphasize that the position is still insignificant. The add does reflect my willingness to take slightly more risks in exchange for more income. The recent price decline improved somewhat the risk/reward balance in favor of reward.  

Dividend: Quarterly at $.40 

Global Net Lease, Inc. Announces Common Stock Dividend for Fourth Quarter 2021

I am going to reinvest the next dividend and then decide later whether or not to continue doing so. 

Yield at New AC this account: 10.01%  

Next Ex Dividend: Today, 10/8/21

Global Net Lease  (GNL) Dividend History | Nasdaq

5 Year Chart: Indicates Strong Disfavored Status IMO


5 Year Annual Average Total Return through 10/7/21 = only 3.19

Sourced: DRIP Returns Calculator | Dividend Channel

The 3.19% annual average total return (dividends reinvested) strongly indicates the need IMO for a trading strategy since the dividend's value has been mostly destroyed by price depreciation. 

It is my opinion that GNL is undervalued at its current price and its disfavored status is overdone. 

Goal: Any total return in excess of the dividends paid before any ROC adjustments to the tax cost basis, a necessary calculation to avoid double counting both the dividend and the ROC adjustment which increases the profit. 

Currently, I plan to eliminate all shares bought at prices greater than $16.15 when and if the price returns to a $17.5-$18.5 range.  Only 16+ shares qualify. 

Last Sell DiscussionsItem # 2.E  Sold Highest Cost 10+ Shares in Fidelity Account at $19.91 (6/25/21 Post)Item # 1.J. Pared GNL in Fidelity Taxable- Sold 20 GNL at $19.49 (5/16/21 Post)

Price Volatility: This buy discussion shows just how fast and low the price can fall: Item # 4.A. Added 5 GNL at $17.65; 5 at $16.87, 5 at $16.3; 5 at $14.6; 5 at $14; 10 at $13.5; 5 at $12.94; 2 at $12.66; 2 at $12.1; 2 at $11; 1 at 10.1; 4 at $11.48 and 2 at $10.8  (4/4/20 Post)

2. Small Ball Sells-ETF Eliminations in Schwab Taxable Account

I am continuing to dump small ball stock ETF positions, all with negligible dividends. I am redirecting proceeds into individual dividend stock selections such as GNL discussed above. I am more focused on income generation than capital appreciation in stock prices. 

Proceeds = $2,097.28

Profit = $677.38

A. Sold 5 FIVG at $38.83


Quote: FIVG | Defiance Next Gen Connectivity ETF Overview

Sponsor's Website: The First 5G ETF - FIVG

Expense Ratio: .3%

Defiance 5G Next Gen Connectivity ETF-Morningstar (unrated)

Profit Snapshot: $56.16


Last Buy Discussions:


Item #3.D. Started FIVG in Vanguard Account-Bought 8 shares at an average cost of $29.44  (7/29/20 Post)

Item # 2.A. Started FIVG in Schwab Taxable Account- Bought 5 at $27.6 (8/15/20 Post)

Top 10 Holdings as of 10/1/21

Of those stocks, I currently own AT & T (T), Ericsson (ERIC), and Verizon (VZ). As previously discussed, I have pared my AT & T position for the reasons discussed here: Item # 3.F.(6/12/21 Post)  

I still own the FIVG shares bought in my Vanguard Taxable account (13 shares with an average cost per share of $28.86) and in my Fidelity Account (5 shares with an AC of $28.74)

Dividends: Negligible, paid Quarterly at a variable rate

Last 4 Dividend Payments: $.25 per share rounded .

Yield at $38.83 = .6%

Last Ex Dividend: 9/22/21

B. Sold 5 SCHV at $70.87:  


Quote: SCHV | Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF Overview

Expense Ratio = .04%

Sponsor's Website: Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF

Schwab US Large-Cap Value ETF™ (SCHV)-Morningstar (4 stars as of 10/4)

Profit Snapshot: $94.53


Last DiscussedItem # 1.A. Bought 4 SCHV at $51.97 (9/5/20 Post) 

Dividends: Quarterly at a variable rate


Last 4 Dividend Payments:  $1.38 per share rounded

Yield at $70.87 = 1.95% rounded

Last Ex Dividend: 9/22/21

Some Top Holdings as of 9/30/21

C. Sold 1 MGK at $249.81

Quote: MGK | Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF Overview

Profit Snapshot: +$87.49



Expense Ratio = 0.07%

Last DiscussedItem #1.B. Bought 1 MGK at $162.32 (7/25/20 Post) 

Dividends: Quarterly at a variable rate

Last 4 dividend payments$1.25 per share rounded

Yield at $249.81 = .5%

D. Sold 5 AIQ at $32.15


Quote: Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF

Sponsor's Website: Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF

Expense Ratio: .68%

Global X Artificial Intelligence & Tech ETF-Morningstar (3 stars as of 10/4)

Profit Snapshot: $47.3


Last Buy DiscussionItem # 1.L. Started AIQ in Vanguard Taxable Account- Bought 5 at $24.13; 2 at $23.34; 2 at $22.8 and Item # 1.M. Bought AIQ in Schwab Taxable- 2 at $22.9, 3 at $22.55 (9/26/20 Post)

Last Sell DiscussionItem # 1.F. Eliminated AIQ in Vanguard Taxable-Sold 9 at $27.8 (2/6/21 Post)(profit snapshot = $37.27) 

Dividends: Immaterial, paid Semi-Annually

Last Dividends 52 weeks: $.09 per share

YIeld at $32.15 = .28%

The only justification for owning this ETF is for capital appreciation. 

Top 10 Holdings as of 9/30/21


E. Sold 5 MILN at $45.12

Quote: MILN | Global X Millennials Thematic ETF Overview

Sponsor's Website: Millennials Thematic ETF

Global X Millennials Consumer ETF (MILN)-Morningstar (3 stars as of 10/4)

Profit Snapshot: +$79.77

Last DiscussedItem # 4.C. Bought 5 MILN at $29.7 (8/29/20 Post)Item # 1.L. Bought 2 MILN at $28.09 (7/11/20 Post)

Dividends: Semi-Annually, either zero or an immaterial amount 

Dividends Paid Over the Last 52 weeks: $.06 per share rounded

Yield at $45.12 = .1%

Top 10 Holdings as of 10/1/21

F. Sold 4 VONV at $71.77:


Subsequent to my purchase, this ETF had a 2 for 1 stock split. Share splits ahead for 3 Vanguard ETFs

Quote: VONV | Vanguard Russell 1000 Value ETF Overview
Sponsor's Website: 
VONV - Vanguard Russell 1000 Value ETF
Expense Ratio = .08%

Profit snapshot: $78.07



Last DiscussedItem # 1.F. Bought 1 VONV at $106.19 and 1 at $102.82 (9/26/20 Post) Adjusted for the subsequent 2 for 1 split, the purchase prices were $53.095 and $51.41. 

G. Sold 1 VTI at $234.34

Quote: VTI | Vanguard U.S. Total Stock Market ETF Overview

Sponsor's Website: VTI - Vanguard Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | Vanguard

Expense Ratio: .03%

Holding as of 8/31/20: 3,980 stocks

Vanguard Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (VTI)-Morningstar (4 stars as of 10/4)

Profit Snapshot: $85.49: 

Last DiscussedItem # 1.D. Bought 1 VTI at $148.85 (7/3/20 Post) 

Dividends: Quarterly at a variable rate

Last 4 Payments: $2.85 rounded

Yield at $234.34 = 1.2%

Some Top Holdings as of 8/31/21

H. Sold 5 SCHK at $45.03

Quote: SCHK | Schwab 1000 Index ETF Overview

Sponsor's Website: Schwab 1000 Index® ETF | Schwab Funds

Expense Ratio = .05%

Profit Snapshot: +$116.3

Last DiscussedItem # 1.A. Bought 5 SCHK at $21.77 (5/23/20 Post) 

Dividends: Quarterly at a variable rate

Last 4 payments: $.52 per share

Yield at $45.03 = 1.15

Last Ex Dividend: 9/22/21

Some Top Holdings: Capitalization Weighted Index

I. Sold 1 SCHD at $77.79


Quote: SCHD $51.49 +$1.12  +2.22%

Sponsor's Website: Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF

I currently own about 1/3 of the 105 holdings. The ETF is classified as having a "value" orientation. 

Expense Ratio: .06%

Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF™ (SCHD)-Morningstar (5 stars as of 10/3)

Profit Snapshot: +$25.15


Last DiscussedItem # 1.C. Started SCHD as a Placeholder-Bought 1 at $52.65 (7/11/20 Post) Needless to say, I needed to be a lot more aggressive.  When and if the price sinks below $60, I will consider then being more aggressive. 

Dividends: Quarterly at a variable rate

Last 4 dividend payments: $2.23 per share

Yield at $77.79 = 2.87%

Yield at $52.65 Cost = 4.24%

Top 10 Holdings as of 10/5/21


J. Sold 2 SCHC at $44.11


Quote: Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF Overview

Sponsor's website: Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF

Expense Ratio: .11%

Holdings: 2,332 stocks as of 10/6/21

Profit Snapshot: $7.12


Last DiscussedItem # 2.I. (4/24/2021 Post) 

Dividends: Semi-Annually 

Last 2 Dividends = $.82

Yield at $44.21  = 1.85% rounded

I may buy back this lot just to have some exposure to an asset class where I would be unlikely to buy a single stock owned by this fund. 

3. MORE SMALL BALL

A. Added 5 WMB at $24.2-Schwab Taxable

Quote: Williams Cos.

WMB SEC Filings

2020 Annual Report

SEC Filed Earnings Press Release for the Q/E 6/30/21 

Last Discussed: I discussed the last earnings report in this post:Item # 2 Added 95 WMB at $24.98 and 5 at $23.8 (8/20/21 Post) I have nothing to add to that recent discussion. WMB is one of the stocks where I am at least contemplating taking the position up to 1000+ shares but want a lower price before making a decision. 

Prior Discussion:  Item # 1.L. Bought 5 WMB at $23.58-Fidelity Account (4/30/21 Post)

Average Cost per share this Account: $24.85 (111+ shares)

Dividend: Quarterly at $.41 per share ($1.64 annually)

Note the dividend cut in 2016. The quarterly penny rate was slashed from $.64 to $.20 per share effective for the third quarter payment. Williams Companies Inc.'s Dividend Reduction is Surprisingly Smart | The Motley Fool (8/4/16)(WMB wanted to shore up the finances of Williams Partners, an MLP whose publicly traded units were later acquired by WMB) 

Yield at $24.85 = 6.6%

Last Ex Dividend: 9/9/21

I reinvested this dividend:  

B. Added 5 DEA at $20.76 (Fidelity Taxable)

Quote: Easterly Government Properties Inc.

DEA SEC Filings

2020 Annual Report

10-Q for the Q/E 6/30/21

SEC Filed Earnings Press Release for the Q/E 6/30/21

Easterly Government Properties Inc Profile-Reuters

Investment Category: Equity REIT Common and Preferred Stock Basket Strategy

Last Buy DiscussionsItem # 1.J. Started DEA in Vanguard Taxable-Bought 10 at $21.24 and Item # 1.K. Added to DEA in Fidelity Taxable-Bought 5 at $21.26   (9/3/21 Post)Item # 2.A. Bought 15 DEA at $20.61; 5 at $20.03 (5/23/21 Post)Item # 2.F. Bought 5 DEA at $20.94 (3/27/21 Post)

Last Sell Discussion: I discussed the second quarter earnings report in this post and have nothing substantively to add here: Item # 3.E. Pared DEA in Fidelity Taxable-Sold 10 at $22.92 (8/20/21 Post)

Average cost per share this account: $20.89 (62+ shares)

Dividend: Quarterly at $.265 per share ($1.06 annually)

Yield at AC this account: 5.07%

Last Ex Dividend: 8/11/21 

Other Sell DiscussionsItem # 1.A. Sold 21+ DEA at $28.81 (6/6/20 Post)(profit snapshot = $272.6)Item # 3.A. Sold 10 DEA at $22.39 (11/20/19 Post)(profit snapshot = $47.24); Items 1.A. and 1.B. Sold 10 DEA at $19.81 and Eliminated DEA in Schwab Account at $19.81 (8/24/19 Post)(profit snapshots $74.38)Sold 10 DEA at $21.44-Used Commission Free Trade (5/17/18 Post)(profit snapshot = $22.59)Item 5. A. Sold 50 DEA at $21.59-Used Commission Free Trade (12/11/17 Post)(profit snapshot = $97.85)

DEA Realized Gains to Date: $547.31

Goal: Dividend + 2% annualized return on the shares

C. Added 5 MCBC at $7.87; 5 at $7.74; 5 at $7.65; 5 at $7.41-Schwab Taxable:  




Quote:  Macatawa Bank Corporation

SEC Filings

2020 Annual Report 

MCBC Analyst Estimates | MarketWatch

Macatawa Bank Profile-Reuters

Macatawa Bank Key Metrics-Reuters

Investment Category: Regional Bank Basket Strategy

Last Buy DiscussionItem # 1.K. Started MCBC-Bought 10 at $8.27, 5 at $8.07; 10 at $7.95 (9/10/21 Post) I discussed the last earnings report in that recent post and have nothing further to add) 

Average Cost Per Share this account: $7.88 (45 shares)

Dividend: Quarterly at $.08 per share, last raised from $.07 effective for the 2020 first quarter payment. 

Yield at AC = 4.06%

Last Ex Dividend = 8/10/21

D. Sold Remaining Shares of RDSB Purchased with Dividends in Fidelity Account at $40.14

.517 share

Quote: RDS.B | Royal Dutch Shell PLC ADR B Overview

Last Buy DiscussionItem # 1.F. Added to RDSB-Bought 1 at $34.08; 1 at $28.9, 1 at $27.61; 1 at $24.88; 1 at $24.18- Schwab Taxable (5/23/20 Post) 

Profit Snapshot: +$2.39

Average Cost per share this account after pare = $25.76 (14 shares)

Snapshot Intraday 9/14/21 after pare

Dividend: Quarterly at $.48 per share ($1.92 annually). Royal Dutch slashed its dividend from $.94 to $.32 in the 2020 first quarter.  


Yield at $25.76  AC Fidelity Account = 7.45%

Next Ex Dividend Date: 11/11/21 Dividend timetable | Shell Global

Chart 10 Year as of 10/6/21 Close

This stock has been in what I would characterize as a long term bear market starting in 2014. With the recent recovery in energy prices, it is now in a cyclical short term bull market. It remains to be seen whether or not this recent uptrend will transition out of a long term bear market into a long term bull market. Either way, cyclical bull markets within long term bear markets can have powerful upsides off multi-year lows and can be traded.   

Recent News

Shell third quarter 2021 update note Shell announced on 10/7/21 that it will take a $400M hit from Hurricane IDA. 

Shell signs agreement to sell Permian interest for $9.5 billion to ConocoPhillips (9/20/21)

Royal Dutch Shell Publishes Second Quarter Results (7/29/21)

E. Eliminated CXP in Schwab Taxable-Sold 10 at $19.07 and Eliminated CXP in Vanguard Taxable-Sold 10 at $19.09

Quote: Columbia Property Trust Inc. 

CXP SEC Filings

This REIT is in the process of being acquired for $19.3 in cash. Columbia Property Trust to Be Acquired by Funds Managed by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC in a $3.9 Billion Transaction No further dividends will paid. I received the last quarterly dividend of $.21 per share on 9/15/21 (ex date on 8/31/21). 

Profit Snapshots  = $ 116.15

I am keeping the CXP position in my Fidelity account (49 shares with an average cost per share of $11.48):

Snapshot as of close 10/8/21

Last Buy DiscussionsItem # 1.B. Added to CXP-Bought 10 at $12.12; 10 at  $11.57; 5 at $11.27; 5 at $10.9; 5 at $10.5 (9/26/20 Post)Item #3.H. Started CXP in Fidelity Account-Bought 10 at $16 (8/20/21 Post)  

Last Sell DiscussionsItem # 3.I. Sold All CXP Shares purchased with dividends at $16.44-Fidelity Taxable (8/20/21 Post)(profit = $8.99); Item # 1.H. Pared CXP in Fidelity Taxable Account-Sold 5 at $14.96; 1.801 at $17.41  (3/20/21 Post)(profit snapshot = $19.11)

DisclaimerI am not a financial advisor, but simply an individual investor who has been managing my own money since I was a teenager. In this post, I am acting solely as a financial journalist focusing on my own investments. The information contained in this post is not intended to be a complete description or summary of all available data relevant to making an investment decision. Instead, I am merely expressing some of the reasons underlying the purchase or sale of securities. Nothing in this post is intended to constitute investment or legal advice or a recommendation to buy or to sell. All investors need to perform their own due diligence before making any financial decision which requires at a minimum reading original source material available at the SEC and elsewhere. A failure to perform due diligence only increases what I call "error creep". Stocks, Bonds & Politics: ERROR CREEP and the INVESTING PROCESS Each investor needs to assess a potential investment taking into account their personal risk tolerances, goals, and situational risks. I can only make that kind of assessment for myself and my family members.

15 comments:

  1. Bought another CRSP at 98.65 just now.

    I'll sell my first that's down 3.15% if it climbs. At 101.82 I knew it was risky not being below 100.

    Question comes to mind. If I'd bought just one share of Microsoft early on such as late 1999 (when I bought and sold a year later at a loss)... how much would 1 share be worth now? Would it have been enough gain to matter? The question being based on the math, do you have to buy more than 1 of a lotto for it to matter if it "wins"?

    ++++

    Morgan Stanley thinks buy the dip didn't work this time? But it did.

    ++++

    Heard interesting commentary on bloomberg by Danny Blanchflower from Darthmouth (while in traffic.) He's saying sentiment has picked out the last 7 recessions and that US is in it already because Delta is causing fear of returning to work. Jobs will turn down as people quite rather than take risks working.

    If it has predicted, that'd be big. He says Fed can make a big mistake by tapering. Goes as far as to predict the job pullback that is a recession will be early Dec. He points to the stimulus as helping if it goes through well enough.

    https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-08/u-s-is-in-recession-if-history-of-consumer-sentiment-repeats

    HOWEVER....
    now that I'm home and googling, he said the same thing about UK in Oct 2019 being in a recession already.

    Was it?

    From 2019
    https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2019-10-11/blanchflower-indicators-suggest-u-k-is-already-in-recession-video

    What the article and his talk didn't answer - is how often sentiment has suggested a recession and been mistaken?

    ++++

    There's always a wall of worry. This feels different. Now it feels like the economy is messy. And the worries are messy, with some greed built in.

    But maybe I'm in a negative Nelly kind of mood overall.


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Land: I do not believe what a few consumers say in a survey can be used to predict anything.

      The number of workers quitting jobs due to Covid fears or an employer's vaccine requirement is insignificant given the size of the U.S. labor force and those unemployed workers willing to replace them.

      The additional unemployment benefit expired in early September.
      https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2021/09/05/unemployment-benefits-end-tomorrow-for-millions-of-americans/?sh=32ab27d97f02


      I had my booster shot yesterday and had zero side effects.

      Other fiscal stimulus measures are also in the rear view mirror. So it remains to be seen whether the economy can grow without massive federal deficit spending.

      The Stock Jocks express some concern, from time to time, that the FED will ease out of its extraordinarily abnormal monetary policies. Some of that reared its head today with the ten year treasury yield closing at a 1.61% yield.

      The persistent rise in energy prices is not helping to calm inflation fears.

      All of the gene editing stocks are in major downtrends with unknowable bottoms. I have not seen anything specific that has caused that retreat. Some large institutional investors may have access to non-public adverse information. Or the price movements could only relate to non-fundamental trading decisions (e.g. dumping of shares at losses that were bought during the most recent run up.)

      CRSP is having a Zoom conference call to discuss its wholly owned CTX-110 next Tuesday. That one is in a Phase 1 trial. That may be causing some anxiety for those who have no idea what the company is about to say.

      http://www.crisprtx.com/about-us/press-releases-and-presentations/crispr-therapeutics-to-host-virtual-event-highlighting-ctx110-clinical-data

      Delete
    2. No reaction to the booster? How nice. I got to comparison test thermometers and have an excuse to be "lazy." It's funny how some bodies react and others don't and it has nothing to do with effectiveness.

      I may have a chance to buy CRSP at even lower... this is a long term bet and I'm betting on their expertise making them useful to someone.

      +++

      Once I saw that he had this theme before I was much more hesitant. I would like to see more about his prior predictions using sentiment that were accurate. I haven't come across good info yet.

      That's a good point and true that quitting over vaccines isn't significant. There is quitting over dislike of jobs with hunting for new ones. Mostly there's a lot of shake up. A disquieting time for employment. But that means the usual indicators aren't in their usual environment to be used the same way.

      I'm more inclined to expect inflation. There's so much, and once restocked, prices don't totally drop back.

      +++

      I found a bank that does 1.25% for IRA money.
      https://www.chessiefcu.org/

      I'm not sure I'd qualify, but there are 1% offers too.
      https://www.depositaccounts.com/savings/ira-savings.html

      I want to be able to move the funds quickly for any big dips (that I"m paying attention to). But it'd be nice to earn *something* on the cash in my Roth.

      My 401k only allows a very short term bond fund to hold "cash." No divs.

      To avoid higher income showing on my 1040 I need to start doing more of the investing in the retirement accounts.

      +++

      Somehow google learned that I spontaneously stopped in an Aldi. Posted this suggested article into my stream one night. It has tons of details. Such as, Trader Joe's is Aldi Sud in the USA. And throwing food at the cart is a big cost saving measure. I'm not sure if they charge more for being angry at it.

      https://www.mashed.com/142014/youve-been-shopping-at-aldi-all-wrong/

      It's a big topic for mashed.com. A lot of articles:
      https://www.google.com/search?q=mashed.com+aldi&client=firefox-b-1-d&sxsrf=AOaemvIc5hjN8kvTDy_Mf8YICZejIImkgQ%3A1633917704937&ei=CJtjYcHUOIXWytMPwICQ8AM&oq=mashed.com+aldi&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMYADIFCAAQgAQ6BwgAEEcQsAM6BggAEAcQHjoICAAQBxAKEB46CAgAEAcQBRAeOgYIABAIEB46CAgAEAgQBxAeOgUIABCGA0oECEEYAFDo4QVY_OwFYNP5BWgBcAJ4AIAB4AKIAboIkgEHMy4xLjAuMpgBAKABAcgBCMABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz

      Delete
  2. "Oil Prices Aren’t Slowing Down. Play the Rebound With These Stocks"
    https://www.barrons.com/articles/goldman-likes-these-eight-oil-stocks-51633971145?mod=hp_LEAD_1

    In this Barron's article, a Goldman Sachs analyst favorably mentions 3 Canadian energy stocks, and I have small positions in all 3 that are traded in USDs on U.S. exchanges:

    Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (CNQ)
    $40.21 +$0.45 +1.13%
    https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/cnq?mod=over_search

    Last Discussed:
    Item # 2.A. Added to CNQ-Bought 5 at $30:
    https://tennesseeindependent.blogspot.com/2021/09/amkby-bhb-bwg-cnq-gld-gnl-lrgf-nwhuf.html

    Suncor (SU)
    $23.42 +$0.32 +1.39%
    https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/su?mod=over_search

    Last Discussed:
    ITEM # 2.K. Added to SU in Vanguard Taxable Account-Bought 2 at $20.93:
    https://tennesseeindependent.blogspot.com/2021/05/bhb-cduaf-cuca-exc-grx-ibb-ibm-lgi-maxn.html

    That buy raised the AC per share in that account slightly to $14.94.

    As noted in that post, I sold a 50 shares lot in 2014 at $40.95, which in retrospect was the beginning of a long term bear market in energy stocks.

    My largest position is in SU, spread out in multiple taxable accounts and in 2 IRA accounts. If I could get a mulligan, I would have bought more of CNQ. I sold today 3+ of my highest cost shares, which could profitably be sold, in my Fidelity account, where I have my largest position. I will not be discussing that trade in a post.

    Cenovus Energy Inc. (CVE)
    $11.47 +$0.19 +1.68%
    DAY RANGE 11.43 - 11.83
    https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/cve?mod=over_search

    I categorize CVE as a Lotto, but it potentially has more percentage upside IMO, but is also more risky. I own 100 shares of one of CVE's reset equity preferred stocks (CVEPRC, originally issued by Husky Energy)

    Last Discussed:

    Item # 2.K. Bought 10 CVE at $6.93:
    https://tennesseeindependent.blogspot.com/2021/03/agr-axpraca-ccne-cve-etr-fitb-holx-imgn.html


    The general thrust of the GS recommendation, as summarized by Barron's, is something that is very well known. These companies have long lived energy assets. I do not have access to the report.

    All of these stocks were off from their highs as the market declined into the close.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Energy does seem to be rebounding. It's not breakeven with the start before the bear yet. But this is much better than what it's been...!

      I'm not wandering into Canadian, though interesting to see.

      Ford is doing well today +3.64%

      CRSP is giving lower buy in options.

      This move down is definitely breaking the pattern that was happening of short pullbacks.

      Is it a buy the dip or ready to crash some more? Still well above the 200 day MA.

      Delete
    2. Land: The S & P 500 closed today at 4,350.65.

      Using a 1 year Yahoo Finance chart, the 50 day and 100 day SMA lines have been broken to the downside.

      50 day at 4436.32
      100 day at 4360.49 (broken today)

      200 day at 4,160.89

      The Morgan Stanley analyst is correct when he said that buying the last dip, caused by the likely Evergrande debt default, has not worked. It would be more appropriate to say has not worked yet when looking at the S & P 500 chart.

      Defaults among China's property developers are still on the table.

      https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/12/investing/evergrande-debt-crisis-bond-payments-intl-hnk/index.html

      China's authoritarian government is continuing crackdowns that may end up damaging that nation's growth more.

      I am continuing to jettison small ball stock ETF positions and redirecting proceeds into individual dividend paying stocks. My net has been thrown far and what on what I will buy.

      Today and yesterday, I bought a few shares of AGN,FE, QCOM, and SBRA and made a few fractional shares purchase of AMGN on its descent.

      I eliminated 200 AEG profitably which had slashed its dividend after my purchase.

      Delete
    3. That looks like a good plan. Move to divs over ETFs.

      I'm not set up for that (not enough understanding of many of the remaining options). But was hoping for a rally that I can sell some major indices into. My individual stocks are mostly okay to hold - and I can hold them for 5 years.

      I froze on selling worrying about my income and patient assitance. Since have worked up the numbers. I can't only sell about $14k out side of retirement accounts, before getting into trouble, unless I figure out stocks to sell at losses and there isn't that much.

      ----

      VZ's is down. As a div proxity, it's not holding up, and it's telecom "ness" is beating the div part.

      I didn't realize China was still a big factor in the market's reaction. Or if it's not, it should be.

      Delete
    4. My prior comment referenced buying a small ball position in "AGN". The correct symbol is AQN:

      Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.
      US$$15.13 $0.24 +1.61%
      https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/aqn?mod=over_search

      AQN is a Canadian company. I bought 10 shares of the US priced shares at $14.49.

      I made a somewhat more serious buy in my IB account using CADs. I bought 300 at C$18.48.

      Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.
      C$18.72 +C$0.20 +1.08%
      https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/aqn?countrycode=ca&mod=over_search

      The decision was based on valuation, current dividend yield and historical dividend growth. I also wanted to reduce my Canadian dollar position that had been growing through recent sales, including the liquidation of my Canadian ETFs and multiple reset equity preferred sales.

      Website:
      https://algonquinpower.com/

      Dividend History:
      https://investors.algonquinpower.com/stock-information/dividend/default.aspx

      I will not get around to discussing those trades until mid-November.

      Delete
  3. CRISPR Therapeutics AG (CRSP)
    $94.88 -$7.71 -7.52%
    Last Updated: Oct 13, 2021 at 10:01 a.m. EDT
    https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/crsp?mod=over_search

    I do not have the expertise to assess whether the Stock Jocks are reacting correctly to this press release:

    "CRISPR Therapeutics Reports Positive Results from its Phase 1 CARBON Trial of CTX110™ in Relapsed or Refractory CD19+ B-cell malignancies"

    58% clinical response
    38% complete response rate

    https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2021/10/12/2312955/0/en/CRISPR-Therapeutics-Reports-Positive-Results-from-its-Phase-1-CARBON-Trial-of-CTX110-in-Relapsed-or-Refractory-CD19-B-cell-malignancies.html

    The response is a significantly negative one.

    As previously mentioned, CSPR owns 100% of this therapy.

    I put in a limit order to buy $50 at $95.5.

    ReplyDelete
  4. IWM's hanging out at 200 DMA. The other 3 are above it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm reading it as a positive results. It's as effective as CarT (which is about 50% effective on DLBCL). This is reporting less severe adverse events too.

    I'm not spotting what's negative at all.

    For the downdraw - it's possible the buying was betting on beating not meeting CarT.

    But lower adverse events is a big deal. That should be counting for more. I've watched doc's figure out what drug to try in appts and presentations, and the risk profiles are critical info they use.

    It's very possible the drawdown is technical and environmental. Worries about the market as a whole. Less willing to bet on this in the current market environment. Also once 100 was broken, there's a distance to the resistance points.

    The article that google suggested yesterday was positive too:
    https://www.statnews.com/2021/10/12/crispr-therapeutics-car-t-therapy-update/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Land: A Dow Jones article quotes analysts from Stifel and Raymond James, both of whom were already downbeat before the CTX-110 Phase 1 results.

      The Stifel analyst pointed out the duration of a complete response, which was 21% after 6 months. (4 of 9 patients who achieved CR
      at 28 days was still in CR after 6 months)

      The trial focused on patients with the most aggressive disease presentations. "The majority of patients had Stage IV lymphoma and were refractory to their last line of therapy before entering the trial."

      The response rate was similar to approved CAR-T therapies which was emphasized by the already negative RJ analyst.

      Perhaps increased dosage level ("consolidated dosing") and safety will differentiate CRSP's product. The patients received 1 CTX-110 infusion followed 1 redose after disease progression.

      I bought $50 worth at $95.45 today, a below limit order price fill.

      ++

      A number of Lottery Ticket stock purchases have not been discussed here. I am playing what I consider to be equivalent to blackjack hands with many of them.

      An example is Plug Power (PLUG) where I own just 3 shares with an AC at $29.52.

      Today's Close: $33.59 +$3.81 +12.79%
      https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/plug?mod=over_search

      I may not live to see PLUG turn a profit but the stock is a bungee jumper when there is news.

      The pop today was in response to Morgan Stanley recommending purchases before tomorrow's analyst day.

      The company also announced two agreements today:


      "PHILLIPS 66, PLUG POWER SIGN AGREEMENT TO ADVANCE GREEN HYDROGEN"
      https://www.ir.plugpower.com/Press-Releases/Press-Release-Details/2021/Phillips-66-Plug-Power-Sign-Agreementto-Advance-Green-Hydrogen/default.aspx


      "PLUG POWER PARTNERS WITH AIRBUS ON LANDMARK STUDY TO DECARBONIZE AIR TRAVEL & AIRPORT OPERATIONS WITH GREEN HYDROGEN"

      https://www.ir.plugpower.com/Press-Releases/Press-Release-Details/2021/Plug-Power-Partners-with-Airbus-on-Landmark-Study-to-Decarbonize-Air-Travel--Airport-Operations-with-Green-Hydrogen/default.aspx

      Delete
  6. The booster worked. I'm now >2500 antibodies. Was in 30's before.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oersted A/S ADR (DNNGY)
    Close 10/13: $46.12 $1.87 +4.23%
    https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/dnngy?mod=over_search

    I will discuss buying back 5 DNNGY in a November post. I decided to just ignore the short term issues that led me to sell out.

    The boost yesterday was probably caused by Biden's offshore coastal wind energy plan.

    https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/13/politics/biden-offshore-wind-plans/index.html

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have published a new post:

    https://tennesseeindependent.blogspot.com/2021/10/bns-cibr-csx-cvbf-emp-enb-esml-fdn-fdus.html

    ReplyDelete