Summer 2009

Issue 6 · analyzed

30 ideas

position long worked
+749.1%
GE General Electric Company

General Electric was trading at $5.80, reflecting a market perception that it was going bankrupt. However, the investor believes that much of this pessimism has already been priced into the stock, suggesting it could be …

position long inconclusive
C Citigroup Inc.

Citigroup was also trading as if it was going bankrupt, but the investor sees potential for recovery as the market sentiment shifts and prices reflect a more balanced view of the company's prospects.

position long inconclusive
FORT Fortress International Group, Inc.

Fortress International is expected to perform well regardless of the overall economy, indicating a strong business model that can withstand economic fluctuations.

pitch short failed
+57.4%
APOL Apollo Group, Inc.
2009 Pershing Square Challenge

Apollo Group is priced to perfection while the outlook is far from perfect. The company must increase its enrollment by more than 70% to maintain its current valuation, which is unrealistic given increased regulatory scr…

pitch short inconclusive
APOL Apollo Group, Inc.
Pershing Square Challenge

The team argued that Apollo Group's growth in Associate degrees, which have lower tuition and higher default rates, poses a significant risk to its revenue, with 80% at risk due to Title IV eligibility review. They belie…

pitch long worked
+505.0%
CCO Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc.
Pershing Square Challenge

The team recommended purchasing Clear Channel senior secured term loans, which were trading at forty cents on the dollar, implying an enterprise value of $6.7 billion. They calculated the firm's value at a minimum of $12…

pitch long inconclusive
JACK Jack in the Box Inc.
Pershing Square Challenge

The team recommended Jack in the Box with a target price of $30 per share, citing strong core restaurant operations, significant asset value, and growth potential in its Qdoba chain. They believe refranchising company-ow…

position long inconclusive
AVAA Avantair, Inc.

Avantair is benefiting from a shift in consumer spending habits, as it offers fractional ownership of planes at half the cost of competitors like NetJets. This positions the company well to capture market share from high…

position long
HYDQ Essex Crane

Essex Crane has shown strong fundamentals and a great management team, with the stock price recovering from a low of $3 to a current bid of $5.40, indicating positive market sentiment and growth potential.

position long worked
+3344.0%
null Fortress International

Fortress International operates in a huge growth industry with a solid management team. The stock is currently priced at $1 per share, with an enterprise value of about $6.3 million, while the business is projected to ge…

position long
TNRK TNR Technical

TNR Technical is trading at $8.50, but has $2.55 million in cash, making its enterprise value extremely low at just $47,000. The company has generated $700,000 in operating income over the last year with no debt, present…

position long inconclusive
AOS AO Smith Corporation

AO Smith is acquiring Smith Investment Company for stock, which presents an arbitrage opportunity. The deal involves receiving shares of AO Smith for shares of Smith, and the underlying businesses of Smith Investment Com…

position long
SMITH Smith Investment Company

Smith Investment Company is involved in a merger with AO Smith, where shareholders will receive shares of AO Smith, and the company also has other businesses being spun off into a liquidating LLC, which adds to its value…

pitch long
PCP Precision Castparts Corporation
Sonkin Prize

PCP’s business is misunderstood due to its cyclical nature, but it will benefit from a secular shift to high performance materials like titanium, providing organic growth of 5-10% per annum. Additionally, a significant p…

pitch long
PCP Precision Castparts Corp

The current price of $60 per share implies expectations that are unreasonably low, assuming a downturn twice as severe as that of 2001-2003 and an anemic recovery. My fair value estimate of $90 suggests that PCP can achi…

pitch long failed
-47.0%
XRAY Dentsply Sirona Inc.
null

Dentsply is the leading provider of consumable and other products to dentists, benefiting from positive demographic trends that should fuel increased demand. Currently trading at $26, under 14x this year’s EPS, while our…

position long partial
+34.5%
GWW W.W. Grainger, Inc.
null

Grainger is a leading distributor of maintenance, repair, and operations supplies with significant market share growth potential, as it currently holds less than 5% of a $140 billion market. The company has a strong cust…

position long
XTO XTO Energy Inc.
null

XTO is involved in acquiring and exploiting proven resources with low finding and development costs, making it a solid investment despite the volatility of commodity prices.

position long failed
-21.3%
OXY Occidental Petroleum Corporation
null

Occidental focuses on proven resources rather than wildcat exploration, with low finding and development costs and a strong emphasis on return on invested capital, making it a compelling investment despite being in the c…

position long inconclusive
POOL Pool Corporation

Pool Corporation has a strong management team and an enviable competitive position in the pool construction and maintenance supplies distribution business, making it an attractive investment opportunity.

position long inconclusive
WM Waste Management, Inc.

The long-term outlook for the waste industry is strong, and Waste Management is a leader in this space, making it a favorable investment choice.

position long inconclusive
RSG Republic Services, Inc.

Republic Services has capable management and good assets, making it a solid alternative to Waste Management, which is currently in the portfolio.

position long inconclusive
VMC Vulcan Materials Company

Vulcan Materials is a strong business in the materials sector, and while there is a similar situation with Martin Marietta, Vulcan is currently owned in the portfolio.

position long inconclusive
BRK.B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Berkshire Hathaway is one of the insurance companies in the portfolio, reflecting a careful selection of firms with strong franchises and balance sheets.

position long inconclusive
CB Chubb Limited

Chubb is included in the portfolio as a property and casualty insurance company, chosen for its strong franchise and balance sheet.

position long inconclusive
PGR The Progressive Corporation

Progressive is another property and casualty insurance company in the portfolio, selected for its strong fundamentals.

position long inconclusive
AFL Aflac Incorporated

Aflac has a strong capital position and a conservative investment strategy, which should help it survive current market challenges despite facing balance sheet issues.

position long inconclusive
KO The Coca-Cola Company

Coca-Cola's strong competitive position and ability to raise prices in an inflationary environment make it a solid investment choice.

pitch long
LPS Lender Processing Services
Pershing Square Value Investing & Philanthropy Challenge

The team recommended the purchase of Lender Processing Services, believing the stock is 'unloved, neglected, and misunderstood' by analysts due to its exposure to the mortgage industry. They see significant value in the …

pitch long inconclusive
FAF First American Financial Corporation

The core title insurance operation is undervalued due to a decline in home sales, but earnings power is conservatively estimated at $155 million, suggesting significant upside. The market is valuing the Information Servi…