My Own Analyst

EZPW - ST Trade is Over

We hit our 33 target.  I continue to like the stock, but this is no longer a ST Trade.

That leaves open just CHS, where we are targeting 16.50, and SCVL, where we are targeting 28.  I was surpised no one chided me yesterday over the trim in Top 20!

Case Study in Dividends Consumed by Tornadoes

Joplin-based electricity (and other utilities) provider Empire District (EDE) plunged today as it suspended its dividend.  I share this as a lesson in investing, as there are many.  First, the news today is several days after the tornadoes - might some quick thinking have led to more selling than the stock initially saw (23ish peak to 22.5ish before the plunge today)?  Second, investing in smaller companies (market cap was about $900mm) that aren't very diversified entails extra risk - be aware.  Third, is the stock really worth 15% less?  Investors were enjoying about 5.7% dividend yield, so today's action seems to imply about three years of no dividends.  The company stated that the suspension is only 2 quarters.  On the surface, this sure seems like a bargain.  That's the third lesson - sellers (and buyers) aren't always so rational.

How Would You Like Your Own Analyst?

Welcome to My Own Analyst, which follows about 20 months of connecting with individual investors through Invest By Model. My goals here are similar to what they are there:  Providing unbiased research in an affordable manner to do-it-yourself investors.  All from a guy pushing 45, with 32 years of investing experience, 24 years of being a "Wall Streeter" professionally, a CFA charter earned 15 years ago and more than a decade of watching stocks closely as a professional. 

I plan to post a variety of content, ranging from quick thoughts to more complex ideas, all aimed at educating and inspiring folks who like to pick their own stocks but perhaps don't have the luxury to pursue it on a full-time basis.  Subscribers to this service will be able to leverage my work, which includes the research I do that enables me to successfully invest on behalf of a charitable foundation as well as to provide advice to several institutional investors.

Most importantly, I want My Own Analyst to be truly collaborative.  If you comment on my posts, I will respond accordingly.  If you email me with a question, I will respond in the category ASK ALAN.

At my core, I am an analyst, not a blogger and not a businessman, so please bear with me.  If you have any suggestions on how to make this service more useful to you, email me.  My goal is for you to consider me "My Own Analyst".  If you want to get this by email, sign up in the upper-lefthand corner.