International Stock Exposure for Long Term Investor

There are many people out there who want International Exposure for their long term or retirement portfolio, but who do not want to choose individual international stocks.

One good way to approach this is through investing in ETFs, Exchange Traded Funds, which are usually indexed mutual funds that you buy and sell just like individual stocks.

Two core international holdings for a long term portfolio are Barlays' Ishares.com EFA and Vanguard's VWO:

1. EFA: Ishares ETF Covers Developed International Markets including Western Europe, Japan and Australia.

2. VWO: Vanguard's ETF Covers Emerging International Markets including Brazil, China, Russia, India, South Korea, Taiwan and Mexico.

EFA: Developed International Market ETF

EFA has a low expense ratio of 0.35% (the lower the better. Many actively managed mutual funds have expense ratios over 1%).

The top ten countries that the fund invests in are (as of June 30, 2007):

1. United Kingdom: 22.93%
   
2. Japan: 21.05%
   
3. France: 9.74%
   
4. Germany: 8.25%
   
5. Switzerland: 6.61%
   
6. Australia: 6.22%
   
7. Netherlands: 4.10%
   
8. Spain: 4.10%
   
9. Italy: 3.81%
   
10. Sweden: 4.10%
    

Top Sectors include:

1. Financials: 28.48%
   
2. Industrials: 12.02%
   
3. Consumer Discretionary: 11.93%
   
4. Materials: 9.43%
   
5. Energy: 7.58%
   
6. Consumer Staples: 7.57%
   

VWO, Vanguard Emerging Markets ETF

VWO has an expense ratio of 0.30%.

Top Countries:

1. Korea: 16.2%
   
2. China: 12.6%
   
3. Taiwan: 11.9%
   
4. Brazil: 11.1%
   
5. Russia: 9%
   
6. South Africa: 7.3%
   
7. India: 6.5%
   
8. Mexico: 5.6%
   
9. Israel: 2.5%
   
10. Malaysia: 2.5%
    
11. Hong Kong: 2.3%
    
12. Poland: 1.7%
    
13. Turkey: 1.6%
    

Alternative to VWO: EEM: International Emerging Market ETF

EEM has an expense ratio (as of September 28, 2007) of 0.75%. This is higher than Vanguard's VWO ETF.

Some top countries that the fund invests in:

1. South Korea: 15.03%
   
2. China: 12.05%
   
3. Brazil: 11.29%
   
4. Taiwan: 10.50%
   
5. Russia: 9.16%
   
6. South Africa: 8.91%
   
7. Mexico: 7.04%
   
8. India: 5.98%
   
9. Israel: 3.31%
   
10. Indonesia: 2.28%
    
11. Chile: 2.07%
    
12. Thailand: 2.03%
    
13. Czech Republic: 1.95%
    
14. Hungary: 1.92%
    

Top Sectors include:

1. Financials: 20.50%
   
2. Information Technology: 15.46%
   
3. Energy: 15.39%
   
4. Materials: 14.58%
   
5. Telecom Services: 12.17%
   
6. Industrials: 5.88%
   

So in summary, for a long term investor who wants international market exposure without having to pick individual stocks, EFA, and VWO are two ETFs worth investing in as a core part of a long term portfolio.

Water, Energy, and Minerals with Layne Christensen (LAYN)

Today, on Mad Money, Jim Cramer seems to have offered no opinion on Layne Christensen (LAYN). While it may initially sound like a retailer, Layne Christensen is really a good $1 Billion industrial company.

Layne Christensen (LAYN) provides drilling and construction services for:
1. Water and Wastewater Infrastructure (largest part of the business)
2. Mineral Exploration (2nd largest part of the business)
3. Energy
4. Other

All sectors are in bull market mode. Water and water infrastructure is a critical need in the US and around the world. Some people consider water to be the next Oil.

Mineral Exploration is also very important. Basic minerals are important to help global growth. The same situation occurs with energy.

Layne Christensen (LAYN) has a forward PE of 26, 5 year estimated growth of 31% for a very cheap 0.83 PEG ratio (under 1 is very cheap).

Stock is very strong, and has reached its 52 week high.

Recently, however, the company announced that it may be selling $172 Million worth of shares. Having more shares in the market dilutes the value of each share.

Maybe, after more research, you should consider Layne Christensen (LAYN) on a pullback or after all the extra shares are offered on the market.

Growth Stock Valuation (September 25, 2007)

Growth Stocks such as Apple (AAPL) and Google (GOOG) have been doing well and have recently reached their 52 week or all time highs. But when are these growth stocks overvalued?

One rule of thumb that is very useful with stocks (especially growth stocks) is to use the PEG ratio, or the Forward Price Earnings ratio divided by the 5 year estimated growth. A PEG ratio over 2 is considered overvalued, and a PEG ratio under 1 is considered very cheap.

Table of Selected Growth Stocks

Here are a few growth stocks with different PEG ratios. Data from Yahoo Finance, Tuesday, September 25, 2007:

Symbol	Stock Name	PEG	Forward PE	5 yr growth
AMX	America Movil	0.46	15.12	32.65%
HRS	Harris	0.56	15.17	27%
TDG	Transdigm Group	0.65	18.58	28.50%
HANS	Hansen	0.66	25.74	39.09%
WBD	Wimm Bill Dann	0.67	23.53	35.00%
SNDA	Shanda Interactive	0.71	20.73	29.39%
ABB	ABB	0.78	19.43	25.00%
GOOG	Google	0.87	29.13	33.65%
CROX	Crox	0.96	25.55	26.57%
RIMM	Research in Motion	1.12	34.46	30.82%
CSCO	Cisco	1.15	17.73	15.43%
JSDA	Jones Soda	1.15	42.77	37.07%
ISRG	Intuitive Surgical	1.35	54.20	40.05%
GME	Gamestop	1.40	29.10	20.75%
AAPL	Apple	1.46	34.66	23.67%
BIDU	Baidu	1.48	81.06	54.60%
GRMN	Garmin	1.56	30.15	19.38%
NVT	Navteq	1.69	39.81	23.49%
YHOO	Yahoo	1.99	48.20	24.19%
AMZN	Amazon.com	2.59	60.70	23.42%

Chart of Growth Stocks

Here's a Chart of the different growth stocks sorted by PEG. In the graph, PEG is multiplied by 20. So an adjusted PEG of 15 means PEG is 15/20 or 0.75:

52 Week High Stock Scan (Sept 24, 2007)

Today, Monday, September 24, 2007, there are 98 Nasdaq stocks and 107 NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) Stocks hitting New 52 Week Highs at one point during the day.

Some selected stocks and sectors:

1. Technology

Technology is a very strong sector:

1. AAPL (Apple): Forward PE: 33.55
   
2. AMZN (Amazon): Forward PE: 60.12
   
3. GOOG (Google): Forward PE: 29.08
   
4. GRMN (Garmin): Global Positioning Product Company. Forward PE: 29.12
   
5. BIDU (Bidu): The Google of China. Forward PE: 82.67
   
6. EMC (EMC): Storage Company and Information Infrastructure. Forward PE: 25.01
   
7. ARBA (Ariba): Software and Services: Forward PE: 24.11
   
8. BCSI (Blue Coat Systems): Smallcap Security Software Company. Forward PE: 32.52
   
9. GIGM (Giga Media): Taiwan Internet and Gaming Company. Forward PE: 18.93
   
10. OIIM (O2Micro International): Fabless Semiconductor Company involved in power management, and security applications in many different markets. Forward PE: 18.10
    
11. OVTI (OmniVision): Produces semiconductor image sensor devices such as CameraChip image sensors. Forward PE: 14.53
    
12. SPIL (Siliconware Precision Industries): Taiwanese Semiconductor Company. Forward PE: 12.67
    
13. ALVR (Alvarion): Israel based company produces wireless broadband acecss systems.
    

2. Telecom Providers and Wireless Providers

Telecom Providers especially Wireless Providers are also in Bull Market Mode.

1. ROS (Rostelcom): Russian telecom company.
   
2. CHL (China Mobile): Chinese Telecom Company.
   
3. T (AT&T): US Based Telecom Provider. Forward PE 13.50, Yield: 3.40%
   
4. VOD (Vodaphone): European Based Telecom Company. Forward PE 13.47, Yield: 5.00%
   

3. Aerospace

Aerospace is also another current bull market.

1. TDG (Transdigm Group): $2B company supplies equipment for the aerospace industry. Forward PE: 17.69. 5 year estimate: 28.5%. PEG is a very good 0.62 (less than 1 is very cheap)
   

4. Biotech

1. BIIB (Biogen Idec): Forward PE: 21.00
   
2. CELG (Celgene): Forward PE: 42.98
   

5. Retail, Consumer Discretionary

1. CROX (Crocs): Specialty footwear maker: Forward PE: 24.60
   
2. FLWS (1-800 Flowers): Flower Retail Company. Forward PE: 25.80
   
3. HLF (Herbalife): Nutritional Supplements, weight management, personal care products. Forward PE: 14.85
   

6. Computer and Video Gaming

1. GME (Gamestop): Computer and Video Gaming Retailer. Forward PE: 28.66
   
2. SNDA (Shanda Interactive): Chinese Online Gaming company. Forward PE: 19.89
   

7. Oil, Oil Services, Energy

Oil continues to be strong, including Chinese and emerging market oil.

1. CEO (Cnooc): Chinese Oil Company
   
2. CVX (Chevron): US Oil Company
   
3. HAL (Halliburton): Oil Services Company
   
4. NOV (National Oilwell Varco): Heavily involved in constructing and selling products for the oil and gas industry.
   
5. PBR (Petrobras): Oil Company in Brazil
   
6. PTR (PetroChina): Chinese Oil and Natural Gas Company
   
7. SHI (Shanghai Petrochem): Process crude oil into synthetic fibers, resins, plastics, intermediate petrochemical products and petroleum products in China.
   

8. Beverages and Consumer Staples

1. HANS (Hansen): Hansen, specialty energy drink maker. Forward PE: 25.35
   
2. KO (Coca Cola): Drink company. Forward PE: 19.42. Yield: 2.40%
   
3. PG (Procter & Gamble): Premiere Consumer Staple Company. Forward PE: 17.85
   

9. Industrial and Shipping

1. DRYS (Dry Ships): Operates drybulk carriers including drybulk commodoties such as coal, iron ore, and grains. Forward PE: 8.15
   
2. MMM (3M): Forward PE: 16.72
   

10. Healthcare

1. SUNH (Sun Healthcare): Specialty healthcare for Seniors (Baby Boomers are aging!) Forward PE: 20.62.
   

11. Macau Gaming

There's a bull market in the up and coming Macau (China) market, to rival Las Vegas.

1. WYNN (Wynn): Forward PE: 53.61
   
2. LVS (Las Vegas Sands): Forward PE: 51.99
   

12. Infrastructure

The Global Growth Story needs Infrastructure.

1. ABB (ABB): Switzerland infrastructure company. Forward PE: 19.43
   
2. MDR (McDermott): Forward PE: 20.64
   

13. Minerals and Materials

The Global Growth story needs minerals and materials.

1. BHP (BHP Billiton)
   
2. FCX (Freeport McMoran): Gold and Copper
   
3. RTP (Rio Tinto)
   
4. NEM (Newmont Mining)
   
5. PKX (Posco): Korean Steel Company
   

14. Casual Dining

1. CMG (Chipotle Mexican Grill): Forward PE: 45.98
   
2. THI (Tim Hortons): Restaurants and Donus. Forward PE: 21.65
   

15. Defense
Defense is another strong area.

1. RTN (Raytheon): Forward PE: 16.81
   

16. Agriculture

1. POT (Potash): Fertilizers and other products. Forward PE: 25.36
   

Basic ETF Resouces and How to Use ETFs

What are ETFs?

An ETF is an Exchange Traded Fund is essentially a mutual fund (mostly indexed to a particular index. The ETF company just mirrors the index, and doesn't make active stock decisions) that trades on the major exchanges just like a regular stock. You normally buy and sell them and pay commissions. For example, the stock symbol "DIA", isn't really an individual company. The "DIA" ETF represents the Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF. It holds the 30 stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. However, from your point of view, you are buying and selling "DIA" directly, a single trading instrument. You lose money and profit just as if you were holding a single stock.

How do I choose an ETF?

There are many types of ETFs that focus on broad based indices such as the Standard and Poors 500 Index (500 of the United States largest and most influential companies). Or, ETFs could focus particular sectors (such as Utilities), market capitalization (large cap or small cap), countries (Taiwan or Mexico), Region (Asia, or Western Europe), asset class (stocks, bonds, or real estate trusts), or any other combination.


Possible uses of an ETF

1. Your entire portfolio could be made up of ETFs! This is especially useful in retirement or 401k plans, but could be used in your discretionary taxable portfolio if you do not want to spend too much time researching individual stocks.

2. You could allocate much of your portfolio to a broad based ETF portfolio (let's say 70%), and for the other 30%, you can explore and choose individual stocks or sector ETFs. This is called the "Core and Explore" method.

3. You could use ETFs to supplement your portfolio. As an example, let's say you have a well diversified portfolio of individual stocks. However, you are lacking exposure to Retail, but you do not have expertise in retail, and you don't have the time to research or monitor individual retail stocks, so you can purchase PMR, the Proshares Dynamic Retail ETF. Or you may be very good at investing in small cap stocks, so you have a portfolio of individual small capitalization stocks, but you buy the broadbased SPY ETF which has exposure to large cap US stocks.

4. You could use ETFs as a hedge. Proshares has a series of inverse ETFs which increase in value as a sector or index goes down. Roger Nusbaum of TheStreet.com writes an article about hedging with Double Short ETFs.

Major Companies that Provide ETF products and other Resources

1. ishares: IShares.com is part of Barclays and they offer a very wide range of ETFs. Very good place to start.
   
2. Vanguard ETFs: Vanguard offers many broadbased and inexpensive ETFs.
   
3. ProShares: Offers inverse and double inverse and double long ETFs and sector ETFs
   
4. PowerShares: Offers unique ETFs that can include ETFs based on company buybacks, or specialized sector ETFs that do not overweight large cap stocks
   
5. SectorSpdrs: Liquid Sector ETFs. Includes interesting Graphic Sector Maps and Sector Weightings.
   
6. SSGA: SSGA is a company that provides many of the popular ETFs such as SPY (the original S&P 500 Spyders), and other sector ETFs.
   
7. BLDRs: BLDRs are registered as unit investment trusts (UITs) and are based on The Bank of New York ADR IndexSM, a real-time index tracking U.S. traded depositary receipts.
   
8. HOLDRs by Merrill Lynch: Sector Based ETF such as a Biotech Holder. You can only buy HOLDRs in round 100 share lots.
   

Other ETF Resources

1. List of ETFs from AMEX: Very good list of ETFs
   
2. SeekingAlpha ETF Resources Page
   
3. ETF Trends
   

GPS Enabled Cell Phones: Find Friends/Businesses on Map, Emergency 911, and opportunity for SIRF, GOOG and others

GPS Chips inside Cell Phones: New Applications and How to Profit.


1. Find Friends on Map

Want to find friends and family on the map? It's easy.

There is a well funded startup called Loopt which does just that. Using selected cell phones with GPS (Global Positioning System) capability, mostly from Boost Mobile, Sprint, and Nextel, Loopt can let you find friends and family on a map (with their approval), for a subscription fee.

This Mobile Networking Application is just the beginning of location based services which take advantage of GPS chips inside a cell phone. This service allows users to be able to interact with other users based on geographical location.

2. Let Emergency 911 Responders Find People

Another important mobile application of the GPS chip in a cell phone is Emergency 911 service. With GPS chips inside cell phones, now, Emergency 911 Responders can easily find the location of the person who needs help. This will save many lives!

Aside from companies who setup the E911 system, companies which provide GPS chips to cell phones, such as Sirf Technology (SIRF), who makes the GPS chips, will benefit, as well as companies such as Navteq (NVT) who provide digital maps, which are especially useful to GPS location based service applications.

3. Connect Business to Mobile Users

Another important application of GPS chips on cell phones involves connecting users to businesses and advertisers. With the original Navigation Device (non-cell phone) from companies such as Garmin (GRMN) or Tom-Tom (TOM2.AS), one could use the device to search for a local business such as a restaurant, hotel, or gas station, even if that business is a few miles away from a major freeway. Businesses that have their information embedded in these Navigation Devices will see increased business and revenue. Any company that profits from having businesses pay to be included in the Navigation Device Search function also would benefit.

Now if this Portable Navigation Device would be extended to GPS enabled cell phones, this market would explode. Now, if a GPS enabled cell phone could somehow connect to a central information center to help connect mobile users to particular business, that would allow companies who provide local business information to mobile users to profit.

A company such as Google (GOOG) would profit. They already have Google Local Search, Google Maps, Internet Search, and mapping services. If a mobile user could interact with Google, Google would read the mobile cell phones GPS location, and connect the mobile user with businesses near that area.

Profit from GPS Chips on a Cell Phone

The GPS Chip on a Cell Phone is still in its infancy. Sirf Technologies (SIRF), previously cited some problems as a wireless customer was slow to ramp up to their GPS chip in a cell phone. Sirf (SIRF) has recently bounced back as Motorola, the #2 cell phone maker, will be using Sirf's GPS chips in their cell phones.

Sirf currently has a 90% share in the GPS chip market for Personal Navigation Devices. However, Bank of America analyst Sumit Dhanda says that Sirf's market share could go down to 70% share thanks to competition from STMicroelectronics (STM), Taiwan's MediaTek, and Broadcom (BRCM), which recently bought private company Global Locate for less than $200 Million.

Analysts have also said that GPS customers such as Garmin (GRMN) are looking for "dual-source key inputs."

While there is pressure on Sirf's market share, Sirf is still the dominant leader, and will continue to produce the best chips.

Current Valuation is still very reasonable. Sirf (SIRF) has a forward PE of 16.37, five year estimated growth of 26.62%, for a very cheap Price Earnings to Growth (PEG) ratio of 0.61, which is very cheap (PEG less than 1 is very cheap).

Compare this with Broadcom (BRCM) which has a forward PE of 25.36, 5 year growth rate of 22.37%, for a PEG of 1.13.

The company has virtually no debt, is cash rich ($4 cash per share for a $20 stock), and belongs to a very rapidly growing segment.

Sirf (SIRF) has shown recent momentum, and still remains a long term buy as its performance has lagged other Location Based Service companies such as Garmin (GRMN) and Navteq (NVT).

Location Based Service Companies

Sector S&P 500 PE Ratios, and Earnings Growth

Sector S&P 500 PE Ratios

Based on 2007 Estimates, here are the PE Ratios of the different S&P 500 Sectors:

1. S&P 500: 15.38
   
2. S&P 500 Financials: 10.95
   
3. S&P 500 Energy: 12.02
   
4. S&P 500 Materials: 15.11
   
5. S&P 500 Health Care: 16.61
   
6. S&P 500 Industrials: 16.83
   
7. S&P 500 Utilities: 16.38
   
8. S&P 500 Telecommunication Services: 18.03
   
9. S&P 500 Consumer Staples: 18.07
   
10. S&P 500 Consumer Discretionary: 18.47
    
11. S&P 500 Information Technology: 23.09
    

Based on 2008 Estimates, here are the PE Ratios of the different S&P 500 Sectors:

1. S&P 500: 13.71
   
2. S&P 500 Financials: 10.36
   
3. S&P 500 Energy: 11.52
   
4. S&P 500 Materials: 13.30
   
5. S&P 500 Health Care: 14.84
   
6. S&P 500 Industrials: 14.97
   
7. S&P 500 Utilities: 14.79
   
8. S&P 500 Telecommunication Services: 14.46
   
9. S&P 500 Consumer Staples: 16.09
   
10. S&P 500 Consumer Discretionary: 14.71
    
11. S&P 500 Information Technology: 18.66
    

S&P 500 and Sector Earnings Growth

Financial Earnings Growth


Energy Earnings Growth


Materials Earnings Growth


Health Care Earnings Growth


Industrials Earnings Growth


Utilities Earnings Growth


Telecom Earnings Growth


Consumer Staples Earnings Growth


Consumer Discretionary Earnings Growth


Info Technology Earnings Growth


Sectors Sorted by 2008 Earnings Growth

1. S&P 500 Consumer Discretionary: 25.6%
   
2. S&P 500 Telecommunication Services: 24.7%
   
3. S&P 500 Information Technology: 23.7%
   
4. S&P 500 Utilities: 13.8%
   
5. S&P 500 Materials: 13.6%
   
6. S&P 500 Industrials: 12.4%
   
7. S&P 500 Consumer Staples: 12.3%
   
8. S&P 500: 12.2%
   
9. S&P 500 Health Care: 11.9%
   
10. S&P 500 Financials: 5.7%
    
11. S&P 500 Energy: 4.4%
    

Chart Comparison of Sectors Earnings Growth 2006-2008




Sources

1. Much of the data came from Standard and Poors Earnings Spreadsheet.
   
2. Another View of Historical Sector PE Ratios Part 1
   
3. Another View of Historical Sector PE Ratios Part 2
   
4. Another View of Historical Sector PE Ratios Part 3
   

Overbought, Oversold, and Oscillators

Overbought and Oversold

Many pundits out there throw out the words overbought, and oversold when it comes to stocks or the major stock indices. Is there a way to keep track of overbought and oversold?

Oscillators

There are many technical indicators (special indicators by looking at the stock charts) to help determine oversold and overbought conditions. Oscillators are the most popular. At one point, a stock (or index) is overbought, and then at another point, it oscillates back to oversold.

S&P Oscillator

One popular Oscillator is the S&P (Standard and Poors) Oscillator, which is a proprietary Oscillator. In Jim Cramer's 'Real Money: Sane Investing in an Insane World', Jim Cramer mentions the proprietary S&P Oscillator as one way to spot a market bottom. He says that it costs around $1000 to subscribe.

On Jim Cramer's site TheStreet.com, Jim Cramer Says:

"When the oscillator is over five, people must sell, regardless of how great it looks," Cramer recommended. "There have been some [times] where the animal spirits of the market have been so great that it's gone to plus nine and 10, but the percentages on the upside are that there's going to be a selloff. It may not be major, but I do believe it will happen."

When it's over five, if he were fully invested, Cramer said he would cut to being 75% invested. At this time, short-term traders should maybe go 50% invested, and "if you're a guy who is able to short, maybe 25% short," he said. "That's how much I have faith in this indicator. I have faith in almost no indicators other than this one.

"Helene Meisler, [a contributor to RealMoney.com does] her own oscillator work," Cramer said. "She seems to agree with me on the site. When we both agree, we tend to have a pretty powerful correlation between right and wrong."

RSI Oscillator

For more inexpensive ways to determine oversold/overbought, one can use the RSI indicator. RSI stands for Relative Strength Index. When the RSI is over 70, the stock or index is overbought. When the RSI is under 30, the stock or index is oversold.

Of course, stocks or indices can remain oversold or overbought for long periods of times:



In the above example with Garmin (Chart of GRMN with RSI information here), we notice that when RSI is in overbought territory, GRMN is near its high, and when RSI is in oversold territory, GRMN is near its low.

Towards the middle of 2007, we do notice that GRMN remains in overbought territory, but GRMN makes very good gains during this time. This is an example of an overbought situation remaining overbought for long periods of time. The same can happen with oversold stocks or indices. Some technicians suggest to wait till the RSI goes down below 70 after remaining overbought, or wait for RSI to go up above 30 after remaining oversold.

Other Oscillators

There are many other oscillators as well such as using Bollinger Bands, or Stochastics. TradingDay has a good link to some of these oscillator methods.

Bottom Indicators

There are many other bottom indicators as well. Some oscillators above may be more suitable for traders and short term traders. But if one wants to find more long term investable bottoms, you can use some of these other methods:

1. S&P 500 Stocks Above the 50 and 200 Day Moving Average (Low value = Bottom)
   
2. S&P 500 High-Low Index (Low Value = Bottom)
   
3. 10 Day Moving Average of Put-Call Ratio (High value = bottom)
   
4. Ratio of Stocks Above 200 Day Moving Average to Stocks Above 50 Day Moving Average
   
5. Bull-Bear Ratio and Bullish Percentage
   
6. Index in Relation to 52 Week High and 52 Week Low
   

You would like to look at several of the different indicators and look at the support and resistance levels of a particular stock or index.

Seasonal Patterns in Interest Rates?

Previously, we noticed patterns in the stock market by Day of Week, by Day of Month, and by Month of Year.

Ryan, in a previous post, pointed out a research report showing seasonal patterns in interest rates. In the report, there's a table of interest rates (T-bills, Government Bonds, Corporate Bonds) grouped by Month of Year.

After looking through the data, what patterns do you notice?

S&P 500 Returns By Month of Year

Previously, we've looked at performance of the S&P 500 index based by day of the week, and by day of the month.

Now, we look at S&P 500 performance (1926 to 2006) by Month.

Only one month has a negative return, and that is, September.

Results:

1. Jan: 1.71%
   
2. Feb: 0.26%
   
3. Mar: 0.63%
   
4. Apr: 1.49%
   
5. May: 0.27%
   
6. June: 1.37%
   
7. July: 1.86%
   
8. Aug: 1.27%
   
9. Sept: -0.76%
   
10. Oct: 0.66%
    
11. Nov: 1.18%
    
12. Dec: 1.79%
    

There is also a common saying, Sell in May, and Go Away. According to Stock Trader's Almanac if you invested $10,000 in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and used the strategy of investing in Stocks from November through April, and switch to fixed income from May through October, over 56 years, that amount grows to $544,323. But if the opposite strategy was used (fixed income November through April, stocks in Dow Jones from May to October), compounded to a loss of $272.

The results from Stock Trader's Almanac and the Monthly Statistics of the S&P 500 seem to match. From November through April, we have:

1. Nov: 1.18%
   
2. Dec: 1.79%
   
3. Jan: 1.71%
   
4. Feb: 0.26%
   
5. Mar: 0.63%
   

Not a bad return. November through January, seems to be a very good return period.

We also notice that June through August is also a good return period:

1. June: 1.37%
   
2. July: 1.86%
   
3. Aug: 1.27%
   

Sources

1. All Financial Matters Blog
   
2. CNN article on Sell in May and Go Away
   
3. Appendix B of Ken Fisher's The Only Three Things That Count
   

Harris (HRS): Specialty Communication Equipment Provider to Defense, Government and Private Sector

Harris (HRS) is worth investing in:

1. Harris (HRS) is a Specialized Communication Equipment Provider that caters to Government, Defense, and Civilian Organizations.
   
2. Harris is levered more to government and defense spending than consumer discretionary products.
   
3. Harris operates four main segments:
   1. Government Communication Systems (46.2% of 3rd quarter fiscal 2007 revenue)
   2. RF Communications (28.2%)
   3. Broadcast Communications (12.8%)
   4. Harris Stratex Networks (12.8%)
   
4. Market Cap: 9.16B
   
5. Forward PE: 16.21
   
6. 5 Year Estimated Growth Rate: 27%
   
7. Price Earnings to Growth Ratio: 0.60 (under 1 is very cheap!)
   
8. Current Ratio: 1.16 (anything over 1 is okay)
   
9. 80% domestic, 20% international.
   
10. Upgrading military communications and infrastructure is key driver.
    
11. Analog to Digital TV is a key driver.
    
12. Microwave communications needed for 3G cell technology.
    
13. Broad product line and high government contract win rate (60%, and 80% in recent quarters).
    
14. Since products are very specialized, Harris doesn't really have direct competitors.
    
15. Harris remains subcontractor to companies such as Boeing (BA), and Lockheed Martin (LMT)
    
16. Recently Raised Dividend by 36%
    
17. $600 Million Buyback announced May 2007.
    
18. Company is currently at or near its 52 week high.
    
19. From the companies 10-K:
    

    
    Defense Markets: The U.S. President's budget proposal for the U.S. Government fiscal years 2008 to 2012 focuses on achieving a balanced budget while addressing the nation's most critical needs and the continuing trend by Federal agencies to reduce costs by outsourcing IT and communications related operations. The Administration's priorities include a continued and accelerated commitment to modernizing the military to focus more on the needs of its combat commanders and to develop portfolios of joint capabilities. As a result, the U.S. Government remains committed to funding intelligence, information superiority, special operations and support. Requirements to upgrade and modernize tactical radio communications capabilities and provide more secure, interoperable and reliable communications remain a funding priority. International defense forces continue to drive toward tactical communications upgrades and interoperability with the systems and equipment used by the U.S. Government.
    

    
    

To continue research, I recommend:
1. SeekingAlpha/Zack's Research on Harris (HRS)
2. Aug-27 10-K Summary.
3. Full 10-K June 29, 2007
4. Yahoo Finance Research on Harris (HRS)
5. Harris Corporation Website

Recession Odds: 23% and How to Calculate Odds of Recession

Is there a way to calculate the odds of a recession in the US?

There is one model which takes into account the spread between the 10 Year Treasury Bond Yield, the 3 Month Treasury Bond Yield and the Federal Funds Rate. This model was created by Federal Reserve Board's Jonathan Wright in The Yield Curve and Predicting Recessions.

Some general points regarding the Yield spread and the Fed Funds Rate:

1. The bigger the difference between the 10 Year Treasury Bond Yield minus the 3 month Treasury Bond Yield, the less likely a recession will occur within the next twelve months. This the the normal upward sloping yield curve. The bigger the difference between the 3 Month Treasury Bond Yield minus the 10 Year Treasury Bond Yield, the greater the chance of a recession within the next 12 months. This is the inverted yield curve case.


2. The higher the Fed Funds Rate, the greater the odds of a recession within the next twelve months.

To Calculate

To Calculate, use the calculator on this website. The calculation is based on Jonathan Wright's work mentioned above.

You will need these:

1. The 10 Year Treasury Bond Yield. Get the information from Stockcharts.com using $UST10Y. The value of the $UST10Y, is the Yield on the treasury. Currently, as of August 31, 2007, the 10 Year Yield is 4.54%


2. The 3 Month Treasury Bond Yield. Get the information from Stockcharts.com using $UST3M. Currently, the 3 Month Treasury Bond Yield is 4.01%.
   
3. The Fed Funds Rate. Go to Bankrate.com to get the current Fed Funds Rate. It is currently at 5.25%. You can also estimate the odds of a Fed Rate Cut Here.

Chance of Recession as of August 31, 2007: 23%

Now to do the actual calculation, go to the website with the calculator.

Using the values mentioned above, we find out that there is a 23% chance of recession within the next twelve months. If the Fed cuts rates by 0.50%, then the odds of a recession (let's assume that the yield spread remains the same) goes down to 18%.