Year: 2017

A compelling bear case for Thorn Group Ltd

Via Twitter, the 10footinvestor stumbled across an interesting bear case about Thorn Group Ltd (ASX: TGA) on blogspot today. It suggests that the company will need to raise capital, and provides an interesting counterpoint to the 10foot shareholding in Thorn. It seems to be a the blog of a ‘Mitch Dawney’ who apparently runs an …

The rules of doubling down

Shares in RNY Property Trust have taken a dive since I bought them, down 25%. That does raise the question of whether I got the price right when I bought them, but that mistake, if it was one, is already made. The next question is, should I buy more? Typically the advice goes ‘if you wouldn’t buy more …

Automotive Solutions Group: The gift that keeps on giving

I keep telling myself ‘this is the last time I’m writing about ASG’ but the Automotive Solutions Group Ltd (ASX: 4WD) saga has been too good to pass up. AMA Group Ltd (ASX: AMA) today offered to buyout the ~80% of Automotive Solutions it doesn’t own – at a 0% premium to yesterday’s close. Pretty rough on shareholders, …

Apocalypse Now: Automotive Solutions Group Ltd

Well, well, well. When I commented on Automotive Solutions Group Ltd (ASX: 4WD) two weeks ago I didn’t think I would have any more to say on the topic. How wrong I was. The company is morphing from prospective investment venture into a snowball rolling downhill, and the pace has been accelerating. One issue really stood out to me …

Fascinating accusations against Activision Blizzard, Inc.

I was looking at Activision Blizzard, Inc (NASDAQ: ATVI) this afternoon. After browsing a report, from curiosity I began looking at the games it makes, trying to evaluate whether this company has a market-beating product offering and process, or if it’s just a customer-led retailer. In the course of my research, I came across the darnedest accusations against the …

My first ‘whisper stock’: Pepper Group Ltd

I mentioned 2 weeks ago that I’d received my first ‘whisper stock’. Having had a good look at it and reached no definite conclusions, I thought I would pass it on as an idea for readers who might be interested in taking it further themselves. The company was Pepper Group Ltd (ASX: PEP), a specialty finance company …

On the tyranny of quarterly reporting

I have cobbled together a solution for tracking the 10-foot portfolio. It is not elegant, but it lets me see what I’ve got. Two months in, and the 10foot portfolio is underperforming. For the first time I’m beginning to really grasp the tyranny of regular performance reporting at funds. I think it is vital for …

Purchase #3: Eureka Group Holdings Ltd

I have made the 3rd purchase for the 10foot portfolio, Eureka Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: EGH). Eureka is a small, regional provider of rentals, for pensioners with minimal assets that can’t afford fancier options like those provided by several other listed companies. I think it is attractively priced and could become much larger over time. Given the …

A quick 50% jump for Automotive Solutions Group

New news is good news? Automotive Solutions Group (ASX: 4WD) shares are up 50% since last week. Smash repairer AMA Group (ASX: AMA) took an 18% stake in it this morning, and there was an update to the group’s strategic review announced on Friday. CEO Tanya Mason will step down. With shares now up 50%, I …

Investing lessons from the scrapyard

In another lifetime, I was a labourer at a scrap metal yard. And when I was there, I met a bloke we’ll call ‘Dave’.  I’ve always wanted to write about him but have never quite had the platform or the context. Now I do, and a little piece of Dave will be immortal forever. He …