Sold Getty Images, Inc. (GYI)

SSG and PERT | Google Stocks | Company Website

We sold our position in GYI on August 28, 2007. The price was $31.04. The reason for selling was declining earnings prospects. GYI is facing stiff competition from other sellers of image.

We purchased an initial position in Getty Images on November 22, 2006. Here is the stock selection guide we used for the purchase decision.

Sold Affiliated Computer Svc

Affiliated Computer Services (ACS)
SSG and PERT A (12-26-2005) | Google “Stocks: ACS” | Company Website

We sold Affiliated Computer Systems on November 11, 2006 at $29.74. We had a long term gain of $13. We originally purchased ACS in November 2003.

Rationale for sale: ACS seems unable to move forward. Click here for a SSG. As the chart below shows, it seem it has been unable to grow its revenue and earnings in any significant way over the past 4-5 quarters. It is now mired in an options pricing mess and will have to restate its earnings. ACS failed to fully report its current quarter and instead offered up instead “non-GAAP” (GAAP = generally accepted accounting principles) metrics of performance. Its TTM pre-tax margin (10.5%) is below the industry average (15.8%). Morningstar still rates ACS 4-stars but also rates it F for stewardship.

Sold Marsh & McLennan Cos.

SSG and PERT A Graph | Google “stocks: mmc” | Company Website

We sold Marsh & McClennan on November 11 at $32.01. This gave us a long term capital gain of $143.18. We had originally purchased MMC in November 2004.

Rationale for the sale: MMC has not yet recovered from its myriad of regulatory problems. Click here for a SSG. It has failed to re-establish growth in either revenues or earnings. Return on equity and pretax margins have dipped significantly, with no immediate sign of recovery. It may be a good value stock (Morningstar rates it 4-stars) but it currently fails as a quality growth stock. We have replaced it with GYI and WAG.

Sold Harley Davidson

Harley-Davidson, Inc. (HDI)
SSG and PERT | Google “Stocks: HDI” |Company Website

We sold Harley Davidson on June 28, 2006. Although a high quality company, HDI is no longer a growth company. Projected average return is under 8%. The proceeds from the sale were invested in other companies in the portfolio with better long term prospects.

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Sold Fifth Third Bancorp

FactSet Research Systems, Inc. (FDS)
SSG and PERT A | Google Stocks | Company Website

We sold Fifth Third Bancorp on June 28, 2006. FITB’s performance has been subpar for some time. It has also had a defection of senior management people. The proceeds from the sale have been redeployed to other financial stocks in our portfolio that have brighter prospects.
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Sold Capital One Financial (COF)

We sold COH on June 12, 2007.

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Occidental Petroleum (OXY)

SSG and PERT A (11-17-2005) | Google “stocks: oxy” | Company Website

We took an initial position today in OXY (and increased our existing position in Chevron). This is our second energy stock. For an assessment of OXY, see the October 15 report by McDep Associates. OXY has the lowest ratio of market capitalization and debt to present value (“McDep” ratio) making it the best value among the medium and large cap independent oil and gas producers. Value Line rates its financial strength A+. OXY pays a 1.5% dividend.

Business Description. Occidental Petroleum Corporation primarily engages in the exploration for, development, production, and marketing of crude oil and natural gas in the United States, Latin America, and Middle East. As of December 31, 2004, the company had proved reserves of 2,489 million barrels of oil and gas equivalent. Occidental Petroleum also manufactures and markets basic chemicals, such as chlorine, caustic soda, potassium chemicals, and their derivatives; vinyls, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl chloride monomer, and ethylene dichloride; and performance chemicals, including chlorinated isocyanurates, resorcinol, antimony oxide, mercaptans, and sodium silicates. PVC resins are used in piping, electrical insulation, external construction materials, flooring, medical and automotive products, and packaging. The company markets its chemical products to industrial users or distributors through its own sales force. Occidental Petroleum is headquartered in Los Angels, California.

Sold O’Reilly Automotive

Reluctantly, we sold ORLY and redeployed the cash. It has been a good performer but we needed to reduce the number of stocks in the portfolio (moving torward a total of 20 stocks). Although ORLY remains a quality company, the project average return dropped to 7.5%. We have replaced it with a stock of comparable quality and higher return.
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Sold Lincare Holdings

We sold LNCR today and redeployed the cash. LNCR’s revenue and earnings growth has declined over the past two years. See PERT A graph (above). Lower federal reimbursement for supplemental oxygen has cut into its margins. We used the above stock selection guide in making this decision.
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Sold Fiserv Inc.

We sold FISV today and redeployed the cash. FISV has had three quarters of declining revenue and earnings growth. See PERT A graph (above). Also, FISV’s market overlaps with two other portfolio holdings — JKHY and SNV. We used the above stock selection guide in making this decision.
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