CLIENT TALKING POINTS

Flash In The Pan

One day, things are groovy, the next, they aren’t. Case in point: the stock market. Yesterday’s sell off was a reminder that markets just don’t go up and to the right in a continual, straight line. People sell ‘em on some days and yesterday was one of those days. But seeing as how we are in a bull market, the sell off was short-lived. Today, the futures are back up and ready to rocket higher. Fund flows are still headed to US equities and bonds continue to get crushed.

Problematic Politicians

Europe is back in focus with the Spanish 10-year bond offering up a yield of 5.44%, up from 4.95% on January 14. European debt markets are getting shaky again as more problems arise in the Eurozone. Between allegations that the Prime Minister of Spain has been taking kickbacks for ten years and French President Francois Hollande saying that the markets shouldn’t dictate the price of  the Euro, there is much to be worried about. Throw in Japan and Taro Aso’s mission to destroy the Yen and you’ll realize that the currency wars are in full effect.

TOP LONG IDEAS

ASCA

ASCA

We believe ASCA will receive a higher bid from another gaming competitor. Our valuation puts ASCA’s worth closer to $40.

FDX

FDX

With FedEx Express margins at a 30+ year low and 4-7 percentage points behind competitors, the opportunity for effective cost reductions appears significant. FedEx Ground is using its structural advantages to take market share from UPS. FDX competes in a highly consolidated industry with rational pricing. Both the Ground and Express divisions could be separately worth more than FDX’s current market value, in our view.

HOLX

HOLX

HOLX remains one of our favorite longer-term fundamental growth companies given growing penetration of its 3D Tomo platform and high leverage to the 2014 Insurance Expansion from the Affordable Care Act.

Asset Allocation

CASH 42% US EQUITIES 18%
INTL EQUITIES 20% COMMODITIES 0%
FIXED INCOME 0% INTL CURRENCIES 20%

THREE FOR THE ROAD

TWEET OF THE DAY

“The concept of #timestamps means you don't have to lie about your positions - everyone knows them” -@KeithMcCullough

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Society, my dear, is like salt water, good to swim in but hard to swallow.” -Arthur Stringer

STAT OF THE DAY

Redbook Retail Sales w/e Feb 3rd: 1.5% y/y prior; Jan MTD: -0.6% m/m prior, Jan MTD: 1.8% y/y prior