Stinky's Pick of the Week Archives 
Stinky's Pick of the Week Archives
Week of November 20, 2001 METRO ONE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC is a developer and provider of enhanced directory assistance and information services for the telecommunications industry. The Company primarily contracts with wireless carriers to provide its services to their subscribers. The Company's customers include wireless telecommunications carriers such as Sprint PCS, AT&T Wireless Services, Nextel Communications, Verizon Wireless, Cingular Wireless and ALLTEL Communications. In addition, the Company has expanded into the landline telecommunications market, and provides its services to regional competitive local exchange carriers. The Company operates 29 call centers located in strategic local markets throughout the United States, and expects to add at least two additional new call centers by year-end 2001. Its call center network enables it to provide enhanced directory assistance and information services nationwide. The Company operates its call centers 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Metro One's recent share price was $37.65, up from a 52 week low of $10.16 and down from a 52 week high of $45.75. Its earnings per share are $1.09, giving it a p/e ratio of 34.71.
Week of November 11, 2001 ACLN, Limited is an independent logistics provider and wholesale automobile dealer operating primarily between Europe and North and West Africa. The Company operates in the following two business segments, with individuals and port agents in 15 ports located in 13 countries in North and West Africa, from four ports in large established markets in Northern Europe: door-to-door logistics services for cars and light trucks consisting of the delivery of new and pre-owned cars and light trucks to purchasers; and wholesale automobile business consisting of the delivery of new cars, which the Company purchased on a bulk-discounted basis, against pre-existing orders, to purchasers.ACLN's recent share price was $30.74, up from a 52 week low of $18.75 and down from a 52 week high of $50.00. Its earnings per share are $3.88, giving it a P/E ratio of 7.78. Stinky's target price for ACLN is $70, so get in while it's cheap!
Week of November 4, 2001 HERCULES, INCORPORATED is a diversified, global manufacturer and marketer of specialty chemicals and related services for a broad range of business, consumer and industrial applications. The Company's principal products are chemicals used by the paper industry to increase product performance and enhance the manufacturing process, water treatment and industrial process chemicals, water-soluble polymers, resins and polypropylene and polyethylene fibers. These products impart such qualities as durability, water-resistance and improved aesthetics for everyday consumer goods, such as writing paper, toothpaste and diapers. The primary markets the Company serves include pulp and paper, personal care, petroleum refining, oil and gas drilling and recovery, paints and coatings, construction materials, adhesives and pharmaceuticals. Its recent share price was 8.25, up from a 52 week low of 6.5 and down from a 52 week high of 20.18. Its current earnings per share are $0.54, giving it a p/e ratio of 14.88. Week of October 28, 2001 CYTEC INDUSTRIES INC. is a global specialty chemicals and materials company that focuses on value-added products. The Company serves major markets for water and wastewater treatment, mining, automotive and industrial coatings, plastics, chemical intermediates and aerospace adhesives and advanced composites. The Company operates in four segments, Water and Industrial Process Chemicals, Performance Products, Specialty Materials and Building Block Chemicals. In addition, the Company has a 50% interest in each of three unconsolidated associated companies, a one-third interest in a fourth and had a 50% interest in a fifth, Criterion Catalyst Company LP, through July 10, 2000. The associated companies had aggregate net sales of $496.3 million and a gross profit of $99.1 million in 2000.The Company's major customer is the Boeing Company and its subsidiaries. Cytec's most recent share price was $23.37, up from a 52 week low of $19.00 and down from a 52 week high of $41.31. Its earnings per share are a whopping $3.22, giving it a P/E ratio of 7.19.
Week of October 21, 2001 STEINER LEISURE LIMITED Steiner Leisure Limited is a worldwide provider of spa services and skin and hair care products on board cruise ships. The Company strives to create a relaxing and therapeutic environment where customers can receive body and facial treatments and hair styling. Steiner Leisure develops and markets premium-priced personal care products that are sold primarily in connection with the services it provides. As of March 1, 2001, the Company served 99 cruise ships representing 24 cruise lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity and Cunard. The Company's services are provided under agreements with cruise lines that range in duration from one to six years. The Company also operates three post-secondary schools (comprised of nine campuses) in the United States offering degree and non-degree programs in massage therapy, skin care and related areas. Steiner's most recent share price was $18.02, up from its 52 week low of $9.50 and down from a 52 week high of $30.49. Its earnings per share is $1.58 giving it a p/e ratio of 9.85. Week of October 14, 2001 SILENT WITNESS ENTERPRISES, LTD designs and manufacturers closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and video monitoring equipment for the domestic and international market. The Company's products include CCTV cameras and video equipment for residential and commercial applications (such as casinos, correctional facilities and schools); video monitoring equipment for school buses, and micro imaging devices that incorporate CMOS camera chips, allowing for smaller cameras. Silent Witness's most recent share price was $7.70, up from a 52 week low of $4.50 and down from a 52 week high of $9.50. Silent Witness has earnings per share of $0.56, giving it a P/E ratio of 13.39. Stinky thinks Silent Witness's share price is going to at least double over the next eighteen months.
METRO ONE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC
TICKER SYMBOL: MTON
ACLN, Limited
TICKER SYMBOL: ASW
HERCULES, INC
TICKER SYMBOL: HPC
CYTEC INDUSTRIES INC.
TICKER SYMBOL: CYT
STEINER LEISURE LIMITED
TICKER SYMBOL: STNR
SILENT WITNESS ENTERPRISES, LTD.
TICKER SYMBOL: SILW
Week of October 7, 2001
SKECHERS USA, INC.designs and markets branded contemporary casual, active, rugged and lifestyle footwear for men, women and children. The Company, through its international distributors, sells its products in over 100 countries and territories. Skechers offers footwear in a broad range of styles, fabrics and colors. The Company categorizes its footwear into six product lines: Skechers USA, Skechers Sport, Skechers Collection, Skechers Kids, Somethin' Else from Skechers and Skechers by Michelle K. Skechers most recent share price was 11.33, up from a 52 week low of 10.25 and down from a 52 week high of 40.30. Skechers per share earnings are $1.56, giving it a P/E ratio of 7.37 and making this Company an attractive buy.
Week of September 30, 2001
CONSECO FINANCIAL TRUST is a preferred stock of Conseco, Inc (CNC), a financial services holding company with subsidiaries operating throughout the United States. The Company's insurance subsidiaries develop, market and administer supplemental health insurance, annuity, individual life insurance and other insurance products. Conseco's finance subsidiaries originate, securitize and service manufactured housing, home equity, retail credit and floorplan loans. Conseco preferred's most recent share price was $18.20, down from a 52 week high of $22.98 and up from a 52 week low of $10.56. Its dividend per share is $2.29, giving it a yield of 12.69%. In light of recent events, Stinky recommends Conseco preferred as a conservative investment with little risk and a solid return.
Week of September 23, 2001
CIRCUIT CITY GROUP operates the Circuit City and CarMax retail stores. Circuit City is engaged in the business of selling brand-name consumer electronics, personal computers and entertainment software. CarMax is a specialty retailer of used cars. With 597 Circuit City Superstores and 32 mall-based Circuit City Express stores as of August 2001, Circuit City operates more consumer electronics specialty superstores in more markets than any other retailer. With headquarters in Richmond, Virginia, CarMax, as of August 2001, operates 40 retail units in 37 locations, including 33 used-car superstores. CarMax also operates 21 new-car franchises, most of which are integrated or co-located with its used-car superstores. Stinky has had his eye on Circuit City for a long time, and at its recent share price of $10.00, it is finally cheap enough to buy!
Week of September 16, 2001
FOREST OIL CO. is an independent oil and gas company engaged in the exploration, development, acquisition, production and marketing of natural gas and liquids. Forest operates from production offices located in Lafayette and Metairie, Louisiana; Denver, Colorado; Anchorage, Alaska; and Calgary, Alberta. The Company runs its international business, excluding Canada, from an office located in Houston, Texas. Forest's estimated proved reserves were 1,380 BCFE at December 31, 2000, of which approximately 61% was natural gas. Forest's most recent share price was $27.70, up from a 52 week low of $15.75 and down from a 52 week high of $37.85. Its current earnings per share are $4.43, giving it a P/E of 6.25. For those of you who have been following Stinky's picks, it is no surprise that he continues to be bullish on oil stocks.
Week of September 9, 2001
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO. through its subsidiaries, is principally engaged in the purchase, distribution and sale of men's, women's and kids' casual apparel. The Company's retail activities are conducted under the Abercrombie & Fitch and abercrombie trade names through retail stores, a catalogue, a magazine/catalogue and a Website, all bearing some form of the Company name. Retail activities are also conducted under the Hollister Co. trade name through retail stores and a lifestyle Website. Merchandise is targeted to appeal to customers in specialty markets who have distinctive consumer characteristics. The Company is a specialty retailer of casual, classic American sportswear, targeted to men and women approximately 15 to 50 years of age and kids approximately seven to 14 years of age. Abercrombie's recent share price was $22.42, up from a 52 week low of $14.75 and off its 52 week high of $47.50. Its earnings per share are $1.63, giving it a P/E ratio of 14.20.
Week of September 2, 2001
WISER OIL COMPANYis an independent oil and gas exploration and production company operating in Texas, New Mexico, the Gulf Coast and Alberta, Canada. The Company's two largest properties, representing 50% of total proved reserves, are oil exploitation projects in the Permian Basin. Wiser's proved reserves at December 31, 2000, were 96% developed, with oil and NGL's comprising 66% and natural gas comprising 34% of total reserves. Approximately 79% of the Company's proved reserves are located in the United States and 21% are located in Canada. Over the past five years, Wiser has replaced 93% of its production through a combination of acquisition, exploration, development and exploitation activities. Wiser's most recent share price was $6.81, up from a 52 week low of $3.93 and down from a 52 week high of $10. Its earnings per share is $1.79, giving it a P/E ratio of 3.79. Stinky thinks it is a GREAT time to buy oil stocks, especially this one! How could you go wrong?
Week of August 26, 2001
EPOLIN, INC Epolin, Inc. is a manufacturing and research and development company engaged in commercial production and sale of specialty chemicals, especially certain dyes with the capability to absorb near-infrared radiation. Since completion of the Company's public offering, its revenues had been primarily generated through the synthesis and sale of specialty organic chemical products. Building upon this base, Epolin singled out near-infrared dye technology as a promising product line and has emphasized the development, manufacture and sale of these dyes to the optical industry. Epolin's recent per share price was $0.45, up from a 52 week low of $0.14 and down from a 52 week high of $0.51. Epolin has experienced strong growth in the last several years, and Stinky thinks that this trend will continue. And at a price like that, who can't afford to buy some?
Week of August 19, 2001
AMERICAN LOCKER GROUP, INC is engaged primarily in the sale and rental of lockers. This includes coin, key-only and electronically controlled checking lockers and related locks, plastic centralized mail and parcel distribution lockers. The key-controlled checking lockers are sold to the recreational and transportation industries, bookstores, military posts, law enforcement agencies, libraries and for export. The electronically controlled lockers are sold for use as secure storage in the business environment, and the electronically controlled, coin-operated lockers are sold for use in the transportation industry and other uses. The plastic centralized mail and parcel distribution lockers are sold to the United States Postal Service for use in centralized mail and parcel delivery in new housing and industrial developments, as well as for replacement of older-style lockers in existing locations. Its recent share price was $10, up from a 52 week low of $4 and down from a high of 13.5. Its per share earnings are $1.44, giving it a p/e ratio of 6.93. American Locker Group has made money for the last five years straight, and Stinky is sure it will be one of the few companies that will earn even more this year than it did last year. Stinky's 12 month price target for American Locker group is $24.67 a share!
Week of August 12, 2001
4 KIDS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.. is a vertically integrated entertainment-based company. The Company provides a comprehensive range of services including toy design and development, domestic and international merchandise licensing, media buying and planning, international and domestic television and movie distribution and television, music and film production. The Company primarily operates through four wholly owned subsidiaries, Leisure Concepts, Inc., Leisure Concepts International, Inc., The Summit Media Group, Inc. and 4Kids Productions, Inc. The company owns the American distribution rights to popular children's games like Pokemon and others. 4 Kids Entertainment has experienced huge growth in earnings over the last several years, and Stinky thinks it is on target to continue doing so. Its recent share price was $22.80, up from a 52 week low of $8.31 and down from its 52 week high of $28.50. Its current earnings per share are $2.65, giving it a healthy P/E ratio of 8.56.
Week of August 5, 2001
CHILDREN'S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. is a specialty retailer of apparel and accessories for children from newborn to 12 years of age. The Company designs, sources and markets its products under "The Children's Place" brand name for sale exclusively in its stores and on its Website. The Company's designers interpret current fashion trends and combine them with a broad color palette to develop a selection of coordinated outfits specifically designed for children. The Company typically introduces a new merchandise line each month. Each season's line is built around a central color palette that includes an assortment of coordinated fashion basic apparel, with complementary accessories designed to encourage multiple item purchases and wardrobe building. As of April 1, 2001, the Company operated 431 stores in 43 states, located primarily in regional shopping malls. Its stores are concentrated in regional malls, with the exception of 31 outlet stores and 45 street and strip-center stores. It's recent share price was $23.67, up from a 52 week low of $14.93 and down from a 52 week high of $35.50. Its earnings per share are $1.72, giving it a P/E ratio of 13.92. Repeat after Stinky: "High earnings and low share price = you can't go wrong. High earnings and low share price = you can't go wrong...."
Week of July 29, 2001
FOSSIL, INC is engaged in the design, development, marketing and distribution of watches, fashion accessories, apparel and other products. Since its inception in 1984, the Company has grown from its original flagship Fossil watch product into a diversified company, offering an extensive line of fashion watches, small leather goods, belts, handbags and sunglasses under the Fossil and Relic brands and Fossil brand apparel. In addition to developing its own brands, the Company leverages its development and production expertise by designing and manufacturing private-label products for companies that include national retailers, entertainment companies and theme restaurants. Fossil's recent share price was $19.51, up from its 52 week low of $10 and down from a 52 week high of $23.35. Fossil's earnings per share are a healthy $1.65, giving it a P/E ratio of 11.78. Stinky thinks high earnings and a relatively low share price are enough to put Fossil on his Wish List!
Week of July 22, 2001
EASTERN AMERICAN NATURAL GAS TRUST was formed pursuant to a Trust Agreement among Eastern American Energy Corporation, as grantor, Bank of Montreal Trust Company, as trustee (Trustee) and Wilmington Trust Company. The Trust was formed to acquire and hold net profits interests created from the working interests owned by Eastern American in 650 producing gas wells and 65 proved development well locations located in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. As of December 31, 2000, such properties consisted of 681 producing gas wells. The Net Profits Interests consist of a royalty interest in 322 wells and a term interest in the remaining wells and locations. Eastern American was obligated to drill and complete, at its expense, 65 development wells on the development well locations conveyed to the Trust, and has fulfilled its obligation. After May 15, 2012, and prior to or on May 15, 2013 (Liquidation Date), the Trustee is required to sell the royalty interests and liquidate the Trust. Natural Gas Trust has a per-share dividend of $2.53 cents, which along with its most recent share price of 17.53, means the current yield is almost 14 and a half percent. It is Stinky's opinion that the only good thing to come out of the new Bush administration is that gas and oil companies will do a booming business in the next few years. Snap up NGT while you still can afford to!
Week of July 15, 2001
COMPAQ COMPUTER CORP. is a global provider of enterprise technology and solutions. Compaq designs, develops, manufactures and markets hardware, software, solutions and services, including enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, communication products, and desktop and portable personal computers. The Company's products and services are sold in more than 200 countries directly and through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Compaq markets its products and services primarily to customers in the business, home, government and education sectors. Its recent share price was $15.40, up from a 52 week low of $13.20 and down from a 52 week high of $35.00. Stinky thinks that Compaq's share price should rebound bigtime once the market stops being so skittish about tech stocks. So get it now, while it's cheap!
Week of July 8, 2001
KENNETH COLE PRODUCTIONS, INC.Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. designs, sources and markets a broad range of fashion footwear and handbags, and through license agreements, designs and markets apparel and accessories under its Kenneth Cole New York, Reaction Kenneth Cole and Unlisted brand names. The Company's products are targeted to appeal to fashion conscious consumers, reflecting a casual urban perspective and a lifestyle uniquely associated with Kenneth Cole. The Company strives to provide affordable fashion footwear, handbags and accessories with consistent marketing and management support to its wholesale customers. The Company's specialty retail stores develop consumer recognition of its brand names, provide a showcase for Kenneth Cole branded products marketed by the Company and its licensees and enhance its overall profitability. The Company also sells its products through distributors and licensees to wholesale customers and direct retailers in markets including Canada, Mexico, and Hong Kong. The Company's recent share price was $19.25, down from its 52 week high of $50.50 and up from a 52 week low of $18.10. The Company's current earnings per share is $1.61, giving it a P/E of 12.06. Stinky thinks strong earnings + low share price = a good buy!
Week of July 1, 2001
ACCLAIM ENTERTAINMENT, INC. develops, publishes, distributes and markets video and computer games for use with game consoles, both dedicated and portable, and PCs on a worldwide basis. The Company owns and operates four software development studios located in the United States and the United Kingdom where it develops its own software, and a motion capture studio and a recording studio in the United States. The Company also contracts with independent software developers to create software for it. The Company publishes, or releases to the public under its brand names, software developed by it as well as by third-party developers. The Company distributes its software directly in North America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain and Australia. The Company also develops and publishes strategy guides relating to its software. Acclaim's most recent share price was $4.88 per share, up from a 52 week low of 31 cents a share and down from a 52 week high of $5.50 per share. Stinky thinks that Acclaim has hit rock bottom and is on its way back up! The company has recently signed lucrative contracts to make games for Sony's Playstation 2 as well as Microsoft's upcoming X Box.
Week of June 24 2001
APPLE COMPUTER, INC. designs, manufactures and markets personal computers and related personal computing and communicating solutions for sale primarily to education, creative, consumer, and business customers. Substantially all of the Company's net sales to date have been derived from the sale of its Apple Macintosh line of personal computers and related software and peripherals. Apple Macintosh personal computers are characterized by their intuitive ease of use, innovative industrial designs and applications base, and built-in networking, graphics, and multimedia capabilities. The Company offers a range of personal computing products, including personal computers, related peripherals, software, and networking and connectivity products. All of the Company's Macintosh products employ PowerPC RISC-based microprocessors. Apple's recent share price was $22.26, up from a 52-week low of $13.62, and down from a 52 week high of $64.12, set in September 2000. Stinky thinks that sales of Apple's new line of laptop computers will give the company's earnings a boost in the coming quarters.
Week of June 17 2001
GEMPLUS INTERNATIONAL, S.A. is the world's number one provider of smart card based solutions for security, wireless and e-business applications. Offering consulting services, design, software, hardware, personalization and full implementation, Gemplus works with customers around the world to deliver comprehensive, integrated and tailor-made smart card based systems. The Company's customers use Gemplus memory and microprocessor smart cards, smart contactless cards, electronic tags, smart objects and magnetic stripe cards to simplify and secure a wide range of applications. From Web based and mobile commerce to financial transactions, loyalty, transportation, education healthcare, identity, pay TV and physical and logical access control, Gemplus provides intelligent end-to-end solutions that bring security, convenience and ease-of-use to millions of people worldwide. Gemplus's recent share price was 6.05, up from its 52 week low of 5.81, and off its 52 week high of 18.87. Stinky feels Gemplus is a good bet for a long term investment, and sees share prices going as high as $30 in the next year or so.
Week of June 10 2001
BP PRUDHOE BAY ROYALTY TRUST is a grantor trust that was created pursuant to the BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust Agreement among The Standard Oil Company, BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc., The Bank of New York, as trustee, and F. James Hutchinson, co-trustee. The only assets of the Trust are the Royalty Interest assigned to the Trust and cash or cash equivalents held by the Trustee from time to time as reserves or for distribution (the Trust Estate). The Trust is a passive entity, and the Trustee has been given only such powers as are necessary for the collection and distribution of revenues from the Royalty Interest and the payment of Trust liabilities and expenses. Its recent share price was 15.65, down from a 52 week high of 17.41 and up from a 52 week low of 10.00. BPT has a dividend of $2.65 per share, which at its most recent share price is the equivalent of a 16.87% return. Stinky says, 'nough said!
Week of June 3 2001
SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC is the holding company for Sovereign Bank. Sovereign's business consists primarily of attracting deposits from its network of community banking offices, and originating small business and middle-market commercial and asset-based loans, consumer and residential mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit in eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and New England. Sovereign's recent share price was $11.33 per share, up from a 52 week low of $6.5, and just shy of its 52 week high of $11.53. However, Stinky thinks Sovereign is still a good buy for long term investors. He expects Sovereign's share price to continue to rise into the 20s and 30s over the next several years.
Week of May 27 2001
TICKER SYMBOL: ATGI
ALPHA TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, INC. is a manufacturer of thermal management products and other devices for use in the microprocessor, computer, automotive, telecommunication, industrial controls, transportation, power supply, factory automation, consumer electronics, aerospace and defense industries. Alpha Tech hit its 52 week high in September 2000 at $16.813 per share. Recently, its share price was $8.44, up from a 52 week low of $4.374 on April 4, 2001. Its earnings per share are $1.15, giving it a P/E ratio of 6.82. Stinky predicts that Alpha Tech is headed back up to at least the mid-teens.