Friday, February 28, 2014

Sold Some Crexendo (EXE) at $Pi ($3.14)

Sold some Crexendo (EXE) today (02014.02.28) at $Pi. The sold shares were bought at $3.12 (i.e. $Pi minus two cents) about 10 months ago. Note: Our remaining EXE shares have an average cost per share of $3.14. I remain optimistic about EXE long-term, but we needed to raise some cash for a bathroom re-model.

Sold Some Cray (CRAY) at $36.00 (no Pi moment)

Some some Cray (CRAY) today (02014.02.28) at $36.00. The sold CRAY shares were purchased 5 years, 3 months, 23 days ago at $2.50.

Sold Some Google (GOOG) at 389 $Pi ($1,222.08)

Sold some Google (GOOG) today (02014.02.28) at 389 $Pi ($1,222.08). Overall GOOG has been a so-so GDT::Portfolio stock.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Altair Nanotechnologies (ALTI) Spikes 16%

Altair Nanotechnologies (ALTI) spiked 16.6% today (02014.02.25) even though I don't know why. Volume was 5-times the trailing-3-month average. ALTI closed today (02014.02.25) at $5.83. ALTI 52-week range: $2.02 - $8.00. Our ALTI investment is nicely above water, but it's a small investment and it remains entrenched in the bottom third of the GDT::Portfolio.

[update::02014.02.26] 30 minutes into trading today and ALTI is up 12% of heavy volume (487,000 vs. 33,100). ALTI is at $6.53 after hitting an intra-day early morning high of $6.94. If there's news (and I suspect there is), I'm not aware of it.

[update::02014.02.27] ALTI closed yesterday (02014.02.26) at $5.98, up only 2.57%. Intra-day high was $6.98. Volume was 770,889, which according to the information I see on Yahoo! Finance is ~16% of the float. Again, if there's news, I don't know that it is.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Illumina (ILMN) Should Consider a Stock Split (Hits New 52-week/All-time High)

Illumina (ILMN) hit yet another 52-week (and all-time) high of $177.33 this morning (02014.02.24). Illumina executed a 2:1 stock split during September of 02008 and think it's time they consider doing that again. Hmm... Let's make a 3:1 split this time.

This morning Illumia issued a press release that started with the following paragraph.

Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) in Sweden has joined the Illumina Genome Network (IGN) to provide researchers with broader access to Illumina’s whole genome sequencing technology. SciLifeLab is the first IGN partner in Europe and will initiate a national large-scale population sequencing program seeking to identify genetic causes of human diseases.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Geeknet (GKNT) Reports 4Q'13 Results (GKNT Crashes)

Geeknet (GKNT) is crashing today (02014.02.21) after reported 4Q'13 results. Right now, eight minutes into trading, GKNT is down almost 18%. GKNT is an important GDT::Portfolio stock, so this sucks. I sold some GKNT back on 02014.01.07 at 6 $Pi, but now I wish I had sold more. I was nervous about the Geeknet being silent with respect to ThinkGeek's holiday sales. D'oh! Borrowing from the rock band Styx I wish I could "find myself a crystal ball."

At $10.18 our GKNT investment will be underwater. The question I'm asking myself right now: At what price might be a good price to buy some GKNT?

[update::02014.02.22] GKNT closed yesterday (02014.02.21) at $14.47, which means the company lost ~16% of its market value. Volume was 225,449; however, GKNT is a thinly traded stock that had a trailing-3-month average of 11,974. Approximately 3% of GKNT shares were traded.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Tidbits on Facebook (FB), Twitter (TWTR), Bruker (BRKR), Geeknet (GKNT)

Facebook (FB) spent $19 billion to buy a company named WhatsApp. $19 billion approximates Twitter's (TWTR) market value on 02014.02.20. FB and TWTR closed yesterday at $68.08 and $55.50, respectively.

Bruker (BRKR) get a 'Sell' rating by Zacks Equity Research. Zachs.com has a posting headlined: Can Bruker (BRKR) Continue to Rise? My response: Yes... as long as scientists keep doing science.

Geeknet (GKNT) is reporting 4Q'13 results tomorrow (02014.02.21) morning. It bothers me that the company has taken so long to report year end results for 02013. The company has been quiet with respect to ThinkGeek's holiday sales.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Sold Some Trimble Navigation (TRMB) at 12 $Pi ($37.70)

Trimble Navigation (TRMB) spiked to a new 52-week high of $38.00 this morning (02014.02.19) and that result in a sale of some TRMB at 12 $Pi ($37.70). I like the business Trimble Navigation is in, so I don't have any plans on selling any more TRMB any time soon.

Bruker (BRKR) Reports 4Q'13 Results

Bruker (BRKR) reported 4Q'13 results after the market closed yesterday (02014.02.18). From Bruker's 4Q'13 press release.
Looking ahead to 2014, we feel better about the health of our core academic and government customers and about our prospects in the clinical research and diagnostics markets, but we remain cautious about demand from the industrial markets. Overall, we expect to generate year-over-year revenue growth of approximately 3 to 4 percent, and non-GAAP EPS growth of 10 to 14 percent, for the full year 2014.
BRKR closed yesterday (02014.02.18) at $21.86. 52-week range: $15.41 - $22.25. At its current price BRKR has a PSR (Price Sales Ratio) of 2, which I think is low for a company that makes equipment that scientists use to create our future.

Five minutes into trading today (02014.02.19) BRKR is at $23.25 (up ~6.4%) after spiking to a new 52-week high of $23.59.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

VeriTeQ (VTEQ) Spikes Up

Posting from 02014.01.10:
I need my head examined, but I bought some VeriTeQ (VTEQ) today (02014.01.10) at $0.83. Just a few days ago VTEQ was a $2 stock. Back on 22 October 02013 VeriTeQ (formerly Digital Angel [DIGA]) executed a 1:30 (reverse) stock split.

Today, 02014.01.18, VTEQ closed at $1.39, up 33.65%. 52-week range: $0.60 - $4.30. The company issued a press release having the following headline: VeriTeQ Partner Establishment Labs Receives Additional CE Mark Approvals to Market Breast Implants with Q Inside Safety Technology. The sub-headline was: New CE Mark Approvals Permit the Sale of Motiva Implants with Q Inside Safety Technology to 28 Countries in the European Union

I've always found RFID an interesting technology.

VeriTeQ develops innovative, proprietary RFID technologies for implantable medical device identification, and dosimeter technologies for use in radiation therapy treatment. VeriTeQ offers the world's first FDA cleared RFID microchip technology that can be used to identify implantable medical devices, in vivo, on demand, at the point of care.

VTEQ is a crap shoot.

Cray (CRAY) Gets Volatile

Cray (CRAY) jumped from a previous close of $29.97 to close at $41.66 on Friday, 02014.02.14. For the day CRAY was up 39% on heavy volume. Today, Tuesday, 02014.02.18, CRAY closed at $35.99, down almost 14%. Volume half of last Friday's volume, but still 5-times the trailing-3-month average. CRAY ended last week at #1 in the GDT::Portfolio with GOOG #2, but today ended with GOOG #1 and CRAY #2.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Sold Some Cray (CRAY) at 11 $Pi ($34.56)

Cray (CRAY) reported 4Q'13 results today (02014.02.14) that exceeded expectations. CRAY spiked to a new 52-week high of $35.50 shortly after the market opened; consequently, an order to sell some CRAY at 11 $Pi ($34.56) was executed. Right now (7:46am MST) CRAY is at $35.45 (up 18.3%). From Cray's 4Q'13 press release.
"We had a great year in 2013, led by strong growth in both supercomputing and big data," said Peter Ungaro, president and CEO of Cray. "We set Company records for annual and quarterly revenue as we completed the acceptance of more supercomputers during the fourth quarter than we have in any quarter in our history.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Sold Some Level 3 Communications (LVLT) at 12 $Pi ($37.70)

Sold some Level 3 Communications (LVLT) today (02014.02.13) at 12 $Pi ($37.70). Unless finances dictate otherwise (like me losing my job), I don't want sell anymore LVLT anytime soon.

Sold Some Facebook (FB) at 21 $Pi ($65.97)

Sold some Facebook today (02014.02.13) at 21 $Pi ($65.97). Unless finances dictate otherwise, I really don't want to sell anymore FB anytime soon.

Nanosphere (NSPH) Reports 4Q'13 Results (Gets Upgraded)

Nanosphere (NPSH) reported 4Q'13 results prior to the market opening yesterday (02014.02.12). NSPH did not have a gap open, but shortly after trading began NSPH spiked from previous close of $2.15 to an intra-day high of $2.54. NSPH closed yesterday (02014.02.12) at $2.37, up 10.2% for the day. Volume was 2-times trailing-3-month average.

Today (02014.02.13), prior to the markets opening, I saw this news: Nanosphere upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Roth Capital Roth Capital upgraded Nanosphere citing improved revenue and placement visibility following the company's Q4 results. Roth raised its price target for shares to $3 from $2.50.

NSPH is a speculative investment. From Nanosphere's 4Q'13 press release: Cash flow for the fourth quarter of 2013 was negative $7.8 million as compared with negative $8.8 million in the same quarter of 2012. Cash at December 31, 2013 was $41.5 million. Since 02011 the number of NSPH common shares outstanding has increased to ~62,134,000 from ~37,800,000.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Trimble Navigation (TRMB) Reports 4Q'13 Results (Gap Open & New 52-Week High)

Trimble Navigation (TRMB) had a gap open this morning after reporting 4Q'13 results. TRMB spiked to a new 52-week high of $35.86 just minutes after stocks started trading. TRMB's strong open took place even though the company stated the following in the 4Q'13 press release.
"While the fourth quarter supports the anticipation of an improved organic growth outlook for 2014, the environment continues to be comparatively uncertain with variations of regional economic performance, continuing deferrals of investment, and continued constrained government funding."

iRobot (IRBT) Hits New All-Time High

iRobot (IRBT) hit a new all-time of $44.35 yesterday (02014.02.11) before closing at $41.99 (up 11.4% for the day). Volume was almost 5-time trailing-3-month average. Why did IRBT spike upward yesterday? I saw the following reported by multiple sources: iRobot was ranked No. 5 on a list of top patent portfolios in the electronics and instruments industry.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Bruker (BRKR) Hits a New 52-Week High

Bruker (BRKR) hit a new 52-week high of $21.75 before closing yesterday (02014.02.10) at $21.74. BRKR hasn't been this high since around July of 02011. BRKR started trading on 02000.08.07 at $23.12. It's all-time high was hit three weeks later on 02000.08.31 at $51.38. It's possible BRKR could see nice a gain if it can pop above its current price.

At $21.74, BRKR has a PSR (Price Sales Ratio) of 2, which I think is low given Bruker is the maker of scientific equipment that is helping researchers create our future.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Market Values: Google (GOOG) vs. Exxon Mobil (XOM) vs. Apple (AAPL)

Google's (GOOG) market value exceeded Exxon Mobil's (XOM) market value for the first time yesterday (02014.02.07). However, when the markets closed yesterday Exxon Mobil had a market value of ~$395.70 billion compared to Google's market value of ~$394.25. Note: Apple's market value was ~$463.55.

GOOG closed yesterday (02014.02.07) at $1177.44. 52-week range: $761.26 - $1186.54.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Sold Some American Airlines (AAL) at 11 $Pi ($34.56)

American Airlines (AAL) spiked to a new 52-week high this morning (02014.02.06) and I sold some AAL at 11 $Pi ($34.56). Unless personal finances dictate otherwise, the plan is not to sell anymore American Airlines (AAL) stock until it hits 22 $Pi ($69.12).

iRobot (IRBT) Reports 4Q'13 Results (Down %4, Up %4)

iRobot (IRBT) reported 4Q'13 results after the market close yesterday. Today (02014.02.06) IRBT had gap open down 4.2% (previous close $34.37; opened at $32.93). Right now (30 minutes into trading) IRBT is up 4% at $35.76. 52-week range: $19.91 - $41.12. iRobot had a solid 4Q'13, but it appears as though "iRobot's forward earnings guidance came in below expectations."

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Twitter (TWTR) Reports 4Q'13 Results (Tanks in After Hours Trading)

Twitter (TWTR) reported 4Q'13 results after the markets closed today (02014.02.05). This was the first time Twitter reported financial results as a public company. Investors are not tweeting tweets of joy right now and it's because "184 million monthly active users in the fourth quarter was lower than the consensus expectation of 249 million." 35 minutes into after hours trading TWTR was down 13%.

Twitter's revenue for 02013 was $665 million. The company is projecting 02014 revenues of $1.15 billion to $1.2 billion.

Twitter ended 02013 with approximately $2.2 billion in "cash."

TWTR closed today (02014.02.05) at $65.97. 52-week range: $38.80 - $74.73.

[update::02014.02.06] Ouch! TWTR opened down 23.28%. Previous close $65.97; opened at $50.61. Dipped to $50.00 and right now (35 minutes into trading) its down 19% at $53.35.

Level 3 Communications (LVLT) Reports 4Q'13 Results (Hits New 52-Week High)

Level 3 Communications (LVLT) reported 4Q'13 results today (02014.02.05) before the market opened. The first paragraph from the press release: "Total revenue of $1.602 billion for the fourth quarter 2013, compared to $1.614 billion for the fourth quarter 2012. For the full year 2013, total revenue was $6.313 billion, compared to $6.376 billion for the full year 2012." I like how Level 3 reports revenues to nearest thousandth (i.e. three decimal digits).

LVLT had a gap open today (02014.02.05). Previous close was $31.41 and the open was at $32.59. LVLT spiked to a new 52-week high $34.83 during the first few minutes of trading.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Kratos Defense & Security Solution (KTOS) Might Spike Up This Morning

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (KTOS) announced today (02014.02.03) that its "Defense & Rocket Support Services (DRSS) division was awarded a five-year SeaPort-e Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Multiple Award Contract (MAC) from the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren. The contract award covers all seven zones with a maximum contract value of $7.92 billion." Hmm... I've been wanting to sell some KTOS, but not at its current price. Maybe this morning's news will provide a chance to execute a sale at 3 $Pi ($9.42).

KTOS closed Friday, 02014.01.31, at $7.23. 52-week range: $4.08 - $9.16.

[update::02014.02.03] Markets opened while I was typing this in. Two minutes into trading and KTOS was at $9.02 (up 24.70%).