Meeting Minutes

We had a wonderful meeting out in the open spring air at La Madeleine’s! We had a total of 5 attendees: (from left to right) VJ Arjan, Greg Bartell, Tommy Schultz, Elena Swindull, and Kevin Day.

Congratulations To Elena Swindull!

We want to extend our heartiest and merriest congratulations to Elena. By the time the next meeting occurs, Elena will have had her second child, a baby boy, and we, at the Scarlet Kings, are thrilled for her!

Mitt Romney

Kevin Day noted that within the Republican ranks, Mitt Romney seems like the most possibly electable candidate. This he asserted keeping in mind that the bar that is set rather low across the board for the other contenders, none of whom would seem presidential enough for the voters.

On the other end, Obama’s re-run seems assured; he has announced it recently and will start creating the foundation for his billion dollar campaign. It seems unlikely, at least at this moment, that any other serious Democratic contenders may rise. Kevin’s guess that Hillary might seize her opportunity to head up against Obama seems like it might not occur. But that may still be too early to say.

Tesla Motors (TSLA)

Greg Bartell was explaining his conviction behind what Tesla motors intends to do: they intend to be the Ford Motor Company of the 21^st century. They have been making acquisitions of large auto manufacturing warehouses, some of which were owned by the Big Three setting the stage for massive production schedules. He also noted how the management team’s credentials are impeccable. No doubt the founder, Elon Musk, has a vision that far supersedes his Tesla Roadster.

Japanese Earthquake

Kevin Day noted how there is not much control from the authorities in the handling of the Japanese earthquake; the Japanese people, it seems, are handling the problem themselves for the most part. He also noted how the Japanese may be downplaying the issue regarding nuclear radiation. This could be perhaps in the quintessential Japanese mannerism to save face or avoid shame.

VJ Arjan recalled how this may end up much like Toyota’s recent brake problem; the management team waited until the problem had snowballed so largely until it was too big to be covered up, after which the problem would be addressed.

That being said, it is remarkable and inspiring how the Japanese people have maintained a sense of calm and equipoise amidst this terrible tragedy. People are suffering, but each person is doing his or her share to rebuild and keep the environment peaceful. There are hardly any murder or theft reports, so much so that when the grocery stores have run out of food, they simply leave and wait until more supplies arrive. They are not rioting, where most people around the globe most certainly would. Kevin believes that Japan has a large elderly population, upwards of 20%, and that may be helping them keep this equipoise.

Libya and Gaddafi

Although it seems that civil war could occur in Libya, Kevin Day believes that Gaddafi is looking for his way out by means of exile, much like Napoleon agreed to when the British offered him to be exiled on the island of Saint Helena. However, he would not be formally imprisoned. We have also received such hints from Gaddafi’s son who spoke to journalists about these options.

That being said, VJ Arjan reminded everyone how Gaddafi has successfully remained in power for 4 decades. He took power when President Obama was only 9 years old. He certainly has experience on his side, but is this revolt from the people powerful enough to overthrow him; is different from the last ones?

The Emotions Of The Market

We all remarked how incredible the swings in the market are and how emotionally they trade when a news event occurs. Take, for example, the Japanese earthquake. The moment it occurred, nuclear stocks across the board took a nose dive, some falling by 20% or more. At the same time, solar stocks all jumped up 10%.

Kevin Day noted that these are absurd reasons for stock values to remain in the long-term. It may certainly be valuable for trader, but investors would find these movements irritating.

Tommy Schultz explained how today’s information age and in the public’s participation in the stock market may be causing the swings to be so vehement as the media nor the public were in the market in the past.

Elena Swindull believes that these movements can be blessings to investors who are looking to snap up equities at cheaper prices.

Kevin Day’s Market Nose: Tread With Caution

Kevin Day was consulted for his forecast for the near future of the market. He explained that it wasn’t time to head for the exits, but it may be prudent to start taking profitable positions off the table. It was also time to convert riskier plays and move toward more conservative ones. He feels that the market is struggling to make newer highs and the steam will eventually run out with a prospective downtrend in the works. Also there is still the specter of commercial real estate which looms ominously still but has not been realized as yet.

Many of the staple plays like Ford and General Electric are struggling to maintain their current levels and he feels that this is telling of the general market environment and a harbinger for the near-term future.

Some more conservative plays Kevin personally has been moving his riskier positions to include:

• Europe, Australasia, and the Far East Fund (EFA)
• Nasdaq 100 Fund (QQQ)
• S&P 500 Index Fund (SPY)
• U.S. Preferred Stock Index (PFF: 7.7% Yield)

Freeport-McMoran (FCX)

VJ Arjan asked Kevin Day what the future of Freeport-McMoran looked like as he was contemplating taking some of his profits off the table. Kevin expressed how he was surprised that stock hasn’t run higher after the split, perhaps past 60 to 70 at least. His recommendation was that it was time to book half our position and let the other half ride.

The next meeting will be on Sunday, May 1^st, 2011. For those who have not attended a meeting, but would like to attend, please email your wish to VJ Arjan at scarletkings@gmail.com