Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Ping An

BROKER CALL - Ping An H-share target price raised to 88 hkd - Citigroup2008-4-30 12:21:00 p.m. HKT, XFNA

Citigroup raised its target price for the Hong Kong-listed H-shares of Ping An Insurance (Group) Co of China Ltd to 88 hkd from 78.50 and reiterated its "buy" call after the insurer reported better-than-expected first quarter results. "The strong earnings came from lower-than-expected policy liability costs due to superior product management strategy where Ping An has been avoiding bancassurance and reducing reliance on 'spread' income," the brokerage said. It also noted strong general cost controls by Ping An. Ping An's first quarter to March net profit rose 23.6 pct to 7.1 bln due to expansion in its insurance, banking and securities business lines. This was in stark contrast to China Life Insurance Co Ltd's more than 50 pct net profit decline in the same period. "The results continued to highlight the advantages of Ping An's unique diversified financial operating model," Citigroup said. It raised its 2008 and 2009 earnings forecasts for Ping An by 10 pct and 4 pct respectively. Amid the A-share market correction, Ping An's net asset value (NAV) fell by just 9 pct quarter-on-quarter, easing the fear that overall embedded value growth from new business will be wiped out by NAV losses due to falling A-share markets, Citigroup said. "Ping An remains our preferred pick in regional insurance space. We reiterate our view that Ping An's expanding agency force will continue to deliver strong new business value growth in 2008 while its focus on universal life and less reliance on bancassurance products will see less margin squeeze pressure when compared to its peers," Citigroup said. It forecasts over 30 pct new business value growth for Ping An in 2008.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

China Power Producers....Tariff Hike??

STOCK ALERT - China power firms surge in Hong Kong on tariff hike approval hopes2008-4-24 11:18:00 a.m. HKT, XFNA

China power producers were sharply higher on speculation that Beijing will eventually allow a tariff hike as most firms are struggling with cost pressures stemming from rising coal prices. At 10:46 am, Huaneng Power was up 0.45 hkd or 7.91 pct at 6.14, Datang Power was up 0.32 hkd or 6.3 pct at 5.4, Huadian Power was up 0.18 hkd or 7.76 pct at 2.5 and China Resources Power was up 1.56 pct at 9.27 pct at 18.38. Analysts said reasons for a tariff hike in China are compelling as electricity producers are facing a squeeze in profit margins as coal prices and other operating costs continue to rise. "Speculation on a stamp duty cut (on stock market transactions) in China has been circulating for weeks and it did come true. Rumors about a tariff hike might come true as well," said Francis Lun, general manager at Fulbright Securities. China yesterday announced a cut in stamp duty on stock market transactions to 0.1 pct from 0.3 pct, meeting market expectations. Electricity firms have been lobbying the government to make adjustments to retail guided prices of electric power, but their pleas have been ignored so far due to high inflation.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

摩根大通认为投资中国股票时机已到-金融-《财经网》

摩根大通认为投资中国股票时机已到-金融-《财经网》

Running Out of Planet to Exploit - New York Times

Running Out of Planet to Exploit - New York Times

Guangshen Railway(525.HK)


a bit late...but now is only HKD4.47. The result will be announced very soon. See u at HKD5.20!

STOCK ALERT- Guangshen Railway sharply higher on strong positive 2007 guidance 2008-1-21 10:55:00 a.m. HKT, XFNA

- HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - Guangshen Railway Co Ltd was sharply higher after forecasting 100 pct net profit growth for 2007. At 10:39 am, shares of Guangshen Railway were trading up 0.28 hkd or 5.11 pct at 5.76, off a high of 5.83. Guangshen Rail said in a statement filed with the Shanghai Stock Exchange that its 2007 net profit is estimated to have risen about 100 pct, boosted by asset injections from its parent. The company posted a net profit of 710.87 mln yuan and earnings per share of 0.10 yuan in 2006.

China Agri (606.HK) TP:HKD 7

China Agri-Industries target price raised to 7 hkd - Goldman Sachs2008-4-17 04:10:00 p.m. HKT, XFNA

Goldman Sachs has raised its target price on China Agri-Industries Holding Ltd (606.HK) to 7 hkd from 6.7 while maintaining its "buy" call on the mainland-based agricultural products producer, citing higher earnings forecasts. Goldman raised its 2008 and 2009 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for the company by 20 pct and 16 pct, respectively, to 1.76 bln and 1.92 bln hkd, factoring in the expected recovery of unrealized losses and capacity expansion. Goldman noted that China Agri-Industries remained positive about its 2008 earnings as it has hedged the costs of its oilseed processing business. It also adopted a flexible subsidy mechanism to reduce margin volatility on its biofuel business, the brokerage said. Moreover, its new biofuel and biochem plants should contribute more to its earnings from 2008 while capacity expansion being extended to other divisions as well, Goldman said. China Agri-Industries reported yesterday that its 2007 net profit rose 46 pct year-on-year to 1.1 bln hkd, 7 pct below Goldman's estimate. However, the net profit included an unrealized loss of 381 mln hkd from hedging activities in its oilseed processing business. The company said it expects to fully recover the unrealized loss in the first half of this year. At 3.50 pm, shares of China Agri-Industries were trading up 0.15 hkd or 2.87 pct at 5.38.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Warren Buffet's words of wisdom...


●華倫.巴菲特描述自己的投資方針是「簡單、傳統、不多樣」。
●被網路公司引誘的投資人就好像參加舞會的灰姑娘一樣,沒有在午夜的期限之前趕緊離開,結果漂亮的馬車又變回南瓜。不過最大的問題在於,這場舞會上的時鐘並沒有指針。
●對於購併的對象,我們偏愛那些會「產生現金」而非「消化現金」的公司。
●我不認為包含我自己本身在內能夠「成功」地預測股市短期間的波動。
●與這群「樂在其中」並以像老板一樣心態經營公司的專業經理人在一起工作真是一種享受。
●我非常熱愛我的工作,每天早上去上班時,都會覺得自己好像是要到西斯汀教堂作壁畫一樣。(註:米開爾基羅名畫「最後的審判」完成處)
●我們的集團總部佔地僅1,500平方呎(約合42坪左右)總共只有十二人,剛好可以組一隻籃球隊。
●依我們過去的經驗顯示,要「找到」一家好的保險公司並不容易,但要「創立」一家更難。
●依我們過去的經驗顯示,從公開市場所買進部份股權的價格遠比整筆購併所談的價格要低的許多。
●會計報表只是評估企業價值的起點,而非最終的結果。
●經理人在思索會計原則時,一定要謹記林肯總統本身最常講的一句俚語:「如果一隻狗連尾巴也算在內的話,總共有幾條腿?答案還是四條腿,因為不論你是不是把尾巴當作是一條腿,尾巴永遠還是尾巴!」,這句話提醒經理人就算會計師願意幫你證明尾巴也算是一條腿,你也不會因此多了一條腿。
●所謂「市場效率學說」之類的投資教條,不過是為了增加投資的神祕性,好讓投資顧問得以從中牟利罷了。
●「不要把所有雞蛋放在同一個籃子裡」的謬論是錯誤的,投資應該像馬克.吐溫建議的「把所有雞蛋放在同一個籃子裡,然後小心地看好它。」
●企業主須了解其利益,乃來自於企業內在價值(Intrinsic Value)的成長,而不是其持有股票之短期波動。
●如何去維護股東最大的權益,不僅是監督一家企業最重要的項目,也是一個理想的管理團隊首要之考量。
●巴菲特說︰「波克夏有兩種低成本且無風險的資金來源︰應付所得稅與保險浮存金。」
●若歷史資料是致富之鑰的話,那麼富比士四百大富豪將會有一大堆圖書館員。
●巴菲特說︰「買下波克夏紡織廠是他畢生投資所犯的第一個錯誤。」
●談到對於吉列刮鬍刀持股的看法,巴菲特說他每晚都能安然入睡,只要想到隔天早上會有二十五億的男性要刮鬍子。
●巴菲特說︰「喜斯糖果會讓吉列公司旗下的歐樂B牙刷銷路更好。」
●孟格說︰「喜斯糖果是我們頭一次為品牌付出代價。」巴菲特說︰「若沒有買下喜斯糖果,就不會有之後的可口可樂投資。」
●巴菲特他自己報稅,自稱是電腦文盲,雖然他比惟一比他富有的比爾蓋茲結為摯友。
●對於高科技股巴菲特敬謝不敏,他說:「對於高科技產業我們並不具備獨到眼光能洞悉何者能具有長久的競爭優勢,所以我們寧願選擇我們所懂的。」
●自1965年入主波克夏以來,除了曾與他的妻子聯合捐贈二千五百股(現在價值一億四千五百萬美元)給四家慈善機構外,巴菲特從未將其持股出售過。
●巴菲特表示在他與其妻子死後,將會把他們大部份的財產捐給巴菲特基金會。
●為平息外界對其繼任人選的猜測,巴菲特首度指出蓋可保險公司的路易士.辛普生將會在他死後接替他與長期合夥人查理孟格,執掌波克夏公司。
●我們從不,也沒有,也不會對未來一年內的股市、利率或產業環境有任何看法。

●我們從未想到要預估股市未來的走勢。
●短期股市的預測是毒藥,應該要把他們擺在最安全的地方,遠離兒童以及那些在股市中的行為像小孩般幼稚的投資人。
●有人問巴菲特預計什麼時後要退休,他回答:「大約在我死後五到十年左右」。
●有人問巴菲特死後,其所投資的公司會有什麼影響,他回答:「可口可樂短期間的銷售量可能會爆增,因為我打算在陪藏的飛機裏塞滿可口可樂」。
●巴菲特說︰「有生之年我都會繼續經營波克夏,之後我可能會透過降神會工作。」

●在購併General RE公司後,賣掉其所持有獲利不菲價值四十六億美金的美國零息公債後,債券仍持續大漲時,巴菲特淡淡地表示:「我們投入的早,不過賣得更早了一點」。
●儘管我們的組織登記為公司,但我們是以合夥的心態來經營。
●巴菲特說︰「一般共同基金的管理費用是百分之一點二五,我們則只有萬分之五。」
●我們自給自足。
●以GEICO這個case,乃至於我們所有的投資,我們看得是公司本質的表現而非其股價的表現,如果我們對公司的看法正確,市場終將還它一個公道。
●Phil Graham在擔任華盛頓郵報的發行人時曾說:「新聞日報是攥寫歷史的第一手草稿」,而很不幸的,產險業者所提供的年度財務報告,也可稱得上是該公司年度財務與經營狀況的第一手草稿。
●在購併國際乳品公司時巴菲特說到:「我們把錢擺在吃得到的地方」。
●在1996年的公司年報中,巴菲特說自己正在研究可口可樂公司100年前的年報(1896年),而那時可口可樂剛問世約10年。當時的總裁坎德勒說道︰「大約從今年3月1日開始……我們雇佣了10名與辦公室有系統聯系的旅行銷售員,這樣我們就幾乎覆蓋了整個合眾國的領土。」雖然那一年可口可樂的銷售額才14.8萬美元,而1996年已高達大約32億美元,但巴菲特對當時領導人的雄心與努力仍是贊嘆不已。

●巴菲特曾說過一個故事︰他的朋友在看到他的一次重大投資失誤後,問巴菲特︰「雖然你很富有,為什麼這麼笨呢?」
●巴菲特表示,「除非有足夠的補償,否則查理(Charlie Munger,巴菲特倚重的左右手)和我即使連最小的風險都不願承受。活到現在,我們所承受過的最大風險,是吃下過期一天的乳酪。」
●巴菲特在1985年結束波克夏紡織部門營運時,曾解釋道︰「我們不會因為想要將企業的獲利數字增加一個百分點,便結束比較不賺錢的事業,但同時我們也覺得只因公司非常賺錢便無條件去支持一項完全不具前景的投資的作法不太妥當,亞當 史密斯一定不贊同我第一項的看法,而卡爾 馬克斯卻又會反對我第二項見解,而採行中庸之道是惟一能讓我感到安心的作法。」
●巴菲特在1985年結束波克夏紡織部門營運時,又解釋道︰「一隻能數到十的馬是隻了不起的馬,卻不是了不起的數學家,同樣的一家能夠合理運用資金的紡織公司是一家了不起的紡織公司,但卻不是什麼了不起的企業。」
●巴菲特說︰「在波克夏我們不用去告訴一個打擊率四成的選手如何揮棒。」

●1950年代巴菲特花了一百五十元去上卡內基課程,他說這麼做「不是為了讓我在演講時膝蓋不會發抖,而是要學會如何在膝蓋發抖時,還能繼續演講。」
●巴菲特說在他四十多年的投資生衙中,只有靠十二個投資決策,造就他今日與眾不同的地位。
●許多人盲目投資,從某方面來說等於是通宵玩牌,但卻從未曾看清楚自己手中的牌。
●對於波克夏惟一的奢侈品~個人專機無議號,巴菲特說︰「只要我一死,波克夏的帳面盈餘立刻可增加一百萬,因為查理無視於我希望與之同葬的心願,隔天一定馬上把飛機處份掉。」
●巴菲特︰「我身上流有百分之十五費雪與百分之八十五葛拉漢的血液。」他本身的投資策略係結合兩者之所長,對企業與其經營特質作深入研究,係學自費雪;對於價格與數量上的概念,則源自於葛拉漢。
●巴菲特將恩師葛拉漢「以低價買進某公司股票,待公司有轉機後在高價賣出的方法」稱之為「煙屁股投資法」。
●巴菲特說︰「當我拾起葛拉漢的證券分析,在閱讀的過程中我好像看到了光明。在所有討論投資的書籍當中,這無疑是最好的一本」
●巴菲特說︰「看過葛拉漢的智慧型股票投資人(註:證券分析的普級版)所得到的啟示,就好像是聖保祿走到大馬士革所經歷的一樣。」
●巴菲特說︰「其恩師葛拉漢在聰明的投資人一書的結語~最聰明的投資方式就是把自己當成公司的老闆,這句話是有史以來有關於投資理財最重要的一句話。」
●巴菲特說︰「因為我把自己當成是企業的經營者,所以我成為更優秀的投資人;而因為我把自己當成是投資人,所以我成為更優秀的企業經營者。」
●葛拉漢︰「投資人只應該買進股價低於淨值三分之二的股票。」
●葛拉漢︰「你付出的是價格,得到的是價值。」
●巴菲特︰ 「恩師葛拉漢曾說︰短期來看市場是個投票機器,但長期來看則是個體重計。」
●巴菲特︰「我從恩師葛拉漢那裏學到一個終身難忘的忠告,他說並不是因為別人同意你的看法,就代表你一定是對的,而是當你根據正確的事實作正確的判斷時,你才是對的,這是你惟一站在對的一方的理由。」
●巴菲特用心學習葛拉漢.紐曼公司的套利密訣,然後加以發揚光大。
●巴菲特︰「葛拉漢是有史以來最偉大的財務學老師,由於他不吝於分享個人的聰明才智,而使我獲益匪淺,所以我也相信應當把他傳授給我的知識傳承下去,即使這樣可能會使波克夏產生許多潛在的競爭對手。」
●巴菲特︰「我何其有幸能夠看到葛拉漢與費雪兩人偉大的著作,他們在沒有任何的經濟誘因下,將思想記錄下來,如果當初我沒有讀過費雪的作品,就不可能有今天的財富,幾十年前我只花幾塊錢就能買到他的書,現在如果用複利計算這項投資其獲利率不知凡幾。」
●巴菲特說︰「葛拉漢與我的投資觀念不大一樣,他不想花太多的時間去做企業分析。」
●巴菲特說︰「在他一生中對他影響最大的三個人分別是他父親、恩師葛拉漢與同事兼好友查理孟格。」
●巴菲特說︰「創造營業收益所需的時間,通常不大可能與行星繞太陽一週的時間相吻合。」
●對於購併所需資金,波克夏隨時作好萬全準備,巴菲特說︰「如果你想要打中罕見且移動迅速的大象,那麼你應該隨時把槍帶在身上。」
●巴菲特說︰「股市與上帝一樣,會幫助那些自助者,但與上帝不同的是,祂不會原諒那些不知道自己在作什麼的人。」
●巴菲特說︰  「一份強勢報紙的經濟實力是無與倫比的,也是世上最強勢的經濟力量之一。」;「一家典型的報社可將旗下發行報紙售價調高一倍,而仍保有百分之九十的讀者。」
●在成功撮合首都公司與ABC合併後,巴菲特說︰「我擔心恩師葛拉漢會從棺材裏爬出來為我這一投資計劃喝采。」
●對於好友ABC湯姆墨菲,巴菲特稱讚到︰「湯姆墨菲不但是偉大的管理者,也是那種你會希望將自己女兒嫁給他的人。」
●1986年巴菲特正式宣佈櫻桃可口可樂為波克夏股東年會的指定飲料。
●巴菲特說︰「所謂的消費者特許權是指大家偏愛而願意付額外的代價購買某個牌子的產品。」
●巴菲特說︰「如果你給我一千億美金要我把可口可樂打倒,即使我的心可能會很痛,我還是會將錢原封不動的退還。」
●巴菲特說︰「可口可樂與吉列刮鬍刀是世界上最好的兩家公司。」
●對於所羅門出事的看法,巴菲特說︰「評估一個人時,你必須看準其三項特質:正直、智力與活力,若缺乏第一項,後面兩項可能會把你害慘。」
●一位哥倫比亞大學的學生問到巴菲特關於投資美國航空的原因,他說︰「對啊!我的心理醫生也問我相同的問題。」
●對於聯邦住宅抵押貸款公司佛萊迪麥克(Freddie Mac)的看法,巴菲特說︰「雙獨佔僅次於壟斷。」
●巴菲特說︰「你能對一條魚解釋在陸上行走的滋味嗎?在陸地上生活一天的真實感覺,勝過以言語解釋它一千年,而實地親身去經營企業也是如此。」
●巴菲特說︰「我和我喜歡的人一起工作,世界上沒有任何一種工作比經營波克夏更有趣。」
●巴菲特說︰「人們習慣把每天短線進出股市的投機客稱之為投資人,就好像大家把不斷發生一夜情的愛情騙子當成浪漫情人一樣。」
●當1988年波克夏股票在紐約證券交易所掛牌上市時,巴菲特半開玩笑地對經紀商說︰「假如你從今天起在兩年內能成交一筆波克夏的股票,你就算是成功了。」
●巴菲特說︰「所謂擁有特許權的事業,是指那些可以輕易提高價格,且只需額外多投入一些資金,便可增加銷售量與市場佔有率的企業。」
●巴菲特說︰「香煙是一個相當理想的行業,製造成本只要一分錢,但售價卻高達一塊錢,消費者會上癮,而且忠誠度非常的高。」
●巴菲特說︰「有的企業有高聳的護城河,裏頭還有兇猛的鱷魚、海盜與鯊魚守護著,這才是你應該投資的公司。」
●巴菲特說︰「信譽可能需要花一輩子的時間才能建立,但只要五分鐘便足以摧毀之。」
●對於員工認股選擇權的浮爛,巴菲特相當不能認同,他說︰「如果選擇權不是對員工的一種報酬,那它算是什麼?如果報酬不算是一種費用,那它又是什麼?如果費用不列入損益表中,那它又應該擺在那裏?」
●有人質疑巴菲特的投資策略只是運氣好而已,他講了一個有關*機率*的故事回答它們︰「一群豬共有128000隻,分別來自全世界各農場舉行丟銅板比賽,投出正面的晉級,投出反面的淘汰,經過九回合後,只剩下250隻豬晉級,有人認為那250隻豬只是運氣好而 已」巴菲特接著又說︰「如果你發現晉級的250隻豬有200隻全是某農場來的,那你就必須問︰那個農場餵豬的飼料有沒有特別之處?」
●對於完全市場效率學說巴菲特完全不能認同,他反而感謝那些相信這種鬼話的機構投資人,讓他能夠佔儘便宜,他說︰「我們實在欠提出這種理論的學者太多了,就好比當我們在參加橋牌、西洋棋或是選股等鬥智的競賽中,對手卻被教練告知思考是白費力氣的一件事。」
●微軟總裁比爾蓋茲說︰「基本上我也是一個巴菲特迷。」
●巴菲特︰「若讓微軟總裁比爾蓋茲去賣熱狗,他一樣可以成為熱狗王。」
●被問到對他的好友微軟總裁比爾蓋茲的看法時,巴菲特說︰「我不夠資格去評判他的技術能力,但我認為他的商業頭腦非凡,如果讓比爾蓋茲去賣熱狗,他一樣可以變成世界級的熱狗王。」
●巴菲特說︰「比爾蓋茲是我的好朋友,他可能是世界上最聰明的人,至於那小東西(指電腦)是做什麼用的我一點也不清楚。」
●巴菲特說︰「沒有公式能判定股票的真正價值,唯一方法是徹底了解這家公司。」

●巴菲特說︰「你應該選擇投資一些連笨蛋都會經營的企業,因為總有一天這些企業會落入笨蛋的手中。」
●巴菲特說︰「若你不打算持有一支股票達十年以上,那麼你當初根本就不要買進。」
●巴菲特說︰「買股票時,應該假設明天開始股市要休市3~5年。」
●巴菲特說︰「沒有公式能判定股票的真正價值,唯一方法是徹底了解這家公司。」
●巴菲特說︰「風險是來自於你不知道你在做什麼。」
●巴菲特說︰「只有退潮時,你才知道誰是在光著身子游泳。」
●巴菲特對子女們說︰「想過超級富翁的生活,別指望你老爸。」
●巴菲特說︰「就算是傑西歐文斯的小孩要參加百公尺賽跑,也不能享受從五十公尺線起跑的待遇。」
●巴菲特反對取消遺產稅,他說︰「那就像是挑選二○○○年奧運會金牌得主的長子來組成二○二○年參賽隊伍一樣。」
●巴菲特說︰「想要在股市從事波段操作是神做的事,不是人做的事。」
●巴菲特說︰「我從十一歲開始就在作資金分配這個工作,一直到現在都是如此。」
●巴菲特說︰「波克夏就像是商業界的大都會美術館,我們偏愛收集當代最偉大的企業。」
●巴菲特說︰「四十五年前我看到機會卻沒什麼錢,四十五年後我有錢卻找不到機會。」
●巴菲特說︰「不投資科技股絕對不是迷信不迷信的問題。」
●巴菲特說︰「我們充份了解科技為整個社會所帶來的便利與改變,只是沒有人能預測往後十年這些科技公司會變怎樣,我常跟比爾蓋茲及安迪葛洛夫在一起,他們也不敢保證。」
●巴菲特說︰「我對總體經濟一竅不通,匯率與利率根本無法預測,好在我在作分析與選擇投資標的時根本不去理會它。」
●巴菲特說︰「我想我不會投資黃金,因為我看不出將這種金屬從南非的地底挖出,再把它放到福克斯堡的金庫中有何意義。」
●巴菲特說︰「利率就像是投資上的地心引力一樣。」
●巴菲特說︰「我們偏愛的持股期限是永遠。」
●巴菲特說︰「若有人跟你談諸如Beta等市場效率理論的東西時,趕快閃人。」
●巴菲特說︰「投資的密訣在於,看到別人貪心時要感到害怕,看到別人害怕時要變得貪心。」
●巴菲特說︰「基本上,我之所以加入民主黨是因為當初我覺得民主黨的民權政策與我的觀念較接近。」
●巴菲特說︰「我對一切與數字與金錢有關的事物都非常著迷。」
●巴菲特說︰「葛拉漢教我投資低價股,是孟格幫助我修正這路線,這是他對我最大的影響。」
●查理孟格說︰「我一直以富蘭克林作為我生活的典範,他四十二歲辭掉工作,專心做一位作家、國會議員、人道主義者、投資人與科學家。這是為什摸我要培養企業以外興趣的原因」
●查理孟格說︰「網路與科技為整個社會所帶來的利與弊,就好像是葡萄乾跟狗屎一樣,不過兩者混在一起後,還是一堆狗屎。」
●查理孟格說︰「對整個社會來說,網路或許不錯,但對資本家而言,卻絕對是個負數,因為雖然網路能增加企業的效率,但對獲利卻一點幫助有沒有。」
●查理孟格說︰「波克夏的企業作風是相當老式保守的,大概跟富蘭克林或卡內基差不多,難道你認為卡內基有可能會請顧問來教他如何作生意嗎?我們旗下的企業文化也大多是如此。」
●查理孟格說︰「我實在不曉得微軟到底犯了什麼罪,若微軟真的有罪,那波克夏旗下的企業應該學學如何去犯這種罪。」
●巴菲特說︰「垃圾債券總有一天會變成名符其實的垃圾。」
●巴菲特反對股票分割配股,他甚至半開玩笑地在朋友的生日賀卡上寫到「祝你活到波克夏分割股票之時。」
●巴菲特推許奧美廣告創辦人的管理哲學~ 「如果我們雇用一堆比我們矮小的人,那麼我們會變成一堆侏儒, 但相反地若我們雇用一堆比我們高大的人,那麼我們終將變成一群巨人」 巴菲特小故事...
●巴菲特說︰「我對1929年的股市大崩盤感受特別深刻,當時我父親是個股票營業員,為了躲避慘遭套牢的客戶,只好整天窩在家裏,而你知道那時電視還不是那麼地普及,所以…嗯…我母親大概就是那時後懷了我,大約九個月後,我於1930年的八月三十聒聒落地。」 外界評語...
●浮華世界(Vanity Fair)︰「他最重要的工作就是管理他對別人的影響。」
●錢雜誌(Money)︰「如果波克夏除非由上帝所經營的,這樣它的高股價才合理。」

●史坦普(S & P)︰「波克夏是二十世紀最典型的投資成功故事。」
●一位巴菲特當年的合夥人︰「你得從他家後門進去,穿越廚房、客廳,然後上樓到他的臥室去找他。」
●查理孟格︰「巴菲特的頭腦是個超級理性的機制,你簡直就像能親眼看到他的大腦運作一樣。」
●查理孟格︰「這麼多年來我閱人無數,巴菲特可以說是所有人當中改變最少的一個。」
●巴菲特是哥倫比亞商學系有史以來成績最好的學生,葛拉漢最得意的門生。他的數學能力很強,而了解經濟價值的能力則是他的天賦。
●當初拒絕投資巴菲特的可口可樂前總裁奇歐︰「從那時起我們便開始後悔不已,若當初把那麼一點點錢交給他,說不定現在我已經擁有一所大學了。」
●巴菲特的女兒小蘇珊︰「小時後我不太曉得父親到底在做什麼,同學問我時我就說是證券分析師,很多人以為那是檢查警報安全系統之類的工作。」
●華盛頓郵報發行人葛蘭姆女士︰「他極端節儉,有一次在機場,我向他借十美分要打電話,沒想到他竟要拿著一枚二十五分的硬幣到遠處去兌換。」「有一次他請人要我把借我一本葛拉漢的書趕快還給他,因為書是從奧瑪哈的公立圖書館借來的,逾期會被罰款。」
●雖然許多人包括華爾街人士,都密切注意巴菲特的一舉一動,但他自己卻謙遜地說︰「我曾刻意地注意自己的”一舉一動”,不過實在是不怎麼樣。」
●微軟比爾蓋茲有一次被問到「除了微軟以外,你最欣賞的CEO是誰?」蓋茲回答︰「巴菲特。這傢伙擅於思考。我喜歡會思考的人。他們絕不落於傳統智慧的俗套。」

●微軟比爾蓋茲說︰「他在撰寫擁抱未來(The Road Ahead)這本書時,就是把巴菲特這種不懂高科技的人當作心目中的讀者。」
●微軟比爾蓋茲說︰「以投資智慧聞名的巴菲特是我的好朋友,一直以來我都想如何教他使用電腦,我甚至跟他說只要他願意,我可以飛到他那裏去教他基本的入門,直到有一天他發現可以透過電腦連線與世界各地的橋牌愛好者一起打牌,情況才略有改觀。」
●微軟比爾蓋茲說︰「最近我們倆人一起帶著太太到中國大陸旅行,我覺得他說的笑話都非常有趣,他酷愛漢堡和可樂,總之我是個巴菲特迷。」
●波克夏副總裁高德保說︰「他實在聰明的不得了,反應快的驚人,跟在他身邊的人都有很大的精神壓力,想要努力趕上他思考的速度,在總部工作的人必須要有很強的自信心才得以存活。」
●巴菲特說︰「一個人的壽命長短與他父母的年齡非常有關,而我一直很注意我母親的飲食與運動習慣,她的運動腳踏車已跑了四萬英哩。」
●巴菲特的太太蘇珊說︰「巴菲特的血管裏流的不是血而是可樂,他連早餐都喝可樂。」
●巴菲特說︰「有一回他到比爾蓋茲家打橋牌,一連打了七個多小時,直到宴會開始賓客都已經在外面等了,蓋茲還欲罷不能。」
●巴菲特說︰「橋牌是最好的腦力運動,你每十分鐘就會看到新局面,在股市同樣是運用理性來作決定,橋牌就是一種權衡盈虧比率的遊戲。」
●巴菲特到紐約時喜歡與華盛頓郵報發行人葛蘭姆等三、五好友一起打一整夜的橋牌,吃花生、冰淇淋與火腿三明治,這是巴菲特到大蘋果時,最理想的紐約之夜。
●有一回巴菲特在地上看到一毛錢,他彎下腰拾起這枚硬幣,當時所有在場的人都驚訝不已,只見他說︰「這是另一個十億美元的開始。」
●有一回巴菲特與美國總統柯林頓進行私人性質的午餐,巴菲特建議柯林頓提高稅賦,控制花費是降低預算赤字的不二法門。
●水牛城新聞發行人利普席說︰「我們沒有所謂的預算,我們隨時隨地無不謹慎花用,因此也節省了製作預算所須耗費的大量開銷與時間,這種觀念在波克夏所屬企業是司空見慣的事。」
●某一年的聖誕節當巴菲特來到波爾仙珠寶店選購禮物時,珠寶店老闆耶魯大叫︰「不要把那戒指賣給巴菲特,把整間店賣給他。」
●蓋可保險前CEO拜恩說︰「從某個角度來說,蓋可造就了巴菲特的金融事業。」

●富比士雜誌發行人富比士說︰「所羅門如果沒有巴菲特的拔刀相助,一定會落得萬劫不復,無疑的是巴菲特拯就了所羅門。」 假如仔細留意巴菲特所說的話,也許未必能完全跟他一樣,但至少可以增長智慧,藉此我們或許可以成為一個更機伶、更沉穩的投資者。

CHINA Will be # 1 by 2017


China will return to the top, as #1 economy by 2017. On what basis will China return to the top? Not by the misleading per capita income, but by PPP adjusted for existing balance sheet and income statement basis, which better reflects the true health of an economy. I’m pleasantly surprised others mentioned PPP. Usually, the people talking economic will use GDP per capita as their best and only argument, like that covers everything. But GDP per capita leaves out many very important details, that are salient to calculating the real economic healthy of a country. Don’t confuse the size of an economy with the health of an economy. The most often quoted number is $35,000 per capita income in US. That sounds great if that is the only information you know. But once you factor in the debts of $8.4 trillion, unfunded liabilities between $45-$70 trillion, and the current population of US at about 300 million, the per capita debts is between $178,000 to $261,000 per US person, making the $35,000 income per capita look like chump change. Some people don’t know the debt numbers so they gain false solace thinking everything is great. Some other people know the debt numbers but ignore it, since truth isn’t what they want to present. USA has an illusion of wealth built largely on debt, from government, private sector, business sector, consumer credit, mortgages, etc. But Central Bankers around the world are increasingly alarmed at these obscene debt ratios, and are beginning to slow down purchases of dollars, and rebalancing their portfolio away. Beyond GDP, a PPP adjustment improves the economic forecasting. Other factors to take into account are the balance sheet and income statement items, specifically, all outstanding forms of debts, and deficits. Since China has very low debts, and very high savings (about 45% of GDP), it has attracted many in the world to do business with it, since other countries can see domestic consumption by China, as a way to buttress their own economy. Focus only on GDP per capita income, is misleading, since the health of an economy is much more than just that. China accounted for almost 25% of the world’s economy in 1800’s, and was the number one world economy back then. History will repeat, as China will return to the top this century. China is already the second largest economy in terms of PPP. If you factor in real balance sheet and income statement items with PPP, China will be the number one economy around 2017, and perhaps even sooner. Why? US is stuck with huge and increasing debts, as a result of fiscal and monetary irresponsibility by the government, and stuck with higher cost post 9/11 to cope with terrorism and homeland security. When Bush took office, the national debts were about $6 trillion. It’s now currently about $8.4 trillion, and at current deficits, it will be $9 trillion by the end of this year. This doesn’t even including the off balance sheet, as additional cost for the war on terror. The projected cost for just the unfunded liabilities from Social Security and Medicare, is estimated at $45-$70 trillion dollars (Range has to do with actuarial assumptions and whether the baby boomers will all live to, or beyond their actuarial life. This is possible since medical science is improving life expectancy). In summary: Some economist project China becoming the number one economy by 2017, not on a misleading per capita basis, but on a more accurate PPP with balance sheet and income statement basis, since GDP doesn’t pay the bills, revenues do. PPP, balance sheet, and income statement are better as it reflects revenues and expense, liabilities and assets. When you factor in these items, 2017 is not only possible, but as US debts continue to skyrocket, economist should revisit the 2017 projection, and revise it to reflect the additional cost post 9/11. ( ChinaDaily)

Friday, April 18, 2008

CNOOC,SINOPEC and PETROCHINA..

PetroChina H-shares fall on cloudy earnings outlook2008-4-18

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - PetroChina's H-shares in Hong Kong were sharply lower as its A-shares in Shanghai fell below its initial public offering price of 16.70 yuan for the first time since its debut on the mainland bourse last October. Dealers said pressures on PetroChina's shares in the Hong Kong and Shanghai markets may continue in the near term as its earnings prospects this year are clouded by losses in its refining operations and a levy which it pays the government for its oil output. Pressures on its earnings are ongoing despite the continuing uptrend in crude oil prices. At 11.15 am, PetroChina's H-shares were trading down 0.16 hkd or 1.58 pct at 9.94, off a low of 9.84. The Hang Seng index was up 130.9 points or 0.54 pct at 24,389.86. At 10.11 am, PetroChina's A-shares were down 1.6 pct at 16.60 yuan. "PetroChina is the biggest component stock in Shanghai and it is among the first that is targeted by investors in the event of any general downtrend or uptrend in that market," said Gideon Lo, an analyst at DBS Vickers. "Its continuing weakness in Shanghai and underperformance in Hong Kong relative to CNOOC and Sinopec is due to a view that its earnings this year will come under significant pressures despite the fact that crude oil prices remain at high levels," he said. "Chinese government policies are largely being blamed for PetroChina's predicament. Unlike Sinopec, which has already been allocated a government subsidy of over 10 bln yuan for its oil refining losses, there are no signs as yet that PetroChina will receive similar assistance," he said. "PetroChina also hardly benefits from the prevailing high crude oil prices because it has to pay the government a levy of 40 pct if crude oil price is above 40 usd per barrel," he said. Lo said the Chinese government appears to have taken the view that PetroChina should be able to offset losses in its downstream operations from revenue that it generates from its upstream business. "CNOOC is a pure upstream play and it is expected to benefit the most from the crude oil uptrend. In the case of Sinopec, its oil refining losses are mitigated by substantial amounts of subsidy from the government," he said. "PetroChina is in a relatively poorer situation as it is largely left to fend for itself - that's why most fund managers like CNOOC and Sinopec (rather) than PetroChina in many instances," he said. Lo noted that PetroChina's A-share performance does not always have a direct correlation to its counterpart in Hong Kong. "But there are times, like today, when bearish sentiment towards PetroChina's A-shares can pull down its H-shares in Hong Kong," he said.

Friday, April 11, 2008

China Resources Power is "Top Pick" among..

BROKER CALL - China Resources Power 'top pick' on cost controls -

Citigroup has selected Hong Kong-listed China Resources Power ("buy/low risk") as its "top pick" in the independent power producer segment as it is better able to control spiraling coal costs. The brokerage predicted in a note to investors that average net profits among Chinese independent power producers would fall by 38 pct year-on-year in 2008. It said that consensus earnings predictions for this year were "too optimistic" because they failed to fully account for coal price rises and also assumed that the government would step in and raise state-set power tariffs in the second half of the year. Results for the first quarter are also expected to lead to a period of instability among Chinese power stocks, and will probably lead to cuts in earnings forecasts, Citigroup said. Shanghai-listed Huadian Energy has already issued a profit warning for the first quarter because of rising coal prices, lower utilization rates and the government's refusal to raise tariffs, Citigroup said, and other companies in the sector are likely to follow suit. Citigroup has rated Huadian Energy's Hong Kong-listed sister company, Huadian Power International, at "sell" with a target price of 2.20 hkd. It closed trade today at 2.17 hkd. Its target price for China Resources Power stands at 23 hkd. The stock closed up 0.26 hkd or 1.53 pct at 17.24.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

PetroChina cut to "SELL"TP HKD 9

HONG KONG (Thomson Financial) - Citigroup said Thursday it has cut its rating on PetroChina Co to "sell" from "hold" as it expects the oil producer to incur greater losses in its refining division given the high oil price environment. Citi reduced PetroChina's earnings per share estimate for 2008 by 15.4 percent and for 2009 by 5.5 percent. "While higher oil prices will drive higher E&P [exploration and production] division earnings, we expect this to be more than offset by higher losses in PetroChina's refining division," said Citi analyst Graham Cunningham in a note to investors. The brokerage also cut its target price on the stock to HK$9 from HK$10.26. Shares in PetroChina fell 2.7 percent to HK$9.98 in the morning session after international crude oil prices topped $112 per barrel for the first time last night. The Hong Kong-listed arm of China's biggest oil producer announced last month a lower-than-expected 2.4 percent increase in its 2007 earnings. PetroChina booked an operating loss of 20.7 billion yuan from its refining business because of the widening gap between global crude oil prices and the regulated prices of refined products in China. First-quarter earnings are also expected to disappoint due to high refining losses, said Cunningham. The breakeven point for PetroChina's refining segment is $66-$67 per barrel of oil. The company earlier said that for every $1 rise in the crude oil price above that breakeven point, PetroChina will suffer a full-year loss of 32.4 billion yuan from its refining segment. (not very convincing!!)

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Worst is not over yet...

HONG KONG (Thomson Financial) - Hong Kong shares closed a skittish session lower on Wednesday after a slump in the mainland markets prompted investors to dump Chinese stocks in late trade, driving the key index below the 24,000-point level. The Hang Seng index finished down 327.12 points or 1.4 percent at 23,984.57. Turnover was $HK83.4 billion ($10.7 billion). The Shanghai Composite Index closed down 5.5 percent, with banks leading the rout amid worries over a possible new round of monetary tightening. Subscriptions for Jinduicheng Molybdenum's initial public offering also took away funds from the secondary market. Mainland insurers were among the major decliners in Hong Kong, with China Life Insurance Co down 3.7 percent at $HK 29 and Ping Ang down 3.9 percent at $63. Fresh worries over the global economy sparked by an IMF report on the widening credit crisis also weighed on local shares. On Tuesday the IMF said worldwide losses stemming from the subprime mortgage crisis could come in close to $1 trillion, much more than earlier projections, as the effects spread in the global economy. "The worst of the crisis is not yet over. It may last until the end of the year. Investors will go for cover and sell their holdings," said Francis Lun, general manager at Fulbright Securities. Oil refiner China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (Sinopec) tumbled 3.8 percent to HK$7.01. Oil prices rose toward $109 per barrel in Asian trade this morning before the release later Wednesday of the weekly report on U.S. energy stockpiles. Mainland offshore oil producer CNOOC slid 2.8 percent to HK$11.98. Market watchers believe oil industry fundamentals will not support the current high prices for crude. A correction in oil prices could trigger a slide in CNOOC's share price, which had risen sharply on record high crude prices. PetroChina was down 3.6 percent at HK$10.26. Shares in Hong Kong-based fashion retailer Esprit Holdings fell on worries over lower retail sales in Germany, its single biggest market. The stock was down 3.8 percent at HK$90.00. Cellphone carrier China Unicom lost 3.2 percent at HK$16.36. Air China fell 6.4 percent to HK$6.14 on reports that it will borrow 80 billion yuan from banks to boost its working capital and sell up to 400 million shares on the mainland to fund its aircraft acquisition. China's biggest international airline is expecting the number of passengers it carries to rise 15 percent this year to 40 million. China Coal Energy rose 1.4 percent to HK$15.04 before the company's announcement of its 2007 earnings later Wednesday. China's second-largest coal company is expected to report 86.4 percent growth in net profit to 5.91 billion yuan, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial. Metal stocks corrected after Tuesday's sharp rally. Gold Miner Zijin Mining tumbled 7 percent to HK$8 and Angang Steel slid 4 percent to HK$18.96. Aluminum Corp of China (Chalco) fell 4 percent to HK$12.96.

Monday, April 7, 2008

China's power sector downgraded

BROKER CALL - China's power sector downgraded on high costs - Goldman Sachs2008-4-7 11:53:00 a.m. HKT, XFNA

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - Goldman Sachs downgraded the Chinese electric power sector to "cautious" from "neutral", saying that China's independent power producers are facing lower margins and increased costs. In a note to investors, the brokerage said that the "worst was yet to come", with shares expected to come under pressure when the companies' first quarter results are announced. China Resources Power (rated "buy") is in the strongest position because it has managed to control its costs more effectively, the note said. However, Huaneng has been put on Goldman Sachs' "sell conviction list" because the market has not fully priced in the company's growing coal costs, as well as its debt burden. Huadian has also been cut to "sell" from "neutral", while Datang has been downgraded to "neutral" from "buy". Overall, Goldman Sachs' 12-month target prices for the companies have been cut by up to 34 pct, and it estimates that earnings per share in 2008-9 will fall by up to 50 pct, again as a result of higher coal costs. The sector is facing growing coal costs -- China's power companies have already raised their estimate for 2008 unit coal price increases to 18 pct from 15 pct -- and any increase in electricity tariffs by government regulators is likely to be delayed until at least the second half of the year, Goldman Sachs said.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Dow Jone ups 391 pts, KLCI downs 11 pts..WHY???

while all the other bourses performing well following the DJ , Malaysia KLCI down by 11 pts!! What an upset to Malaysians!

Major reason to the down fall of KLCI is due to the political turnmoil fueled by ex-PM TUN Mahatir. It seems like no body is qualified to be the PM except himself.

子曰 "不在其位,不谋其政",meaning" if you are not holding the position , don't talk". Of course one cannot expect TUN M to understand the meaning. He simply the BEST!!!No other candidate can be better!

If this political scene prolongs, you can only expect the market to perform worse regardless how other markets perform. All the 9MP and Corridors are just an illusions or castle in the air! Nothing more than dreaming!