Thursday, March 10, 2011

Bought JNJ @ 59.43

The position makes 2% of my total portfolio and depending on the price movements I will be willing to put 5-10% of my portfolio in it.

JNJ had a tough 2010 and will have a tough 2011. But prospects for the company and the stock look good in the long term.

At 59 $/share I paid around 10.5x free cash flow of 2010 which is not too expensive but not cheap either. But as Buffett says "rather buy good business at a fair price than a fair business at a good price".

Other shares that are currently competing for my money are PKX, MSFT,BK and WFC

I bought this in my IRA account to avoid taxes on the dividends.JNJ pays around 45% of its FCF as dividends and buybacks.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Excerpts from Seth Klarman's 2010 Letter

http://myinvestingnotebook.blogspot.com/2011/03/our-national-predicament-excerpts-from.html

Disaster hedging – always an important tool for investors – takes on heightened significance in today's unprecedentedly challenging environment. Yet, as this insight is not unique to us, the cost of insurance is high. There are no easy ways to navigate these turbulent waters. But because the greatest risks are of currency debasement and runaway inflation, protection against a currency collapse – such as exposure to gold – and against much higher interest rates seem like necessary hedges to maintain.

Berkowitz writes to St Joe Employees as the new Chairman


Exhibit 99.1
Associates of St. Joe:
These past months have not been easy — especially, for you and your families.
Your new Board understands this and our responsibilities to all stakeholders of Joe. We are already working hard for a better future.
Charlie Fernandez and I have traveled the globe twice in the past few months discussing all of the possibilities at Joe with top-class organizations.
We have asked leaders from all over the world to see the opportunities for themselves...and they’re coming.
St. Joe is a national treasure, capable of developing world-class communities for work and play. We will not waste these opportunities.
Today starts a new Board with fresh eyes and ears. Your new Board — with experience that will benefit Joe.
Governor Charlie Crist brings to Joe his fight for the people of Florida and, in particular, this very special part of our State.
Howard Frank, the Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Carnival Corp., brings to Joe decades of business success.
Charlie Fernandez and I bring Fairholme’s shareholders, clients and potential partners for win-win solutions.
We are moving fast to create a new vision, a meritocracy — where you are paid for performance, no matter your position. We will build a company with no ceilings.
However, I will not sugar coat the current situation. St. Joe is losing money, selling valuable assets to cover losses and is under attack.
We cannot continue on this course for long or there will be no Joe. Starting today, we will not continue down this road.
St. Joe will have the capital it needs, will build on what you have already done and will quickly move forward.
Joe will become a model of what can be.
My personal commitment to you is to take whatever steps are needed to make Joe successful.
I know change is painful, but the seeds of greatness are planted during tough times.
Hang in there!
Bruce