Browse by ▼

Robert Baillieul

All Posts

  • 3 Reasons Why Warren Buffett Hates Bonds

    By Robert Baillieul - May 22, 2013 | Tickers: BRK-B, BRK-A, IEF

    "We're not buying corporate bonds of any kind. Not at these yields." Warren Buffett

    "Bonds are terrible investments now." Warren Buffett

    "Bonds really should come with a warning label." Warren Buffett

    It's no secret that Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A)(NYSE: BRK-B) CEO Warren Buffett doesn't like bonds. The herald Oracle of Omaha has been warning investors to avoid the entire asset class in favor of better alternatives more »

  • The Investor's Guide to Gold ETFs

    By Robert Baillieul - May 22, 2013 | Tickers: UBG, TBAR, GLD

    You don't have to be a doomsday prepper to appreciate gold. There are several good reasons to consider adding the yellow metal to your portfolio including:

    • Gold acts as a safe haven in times of (inflationary) uncertainty,
    • Gold's low correlation to other assets reduces risk in a long-term portfolio, and 
    • Gold serves as a hedge against a decline in the U.S. dollar.

    Fortunately for investors, the advent more »

  • Can Google's Run Continue?

    By Robert Baillieul - May 21, 2013 | Tickers: AAPL, EBAY, GOOG

    As Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) shares approach the four digit mark, it's only reasonable for investors to wonder if the stock as gotten ahead of itself.

    But that's definitely not the case with Google. There're so maybe great stories in company's burgeoning empire that shares still have lots of room to run. Here're five reasons Google can continue higher. 

    Mobile

    The smartphone market is saturated. Today more »

  • 2 Holes in the Goldbug Thesis

    By Robert Baillieul - May 21, 2013 | Tickers: SLV, DBC, GLD

    Oh, the lonesome goldbug. Always on the fringes of the financial community but finally vindicated after a 12-year bull run in precious metal prices. 

    However, today goldbugs are under fire. Gold and silver prices, as measured by the SPDR Gold Trust (NYSEMKT: GLD) and the iShares Silver Trust (NYSEMKT: SLV), are down 25% and 30% year-to-date, respectively. 

    So what went wrong? Two holes are emerging in the bull thesis. 

    No more »

  • Hey Musclehead! 2 Reasons to Buy GNC Holdings

    By Robert Baillieul - May 20, 2013 | Tickers: GNC, NUS, VSI

    In the middle of a roaring bull market, finding great companies trading at reasonable prices becomes challenging. Top quality names are bid up and investors turn to second and third-rate stocks while hunting for value. 

    Fortunately, there're still some high-caliber plays that haven't run up with the rest of the market. GNC Holdings (NYSE: GNC) is one example. The company is best of breed in the fast growing more »

  • The Mobile Commerce Boom in 7 Charts

    By Robert Baillieul - May 20, 2013 | Tickers: AMZN, EBAY, GOOG

    The mobile commerce has emerged as the most important trend shaping the retail landscape and is being driven by two trends: (1) The rapid growth in smartphone and tablet ownership, and (2) the rapid acceptance of using these platforms as a shopping channel. 

    Smartphone sales have grown exponentially since their introduction 10 years ago. Over the past three years the total number of U.S. smartphone subscribers has doubled to more »

  • What's Best of Breed in the Organic Aisle?

    By Robert Baillieul - May 20, 2013 | Tickers: FWM, NGVC, TFM, WFM

    Once the domain of hippies and yuppies, organic food have gone mainstream. As part of the overall theme in healthy living, organic grocery sales have grown 15% in the past year creating a remarkable opportunity for investors. 

    But what's the best way to play this trend? A few years ago Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM) was the only public pure-play on organic supermarkets. But recently there's been a more »

  • 3 Reasons to Buy Whole Foods

    By Robert Baillieul - May 17, 2013 | Tickers: TFM, KR, WFM

    Investors tend to shy away from stocks approaching all-time highs. But there's no reason to back away from a strong stock if the company's fundamentals are in good shape. That's definitely the case with Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM).

    Growth

    Whole Foods is well positioned to benefit from the secular trend in healthy living. Consumers are paying more attention to health and wellness, which is driving sales more »

  • 3 Reasons to Buy This Retailer

    By Robert Baillieul - May 15, 2013 | Tickers: JCP, ROST, TJX

    With TJX Companies (NYSE: TJX) braking out to new all-time highs, it's understandable if investors are hesitant to buy shares at these prices. Luckily for us, there're plenty of reasons to consider picking up TJX.

    Great growth story

    TJX sits in a retail sweet spot by offering sought-after clothing and home furnishing brands at discount prices. And while the company has delivered 18% compounded earnings growth over the more »

  • Apple's 2013 Product Roadmap

    By Robert Baillieul - May 15, 2013 | Tickers: AAPL, GOOG, NOK

    It's been almost 200 days since Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) last major product announcement. But speculation is building that the company has a bounty of cool technologies in the pipeline.

    Here's your summary of Apple's rumored product roadmap for 2013. 

    Spring: World Wide Developers Conference

    Lots of news expected to come out of Apple's World Wide Developers Conference on June 10. 

    iOS7: Apple is expected to more »

  • 3 Reasons to Buy Priceline.com

    By Robert Baillieul - May 13, 2013 | Tickers: EXPE, OWW, PCLN

    Shares of Priceline.com (NASDAQ: PCLN) hit a new all-time high last week after the company reported strong first quarter results. But should investors chase the stock at these levels?

    Yes. Here are three reasons you should consider adding Priceline to your portfolio.

    Growth

    Priceline is delivering great growth for investors. During the first quarter, the company grew its quarterly top-line revenues 25% year-over-year to $1.3 billion and its more »

  • 3 Reasons Investors Should Stick with Bonds

    By Robert Baillieul - May 12, 2013 | Tickers: TLT, IEF, HYG

    "Bond crash dead ahead: tick, tick ... boom!" - MarketWatch

    "Bonds worst investment of a generation" - Financial Post

    "Waiting for the bond bubble to pop" - CNN

    The headlines in the financial media are clear: bonds are on the verge of collapse! When interest rates return to their historical averages, popular funds like the iShares Barclays 7-10 Year Treasury ETF (NYSEMKT: IEF) and the iShares Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NYSEMKT: TLTmore »)

  • The Problem With Chipotle in 3 Charts

    By Robert Baillieul - May 9, 2013 | Tickers: CMG, SBUX, YUM

    Chipotle (NYSE: CMG) was once the toast of Wall Street boasting a great growth story, good food, and happy customers. 

    But the company's recent financial results have exposed cracks in bull thesis. Here are three holes in the Chipotle story.

    Weak same store sales growth

    Chipotle's recent operating results have been disappointing. Last quarter, the company grinded out a measly 1% increase in comparable same store sales. That more »

  • 3 Reasons to Buy Enbridge

    By Robert Baillieul - May 9, 2013 | Tickers: ENB, KMI, TRP

    By 2017, the United States could become the world's largest energy producer. North America is awash in energy due to rapid growth in the Alberta oil sands, Eagle Ford, and the Bakken. But what's the best way to play this boom?

    Upstream producers are struggling because higher production is slamming right into a wall of low prices. 

    Refiners have profited handsomely but these stock have run up substantially more »

  • 2 Reasons Investors Should Stand Behind Lululemon

    By Robert Baillieul - May 8, 2013 | Tickers: GPS, LULU, UA

    See-through pants! Slowing growth? Lululemon Athletica (NASDAQ: LULU) bears have found plenty of fodder for their case in recent weeks. 

    But should investors give up on the yoga chain? Hardly. Here are two reasons to stick with the stock. 

    Buying opportunity

    Last quarter, Lululemon announced its much publicized recall of black Luon pants because new shipments didn't meet the company's standards for 'sheerness'. The mishap could cost the more »

  • 5 Reasons Starbucks Is Best of Breed

    By Robert Baillieul - May 7, 2013 | Tickers: DNKN, SBUX, THI

    In shopping we feel comfortable paying a premium for a good brand because it signifies reliability and quality that will pay off later.

    So why don't investors apply that same logic to the stock market? Too many investors are unwilling to pay up for the best companies because they're afraid of high price multiples. They're drawn to the 'bargain' second and third-rate competitors. But when it more »

  • 5 Reasons to Buy Dunkin' Brands

    By Robert Baillieul - May 6, 2013 | Tickers: DNKN, SBUX, THI

    There are five questions investors should consider when evaluating a growth stock:

    1. Does the company have a clear growth plan?
    2. Can management execute on its expansion strategy?
    3. Can the company protect or expand its margins?
    4. Is the stock reasonably priced?
    5. Does the company reward shareholders with dividends and buybacks?

    Let's see how Dunkin' Brands (NASDAQ: DNKN) stacks up.

    1) Clear expansion plan

    Dunkin' has three key growth drivers:

    Domestic more »

  • What Is Apple Doing With its Cash?

    By Robert Baillieul - May 4, 2013 | Tickers: AAPL, GOOG, MSFT

    $145 billion.

    That's how much cash Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) reported was sitting on its balance sheet last quarter. Given that this figure represents almost 40% of the company's market capitalization, investors should be watching how Apple invests its cash closely. 

    Let's take a look at how Apple invests its cash holdings based on the company's latest 10-Q filing. 

    Breakdown

    Corporate treasuries are important but boring affairs more »

  • 4 Reasons to Avoid Apple iBonds

    By Robert Baillieul - May 3, 2013 | Tickers: AAPL, GOOG, MSFT

    This week investors witnessed an important moment in financial history: Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) announced the largest corporate bond offerings in history issuing $17 billion in debt. 

    But investors would be best served to skip this new issue. Here are four reasons to avoid Apple's 'iBonds'. 

    Rising interest rates

    With yields at record lows, a slight increase in interest rates could result in massive losses for investors. 

    Based on Apple more »

  • Should Investors Buy Apple's 'iBonds'?

    By Robert Baillieul - May 1, 2013 | Tickers: AAPL, GOOG, MSFT

    Get ready! Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) iBonds are coming. 

    This week Apple filed an automatic shelf registration with the SEC in preparation for the company's upcoming bond issue. But should investors consider Apple's iBonds? Let's take a look. 

    Apple's plan

    Last week, Apple announced plans to return over $100 billion to shareholders by the end of 2015.  As part of this program, Apple will repurchase more »

  • Page 1 of 4