After returning from the Better Investing National Convention (BINC), I was compelled to write a posting for my stock picks, as if I were on the stock panel. I was merely an audience member at the BINC stock panel, but I thought some of their stock picks were a bit stinky… but that is just my opinion.
So let’s look at how my picks have done for the last six months. Obviously, I would never invest with a six month time horizon. Please understand this is an exercise for our enjoyments and education. No part of this post may be considered as investment advice. I do own shares in some of the companies discussed. Do your own homework and analysis before investing.
The percentage gain numbers below are simple percentages — they would be bigger on an annualized basis.
Catalyst Health Solutions
Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc. is a full-service pharmacy benefit management (PBM) company. The Company operates under the brand name Catalyst Rx. The Company provides its clients access to a contracted, non-exclusive national network of approximately 63,000 pharmacies. It also provide its clients members with timely and adjudication, while controlling pharmacy spending trends through customized plan designs, clinical programs, physician orientation programs and member education.
June 13, 2010 price: $38.09
Dec 14, 2010 price: $47.21
Gain: 23.94%
Apple
Apple Inc. (Apple) designs, manufactures, and markets personal computers, mobile communication devices, and portable digital music and video players, and sells a variety of related software, services, peripherals, and networking solutions.
June 13, 2010 price: $253.51
Dec 14, 2010 price: $320.29
Gain: 26.34%
Kinder Morgan Partners
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. (KMP) is a pipeline transportation and energy storage company in North America. KMP owns an interest in approximately 28,000 miles of pipelines and 180 terminals. It has five business segments: products pipelines, natural gas pipelines, CO2, terminals and Kinder Morgan Canada. On October 1, 2009, KMP acquired the natural gas treating business from Crosstex Energy, L.P. and Crosstex Energy, Inc.
June 13, 2010 price: $64.49
Dec 14, 2010 price: $70.41
Gain: 9.18% + 6.88% yield
Baidu
Baidu, Inc. (Baidu) is a Chinese-language Internet search provider. The Company conducts its operations in China principally through Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., its wholly owned subsidiary in Beijing, China. It also conducts its operations in China through Baidu Netcom Science Technology Co., Ltd., which holds the licenses and approvals necessary to operate the Company’s Websites and provide online advertising services.
Note that I emphasized this to be a speculative pick in my original posting.
June 13, 2010 price: $72.85
Dec 14, 2010 price: $106.62
Gain: 46.36%