ragnarisapirate

IBAL, something that I have been long for quite a while, just dropped about 13% on something like $7.5K worth of stock trading hands... If I thought it would fly (and I could get financing) I would take the thing private at that price. I would imagine that is a pretty common thought in regard to a lot of small caps today.

it seems to me that this is just another indicator (along with the glut of cash on companies balance sheets) that there is getting ready to be a flood of money coming into the economy. If and when it happens, it will be interesting to see how prices and the Federal Reserve react.

And out of question, what would keep a group of well organized investors from buying some shares, and splitting them up in the accounts of their family members, or giving them to their friends as a gift, in order to get the shareholder count to over 300, making them report with the SEC (or, do a reverse share split of some nature to cash out small stock holders)? While I am not advocating such an action, I am curious as to your all's thoughts in regard to the cost versus the transparency that this would provide.

Is anybody here a shareholder that would be willing to send me some financial info on the company? I called to get a packet today, but, need to be a shareholder to get anything. Also, who is their auditor?

I agree, I have made a similar point to people when they make comments about being frustrated at the government. If you look at the US as an aggregate we have, A population that is in debt over their heads Extremely short term oriented Avoids long term hard work for short term fixes (obesity problems, diet pills etc) Is enamored by entertainment A population with a very shallow understanding of history I know some people on here will say "that's not me" sure it isn't, but if you look at the country in aggregate this is what we have, and our government who represents us? Seems like they fit the same mold as the people. I'm not surprised at the clowns in Washington, but then again I'm not surprised at the clowns wandering this great land who elected them either. This is my own personal theory, but I think if you want to change the course of things either of two things need to happen: 1) A crisis which forces a change (our current course) 2) Change the people Obviously changing the people is a much harder and longer problem, but I think ultimately this is the one that rewards the populace. Doing things like getting people to do budgets, save money, pay down debt, eat healthy, exercise, do well in school. The only problem with a crisis, is that the reaction is so hard to predict. For example, various crises have put in some of the most tyrannical dictators in history. Does anybody really think that the US populous is smart/not splintered enough to stave that off (think of how split Germany was in the 20s and 30s, while we are a long shot off from that, things are strange here)? While I certainly hope not, I am skeptical. In an age where the average person probably couldn't explain to you why the US losing it's AAA credit rating will likely make interest rates rise, I am skeptical of anything but our ability to continue screwing stuff up.

Well put, Hester.

Given all the talk of the market not discounting the potential of default, I have to wonder if there will be a rally tomorrow... Everybody seemed to think that this scenario would unfold as it did... Then again, I have always been terrible at making market predictions... For that matter, I am generally terrible at predicting any news release effects on a stock's price! The mere fact that I don't expect much to happen, probably means that this will be an insane market open. ;)

Guys, I am curious if you know of some commodity EFTish security, which is pretty broadly based- say, with all the things that make an economy run (eg cotton, wheat, corn, zinc, silver, copper, bacon, etc.) that has little/no counter party risk (if it actually owned the stuff in warehouses, that would be awesome, though, I doubt that sort of thing happens too much), which also uses leverage. I think that this would be a way to partially hedge inflation, and potentially benefit from it- especially if you could buy LEAPS of it. Even if you would just go long the financial instrument (if it exists) it should be a good way to preserve your capital in real terms (or, purchasing power). Not really endorsing the idea as of yet, but, rather, just trying to dig up some information. thanks in advance.

If and when they start dumping money into the economy, prices will likely rise... no? If prices rise, then, that puts a damper on demand..... and around and around we go. And, let's say that these company's declare a huge cash dividend, or buy back shares, mightent there be a chance that the stock price gets bid up to obscene levels? If we would get dividend payments, what would we do with the cash? Just throwing some scenarios out there...

I don't think you quite appreciate the viewpoint of the Tea Party. They don't think the Federal Government is too big; they think it's evil. So, to them, it's like saying we should continue operating the Death Star because, after all, the Death Star employs and supports most of the Empire! Doesn't matter to them. They're Luke Skywalker and they are going to blow up the Death Star, even if your random foot solider that works on it is just working 9-5 to put food on his family's table. They are a huge X Factor here. If we don't raise the ceiling and it's because the Tea Partier's reject a plan to do so, they will go down in history as perhaps the most powerful non-mainstream political force in the last 30 years. More powerful than Perot's Reform Party or Nader's Green Party. I almost laughed out loud at this. But, yes, I think that is a pretty fair explanation. Though, I will add that a lot of TEA Party members don't seem to mind a big government when it comes to stopping social issues that they abhor... Say, Darth Vader running around keeping gay people from marrying and such.

No doubt that over the long term, the Reid bill sucks. Though, it is the sort of thing that is passable, and will keep us paying our bills... I wonder why it is that no one would ever lend money to a family that was constantly funding it's living by an ever increasing amount of credit card debt... When it is the USA, then, it's a different story. Seriously, to all of you T-Bill owners out there: Why do you keep lending money to us in the US? Are you not worried about the repayment being made in fiat dollars that were essentially printed, and have the ability to lose so much purchasing power in the process?

After reading about the Reid bill, I am a lot less worried about this thing getting through. I am, however, still remain nervous about our entitlements and massive debt load... but, it seems like we are the best of the bad, when everyone out there is in pretty bad shape as well... Am I really to believe if the world defaults on debt, that the Swiss will really be that safe? Personally, I would feel much safer here. Anyway, I certainly have enough faith in our politicians to botch this up, and won't be shocked by anything that happens; tonight's speeches will be interesting to watch while having a few strong drinks. ;) In the mean time? I still sit on very little cash. I hold a lot of UWN, some SYMS, a little bit of some other stuff, and a fair amount of a nano-cap that is trading at 1-2 earnings, and less than 1/2 book. Part of it's business is dying, but, at the price I bought at, I really can't care what happens to it, or the economy. :)

There is a reason the federal government isn't run like a business. In a recession, businesses cut costs. What do you think would happen if the government did that? I would argue that we would probably be a lot better off, but, I have a feeling that you are Keynesian leaning, whereas I am Austrian leaning (but, wouldn't put myself into the demagoguery that the label often carries)... If the government cut costs during the recession, especially in areas like military spending, we wouldn't be having near the concern over the debt ceiling being raised, or, the imminent pain that our budget/deficit situation is likely going to cause.

How's the tax treatment with that going to work? I would assume a capital gain?

Guys, Is there a way to see all of the orders that are outstanding in a market for a security? I know you can see the bid/ask for several market makers on pinksheets.com, but, was hoping to get an idea for the number of orders that are out there... Basically, I am trying to build a position in a security that is pretty thinly traded and has a market cap under $2 million; if there was a huge block of stock that was available (say, as an All or nothing trade) I would might willing to buy it. As that sort of info isn't available through any means that I know of, I figured that I would check with you guys. Additionally, any input on ways to build positions in small companies would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to move pretty quickly on this one, and previously, have mainly just put out long dated good til canceled orders and let them sit for a while... Surely, there is a better way to go about it! Thanks in advance for any help.

The wide agreement of the assumption of a rally after an agreement is reached is what concerns me! I am making no predictions, but, don't see how something that is widely regarded as a certainty is such a certain thing.

The ownership of AAA bonds is what concerns me. Additionally, I can't imagine that if people don't get their government checks, that they won't be more apt to withdraw or spend cash that is in banks (be it doctors who receive medicaid payments, or seniors who get Social Security)- which could have some pretty bad effects, but, might offset any inflation caused if the fed buys bonds en masse to keep the prices from plummeting and interest rates going up. While I read the op-ed in the journal, I just can't see how everybody seeming unconcerned is a good thing.

So, given the new plan put out by Mitch McConnell and various other sparring in the Debt limit talks, how concerned are you guys about the US AAA credit rating. Furthermore, how concerned are you in regards to your holdings and such? Are your cash levels up?

I think that you guys are missing that there are a lot of factors that go into the price of concessions... There are different ways in which the whole thing effects individuals. While I don't completely agree with Munger, and think that creating an artificial shortage does help them get pricing power, he does have a point with it being part of the overall experience. There is certainly a social stigma against sneaking food and drinks into the theater, and frankly, even if they would allow you to bring stuff in, a lot of people wouldn't do it. I would associate it to using a coupon at a restaurant when you take a girl out on a date... Generally, if you do that, she isn't going to be that impressed. Though, I would venture to guess that a lot of the significant others of the posters on this board embrace frugality... but remember; not many of us are conventional. Furthermore, there is nothing like having a big-ass tub of movie theater popcorn with the fake butter on it, some candy, and a huge pop. Whether you do so in your own life of not, it is a great part of the experience for a lot of movie goers. Regardless, with this topic and many others, it is generally a bad mistake to say "y is so, because x is this way... and it is the case 100% of the time."

I just downloaded it... I got an error message once I started it up. :( However, that didn't stop me from getting the "flirt with hot girls" ad from the program. ;) Yeah, that part was sweet ah? DW Hey, if it can get Sanjeev enough ad revenue so that I can easily read this board on my phone, then I am happy and willing to put up with ads.

I just downloaded it... I got an error message once I started it up. :( However, that didn't stop me from getting the "flirt with hot girls" ad from the program. ;)

App it up! (Posted from my android device) :)

Yeah, but, smoking is on the way out... In may cities here, we have banned smoking in public places, it is even illegal to have a designated smoking section indoors, and you often can't smoke within a certain distance of an entrance to a building. Heck, there are also universities here (University of Kentucky) which has banned smoking on any property that it owns- even the sidewalks. Right now, we are even considering a state wide smoking ban. Keep in mind. This is in freaking Kentucky. We grow tobacco like it's our business or something! Anyway, I would imagine that smoking legislation would eventually help out CBRL (as well as any other family restaurant).

Oh, no... I can't imagine that anyone would ever go to cracker barrel for anything but the food... The retail stuff is just a way for them to make extra money; kind of a marketing gimmick of such (playing on the "old time country store" vibe). With this said, it isn't like the store part is an actual store... I would describe a cracker barrel as a big cabin, with a wall in the middle (an open door separating the 2 sides). On 1 side, is the restaurant. On the other, is the retail store, where you have a ton of touristy crap for sale.

It would be interesting to see what the footprint of the respective parts have done throughout the years... Did a Cracker Barrel in 1980 have the same retail space, as a percentage of the store, as they do in a newly constructed one? Regardless, would tweaking the formula really make that much of a difference? Part of the great thing about cracker barrel, is that they are about the only restaurant that I can think of that is able to monetize the time in which a hungry customer is waiting on a table... Furthermore, since they almost always sit on interstate exits, they are selling "souvenir crap" to people who are already expecting to spend money on stuff they don't need- as they are often, on a trip of some nature. Really, I would be most interested (and not necessarily from an investment perspective) in seeing how much of their revenue comes from people that live outside, say, a 20 mile radius of the store in which they eat at... that, or some metric along those lines would probably give the best indication of how much of their revenue (for both retail and rest. segments) comes from locals or people on the road looking for a hearty meal... Though, this may be a personal bias, since as a kid, I ate there only when we were taking long trips, even though we had one within driving distance from home. Given that they almost always sit on interstate exits, a metric like this could help determine how effectively they are allocating capital with their building of new restaurants.