Diane Windingland called the meeting of the Crow River Investment Club to order at 6:30 pm on April 8, 2008.
Lynn Ostrem, Carole Ripplinger, Craig Block, Marion Marshall, Sheryl Sostarich, Diane Windingland, Kim Windingland, Dan Vitez, Ron Thorson, Beth Silverwater, Eric Chlan, Steve Smith, Deantha Menon, and Gary Quernemoen were present with payment. Mike Trisler was absent with notice and payment.
Secretary’s Report
The minutes of the March 11, 2008 meeting were approved as posted.
Carole made a dues deposit totaling $480, leaving an ending bank balance of $1,732.02.
Carole bought 15 shares of General Electric for $518.90. She sold 60 shares of PetSmart for proceeds of $1,233.83. We received dividend income of $11.80, leaving an ending brokerage account balance of $1,720.95.
NEW BUSINESS--None
Companhia Vale do Rio Doce by Diane. Vale is the largest producer of iron ore and the second largest producer of nickel. In 2007, revenues rose 29% while earnings grew 63%. The prospects for future growth are high with continuing strong demand from China. Diane chose judgments on the SSG as follows: 20% sales growth, 20% EPS growth, high P/E of 11.3, low P/E of 6.5 and forecast low price of $15.70. Diane recommends adding Vale to our Challenge list.
National Oilwell Varco by Gary. National Oilwell Varco is a world leader in sales of equipment for drilling rigs and systems used in oil and natural gas production. In the fourth quarter of 2007 revenues rose 28% while earnings grew 54%. Gary chose judgments on the SSG as follows: 20% EPS growth, 20% EPS growth, high P/E of 20.4, low P/E of 7.2, and forecast low price of $27. Gary recommends a buy.
Portfolio Managers Reports
Ron recommended that we diversify our portfolio with a maximum allocation of $3,000 in each sector. He recommended that we gradually build positions in energy and basic materials and that we consider future purchases in healthcare and technology.
The following stock watcher assignments are effective in May: Mike Trisler – General Electric and Gary Quernemoen – National Oilwell Varco.
Quarterly Stock Reports
Quarterly stock reports for FactSet Research (Craig) and Walgreen (Steve) were posted to the message board.
After motions were made and seconded, we voted to buy an initial stake of $500 in National Oilwell Varco and add to our positions as follows, $300 in General Electric, $300 in FactSet Research and $500 in Stryker.
In lieu of our traditional education session, Gary gave a PowerPoint lecture on the Oil Equipment & Services Industry. He feels that the best prospects in oil services are companies engaged in deepwater drilling.
Assignments for the May meeting:
1. We will hear three new stock presentations by Craig - Airgas Corp (NYSE: ARG), Ron - Apple Corporation (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Mike - Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM).
2. Quarterly stock reports are due for Coach (Kim), General Electric (Mike), Infosys Technologies (Eric), National Oilwell Varco (Gary), Portfolio Recovery Associates (Deantha), Stryker (Marion), and Wells Fargo (Beth). Quarterly stock reports are to be posted to the message board no later than 2 days before the May meeting.
3. Carole will buy $500 of National Oilwell Varco, $300 of General Electric, $300 of FactSet Research and $500 of Stryker.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm.
Sheryl A Sostarich, Secretary
The next meeting will be at Lynn’s in St. Michael on Tuesday, May 13, 2008.