Stock of the Week: Burger Fuel Worldwide

This Stock of the Week will be a surprise to many because I have been very critical of this company since its IPO listing in July 2007. Burger Fuel Worldwide [BFW.NZ], the "gourmet" burger franchisor company that collects royalties off franchisees as a means of revenue -but currently derives more than half its revenue from food and beverage sales at two company owned stores-and has limped from a failed, over-priced IPO and incurred big but dwindling losses along the way.

Its cash reserves are almost exhausted and its stated reason for their IPO, attracting more franchisees to gain revenue growth for the franchisor, has come to a grinding halt because of "capital restraints".

All negative so far, but wait there's more! Some positive stuff!

There is a chance that Burger Fuel, management could pull things off sometime in the future and make a good sustained profit.

One of the reasons I picked this stock was its share price. It is getting close but not yet at, its true value. At 32c it is roughly a third of its $1 IPO price. There is little interest in and few buyers lined up as at market close on Friday 19, with the first cab off the rank offering 10c a share and the lowest 1c - the lowest ever bids for this stock, so a clear opportunity exists.

Burger Fuel isn't one of those solid stocks you would buy and not expect to lose money, it is purely speculative and high risk but if you have, like me , been watching the trials and tribulations of this company over the last 2 years, and thinking about buying some, now would be the opportune time to start thinking about it.

Anything less than 15c would be a good starting point.

Good luck!


Stock of the Week Series

Michael Hill International
Contact Energy Ltd
The Warehouse Group
Fisher & Paykel Appliances


Burger Fuel Worldwide @ Share Investor


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Stock of the Week: Burger Fuel Worldwide
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Burger Fuel results and commentary

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c Share Investor 2009

Stock of the Week: Michael Hill International

In this Stock of the Week I am going to look at the multinational Jewelry retailer Michael Hill International [MHI.NZX]

Like every other business and especially retailers, Michael Hill is suffering somewhat from the economic downturn, its results to 31/12/08 that, but this company has a long history of good returns to shareholders and spectacular revenue and profit growth and the drop in profit will not last forever.

Over the last year or so the company has shifted its direction from a pure jewelry discounter to a more upmarket player, with its own branded watches and a range of luxury branded products, starting with Michael Hill Perfume.

Expansion from its present base of over 230 stores is on the cards with a goal of 1000 stores by 2020, the bulk of them being in North America, which kicked off in Canada a few years ago and entered mainland America at the end of 2008 when MHI purchased 17 stores in Illinois and Missouri from Whitehall Jewelers who were in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.

Of course this is risky, there are many retailers that have washed up on the retail rocks in the land of the free because of unwise and unsustainable expansion, many of them in 2009, but Michael Hill's (the man and the company) expansion strategy up till now has been carefully calculated every step of the way and so far has paid off.

Canada has proven a tough nut to crack thus far but prospects were improving until the recession hit late 2008.

Michael Hill (the man) thinks this is a perfect time to expand and I am with him there - cheaper start-up costs makes for a good base to grow from and gives leeway to get through the tough times.

Which brings me to the share price. The stock hit a low of 45c earlier this year but has risen up to 69c market close on Friday. The stock has been as high as $1.25.

I am looking at buying more on share price dips, and they will come.

Good Luck!



Stock of the Week Series

Contact Energy Ltd
The Warehouse Group
Fisher & Paykel Appliances


Michael Hill International @ Share Investor

Hill Family makes Claytons Takeover bid for Michael Hill International
Michael Hill International Ltd: 2010 Full Year Profit Analysis
Long Term View: Michael Hill International Ltd
Michael Hill International: 2010 half year profit commentary
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MHI has defined growth strategy
MHI profit sparkles

Discuss MHI @ Share Investor Forum

Download MHI Company Reports


Recommended Amazon Reading


The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. A Book of Practical Counsel (Revised Edition) by Benjamin Graham
Buy new: $14.95 / Used from: $7.50
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c Share Investor 2009

Stock of the Week: The Warehouse Group

In this Stock of the Week we are going to be looking at New Zealand's dominant general retailer The Warehouse Group [WHS.NZ].

Its a stock that hasn't been in the news recently although it probably should be, for a number of reasons, the least not being a sale process that appears to be in some sort of credit crises limbo.

It has been trading at a pretty steady share price for the last 6 months (marking time until news about its sale is forthcoming) at a range between NZ$3.00 - $3.75 and represents value whether you want it for a quick buck for its probable sale or if a sale falls through and you want a good solid company for the long term portfolio.

On its long-term merits the company has a dominant position in its sector of the retail market and a great cash flow that helps contribute to a gross dividend north of 8%. Spectacular in these days of 3-4% returns for term deposits or 5-6% for rental property.

Retail is struggling these days but that isn't going to last forever and The Warehouse is coping well with the current recession. It historically does well in recessions because of its low price perception.

The company has recently met its own forecast for profit in its March release of its 2009 interim profit and its forecast for FY 2009 is on track to meet last years profit of $90.76 million.

Good luck!



Disclosure - I own WHS shares


Stock of the Week series

Fisher & Paykel Appliances

The Warehouse Group @ Share Investor

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Commerce Commission impacts on the Warehouse bottom line
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Outcomes of Commerce Commission decision
The fight for control begins soon

Share Investor Forum-Discuss this topic


Related Links

2009 Interim Profit Webcast
Go shopping at The Warehouse


Related Amazon Reading



The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. A Book of Practical Counsel (Revised Edition) by Benjamin Graham
Buy new: $14.95 / Used from: $7.50
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c Share Investor 2009

Stock of the Week: Fisher & Paykel Appliances Ltd

This is the beginning of a new a column. A regular outing, I will pick one stock that may have been in the news - good or bad-or one that simply takes my fancy and recommend that investors might like to take another look at it to see if it fits their investment profile.




The inaugural Stock of the Week pick is Fisher & Paykel Appliances [FPA.NZ]. Long given a good stiff verbal beating by my good self over many years the main reason why I am picking this stock for closer scrutiny is the ability for you short term investors out there for you to make a quick buck rather than the slow and sometimes painful ones that I make.

Yes, yes, yes you could have bought at NZ 37c a few weeks back but the company's future survival wasn't clear at that point.

The stock closed at 66c on Friday and is on a trading halt until this Wednesday 27 May.

It seems there is to be some material news out this Wednesday in regard to the success or otherwise of its capital raising process.

It seems likely that the news is going be that some kind of finance has been found to keep the company going, at least for the short to medium term, with a 200 million rights issue mooted by BusinessDay over the weekend, the main reason given by FPA management for putting a trading halt on today.

There is some life left in this beast yet, how much we cannot be too sure, but there is short to medium term money to be made if one gets in early on positive news after trading is lifted on Wednesday. The short-term money to be made will be on buying quickly on Wednesday and flicking shares off to those who want to participate in the rumoured capital raising (it could actually be a cornerstone shareholder instead of or as well as) or buying quickly and holding medium to longer term hoping that the company can trade its way out of its current financial, revenue and profit troubles.

It is worth a look at and I will be taking a cursory glance at it on the big day to see if I can gain any benefit from it, as I am not against a short term punt myself.

Good luck.


Stock of the Week Series

Reprise 2 : Contact Energy Ltd
Reprise: Contact Energy Ltd
Restaurant Brands
NZ Refining
Ryman Healthcare
Mainfreight Ltd
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare
Xero Ltd
Auckland International Airport
Sky City Entertainment Group
Burger Fuel Worldwide
Michael Hill International
Contact Energy Ltd
The Warehouse Group
Fisher & Paykel Appliances


Fisher & Paykel Appliances @ Share Investor

Fisher & Paykel downgrade continues fine tradition
Fisher & Paykel Appliances looking fair value
Fisher & Paykel: A Tale of Two Companies
Fisher & Paykel Appliances: In a spin over nothing

Discuss FPA @ Share Investor Forum

Download FPA Company Reports

Recommended Amazon Reading


The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. A Book of Practical Counsel (Revised Edition) by Benjamin Graham
Buy new: $14.95 / Used from: $7.50
Usually ships in 24 hours

Buy The Intelligent Investor & more @ Fishpond.co.nz





c Share Investor 2009