Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Financial 101: Learn before you Leap



Recent bad news about credit squeezes in the sub-prime lending arena overseas and the New Zealand equivalent of sub prime, finance companies, and collapses of them, have got me thinking.

What possesses people to put their money into these "investments" ?


Whether it be ignorance or stupidity I think that what we are talking about is financial education, that is, how much we know about investing, money, finance and economics and all that entails.


There are many ways of learning about the details surrounding financial matters, whether it be at home from parents, at school as a subject, learning from those around you and experiences as one goes through life.


Clearly learning from experience is a good thing but it can also be costly to an individuals back pocket and lifestyle if one doesn't have a basic grasp of the knowledge of how money works as a foundation to build your financial experience on.


Honestly it should be up to parents to teach children how to use money wisely, what saving means, and how compound interest works. The earlier the start the better. Sadly not all parents are created equal so it could be suggested that learning about things financial should be taught in school.


Far be it from me to suggest that state education is the answer to this problem, it usually gives rise to problems rather than fixes them but in the absence of anything better and from personal experience, I think teaching the minimum of basic finances at school in conjunction with teaching at home can give a child a good start in their financial life. This will keep them in good stead for the rest of their lives and help make their working and social lives all that much better.


Its true I tell ya!!


I learnt the basics of money, saving and investing from an early age, from a life crafted by the necessities of making money stretch and saving "for a rainy day" because I was born into a poor family. We cant all have the advantageous start to our financial education that I had though !


Primary school though taught us the basic Mathematics through rote times tables, therefore learning how to count and multiply figures and how basic interest was calculated.


At High School, in economics classes, we learnt supply and demand, the cost of money, the element of risk and the benefits of saving, entrepreneurial skills and the wonders of compounding interest: what compounding meant when you saved and borrowed. These things I remember to this day and I apply them nearly every day in all aspects of my life.


What I would like to know though is what has gone wrong?


Are people these days getting taught the basics and if they are why are some of them ignoring those basics?


Surely our old friend greed must come into play here. When an individual looks at a high interest rate, and doesn't look at the prospectus (not that these always tell the full story) it seems forces other than financial acumen are at play here.


Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to investing money but many of us choose to ignore the warning signs of a bad investment simply because they can only see the "big returns" promised in the little advert in the Business Herald pages. Reading the details of the investment and assessing the risk of high returns would have most of us use that advert to wipe our bottoms with.


Probably the most irritating part of these collapses in Finance Companies is that many of those investing in them are referred to them by so-called financial experts, who all get very handsome kick-backs for their advice too. Most of these people who advise could write their credentials on a pin head and it appears that many of them function in their positions because they have gregarious and outgoing personalities! A large franchised financial advisor of dubious quality, Money Managers, doesn't even require that its franchisees have a financial background. Excellent stuff !


The lack of basic financial acumen and basic business understanding from our business writers also leaves those that should be run out of Dodge with cutting columns a good escape from Coventry and Dodge. Save a handful of writers like Fran Wilde, Jenny Ruth and others we are left with dirge written by the likes of Rod Oram to line our chicken coups and toilet floors with.


I despair, yes dear readers, despair, the lack of financial education in this country. The lack of it leads to people that you read about in headlines that have lost life savings to these Finance Company collapses. Old women losing 50 years of retirement savings, families losing money saved for education of children. Then there are those that we may not hear about, those that found that losing a lifetimes hard earned savings has changed their lives irreparably and they meet an ultimate end by their own hands. It happens and probably has over the length that these 6 finance companies have gone to the wall.


I have been a little disturbed lately by those in important positions of Government and bureaucracy who should be setting examples with their financial knowledge saying and doing stupid things when it comes to things financial. New Zealand Labour Politicians removing the risk of borrowing money by giving interest free cash to students, the responsibility of saving for a house by gifting taxpayer money to "those in need", making it easier for folks to declare and get out of bankruptcy in order to avoid paying debt and much more financial stupidity too numerous to list here.


Global State banking institutions bailing out private and public companies who lent money to bad borrowers is surely madness and teaches us nothing. It appears nobody is responsible for the risks that they take with money anymore. Our Politically Correct times saves individuals and companies from learning that bad decisions have consequences and that others will bail them out financially when things get tough. Given this whacked out financial theory those that take the risk should clearly share the rewards as well. Yeah right!


Lacking a financial education can have serious effects not just on your back pocket but on your future and life.


It is "just money" that I am talking about but we do know that it makes the world go around. All the cliches are there. There is more to life than money but it takes hard work to earn that money and it doesn't make sense to throw it away because you don't have confidence in what you are doing because you were not taught how to handle your finances.


Being wise with your moola can give you a good lifestyle and help make your life easier and the other parts of life more rewarding. Knowing that your money is working harder (and safely!) for you than you worked earning it in the first place is one of the functions of being educated about the finer details of finances, saving, investing and business and learning this at school along with the basics from home is a bloody good start.



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c Share Investor 2007






Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Watch for Dead Cats Bouncing

Image result for dead cat bounce

It seems global markets have all of a sudden forgotten that they have plunged over the last few weeks. At the best of times share market psychology is difficult to come to grips with but we appear to have a patient with bi-polar disorder here. Mr Market moves in mysterious ways.

Gains have carried over two days now and credit woes, crunches and squeezes seem to be distant memories for investors.

What has changed to give investors enthusiasm and verve to go out and spend cash on equities again?

Nothing.

As a whole, investors are still unclear as to the extent of the credit driven market woes and any reversal of the previous selling of stocks seems premature until the full picture develops.

I don't necessarily think that it is a mistake to buy beaten down stocks but it seems a little odd to me that the market as a whole seems to by discounting the last two weeks all of a sudden like nothing has happened.

It is likely that volatility and downwards pressure will continue on global markets until we know more about the reasons for recent falls.

Watch out for that dead cat bounce.




c Share Investor 2007

Monday, August 20, 2007

Sky City Entertainment Group Ltd: 2007 Full Year Profit Commentary

Sky City Entertainment Group Ltd [SKC.NZX] reported on Monday an as expected 18 per cent fall in annual profit.Sky City made a net profit of $NZ98.4 million in the year ended June 30, compared with a $120.1 million profit the year before. Revenue was up just over 6% to $815 M.

The company said in May that it was comfortable with analysts' estimates for an annual profit around $98 million. Future guidance for profit growth in the next year is estimated at 10-12%.

Sky City Auckland Casino Ebitda dipped slightly, Adelaide was down by nearly 10% and Darwin continued to steam ahead with a nearly 7% rise while the dairy farming led boom down in Hamilton lead to an increase in Ebitda by over 12%. Holy cow!

There is little detailed information as yet about promised updates to the market about disposal of under performing assets such as the cinema division and Adelaide Casino. These two assets have been named for possible sale but only if offers exceed the company's "internal view of value". So we know nothing more here than we did 3 months ago when asset sales were initially signaled by management. Today's announcement was supposed to bring detail of which assets would be disposed of.

There has however been an indication of interest by some parties in the Adelaide Casino and speculation during the last few months over various cinema companies kicking the tyres over at Sky City Cinemas.

As indicated here a few months back, any asset divestment proceeds will either be used to reduce debt and/or be returned to shareholders. The appropriate capital management strategy will depend on assets divested and the level of proceeds realised.

There was also mention of the overblown accusations by TVNZ of corruption at Sky City Casinos and managements counter of effective structures within the company, while not perfect , were able to ameliorate any dodgy practice that individuals might try from time to time.

Elmar Toime, executive director and acting CEO seems focused on cost cutting and efficiency of the business, something that he did well when he cut costs at the former bloated State Postal provider, NZ Post in the 1990s.

While management are looking for a replacement for the dear(read expensive)departed Evan Davies , in my humble opinion Toime looks good to get his shoes under the big desk.

A dividend of 12c has been declared.

The markets early reaction to the news today sent the share price up 17c to $4.37. Sky City Casino(SKC) are currently at $4.21 3.25pm August 20 NZ time.


Disc: I own SKC shares in the Share Investor Portfolio


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c Share Investor 2007

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Sky City Casino: Setting the record straight over Corruption Accusations

With Television New Zealand making accusations of "loan sharking" within Auckland's Sky City Casino complex, motivated by the deep left within the Green Party, for most of last week, it seems the truth, as reported by them maybe somewhat further from the truth.

Accusations were made that Sky City Staff were "skimming jackpots", "prize fixing" and heavily involved in loan sharking seem the views of a "journalists" over active imagination if the following response by Sky City to the accusations from TVNZ are anything to go by:

SKYCITY Sets the Record Straight
TV One news has made allegations this week regarding the integrity of SKYCITY’s operations and its staff with particular reference to alleged loan sharking at SKYCITY Auckland.
SKYCITY has continually provided comment and facts to TVNZ which they have chosen to ignore.
SKYCITY takes any allegations seriously and takes action immediately.
In accordance with these investigations, and advice of the DIA, a person was suspended from the SKYCITY property on Tuesday. This person was not a member of SKYCITY staff as stated by TVNZ. SKYCITY is unable to provide further information on this person due to privacy.
SKYCITY has no evidence of any improper dealings by our staff or in our VIP spaces which are continually monitored by security and surveillance.
SKYCITY is continuing its investigations and has zero tolerance for impropriety of any nature by staff. If TVNZ or any party has facts on which SKYCITY can act, then we encourage them to tell us directly.
SKYCITY wishes to inform all media of the information previously shared by SKYCITY Auckland’s General Manager, David Christian, with TVNZ:
SKYCITY has extensive polices and leading-edge technology in place to identify and manage undesirable behaviour. For example:
• Extensive surveillance systems are in place and are monitored at all times by highly trained personnel.• There are close working relationships with the DIA, who are on site, and with the NZ Police.• Information is regularly shared with relevant parties - DIA, NZ Police.• Suspicious activity is investigated by SKYCITY’s security and surveillance department and if appropriate reported to the relevant agency.• Suspicions of loan sharking are always investigated. This can lead to exclusion or trespass.• Training programmes are in place to support our staff in dealing with undesirable behaviour. Security personnel receive additional specialised training.• SKYCITY has a professionally skilled team of harm minimisation and host responsibility staff.• Gambling helplines are promoted throughout our casinos.• SKYCITY relies on information from our own investigators, staff, customers, the NZ Police, problem gambling service providers and the government inspectors operating on site. If TVNZ or its viewers have any information relating to undesirable behaviour, then we encourage them to speak to us or the DIA directly and we will take any appropriate action immediately."
SKYCITY reiterates that the casino industry in New Zealand is strictly regulated and supervised by DIA and the Gambling Commission.
SKYCITY respects its license to operate and values its reputation for being a responsible gambling provider - a strong commitment to the safety and security of our staff, visitors and customers underpins all of SKYCITY’s operations at all times.
(16 August 2007, Sky City corporate website)

It seems to this market watcher that hysteria has been whipped up by TVNZ just to fill some dead airtime. The TVNZ propaganda machine is an over the street neighbour to Sky City and there are rumours circulating that many staffers from the State Broadcaster have lost considerable sums having a flutter during long lunch breaks and boozy late night sessions after work. It must be remembered that it wasn't long ago that employees of TVNZ were caught out using TVNZ credits cards to rack up huge food and beverage bills at expensive eateries around the town.

Clearly there is a small story here but as is often the case a so-called journalist blows it out of proportion just to make a name. Dont let the facts get in the way of a good story huh?!

It seemed fit to re-print the Sky City reply as I have not seen a printed response to TVNZs muck raking.

These things should be cleared up before concentrating on the real, factual story, that is the Full Year 2007 profit announcement tomorrow 20 August(NZ time)

Until then.


c Share Investor 2007

Disclosure: I own Sky City Casino Shares