A Pair of Pro Favorites In Dry Bulk Shipping (KEX, DRYS, NM, DSX, GNK, OCNF, PRGN, SBLK)

At the end of the fourth quarter, a number of Pros had big bets in the dry bulk sector, and despite mixed opinions in the lower ranks a pair of clear favorites emerged.

The largely commodity-tied dry bulk shipping sector got beat up when the global economy slowed in 2008, and unlike some other industries, it hasn’t been a quick rebound. The Baltic Dry Index, which serves as an industry pricing benchmark, surged higher towards the end of 2009, only to pare most of its gains in December and into early 2010. Since then, the BDI appears to have reached a near-term bottom, and a look at the longer-term trend shows a healthy, albeit slight upward trend.

Given the state of the industry, it is particularly interesting to see which stocks were favored by hedge funds, mutual funds, and advisors. As of the most recent regulatory filings, a pair of obvious favorites emerged among components of the Dry Bulk Shipping Stocks Index.

Kirby (KEX), the sector’s largest U.S.-listed player, was in the top-15 U.S.-listed equity holdings of six Pros at the end of 2009. Interestingly, however, five of them were trimming stakes in the company during the fourth quarter.

Runner-up by the same criteria was next-largest U.S.-listed player DryShips (DRYS). Unlike Kirby, four of the five Pros to count DryShips among their top-15 U.S.-listed positions were adding to existing stakes or opening a new position in the stock during Q4.

Elsewhere in the sector, Navios Maritime Holdings (NM), Diana Shipping (DSX), and Genco Shipping & Trading (GNK) were all among the top holdings of two Pros respectively at the end of 2009. Meanwhile, OceanFreight (OCNF), Paragon Shipping (PRGN), and Star Bulk Carriers (SBLK) were in the top-15 holdings of one Pro each.

It will be interesting to see which of the Pro picks outperform in 2010. No single 13F filing fund or advisor counted more than one component of the Dry Bulk Shipping Stocks Index among its top-15 U.S.-listed equity holdings at the end of Q4.

Investors can track the Dry Bulk Shipping Stocks Index for performance trends and a suite of other metrics at tickerspy.com.

Goldman Sachs: The 50 Most Important Stocks for Hedge Funds

Below you will find Goldman Sachs' VIP List with the name of the stock followed by the number of hedge funds that own that stock in their top ten holdings.

1. Apple (AAPL): 67 hedge funds hold it as a top ten holding
2. Pfizer (PFE): 45
3. Bank of America (BAC): 37
4. Google (GOOG): 37
5. JPMorgan Chase (JPM): 36
6. Microsoft (MSFT): 36
7. Mastercard (MA): 29
8. DirecTV (DTV): 27
9. Wells Fargo (WFC): 27
10. CVS Caremark (CVS): 24
11. Citigroup (C): 23
12. Hewlett Packard (HPQ): 23
13. Monsanto (MON): 23
14. Visa (V): 23
15. Cisco Systems (CSCO): 21
16. Walmart (WMT): 21
17. Oracle (ORCL): 18
18. Qualcomm (QCOM): 18
19. Exxon Mobil (XOM): 18
20. Ebay (EBAY): 17
21. Wellpoint (WLP): 17
22. Intel (INTC): 16
23. Mead Johnson Nutrition (MJN): 16
24. Merck (MRK): 16
25. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): 15
26. Liberty Media (LSTZA): 15
27. Amazon (AMZN): 14
28. Apache (APA): 14
29. EMC (EMC): 14
30. Express Scripts (ESRX): 14
31. Ford Motor (F): 14
32. IBM (IBM): 14
33. Lear (LEA): 14
34. Teva Pharmaceutical (TEVA): 14
35. Yahoo (YHOO): 14
36. Crown Castle (CCI): 13
37. McDonald's (MCD): 13
38. Transocean (RIG): 13
39. Barrick Gold (ABX): 12
40. SBA Communications (SBAC): 12
41. US Bancorp (USB): 12
42. Anadarko Petroleum (APC): 11
43. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B): 11
44. Philip Morris International (PM): 11
45. Transdigm Group (TDG): 11
46. Target (TGT): 11
47. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): 11
48. American Tower (AMT): 10
49. Comcast (CMCSA): 10
50. Freeport McMoran (FCX): 10

Source : Market Folly at SeekingAlpha.Com

Summary of past week's news

Friday, February 12

Euro continues to fall as EU fails to agree Greece rescue plan


German economic recovery falters


USDA Exports: Wheat Up, Corn & Soybeans Down, Beef Sales To Japan


China May Sell More Stockpile Sugar to Ease Projected Shortage


West Africa cocoa spared harmattan - meteorologist


Cotton rally is not over yet, analysts say


China's central bank raises reserve ratio requirements


Lumber's gain is impressive, but its foundation's not set


How Russia is Preparing for Poultry Self-Sufficiency


(U.S.) Retail sales stronger than expected in January


Volcker: Choice is prop trading or bank charter


Global Financial Crisis is 'over' - (Australia's) Treasury boss Ken Henry


Thursday, February 11

Surprise fall in (Australia's) unemployment to 5.3%


EU leaders reach deal to rescue Greece


(U.S.) Jobless claims fall sharply in latest week


IEA revises up global oil demand growth for 2010


USDA Long-Term Projections


OPEC producers' compliance with own quotas faltering


Beef Industry Hopeful for 2010 Recovery


Drought Monitor: Wet Pattern Continues In Texas, Snow In The West


Key Brazil sugar region could raise output by 19%


Understanding Cold Stress In Livestock


Dodge warns on Canadian housing market


Vietnam Dong Weakens to Record Low After Devaluation


Wednesday, February 10

Euro zone holds intensive talks about Greek rescue


Bernanke Says Discount Rate May Rise 'Before Long'


OPEC's Monthly Oil Market Report


(U.K.) December industrial production boosts recovery hopes


(U.S.) Cotton exports up 1 million bales


Healthy Jump in Chinese Exports Points to Recovery in World Trade


China May Import More Sugar This Year, Customs Says


Ivory Coast rebels, government in no rush to end crisis


BHP beats forecasts, cautious on China demand


Japan machinery orders jump 20 percent in December


Tuesday, February 9

Greek bailout speculation lifts euro


Rain could nurture shock in key U.S. crops report


Coffee Prices Gain on Forecast Output to Drop


Asian Drought Causing Millions in Economic Loss


(U.K.) Shop sales grow at 'slowest rate for 15 years'


Economist Predicts Bright Future for Biodiesel


Monday, February 8

Branson warns that oil crunch is coming within five years


Next big storm starting off in Central U.S.


How Many Corn Acres are Needed in 2010?


(Canada's) Housing starts rise again in January


Forecast of bigger deficit revives sugar price


NCC: 10.1 million cotton acres


Cocoa Peaking Means Kraft Wins Cadbury on Margin Gain


ABC News interview with U.S. Treasury Secretary Geithner (video)


Australia signs huge China coal deal


Total shutdowns costly, but old refineries find other work


European Central Bank in a Squeeze


West alarmed as Iran steps up enrichment of uranium stocks

Performance of some of our competitors and other brilliant brains.

Performance of some of our competitors and other brilliant brains.
1 month change

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation +2.7%
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co -4.0%
Warren Buffett - Berkshire Hathaway -4.8%
HSBC Holdings -5.4%
Pictet Asset Management -6.6%
Rothschild Asset Management -7.0%
Barclays PLC -7.8%
Credit Suisse -8.0%
Paulson & Co -8.1%
Merrill Lynch & Co -8.2%
Vontobel Asset Management -8.5%
Goldman Sachs -8.6%
BNP Paribas Asset Management -8.6%
Morgan Stanley -8.7%
JP Morgan Chase & Co -8.9%
UBS AG -9.3%
Yale University -10.0%
Deutsche Bank -10.8%
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology -12.2%
Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft AG -13.0%
Blackstone Group -13.4%
Harvard Management -14.0%
Soros Fund Management -14.8%
Julius Baer Investment Management -14.9%
Citigroup Asset Management LTD -17.8%

Source : tickerspy.com

To check out how performance is calculated, disclaimers, and other details please visit tickerspy.com

5 Reasons Gold Is The Next Bubble To Burst

XOM JNJ ABX GG NEM

What goes up must come down.

Read the full article

S&P 500 Technicals

The March S&P 500 index closed sharply lower on Friday and below the 10-day moving average crossing at 1136.66 signaling that a short-term top has been posted. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Tuesday. Stochastics and the RSI have turned bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 1124.78 are needed to confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March extends this winter's rally, the 62% retracement level of the 2007-2008-decline crossing at 1155.15 is the next upside target. First resistance is Monday's high crossing at 1147.90. Second resistance is the 62% retracement level of the 2007-2008-decline crossing at 1155.15. First support is today's low crossing at 1127.50. Second support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 1124.78.

We are buyers of shipping stocks.

The Baltic Dry Index ( An average of three indices the Capesize, Panamax and Supramax.)


Baltic Capesize Index


Baltic Handysize Index
( excluded from the Baltic Dry Index chart )


The Handysize chart shows a nice albeit mild uptrend with much less volatility than the Capesize and the Baltic in general.

We are buyers of shipping stocks.

Our HellenicMaritime.Com portfolio is already up by 13%

Source : Thomas MacLeod - Seeking Alpha

Tutti Frutti are going up in 2010 ..... except the U.S.$ and of course bonds. For more exceptions follow us on Seeking Alpha

Happy New Year Miss Molly

Dividend Aristocrats List for 2010

Dividend Aristocrats List for 2010

AVY USB MTB GCI GE JCI PFE BBT STT LM CTAS

The dividend aristocrats list includes companies which have increased dividends for over 25 years in a row. It is equally weighted and re-balanced once an year. Over the past 3,5 and 7 years the index of elite dividend stocks has managed to outperform the S&P 500 by 5%, 3.7% and 4.40% respectively