All posts by Peter Jefferson

About Peter Jefferson

Peter Jefferson is a full-time researcher for www.businessdistrict.com, a task he took on in 2011 when the site was launched. He brings to the position a wealth of practical experience in the field of fiscal policy, having consulted with various government bodies on revenue collection, expenditure and economic growth. Contact Peter at peter[at]businessdistrict.com

Herbalife Is Also Financial Life

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We’ve all heard of the Herbalife (HLF) and may have even considered selling Herbalife products. It is obviously a large company but in examining the figures it is amazing. The company sells personal care and nutrition products throughout the world. They have 1.9 million distributors around the world. Their net income after taxes from the second quarter was over $111 million dollars and their net income has risen steadily over the last four quarters.

Their stock has also been steadily rising over the last two years and paying a dividend every quarter. Due to the increasing quarterly income it looks like this company’s stock should continue to go up.

The management team includes: Michael O. Johnson, Chairman and CEO; Brett R. Chapman, General Counsel; Des Walsh, President; Richard P. Goudis, COO; John DeSimone, CFO; and Y. Steve Henig, Ph.D., CSO (Chief Scientific Officer). the company is well run and all of the management have many years of experience, generally either in their specialty or in the MLM industry.

Rightmove Is The Right Move

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Rightmove is a company that helps people buy or rent real estate or apartments. Rightmove has an internet portal to connect buyers and renters to sellers and home owners. What I like about this company is that it’s a needed business in good times and bad. In good times people look to move to better housing while in bad times people look to economize and therefore move towards cheaper housing. Whatever the economy, Rightmove provides a service and profits.

This company’s financials are good and its stock has continued to perform well. Those of you who follow my column may have noticed that I like to look at management as well as the company’s financials and past performance. I like to see that the management has had several years of business experience preferably working in the same industry or function. To me this means that the management has a deeper insight into how business works and how to deal with opportunities and threats as they arise.

The chairman is Scott Forbes who has 30 years of operations and finance experience and worked with Berkshire Hathaway.

Ed Williams is the Managing Director and has been with the company since the year 2000. Previously, he worked in consulting companies such as JPMorgan.

Nick McKittrick is the COO and Finance Director. He has also been with the company since 2000.

Jonathan Agnew is a Non-executive Director who has been with the company for 5 years after working as an investment banker for over twenty-five years. He served as a Managing Director for Morgan Stanley.

Judy Vezmar, Colin Kemp and Ashley Martin are other Non-executive Directors who add many years of valuable business experience to Rightmove. In short, Rightmove has a very exciting, dynamic and experienced management team. No wonder they’re doing well!

An Industry That Will Live Forever!

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There is a basic industry that mankind always needs and which also turns a nice profit. As long as mankind is here, we will always need a cemetery business. It’s not just cemeteries but all of the accoutrements needed to honor our departed loved ones.

I am referring to Stonemor Partners LP (STON) which runs 58 funeral homes and 260 cemeteries throughout 27 States and in Puerto Rico. The company’s stock has been performing well over the past 2 years and is currently selling at 28.84, not far from its all time high of 32.85. Even better it gives quarterly dividends of a 9% annual dividend.

Michael L. Stache has been the Senior V.P. and COO since Stonemor was founded in 2004. Before that he worked with Cornerstone and the Loewen Group International, Inc, also providers of personal services (ie burial etc).

Paul Waimberg has been the V.P. of Finance since Stonemor was founded in 2004. Before that he worked at Cornerstone, and The Loewen Group, Inc. as V. P. of Cemetery Accounting. He also worked at Osiris Holding Corporation and has over 20 years experience in the cemetery business.

Other major companies in the cemetery business are Service Corporation International (SCI), Stewart Enterprises (STEI), and Carriage Services (CSV).

SAMAMA Key to Monaco Shipping

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Sammy Ofer - SAMAMA
Sammy Ofer of SAMAMA

Sammy Ofer may have grown up far from the affluence his current life extols, his hard work culled in a life less fortunate he has revolutionized the shipping industry. His company SAMAMA, which he ran from Monaco expanded into a global force and shipping empire.  Like most shipping companies the hub of the fleet was actually directed from London.

SAMAMA  Continues On

SAMAMA continues to grow and expand its shipping routes throughout the globe.  It has expanded throughout Asia and Europe, strengthening the empire that Sammy Ofer built. Its impact can be felt in ports from London to Hong Kong, but more importantly is the company’s strategic outlook and depth and successful goals it reached.

UPDATE: Sammy Ofer Passed away and has left key assets including SAMAMA in control of his son Idan Ofer.

World Fuel Services Continues To Grow!

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World Fuel Services markets land, aviation and marine fuel products at over 6000 locations in more than 200 countries. It sells to tanker truck loading terminals, fuel storage centers, seaports and airports.

World Fuel Services has had growing profits for the last 13 quarters, since 2008. In the second quarter of2011, the marine service division had a gross profit increase of 17% to $50,700,000 year over year. The aviation division had a gross profit increase of 55% to $82,000,000 and the land service division had a whopping 182% increase since last year to $32,400,000.

The stock has managed to hold its own over the last year in spite of market volatility. The company also regularly pays quarterly dividends which helps investors’ liquidity.

The management team works successfully together. There is also a positive management change underway. The present CEO, Paul H. Stebbins will be transferring all of his energies to serve as Executive Chairman. Michael J. Kasbar, who has been with the company since 1995, will be promoted from Chief Operating Officer to CEO. Ira M. Birns, CFO, Michael S. Clementi, President of the Aviation division, Francis X. Shea, Executive VP, R. Alexander Lake, Senior VP and General Counsel, and Paul M. Nobel, Senior VP and Chief Accounting officer will all continue in their current positions.