Sold CLF

I sold out of my Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF) position this morning for $71.00 a share, as the net profit margin is narrowing. It represents a $16.30 per share loss from the $87.30 purchase last August. CLF is in a commoditized industry (steel), so it was not a pure Buffett play.

This loss speaks well to my decision to go back to college and invest there in an economics degree.

Bought NYX

I have a gut feeling that something positive will develop for the merger prospects between NYSE and Euronext-Deutshe Borse, even while the European Union balks at the merger. At a p/e ratio of 9.9 and with longterm debt of 3 times net income, I just see too much potential for either a merger or in independent operation going forward to stay on the sidelines. These companies have a monopolistic control of stock trading, either way.

The current ratio is only 1.04, but the business doesn't need tons of cash to operate, as I see it. While I'm stepping a little out of my comfort zone, I'm buying a position in NYX and will continue to see what happens in the coming days and weeks before buying more.

Found My Singing

I found some songs I sang in 2012: GeneChapmanSings.blogspot.com

Sold out Medtronic (MDT)

Due to a decreasing projected net profit margin for Medtronic (MDT) in the "Value Line" presentation, I sold out the remainder of my position this morning for $36.51, plus a small commission. This represents a tiny profit of about $1 per share.

I continue to be concerned about inflation in the money supply, so gold (GLD) is an option I will always keep on my mind in a world with central banking (5th Plank of "The Communist Manifesto") in the hands of politicians.

The Path to Freedom

I just purchased Tolstoy's, "The Kingdom of God is Within You" (one of Gandhiji's central studies) "Sophia Tolstoy's Autobiography" and a book on Mahatma Gandhi's dealings with his Tolstoy's Farm Experiment. If a non-violent path to end Keynsian-Marxist enslavement exists, it will be in Tolstoy's Farm concept to live outside the rule of governments.

I went ahead and bought a position in Corinthian College (COCO) for an average purchase price of $2.09 per share. I sold out half my Medtronic (MDT) position at $34.95 per share, an $0.80 per share loss in order to take advantage of the COCO opportunity. I'll be buying more, as the stock drops and hold where I am, if it continues to climb.

A Picture of Phil Fisher

I spoke to Mr. Fisher twice on the phone in the 1999 at age 91, as he neared his last day on earth in 2004. He was the author of "Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits." Mr. Buffett says that he is "15% Fisher" and "85% Benjamin Graham."