I picked up shares of Medtronic (MDT) for $35.75 a share on yesterday, as the market responded to the failure of Congress to fix the National Debt problem.

My Economics degree continues, as I push toward a Ph. D. in Econometrics way down the road. I'm Pi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Physics Student of the Year and Welding Student of the Year at the Community College I just graduated from, and now I'm trying hard to stay at the big university without financial support from outside. Education is the best investment; they can't take it away from you. I'm 30 hours from Law School, my university advisor tells me, but I don't want a "Dispute Resolution" degree; I want an Economics degree (69 hours). Its' hard stuff, but the Ph. D. is only attainable via the math based BS, MS and then Ph. D. My credibility as a thinker on monetary matters in the years ahead requires a Ph. D. in Economics and a CFA, and nothing else will substitute.

New Horizons

Well, I've finished a Welding degree (Pi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Physics Student of the Year, Welding Student of the Year) and a degree in Motion Pictuer Production, and I'm now on a BBA Economics/ Pre-Law Major at another university her in the Dallas area.

I today bought shares of Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF) at $87.30. Following is the research I did last night:

Here is an interesting situation, although I'm not a Financial Advisor yet, so what you do is your business. There is this company, Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF). It's a mining company but carries a double digit Net Profit Margin, so it has monopolistic dynamics working for it. It's in Value Line's main presentation, so it's big enough to have tested management. It has a Current Ratio of 3.35 (lots of cash in the bank); even a Current Ratio of 2 is acceptable. It lists a Net Profit for 2011 of $1.78 billion against Long term Debt of $2.7 billion, meaning debt can be paid off within a year or two with earnings alone. The p/e ratio is listed at 6.6, with an expanding Net Profit Margin from 23.6 in 2011 to 23.8 in 2012 and had a Net Profit Margin of 19.4 in 2010. Stocks should range between $130 to $260 a share over the next year, assuming no downward changes in the Net Profit Margin. Current price: $86 +/-.

Money for Summer College

Dear Diary,

I sold off shares of Decker Outdoor (DECK) for $135.49 a share on April 13, 2010, a substantial profit from the $$$$$ buy price on $$$$$$.

I also sold about half my Gold Spider (GLD) position for $113.50 a share today to get funds for summer college classes, as I invest in myself during the economic uncertainties of the 21st Century.

Gene

Up 19%

Dear Diary,

I'm up 19% overall on invested capital in my investment activities.

Also, I sold out my Bare Essentials position for $18.11 a share on January 28, 2010 after an expected sale of the company for $18.20 a share was announced to close by March 8, 2010. This represented a 125% gain on the original buy price months ago.

I've been reading some of Benjamin Graham's ideas on the inablilty of gold to hold its value in his book, "Storage and Stablity." Hum.

Gene

Buying DECK, KCI and BKE

Dear Diary,

I bought shares of Decker Outdoor (DECK) at $103.26, based on a projected expanding Net Profit Margin in the "Value Line" presentation from 12.7% in August, 2009, to 13.3% presently, to 14.29% for 2010. The p/e ratio was 12.45 yesterday, about as high a p/e ratio as I would ever want to buy a stock.

Shares of Kinetic Concepts (KCI) were purchased at $38.32 a share, based on a projected expanding Net Profit Margin, as well. The NPM was 12.0% in the August, 2009, "Value Line," 12.5% presently and 12.7% in 2010. The p/e ratio was 9.98.

Shares of Buckle (BKE), one of the best run companies in the world, were purchased at $29.83 a share, based on a projected steady Net Profit Margin from 13.7% in the August, 2009, "Value Line," to 13.7% presently, to 13.7% for 2010. The p/e ratio was 10.87. This brings the average buy price to $29.02 a share.

Gene

Sells @ Working Capital

Dear Diary,

I just sold out my PERY position at $14.90 a share, based on Working Capital of $14.70 a share. The buy price was $7.11 on April 27, 2009.

I just sold out my SBSA position at $0.78 a share, based on Working Capital of $0.56 a share. The buy price was $0.18 a share on April 27, 2009.

I just sold out my AGO position at $22.24 a share, based on Working Capital of $21.23 a share. The buy price was $13.60 a share on May 11m 2009.

I just sold out my CTHR position at $1.14 a share, based on Working Capital of $0.91 a share. The buy price was $0.4689 a share on September 9, 2009.

Gene

Bought GLD (Gold)

Dear Diary,

I returned the monies I took out for living expenses earlier this year to zero out my taxes for 2009, as they relate to my Roth IRA.

I've been investing in a college degree this semester, so my stock activities are slow. However, I did take a substantial position in gold (GLD) today at $115.79 a share. I think the gross spending of our Marxist (Republican and Democrat) government should lead to hyperinflation in the real economy, so gold provides the safest hedge against such foolishness. And the education I'm seeking in a broad number of fields that can translate globally can provide assurances of food on the table in the years ahead, should my views on the collapse of the Untied States Government from its present form prove true.

Gene