Monthly Archive for September, 2010

HRB Still a Bargain

Posted on September 13, 2010, 9:59 am. Closed

Investor sentiment on HRB is clearly not positive. Investors certainly have continued to dump the stock due to many worries and the stock has reached levels not seen since April 2001. (click on chart for larger image)

Here are some of the bigger worries. Continue reading ‘HRB Still a Bargain’

Ryanair (RYAAY): Walmart on Wings

Posted on September 1, 2010, 1:43 pm. 1 Comment

The following was originally written on August 12, 2010. It summarizes the investment thesis for Ryanair (RYAAY). I’ve owned shares of Ryanair shares since mid-December 2009.

Overview

Ryanair is an airline based in Ireland and is Europe’s largest low-fare airline. Led by CEO Michael O’Leary, Ryanair has continuously lowered average fair prices while maintaining profitability and a good balance sheet and while guaranteeing never to add a fuel surcharge to fare prices. Among a few of Ryanair’s notable achievements:

  • Ryanair carries the largest amount of international traffic in the world—73.5 million passengers this past year;
  • Ryanair has the largest coverage in Europe with 42 bases, 155 airports, 26 countries, over 1,100 routes, and over 1,300 daily departures;
  • Ryanair has the most on time flights, fewest lost bags, and fewest cancellations of flights;
  • Ryanair has the lowest average fare price in Europe, charging $45 per ticket while the next closest low fare competitor charges an average of $66 and the flag carriers like British Airway and Lufthansa charging an average of $362 and $291 respectively;

Continue reading ‘Ryanair (RYAAY): Walmart on Wings’