This is the announcement of the winners of the August Value Idea Contest. In August we received 16 submissions. Some of them are written in great quality and provide deep insight of the companies that are covered.
This is the list of the submissions:
1. Supervalu Inc. (SVU, Financial): It's All in the Math
2. Autoliv Inc.: Investing in Safety (Value Idea Contest)
3. Berkshire Bancorp: Undervalued and Overcapitalized
4. Value Ideas Contest: All Systems Are Go
5. Microsoft Corp. (MSFT, Financial) β an Undervalued Stock with Strong Business Predictability
6. Bob Evans Farms, Inc. - Donkey Wars Part IV A New Hope
7. Banro Corporation β On the Doorstep of Major Gold Production
8. Abbott Laboratories: Industry-Leading Growth for Free
9. BP: A Value Buy
10. Game Is Not Over for Nintendo
11. Staples Stock (SPLS, Financial) Is a Steal
12. Ralcorp Holdings: The synergy with ConAgra worth much more for this current price?
13. Value Idea Contest β Lowes, a Low-Risk Business Availble for Cheap
14. Retail Holdings N.V.: A Closer Look
15. Go Long RIMM and Stop Listening to Sell-Side Analysts: RIMM, AAPL
16. Tullett Prebon β Cash Generative Market Leader Going Cheap
Supervalu Inc. (SVU)
The business seems to be in a general decline as total revenue is declining. The operating margin is also in declines over the past 5 years. Proving that the business quality in a highly competitive market will help. With so many subsidiaries in operation, discussion of the business operation of each one will help. The discussion of the real estate value is certainly a plus. How about the risks and competitions?
Autoliv Inc. (ALV)
Very deep analysis of the business about a company that is dominant in its industry. Diversified customers in diversified regions. In March 2009 it was traded at 1/4 of its current levels. Discussions about downside risk are highly appreciated.
Berkshire Bancorp (BERK)
An interesting investment idea of a small bank. Sold at below its book value. The bank seems to be conservative in its accounting. Nonperforming loan is less than 1% of the total loan, while many other banks have more than 5%. CEO keeps buying. The trading volume is extremely small.
All Systems (DST)
A record keeping and data processing company for financial industry. Dominated in the industry it is in. Detailed analysis of the company's assets. Good discussions on potential risks of the company's business. Extremely undervalued relative to its assets.
Microsoft (MSFT)
MSFT was a winner in March.
Bob Evans Farms, Inc (BOBE)
Interesting and funny discussions of the company. But real discussions of valuations, risk of the business is more appreciated.
Banro Corporation (BAA)
An gold mining company without revenue.
Abbott Laboratories (ABT)
Insightful discussions about the industry headwind of the business, the strength and the weakness of the business. The author discussed the financials and the valuations of the company. It will be more convincing if author present more comprehensive comparison between ABT and its competitors. Why ABT is a superior investment relative to PFE, MRK, or even AMGN?
Tullett Prebon (TLPR)
An interesting company that generate good cash flows without much investments. The author also discussed the risks and the financial condition of the company. More discussions of business growth, competitions and other risks are appreciated.
Research In Motion (RIMM)
An contrarian view on Research in Motion. The author discussed extensively about market sentiment about RIMM and stock price. It will help if the author dig more about the business, management, competition, products etc.
Retail Holdings (RHDGF)
This is a detailed discussion of a retailer whose main operation is in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan. CEO owns large shares and has been with the company for long time. The company seems to be extremely undervalued relative to its liquidation value, and the company will be liquidated.
Lowes (LOW)
According to the author, the company will have tailwind through housing recovery. As in the questions raised by readers, a lot of questions need to be answered. Also why HD is not a better buy than Lowe's?
Ralcorp Holdings (RAH)
The article presented some facts of the company. However, deep analysis on every aspect is needed to convince readers that this is a good idea: Financial strength, management, valuation etc.
Staples (SPLS)
A competent office supply retailer in a competitive market. With more revenue from delivery, the company has its advantages against discounted retailers such as WalMart. More discussions of each business segment will help. The discussions of the competition sounds reasonable, but still those can be relatively easily replicated by competitors?
Nintendo (NTDOV)
The company is losing market shares to competition? The discussions of the management will help readers to build more confidence in the company. The company might be cheap and do well again, but the hope will be that the company will repeat what it did before.
BP Inc. (BP, Financial)
More discussion of the business segment, the profitability and the competitiveness, the reserves of the BP, the risk of potential oil price decline etc are appreciated.
Therefore the winners are:
First Place:Autoliv Inc.: Investing in Safety (Value Idea Contest)
Second Place: Value Ideas Contest: All Systems Are Go
Congratulations!
Please contact us to claim your prizes. Other participants, please also contact us to claim your $50 award for submissions. We pay by check or PayPal and payments are made at the beginning of each. If you have not done so, a Free Lance Agreement needs to be signed, scanned and emailed to [email protected]. You can download it here.
With this announcement, GuruFocus is calling for our September Value Idea Contest submissions. We will continue to host the contest in October. But we will not host contest in November. Please submit your best value ideas and get feedbacks from the most intelligent group of value investors on the internet.
This is the list of the submissions:
1. Supervalu Inc. (SVU, Financial): It's All in the Math
2. Autoliv Inc.: Investing in Safety (Value Idea Contest)
3. Berkshire Bancorp: Undervalued and Overcapitalized
4. Value Ideas Contest: All Systems Are Go
5. Microsoft Corp. (MSFT, Financial) β an Undervalued Stock with Strong Business Predictability
6. Bob Evans Farms, Inc. - Donkey Wars Part IV A New Hope
7. Banro Corporation β On the Doorstep of Major Gold Production
8. Abbott Laboratories: Industry-Leading Growth for Free
9. BP: A Value Buy
10. Game Is Not Over for Nintendo
11. Staples Stock (SPLS, Financial) Is a Steal
12. Ralcorp Holdings: The synergy with ConAgra worth much more for this current price?
13. Value Idea Contest β Lowes, a Low-Risk Business Availble for Cheap
14. Retail Holdings N.V.: A Closer Look
15. Go Long RIMM and Stop Listening to Sell-Side Analysts: RIMM, AAPL
16. Tullett Prebon β Cash Generative Market Leader Going Cheap
Supervalu Inc. (SVU)
The business seems to be in a general decline as total revenue is declining. The operating margin is also in declines over the past 5 years. Proving that the business quality in a highly competitive market will help. With so many subsidiaries in operation, discussion of the business operation of each one will help. The discussion of the real estate value is certainly a plus. How about the risks and competitions?
Autoliv Inc. (ALV)
Very deep analysis of the business about a company that is dominant in its industry. Diversified customers in diversified regions. In March 2009 it was traded at 1/4 of its current levels. Discussions about downside risk are highly appreciated.
Berkshire Bancorp (BERK)
An interesting investment idea of a small bank. Sold at below its book value. The bank seems to be conservative in its accounting. Nonperforming loan is less than 1% of the total loan, while many other banks have more than 5%. CEO keeps buying. The trading volume is extremely small.
All Systems (DST)
A record keeping and data processing company for financial industry. Dominated in the industry it is in. Detailed analysis of the company's assets. Good discussions on potential risks of the company's business. Extremely undervalued relative to its assets.
Microsoft (MSFT)
MSFT was a winner in March.
Bob Evans Farms, Inc (BOBE)
Interesting and funny discussions of the company. But real discussions of valuations, risk of the business is more appreciated.
Banro Corporation (BAA)
An gold mining company without revenue.
Abbott Laboratories (ABT)
Insightful discussions about the industry headwind of the business, the strength and the weakness of the business. The author discussed the financials and the valuations of the company. It will be more convincing if author present more comprehensive comparison between ABT and its competitors. Why ABT is a superior investment relative to PFE, MRK, or even AMGN?
Tullett Prebon (TLPR)
An interesting company that generate good cash flows without much investments. The author also discussed the risks and the financial condition of the company. More discussions of business growth, competitions and other risks are appreciated.
Research In Motion (RIMM)
An contrarian view on Research in Motion. The author discussed extensively about market sentiment about RIMM and stock price. It will help if the author dig more about the business, management, competition, products etc.
Retail Holdings (RHDGF)
This is a detailed discussion of a retailer whose main operation is in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan. CEO owns large shares and has been with the company for long time. The company seems to be extremely undervalued relative to its liquidation value, and the company will be liquidated.
Lowes (LOW)
According to the author, the company will have tailwind through housing recovery. As in the questions raised by readers, a lot of questions need to be answered. Also why HD is not a better buy than Lowe's?
Ralcorp Holdings (RAH)
The article presented some facts of the company. However, deep analysis on every aspect is needed to convince readers that this is a good idea: Financial strength, management, valuation etc.
Staples (SPLS)
A competent office supply retailer in a competitive market. With more revenue from delivery, the company has its advantages against discounted retailers such as WalMart. More discussions of each business segment will help. The discussions of the competition sounds reasonable, but still those can be relatively easily replicated by competitors?
Nintendo (NTDOV)
The company is losing market shares to competition? The discussions of the management will help readers to build more confidence in the company. The company might be cheap and do well again, but the hope will be that the company will repeat what it did before.
BP Inc. (BP, Financial)
More discussion of the business segment, the profitability and the competitiveness, the reserves of the BP, the risk of potential oil price decline etc are appreciated.
| Ticker | Business Quality | Financial Strength | Management | Analytical Depth | Undervalued? | Presentation | Comments | Total | |
| Supervalu Inc. | SVU | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 19 |
| Autoliv Inc. | ALV | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 27 |
| Berkshire Bancorp | BERK | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 21 |
| All Systems | DST | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 26 |
| Microsoft | MSFT | ||||||||
| Bob Evans Farms, Inc | BOBE | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 11 |
| Banro Corporation | BAA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| Abbott Laboratories | ABT | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 23 |
| Tullett Prebon | TLPR | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 22 |
| Research In Motion | RIMM | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 20 |
| Retail Holdings | RHDGF | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 25 |
| Lowes | LOW | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 23 |
| Ralcorp Holdings | RAH | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 16 |
| Staples | SPLS | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 25 |
| Nintendo | NTDOV | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 24 |
| BP | BP | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 19 |
Therefore the winners are:
First Place:Autoliv Inc.: Investing in Safety (Value Idea Contest)
Second Place: Value Ideas Contest: All Systems Are Go
Congratulations!
Please contact us to claim your prizes. Other participants, please also contact us to claim your $50 award for submissions. We pay by check or PayPal and payments are made at the beginning of each. If you have not done so, a Free Lance Agreement needs to be signed, scanned and emailed to [email protected]. You can download it here.
With this announcement, GuruFocus is calling for our September Value Idea Contest submissions. We will continue to host the contest in October. But we will not host contest in November. Please submit your best value ideas and get feedbacks from the most intelligent group of value investors on the internet.
