Month: September 2023

You Can Buy Barbara Walter’s 13 Carat Diamond Ring: Estimate $600,000 to $900,000

The New York based Bonhams auction house is auctioning off the estate of Barbara Walters on November 6, with over over 300 lots of American Art, jewelry, fashion, furniture, and decorative items. The net proceeds of the sale will benefit charities that Walter’s supported.

Barbara Walters, born on September 25, 1929, in Boston, Massachusetts, was an iconic American journalist, television personality, and author, best known for her trailblazing work in the field of broadcast journalism. Walters made history by breaking into the male-dominated world of television news reporting in the 1960s. Her tenacity and talent led her to become a prominent figure on NBC’s “Today Show,” where she worked as a co-host and writer, shaping the show’s format and content.

Walters’ career reached new heights when she joined ABC News in 1976 as the first female co-anchor of an evening news program. She co-hosted the ABC Evening News alongside Harry Reasoner, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations of female journalists. However, it was her role as the creator, co-host, and producer of the daytime talk show “The View,” which premiered in 1997, that solidified her status as a cultural icon. The show, featuring a panel of diverse women discussing various topics, became immensely popular and showcased Walters’ interviewing skills and ability to engage with a wide range of personalities.

Throughout her career, Walters conducted high-profile interviews with world leaders, celebrities, and newsmakers, earning her a reputation as one of the most respected journalists in the industry. Her interviewing style was characterized by a combination of empathy, intelligence, and tough questioning. Walters’ contributions to journalism were recognized with numerous awards, including Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Women’s Media Foundation. Barbara Walters retired from regular television appearances in 2014, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking journalism and inspiring generations of journalists, especially women, to pursue their dreams in the field.

Some of the more interesting items up for sale include Walters’ engagement ring from Merv Adelson, a Harry Winston Diamond Ring, weighing 13.84 carats with an estimate of $600,000 to $900,000, and a pair of JAR Gemset earrings estimated at $200,000 to $300,000.

The painting  Egyptian Woman (Coin Necklace) (1891) by John Singer Sargent has an estimate of $1.2 million to $1.8 million. If that is too rich for your blood, you can bid on an engraved silver-plated cigarette box with an estimate of just $100 to $200.

Some of the highlights will be available to view at Bonham’s salesrooms in Boston, Los Angeles, Paris, London, and Hong Kong.

Picture of Barbara Walters’ New York Apartment. Courtesy Bonhams

Stocks Going Ex Dividend in October 2023

The following is a short list of some of the many stocks going ex-dividend during the next month, which can be helpful for traders and investors interested in the stock trading technique known as “Buying Dividends” or “Dividend Capture.” This strategy involves purchasing stocks before the ex dividend date and selling them shortly after the ex-date at a similar price, while still being eligible to receive the dividend payment.

Although this technique generally proves effective in bull markets and flat or choppy markets, it is advisable to exercise caution and consider avoiding this strategy during bear markets. To qualify for the dividend, it is necessary to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date and refrain from selling it until on or after the ex-date.

However, it is important to note that the actual dividend may not be paid for several weeks, as the payment date can be delayed by up to two months after the ex-date.

For investors seeking a comprehensive list of stocks going ex-dividend in the near future, WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has compiled a downloadable list containing numerous dividend-paying companies. Here are a few examples showcasing the stock symbol, ex-dividend date, periodic dividend amount, and annual yield.

Comcast Corporation Class A (CMCSA)10/3/20230.292.59%
Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO)10/3/20230.392.96%
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store (CBRL)10/19/20231.308.13%
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (LOW)10/24/20231.102.11%
Scholastic Corporation (SCHL)10/30/20230.202.14%
Hasbro, Inc. (HAS)10/31/20230.704.20%

To access the entire list of over 100 ex-dividend stocks, subscribers will receive an email in the next couple days with the full list. If you are not already a subscriber, you can sign up using the provided signup box below. Don’t miss out on this valuable information, and the best part is that it’s free!

Dividend Definitions

To better understand the dividend-related terms, let’s define them:

Declaration date: This refers to the day when a company announces its intention to distribute a dividend in the future.
Ex-dividend date: On this day, if you purchase the stock, you would not be eligible to receive the upcoming dividend. It is also the first day on which a shareholder can sell their shares and still receive the dividend.
Record date: This marks the day when you must be recorded on the company’s books as a shareholder to qualify for the dividend. Typically, the ex-dividend date is set two business days prior to the record date.
Payment date: This is the day on which the dividend payment is actually made to the eligible shareholders. It’s important to note that the payment date can be as long as two months after the ex-date.

Before implementing the “Buying Dividends” technique, it is crucial to reconfirm the ex-dividend date with the respective company to ensure accuracy and avoid any unexpected changes.

In conclusion, being aware of the stocks going ex-dividend can be advantageous for traders and investors employing the “Buying Dividends” strategy. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com provides a convenient resource to access a comprehensive list of such stocks, allowing individuals to plan their investment decisions effectively. Remember to stay informed and consider market conditions before employing any investment strategy.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

Three Stocks Selling Below Cash per Share

by Fred Fuld III

Cash per share is a financial metric used in stock fundamental analysis to assess a company’s financial health and its ability to meet its short-term obligations. It represents the amount of cash a company has on hand per outstanding share of its common stock. This metric is calculated by dividing the total cash and cash equivalents a company holds by the number of outstanding common shares.

Cash per share is important in fundamental analysis for several reasons:

  1. Liquidity Assessment: It provides insights into a company’s liquidity, indicating how much cash is readily available to cover its immediate financial needs. Higher cash per share suggests better liquidity and a lower risk of financial distress.
  2. Risk Mitigation: Companies with a significant cash reserve per share are better positioned to weather economic downturns, financial crises, or unexpected expenses without resorting to debt or diluting shareholder equity.
  3. Investor Confidence: A high cash per share ratio can enhance investor confidence, as it signals that the company has the financial flexibility to invest in growth opportunities, pay dividends, or repurchase shares.
  4. Acquisition Potential: Companies with substantial cash per share are often viewed as attractive targets for mergers and acquisitions, as their cash reserves can be used to fund such activities.
  5. Capital Allocation: It can assist investors in evaluating a company’s capital allocation strategy. If a company is accumulating cash but not deploying it effectively, it may indicate that management lacks a clear plan for growth or shareholder value creation.
  6. Comparison: Cash per share can be used to compare a company’s financial strength with that of its peers in the same industry or sector. It helps investors identify companies with relatively stronger cash positions.

It’s important to note that while a high cash per share ratio can be a positive sign, excessively hoarding cash without deploying it effectively can be detrimental to shareholder returns. Investors typically consider cash per share in conjunction with other financial metrics and factors, such as earnings, debt levels, and the company’s overall business strategy, to make informed investment decisions.

In summary, cash per share is a fundamental metric that provides insights into a company’s financial strength, liquidity, and ability to weather economic challenges. It plays a crucial role in evaluating a company’s financial health and investment potential.

To give a specific example, if a company goes out of business today, and it’s stock is debt free and selling for less than the cash per share, even if all its real estate, machinery, inventory, and everything else is worthless, the shareholder would be guaranteed to make money.

You may wonder if you can still buy stocks selling below cash. Here is one example.

Origin Materials (ORGN), with a market cap of $202.4 million, is trading at 93% of the cash per share.

Origin Materials, Inc., founded in 2008 and headquartered in West Sacramento, California, is a company dedicated to the development and commercialization of sustainable materials and chemicals.

Their primary focus revolves around producing carbon-negative materials and chemicals using renewable feedstocks sourced from non-food biomass, such as wood and agricultural residues.

By leveraging innovative technologies, Origin Materials aims to create products with a net-negative carbon footprint, meaning they remove more carbon from the atmosphere than is emitted during their production. The company collaborates with various partners, including major consumer brands and chemical companies, to incorporate their sustainable materials into a wide array of products.

Origin Materials’ mission centers on environmental sustainability, offering eco-friendly alternatives to conventional materials and contributing to the reduction of industries’ environmental impact.

The stock has a reasonable price to earnings ratio of 7.69, and is selling at 53% of book value.

If you are looking for a stock with a larger market cap, and if you think the market for commercial real estate has bottomed out, Equity Commonwealth (EQC) is a real estate investment trust with a market cap of $2.07 billion. The stock is selling at 96% of its cash per share.

This REIT invests in commercial office properties and is based in Chicago.

The company is debt free, trades at 33.4 times earnings, and is trading at 92% of book value.

If you are looking for very high risk, ClearOne (CLRO) is a penny stock with a market cap of $19.57 million.

ClearOne, Inc. is a communication solutions company headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, with a history dating back to its founding in 1983. Specializing in audio and visual collaboration technologies, ClearOne has established itself as a prominent player in the industry.

The company’s core focus revolves around providing cutting-edge solutions designed to enhance communication and collaboration in diverse professional settings.

ClearOne offers a comprehensive suite of products and services tailored for improving communication quality, whether in corporate conference rooms, educational institutions, huddle spaces, or remote work environments. This includes audio conferencing solutions, video conferencing systems, collaboration software, professional audio-visual integration capabilities, and unified communications integration.

ClearOne has earned recognition for its patented technologies in echo cancellation, noise reduction, and audio processing, all contributing to the enhancement of audio quality.

Their mission is to simplify and elevate communication experiences for businesses, educational institutions, and government organizations, fostering productivity and seamless interaction.

The company has no long term debt, a very low P/E ratio less than 2, a decent price sales ratio of 0.98, and sells for 45% of book value.

Please note that while a low price-to-cash ratio may indicate good value, it should not be the sole factor considered in investment decisions. Conducting thorough research and due diligence, evaluating the company’s fundamentals, assessing its competitive position, and considering other financial metrics are essential to make solid investment choices.

Disclosure: Author didn’t own any of the above at the time the article was written. These stocks are very low cap and should be considered extremely speculative.

High Times acquired by Lucy Scientific in all-stock deal

Lucy Scientific Acquires High Times Intellectual Property, Including Existing Licensing Agreements in All-Stock Transaction

 The Transaction includes international and domestic rights of the brand High Times, Cannabis Cup, and 420.com brands, and its respective domain names

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, September 7, 2023 – Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc. (“Lucy” or “the Company”) (NASDAQ: LSDI), a leading psychotropic innovator announces the acquisition of the intellectual property (IP) of High Times, the most recognizable and iconic brand in the cannabis industry. This acquisition provides a stream of high-margin licensing and royalty income from the well-regarded High Times, Cannabis Cup, and 420.com brands, including their respective domain names. 

Lucy will issue 19.9% of its outstanding stock to High Times and make payments semi-annually for the next 5 years based on EBITDA generated from the acquired IP, which can be settled with either stock or cash at Lucy’s option. Additionally, Lucy will license the right to operate retail stores and manufacture and sell THC products in the United States back to High Times, in return for a license fee of $1.0M per year, increasing to $2.0M per year upon Federal legalization. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close within two weeks.    

Lucy will be acquiring brand rights with plans to monetize the IP through current and planned royalty agreements by further extending and enhancing the existing domestic and international licensing arrangements currently held by High Times, including consumer products and merchandise. The Company intends to preserve the essence of the High Times, Cannabis Cup, and 420.com brands while identifying new avenues for growth and development. 

The Company expects the acquisition of High Times IP, including, the 18 licensing agreements across various product categories  it will acquire, to add at least $10M of revenue and $5M of EBITDA to its 2024 results and provide a solid foundation of growth as cannabis becomes legal around the world.

Richard Nanula, CEO and Executive Chairman at Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc., commented, “Lucy expects this acquisition to drive high margin revenue quickly and sustainably across the cannabis sector around the world. This is a great opportunity to grow the market presence of the nearly 50 year old High Times brand globally through licensing and online distribution.  We are confident that this opportunity can add significant value for our shareholders.”

Adam Levin, Executive Chairman of High Times added, “Over the past few years, we have been building the consumer products offerings for High Times and there is no better partner than Lucy to drive our iconic brand forward.  This transaction will open up tremendous new opportunities to grow and expand the High Times brand led by Richard Nanula, who has decades of experience with some of the biggest consumer brands and companies in the world. We are delighted to become large Lucy shareholders.” 

About Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc.

Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc. (NASDAQ: LSDI) is a Nasdaq-listed company with holdings and operations in a variety of psychotropic businesses. The company holds a Controlled Drugs and Substances Dealer’s License granted by Health Canada’s Office of Controlled Substances. Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, LSDI Manufacturing Inc., operate under Part J of the Food and Drug Regulations promulgated under the Food and Drugs Act (Canada). This specialized license authorizes LSDI to develop, sell, deliver, and manufacture pharmaceutical-grade active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) used in controlled substances and their raw material precursors. With a focus on pioneering innovative therapies for patients in need, Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc. is dedicated to advancing the understanding and applications of psychotropic medicines, improving mental health outcomes, and enhancing well-being for individuals worldwide.

About High Times:

Since its founding 46 years ago, High Times has grown to be one of the world’s most well-known cannabis brands – championing the lifestyle and educating the masses on the benefits of this natural flower. From humble beginnings as a counterculture lifestyle publication, High Times has evolved into growing a network of cannabis dispensaries, the host and creator of events like the Cannabis Cup, the producer of globally distributed merchandise, participant in international licensing deals, and provider of content for a multitude of fans and supporters. In 2020, High Times began acquiring retail dispensaries, for the first time directly touching the plant it had been promoting for over 40 years. Today the brand owns 8 retail stores, as well as several cannabis brands.

Podcast: Financial History, Investment Trivia and Antique Stock Certificates

Available at Stocks for Beginners

When and why did the CIA create a venture capital fund? How did a failed stockbroker become a literary giant? Fred Fuld III from Wall Street News Network discusses Financial History, Investment Trivia and Antique Stock Certificates.

Some of the topics covered in the discussion include:

– The Venture Capital Fund that the CIA created 

– The stock run by the FBI that had a box of clothes as its only asset 

– Bitcoin trivia 

– The first women-owned stock brokerage firm in 1870 

– Celebrity Stockbrokers including Jules Verne 

– The Skirt Length Index 

– The first marijuana stock 

You can listed to the podcast or read the transcript at Stocks for Beginners.