Below is a spreadsheet that highlights Mohnish Pabrai's moves this quarter. Please check-out our SeekingAlpha column for an analysis of the moves:
Tracking Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Portfolio: Q1 2012 Update
Below is a spreadsheet that highlights Bill Ackman's moves this quarter. Please check-out our SeekingAlpha column for an analysis of the moves:
Tracking Bruce Berkowitz's Fairholme Portfolio: Q1 2012 Update
Below is a spreadsheet that highlights Bruce Berkowitz's moves this quarter. Please check-out our SeekingAlpha column for an analysis of the moves:
Tracking Warren Buffett'S Berkshire Hathaway Portfolio - Q1 2012 Update
Below is a spreadsheet that highlights Warren Buffett's moves this quarter. Please check-out our SeekingAlpha column for an analysis of the moves:
Tracking Wilbur Ross’s Holdings – Q1 2012 Update
This article is the first of a series that provides ongoing
analysis of the changes made to Wilbur Ross’s US stock portfolio on a quarterly
basis. The WL Ross & Co unit of Invesco is a specialized outfit that looks
to invest in and turnaround financially distressed companies. WL Ross & Co
was established in 2000 and in the mid-2000s bought several bankrupt steel
companies to form International Steel Group. After executing a turnaround, ISG
was sold to Arcelor Mittal in 2005 for a $2.5B profit. More recently, Wilbur
Ross along with Fairfax Financial Holdings took a large stake in Bank of
Ireland, thereby “saving” the company from nationalization.
The spreadsheet below highlights changes to Ross's US stock
holdings in Q1 2012:
The portfolio remained largely unchanged with a few minor
adjustments. Also, new stakes were established on Bioscrip Inc (BIOS), Delta
Air Lines (DAL), and Key Energy Resources (KEG). However, the stakes do not
indicate a bullish bias – combined, they accounted for only around 0.5% of the
portfolio and so the stakes are insignificant.
Bullish: The big 20%
stakes in Assured Guaranty (AGO) and Bankunited Inc (BKU) along with the huge
30% stake in Bank of Ireland returned well into the double-digits. They were
held steady indicating a clear bullish bias. Exco Resources (XCO) was a large ~21%
stake as of Q4 2011. The stake was increased marginally during the quarter in the
face of a sharp correction. The increase in stake indicates a clear bullish
bias. Wilbur Ross is on record saying natural gas is a good intermediate step for
the United States between dirty fossil fuels (coal and oil) and renewable
energy – it should help with the balance of payment and reduce the dependency
on Arab nations for fuel.
Tracking David Swensen’s Yale Endowment Holdings – Q1 2012 Update
This article is the first of a series that provides ongoing
analysis of the changes made to Yale Endowment’s US stock portfolio on a
quarterly basis. Yale Endowment had 6.7% of its assets allocated to US equities
as of 06/30/2011. The total value of the endowment is just shy of $20B, about
15% below the all-time high of $23B reached in 2008. It’s ten-year performance
of over 10% places it in the top one percent of large institutional investors. As
of Q4 2011, the US long portfolio had $198.83M invested and that has come down
over 35% to $128.39M as of Q1 2012. The relatively large shift in allocation
indicates a bearish bias towards US equities as an asset class. The portfolio
is very concentrated with just ten issues and the number of equities did not
change this quarter – the fund sold out of three positions but added three
others.
The spreadsheet below highlights changes to Swensen's US
stock holdings in Q1 2012:
Below is a summary of his new stakes:
Linkedin Corporation
(LNKD): LNKD is a 2.25% stake that was established this quarter when the
price-per-share varied between $61 and $104. LNKD had the biggest internet IPO
since Google (2004) on May 19, 2011 and its stock promptly doubled from its IPO
price of $45. The stock saw a sell-off following lockup expiration on November
19, 2011 and it traded in the $59 range in late November. Since then, the stock
has produced a stunning return of over 85% in the last six months – the stock
trades around $110 currently.
Pandora Media (P): P
is a very small 0.7% stake that was established this quarter when the
price-per-share varied between $10 and $15. P is another internet stock that
IPOed mid-last-year (June 15, 2011). The stock fell below $10 following lockup
expiration in December and it currently trades around the same price-range.
Following a weak Q4 report and anemic forecast on March 7, 2012, the stock fell
25% but has since recovered a little.
Hallador Energy
(HNRG): HNRG is a very small 0.3% stake that was established this quarter
when the price-per-share varied between $8.7 and $10.83. The stock currently
trades at around $7.8. HNRG is a small-cap stock engaged in the production of
steam coal from a single mine in Western Indiana. The allocation is very small
to indicate a bullish bias.
Tracking Seth Klarman's Baupost Group Holdings: Q1 2012 Update
Below is a spreadsheet that highlights Seth Klarman's moves this quarter. Please check-out our SeekingAlpha column for an analysis of the moves:
British East Africa - Travel/Philately/Numismatics/Memorabilia Profile
British East Africa is the area of present-day Kenya 
which
was controlled by Great Britain during the period from 1895. It became the
colony of Kenya in 1920. The colony of Kenya remained through the period from
1920 to 1963 when it gained independence.
which
was controlled by Great Britain during the period from 1895. It became the
colony of Kenya in 1920. The colony of Kenya remained through the period from
1920 to 1963 when it gained independence.
Philatelic Profile:
The first stamps of British East Africa were surcharge and
‘British East Africa Company” overprints
on Queen Victoria (QV) issues of the period. 
The set of three stamps (Scott #1to #3) is very rare and sought after. They each catalog in the range of $300 to
$600 Mint and slightly less for Used. The overprinted denominations read HALF
ANNA, 1 ANNA, and 4 ANNAS.
The set of three stamps (Scott #1to #3) is very rare and sought after. They each catalog in the range of $300 to
$600 Mint and slightly less for Used. The overprinted denominations read HALF
ANNA, 1 ANNA, and 4 ANNAS. 
The first set was followed between 1890 and 1894 with a set
of seventeen stamps (Scott #14 to #30) in the Light and Liberty theme showing
the Sun and Crown Symbolical in a very simple single color design. The set
catalogs in the $700 range for Mint and around $950 for Used. A number of
varieties from this set including surcharge and British East Africa overprint
variations dominated the scene during the period till 1896.
Queen Victoria and British Lions design with British East
Africa and denomination printed as key types replaced the previous QV issues
during the period between 1896 and 1903. 
The first set (Scott #72 to #87)
featured sixteen stamps in different colors and denominations and they catalog
in the $500 range for Mint and $350 for Used. The key types were supplemented
with British East Africa overprints on certain Zanzibar key types also appeared
during the period and they are also very much sought after and rare. A sister
set (Scott #102a to #109) featuring higher values (1r to 50r) was also issued
in 1898. Those catalog in the $1500 range for Mint and a little more for Used.
The first set (Scott #72 to #87)
featured sixteen stamps in different colors and denominations and they catalog
in the $500 range for Mint and $350 for Used. The key types were supplemented
with British East Africa overprints on certain Zanzibar key types also appeared
during the period and they are also very much sought after and rare. A sister
set (Scott #102a to #109) featuring higher values (1r to 50r) was also issued
in 1898. Those catalog in the $1500 range for Mint and a little more for Used.
British East Africa stamps were replaced by Stamps of East
Africa and Uganda Protectorate in 1904.
Numismatics and Collectible
Memorabilia:
Coins of Mombasa 
(the capital) from the late 1800s and EastAfrica from the early 1900s are both very collectible and sought after in
better grades.
(the capital) from the late 1800s and EastAfrica from the early 1900s are both very collectible and sought after in
better grades.
Original photographs,postcards, etc depicting life in the area from the period is a good collectible
item of the area.
Last Updated: 12/2015.
Trip Report to Pattaya
We had planned on using to our
advantage the proximity to South Asian countries and the Middle
East after our R2I. Our maiden venture was the Holyland trip during the summer of last year (Israel,
Jordan, Palestine, and Egypt). For the
Onam holidays, we considered either a Dubai-Muscat jaunt or a two-country outing
from Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.
After exchanging money right outside the hotel
(best exchange rate we got) we strolled to the beach area and opted for lunch
at an ocean view restaurant – relatively expensive at 920 Bhats - food and
service was just OK. Street vendors line the approach roads to the beach. Sandals
are a must and we bargained to snag them at 50 Bhats only to find the same
sandals at the hotel lobby shop for 50 Bhats! The breakfast at the hotel was
good with plenty of choices but the coffee was simply average. The DS Tours rep
stopped by our hotel room and tried to up-sell some tour programs – a ploy we
did not succumb to.
- Dubai alone was quoted at $2.5K for the four of us for 4 nights at Ritz Carlton through Expedia including air-fare. Adding Muscat (3-nights each in Dubai and Muscat) brought it to around $3.6K - comparable three-star hotels in Muscat are almost thrice as expensive as in Dubai. For Dubai the travel agent quoted $360 for 3 nights, daily breakfast, transfers, and half day Dubai city tour while the same sans the half day city tour for Muscat came to $1120 (air-fare extra).
- Malaysia was quoted at $589 for the four of us - two nights in KL, one night in Genting, daily breakfast, all transfers, full day indoor and outdoor theme park ticket in Genting, half day city tour of KL, and one way cable car ride and enroute Batu Cave photo stop tour. Thailand, was cited at $403 for the four of us, included two nights in Bangkok, one night in Pattaya, daily breakfast, all transfers, Coral Island tour with lunch in Pattaya, and a half day temple and city tour in Bangkok. Indonesia, which came in at $946 included three nights in Jakarta, daily breakfast, all transfers, and a half day Jakarta city tour.
We decided on Malaysia and Thailand. Air Asia was our
preferred carrier for South Asia as few other options existed for direct
flights from Kochi (Nedumbassery) International Airport. Moreover, Kaula Lumpur is the
hub for Air Asia.
Our Air Asia flight into Bangkok had very
limited food options (in quantity too) – it is best to prepay for meals when
booking. The transfers and tour within Thailand was arranged via DS Travel,
whose services were generally good although English was not their strength. The
representative who greeted us at the airport came equipped to exchange dollars
for competitive rates and also had on offer certain calling cards. The vehicle for
our transfer to Pattaya arrived in 30 minutes – just the four of us in an
eleven-seater for the 1.5 hour ride (90KM). 
The Royal Palace hotel in Pattaya is a nice older hotel with a beautiful pool across from Marriot. It does not have an ocean view as it is a couple of blocks away from the beach. There is a 1000 Bhat deposit requirement during check-in. Internet is chargeable and the rates are high. The hotel staff left a lot to be desired especially the older lady at the reception counter who was just plain rude. Women in Thailand, in general can be quite impolite – we experienced boorish behavior from women at the checkout counters and realized quickly to only deal with men even for directions. There is also blatant white-worshiping which while good for that segment of the tourists does not bode well for others
The Royal Palace hotel in Pattaya is a nice older hotel with a beautiful pool across from Marriot. It does not have an ocean view as it is a couple of blocks away from the beach. There is a 1000 Bhat deposit requirement during check-in. Internet is chargeable and the rates are high. The hotel staff left a lot to be desired especially the older lady at the reception counter who was just plain rude. Women in Thailand, in general can be quite impolite – we experienced boorish behavior from women at the checkout counters and realized quickly to only deal with men even for directions. There is also blatant white-worshiping which while good for that segment of the tourists does not bode well for others
After exchanging money right outside the hotel
(best exchange rate we got) we strolled to the beach area and opted for lunch
at an ocean view restaurant – relatively expensive at 920 Bhats - food and
service was just OK. Street vendors line the approach roads to the beach. Sandals
are a must and we bargained to snag them at 50 Bhats only to find the same
sandals at the hotel lobby shop for 50 Bhats! The breakfast at the hotel was
good with plenty of choices but the coffee was simply average. The DS Tours rep
stopped by our hotel room and tried to up-sell some tour programs – a ploy we
did not succumb to.
Our main item in the itinerary was
the Coral Island half-day tour with lunch. That proved to be a wonderful outing that went
like clock work. 
DS Travel picked us right on time around 8AM. Sandals,
sun-visors, and sunglasses are a must. At the beach, the boat was waiting – kids
will find walking the few yards to the boat in knee-deep water easier barefoot.
First stop was at the location for para-gliding: these are huge wooden
platforms built in the middle of the sea. Paragliding was 350 Bhats each –
cheapest we have seen the same offered anywhere. We enjoyed it thoroughly – the
escort for the kids position themselves a level above them on the parachute. Motor
boats tug’em chutes around and after circling the platform once helps them
drift down by controlling the speed and direction. The entire experience lasts
10 minutes unless you get lucky – i.e., they fail to “land you” on their first
attempt.They also gave the option for an under sea exploration (1040 Bhats)
which involves diving down to explore the corals for half an hour. The alternative
is to go on a glass bottomed boat to see the corals – visibility is poor in
spite of the clear glass bottom. Almost all in our boat opted to give the under
sea exploration option a miss. 
By around 10AM we were dropped off at the Coral
Island - an excellent very well maintained white sandy beach. Beach chairs are
available for free (part of the package) and the use of beach is also free.
Everything else is an extra – options include water scootering, banana boating,
massages, etc., that are priced very economically. Street vendors served large
sized excellent guavas (30 Bhats) – the cut pieces are tossed in spices – indeed
yummy! Lunch was at an Indian restaurant right at the beach – very basic fare. Charge
for shower is 40 Bhats and bathrooms 10 Bhats. After lunch, a speed-boat
dropped us back at the beach and DS promptly transferred us back to the hotel
by around 2PM. For folks prone to motion sickness, the speed-boat rides may be
a problem and so it is best to take adequate precautions.
Related Posts:
Last Updated: 10/2012.
DS Travel picked us right on time around 8AM. Sandals,
sun-visors, and sunglasses are a must. At the beach, the boat was waiting – kids
will find walking the few yards to the boat in knee-deep water easier barefoot.
First stop was at the location for para-gliding: these are huge wooden
platforms built in the middle of the sea. Paragliding was 350 Bhats each –
cheapest we have seen the same offered anywhere. We enjoyed it thoroughly – the
escort for the kids position themselves a level above them on the parachute. Motor
boats tug’em chutes around and after circling the platform once helps them
drift down by controlling the speed and direction. The entire experience lasts
10 minutes unless you get lucky – i.e., they fail to “land you” on their first
attempt.They also gave the option for an under sea exploration (1040 Bhats)
which involves diving down to explore the corals for half an hour. The alternative
is to go on a glass bottomed boat to see the corals – visibility is poor in
spite of the clear glass bottom. Almost all in our boat opted to give the under
sea exploration option a miss. 
By around 10AM we were dropped off at the Coral
Island - an excellent very well maintained white sandy beach. Beach chairs are
available for free (part of the package) and the use of beach is also free.
Everything else is an extra – options include water scootering, banana boating,
massages, etc., that are priced very economically. Street vendors served large
sized excellent guavas (30 Bhats) – the cut pieces are tossed in spices – indeed
yummy! Lunch was at an Indian restaurant right at the beach – very basic fare. Charge
for shower is 40 Bhats and bathrooms 10 Bhats. After lunch, a speed-boat
dropped us back at the beach and DS promptly transferred us back to the hotel
by around 2PM. For folks prone to motion sickness, the speed-boat rides may be
a problem and so it is best to take adequate precautions.Related Posts:
Last Updated: 10/2012.
Kalyan Silks return experience
It is easy to get used to how the
wonderful return process work in the USA. In most of the stores that we
frequented in the USA such as Costco and Kohl’s, the return policy was very
lenient. Costco pretty much took everything back no questions asked while
Kohl’s allowed returning as long as you had the receipt. In fact, even online
shopping options such as Amazon.com have fairly lenient return policies. The
only place we hesitated to return stuff in the USA was Walmart where although
the returns itself usually went smooth, one had to deal with a long line.
Returns are still very much a
foreign concept in India. Although retail store staff generally claim items can
be returned if not used, in a practical sense, they make it very hard to do it.
In some cases, retail stores even attempt to misguide you in such a way that
you loose your return privileges. This is what we experienced with our first
and last shopping experience at Kalyan Silks: We shopped for a silk sari at
Kalyan Silks, Ernakulam and mentioned clearly upfront that we were shopping for
a sari that is going to be a gift. I checked the ‘what-if’ scenario – should
the selection fail to please the receiver. Kalyan Silks informed me that the
return policy is very generous (exchange to another item of like value) as
customer satisfaction is a high priority with Kalyan Silks. The staff checked
our price range and helped us arrive at a decision without hurrying us. We even
enjoyed complimentary coffee while waiting for the bill. So far, so good…
The ‘what-if’ scenario proved true and we went
to exchange the item with the receipt and the promotional gift intact to
facilitate an easy exchange. The staff confirmed the exchange policy again.
Imagine my dismay when the Showroom Manager informed me that Kalyan Silks policy
does not allow return of a sari if the blouse piece is detached. I protested
for I had neither detached anything nor had asked anybody to detach anything.
The Showroom Manager pointed out the following:
- The staff is trained to obtain customer permission prior to detaching a blouse piece.
- There is no resale value for such an item from Kalyan Silks point of view.
In this time and era, when a
customer is spoilt for choices, if the above response is the best a Manager can
muster as response to appease a customer, they have quite a long way to go to
reach anywhere near US standards. We left after seeking input on how to give
feedback online. They provided a couple of email addresses reluctantly. We
gathered a few other email addresses by searching online and sent out an email
elaborating on our experience. Surprise, surprise – every single one of these
emails bounced saying “mailbox quota exceeded” or some such message – oh, well…
Last Updated: 05/2012.