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SFF,
I think more will be doing the same for similar reasons at the end of this quarter if PBLS does not articulate what it is, where it's going, and how it's getting there. It is way over do.
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I've been wondering. We're wondering why the PPS is tanking. Let's see. What does PBLS own right now? Not sure. If we aren't in some of the businesses any longer, what impact is that having on our earnings and profits this quarter(even if it was wise to get rid of them?). What did the apparent cash flow problem do to the aero business in the past quarter? What additional liabilities / debt have we incurred with any new unannounced acquisitions? What revisions to forward looking statements regarding expected earnings will appear in the next PR? Rising O/S to the A/S limit, and worry about going beyond the 2.5 billion, and diminishing shareholder value as a result. Fear that liabilities will show diminishing, not improving, earnings and profit this quarter (even in unaudited financials).
What can we weigh those concerns against: "Partners" buying on the open market (I'm still not convinced of this). Komex (unverifiable). New Offshore Bank (?). Mines acquired or not. Etc. My point is that we aren't getting a clearer picture of PBLS despite the recent pronouncements, I think we know less. That has caused the sinking PPS. We don't need to look to naked shorting or any other boogie man as an explanation. PBLS needs to provide clarity as to what the company owns, their business plan, verify their contracts, demonstrate earnings and profit growth, and increasing shareholder value through a rising PPS. If PBLS comes in with a poorer financial statement this quarter than last and there is no validation of the Komex deal before then, I wouldn't expect .005 to hold IMHO. I think the insiders are already anticipating that and I'm disappointed in myself for not anticipating it to sell with them, and then play the bounce.
To quote Homer, the rest is all "squeaking and gibbering."
I put money on a gamble, the horse is still in the race, but from where I'm sitting, it looks like it's thrown off two shoes in turn 3.
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A question
We are coming up on a quarter end, which should trigger updates on Pink Sheets. Does anyone think those updates and financial statements will document any newly purchased assets by PBLS, and what is the board sentiment regarding what our balance sheet may look like? And lastly, does anyone think such unaudited financials posted on pink sheets matter any longer, if so much else remains unverifiable?
My answers are the following (knowing this is all opinion and based on conjecture)
1. Demonstrate any new acquisitions / assets - not to the point we can clearly understand its impact to the company.
2. Balance statement - in line with last quarter's profit margin. I'm being optimistic.
3. Does any of the above matter any longer - No. Not until they become fully transparent or their PRs become verifiable.
The above is based on my guess that if there would be marked improvement, we wouldn't be sub-penny half way through September.
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Here's hoping we hear about that soon- it lloks like from the PRs that they are moving in that direction (production capability). I'd love to see that shoe fall.
GLTY
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Not shocked, more disgusted. I assume a news leak, I assume it's not one that lends itself to optimism, and I'm worried we will go over 2.5 billion in O/S soon. So I'll sit and hold at the moment. I can't add, even if we go sub-penny, until we hit the 2.5 billion O/S level and get some sense that we will not go higher on the authorized shares - or get news that starts turning the stock higher. In the absence of meaningful news, there's not much more to say. I'm not ready to cash in but I'm not ready to toss more money into Paul's hat until there's a clear picture of where my money goes after that.
If I were a flipper, and had more cash, I would be buying and turning a few shares though.
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I'm hoping that since Germany is "Greener" pastures in some respect for Lithium, that this demonstration may have a bigger impact there than it did at the Princeton Club in New York. It all comes down to a commitment by an auto manufacturer to start using their technology, or even an announcement of a partnership to ramp up production for the use of their technology at some point in the future.
News on LTHU
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070911/20070911005593.html?.v=1
The Prius Hybrid displayed in Germany, Green Party Backing.
LTC's Technology is Showcased at Frankfurt International Auto Show by Germany's Third Largest Political Party
Tuesday September 11, 9:00 am ET
PLYMOUTH MEETING, Penn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lithium Technology Corporation ("LTC") (OTC: LTHU - News), and German Parliament officials present and drive at the Frankfurt International Auto Show LTC's fuel efficient demonstration vehicle, which can achieve 125+ miles per gallon (mpg) utilizing LTC's lithium ion iron phosphate battery. An official technology provider for Germany's Green Party during the event, LTC will showcase a Toyota Prius converted to a plug-in hybrid vehicle and retrofitted with the Company's unique patented battery technology at the show beginning Tuesday, September 11, and themed, "See what's driving the future."
The key point being independently verifiable beyond the PR - I would rather see PRs doing that on the previously announced Komex deal then the announcement of a new deal as equally unsubstantiated, IMHO.
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OT - after 2 + years, I put them in the cellar with the wine, but on the other side of the cellar is the cat litter. The question is whether they will age well or end up being put to other uses.
D -
still here, 600,000 shares, with mold growing on them.
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OT - grew up in greensburg - used to drive thru there all the time.
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We made an old vine Zin this year - grapes are from Lodi California - along with a cab - merlot, merlot, and a cab-merlot - zin blend. Next year (if Mr Dale's yearly prediction holds for PBLS success), I'll be bottling the Chateauneuf - du - Paul and Mulshine Merlot. I just hope they don't turn to vinegar before the stock runs.
My wife keeps asking when I'm getting the count to 365 - she considers me a slacker until I can account for a whole year (then I'll be nagged about leap year!).
If the PBLS party ever happens in New Orleans after this stock runs, I'll bring some bottles along for drinking after the bars close in the French quarter, to continue our toasts to prosperity. It sure beats Kool-aid.
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Being a fellow Pittsburgher (now living elsewhere) I can only applaud him for keeping the old traditions of the city alive.
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Rick,
Part of the problem is, it seems most of the questions we ask are rhetorical, as answers aren't always forthcoming or expected! Hopefully Mastercraft's list of questions will fare better than that.
Take it easy - it's the weekend, and tomorrow I'm bottling my home made wine (225 bottles). PBLS has driven me to drink, and with the stagnant PPS I had to cut costs on my liquor bill...
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Rick,
I'm not the best to ask the question of - I'm a bit skeptical of the whole "partners" claim (just don't see why a deal would be structured like that or agreed to by such partners). There's a lot of great DD done (and listed above) by members of this board on PBLS - after reviewing that and your own DD, that's what you need to base your decision to buy on.
Welcome to the board.
D -
Master,
For your sake and mine, I hope they are very busy indeed.
D
Master,
That PBLS has the time to read posts on IHUB is disconserting. Doing that would either be for a diversion (which means things aren't too busy if they've got time to wade through our chatter) or they're very much interested in the investor response and mindset - my question would be why? There are two answers:
1. Because they are seriously interested in our questions and concerns as investors
2. Their interested in investor mood for less noble reasons.
Me, I'd prefer efforts being placed into being a current provider on Pink Sheets, Full Transparency, and verifiable PRs. It would be better as well to deal with investor concerns more formally - stock holder meetings, voting, etc. Dabbling on message boards is a waste of their time in my opinion.
As we've seen, nothing else is moving the stock - even a 6.6 billion PR.
Cutting,
I still don't really understand the rationale at all behind partners buying on the open market. I'm not placing any real confidence in that aspect of the PR until they explain it more fully.
D -
Yep, it's me. I could sell right now and you'd all be millionaires within a week. It's kind of like the story "The Lottery" - I'm the one who should be getting the little back X and the stones thrown at him.
Take it easy.
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Thanks -
some day I hope to travel to new orleans to enjoy our new found wealth!
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Cutting,
As I'm going to be out of town again, I would expect something juicy to get PR'D - it always does when I go (No, I don't have any inside information regarding this - it just always seems to happen - I was heading north in my car for my last vacation when the Komex PR came out). I go away now and again for this very purpose, as my chief contribution to the board (well, okay, there is the beach, and the restaurants, and those glasses of wine...). Here's hoping something good hits the table while I'm gone.
GLTA - mind the store and don't let it go over .25 a share as the euphoria would kill me, and all this would be for nothing except making my wife very happy.
D -
Agreed.
Do you remember when through gross and willful negligence an American chemical company gassed and poisoned an entire plant and surrounding area? The stock of this stellar company plummeted through the litigation years. Wise people knew that a ) a settlement would be reached, and b) the amount of the settlement would be pocket change for the company. If memory serves, that stock went from 11 to 31 dollars a share when the settlement was announced. Lesson: never bet on the little man in America when it comes to money. Never bet on the courts to dispense justice. Never bet on the institutions to uphold regulations or laws when billions of dollars are in play. Do bet on the players who can game the system and profit from it, IMHO. Cynical, but true. I'm not holding out hope on the SEC. They are paid lackeys of business.
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Justalittle,
Thanks for checking. The Picayune (besides being mentioned in a great Randy Newman song), is a pretty darn good paper. I'll contact them.
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True,
Conspiracy theorists need not apply in such a scenario. "The MMs are keeping us down" seems to me unnecessary labor on the MMS part until the items you state show some validitiy. Hope keeps us buoyant for now.
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oldtech,
Newspapers in America aren't what they used to be. I'll try them again, sometimes asking the same thing over and over again can be an effective tactic - my kids use it on me all the time (with less success than I hope to have with these papers though). The question posed by another poster relating to professional associations was a good one - the more of those we know, the more DD can be done, especially by others who are part of the same associations. I'm going to check monster for job postings as well (weren't they hiring ten new accountants?). I'd like to see more of an internet footprint for a company ostensibly growing like this one.
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I just sent a note off to the St. Tammany news desk - If I hear anything of note I'll pass it on.
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Whirl,
Thanks. Should I submit my own news for PBLS (the site gives that option...). LOL
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Crad,
Thanks - I'll do a little digging and post what I find. FYI to the board I'll be away at the end of the week so I may not have anything until after labor day.
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Ren,
Local papers also tend to be puff pieces on occasion (putting the good spin on the local business). But this sort of information if it exists is what good DD is all about, and if there are some feet on the ground down there interested in helping getting it at the local paper, we can read it and form our own opinion as we do with what we read in any paper. I'm not going to discount what we haven't seen yet or might see yet, and I'm willing to give it a try. If they uncover a scam, wouldn't you want to know? I don't hink PBLS is a scam but they have suffered from a series of unfortunate PRs in terms of the impact of those PRs on investors.
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Oldtech,
I put a public note out to crad and justalittle - great idea. I do have some sites from another project I worked on that lists newspapers by region, and then there's always the local TV as well. I'd think PBLS would be involved in local community events, based on what has been reported about them from the site visits, so I would think local sponsorships and such would have occurred.
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Crad or Justalittle,
Do you know any of the local papers (perhaps with no internet publishing) that would be reporting on or digging in to a juicy story like an up and coming company such as PBLS? That sort of journalistic review and reporting of PBLS would go a long way to validating the company. I'll look online for listings of papers near their headquarters, but if you know of any local ones, I'd appreciate their phone numbers for general inquiries. Also, is PBLS involved inteh local chamber of commerce?
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stocks2,
You've hit one of my biggest questions - if a company based in a smallish town in Louisiana is about to make it big, I expect to see the chamber, the local paper, etc all over that. The lack of that public domain information and interest is troubling to me. As we know PBLS does not play it close to the vest when it comes to touting contracts etc (sharing them in phone calls to investors, etc., Pr-ing them like Komex and the Laurel MS homes (which I never found any validation of but did find another company assisting in), one would think the local press would have a lot more to talk about. Maybe it's dificult to dig up on the internet and a call down there is worth a try, if no one on the board has done that, I'll do it.
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you're a saint for taking this on, or are compliments to personal for the board these days?
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oldtech,
Another question or two:
1. How many registered shareholders does PBLS have on record?
2. What's the status of the up to 20 million dollar contract with Cherokee environmental, and is future business with them in the cards?
3. What is the status of the Laurel, MS housing effort - did that 600 housing unit deal go through or not?
4. What New Orleans based construction efforts are currently contracted?
5. Is PBLS planning to use up to 4 billion shares for future acquisitions?
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Ren,
It comes down to whether management is wisely increasing the O/S based on the expectations (and ultimate realization) of revenues and profits. Unfortunately, we can't see into whether they're doing that wisely or not until full transparency. I hope the scenario plays out that the growth of PBLS can support the increase in O/S - ages back I posted as much as well. So far we can confirm only one side of the equation with the ungagged TA. The other side remains a mystery.
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Ren,
Your reply is a bit disingenuous as well - an increasing O/S decreases proportionally the value of an increase in earnings of the EPS. The energy, cost, and time to produce higher earnings to offset the higher O/S compared to the energy, cost, time to achieve a similar EPS on a lower O/S can be considerable. We all should be concerned that PBLS has the ability to increase the earnings to match the O/S increases that have occurred to create an equivalent EPS to what would have been achieved at 800 million O/S. If they can do that, hurray. That's what we're all waiting on hearing. But let's not minimize the fact that the effort to do that increases with the increase in the O/S dramatically.
D -
Maybe I should cert enough to get one preferred share, that would get me a vote and alert me to when the divy checks come. There was no minimum set by PBLS if I recall...
D -
Hurricane Dean may be on a path to Mexico's oil refineries -
From Yahoo News this morning:
Hurricane Dean seen becoming deadly Category 5
MIAMI (Reuters) - Hurricane Dean is expected to grow into a ferocious Category 5 storm as it passes Jamaica and nears Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and the oil and gas rigs of the Gulf of Mexico after it smashed into several Caribbean islands, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Saturday.
With top sustained winds of 150 mph early on Saturday, the hurricane center said Dean was a Category 4 storm, the second-highest level on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale and capable of widespread destruction.
The hurricane center said it was expected to strengthen to Category 5, with top sustained winds in excess of 155 mph, before plowing directly over Jamaica toward the Gulf, home to a third of U.S. domestic crude oil and 15 percent of natural gas production.
Oldteck,
If you type cement into the search on that site, this interesting artical about increased investment in this area and suspected price-fixing involving a cartel of 11 cement producers is one of the articles that comes up -
Cement producers plan big investments, see 7-10% growth
According to forecasts, cement sales will grow 7-10 percent this year. Last year, 14.5m tons of cement were sold in Poland. Luc Callebat, Lafarge Cement CEO, believes that sales may double within several years.
Cement producers plan big investment projects. "We estimate that the sector will have to invest EUR 800-1,000m", Luc Callebat said.
Lafarge Cement produces 3.3m tons of cement annually. This year, it plans to increase capacity by 15 percent and will spend PLN 100m (EUR 25.5m) for this project. "Detailed strategy will be presented at the end of this year. We are going to spend dozens million euros altogether", Luc Callebat said.
Since 1996, his company has spend PLN 1 billion in Poland. These costs will influence cement prices. "We plan a price increase of PLN 25-30 a ton", Luc Callebat said. He is not afraid that this will discourage the clients. He believes that cement constitutes 3-4 percent of the cost of building 1 square meter of a flat or 1 km of motorway.
UOKiK, the Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, sees potential danger. In January, the office launched an investigation concerning a cartel of 11 cement producers. Lafarge Cement is also among the suspected producers.
There is some irony here. Pink sheet stocks can be little more than names and PO Boxes, and that anonymity can allow for scams. Each of us on this message board is equally anonymous, allowing for the same. There's distrust now with a new poster, and there's distrust with PBLS's PRs. Anonymity (otherwise known as the lack of transparency) is the problem as it leads to suspicion.
So far that distrust in PBLS has not grown to the point of the longs letting their long held shares go and plunging us sub-penny again. But that could change if PBLS does not provide verifiable information "soon" on some very heavily stated PRs (such as the Komex deal). In addition, PBLS needs to show that they can manage the businesses they have bought. That means that they need to communicate to the investors their competency in running this organization, and show effective management is in place in each division.
To that end, two years back in July, didn't PBLS give a summary of their divisions / expectations for the year? Here we are mid-year and I would have expected a similar overview to have been produced. If the website isn't being updated regularly, the investors need to know and to hear from the division leaders regarding business plans for the divisions, progress being made, what's on the horizon. It's time for the division heads to be less anonymous and silent as well in my opinion to take this stock a step further. Regular reports by division need to begin appearing. I need to get a sense from their plans and execution in meeting those plans that they are doing the right things with my money. Otherwise, like any investor, I'd move it elsewhere. Still holding, still long, still waiting.
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