Well I got my last 3500 shares at $1.96 and I am now fully loaded. Time to sit back and enjoy the rest of the year.

Mat

I managed to pick up 6K at $1.96 and below. It was a great day! I am guessing the rest of my limit order will not be filled, but oh well. Hopefully tomorrow will be another good day.

Mat

Well, I have been away a couple of days, but couldn't resist buying a few more today. Partial fill at 1.95 and above hoping to get another 9500 shares. Definitely undervalued, but who knows when true value will be reached.

Mat

I agree, this was a monster Q and I guestimate 0.05 for at least the next 2 assuming minor challenges or commodity inflation. Thus, I wouldn't be surprised with a tad below .05. Even with that performance we should continue to appreciate.

Mat

I just received an out of office message from Alan Winduss. He will be out until May 26. Hopefully he is on a well-deserved vacation to celebrate the results! He has earned it for this latest quarter.

Mat

Mill info from 10Q

The Company is in the process of constructing a second production mill anticipated to commence operations by the end of August 2008 as announced on Form 8-K dated February 25, 2008. The Company is currently funding the construction of the mill from its available cash flow. A financing arrangement has been sought and approved to complete the mill if cash flow becomes restricted. Whilst the Company has sourced the necessary components and materials for the mill, it has not been committed to any purchase at this time. It is anticipated that the total additional costs to be incurred to complete the mill will be approximately $550,000.

Mat

Absolutely phenomenal! I would not have imagined a quarter this good! I too will send a congratulations to Allen and Gene.

Mat

Stanu - MDF, I too tire of MDF although the potential is still there. Management can't seem to consistently manage costs and I hate to say it, but I am starting to agree with Botonist that management has gotten ahead of the curve in compensating themselves for potential and not performance. The next two quarters should be profitable and I hope they will find a good investment of excess cash (aquisition of some HMO members or clinics through PSN or CarePlus?

Mat

Horrible results and not at all what I was expecting. Hopefully the CC will provide some hope for the future. MDF continues to plod along, but can't seem to show consistent profitability. I expect MDF will head down to $2 and below for the next 3 months. Depressing that it is not going anywhere positive soon.

Mat

AYSI - I sent an email to Gene last night asking about shareholder updates and received an email from Alan Winduss this morning saying "will write something today". Hopefully that is something public, but the quick reply is always nice.

Mat

AYSI - Nice post littlefish with very good perspective. Clearly AYSI is very speculative, but the immediate future still looks very good. I am a bit concerned with the costs of the second mill and potential delays in start-up. I would also like a PR on quarterly results and I would like even better a conference call. There was one "shareholder message" on the website, but I have heard of no others since the super plate on February 22. What happened to the idea of regular updates to shareholders? I think I will send a message back to the company and ask. I still have quite a few shares and I am awaiting the next report with eager anticipation. Best of luck to all.

Mat

I added a couple thousand shares today as well.

Mat

MDF - Interesting

Metropolitan Announces Management Changes
BusinessWire - April 14, 2008 10:00 AM ET


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Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc. (AMEX:MDF), a leading provider of healthcare services in Florida, today announced that Dan McCarthy, interim President of the company's Medicare Advantage plan, METCARE Health Plans, Inc., has agreed to join New York-based Healthfirst as Chief Operating Officer. McCarthy initially contracted with METCARE in March 2007 and was charged with reorganizing the health plan's operations, enhancing the organization's managed care knowledge and developing a structure that enables the HMO to take advantage of the operations of Metropolitan's core PSN business.

As planned, the health plan's operations are being integrated into Metropolitan's core business. Jose Guethon, MD, President of the company's PSN business and Robert Sabo, Metropolitan's Chief Financial Officer, will assume senior management responsibilities for the health plan. They will continue to report to Michael Earley, Metropolitan's Chairman and CEO.

Commenting on the changes, Earley noted, "Dan did a magnificent job for us helping us assess, strengthen, and restructure our HMO's team. His success is reflected in membership growth to approximately 7,500 customers as well as significant cost improvements throughout our HMO system. It is auspicious that Dan is joining Healthfirst, who is our partner providing third party administrative services for our HMO. We are both pleased for him and look forward to continuing our relationship in his new role. Going forward, this growing business is being placed in the proven and capable hands of Dr. Guethon and Bob Sabo who will work with the operating team that has been developed and performed well in last several months. This transition allows us to better integrate our two managed care businesses and to further streamline our cost structure."

McCarthy noted, "The past year has been a very rewarding experience for me. In assuming my new role at Healthfirst I know I leave METCARE in the hands of a highly capable team of senior level individuals who will continue to drive the company towards success. I expect that my future dealings with METCARE and its staff will be equally as gratifying."

Bobwins,

I was thinking the exact same thing as I watched the snow fall here in Richland. If I have to suffer the endless preaching and lecturing by politicos, at least it could be warm and comfortable, but no. I am happy with the snowpack since it bodes well for the rest of the year. It is amazing that the closest ski area (Bluewood) that would normally close this weekend received 13" yesterday and still has over 10 feet of snow at the base! If only I hadn't hurt my shoulder the last time we went skiing earlier in the month...

Mat

OT: LT_Matt,

That may not be the written policy, but the continual failure to establish the repository, or pursue reprocessing (I believe Jimmy took care of us on that one), and close the back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle is 100% US policy. Inaction has an equal and opposite affect of specific written policy to pursue. I realize there is a bit of a renassance in nuclear recently, but as a country we move slower than molasses on this topic.

Mat

OT: Bobwins, I agree 100%. It is a travesty that the US energy policy has omitted nuclear for the last 30 years. Admittedly I am biased, but we need to embrace safe, abundant nuclear power generation sooner rather than later or the chickens will come home to roost and we Americans won't like it. Conservation is the first big step each of us can take, pursuit of a standard nuclear generating plant and Anwar are good initial steps from a country standpoint, and a Manhattan Energy Project (technically motivated with minimal political influence) would help minimize the pain. As the VMC movers and shakers become the next group of Buffets and Gates, I recommend a lobby to make it a reality. I would gladly be a charter member.

Mat

Wow, my farthest run in the tournament. The volatility appears to appeal to "my team". I have always played best as an underdog and my PSL past performance clearly makes me an underdog with this elite group.

Mat

OT: Bobwins, I envy you. The PAC-10 tournament should be great. My bosses nephew is the Washington star who will probably sit out with an ankle injury. I know that hurts the chances of the Huskies. Personally I vote for an ASU Cinderella story and I am sure you will do your part by rooting them on against USC.

Mat

Has anyone seen the 10K? I keep checking Edgar and it doesn't appear to be available yet, but maybe I am doing something wrong. Seems strange that it would not be available yet.

Mat

Just finished listening to the MDF call, with the following notes:
Still working to increase PSN through new primary care affiliates, Care Plus and other avenues

Holding cash balance (not including $13M restricted)for business growth opportunities

Recently invested $2M in strategic business transactions

Callers asking questions were particularly upbeat and complimentary

Still indicate 10,000 HMO Members as an important milestone in scale and profitability

Indicated that trend in decreased costs is expected to be lasting with reduction of actuary costs.

One caller estimated a .30 annual PSN net income, .50 cash, and $30-50M (.6 - $1) value of HMO indicating an overall value estimate of MDF north of $4. Earley did not answer the estimate but indicated that they will focus on the business and expect market will value accordingly

Indicated the advertising expenditures have been constant at ~$3M/yr and should continue at this rate. Most spent in fourth and first quarters.

Indicated the care plus efforts added 76 members through December, but very early in this effort.

Overall good information and bodes well for the future of MDF.

Mat

Just finished listening to the MDF call, with the following notes:
Still working to increase PSN through new primary care affiliates, Care Plus and other avenues

Holding cash balance (not including $13M restricted)for business growth opportunities

Recently invested $2M in strategic business transactions

Callers asking questions were particularly upbeat and complimentary

Still indicate 10,000 HMO Members as an important milestone in scale and profitability

Indicated that trend in decreased costs is expected to be lasting with reduction of actuary costs.

One caller estimated a .30 annual PSN net income, .50 cash, and $30-50M (.6 - $1) value of HMO indicating an overall value estimate of MDF north of $4. Earley did not answer the estimate but indicated that they will focus on the business and expect market will value accordingly

Indicated the advertising expenditures have been constant at ~$3M/yr and should continue at this rate. Most spent in fourth and first quarters.

Indicated the care plus efforts added 76 members through December, but very early in this effort.

Overall good information and bodes well for the future of MDF.

Mat

Excellent results. The net income was definitely better than I had hoped for and the growing cash reserve is nice. The HMO expense ratios are headed in the right direction, but still need work and the HMO member growth is slower than I would hope since it will be hard-pressed to reach break-even at 7500 members. Couldn't have asked for a much better result and I am certainly satisfied with the investment.

Mat

I sent him an email thanking him after the shareholder update on the website. Previously I sent a message through the website encouraging AYSI to share more information and Gene responded with an email back to me. That is how I got his email and I expect most would have the same results if they send a nice message through the contact on the website. I am so so tempted to put more in AYSI right now, but it is already 10% of my portfolio and since 2000 I have established that I will not hold more than 10% in any single holding. Both MDF and AYSI are close to that amount, so I need to grow my portfolio more before I will invest more. If only I had 10% in ZYNX today would have been extra sensational. I only have 2800 shares of ZYNX, but it was still a great day.

Mat

Nice job Gene! Keep up the flow of AYSI information and the value of the company will better align with the performance.

Mat

Nice article. Thanks for the DD.

Mat

Nice update and I certainly plan to send a note to Gene thanking him for living up to what he said he would do and encourage a more frequent flow of information going forward. If the strategy is to periodically issue tidbits of information over time to foster excitement, it could be a stroke of genius. One on the new crane, another on the second mill, an update on customers and demand for this type of product worldwide, then some quarterly results, and once the second mill starts operations a whole new set of updates present themselves. Hats off to AYSI management for this first step.

Mat

AYSI - LF, I would say it is way too early for a dividend. The company needs to establish itself as a long term supplier and use accumulated cash to grow the business so they are not so dependent on a few large customers. I would rather see continued revenue growth and expansion of market penetration. With the low amount of O/S shares, it would seem like a buy back is also not likely. I think we are getting ahead of ourselves with this kind of talk. Just my two cents.

Mat

Wade,

Great information from the AYSI CFO. The logic makes sense and helps explain things. Looks like the current price could be a big buying opportunity. Too bad I am already loaded up and already doubled down in PSL8. My only hope would be a big order or other news to restart the frenzy. Thanks.

Mat

GWMAN,

Since the 2nd mill is not mentioned in the 10Q and I am not aware of any formal discussion of the 2nd mill, I thought it might be good to look at the history of purchases of plant equipment as identified in the cash flow statements of the filings for the last year to see if there is evidence that mill equipment is being purchased. I hope someone will check my math, but what I see is as follows:

2006: $121,476 for the year
1Q07: $52,080
2Q07: $20,601
3Q07: $93,918
4Q07: $338,893
1Q08: $57,695

I didn't look in 05 and before, but it looks like a significant increase in equipment spending for 4Q07. Hopefully this represents the capital expenditure for the second mill and is the only thing I have seen that reinforces the second mill could be in a construction phase. Thoughts?

Mat

Highlights from my quick look at the 10Q, not already posted earlier this morning:
Sales went from 3.43M last Q to 3.18M this Q
Cash has increased dramatically by $1.37M
Work in progress went from 46K in Sept. to 110K end of Dec.
AYSI investments lost 16.1% or $40K

Definitely not the results most people, including myself were hoping for, but not horrible if the 2nd mill is imminent and increased volume follows. The decrease in margins is worrisome and the price of the stock will suffer from this 10Q. Like most others, I will try to sell a few during the drop, but only if I get lucky above my limit price, and will hold for startup of the second mill.

Mat

Seabreezing,

I agree with your thoughts 100%, unfortunately I don't have any PR recommendations. I had initially held off from sending a message, but decided on Saturday that the time had come. I don't expect to communicate regularly, but every once in a while when I think I have something to say, I probably will. I may buy a little more if we have a temporary dip today. We'll see.

Mat

I am assuming everyone who has sent a message to AYSI has received a response? I was pleasantly surprised to receive a prompt response to the message I sent on Saturday. Below is the message. Nothing exciting, but a good sign in my opinion that Gene is reading the messages and not just sending a form letter.

"Thank you for taking the time to congratulate the company and the staff for their efforts in producing such an encouraging result AYSI we will as a teem continue to strive to build on that result with a unique product such as Arcoplate.

We have taken your constructive comments on board and will in the very near future start to implement our shareholder comments our aim is to continue to grow this company with shareholder confidence and support.

Sincerely.

Gene Kostecki"

Mat

Below is the message I just sent to the company.

First, I would like to congratulate AYSI and your staff for the fantastic growth in earnings and sales it is a testament to your product. AYSI has been a great investment for me and I appreciate the hard work of all involved.

I do believe there is an opportunity to better communicate the fantastic results of the company and I understand a shareholder update is being considered. I would also recoomend serious consideration of a PR to celebrate your earnings and to add some pictures to your website of the construction progress for the second mill. Thanks for you all your consideration.

AYSI is sure getting alot of run on this board today. Nice to see so many different contributors. Similar to the word of mouth increase in sales, I think the investor word of mouth is clearly getting the word out. It all translates to an awesome chart.

Mat

Seabreezing,

Thanks for talking to AYSI and sharing the results with the rest of us. The information is exciting and bodes well for this investment. Routine company information would be nice, but I must admit that I prefer a PR.

Mat

Nice job getting the last few cheap shares. I am glad my guesstimate was low and that I picked up a few shares before this run.

Mat

I broke down earlier this morning and bought another 1300 at $1.63. Now I am fully loaded.

Mat

Realest, nice decision, were you able to get back in this morning? I wasn't quick enough and it looks like the price is recovering and I refuse to chase. Oh well, the order is in if we have another drop.

Mat

CEUA News...

China Education Alliance Holds Strategic Planning and Analysis Conference to Discuss Outlook for Operating NAVEC's Education Examination Center

Jan 31, 2008 08:22:00 (ET)


HARBIN, Heilongjiang, China, Jan 31, 2008 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- China Education Alliance, Inc. (CEUA, Trade ) ("China Education Alliance" or "the Company"), a leading distributor of educational resources, offering high-quality programs and training both through online networks and an on-site training center in China, today announced that the Company held a strategic planning and analysis conference on January 29, 2008 to discuss the future prospects of the Company's official operation of the National Association of Vocational Education of China's (NAVEC's) Education Examination Center, beginning in March 2008.

The conclusion of this conference was that the strategic partnership between China Education Alliance and NAVEC should have a significant, positive impact to the Company over the next several years. The macro environment remains favorable as the Chinese government has placed a high priority on vocational education whose market size is estimated to be approximately $4 billion currently. Additionally, there are over 36 million college and vocational institute students in China, many of whom aspire to receive national standard vocational training and related certifications to improve their professional development.

Additionally, NAVEC has over 30,000 memberships including famous vocational experts and instructors in China. As the official operator of NAVEC's Education Examination Center, China Education Alliance should be able to attract a high level of student enrollments, increase its brand recognition through co-marketing arrangements and tap famous instructor resources in order to provide high-quality vocational training and consolidate this highly fragmented market in China.

"We are excited about our strategic relationship with NAVEC. We plan to establish over 30 vocational skills training and vocational examination training branches in major cities in the next few years to attract students to attend our national standard vocational training and vocational examination courses," said Mr. Yu, China Education Alliance's Chairman and CEO.

Well, I couldn't resist and put in an order for another 1300 shares. We'll see if it gets filled. Let the countdown continue.

Mat