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'Mad Money' choices...what are yours?

edited April 2011 in Off-Topic
Hi, all! Now that we have an 'off-topic' campground, how 'bout some discussion on those fringe investments where we breathlessly chase a 10-bagger using (in my case) piggy-bank money.
So far, I've waded into the following doo-doo:

Lynas Corporation LYSCF - rare earth stuff way down on the periodic chart, and
Sangamo Bioscience SGMO - research in AIDS treatment, etc.

best, hawk




Comments

  • Had Wynn Macau, sold it for a fairly nice profit. Made a small profit on Lynas last year, but that thing is way too ridiculously volatile for me. I have some other stocks, but tend to prefer somewhat quieter holdings.
  • Congrats on the Wynn!
    Yep, I know all about quiet; 97% of our port makes widders'n'orphans look like buccaneers:)
    About Lynas: the stuff isn't widely followed (crimeny, isn't even narrowly followed), doesn't trade on any US exchange (about which the CEO is enthusiastic - "wait till I get a cash flow") and does its little day-trader thing with a pittance of volume.
    That said, I am hanging in until the first production shipment which is expected Q3.
    As for Sangamo, well, Bridgeway Ultra Small Market just bought it and I'm a fan of that guy. Some folks at seekingalpha.com like it. Most important, the numbers look good.
    Nice to hear from you. Thanks! best, hawk

  • Hawk,

    It is always fascinating to know those few 10 baggers that come and go. How about all others that was invested as mad money and lost a whole boat load? Nobody likes to talk about them.

    Just talking about those few winners gives the false impression to new comers, that this way of investing easy and significantly more profitable than the reality.

    Everybody talks about Bill Gates, Google/Facebook founders... For each success story there are 1000s of failed companies, dreams.
  • The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • Apple (aapl) has done well over the years & I continue to hold it. However, I agree with Investor i.e. it's tough to do well with Mad Money. I'll stick mostly with funds.
  • Gosh, sure didn't mean to scare newcomers. Didn't mean to discuss past failures either, unless I want to vent about BofA. %&^$, I was sold that stuff by Smith Barney 8 years ago. Maybe the front office had an argument with the research department.
    So much for investing in america's 'top companies' as a matter of faith.
    So much for reality.

    I really want to explore tiny fringe positions around a solid investment core (even including lots of top companies and funds that use them). Maximum 2% and fully expendable.

    Didn't mean to sound like a show-off. Just have a couple bucks to play with, sorta hobby, beats buying gas to get to the tracks:)

    best, hawk












  • edited April 2011
    Agree with Investors sentiments regarding difficulty of picking winners. Since at 65, my growthier funds rattle the cage a bit, cant imagine owning stocks at this stage. Decided years ago dont have the temperament for trading. However, if younger, would love to own Berkshire, Amazon and some others as long term holds. Alas, when younger, neither money for investing or time to learn/contemplate were abundant. A Catch 22 I believe. Good luck to those able and willing to ply the waters.
  • Howdy,

    I've only had one homerun but have had many flyers that shat on my head like a bunch of birds. Paladin Tech. Had a viagra sub that you inhaled, worked for both men and women and also impacted mood. feh. Failed FDA trials.

    I don't consider gold and silver to be flyers but I do have a miner Fortuna that would qualify. Also have owned Avalon Rare Metals AVL for over a year in wifey's IRA. Perhaps the craziest has been China Windpower at about $0.10 a share.

    Flyers are fun but just keep them in perspective.

    peace,

    rono
  • edited April 2011
    Ooooh ooooh, I thought of one. I owned UWink, which was a series of interactive restaurants from the CEO of Atari and Chuck-E-Cheese. Um, didn't go well (although I got out in advance after sensing it wasn't working out) but really neat concept (you could order via touchscreen, play games against other people at your table and other tables, etc.) Ahead of its time, perhaps?

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