Jimvesting.com » Sportsbook Reviews

Four Steel Stocks That Thrive In A White-Hot Global Steel Market Boom

Jim — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:44:44 +0000

The typical recession advice says not to buy steel companies in a bear market. But this group of companies has been among the strongest performers year to date! Explosive steel demand has entirely outdone global supply. Despite the U.S. recession lag, global steel demand is expected to rise 5% a year. Whether you turn to the Middle East, India or China, buildings are going up daily, everywhere you look.

The most interesting market in my view is China, where they are anticipating 2008 crude steel demand to rise 11% versus a supply increase of just 6.3% (China Daily). Fast Money analyst Guy Adami says “the steel story is real,” and I don’t blame him. Let’s take a look at four of the best steel stocks money can buy!

U.S. Steel Corp. (NYSE: X)
I recommended U.S. Steel at $96.29 a share back on January 21, 2008. Today, they are trading at $140.70. I don’t mean to brag, but that’s a 46.121% return on your investment. Just a friendly reminder to trust the Net Fool!

Business as usual down at U.S. Steel is stronger than expected, and they are at a 52-week high… but I see them going higher! Why is X so special? Most steel producers need to offset higher ore costs with higher prices, but U.S. Steel has a unique integrated business model that includes self-sourced ore operations. Less exposure to the global iron ore market means potential to outperform by taking advantage of price increases without taking a hit on input costs like most other producers.

Wait for a good buying point on X, and you might be able to work in some extra gains off the top. I recommend waiting for something around $130, but who am I to discount their higher highs? I still trust steel, and U.S. Steel is still my X-factor for 2008.

Nucor Corp. (NYSE: NUE)
The recent run up in scrap metal prices, primarily due to higher than anticipated domestic & global demand, lower supply and higher-priced alternatives, has fueled a recent buying frenzy of scrap processors for Nucor. This is not a bad thing. Most notably, Nucor acquired Metal Recycling Services Inc. and said the deal “provides additional growth in the scrap metal sector.” NUE makes steel from recycled materials.

Why am I talking about this consolidation? I think Nucor is one of the smarter companies, and they are making all the right moves to vertically integrate their business. Estimates from most major firms are on the up-and-up because a lot of these deals are adding insane value and security to Nucor’s business. JP Morgan feels that rising metal spreads “are likely to result in significant margin expansion” for NUE, and I agree. Also trading near their 52-week highs, keep Nucor on a short leash.

Steel Dynamics Inc. (NYSE: STLD)
STLD is a great steel company, but i have fears that their fundamentals may have already juiced up the stock price too much. I feel that they have taken off too fast out of the gates, and you need to wait a while before jumping back on board.

That being said, Steal Dynamics is a stellar company that has eeked out profit from every corner of the market. Scrap prices have increased gross margins, “flat rolled” product pricing has outpaced input costs and even resource operations are outpacing profit expectations as demand rises.

I don’t buy the “concerns” many analysts have about STLD. Rather, I think that Steel Dynamics is one of the best in its class… but it is just not attractive enough to push more money into. Can’t get too greedy, they have nearly doubled since mid-January. This is definitely a stock to track though, and if something were to trigger a selling frenzy, I wouldn’t second guess buying on the way down.

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (NYSE: RS)
Reliance is in a pretty favorable environment for growth right now, and I think they could definitely outperform in the short and long term. Things like better carbon steel pricing environments, strength in end markets (energy, oil & gas, aerospace), strong non-residential construction numbers and minimal discretionary exposure has Reliance Steel & Aluminum jumping beyond expectations.

Historically, Reliance Steel has been able to turn out huge revenue growth from smart acquisitions, I think they continue on this path (just purchased Dynamic Metals on April 2nd). Management has a great focus on improving performance where they are market leaders. In a consolidating steel market, this is a very important strategy. Trading around $62, I expect them to reach a target over $70 in 12 months, but I wouldn’t want to own them until I can get them closer to $55. Regardless, this is another winner in my eyes.

Bottom Line: Hindsight is always 20-20, and I wouldn’t be shocked if we turn around at the end of the year and say “gosh, why didn’t I buy at the 52-week highs?” I am too scared off by this run up to buy right now, but I am asserting that this industry has catalysts and all of these stocks are on my watch lists… just waiting to get my value.

-Jimvesting

BetUS.com Sportsbook Review

Jim — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:46:46 +0000

With titles such as “America’s #1 Sportsbook” and “The Biggest Bonuses in the Business,” BetUS.com is an old and respected sportsbook/online casino that has taken the industry by storm as of late. I simply love this website, and you CANNOT beat their amazing bonuses like 50% back on your first deposit and a 100% deposit bonus in the casino. If you are looking for an easy to use sportsbook that gives you an edge with bonuses, look for BetUS.com

With an unrivaled 145% in bonuses offered, BetUS.com is the market leader for getting the best value available. Typical online bet makers look for services like that of BetUS to deliver the greatest probability of coming out on top. Current offers include: 50% sign up bonus, 50% re-up bonus, 10% casino chip bonus, 25% new referral bonus and 100% casino bonus…WOW. I thought I saw value in these other sportsbooks, but BetUS seems to blow them out of the water by offering 50%+ cash back on almost every deposit you will ever make.

The design and functionality of the BetUS.com website are definitely above average. I like the clean and professional style, but I actually prefer a darker setting like that of Bodog or Sportsbook.com for a sportsbook. Still, nothing against the functionality because it is very easy to use… even better than Bodog or Sportsbook.com. Navigation is obvious, so there shouldn’t be any problems with registering. There is support chat available around the clock, I called them and they seemed average. I suppose they don’t pride themselves on service.

As far back as 2003 BetUS.com’s partner websites like BetReduction and SportsGambling have racked up complaints from slow payouts to tricking customers into signing up by mirroring more reputable websites. This is not admirable, but BetUS.com seems to be trying to erase this shameful history by making good on bonuses and payments as of late. Customer retention rates seem to be low on the priority list, so you may want to take a look at their policies before you sign up. According to sportsgamblingreview.com, “betters are strongly urged to stay away from BetUS and any operation owned by Little Nasa.” I trust them more than these naysayers, but the mixed response is something to be aware of.

Now then, payouts and deposits… one of the more important aspects of any website. BetUS.com comes in with the best here, as it is very easy to make transactions quickly and efficiently. The main deposit method is credit card. Both Visa and MasterCard are accepted, and you can make payments through the web or over the telephone. In addition to credit cards, you can issue a direct bank wire, money transfer or a check. On the other side of the coin, there are two methods to get your money from your account. You can order a check sent to your home address or you can directly wire proceeds to your bank account. View their payout structure here.

Overall, BetUS.com looks very promising and has amazing bonuses that simply aren’t matched anywhere else. However, there have been many registered complaints against BetUS and its surrounding partners. Most of these are from 2005 and before, but there is still reason for concern. If you want a website specializing in bonuses with a clean and professional design for ease-of-use and a claim on fast payouts, check out BetUS!

-Jimvesting

Sportsbook.com Review

Jim — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 04:35:38 +0000

Today I’d like to take a look at the internet’s #1 sportsbook, Sportsbook.com. Phenomenal as they are in providing customers with top-notch support and features, I have struggled myself with their service and had my account unfairly shut down. Yet even with this in mind, I recommend Sportsbook.com to everyone (over 18) because they have made recent changes to improve their services and reduce their fees. Let’s have a look at the number one sportsbook on the net.

Recently, Sportsbook.com dropped their deposit minimum from $50 to $20. I think this was an excellent move, as it should encourage more amateur players to give it a whirl. More than this, Sportsbook.com’s main pull comes from their superior bonus offerings. They routinely endorse offers like 50% deposit bonuses and referral incentives. Currently, they are running a 10% first-deposit bonus which is pretty standard. In addition, you get 5% on every deposit after that and 21% of every one of your referral’s deposits. Keep in mind that these guys are trained to take your money, and they will get the better end if you squander this generosity… so bet smart to protect your advantage!

Sportsbook.com provides the same spreads you see on ESPN.com and most major newspapers, so you know the lines are fair. But before we dwell into that, one of the first concerns is usually “how do you deposit and/or withdraw money?” While I have neglected their services for a while (I prefer Bodog Sportsbook!), checking up on their payment/withdrawal methods has revealed improvement. Finally, you can withdraw money for free once a month (as of June 2007). It really pained me before to see it so hard to get money from Sportsbook.com, but now it is available without fee via check or wire transfer once a month (otherwise $40 fee). Depositing is even easier. Deposits can be made fee-free by using a credit card (Visa & Mastercard accepted) or cash transfer.

The call-in support line at Sportsbook.com is typically very friendly. I recall getting a call after I had no activity on my account for 30 days and they gave me a FREE $10 deposit! This is the kind of generosity we love to see in a sportsbook. I have had my problems though, including a false claim that I had duplicate accounts that resulted in the disabling of my login. As I cannot expect that they do this with most customers, I contend that they are a fair website and pay out on request.

The casino at SportsBook.com is comparable to their competition, and may even be a bit more user-friendly. The casino section links directly with your main account (as does poker), so it is very easy to play a couple hands of blackjack on the fly with a $1 minimum bet per hand. The poker section is quite easy to understand as well, but if you are looking to play poker online I would recommend a specialty dealer such as AbsolutePoker.net or PokerStars.net.

The design of SportsBook.com is very easy to maneuver, with sections labeled clearly on the top. There is a slight issue with the login process, as sometimes it doesn’t take, but other than that… they definitely checks out on its #1 sportsbook rating. If you are new to sports betting on the internet, the bonuses and incentives at SportsBook.com may just give you the edge you desire.

-Jimvesting

BodogLife: A Top "Dog" Sportsbook On The Rise

Jim — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 03:10:35 +0000

Bodog, I love it. This is the sportsbook for me ladies and gentlemen. Bodog specializes in delivering sports wagering and casino gambling to mediocre sports nuts like myself, and they offer the lowest fees in the industry. Compared to the others, I found that Bodog’s once-a-month free of charge withdrawal simply cannot be beaten. Most other places hit you with tremendous fees that you do not even consider until you win big. Believe me, it hurts. That’s why I’m here doing the work for you.

Bodog pays. The website is simple to use and clean to the touch. And although they recently had “domain disputes,” causing them to change their location from the simple Bodog.com to BodogLife.com, I still believe that nothing is wrong here… as scary as things like that usually are. The reason? A reassuring CEO. The man issued a report literally days after it happened reassuring all of the players that everything was okay and explaining the situation at hand. This is the kind of company I can get used to. They are on my side.

Are you nervous about making that first deposit? No worries here, Bodog ensures that you get all your deposit money and has several methods including credit card where you can use an American card. They typically write the charge up as coming from a paper company so no one is the wiser. Not only do they offer sportsbook, they also have a full-on casino gambling center (I recommend the blackjack) that you can even practice on with no real money at stake. They also have expanded toward ultimate fighting with “Bodog Fight” and fantasy football after acquiring “Xpert Sports.” Who could imagine that I would feel as safe with my bookie as I do with investing in Google?

I must admit, what really won me over was Bodog’s live betting options for sporting events. Just today, I was watching the monday night football game between the Colts and Jaguars, and betting on each play! They give options such as “will this drive go for a first-down?” or even whether or not a field goal will go through. All these stats are updated live so you can bet on a game play by play and be the playcaller that I you are. If you are looking for a sportsbook, this is the one for you.

5/5 Stars for Bodog at BodogFife.com!

-Jimvesting