A special welcome to all my new subscribers from last week’s Money Show in Las Vegas. A record number of you signed up as new Global Stock Investor subscribers. I hope you will find Global Stock Investor the best source of information and insights from the exciting and profitable world of global investing. You should be receiving your June issue of Global Stock Investor soon, and you can download the issue by clicking here.
Global markets continue to be in a remarkably bullish mood. Many commentators are questioning the conventional wisdom of "Sell in May and Go Away." The last time that advice did not work was back in 2003 when markets went up throughout the summer. I’d still cast my vote with those who suggest that the market will cool down over the summer from its recent strong run. Not to worry, though. Markets will come roaring back toward the end of the year — traditionally the strongest time for global stocks. And with our current portfolio of the "best of the best" picks, you will be well-positioned to profit from it.
PORTFOLIO UPDATE
America Movil (AMX) is positively on fire and surged 7.2% over the past week. The stock also is up 22.88% since our initial recommendation. At this rate, Carlos Slim is sure to take over Bill Gates as the #1 richest man on the planet — even before the end of 2007. There is plenty of juice left in this hedge fund favorite and it remains a strong BUY. Move your stop up to $49.25.
The Swedish ETF (EWD) was flat over the week. Our bet on Sweden’s Reagan Revolution — which I discussed in last week’s Global Guru — is up around 13% and remains a strong BUY.
Home Inns & Hotels Management (HMIN), our high-risk, highly volatile Chinese hotel play, had a big run up, but then ended up back just about where it started last week. The company announced that its first-quarter 2007 earnings declined due to lower occupancy during the Chinese New Year and a one-time tax charge. Net income dropped to 1 cent per share in first quarter 2007, compared with 2 cents per share in the year-ago period. But quarterly revenue rose 68% to $23.7 million from $14.5 million. During first quarter 2007, Home Inns opened 11 hotels. As of the end of March, the company was operating 145 hotels with 48 more hotels under development in 53 cities in China. This is a high-risk, long-term growth play that has strong prospects in the run up to the Olympics. Given its current valuation, though, it remains a HOLD.
India’s "Citibank" ICICI (IBN) shot up almost 7% over the week and it now is 12.76% in the black. Perhaps no other stock in our portfolio demonstrates better that it is important to stick with strong-growth megatrends, no matter how volatile the ride can be. ICICI remains a long-term BUY and my #1 pick on the global financial-services megatrend.
Millicom International (MICC), our Latin American and African cell phone play, was up 3.14% over the week — having finally broken out of its slumber. This is a terrific stock and the single-best way to profit from both economic growth in Africa and the global cell phone megatrend. It is a strong BUY.
Global retailer Tesco (TSCDY) was just opening the first of its "Fresh & Easy" stores in Las Vegas when I was there last week — marking its first foray into the U.S. market. Warren Buffett’s favorite global stock took a breather for the week, but it remains a strong BUY.
