Hail Mary

I'm still suffering from the UW loss Saturday at East Lansing. It is always exciting to watch these Hail Mary attempts when it involves other teams; but hurts like h--- when it happens to your team AND it is successful! MSU is a good football team but I hope we get another shot at them in Indy on Dec 3!

Two Out of Three Ain't Bad

Well, it was a great run for the Brewers. I was at the game last night. Not usual for me to leave a game early, but I did. Couldn't stand to watch Cardinals celebrate on our lawn! I wonder where my grandkids get their competiveness?

Still got the Pack and Badgers!

Wow!

Can you ever remember a nicer week of weather than this? Brewers better cap off things tomorrow night. Don't want to be the first National League team to lose playoff series after leading 2-0 in best of five!

What a Weekend!

Has anyone experienced a more exciting sports weekend in Wisconsin than this weekend!? I had to give up Brewer playoff tickets for today's game, but will be going to Brewer game tomorrow. But had to give up Packers tickets for tomorrow! Thank goodness for grandkids!

Autumn

Ah, Autumn! My favorite season. Beautiful Wisconsin weather; Badger and Packer football. And this year.... the Brewers possibly in the playoffs!

I've been attending a lot of funerals lately. Reminds you that life is like a strand on a spider web. Fragile and too brief.

Enjoy every day. Especially this time of year!

T'is The Season

This is the best time of the year, in my opinion. Brewers in contention; big expectations of both the Badgers and Packers; wonderful weather and the anticipation of the changing colors of nature!

Enjoy every day!

Here and There

It is refreshing to see the political scene quieting down. There has to be compromise but the huge debt our grandchildren are going to have to service is a major problem. It will take sacrifice and courage to solve that dilemma.

Is this a great time for sports in Wisconsin! The Brewers, Badgers and Packers are among the best, if not the best, in each of their sports. A great time to be in Wisconsin!

As Madison trys to find a way to meet its budget problems, why is no one talking about the raises given public employees prior to the collective bargaining law taking effect??

Glorious Ride

Last Saturday I did a 100 mile bicycle ride as a fund raiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. We had 400 riders from all over the country and raised over $1 million, a record for a ride. We started in LaCrosse, crossed into Minnesota, then down the Mississippi to Lansing, Iowa. Then a 20 mile loop in the hills and back to Lansing for the return trip up the Missisip.

What a great group of riders. We had about 80 riders from the Madison Chapter of JDRF who will be friends forever. Hopefully a cure is in the near future.

Build Consensus

Hopefully our adverse political climate will return to some form of sanity. We need leaders who have courage to do what is right rather than cowtowing to special interest groups who contribute the money to get them reelected or elected. There is something wrong when it becomes all about money. And I am not against money, but it should not buy power.

Brewers, Badgers and Packers

I know of no other state that can be as proud of its three major sports teams as we are in Wisconsin! Brewers in first place in their division; Packers strong contenders for another Super Bowl; and the football Badgers talking about a National Championship!

Beauty in Wisconsin

If you have never taken a drive on the country roads in and around Hollandale, you need to do so. Just go out toward Barneveld on 12/18. Just before Barneveld, turn left on County Hwy K. A stop at Botham Winery is suggested. Then just meander. Incredible views.

Rocky Mountain High

Just got back from Denver. I was impressed by the cleanliness of the city. The views of the Rockies are awesome! And 300+ days of sunshine! But most of all, I was impressed by the friendliness of the people in Denver. Especially the police. How refreshing to meet public employees who really want to please you; unlike those who have forgotten who their "customers" are.

Summer is Here

Hopefully this summer will give our society time to discern the serious predicament we are in internationally, nationally, state-wide and locally as to the amount of debt we have accumulated. Keep in mind that the debt service requirements for interest alone accounts for a significant portion of our total governmental revenues. And this is during a historically low interest rate environment. Think of the additional burden when interest rates rise to more normal levels!

High Schools

I had the pleasure of attending one of my grandson's high school graduation this past weekend. He graduated from Evansville High. Over the years this grandson has participated in many musical and dramas at the school. I have been so impressed with this school's arts and music program. The school does an excellent job of balancing its arts and music program with its athletic program.

Hot Hot Hot

While one should drink lots of water in heat and humidity like this, one should also supplement the water with some form of electrolyte drink or tablets.

Memorial Day

Hopefully we will all take a minute or two to pause during this coming weekend and give thanks, each in our own way, to all those who have gone before us. But for many of them, we would not enjoy the freedoms we have today. We take our blessings for granted. And God bless those who still serve in our military putting themselves at risk of death each day.

Final Test

The fourth and final fundamental test every stock investor should use is the Debt Ratio Trend.

The debt ratio (long-term debt divided by total capital, which is combined long-term debt and stockholder's equity) can be overlooked, but it is the most important test of working capital.

The current ratio (current assets divided by current liabilities) can be misleading, especially if the company has allowed its long-term debt to grow in order to bolster cash, accounts receivable and inventory to keep the current test steady. A growing long-term debt is a big problem, because it translates to ever-higher interest and debt service in the future, and that means less capital remains for expansion or dividends. You want to see a steady or declining debt ratio from year to year, not growing levels.

Maps

Each year I offer readers of my blog the opportunity to get a copy of maps of Dane County Day Trips. If interested, send me an e-mail at rgorsuch@oakbankonline.com.

Another Test

A third fundamental test every stock investor should use is Dividends per Share. You will prefer to invest in companies whose dividend is growing each year. The dividend is easily overlooked, but it represents a major factor in your overall return from investing in stock. Reinvesting dividends increases dividend yield.


The best managed companies increase dividends each year, which is also a reflection of growing profits and well-managed working capital.

Fundamental Test #2

Here is the second fundamental test to apply when buying a stock for your investment portfolio.

Price-Earnings Ratio (P/E):

The price-earnings ratio is calculated by simply dividing the price by earnings per share. The multiple represents how many years of per share net earnings are reflected in the current stock price. A P/E ratio that is too high means the stock is probably overpriced; a P/E ratio that is too low indicates lack of interest in the company. As a general rule, the desirable middle ground is between 10 and 25.