The year that was 2011 is over and now 2012 has began in challenging environs but money can still be made in this excruciating but opportunistic environment. My stocks for this year are HFCK, TCL and CfC Stanbic. Why? HFCK's core business is still growing with a potential to be HUGE. Interests are high, this is just a transitory phase that will pass. TCL will gain momentum this year with a well diversified portfolio in industries that are essential yet not fully optimised. CfC Stanbic will have a rights issue so will KQ but I think the CFC one will be better accepted by the public...waited too long for KQ. Watch out also for Agriculture stocks as well. What you guys think?

One analyst said it best 2012 is a diversity year and this does not mean in one market.
1. HFCK - Not well diversified regionally.
- Dependent on raising lending capital and under the
current economic environment this is too expensive they
are even contemplating of going to the international
markets and with the current Euro zone debacle everyone
knows what that will do to any trial of this.
- Inflation has reduced people's disposable income
tremendously and with house rents going up, people are
going for cheaper houses making new investments in real
estate a rather unattractive investment as of now.
2. TCL: - With its white elephant project and heavy reliance on EA
Cables, i don't see it making money for investors.
- International commodity prices are on the rise
especially minerals and metal as some are regarded as
the best and safer investment options after the death of
bonds and with it RF Rates. This is bad for TCL's bottom
line because of the industry they are in.
- Tranny is the word. Questions..Why list during an
economic downturn nearing an election through
introduction? Why create so many subsidiaries while
almost nearing the IPO period? Why do the IPO at a PE of
over 35 when the average market PE as at the time is
around 10-15?
3. CFC Stanbic: - Its Cost to Income ratio speaks volumes. Growth
of its top line and its performance in comparison
to its peers is terrible. When a company takes in
so much talent and performs below par for a time
period over a year with no clear strategic path
then don't expect better than good performance
from them.

- They are also all over the place with their
product offerings and are yet to clearly define
their real target market. Remember BBK when
Equity stepped in! History repeating itself!

As said above, for any investment you'll go for this year look at:
1. Regional and product diversity.
2. The lack of or the political patronage a company is linked to.
3. Performance Consistency.
4. Div Yield.
5. Well laid and achievable Strategic path.
6. A competent and consistent performing management.

Investments: KK, Jubilee, NMG, Williamson, EABL, BAT, 2 year Bond & or T Bills.
Strategy:Capital preservation + income while at it.

Miaow.

NIC to the end..

KK sounds very interesting to me. Regional diversification. Good market position. Great history of dividend payouts.

Buyer in the horizon.

For real? scom, airtel, mtn, who?

*Cue Cde to insert KCB in place of KK

But yenyewe KK is an impressive biz.

Banks will continue to grow their profits, not at warp speed though. But as I said before, I fear for the much smaller banks. Will be interesting to see how they perform in Q4 relative to the earlier quarters

What are the mortgage rates saa hii? Is anyone mad enough to take one right now?

Here by the way is what the C.E.O of Rich Management, Aly Khan Satchu had to say on the NSE in 2012:

"The equity markets have a lot of bad news baked into them, and little of the good. So I expect a rally of about 30-35 per cent from here before the end of 2012."