Is Patient Health Being Mortgaged via Derivatives as Homes Were During the Financial Crisis?

    Senator McConnell's Dilemma:   To Serve Patients or Investors? When evaluating health care investments it is important to analyze the structure of leading drug and medical equipment companies.  A close look indeed reveals a derivative driven system in which private equity and hedge funds increase demand for drug payments by purchasing the rights … Continue reading Is Patient Health Being Mortgaged via Derivatives as Homes Were During the Financial Crisis?

Oregon PERS Approves $400 Million Investment in Stonepeak Infrastructure Fund

Today Oregon PERS approved a $400 million investment in Stonepeak, a firm that invests in "infrastructure projects." In his presentation Stonepeak's managing director Michael Dorrell noted their strategy is to invest in "essential infrastructure assets with an economic monopoly, much like an airport."  This includes water, power plants, transportation and telecom with a focus "outside … Continue reading Oregon PERS Approves $400 Million Investment in Stonepeak Infrastructure Fund

The Oregonian Reports on Valuation Concerns Regarding PERS Private Equity Investments

In a front page story Sunday May 20, 2012, Ted Sickinger of the Oregonian provided a detailed review of private equity valuation concerns.  This portfolio of opaque investments has grown substantially and poses unique risks to Oregonian PERS participants.  In his article, Sickinger notes this analysis is based upon original Parish & Company research. Although … Continue reading The Oregonian Reports on Valuation Concerns Regarding PERS Private Equity Investments

Bain Capital Profit Sharing Plan Likely Reveals How Romney Built IRA

Note:  Mitt Romney Tax Return Analyzed in Separate Post As an investment advisor I have found reviewing a company's pension plan to be a good indicator of the sponsoring company's quality of management.  These pension plans are all available for viewing at http://www.free5500.com via required  annual 5500 ERISA filings.  The filings show not only show … Continue reading Bain Capital Profit Sharing Plan Likely Reveals How Romney Built IRA

Letter to SEC Chair and IRS Commissioner – Tax Deduction Pyramid Scheme

The following letter was sent to SEC Chair Mary Schapiro and IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman on "tax day" with the hope they will jointly work at restoring the integrity of cash flow statements, without question the most important analytical tool for investment advisors like myself.  It is simply astonishing, given their material nature, that listed … Continue reading Letter to SEC Chair and IRS Commissioner – Tax Deduction Pyramid Scheme

Blackstone Group LP – Private Equity or Public Theft? Undermining the Volcker Rule’s Intent. SEC 10K Fails to Disclose All Important “Fractions Rule” Involving Tax Exempt Public Pension Investors

Note (Not Copyrighted) : This basic post was updated December 10, 2010 given the current debate in Congress over extending the Bush tax cuts and numerous inquires regarding my position in this debate.  The purpose of this post is to highlight that although rates are important, perhaps more important are overall fairness issues associated with … Continue reading Blackstone Group LP – Private Equity or Public Theft? Undermining the Volcker Rule’s Intent. SEC 10K Fails to Disclose All Important “Fractions Rule” Involving Tax Exempt Public Pension Investors