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'Gas is a great long-term story'

February 15, 2005 16:56 IST
sanujkadavil : sirgood news is coming.. long lasted dispute berween mallya-chabria ending. do you think now the consolidation happening and rhe stake sale...
Ramesh S Damani : I think things are moving in the right direction. If Mcdowell gets Herbertson and Shaw Wallace, this is going to be a gaint in the making with huge pricing power.

sanujkadavil : sirroyal airways 800cr marketcap. no business started yet. biggies like merril, citi group bought signifucant stakes. how can we justify the valuation. do you think fii limit in ub holdings is impacting . fii alreay have 28%. hit the ceiling
Ramesh S Damani : Value is going to be unlocked sooner or later.

JesseLivermore : Sir, JET IPO seems tad bit expensive. Some bungling of nos. right before the IPO it seems. Are you looking at investing there?
Ramesh S Damani : No, it is a bit expensive

maneeshk : damaniji, saadar Pranaam. Hopw you had a great vacation. Balmer Lawrie... at current price... is it still a attractive buy?
Ramesh S Damani : It remains attractive

gatil : is gillet a still better investment after the recent take over issue?
Ramesh S Damani : Too early to tell but i owuldremain invested

sanujkadavil : sirvery warm welcome to you after a long vacation.how was the vacation? how is markrt looking
Ramesh S Damani : Thanks everyone for joining. Its nice to be back. Let's start.

JesseLivermore : Sir, Which book(s) were you reading during vacation?
Ramesh S Damani : Hot commodities by Jim Rogers; Ascent of Man by Richard Dawkins. I am way backlogged in my reading.

JOEGRANVILLE : ramesh, hope u had a nice vaccation in china???so how is ur general impression of china???thanks
Ramesh S Damani : Index is at 5 yr lows, infrastructure is world class. It is the opposite in India.

RKR : Welcome back Sir... we missed you but your ideas were at work working overtime..... :-) what would share with us today? :-)
Ramesh S Damani : Nothing new. Market is rewarding patience in this strech. Hold on to good ideas.

JesseLivermore : Sir, Have you looked at a scrip called Tulip Star hotels (BSE code 531088) Its promoted by Ajit Kerkar (formerly chairman Indian hotels). It owns the Juhu centaur (with 371 rooms, 8lakh sq. feet built up/free area, worth 350 cr @1cr/5 star room). Current Market cap is 26 cr. ?
Ramesh S Damani : I think they sold it to the Sahara Group. Check on that.

baracuda : just received buffet the making of an american capitalist from cnbc tv18 they have kept their word and have been puntual
Ramesh S Damani : From CNBC TV 18 why did they send you a copy?(For the class)

anand : Have u heard of ASTRA MICRO - has been on a different flight altogether
Ramesh S Damani : Yes, they have done well.

william : Hi mr Damani, Do you think the recent govt backtrack on ITC as well as the fact that the Rajasthan govt has out an entry tax on cigarettes affect GPI and VST a lot. Both are falling since the last couple of days
Ramesh S Damani : Remember the market cap gives us safety. VST today is at 300 cr plus, Godfrey at 600 cr plus,. Now match the cash flows and dividend yields.

stockpicker : good afternoon Mr Damani.....what do you think of indo gulf fertliser at rs 130....by march end it will hae cash of rs 100/share,hence a debt free 8.5 lakh tpa urea plant available for rs 125 crore effectively
Ramesh S Damani : Those are powerful numbers.

baracuda : todays paper says that k chabria has already transferred herbetsons shares to escrow account and mallya has agreed to pay 131crs
Ramesh S Damani : That would be good news.

jd : welcome back sir, a lot of new developments seem to be happening at VSNL. u feel the stock might be rerated?
Ramesh S Damani : The South Africa buy is a big plus.

vvinay : sir,congrates on your new endeavour wizards of dalal st excellent presentation sir, can we hope to see real indian long time investors like ramesh damani/chandrakant sampat or many unknown faces
Ramesh S Damani : I am the host. I hope to bring fresh faces in later episodes.

maady : Kindly advice whether we can buy NUCLEUS, MACMILLAN, TATAELXSI, SUNDARMFIN in the CMP also
Ramesh S Damani : I am bullish on all the cos listed and consider them my core holdings.

lpl : is IT re-rating happening now..what are the prospects for Nucleus software considering that it is a product company in BFSI
Ramesh S Damani : Looks good.

baracuda : they had promised to do so during the masterclass i think it was included in the package any way im not letting go of such a great treasure
Ramesh S Damani : It is a great book. Really helps you get inside buffett.

JesseLivermore : One recommendation sir. Pls read 'In an uncertain world' by Former US treasury secretary Rubin. Heavily recommended by Warren Buffett...
Ramesh S Damani : I have, it is excellent.

Rajkumardaga : Hello! Good Evening Sir, Recently saw u at a marraige function. I have purchase 3000 Shares of Encore Software and 1000 shares of Carol Info. Please Advise on it for 1-2 years.
Ramesh S Damani : Both are a bit speculative. I own both. Encore seems to have some new orders and is doing well.

mansri : Sir, the PSU Banks may be given autonomy including approaching Foreign Markets, which means the limit of FII/GDR/ADR holding may be hiked. If that happens SBI will touch the sky. What is your opinion on this? Will this happen? Pl. advise
Ramesh S Damani : I am not sure about when, but it seems value will be unlocked at SBI. I would like them to increase payout sharply.

jd : a few masters in value investing believe that in a bull market one should look at growth stories & not asset replacement stocks(UB HOLDINGS, SUNDARAM FIN). DO SUBSCRIBE TO THIS VIEW?
Ramesh S Damani : Yes growth is an elixir. But remember growth is just a component of value. All good investing is value investing.

y : Sir, does not it make sense to hold Crisil? S&P's open offer looks a trifle cheap?
Ramesh S Damani : It should be revised.

william : Thanks also have u been able to take a look at Mount Shivalik.They are still showing losses but my gut feeling is that the management is fixing the figures to show a loss
Ramesh S Damani : Not yet, I have had my hands full.

TINI : welcome back sir, balmer lawrie is showing lots of strength since last few days, any perticular reason or some serious this is happening in this counter. please reply.thanks
Ramesh S Damani : No reason that I am aware of.

sunil : SIR PREVIOUSLY CROMPTON GREAVES AND VOLTAS HAVE SOLD PROPERTIES AND U CAN SEE THEIR PRICES NOW .... WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT HINDUSTAN MOTORS AND GKW LTD.... SIR PLEASE REPLY
Ramesh S Damani : It is a good sign, management is taking fiscal discipline.

mahesh : i have 1000 titan at 125 should i hold it or book some profit in it
Ramesh S Damani : Hold on.

JesseLivermore : Any views on gas sector? specifically Petronet LNG..?
Ramesh S Damani : Bullish.

mahesh : balaji is not moving r u still bullish on it
Ramesh S Damani : Yes, look the co paid Rs 16 div. Management is delivering.

blazing : hi Ramesh, Are you tracking FOURSOFT? If yes, Can I have please have your views on it? I am holding @ 36.60. Thanks.
Ramesh S Damani : Still immature co, but hold on, as I am.

jd : are u expecting nucleus soft to announce any signuficant order wins from GMAC soon? also, have u checked out mr. dusad's interview on bloomberg posted as a video on the company's website
Ramesh S Damani : Yes, they should announce them. I will see his interview on Bloomberg. Thanks.

y : Sir, the S&P offer on CRISIL! is it a good price?
Ramesh S Damani : It could be revised upwards.

Kamal1 : PLEASE SPARE SOME EXTRA TIME TO US. WE WILL BE GLAD AND OBLIGE AS LOT OF PENDING DISCUSSION WITH U
Ramesh S Damani : Sure

chetanthesatan : your views on NDTV & SKF at current levels please... both have had a good runup
Ramesh S Damani : SKF will be bought out. NDTV remain invested.

JesseLivermore : Pantaloon, Shoppers stop & Shop rite. Do you see them killing each others margins, or will Kishore move ahead of the othrs?
Ramesh S Damani : So far kishore is ahead in this race.

Kamal1 : INDIAN RAYON : Some analyst are recommending as strong buy even at 440 with 1500+
target in one year. Whats your view about company as textile / ites / insurance all making it excellent/ compelling company but is it worth at 440
Ramesh S Damani : That is streching it.

Anjana : Hello Sir..How was ur leaves..Can we buy Shaw Wallece & Nav Bharat Ferro Alloys at CMP.
Ramesh S Damani : I have booked some profit in Shaw Wallace.

sudhir : sir govt.to hike fii limits in print media .top picks sandesh . mid-day .do u agree
Ramesh S Damani : Look at the electronic media.

viky : you said that,you are bullish in gas sector.so kindly tell me now can i buy gail for long term purpose?
Ramesh S Damani : Yes

mansri : Sir, Kale has added 3 airliners to its MPS in the last 4 months. It seems the additions are getting accelerated. Even though they have about Rs 230 cr. orders on hand, why it is not reflected in their top/bottom line in the quarterly results? Pl advise
Ramesh S Damani : I think we need to be patient in this company.

Kamal1 : MCDOWELL : Sir time has come now if you can put some figure to it in next 1-2 yrs. as all major development happening at UB to consolidate business under UB Spirits
Ramesh S Damani : That is not my job. Who could have predicted the prices of ABB etc. That is the markets job. We can spot undervaluation.

krahul : Sir, what is your view on Amforge Industries. The Largest Forging company. Will M & M is takeover it?
Ramesh S Damani : Looks possible.

RKR : Sir, I hold a large chunk of Mcdowell since it was 45.... i am adding that at every rise... and now the average cost is around 58...... Would you adivice a fresh entrant to buy Mcdowell at these levals? thanks :-)
Ramesh S Damani :  I probably would not because I like a margin of safety, I am holding on though.

sudhir : sir pls. specify stocks in electronic media
Ramesh S Damani : NDTV, TV 18, TV Today

simplify : TV18 & NDTV both reported strong earnings..At current prices, TV18 looks cheap, NDTV a little expensive. Do you agree ?
Ramesh S Damani : Yes, but its relative.

TINI : sir, balmer lawrie investment holds 61% of balmer lawrie, if any things goes good for balmer lawrie will it benifits to balmer investment. thanks
Ramesh S Damani : Yes in dividends and if BL is sold by GoI.

puneet : hi ramesh. i big fan of urs. i want to know what is the right level in gas sector. i m hugely interested in petronet , gail and IGL. Whats ur opinion on sensex in 2-4 months. As i believe the upside is limited and downside is huge :)cheers
Ramesh S Damani : I am more optimistic. I would remain invested. Gas is a great long term story. We have to get used to the "End of Oil (a great book,) and oil prices at $100 a barrell.

Kamal1 : lOGISTIC COMPANIES : Is Gati and Aegis along with balmer great bet at present rate with one year view. are they strong buys
Ramesh S Damani : I would think so, they are good cos.

kuber : Sir,what is cut off date for Div @ 16/-
Ramesh S Damani : It is ex-dividend.

Kamal1 : Do u know about MATHER and PLATE . This is same as UBH to UB group. Mather and Plate holds 5 % in shaw wallace but at current price its value is close to 700/share. Its quotinga t 135. How so u view this
Ramesh S Damani : You are right about that. I am not sure about the exact holding but they own a stake.

vvinay : sir,revisit ongc mkt in underestimating its potential yukos and other overseas acquisition could drastically improve topline and subsidy issue notwithstanding good bet
Ramesh S Damani : It could particularly if oil prices keep rising.

chetanthesatan : what shd SKF shhldr do - hold till open off or exit now?
Ramesh S Damani : I would wait till the open offer.

sunil : SIR WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON NATCO PHARMA .... IT HAS SO MANY NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN EUROPE .... STOCK PRICES NOT AT ALL MOVING .... YOUR VIEWS SIR....
Ramesh S Damani : No views.

hansraj : Sir, can you please tell us some good stocks that would go ex-bonus before March 31 ??
Ramesh S Damani : Did MTNL decalre a bonus? Any one know.

ataenoor : Dear sir, In uptrend market there are lots of mid/small cap are going down side. what is ur advice on that buy/hold/sell?
Ramesh S Damani : Generally in a bull market all stocks rise. Pace may differ.

suresh : MACMIILLAN : Bit unfortunate . this co. is not getting attention from market though it has mnoved to 400 level but it deserve much more with the kind of growth and net margin they have
Ramesh S Damani : I have learnt that with good stocks they always catch fire. Be patient. Market will reward patience and convcition.You need to go through the process to believe it.

TINI : sir, d-link india is moving up with huge volume since last two days.any reason behind that or just value buying as it will be benifited by bsnl-mtnl broadband services(modems supplied by d-link). thanks
Ramesh S Damani : It is a cheap stock.

Dharmesh : Looking at coming budget, power and infrastructure companies would have great time. Have you identified any good stocks in above sectors. thank you
Ramesh S Damani : They always are buzzing near budgets.

sunil : SIR I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOUR VIEWS ON PRISM CEMENT PLS ..... THERE IS SOME NEWS OF LAFARGE HAVEING A STAKE IN IT SHORTLY... SIR YOUR VIEWS ...
Ramesh S Damani : I have not heard about it.

RKR : Sir, any idea about Western India Shipyard... I have checked the B/sheet but its a mess. However, I have been hinted that it would be rerated soon... (reasons were not disclosed) Any idea about whats going on at the compnay leval? thanks :-)
Ramesh S Damani : Not really.

rakshesh : damaniji, thank you very much-- I made good profits on Mahindra Ugine-- should I still hold on to it?
Ramesh S Damani : It's no longer cheap but they are doing well.

RajeshDamani : Sir i travel about 20 minutes to chat with u but u have not replied me a single question why?
Ramesh S Damani : What is the question.

ataenoor : sir, What is about my portfolio which includes Bongaigaon Refinery, Tata Chem, Essar Shipp, Sonata Software, Welspun Guj,Bata, Aptech, NTPC, Mangalore Chem, Visual Software, Logix Micro etc. Plz reply.
Ramesh S Damani : I don't like to comment on individual portfolios.

sanujkadavil : sirtata elxsi doing well. some paper says company is going to lead indian animation industry like how their parent done in sofrware
Ramesh S Damani : Let's hope so.

RajeshDamani : Sir i travel about 20 minutes to chat with u but u have not replied me a single question why? i hold 2000 chmeplast @ 45
Ramesh S Damani : I don't follow the stock.

Raghunath : this is 3 rd timei am askingGood Afternoon sir. Please comment on the prospects of Bihar caustic and chemfab alkalies. Thanks in advance.
Ramesh S Damani : I don't track all stocks hence the silence.

suresh : GEOMETRIC : Thpough business looks back on track but NUCLEUS looks more promising . Could be huge if GMAC business from North Amercia comes to Nucleus
Ramesh S Damani : It should happen.

mushy : sir your advice will be very usefull to newcommers like me. What are your views on K G DENIM
Ramesh S Damani : No view at this time.

Dharmesh : when you say sir, oil would touch 100$, howz ONGC in long term. They are accquiring everything nowadays. Though competitors to chinese
Ramesh S Damani : It would be bullish for them. Thanks all for joining. See you all next week. Bye.

hansraj : Sir, please look at Subex systems. On of the promoter has exited the company by offloading 14% of stocks...but still price is holding on above 400
Ramesh S Damani : It does worry me when insiders sell.

sunil : sir stocks in T2T have no volumes..... the likes of arvind products and eastern silk ltd.... they have reported very good results ..but since they arein T2T they are not moving
Ramesh S Damani : That is a phase that will pass.

baracuda : did you see the results of crest animation they improved their sales but ended the qrt with aloss but still the market was happy with the results the stock saw a 20% jump do yu still like the co i was a bit dissapointed with the rs i thought the co could do much better
Ramesh S Damani : Will chat on it next week. Bye.