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Money Wisdom Review of Widely Traded Stocks

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God does want each of us to be rich in every possible way -- health, love and peace of mind, as well as material possessions. God wants this, however, not just for our own sake, but for the sake of all humankind. An increase in the wealth for an individual almost always represents an even larger increase in wealth for society at large.

Paul Zane Pilzer, economist,
from his book
God Wants You to Be Rich

The quick comments provided here are designed to provide an example of how the Money Wisdom system of analysis works. They were written in late 1999 and so no longer apply to current investment decisions. As you will see, many of the reviews were quite critical, so this obviously was obviously not a list of stock picks. These reviews are opinion only, not statements of fact. These commentaries should not be taken as recommendations or advice. Updated commentaries may be provided at a later time.

AXP	American Express	This company is praised for its employee practices and support for environmental concerns. It is a safe, large cap position in the financial sector with a global presence and brand name.
AOL	American On Line	This company has become the dominant player in the new Internet industry. If you want to speculate in this sector, this is supposedly a safe way to do it. AOL has provided an easy access to millions of people all over the world eager to get onto the Internet. It is likely to remain the access leader into the foreseeable future. On the other hand, the foreseeable future in this sector is measured in months, not years. We have not heard any real complaints about the ethics or practices of this company, but many complaints about the quality of its services.
AAPL	Apple Computer	Apple Computer is now known for high quality, innovative products. The future vision of many includes very creative, well designed computer tools, such as Apple's new IMac and M4. This is a large cap co. with global sales. The Apple logo is the 3rd most popular in the world. The Street seems to like it as Apple's price has doubled in 1999, and did the same thing in 1998. We have not heard anything bad about its business practices.
ATML	Amtel Corporation	Specialty chip manufacturing company whose ATML name says it all: "Advanced Technology for Memory and Logic". With offices/factories in California and France, Amtel has demonstrated excellent management and technological innovation/creativity since its start up in 1984 by a former Intel executive. It is now the world's third largest supplier of "smart cards" and was recently selected by Sony to supply its next generation of Play Station game chips. For a good review on this high tech company, see the Open Fund's stocks and strategies page. All chip companies have to be concerned with pollution, as that is part of their manufacturing process. We have no information yet on its compliance, or not, in this area.
ATS	APT Satellite	Although not yet a popular stock in the U.S., ATS is the largest Hong Kong satellite company. Its services dominate China, and the rest of the Far East. You might purchase a small company life this for global diversity, if you can take the risk. This company might take off with the Asian recovery, and the full integration of China into the global economy. The development of Chinese companies like this could also help destabilize the Chinese dictatorship by global interconnectedness (ironically the People's Republic is the largest shareholder). This is a volatile, highly speculative, small cap ADR, but might fit in with some people vision of a better world.
BEAM	Summit Technology	Lesser known small cap laser vision enhancement company. This pick is an example of an investment in line with a view of a positive future where technology assists medicine to attain enhanced wellness.
BKS	Barnes & Noble	Mid cap book retailing company which is the largest in its field. If books are a big part of your life, you might want to invest in this company, especially if you patronize it. Some oppose BKS because it puts many small, locally owned stores out of business. Others believe that the free enterprise system will work this out, that the small stores will survive if they offer a selection and service people want, otherwise not. Incidentally, Barnes & Noble is a 41% owner of the Internet IPO - barnesandnoble.com, and this could pay off in the future if it ever catches up with Amazon.com.
CSCO	Cisco Systems	Safe Internet play by a large cap company with global sales creating the hardware which makes the Net possible. Again, many investors now see a connected one world economy where portals may come and go, but the networking hardware will remain. Cisco is well thought of for its fair employment practices.
KO	Coca Cola	This company is generally praised for its good management, and is a favorite of ethical investors for several reasons. First of all, it's primary product is a nonalcoholic beverage, so that's a plus if you're anti-drug addiction. Secondly, it has world wide diversity, and spreads the alcohol free creed, and western economy and values. For other's this coke culture uniformity is a negative. There was also the recent disturbing incidents in Europe where there were reports of poisonings, and an attempt by Coca Cola Enterprises to cover it up.
CPQ	Compaq Computers	This once dominant computer company is now struggling to keep up with the upstart Dell Computer, and others in this highly competitive area. This is a good example of what can happen to a company if it stops growing in this age of constant change and innovation. It has been going down hill throughout 1999, and is not likely to reverse directions any time soon. The management and business practices of this company are purportedly good, but that doesn't make up for its lack of the "vision thing".
DELL	Dell Computers	This is the reverse story of Compaq, but perhaps not forever. Dell had an idea of the future and direct sales, and then made it happen over the Internet. The stock has grown accordingly. Still, in this high tech area you must innovate or die, and the Street is still waiting to see if Dell can continue to go with the flow. Although it was the market leader in 1998, it has languished in 99. Investors are not sure if the boxes Dell makes will still have a place in thier future. Its product quality is good, and its business practices are ok. Still, like most of the get rich quick companies of the nineties, many think it could be doing a lot more to help the less fortunate and give back to the American community.
DIS	Walt Disney	Here is another story of a company struggling to reinvent itself to have a place in the 21st Century culture. Once the dominant "dreams come true company" that was everyone's favorite, it was a failing company in 1999, with falling profits and stock value. It is to be commended for its progressive business practices and fair treatment of its employees. For example, it offers very favorable health care benefits. But Disney is also the subject of much protest and dissent because it subs out its product manufacture to companies in the Far East well known to have sub-human working conditions. Most people are against forced child labor, and criticize Disney for its refusal to police its suppliers.
DSEFX	Domini Social Equity Fund	This is one of the countries most popular "ethics based" mutual funds. This fund invests in 400 ethically screened companies. It has an average annual return over the last three years of 31.08%. You might purchase a mutual fund like this to add deep diversity and a safe anchor to a portfolio. At the same time is still likely to beat the S&P 500.
XON	Exxon	What can we say - "Valdez" will be remembered for a long time. The big oil companies are not generally considered to be a positive force for good. What kind of world do you want to leave for your children's children? Sure they give a lot to charity, but that does not make up for all of the harm they cause to the environment, or to innovation for alternative energy sources. As long as we remain addicted to the automobile, there will be plenty of pushers to keep the supply coming, inspite of the horrible costs for generations to come. No, were not big on Exxon or other big oil companies; but you make up your own mind. Let's all hope that the scientists with the big grants from Exxon are correct, and Global Warming is just our imagination. Otherwise, we are all in a whole lot of trouble, and our great grand kids are going to be mighty mad at our whole generation.
FNM	Fannie Mae	This is a popular company well known for its good employee practices. It is a large cap financial services company that makes the American dream of home ownership possible for millions of low and middle income people. You can see how this might easily fit into many ethically based portfolios.
GE	General Electric	This is the largest corporation in the world, based on market capitalization (although Microsoft is a close second). It has many fine products and services, including NBC and CNBC. It is a very diversified, global conglomerate. It also has good business practices and ethics. There is, however, one problem that many people have with this company, the little known fact that it is a major manufacturer of Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Energy. Is that where you want your money?
HD	Home Depot	This is a great success story, and was recently made a DOW component. HD got there with innovation and quality, and sound business practices. It remains to be seen whether we are nearing the growth saturation point in the U.S., but then there is always the rest of the world. We have only heard positive comments on their ethics.
IBM	International Business Machines	Big Blue has been the dominant force in computers since the first computer was invented. For a while it looked like they might not be able to keep up with the changes, but in the last few years they have been able to reinvent themselves as a modern high tech company. It has again become an impressive company, with great stock performance, and Internet oriented innovations that put an emphasis on service. IBM has long been praised for good business practices and quality products.
INTC	Intel Corporation	Intel is improving its environmental performance, a problem for the entire semiconductor industry. Intel is the dominant good tech company for the near future, and is part of the vision many have of a crystal chip smart environment everywhere.
JDSU	JDS Uniphase Corporation	An advanced technology company, in the Photonic and Opto-Electronics field. They make advanced lasers for a variety of high tech purposes, the most interesting of which is to facilitate Fiber Optic Transmissions, the "telephone poles of the future." They are the leaders in the light technology of Wave Division Multiplexing. In short, what this means is that they are inventing ways to harness the power of light to dramatically increase the bit flow bandwidth. This could fit into a person's vision of the future. They are working for a light connected Cyber Age where global communications are unrestricted and cheap. For a full description on their unique technologies, and investment potential, see the Open Fund's stocks and strategies page.
JNJ	Johnson & Johnson	This is a large global company selling both drugs and consumer products. It is a well known household brand, and is likely to remain that way for many years to come. The company is usually praised for its ethical practices.
LU	Lucent Technology	This is the recent spin off from AT&T of its Bell Labs division. It is now an innovative leader in communication technologies. It is large cap with a global reach. Have heard nothing but good comments regarding this new companies business practices.
MRK	Merck	One of the world's largest manufacturers of legal drugs. In the past pharmaceuticals were the key component of most everyone's vision of an ideal health care. There would be a miracle drug to fix everything. Some people are, however, beginning to question this paradigm. Many challenge the cost and effectiveness. Some suspect we are becoming a drug addict culture, and many doctors, just fancy pill pushers. The drug/medicine future runs counter to many people's holistic view of health care. It all depends on your vision of the future as to whether you want to put your money in a company like this. Nothing too bad in the press about this companies business practices.
MSFT	Microsoft Corp.	The largest software company in the world, Microsoft takes turns with General Electric as the largest capitalized corporation in the world. Although it once captured the hearts of many with a positive vision of the future, great wealth and power has, in the opinion of many, turned this company to the dark side. After years of trial a Federal Judge has found that Microsoft is a monopoly, it stifles competition, and engages in unfair and illegal businesss practices. Have you read some of Bill Gates email uncovered in that case? Do you really want to give him more money? Do all computers really have to crash at least once a day? If you are a Windows user, it is a common fact of life. This is the predictable result of a monopoly and is exactly why anti-trust practices are illegal in in the US. Sorry, we'll pass on this one until Bill grows up and Microsoft cleans up its act.
ORCL	Oracle Corporation	The second largest software company in the world, Oracle is dominant in information database software. As such many think it is better positioned than any other company to profit and grow in the Internet Information Age. Moreover, with Microsoft (MSFT) at risk of breakup from Justice Department prosecution, Oracle could well emerge as the largest software company. The Street seems to agree as ORCL's stock price has doubled in 1999.
PFE	Pfizer	Well, do you want drugs in your future? Is that part of your vision of future health? If so, this is one of the biggest drug companies in the world. Some people want to move away from drug based medicine, and so avoid pharmaceutical investments on principle. Haven't seen anything bad about this companies management or labor practices.
SBC	SBC	Recently added to the DOW, SBC Communications is another great big local phone company, seeking to become much more. Phones and communications are a part of most everyone's visions of the future and companies like this have most of the local infrastructure. Again,haven't heard anything bad about its practices or products.
T	AT&T	Part of the Domini 400 (but very few other SR funds), AT&T is in the process of remaking itself (again!) into the dominant force in cable services, to complement its long distance network. AT&T has been trying to position itself in the last few years to take advantage of the Internet connectivity enhancements expected from cable. Again, this may be part of your vision of One World connectivity. Although its management practices are suspicious, its employees are great, and its infrastructure is second to none. This is a safe investment that could still have a nice upside.
WAIDX	Citizens Index Fund	This is a mutual fund of 300 ethically screened stocks with this mutual fund. This is an easy way to add diversity. The fund has an excellent return history, and is likely to be a safe investment that will beat the S&P 500.
WSM	Williams Sonoma	Although not yet a widely traded stock, this is a well known catalogue company, turned retail store chain. It has high quality products from around the world concerned with cooking and home products. The company has good management, and along with its Pottery Barn, and Hold Everything stores, and its brand new highly popular Kids Pottery Barn catalogue, it appears to be positioned to serve the home needs of affluent buyers for years to come. Its forthcoming Internet sales push may allow Williams Sonoma to finally cash in on its huge catalogue sales, and push well past its all time highs of last Christmas season.

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