Day: April 28, 2007

Categories
China

Consumer Series I: Gui Zhou Mao Tai

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Last Updated on April 29, 2007 by stlplace

(Update Apr 30) I went to Carrefour to buy Maotai, it’s out. I noticed Maotai has some low end products now (Maotai Chun instead of Guizhou Maotai). The Shanghai No. 1 Food Store across the street does carry Mao Tai, but it charges for 525 Yuan (Carrefour price was 438). According to Carrefour associates, the Maotai was out for couple months now. This is not surprising because I heard some distributors will pay several months in advance to get the Maotai. Hot stuff, isn’t it?

Continue reading “Consumer Series I: Gui Zhou Mao Tai”
Categories
IPO

Interactive Brokers IPO update

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Last Updated on December 20, 2007 by stlplace

After I read its prospectus, I decide not to pursue its open IPO. Another reason is I just bought some HMIN and MR: I want to limit the number of stocks I hold.

IB is a great business. I heard its name first from a friend who recommend it for its low cost and high speed in stock (options) trading. Later on I found it’s very popular among active traders. I read its prospectus (old) last Nov and was impressed by its technology; I also learned “what is market maker” from the reading. But I do have some concern: the valuation and the control share holder. It does have impressive growth though: from market making and brokerage.