SAS
Sometimes there is more to a stock than just the chart. Telstra owns some 5% of Sausage, covered by its 80 million options. These options will "vest" in November, at which time Telstra will need to decide if they are fully committed to SAS, and invest further, or take their money and sell. The overhang in the stock may cause a sideways move until the position is clearer. Often good to know what the major investors in any stock are doing.

Lake Technology LAK
LAK is involved with digital technology, specifically headphones and acoustic research. Airlines and car manufacturers are interested. Watch for a higher low on the weekly here, a break of moving averages, then a move back to the mid point. Wait for this though, the trend on the weekly is still down at present.

In general
Don't forget, owning stocks entitles you to attend Annual General Meetings. I urge attendance when you can. (Traders excepted of course) I believe attendance is a tax deduction up to 3 per year, but you should seek your own advice on that one.

Some companies also offer shareholder discounts. 10000 shares in Queensland Tourism QTI, I have been informed qualifies you for 5 free nights at the Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island. Again check it out for yourself first.

Never forget the trend, regardless of whatever economic forecasts you may read - including ours. If the trend on the stock (especially monthly) is up hold the stock, regardless of any other news. Eg. Cochlear CSL

And finally, an extract from last month's Intelligent Investor newsletter, issue number 58, which I found of great interest. Helps me to see those government granted licences and privileges......

Start quote
"No matter how much politicians preach free market values they just can't keep their grubby little fingers away from the controls. The latest threat comes from the Federal Government which wants to regulate 'streaming' of video and audio. This allows internet users to access video and audio - often live - via their PCs. The Government, not satisfied with killing off datacasting for years to come in order to protect vested broadcasting interests, says that 'streaming' is de-facto broadcasting and so must be stopped. This will set Australia back years and destroy the value of billions of dollars already invested in the industry. Microsoft has warned that Australia will be viewed as a Third World country if the regulations are introduced and the internet Industry Association is calling for its members to stop investing in the technology. It's a great way to kill off enterprise before it starts and means death to many internet start-ups. It's a great tragedy in a highly technologically literate country such as Australia, where the people - if not the politicians - are as up-to-the-minute as anywhere. Not for long it seems. And all to appease Kerry Packer."
end quote

And whilst we are on that band wagon, you should be watching what these guys do, and where they invest. Packer is into India, Murdoch into China. It almost looks to me as if the two have agreed to the division. Murdoch's new wife is Chinese (will the Pope ask for the return of that good catholic medallion ?), and our PM has just come back from India.

And from the AFR, 11th July page 3;
start quote
"Former Howard advisor joins the Packer camp: A select job with a media mogul has become something of a tradition for former political staffers, and prime minister Howard's long - time advisor, Mr Anthony Benscher, has joined the club. Mr Benscher has taken up a position with Kerry Packer's Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd as a business development executive. The appointment comes fours months after Mr Benscher quit as Mr Howards senior communications advisor in March. Mr Benscher new role is to assist the PBL group with "new business" ventures and he will report to chief executive Mr Nick Falloon.

Mr Benscher was one of Mr Howards most trusted confidants and worked for him for seven years. The Packers have a history of hiring from the political ranks. Former Liberal Party federal director, Mr Andrew Robb joined in 1997. Mr Robb is chief executive of Acxicom Australia - joint venture between PBL and US information provider Acxicom Corporation. Mr Robb's appointment followed the departure of Mr Peter Barron, the former chief political advisor to Labour Prime minister Mr Bob Hawke. Mr Barron joined the Packers in 1986 and helped to promote their media interests in Canberra for nearly ten years.

Former labour senator and one time communications minister, Mr Graham Richardson, also joined the Packer organisation after quitting politics in 1994. Likewise, a number of political operatives from both sides of the fence have joined News Ltd over the years. They include Mr Tom Mockridge, a former senior adviser to Labour Prime Minister Mr Paul Keating. Mr Mockridge is now a seasoned executive after 10 years with News.

A more recent hiring by News was Mr Graeme Morris, Mr Howard's former chief of staff. Mr Morris, a close friend of Mr Howard, joined News Ltd in 1997 as director of strategic policy. He left earlier this year to join public relations firm Jackson Wells, but continues to advise News on a consultancy basis.

Former Labour senator, Mr Stephen Loosley, has also worked as a strategic adviser to News Ltd since 1995. Senior political advisers have also been highly sought after by the telco industry. Recently, Mr Paul Fletcher, the former senior adviser to the Minister for Communications, Senator Richard Alston, joined Cable and Wireless Optus, just weeks after quitting his government position. Well-connected communications industry executive Ms Sam Mostyn was once Prime Minister Paul Keating's communications adviser before she quit Canberra to take up a senior position with Optus Vision.

Mr Benscher, who started work at Park Street yesterday, is understood to have talked to all the major publishers, including News Ltd and Fairfax in recent months before deciding to join the Packers." end quote

Always observe these developments as it will help you work out the next investment area. Whatever will we do for information if / when packer gets his hands on the AFR ? The above stuff is never reported in Packer / Murdoch owned media outlets, being more bread and circuses stuff to keep the masses happy.