Stans Energy: Moving Chess Pieces into Place

This morning we write to update you on two significant developments from Stans Energy (RUU: TSXV) – one concerning the accuracy of historic Soviet sampling data and another on the move to establish a rare earth supply chain – a need every rare earth development company must address. This is a crucial topic that we’ve discussed multiple times in these Notes.

Last week, the company issued a press release announcing the results of the re-sampling program they’ve undertaken on Kutessay II, their flagship rare earth mine (see picture below). The goal of the sampling program was to collect and analyze 170 samples from a specific adit in the mine and compare these samples with data taken during the Soviet administration (1992) from the same adit. The results are listed below:

Written by Michael A. Berry, Ph.D. - [ Discovery Investing Web Site ]

One of the most important decisions corporate founders make at the start of their venture is naming the company. A good name resonates with customers and investors and conveys something solid and unique about the business and its leaders' vision.

In microcap land it's no surprise that companies often take poetic license when naming, which is clearly an attempt compensate for certain deficiencies. But larger firms are often just as guilty for using excessive flair or futuristic names.

This FT.com article, Equity X factor often spells exasperation, examines companies using a particular letter. "Investing legend Peter Lynch once warned that 'a flashy name in a mediocre company attracts investors and gives them a false sense of security', and he specifically cautions against buying stocks that have an x in their name."

As we head into Christmas week and one of the busiest sales periods in the High Street, Payplan warns consumers to keep tight control on their spending.

The urge to break the budget at Christmas is higher than any other period of the year, according to the national free debt solutions adviser. But if you do, Payplan says it could ruin the festive season and you could be paying for it well into 2011.

“Christmas week and the January period are peak times for our qualified team of counsellors,” said John Fairhurst, Payplan MD.

“Overspending on Christmas parties, present buying, and all the festive food and drink, can seem like a good idea at the time – but the harsh reality is, long after all the turkey and tinsel have gone, there will be a large hole in the bank balance and some potentially serious debt to contend with.”

MacArthur Minerals: 2 for 1

This is the third morning note on MacArthur Minerals (MMS TSXV) in the past two weeks. Normally we do not write this frequently on any company, but MacArthur Minerals is generating news more quickly than most. We will keep this Morning Note short. Nevertheless I think it's an important one.

Yesterday MacArthur Minerals announced that it had increased its Moonshine magnetic resource by 39% to 710 million tonnes of 30.6% iron (Fe) concentration. This deposit is located at its Lake Gilles project in Western Australia (see map below).

Written by Michael A. Berry, Ph.D. - [ Discovery Investing Web Site ]