Boring Portfolio Report
Friday, February 16, 1996

(FOOL GLOBAL WIRE)
by Greg Markus (MF Boring)

--(Alexandria, VA, Feb. 16)--I had half of a pair of back-to-back airline tickets to burn, so I suggested to my wife, TeDee, that we get out of the Michigan winter this week-end and zip over to Alexandria: visit Fool HQ, order up some room service, and generally hang out in some warmer environs.

Not quite. Michigan was crisp but clear as we left this morning. Our flight took off without a hitch (other than the planeload of eighth graders on their way from Milwaukee to get personally exposed to our nation's, uh, leaders in Washington, DC). As we approached National Airport, however, the pilot relayed that we would have to circle for half an hour until they *plowed* the runways. Not a good sign.

Anyhow, after finally landing, hopping the Metro to King Street Station in Alexandria, and trudging eight blocks through a winter scene straight out of "Dr. Zhivago," we arrived, red-cheeked and runny-nosed, at Fool HQ. There we found David, Tom, and a motley collection of Fools engaged in a business meeting. We watched as they discussed multi-zillion dollar deals, pausing only to munch fistfuls of caramel corn retrieved from what appeared to be a five-gallon pail.

They spotted us. "Welcome!" they said. "Have some tea. Warm up!" And so we did. After we regained some feeling in our faces, MF Dwight hauled out his 4X4 "Ute" and graciously drove the Michigan visitors the rest of the way to the hotel, which is where I tap away to you at this moment.

Oh, yes: stocks! Actually, the Borefolio did pretty well today, largely on the strength of our fertilizer friend, Potash Corp. As news of POT's fine earnings report trickled down from Saskatoon to the Lower 48 today, the stock leapt $2 3/4, to close at a bid of $80 1/4.

Texas Industries (naturally) was another winner for us today, picking up *another* quarter-point. Kulicke & Soffa was unchanged, at $20; we await next week's dog and pony show where the new Turbo ball bonder will be demonstrated. Lastly, Green Tree dropped $3/8. That's three days now that GNT has slumped, on no news. I've heard some folks suggesting that GNT's drop (along with some other mortgage-related issues) may be linked to concerns about the elimination of the home mortgage interest deduction should flat-tax fever take hold. If that is indeed the reason for the drop, all I can say is, I wish all my worries were of such remote likelihood.

Have a great weekend!

Today's Moves

GNT   -   3/8
KLIC  ---    
POT   +2  3/4
TXI   +   1/4