Coca Cola Enterprises (CCE) - An Opportunity Missed? Depends on Price.

The cheapness of Coca Cola Enterprises (CCE) ($20.32) is mentioned this weekend in Barrons (Welcome Back Bottler - subscription required $$$) .  This is a classic situation that is frustrating to all of us who have an idea, don't act, And forget about it only to remember it when someone else puts it in writing for everyone else to see.  Andrew Barry is right in denoting the relative cheapness CCE has to Coca-Cola (KO) and other beverage companies like Pepsi Co (PEP) and Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG).  CCE is good value with little downside.  The relatively new CEO is no patsy to Coke and is actually looking out for his own shareholders.   I have owned KO for years and added to my position after their recent earnings report.  and will continue to own it.  A buyout of CCE is good for Coke shareholders.  I will try to buy it if the price doesn't move too much on Monday but I'm kicking myself for not owning CCE sooner as it has not participated in the recent stock market rally the way it's large cap partner Coca-Cola has. 


Socially Responsibility:
Do you think own KO but think they do some evil stuff?  There are always several socially responsible resolutions proposed every year at Coco Cola.  Open your proxy materials read the issues and vote your shares!!!!
Here's a proposal from 2006 on recycling.

Disclosures and Confessions:  
1. I own Coca-Cola Co (KO). 
2. I do not own Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE); but wish I did.  I wish for it so much that I will have a limit order to buy with my broker for the open on Monday.  However, my limit order will not be much above the previous closing price.  Thus I may not buy it or own it after Monday.
3. Do not own PEP but have owned and actively traded it and Pepsi options in the last two years for an automated volatility strategy I was testing.

I prefer Tropicana Orange Juice (owned by Pepsi) to sodas like Coca-Cola Classic.  I hear that there are some dangerous chemicals in Diet Coke but I still drink it occasionally.

Disclaimer:  Nothing in this blog is meant to be specific financial advice or a recommendation to buy or sell.  I do not give investment advice.  Do your own research.  Do not rely on anything in this weblog to make investment decisions.  I do not log all my trades here. I only describe or mention those that I think might be interesting. Consult an investment professional familiar with your specific financial situation before buying or selling any security.