3 Companies That May Not Exist By The 2012 Elections

We have just gotten through the 2010 election season. Now everyone is turning their attention to 2012. On that note, let's take a look at a few companies that I believe will not be alive during the next election cycle. These companies are struggling to stay alive and their stock prices reflect their dire circumstances.

Rite Aid Inc. (RAD) 95 cents per share

First up is a once prominent national chain that is now struggling to remain relevant. No, it's not Blockbuster. It's Rite Aid! The company has been under intense pressure since its failed merger with Eckerd. Rite Aid is crumbling under its massive debt burden and declining sales. Same stores sales are down nearly 2% and have declined for 17 straight months. While CVS Caremark Corp. (CVS) and Walgreens (WAG) are raking in profits, Rite Aid is drowning in red ink.

First Mariner Bancorp (FMAR) 74 cents per share

Next up is a local banking institution in my home state of Maryland. This stock has been in a freefall for two years. The bank has been doing a better job recently of raising revenue but the company still has not returned to profitability. The company has been under the intense scrutiny of bank regulators for the past year. Shares have recently dropped below $1 and the stock is now facing delisting. With so many banks failing each week, it's hard to see how the bank will remain afloat over the next year.

YRC Worldwide (YRCW) $4.76 per share

The only reason that this company's shares are traded on any major exchange is because of its 1:25 reverse split. This is a company that had a staggering $66.50 per share loss just a year ago. YRC Worldwide has tried everything to survive. The company has gotten union concessions on pay, benefits and managed to restructure some of its debt load. Despite all of these moves the company still has a massive debt load and is expected to lose $10 per share this year alone.

In my opinion the companies listed above cannot survive as currently configured. Their debt loads are much too high and these companies need to undergo a Chapter 11 bankruptcy to have any hope of long term survival.

3 Companies That May Not Exist By The 2012 Elections is a post from: Buy Like Buffett