FUN unit holder perks

I just got a thing in the mail today from Cedar Fair for FUN holders of 100 units or more. A buy-one-get-one on admission to any Cedar Fair park (not useful to me) and a two-for-one on resorts at Cedar Point or Knott's, subject of course to certain date restrictions.

First time I've ever received something like that for owning stock/units.

Free day passes at last!

Maybe if you have 1000 shares you get a season pass!

I've got a ways to go for that!

Just out of curiosity, how much to shares in FUN cost?

I've thought about investing before, but I've always wondered what real benefit there is to being a share holder. I figure it'd be kind of an expensive souveneir.

According to my AIM stockticker (anyone else do this?) FUN is currently selling for 31.83 per share.

I started buying shares of FUN on a monthly basis last year and I have no complaints yet. I did make the mistake of buying some of that other companies shares that isn't doing so well right now. Oh well, you win some and you lose some.

Carnage, I believe the real benefit would be to make money. :)

Yeah, I understand the main reason behind stocks.

But I can't see FUN stocks providing a huge return on investment. Though correct me if I'm wrong those that are shareholders.

FUN actually pays a significant dividend compared to many other stocks. FUN will pay $1.80 per share per year, while Busch will pay $0.88. As a comparison, Coke will pay $1.00 and Pepsi will pay $0.92. Six Flags pays no dividend at this time. In fact, many companies do not pay dividends.

Cedar Fair does this because (on the simple side) it is a limited partnership and each shareholder is a partner. The profits are spread out amongt the partners.

I too received my coupons. I will not be able to use them this year, and will send them to Ohio relatives.

MadFan: That other company went from over valued to under valued. It will get better. But you need to know that unless you move large amounts of cash at a time, time is your friend here. You won't get rich on 100 shares of FUN or PKS.

*** Edited 5/6/2004 4:20:06 AM UTC by CoasterDad64***

But Dad, I bought 100 shares of PKS for under 400 bucks...when could you do THAT with FUN...;)

Actually, when I got the Six Flags shares, FUN was around $24 I think, so the investment in Geauga Lake seems to have been *at least* as well-received by investors as it was by general consensus of those here...CF basically stole the park from SF, much like a title loan company reposessing a car...LOL.

The reason Cedar Fair can pay dividends is that they spend their money wisely, and grow *slow but steady*...in the world of the Tortoise and the Hare, you can guess which company is which...;)

^I think FUN was in the $5 range sometime in the 1980s. If you had 100 shares then, you would have a pretty nice nest egg today. Especially if you reinvested the dividends.

I am currently enjoying a 45% return on my PKS. I will be very happy when it hits $12 or so. Even happier if FUN splits.

It used to be three buy-one-get-one-free coupons and a deal on resorts. Oh well.

FUN won't make you rich, but I agree with 'Gator's "slow but steady" comment. When I got in for a lot of it around $20, that dividend alone was an 8% return. That's not bad at all (sure beats a savings account). There are very few companies that have a long track record of results as consistent as Cedar Fair. Minor ups and downs, sure, but it has never been dramatic.

It's not going to double your money in a week, but I've enjoyed watching my money go up to about 140% of what I put in in just over a year. I was all set to put more in this month since it was a little lower (around 30), but then there was this house I found last week and well, now I have no money =)

But I highly recommend FUN - I've made more on the positive side with one stock in one year than my parents made with an entire 401k in one year! =)

Be Very Careful witht he Tax implications of a Limeted Partnership. The taxes on LP dividends are differant the normal shares. I didn't want to mess with the crazy scedule that you have to deal with or I would have baught last year in the low 20s or high teens.

Limited partnerships are just plian screwy

My accountant doesn't seem to care. I can't file until March, but seeing as how I typically owe anyway, it's not like I'm in any hurry.

There are no "tax implications" to worry about.

I've had stock in Cedar Fair for a couple of years, so this is the 2nd time I've gotten those coupons. I reinvest the dividends that the company pays me, so i continue to gain shares every year and make more money.

must be nice to have an accountant to keep you from worring about "tax implications"

I actually went over taxes with my dad this year and the instructions for reporting gains from a limited partership actually are incredibly complicated. We ended up not having to file any gains because of some factor that caused my units to actually show a loss, which I really don't understand completely, but when my dad explained it it made sensse. So the tax situation can be complicated, but i'm sure it wouldn't be any trouble for an accountant.