Archive for January, 2008

When Reporters Are Unchained From Their Laptops…

“Hi, I’m the worst attempt at humor ever.” The guy at 0:40 sums it up beautifully. [Hat Tip: BustedCoverage]

Popularity: 9% [?]

The Donald Trump Reacts To Bernanke’s Stimulus

In his interview with Neil Cavuto yesterday, The Donald reacts firmly to Ben Bernanke’s suggestion for a fiscal stimulus package. I almost became enraged at Trump’s arrogance until I saw Cavuto’s mug. Have you ever seen someone…a total stranger…and thought to yourself “I hate that guy” based solely on looks? Hey, Trump. Please get Cavuto on the next Celebrity Apprentice so can fire his ass. Sorry. Here’s the vid.

Popularity: 10% [?]

That Just Happened — January 17, 2008

Whether or not your team is still alive in the NFL Playoffs, you’ll appreciate Mathew Kowald’s devotion to the Green Bay Packers. One way to be sure your son shows your team some love…restrain him in a chair and tape a jersey to his body. Idiot. I suppose that’s less humiliating than being booed by thousands of Indy fans.

Get drunk…or cheer for the other team. Get taped.

Ashley Cook is a 21-year-old model from Huntington Beach, CA…in case you want to see some photos of hot chicks. [Hat Tip: WallStreetFighter]

John McCain might be old, but he still has a sense of humor.

Ben Bernanke did not use steroids in his fiscal stimulus policy.

ESPN.com reports that Dallas Cowboys Offensive Coordinator, Jason Garrett, will turn down head coaching opportunities with the 4-12 Atlanta Falcons and the 5-11 Baltimore Ravens…and remain the O.C. with 13-3 Dallas. DUH!

Two words for American Idol fans: Renaldo Lapuz. You are my brother, too, Renaldo! Tayo’y mga Pinoy!!!

Popularity: 5% [?]

Feed Your Stock Market Appetite With Agriculture

Recession or not a recession? That seems to be the burning question among market analysts nowadays, and it’s causing investors to second-guess themselves when it comes to buying stocks. All of that hesitation just results in missed buying opportunities. If you still can’t get passed the uncertainty, there is a sure thing out there — agriculture.

I realize “sure thing” is a bit idealistic; but if you take a closer look at the variables behind the agriculture boom and why it could be long-term, you just might reap the benefits (the pun potential for this article is bountiful…sorry).

BRIC & M
BRIC is an acronym that stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China. Recently, Mexico has been added to this list of emerging economies…forming BRIMC. Jim O’Neill, global economist at Goldman Sachs, has theorized the idea that the BRIMC economies as a whole could be larger than the G6 in U.S. dollar terms by 2050. Just watch this BRIC video presentation. This ain’t no ostensible theory.

Along with this economic growth comes a larger middle class population and an improved quality of life. And that means higher demand for quality foods.

Stocks Du Jour
So where can you park your money? There are a few ways to take advantage of the boom. One way, of course, is to invest in Agricultural Chemical companies. Two of these that stick out as long-term winners are Monsanto (NYSE:MON) and Mosaic (NYSE:MOS). Both specialize in technology to help farmers produce healthier foods and better animal feed ingredients. These stocks are up 154% and 456% in the last 12 months, respectively (as of market close, 01/14/2008). See Mosaic’s 52-wk chart below.

Mosaic’s second quarter earnings rose nearly 6 times…44% revenue growth.

Farmers need tractors to help foster this anticipated growth. Deere & Co (NYSE:DE) is reaping the rewards of the ag boom. In the company’s fourth quarter 2007 report, Chairman & CEO, Robert W. Lane, advocates that “Deere is well-positioned to continue benefiting from powerful global economic trends such as growing affluence and increasing demand for food, feed and biofuels”. Worldwide sales of John Deere agricultural equipment are expected to increase by about 17 percent for full-year 2008.

Last, but certainly not least are Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). Perhaps the most popular Ag-related ETF is the Van Eck Agribusiness ETF. Actually, I just like the ticker — MOO. MOO currently represents 37 companies worldwide that are engaged in the agriculture business. To earn a spot on the MOO fund, a company must possess the following characteristics:

• Have a market cap exceeding $150 million
• Have a worldwide daily average trading volume of at least $1 million during the past six months, and over each of the past two months
• Have maintained a monthly trading volume of 250,000 shares over the past six months
• Trade on global exchanges

For those that appreciate the idea of portfolio diversity, MOO will do.

I’m no financial advisor, but this might be a time to throw out the idea of “buy low, sell high” and adopt a “buy now” attitude. This is one boat you don’t want to miss.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Mangino Versus Obie

Kansas Jayhawks head football coach Mark Mangino is obese. He makes Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen look like a boy. I think that in celebration of the Jayhawks’ victory over Virginia Tech, which by the way was one of the best BCS games so far, Mark Mangino should diet. As shown in this picture below, he’s larger than the Orange Bowl mascot, Obie. I’m guessing his weight has everything to do with the fact that he adamantly refused a Gatorade bath from his players. Can you say “cardiac arrest”?

Popularity: 13% [?]

BlogRoll

• Milk Was A Bad Choice
• CrackBerry.com
• Stock Trading 101
• For The Love Of Sports
• Project Spurs
• Busted Coverage
• WallStreetFighter

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