Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = KOOL

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol KOOL ?

Answer:

THERMOGENESIS Corp. which develops and manufactures automated blood processing systems that enable the manufacture, preservation and delivery of personalized cell therapy and surgical wound care products.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

Possible Attack on U.S. Bank and Stock Market Servers

According to the Department of Homeland Security, a website supposedly called for an attack on U.S. bank web sites and stock market web sites, sometime in December.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/
article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/11/30/
financial/f171742S22.DTL&feed=rss.news

Jim Cramer Ending Radio Show

Jim Cramer, founder of TheStreet.com (traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TSCM) is ending his radio show to re-focus on multimedia for TheStreet's website.

http://yahoo.reuters.com/news/
articlehybrid.aspx?storyID=urn:newsml:
reuters.com:20061129:MTFH44521_2006-11-29
_18-42-58_N29376554&type=comktNews&rpc=44

The proprietor of Stockerblog owns DIS and Euro Disney. No recommendation is expressed or implied.

Euro Disney Takeover Offer

An obscure Swiss company, Center-Tainment, has made an unfriendly takeover offer for Euro Disney (traded on the Paris Stock Exchange under the symbol EDLP.PA), which is based in France and is partially owned by Walt Disney Company (traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DIS). Center-Tainment (G6P.F) is traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/061130/
france_euro_disney.html?.v=1

The proprietor of Stockerblog owns DIS and Euro Disney. No recommendation is expressed or implied.

More Holiday Gifts: New Investment Books December Release

Jim Cramer's Mad Money: Watch TV, Get Rich
by James J. Cramer, Cliff Mason
Publication Date: December 5, 2006
-----
The Only Three Questions That Count: Investing by Knowing What Others Don't
by Ken Fisher, Jennifer Chou, Lara Hoffmans, James J. Cramer (Foreword)
Publication Date: December 11, 2006
-----
Asymmetric Returns: The Future of Active Asset Management (Wiley Finance)
by Alexander M. Ineichen
Publication Date: December 11, 2006
-----
Standard & Poor's 500 Guide, 2007 Edition (Standard and Poor's 500 Guide)
by Standard & Poor's
Publication Date: December 20, 2006
-----
Flip
by Villani, Davis
Publication Date: December 1, 2006
-----
Fundamentals of Estate Planning (Huebner School Hardcover Book Series)
by Constance J. Fontaine
Publication Date: December 30, 2006
-----
The Complete Guide to Option Pricing Formulas
by Espen Gaarder Haug
Publication Date: December 20, 2006
-----
Guide to Economic Indicators: Making Sense of Economics - Sixth Edition
by Bloomberg Press (Creator)
Publication Date: December 1, 2006
-----
The 25% Cash Machine: Double Digit Income Investing
by Bryan Perry
Publication Date: January 9, 2007
-----
Commodities For Dummies
by Amine Bouchentouf
Publication Date: December 6, 2006

iPod Sales to North Korea to be Banned

The U. S. government wants to ban the sale of iPods (along with other luxury items) to North Korea. iPods are manufactured by Apple Computer, traded on NASDAQ under the symbol AAPL.

http://articles.news.aol.com/
news/_a/us-aims-to-ban-ipod-sales
-to-north/20061129063209990002

The proprietor of Stockerblog owns shares of AAPL. No recommendation is expressed or implied.

Sales of New Homes Down for October

According to the HUD report that was just released, sales of new single family homes for October were down 3.2% from September and down 25.4% from October of last year.

http://www.census.gov/const/newressales.pdf

10 Year-End Tax Strategies and Reminders for Investors

10 Year-End Tax Strategies and Reminders

1. Fund your IRA, Roth IRA, or other retirement plans now. Don’t keep earning taxable interest and dividends on that money until April 15; get it in a tax deferred account.

2. Farm for capital losses. In other words, look for stocks that you currently own that are trading at less than what you paid for them. If you have some, seriously consider selling them, and beware of the Wash Sale Rule (see my previous blog about this).

3. Don’t buy any mutual funds now. All funds are required to pay out all capital gains in December, which would be fully taxable to you even if you only own the fund for a couple days. In addition, the fund drops in value by the amount of the capital gain.

4. Get your donations in to your favorite charity, your college, and any other deductible religious or charitable organizations before year end. Don’t forget to donate old clothes, furniture, and other household items, Donate old unwanted books to your local library. Get receipts!

5. Check your one-year holdings. If you have stocks that you have a gain on and are thinking of selling, check to see if you’ve held them for a year or more. If you are a few days away from a year, it may be worth taking the market risk of holding on to the stock for a few more days before selling.

6. Take advantage of your Medical Reimbursement Plan. If you have one, you need to use up all the money you’ve allocated to it during the year. If you don’t use it, you lose it. Determine if you need a new pair of glasses, a new crown, or how about just a year end physical.

7. Pre-pay state and local income taxes. If you make quarterly tax payments to the state, make sure you pay yours by December 31. Don’t wait until January 15. Pay ALL anticipated state income tax by December 31.

8. Donate appreciated stock to charity. You avoid capital gains tax, you preserve your cash, and you receive a tax deduction.

9. When selling a portion of shares of a particular stock, look at the tax consequences. If you have invested in a stock or mutual fund over the years, you will have varying cost bases. Sell the portion with the highest basis to generate the smallest tax impact for the year. (This assumes that your brokerage firm or mutual fund allows you to choose and identify which shares to sell.)

10. If you have stock that became worthless this year, search for and save any information that you can relating to the stock so that you can justify a capital loss for the year. For example, if a stock had been trading for a penny per share, then no trades occurred after June 15, a case could be made that the stock became worthless on that day. Some brokerage firms (e.g. TDAmeritrade) will buy worthless or almost worthless stock from your account so that you can generate the loss. They usually don’t charge more than the total amount of the stock for the commission, and if the stock is completely worthless, they charge a dollar commission.

As always, all of the above suggestions are subject to exceptions and limitations. Don’t act on any of the above until you have discussed it with your CPA or tax advisor. No tax advice is expressed or implied.

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = WINS

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol WINS ?

Answer:

SM&A which provides competition management and performance assurance services.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

Stock Market Gifts

If you are looking for gifts that are stock market related, how about antique and collectible stock certificates. For example, how about a gift such as a Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus stock certificate from antiquestocks.com. The certificate has pictures of clowns, zebras, lions, tigers, horses, and acrobats. These old certificates are great for framing for your office or home. Some certificates, such as the Ringling, or a Euro Disneyland certificate, could even be framed for a child's room.

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = OVEN

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol OVEN ?

Answer:

TurboChef Technologies, Inc. a provider of equipment, technology and
services focused on the high-speed preparation of food products.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

Structured Bank Deposits may be Prohibited in Israel

Structured Bank Deposits may be prohibited by the Israel Securities Authority (ISA). Structured Bank Deposits are bank accounts whose yield is based on stock performance or stock indexes.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/793987.html

A Stockbroker Movie: The Pursuit of Happyness

As I mentioned in a previous blog, the Will Smith movie (The Pursuit of Happyness)about how a guy who is practically homeless becomes a successful stockbroker, will be coming out in December. The movie, which is based in San Francisco, is based on a true story. (By the way, the movie title is spelled with a Y not an I in the word 'Happyness'.) If you want to check out a couple trailers from the movie, go to:

http://imdb.com/title/tt0454921/trailers

Platinum Reaches $1,402.50 per ounce, highest price ever

The price of platinum traded as high as $1,402.50 per ounce, the highest price it has ever traded at.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6169934.stm

YouTube will be offered on Mobile Phones

YouTube.com, a division of Google (traded on NASDAQ under the suymbol GOOG), will appear on Verizon Wireless mobile phones.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6190984.stm

The proprietor of Stockerblog owns shares in GOOG. No recommendation expressed or implied.

Speaking of Taxes: Now is the time to start farming for losses

If you've generated a lot of realized gains this year from your investments in stocks, check to see what you may be holding on to at a loss and consider dumping it. Keep in mind the Wash Sale Rule if you are thinking of buying it back.
Wash Sales
You cannot deduct losses from sales or trades of stock or securities in a wash sale. A wash sale occurs when you sell or trade stock or securities at a loss and within 30 days before or after the sale you:
*Buy substantially identical stock or securities,
*Acquire substantially identical stock or securities in a fully taxable trade, or
*Acquire a contract or option to buy substantially identical stock or securities.
If you sell stock and your spouse or a corporation you control buys substantially identical stock, you also have a wash sale. If your loss was disallowed because of the wash sale rules, add the disallowed loss to the cost of the new stock or securities. The result is your basis in the new stock or securities. This adjustment postpones the loss deduction until the disposition of the new stock or securities. Your holding period for the new stock or securities begins on the same day as the holding period of the stock or securities sold. Special rules apply to options, futures, and warrants. As always, talk to your CPA or tax advisor before making any moves.
Example 1
You buy 100 shares of X stock for $1,000. You sell these shares for $750 and within 30 days from the sale you buy 100 shares of the same stock for $800. Because you bought substantially identical stock, you cannot deduct your loss of $250 on the sale. However, you add the disallowed loss of $250 to the cost of the new stock, $800, to obtain your basis in the new stock, which is $1,050.
Example 2
You are an employee of a corporation that has an incentive pay plan. Under this plan, you are given 10 shares of the corporation's stock as a bonus award. You include the fair market value of the stock in your gross income as additional pay. You later sell these shares at a loss. If you receive another bonus award of substantially identical stock within 30 days of the sale, you cannot deduct your loss on the sale.

A New Tax Credit - Retroactive to 2003 !!!

The Internal Revenue Service announced on May 25, 2006, that it will stop collecting the federal excise tax on long-distance telephone service. Taxpayers will be eligible to file for a credit or refund of all excise tax they have paid on long-distance service billed to them after February 28, 2003, on their 2006 federal tax returns. Interest will be paid on the credit or refund. Further instructions on claiming the credit or refund will be provided on the 2006 federal income tax returns.

Beware of Gift Card Fraud

Many of you may be giving your friends and family members gift cards this time of the year, so be aware of the following:
If you buy Gift Cards from a display rack that has various store cards you may become a victim of theft. Crooks are now jotting down the card numbers in the store and then wait a few days and call to see how much of a balance they have on the card. Once they find the card is "activated", and then they go online and start shopping. You may want to purchase your card from a customer service person, where they do not have the Gift Cards viewable to the public. This has been confirmed by snopes.com as a real fraud.
http://www.snopes.com/fraud/sales/giftcard.asp

EMI Receives Preliminary Takeover Offer

EMI, the British music company whose artists include The Beatles, received a preliminary takeover offer which caused their share price to skyrocket. EMI had previously turned down an offer from Warner Music. The shares of EMI, which trade on the London Stock Exchange, were up 10%.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6191350.stm

Holiday Gifts: Top Ten Selling Investment Books for the Week

Jim Cramer's Mad Money: Watch TV, Get Rich
by James J. Cramer, Cliff Mason
-----------------------------------
Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money--That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!
by Robert T. Kiyosaki, Sharon L. Lechter
-----------------------------------
The Essays of Warren Buffett : Lessons for Corporate America
by Warren E. Buffett, Lawrence A. Cunningham (Editor)
-----------------------------------
Jim Cramer's Real Money: Sane Investing in an Insane World
by James J. Cramer
-----------------------------------
How to Win Friends & Influence People
by Dale Carnegie
-----------------------------------
Trade Your Way to Financial Freedom
by Van K. Tharp
-----------------------------------
The Little Book That Beats the Market
by Joel Greenblatt
-----------------------------------
The Intelligent Investor Rev Ed. (Collins Business Essentials)
by Benjamin Graham, Jason Zweig
-----------------------------------
Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant
by W. Chan Kim, Renée Mauborgne
-----------------------------------
The Pre-Foreclosure Property Investor's Kit: How to Make Money Buying Distressed Real Estate -- Before the Public Auction
by Thomas Lucier

Stock Market Quotation of the Week

"An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) author, printer, inventor, diplomat, scientist

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = POSH

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol POSH ?

Answer:

BabyUniverse, Inc. which operates as an online retailer of baby, toddler, maternity products, as well as furniture.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

Year End Tax Planning: Honda Vehicles Certified for Hybrid Tax Credits

The Internal Revenue Service has acknowledged the certification by American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Honda ADR's trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HMC), that several of its Model Year 2007 vehicles meet the requirements of the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit as qualified hybrid motor vehicles. The hybrid vehicle certifications recently acknowledged by the IRS and their credit amounts are:
Honda Civic Hybrid CVT, Model Year 2007 $2,100
Honda Accord Hybrid AT, Model Year 2007 $1,300
Honda Accord Hybrid Navi AT, Model 2007 $1,300
Consumers seeking the credit may want to buy early since the full credit is only available for a limited time.

Scammers are now sending fake IRS emails

The Internal Revenue Service has issued several recent consumer warnings on the fraudulent use of the IRS name or logo by scamsters trying to gain access to an individuals financial information (such as Social Security number) in order to steal their identity and assets. This scam technique is called phishing. If you receive a suspicious e-mail that claims to come from the IRS, you can it to a new IRS mailbox, phishing@irs.gov.

PlayboyPlaymate Stock Picking Contest

Here's an unusual stock picking contest; it's closed to the public, as a matter of fact, you have to be a chosen PlayboyPlaymate in order to participate. The contest started at the beginning of this year and will be closing December 31. This is the TradingMarkets/Playboy2006 Stock Picking Contest. The leading contestant is Courtney Culkin Miss April 2005 with a return of 36.54% so far for the year. Considering the Dow is up only 13.09% for the year, her figure is outstanding. Her portfolio includes:
APPLE COMPUTER (AAPL)
BEBE STORES INC (BEBE)
GOOGLE,INC. (GOOG)
NIKE, INC. (NKE)
STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. (SHOO)

http://tradingmarkets.com/stock_picking_contest/index.cfm

Will the Stock Market be Up in January?

Since 1929, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has been up during the month of January 68% of the time. (The Dow was even up during January 1930, a couple months after the Great Crash in October 1929.)

Will the Stock Market be Up in December?

Since 1928, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has been up during the month of December 74.4% of the time. (The Dow was even up during December 1929, the year of the Great Crash.)

How Many Stocks are there?

How many NASDAQ stocks are there?

3,357

How many New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) stocks are there?

3,964

How many American Stock Exchange (AMEX) stocks are there?

1,471

Total of the above is 8,792. In addition, there are numerous over-the-counter stocks and pink sheet stocks.

Jim Cramer Index = Almost All Categories Improving

Jim Cramer, the famous stock market and investment guru, is up in almost all categories of popularity. Remember, for the first three columns, the lower the number the better, and for the next three columns, the higher the better. I added a seventh category for the Amazon ranking of his new book, Jim Cramer's Mad Money: Watch TV Get Rich, which hasn't even been released yet (it's number one in the Investment category). As you can see, his current book released last year ( Jim Cramer's Real Money: Sane Investing in an Insane World ) has increased in the Business & Investing category of Amazon and for all Amazon books. Also, YouTube results have increased by 20%, and Yahoo search results for 'Jim Cramer' have more than doubled.

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = UHAL

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol UHAL ?

Answer:

Amerco, the largest “do-it-yourself” moving and storage operatorthrough their subsidiary U-Haul International, Inc.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

Sell your investment real estate online

Websites for selling investment property online:

RealtyBid.com (legally binding offers)
Condobid.com (legally binding offers)
Owners.com (sell real estate directly)
Redfin.com (online real estate broker)
eBay.com (not legally binding offers)

Hedge Fund for AdultBusiness Industry

Yes, there is now a hedge fund, AdultVest (adultvest.com) which specializes in the pornbusiness industry. Minimum investment is $1,000,000 for the first fund and $100,000 for the second fund. Accredited investors only.

Investing in a Rock Band

If you missed out investing in the Beatles, Beach Boys or Rolling Stones, you still have the chance to get in on the ground floor with a website called SellaBand.com which allows you to invest in up and coming rock (and other type of music) bands at a cost of $10 per share.

Websites for Real Estate Foreclosures

If you are looking to invest in real state home foreclosures, there are a couple of sites that provide foreclosure info on houses throughout the United States:

PropertyShark.com
Foreclosures.com

Also, Yahoo Real Estate now has a way to look for foreclosure real estate property in their Real Estate for Sale search.

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = GLOV

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol GLOV ?

Answer:

AHPC Holdings, Inc., markets foodservice and medical examination gloves.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

San Francisco Area Hedge Fund Frozen by SEC

The Securities and Exchange Commission filed fraud charges against the head of several San Francisco-based hedge funds, accusing him of misappropriating millions of dollars from investors nationwide, including senior citizens. According to the Commission, Edward Ehee, 43, of Oakland, defrauded investors in the Compass West Fund, Viper Founders Fund, and Viper Investments, diverting much of the money towards mortgage and car payments, vacations, and personal bank accounts.

http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2006/2006-189.htm

San Diego Cited for Fraudulent Muni Bond Offerings

The City Of San Diego was sanctioned by the Securities and Exchange Commission for fraudulent municipal bond offerings.

http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2006/2006-191.htm

James Bond Movie Casino Royale incorporates Stock Market into Plot

One small part of the plot of the James Bond Movie, Casino Royale, involves short selling of stock. I won't give away any more of the plot in case you haven't seen the movie, which I recommend you do.

There are a ton of product placements in the movie, including products of Ford Motor Co. (traded on the New York Stock Exchange with the symbol F), Omega Watches, Smirnoff and Sony Ericsson (Sony ADR's are traded on the NYSE with the symbol SNE). You will see Aston Martins, Range Rovers, and Jaguars, along with Omega's Seamaster watch and the M600 Smart Phone. Even reference to the Adobe Photoshop program (was that a product placement or just a freebie for Adobe?)

Top Five Online Retailers

According to the Nielsen/NetRatings Nov. 2006 newsletter, the top five online retailers ranked by visitor conversion rate are:

FTD.com 29.3% (New York Stock Exchange symbol FTD)
proflowers.com 21.7%
1800flowers.com 17.0% (NASDAQ symbol FLWS)
QVC 16.1%
Lands End 16.0% (a division of Sears, NASDAQ symbol SHLD)

http://www.nielsen-netratings.com/
press.jsp?section=newsletter&nav=2

The proprietor of Stockerblog owns shares in FLWS and SHLD. No recommendations expressed or implied.

December January Stock Market Indicator

An analysis the Dow Jones Industrial Average since 1941 shows that a majority of the time, if the stock market is down in December, it is down in January, and if the market is up in December, it is up in January. This occured 62% of the time. Unfortunately, it didn't work for the last couple years. Maybe this January?

Credit Cards that Smell

Folding Cards from American Express

Scratch-and-sniff cards with 90 choices of aromas

Credit cards that are covered in felt

$250,000 credit limit American Express cards made of Titanium

http://biz.yahoo.com/weekend/ccard_1.html

Top Ten Hedge Fund Books

Here are the top ten hedge fund books, in no particular order, about how hedge funds work, how to invest like a hedge fund, how to invest in a hedge fund, and managing hedge funds.

All About Hedge Funds : The Easy Way to Get Started by Robert A. Jaeger
Trade Like a Hedge Fund: 20 Successful Uncorrelated Strategies & Techniques to Winning Profits by James Altucher
Investment Strategies of Hedge Funds by Filippo Stefanini
How to Create and Manage a Hedge Fund: A Professional's Guide by Stuart A. McCrary
Funds of Hedge Funds: Performance, Assessment, Diversification, and Statistical Propertiesby Greg N. Gregoriou
Vault Career Guide to Hedge Funds by Aditi A. Davare and Holly Goodrich
Managing a Hedge Fund by Keith Black
Hedge Fund of Funds Investing: An Investor's Guide by Joseph G. Nicholas
SuperCash: The New Hedge Fund Capitalism by James Altucher
Hedge Fund Masters: How Top Hedge Fund Traders Set Goals, Overcome Barriers, and Achieve Peak Performance by Ari Kiev

Highest Priced Shares

There are actually several stocks trading above $1,000 per share. The top of the list is well known, Berkshire Hathaway. Here is the 'Over 1000' list.

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY 107,700
INDIANS INC. 24,500
MECHANICS BANK (CA) 19,600
SUNWEST BANK (CA) 3,400
WINTER SPORTS INC. 2,840
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF ALASKA 2,020
SEABOARD CORP 1,625

No Minimum Investment Mutual Funds

If you are looking for mutual funds with no minimum investments, maybe for a child's UGMA or UTMA account, there are actually over 2,000 of them. The following is a list of mutual fund families that have at least one fund with no minimum investment.

AFBA
AIM
Alger
Allegiant
AllianceBernstein
American Beacon
American Century Mason St
American Funds
American Growth
Aquila
AssetMark
BNY Hamilton
Banc of America Retirement
Barclays Global Investors
Baron Capital Asset
BlackRock
CNI Charter
Columbia
Credit Suisse
DFA
DWS
Delaware
Dryden
Eaton Vance
Evergreen
Excelsior
Federated
Fidelity
First American
GE
GMO
Gartmore
George Putnam
Goldman Sachs
Harbor
Hartford
Heritage
Hotchkis and Wiley
ING
Ivy
JHFunds2
JHancock
JPMorgan
Jennison
JennisonDryden
Legacy
Legg Mason
Loomis Sayles
MFS
MTB
MainStay
MassMutual
McMorgan
MetLife
Munder
Oppenheimer
Pacific Capital
Pioneer
Principal
RiverSource
Russell
STI
Seligman
State Farm
TIAA-CREF
Target
VALIC
Van Kampen
Vantagepoint
Waddell & Reed
Wells Fargo Advantage

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = CHINA

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol CHINA ?

Answer:

CDC Corporation a provider of enterprise software, mobile applications, and online games primarily in China.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

Toshiba Invents Plastic Reusable Paper

Toshiba Corp. (traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Osaka Stock Exchange, the Nagoya Stock Exchange, and the London Stock Exchange) has invented reusable plastic paper to reduce carbon emissions and paper consumption.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6174052.stm

Europe Bans Alcohol and Cigarettes Online

A European court ruled against consumers buying alcoholic drinks and cigarettes online, to the relief of shopkeepers.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6175646.stm

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = BLUD

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol BLUD ?

Answer:

Immucor, Inc. which is involved in the development, manufacture, and sale of reagents and automated systemsused by hospitals, clinical laboratories, and blood banks
.
These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

Mini Corporate Bonds (PINES, QUIBS, Perpetual Debt, etc.)

Are you looking for a list of Mini Bonds TM ? These are bonds that are traded on the New York Stock Exchange or American Stock Exchange for around $25 per share. They are almost like preferred stocks except that they pay interest instead of dividends and they usually have a specific maturity date. Sometimes they are referred to as PINES (Public Income Notes) or QUIBS (Quarterly Interest Bonds) or QUICS (Quarterly Income Capital Securities) or QUIDS (Quarterly Income Debt Securities). There are even a few that are issued as Perpetual Debt, which means that there is no maturity date.

The advantages of Mini Bonds to the issuers are that the interest is deductible to the corporation (unlike dividends which are not deductible).

The advantages to the investor are first, that the bonds are 'safer' than preferred stocks (in other words, if the corporation goes out of business, the bonds are generally paid off first before the preferred or common stock). Second, the Mini Bonds (with the exception of the perpetual debt bonds) have some limited protection against inflation versus preferred stocks in that if interest rates go up after purchasing them, their value will drop, however the par value (usually $25) will be paid back at maturity. Preferreds have no maturity. The third benefit is the small denomination, especially when looking at a $2,000 IRA investment. A fourth benefit is that since they are traded like stocks, there is more liquidity than buying or selling a $5,000 bond.

Examples of companies that issue these MiniBonds are:

AT&T
Con Ed
Duquesne Light
General Electric Capital
General Motors
Georgia Power
GMAC
Hilton Hotels
ING
Phoenix Companies
Stilwell

The Yahoo link below will bring you to a long list of these Mini Bonds:
yahoo.com

As always, no recommendation is made with regard to the purchase, sale, short or holding of any of the above listed stocks, or any stocks mentioned on this blog.

Services and products referred to herein are trademarks, registered trademarks, servicemarks, or registered servicemarks of their respective trademark or servicemark owners.

IBM Still #1 in Server Revenue Share (33%)

IBM (traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol IBM) is maintaining the top position in worldwide server revenue share at 33.1%, with revenues increasing by 6.6 percent, over last year.

http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/
en/pressrelease/20673.wss

Sex Allergy can be cured by More Frequent Sex

Although this has nothing to do with investing in the stock market, I thought you would find this of interest. According to a New York allergist, women who are allergic to sex can be cured by having much more frequent sex, in order to build up an immunity.

http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/
content/article/129/117486

Jacksonville highest real estate gains

According to zillow.com, Jacksonville has the highest growth rate of real estate of all major cities in the country, with an increase of 19%.

http://www.zillow.com/quarterlies/
QuarterlyReports.htm

Free Viagra Distributed by Mayor

A mayor of a small city in Brazil has been distributing free Viagra to men in his town in order to reduce the amount of infidelity. Viagra is made by Pfizer Inc. (traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PFE).

http://us.video.aol.com/
video.index.adp?mode=2&
guideContext=65.73&pmmsid=1773368

Qantas Receives Takeover Offer

Qantas Airlines has received a takeover offer from Macquarie Bank and Texas Pacific.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6171508.stm

High yield, high dividend stocks that pay 9%

High yield, high dividend, high income stocks that pay 9%:

US Shipping Partners LP (USS) 9.7%
Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd. (GSTL) 9.6%
Newkirk Realty Trust, Inc. (NKT) 9.4%
NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (NRF) 9.1%
Synagro Technologies Inc. (SYGR) 8.8%

No recommendation is made with regard to the purchase, sale, short or holding of any of the above or below listed stocks, or anywhere on this blog.

Passports will be Required for Nearly All Americans

Beginning January 23, nearly all Americans entering the United States will require passports, even if returning from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean. Birth certificates and driver's licenses will no longer be accepted.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061122
/ap_on_go_ot/passports_air_travel

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = CLUB

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol CLUB ?

Answer:

Town Sports International Holdings, Inc., a leading owners and operators of fitness clubs in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

Even More High Yield, High Income, High Dividend Paying Stocks

Even More High Yield, High Income, High Dividend Paying Stocks:

Sabine Royalty Trust (SBR) 11.3%
Thornburg Mortgage Inc. (TMA) 10.9%
Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp. (DFR) 10.6%
Newkirk Realty Trust, Inc. (NKT) 9.4%
Anthracite Capital Inc. (AHR) 9.3%

No recommendation is made with regard to the purchase, sale, short or holding of any of the above or below listed stocks, or anywhere on this blog.

NASDAQ Holiday Schedule for the Balance of the Year

Nov. 23 Thanksgiving (closed)
Dec. 25 Christmas (closed)

New York Stock Exchange Holidays for the Balance of the Year

Nov. 23 Thanksgiving (closed)
Nov. 24 Day after Thankgiving (closing early at 1 pm)
Dec. 25 Christmas (closed)

President Bush Visits Vietnamese Stock Exchange

President Bush visited the Vietnam stock exchange in Ho Chi Minh City. The exchange, founded in 2000, trades 56 stocks with a market cap of $3.5 billion.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/
20061120/ap_on_re_as/bush

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = SEA

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol SEA ?

Answer:

Star Maritime Acquisition Corp. which intends to acquire a business in the shipping industry.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

Penguins beat 007 this weekend

Time Warner Inc.'s (traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TWX) Warner Bros. cartoon "Happy Feet" has marginally beaten out Sony Corp.'s (who's ADR's are traded on the NYSE with the symbol SNE) Columbia Pictures' "Casino Royale" at the box office this weekend.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/11/19/
news/happyfeet_bond_boxoffice.reut/
index.htm?postversion=2006111914

Golden Gate Bridge looking for Corporate Sponsors: How about GOOGLE Gate Bridge?

In spite of the outrageously high bridge tolls on the Golden Gate Bridge, the bridge authority is running at a deficit. So it is now looking at the option of corporate sponsorships. Google Gate Bridge anyone?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/
20061117/od_nm/life_goldengate_dc

MITTS Market Index Target Term Securities

MITTS, which are Market Index Target Term Securities are investments that are traded on the New York Stock Exchange and American Stock Exchange. They have guaranteed principal, growth potential which is unlimited, and a guaranteed return. They are primarily issued by Merrill Lynch. Some examples:

S&P500 MITTS 07 (IEM)
RUSSELL2000 MITTS (RRM)
NIKKEI225 MITTS09 (MNK)

John Mauldin Predicts Near Term Crash in Real Estate

Investment advisor and newsletter writer John Mauldin is predicting a major crash in real estate in the near future. He has written an extensive article describing his prediction.

http://www.investorsinsight.com/
thoughts_va_print.aspx?EditionID=423

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = WOOF

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol WOOF ?

Answer:

VCA Antech, Inc. which is an animal healthcare services company.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

A Stockbroker Movie

There are very few movies about stockbrokers. However, on December 15, a movie called The Pursuit of Happyness will be released in the theaters. It is a movie about a struggling salesman in San Francisco with a five year old son, who gets hired as a stockbroker. Watch for it.

More High Yield, High Income, High Dividend Paying Stocks

More High Yield, High Income, High Dividend Paying Stocks:

Frontline Ltd. (FRO) 15.5%
New York Mortgage Trust Inc. (NTR) 16%
Nordic American Tanker Shipping Ltd. (NAT) 16%
American Home Mortgage Investment Corp. (AHM) 12.3%
Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (EGLE) 12.9%
Knightsbridge Tankers Ltd. (VLCCF) 11.8%
Luminent Mortgage Capital Inc. (LUM) 11.7%

No recommendation is made with regard to the purchase, sale, short or holding of any of the above or below listed stocks, or anywhere on this blog.

Investing in Sports Trading Cards: How about one with an Inappropriate Gesture

The Topps Company, Inc., issued a sports card which shows a photo of Leon Washington in his green Jets jersey, appearing to make obscene gestures with both hands.

http://sports.aol.com/nfl/story/
_a/rookie-washingtons-trading-card-causes
/20061115152009990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

High Yielding Canadian Oil Royalty Trusts Pay 11% to 20%

Canadian oil royalty trusts have been hit hard by the drop in oil prices and the possible elimination of the single taxation of income earned by the trusts. This has caused the Canadian oil income trust yields to skyrocket. Jim Cramer mentioned several that pay very high yields:

Precision Drilling (PDS) 14.8%
Baytex Energy (BTE) 11.2%
Pengrowth Energy (PGH) 17.4%
Canetic Resources (CNE) 19%
Enterra Energy (ENT) 20.5%

By the way, all these oil income trusts pay their dividends MONTHLY !

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = PZZA

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol PZZA ?

Answer:

Papa John's International, Inc. which operates and franchises
pizza delivery and carryout restaurants.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

IPO's Scheduled for This Week

Hertz Global Holdings - pricing Wednesday night, issue Thursday

KBR Inc. (KBR) - pricing Wednesday night, issue Thursday

New York Mercantile Exchange (NMX) - pricing Thursday night, issue Friday

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = GROW

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol GROW ?

Answer:

U.S. Global Investors, Inc., which provides mutual fund management services.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

Flavored Golf Tees

Now I've heard everything. A small company in Connecticut is now selling flavored golf tees. The flavors of these wooden tees include mint, cherry, strawberry, and grape.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061115
/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_life_golf

Millionaire Love Boat in China

A love boat service is starting in Shanghai later this month, for China's male millionaires (the number of which has been increasing significantly). They are being invited to sail on a matchmaking boat cruise. The cruise promises "good-looking and desirable" women.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6146776.stm

European Banks Creating New Stock Market

Europe's largest investment banks are planning to create a new pan-European market for trading stocks, which will be a major competitor to Europe's top stock exchanges.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6148990.stm

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = ZZ

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol ZZ ?

Answer:

Sealy Corporation, the largest bedding manufacturer in the world.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

Stockerblog now listed in Blogarama

Blogarama

New CEO for Deutsche Telecom

Deutsche Telekom AG (traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DT) named Rene Obermann as the new CEO, after the former CEO Kai-Uwe Ricke resigned due to shareholder unhappiness.

http://www.germanynews.net/
story/40098687e4b755da

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = PAY

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol PAY ?

Answer:

Veriphone Holdings, Inc., a provider of technology that enables secure electronic
payment transactions and value-added services at the point of sale.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

Apple Hires General Counsel Away from IBM

Apple Computer Inc. (traded on NASDAQ with the stock symbol AAPL) hired Donald Rosenberg from International Business Machines Corp. (traded on the New York Stock Exchange with the stock symbol IBM) as its senior vice president and general counsel.


http://yahoo.reuters.com/news/
articlehybrid.aspx?storyID=urn:
newsml:reuters.com:20061113:
MTFH30982_2006-11-13_18-08-09_
N13481787&type=comktNews&rpc=44

Values of Tax Deductible Donated Items

OK, now you've made a lot of money investing in the stock market. And you realize that you need some deductions to help offset some of your income. Many people look at donations of old items to charitable organizations for a tax deduction. Starting January 1, 2007, a new law goes into effect stating that all donated items must be in 'good' condition, without really describing what 'good' is. If a donated TV is broken, it's probably not good, but if it works, is should be considered good. In either case, you should discuss this with your tax preparer. (Is a 'good' pair of socks one without holes? If so, I guess we better donate our holey socks before year end.)

Need to know how much your old stove, pillow, or underpants are worth? Check out the following two sites:

Salvation Army

Goodwill

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = PUMP

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock had the stock symbol PUMP ?

Answer:

Animas Corp. (now taken over by Johnson and Johnson) a manufacturer of insulin-infusion pumps.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

Treo will Star in a Movie

The Treo smart phone, made by Palm Inc. (traded on NASDAQ with the stock symbol PALM) will be featured in the movie "A Good Year".

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/061109/
treo_movie_role.html?.v=2

Macular Degeneration Cure found in Mice

Scientiest in the United States and England have foudn a way to restore vision in mice using transplanted light-sensitive cells.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061108/sc_nm/sight_dc

Socially Responsible Investment Assets have grown 258%

Socially Responswible Investing investment assets have grown faster than all managed assets in this country since 1995, with an increase of more than 258%. Unfortunately, year to date, they underperformed the market, with the Calvert and Domini Indices both less than 10.5%, with the S&P 500, the Russell 1000, and Russell 3000 all above 11.5%.

http://www.fool.com/news/commentary/
2006/commentary06110810.htm?source=
eptyholnk303100&logvisit=y&npu=y

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = EAR

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol EAR ?

Answer:

HearUSA, Inc. which operates hearing care centers in the United States and Canada.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

Trivia = What was the Original Name of the Sydney Futures Exchange?

What was the original name of the Sydney (Australia) Futures Exchange?

The Sydney Greasy Wool Futures Exchange, which was created back in 1960. It now trades many different commodities including live cattle, gold and beef futures.

Enemies of the Internet list released

The Reporters Without Borders (RSF) group has released their Enemies of the Internet list of countries. The countries are:

Belarus
Burma
China
Cuba
Egypt
Iran
North Korea
Saudi Arabia
Syria
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
Vietnam

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6124420.stm

Britian, Other Countries Issuing Vaccination Bonds

The British government, along with France, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Norway are issuing $4 billion worth of bonds through the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIM), the proceeds of which would be used for the immunization of 500 million children over the next 10 years. The government bonds would pay 5% interest.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6123850.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6124102.stm

Oakland A's Moving to Fremont

There will be a news conference next week in which it is rumored that the Oakland A's will be moving to the city of Fremont, with a new baseball-only stadium to be built.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/
mld/cctimes/sports/15950729.htm?
source=rss&channel=cctimes_sports

Election Trivia

Although this doesn't have much to do with the stock market or investing, there is a lot of interesting trivia about the elections.

What Apprentice hopeful on the Donald Trump show is running for office?
Raj Peter Bhakta is running for Congress in Pennsylvania.

What candidate is endorsed by both Willie Nelson and Jesse Ventura?
Kinky Friedman, an independant candidate for governor of Texas.

What governors have appeared on The Dating Game?
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm

More trivia:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/03
/election.quirky.facts/index.html

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = GOLF

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol GOLF ?

Answer:

Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. a specialty retailer of golf equipment.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

Jim Cramer Index = Up in Several Categories

Jim Cramer, the famous stock market and investment guru, is up in several categories of popularity. Remember, the first three columns, the lower the number the better, and for the last three columns, the higher the better. As you can see, his book ( Jim Cramer's Real Money: Sane Investing in an Insane World ) has increased in the Business & Investing category of Amazon and the Investing category. Also, YouTube has increased. For some reason, the Yahoo and Google search results for 'Jim Cramer' have gone way down. The only reason I can think of is that they recently cleaned out bad links.

Famous Real Estate Properties Listed on Zillow.com

Looking for a hot real estate investment? How about these famous homes, listed on Zillow with an estimate of value:

Beverly Hillbillies Home, 750 Bel Air Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90077 $25,159,326
Brady Bunch House, 11222 Dilling St, North Hollywood, CA 91602 $939,191
Happy Days House, 565 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004 $1,277,069
The OC Mansion, 6205 Ocean Breeze Dr, Malibu, CA 90265 $5,369,146
Numb3rs House, 2515 4th Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90018 $821,473

and there's many more:

http://www.zillow.com/howto/FamousBirdsEye.htm

Playboy Mansion Increases in Value by $142,000 in one week

According to the Zillow.com website, which offers a free service of providing values of real estate all across the United States, showed that the Playboy Mansion, located at 10236 Charing Cross Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90024 went up in value last week by over $142,000, giving it a market value of $5,250,373. Not too shabby for a real estate investment. (This real estate valuation is as of November 6, 2006.)
Zillow also mentions that the mansion has 7 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, is 14,217 square feet, is located on 5.03 acres, was built in 1927, updated in 1947, and has a total of 31 rooms.

http://www.zillow.com/HomeDetails.htm?zprop=20524413

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = DRUG

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol DRUG ?

Answer:

Dragon Pharmaceutical Inc. an international pharmaceutical company.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

Iran is Paying for Tourists

The country of Iran is now paying travel agencies to steer tourists to their country, with an extra bonus if they are Americans.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?
section=bizarre&id=4721825

Rise in Interest Rates Expected Tomorrow in Australia

A third interest rate rise for the year is expected tomorrow in Australia.

http://www.news.com.au/business/story
/0,23636,20715179-462,00.html

Combination human & cow embryo being created

In Great Britain, Newcastle University and Kings College, London have asked for permission to fuse human DNA with cow eggs.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6121280.stm

Vietnam to Join World Trade Organization (WTO)

Vietnam is expected to join the World Trade Organization this week, and be come the 150th member. Vietnam is considered to have the second fasted economic growth of all the Asian countries.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6122668.stm

Mummy Offered on eBay

A Michigan woman offered a 19th century mummy on eBay. The auction was cancelled by eBay due to their a policy against selling human remains.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061104
/ap_on_fe_st/mummy_for_sale

Aer Lingus says NO to Ryanair Takeover

Aer Lingus has rejected the takeover offer from Ryanair. The Irish government has refused to sell their 28% stake in Aer Lingus. Ryanair is traded on NASDAQ with the symbol RYAAY and is currently down as of this writing.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6114726.stm

No recommendation is expressed or implied with regards to the purchase, sale, holding or shorting of these stocks. The proprietor of Stockerblog may own shares of Ryanair.

Germany Cutting Business Taxes

Germany's business taxes were cut from nearly 39% to just under 30% beginning 2008. The Germany Fund (a publicly traded closed end fund, traded on the New York Stock Exchange with the symbol GF, which invests in German stocks)is up 8 cents so far today and is up for the week.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6113606.stm

No recommendation is expressed or implied with regards to the purchase, sale, holding or shorting of this stock.

Sports Stock Market = Buy and Sell Shares in Players

There is a website called protrade.com that allows you to buy and sell shares of your favorite football, baseball, and basketball players, similar to buying shares of stock. You can compete against other "investors" and if you are successful, you can win cash and prizes. And the cost to do this? Nothing! Check it out:

http://www.protrade.com

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = ZEUS

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol ZEUS ?

Answer:

Olympic Steel, Inc. a seller and distributor of steel.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

Investing in Elvis? Yes, It's Possible - Investing in Muhammad Ali? Yes, that's also possible

Yes it is possible to own stock in a publicly traded company that owns the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley !!! The stock is CKX, Inc. traded on NASDAQ under the symbol CKXE. The company also owns American Idol. In addition, the company owns the rights to the name, image and likeness of Muhammad Ali.

For an interesting article about the company, check out:

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/
fortune/fortune_archive/2005/
12/12/8363137/index.htm

No recommendation is expressed or implied with regards to the purchase, sale, holding or shorting of this stock.

New Law for Municipal Bond Investors = Less Privacy

In May of this year, Congress passed a law that widens the muni income reporting requirements. For the first time, all financial institutions that sell municipal bonds or hold them for their clients, including banks and stock brokerage firms, will be required to provide the IRS with the muni bondholders' info relating to payments of tax-exempt interest paid in 2006.

More info:

http://www.fmsbonds.com/com102706.html

Novell Up Over 15% due to Partnership with Microsoft

Novell Inc. traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol NOVL, was up about a dollar per share including after market trading, an increase of over 15% due to a Linux partnership with Microsoft.

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlebusiness
.aspx?type=ousiv&storyID=2006-11-02T205745Z
_01_WEN8954_RTRIDST_0_BUSINESSPRO-MICROSOFT
-NOVELL-DC.XML&from=business

Undercover Police Check Out Fashion Models

Undercover police in India are checking out the models this week at the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai, India, making sure that they don't have wardrobe malfunctions. It's a tough job but someone's got to do it.

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?
type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID
=2006-11-02T194216Z_01_L026353_
RTRUKOC_0_US-INDIA-FASHION.xml

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = NUT

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol NUT ?

Answer:

ML Macadamia Orchards, L.P. grows and farms macadamia nuts in Hawaii.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

Tom Cruise Named Head of United Artists

Tom Cruise, along with his producing partner Paula Wagner, were named the head of United Artists, a division of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. MGM is owned by an investor consortium comprised of Providence Equity Partners, Texas Pacific Group, Sony Corporation of America (Sony Corporation is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ADR symbol SNE), Comcast Corporation (traded on NASDAQ with the symbol CMCSA with thier special class of shares trading with the symbol CMCSK), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners and Quadrangle Group.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061102/
ap_on_en_mo/cruise_united_artists

The proprietor of Stockerblog is an owner of CMCSA at the time this is written. No recommendations relating to the buy, sell, hold or short of any of these stocks is expressed or implied.

Great FREE Gold Charting Site

Are you an investor or trader of gold or gold stocks? Need an up-to-the-minute chart (graph) of how gold is doing? Try the Kitco web site. It shows not only what gold is trading at up-to-the-second in the United States, but also around the world, including the Hong Kong gold prices, London gold prices, and the Sydney gold prices; basically a 24 hour a day chart. They also have charts for silver, platinum, palladium, and rhodium.

Check it out here:
http://www.kitco.com/charts/livegold.html

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia = RAIL

Stock Market Stock Symbol Trivia

Question:

What stock has the stock symbol RAIL ?

Answer:

FreightCar America, Inc., a manufacturer of railroad cars.

These stock symbols are known as Personalized Stock Symbols (TM), similar to personalized license plates. The symbol spells out a word, which is not a word in the company name and is not the initials of the company name. However, the word does describe the company's business. (Special thanks to InvestmentTrivia.com )

Jane Pauley is Suing The New York Times

Jane Pauley is suing The New York Times (traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NYT), claiming that she was duped about an interview that she did, not being told that it was for an advertisement.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/
archive/1025061pauley1.html

Shareholder Class-action Firm Milberg Weiss Kickback Indictment: Bloody Mouth, Stolen Monet's, Bad Doctor, Cash Payment and more

This article about the Milberg Weiss Kickback Indictment, although long, is well worth reading. Stranger than fiction. Milberg Weiss was the leading stock and securities class-action lawsuit firm which served investors since 1965.

Read it here:

http://biz.yahoo.com/
hftn/061031/103006_8393127.html

Explosion at a Paypal Office of eBay

There was an explosion last night in the offices of Paypal, a division of eBay Inc. (traded on the NASDAQ with the stock symbol EBAY. Paypal way formerly a publicly traded stock whcih traded on NASDAQ, but was taken over by eBay in 2002).

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/
20061101/us_nm/crime_
ebay_explosion_dc_2

How About Investing in Truman Capote Memorabilia?

How about an investment in Truman Capote memorabilia. A large collection of Truman Capote memorabilia will be auctioned off next week by Bonhams & Butterfields. This is the collection of Joanne Carson, the second wife of Johnny Carson. Included in the auction are a handwritten essay by Capote, a 7 carat diamond ring, and his tuxedo that he wore to the famous Black and White Ball.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/
20061101/ap_en_ot/capote_auction

New Website Tells You How Vulnerable You Are to Identity Theft

There is a new website (garlik.com) out that will search the Internet and all public records to determine how much public information is available on you. It is currently available to UK residents only, but they are planning to expand there coverage. Check out the article here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk
/2/hi/technology/6102694.stm