Three Stock Picking Ideas From Forbes Magazine

1. McKesson (MCK) - This drug distributor's two largest customers are Rite Aid and CVS Caremark. There is concern that Rite Aid may default on its debt, and the CVS contract is up for renewal this summer. The stock is recommended because the analyst thinks that its price already reflects the worst-case scenario of McKesson losing both customers. Instead, McKesson could take business from its competitor Cardinal Health.
Also, MCK could pay off their $1.8 billion in debt with one year of cash flow from operations.

2. Intel (INTC) - They own 80% of the PC microprocessor market, and they are moving into notebook computers, mobile internet devices, etc.

3. American Express (AXP) - This stock was down with all the other financial stocks. Forbes thinks it will come back because of the virtuous circle that earned them a ten-year average return on equity of 10%: American Express attracts high spending card holders, which allows them to charge higher merchant fees. AmEx then invests some of this money into cardholder rewards/perks. This, in turn, attracts more high spenders.

Read More

Example of Corporations and Simplicity

The May 11, 2009 issue of Forbes had a profile on LG Electronics, and its CEO Yong Nam.

After becoming CEO, Nam started having brainstorming sessions with employees whenever he visited an office.

During one of the sessions, the purchasing staff noted that different suppliers were selling the same part to LG with different part numbers.

As a result of this observation, LG greatly simplified its logistics by requiring vendors to adopt a unified code.

Read More

Burned Venture Capitalists Now Investing in Web Companies with Non-Ad Models

Forbes magazine recently had an article about how venture capitalists (VC's) are now only interested in funding start ups that do not depend on advertising for income.

They give the example of online real estate brokerage Redfin. Two years ago, VCs were not interested in the company because their revenue model was to collect fees from people buying and selling homes, rather than from ads. Today, Redfin has gotten five or 6 unsolicited calls in the last few months.

Forbes gives two reasons why the ad supported start-ups are out of favor:

1. Ad rates are down due to the recession.

2. Too many copy-cat social networking and MySpace widget companies.

The Forbes article then mentioned a Redwood City, California based start-up called Renkoo, which let people send things like virtual glasses of beer to their friends, and made money showing ads.

According to the article, in early 2008, they ceased being a viable business when their advertising rates dropped from $15 per thousand page views down to 10 cents.

Read More

Easy Ways to Generate Cash

Who among us wouldn't like a little more money?

Here are some ways that you might be able to generate some quick cash:

1. Search for Unclaimed Cash - These include dormant bank accounts, old paychecks, forgotten safe deposit boxes, inheritances, etc. If unclaimed property belonging to you have been turned over to the government, you can do a free search at Missingmoney.com.

2. Sell Things - You can hold a local garage sale, or sell online through sites like Craigslist or Ebay. You can sell old electronics at sites like Gazelle.com, Buymytronics.com, and MyBoneyard.com.

3. Rent Stuff - You can rent things like tools to people in your local area through sites like Zilok.com and iRent2u.com.

4. Employer 401k Match - If your employer offers to match your retirement contribution, take it!

5. Credit Card Rewards - Reward and cash back programs are a great way to generate extra money from normal use of your credit card, especially if you pay off your balance each month.

You can register your existing card at RewardsNetwork.com to get cash back from dining out.

6. Rebate Portals - Go through these if you are shopping online. CompareRewards.com evaluates rewards programs. They recommend portals like Extrabux.com.

7. Better Interest - Search for higher rates on bank accounts and CDs at sites like Bankrate.com or MoneyAisle.com.

8. Price guarantees - You can monitor your purchases at Priceprotectr.com. If the price goes down right after you buy something, a lot of retailers will give you the lower price and refund the difference.

Read More

Chicago Radio Host Gets Waterboarded

Radio Host Mancow Muller thought that waterboarding wasn't torture, but he changed his mind after undergoing it... Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUkj9pjx3H0

Read More

Fw: Memorial Day: Remembering Those Who Served

It is the VETERAN   not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the VETERAN not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the VETERAN not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.   It is the VETERAN   not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.   It is the VETERAN not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is  the VETERAN not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote. It is the VETERAN who stands and salutes the Flag, It is the VETERAN who serves under the Flag,     Less we forget… Freedom is NOT Free.  Remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice that we should have it. We are very proud of all of our young men and women who have honorably served our country during wars and conflicts and in peace times.   God bless them all, and remember them, at least for a moment, on Memorial Day.

Read More

Fw: They should buy this doctor a Foster's Beer at the Local Pub...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090520/ap_on_re_au_an/as_australia_saved_by_drill

Read More