02-18-2008

by Brian Kline

Ethanol and methanol alcohols are blended into a compound known as MTBE that is then added to gasoline to reduce exhaust pollutants and stretch the gasoline supply. This blend is how gasoline refineries comply with the 1990 U.S. Clean Air Act requiring gasoline contains 2.7% oxygen by weight. However, MTBE poses a health threat to ground water supplies and is now banned in several states including New York and California. Pure ethanol is becoming the preferred replacement for MTBE. Brazil is a leader in the use of pure ethanol as an alternative fuel source. In 2006, 80% of ... Continue

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02-17-2008

by Priya Nigam

While consumers seem to have tightened their spending in general, their appetite for handmade pies does not appear to have been satiated. If you have a sweet tooth, you may fancy some goodies made by The Tootie Pie Company Inc (TOOT: OTCBB). But does the stock taste as good as their pies? Tootie Pie bakes and sells high-quality, handmade pies through three basic sales channels, namely retail, corporate and wholesale. Earlier this month, the company announced record sales for the quarter ended December 2007. It sold more than 30,000 pies in the quarter, representing a jump of about ... Continue

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02-17-2008

by Lester Young

Originally producing organic pasta, Amish Naturals, Inc. (OTCBB: AMNT) has grown, through several recent acquisitions, to include the manufacture and distribution of organic and natural pastas, bakery products and other goods. The company also has announced major upgrades to its website, located at www.amishnaturals.com. The site now possesses an enhanced e-commerce platform as well as a nationwide online retail store locator to enhance the visibility of the company's proprietary line of organic products. The upgrades are intended to help both current Amish Naturals customers and website visitors to learn more about the company's offerings and ... Continue

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02-16-2008

by Dennis Fitter

Many of the stock pickers and analysts I’ve run across lately are insisting in their support of green industries as reliable growth industries. Renewable energy sources, solar power, wind turbine power, clean energy, alternative energy sources, water purification, sustainable crop production, and waste management are all consensus favorites. Several companies in some of these sectors have been featured right here in various Pennycents daily columns. Recognition of the importance of these businesses as they progress into the mainstream has come so far, promoters of green are no longer referred to as “tree huggers”, so I can now make a ... Continue

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02-16-2008

by Dan Blacharski

There are certain companies out there which everybody needs to watch, whether you invest in them or not. Those who specialize in micro-cap investments aren’t very likely to put money into Wal-Mart, but this is still one that every micro-cap investor should watch. The simple reason is this: Wal-Mart dominates the retail sector, sets the bar for other discount retailers, and even dictates to manufacturing companies what sorts of supply-chain systems they are allowed to use. The company is big enough, powerful enough and rich enough to be its own country, and how Wal-... Continue

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02-15-2008

by Brian Kline

"Project Lifeline is a valuable response, literally a lifeline, for people on the brink of the final steps in foreclosure," Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson said at a joint news conference with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson earlier this week. The news conference was called to announce the industry group Hope Now Alliance has agreed homeowners facing foreclosure more than 30 days away can have the foreclosure postponed an additional 30 days while they seek alternatives to prevent it. The Hope Now Alliance member banks are Bank of America Corp., Citigroup Inc. Countrywide Financial Corp., J.P. Morgan Chase ... Continue

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02-14-2008

by Priya Nigam

At least someone out there is showing a bit of optimism regarding the future of the world's largest economy. According to a recent report by the White House, the US economy will grow this year at a pace similar to that in 2007. The annual Economic Report of the President said that the economy has a “solid foundation.” While projecting economic growth at 2.7% this year and at 3% next year, the Bush administration admitted that the recent housing and financial crisis could dent growth prospects. President Bush added, however, that the economy seemed “structurally sound for the ... Continue

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02-14-2008

by Lester Young

Capstone Industries, Inc. has received the first order for its Simply Comfort line of products from a regional distributor. The company, which is one of a number of subsidiaries of CHDT Corporation (OTCBB: CHDO.OB), engages in the development, manufacturing and distribution to wholesalers and retailers of innovative consumer products. The Simply Comfort line has two main areas of focus: Memory Foam Massage Cushion products and Memory Foam MP3 Stereo Speaker products. The Back Support Massage Cushion uses an adjustable strap to attach to any seat, while the Contour-Flex Massager can be wrapped around the arms, legs or neck. ... Continue

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02-13-2008

by Dan Blacharski

Google’s Android, an open platform for mobile phones, has been the subject of much speculation. This week, we got a glimpse of what’s to come at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona, Spain. Android is an operating system for mobile phones. But what makes it special is that it takes a much different direction from other mainstream cell phone operating systems. It is based on Linux, and it is designed to be open source. This may not mean much to the non-techies out there, but it’s a big deal, and investors should pay attention. ... Continue

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02-12-2008

by Lester Young

Patriot Scientific (OTCBB: PTSC), an intellectual-property licensing company that develops, markets and enables technologies that are found in numerous end-user products, has announced a purchase of its Moore Microprocessor Patent (MMP) Portfolio license by The DirecTV Group. The transaction – made with The TPL Group, Patriot’s exclusive licensing partner – adds DirecTV (which distributes digital entertainment programming via satellite to more than 16 million customers in the United States and over 4 million more in Latin America) to a growing list of multinational companies from around the world that have purchased the Portfolio license. Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, Patriot'... Continue

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02-12-2008

by Dennis Fitter

The four day Mining Indaba Conference came to a close Thursday in Cape Town, South Africa with separate addresses by “keynote” speakers hitting on similar, popular themes. China. American investors should take notice that not even at the very tip of the dark continent can the China syndrome be sidestepped. Record registrations at the important mining industry conference were evidenced by large audiences sitting in to hear City Natural Investment Trust director Michael Coulson issue a stern warning to African countries to closely consider the consequences of shutting out western investors in favor of China. In his address to the ... Continue

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02-11-2008

by Brian Kline

Searching for worthy and current business news often leads to the daily business press releases. Filling these press releases are clips about company management changes, new strategic directions, new product plans, upcoming conference presentations, and other hopes for future financial success. Problematic for the investor is determining which of these moves will produce real future revenues. The most important business of business is generating revenues and converting them into profits. In most cases, revenues are the result of entering into contracts and agreements that deliver products or services. Revenue growth comes when new contracts increase the demand for products and ... Continue

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02-11-2008

by Brian Kline

It falls short of the $3.1 trillion national budget President Bush submitted to Congress this week. But $2 trillion in discretionary income should be front and center on any business’ consumer marketing plan. Baby boomers, born between the years 1946 and 1964, began turning 60 in 2006. That is past age 59-1/2 when they can begin withdrawing from IRAs and 401(k) retirement accounts without paying a penalty. In 2008, they begin turning 62-1/2 when social security becomes available and many will become eligible for retirement pensions. Additionally, they are feeling fewer financial pressures than ... Continue

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02-09-2008

by Lester Young

The very first sales of the Aware HIV-1/2 OMT test have been concluded. Calypte Biomedical Corp. (OTCBB: CBMC), the developer, manufacturer and marketer of the rapid oral fluid diagnostic test, announced the first purchase of the product by one of the Government of India's paramilitary-force units. The test is the first and currently only one of its kind approved for use in India. A U.S.-based healthcare company, Calypte specializes in the development and marketing of rapid testing products for sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs. The company believes in the quick detection of these diseases ... Continue

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02-08-2008

by Dan Blacharski

Gung hay fat choy, and happy Chinese New Year to all. I’ve celebrated this holiday both in Asia and in the US, and it’s decidedly more intense in the Far East. Besides being a time for incredible festivals, dancing dragons and a nice big helping of bird’s nest soup (in case you’re wondering, yes, it really is made from actual birds’ nests), it’s also a time for a renewed focus on prosperity and success in business. China’s size and rapid industrialization makes it a no-brainer for foreign investment. News reports about tainted toys ... Continue

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