Vermont Pure Holdings (VPS) posts double digit increases

With what's left of your economic stimulus, check out this profitable microcap for your investing pleasure. Vermont Pure Holdings (ASE: VPS) is the largest regional distributor of bottled water in the New England and New York regions. It does business under the Vermont Pure and Crystal Rock brands.

For 2Q 2008 and 1H 2008, the company posted double digit increases in sales, gross profit margins and net income, an enviable trifecta. For 1H 2008, net income increased a whopping 40% to $983,000. Sure, the company will never rival Dasani or Perrier in magnitude, but it does operate efficiently and effectively within its niche. What makes the numbers noteworthy is that Vermont Pure Holdings managed to post these results despite absorbing a bad debt write-off of $475,000.

The company continues to look at ways to 'green' its operations and boost its bottom line. The company is installing solar panels at its Connecticut facility and replacing delivery trucks with more efficient models to reduce fuel costs and decrease the company's carbon foot print. The company's stock currently trades at $1.33 and is the only sensible way for investors to purchase bottled water.

And c'mon, when was the last time you bought a stock on the American Stock Exchange?