"Viacom (NYSE: VIA.B), the cable, movie and video game empire of longtime chairman Sumner Redstone, is a solid media stock that we think can be accumulated on dips," suggests Geoffrey Seiler.

In his always-excellent BullMarket.com, he looks to the upcoming release of Star Trek and the new Beatles-based music video game as potential catalysts for improved results. Here's his update.

"Viacom, which spun off CBS in 2007, describes itself as an entertainment content company that operates in two segments: Media Networks and Filmed Entertainment.

Continue reading Viacom (VIA.B): Star Trek to the Beatles

Viacom (VIA.B): Star Trek to the Beatles originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Playboy Enterprises (NYSE: PLA) is a speculative stock, with plenty of potential but also downside risk," suggests Alex Green. In The Oxford Club, he looks at the firm's turnaround potential.

"Yes, Playboy's publishing empire is a big money loser. But it still has one of the most recognized brands in the world. The rabbit head logo generates more than $1 billion in licensing fees annually.

"When you consider that Playboy Enterprises has a market capitalization of a little over $100 million, you begin to see how undervalued this stock is.

Continue reading Playboy (PLA): Speculative bet on the bunny

Playboy (PLA): Speculative bet on the bunny originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In auto racing, drivers try to hit their apexes, meaning they try to drive their cars with such precision that they can hit the exact spot -- within inches -- on the racetrack each lap.

By consistently hitting their apexes, drivers are able to achieve their fastest possible lap times, and being able to turn the fastest lap times puts the driver in the best position to win.

Today, the premier racing company in the country, International Speedway Corp. (NASDAQ: ISCA), hit its Q2 earnings apex.

On the surface, the news didn't look good. The company posted a $31.7 million loss for the second quarter. But it was not just falling revenue that affected International Speedway, which is to be expected from an entertainment company in a soft economy.

Continue reading Hitting the apex: International Speedway meets estimates

Hitting the apex: International Speedway meets estimates originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) is arguably the most prominent entertainment operation in the world today, with one of the world's most recognized brands across all of its major business segments" says George Putnam.

In The Turnaround Letter, he observes, "We believe that the current market volatility and economic weakness provide an opportunity to buy into a preeminent global brand at a temporarily depressed price."

"Disney controls theme parks, such as Disneyland and Disney World; television networks, including ABC and ESPN; movie studios, and character-themed consumer products.

"While the company's financial results have been hurt temporarily by the global economic weakness, we believe it is well positioned to prosper again when economic conditions improve.

Continue reading Disney (DIS): Entertainment turnaround

Disney (DIS): Entertainment turnaround originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) has increasingly developed a series of technologies more closely tied to end-users -- with a focus on the home entertainment hub," notes Toby Smith.

The editor of ChangeWave Investing explains, "The company understands that the market for consumer electronics products is too big and too important to ignore."

"It is well known that Cisco is the dominant supplier of the switches and routers that enable networks and computers to be linked together.

"Recently, Cisco made its most consumer-oriented acquisition by picking up privately held Pure Digital Technologies, the maker of the popular and simple-to-use Flip video camcorder.

Continue reading Cisco (CSCO) targets consumer entertainment

Cisco (CSCO) targets consumer entertainment originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Personally, I haven't played a video game since college; but I know the video game market is red hot," says Alex Green; here, the investment director for The Oxford Club takes a look at GameStop (NYSE: GME).

"With more than 5,100 stores throughout the United States and 15 other countries, GameStop is the world's largest video game retailer.

"Its stores include GameStop, EB Games and Electronics Boutique. It also publishes Game Informer, the industry's largest circulation video game magazine with more than 2.2 million paid subscribers.

Continue reading Gaming gains at GameStop (GME)

Gaming gains at GameStop (GME) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Our favorite current investment idea is Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX)," says Michael Cintolo, editor of The Cabot Top Ten Report, which each week reviews ten issues that have been showing strong price momentum.

"Netflix bolted higher on a great earnings report last week, and impressively, followed through to the upside for a few days. Bad economic times seem to mean good news for Netflix, as an evening at home with a few DVDs is way easier on the budget than even a bargain matinee at the Cineplex.

"That's the message of Netflix' boffo quarterly results that came out on January 26. Earnings walloped analysts' estimates and more than twice the predicted number of new subscribers signed up.

Continue reading Netflix (NFLX): Benefiting from a bad economy

Netflix (NFLX): Benefiting from a bad economy originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Although a slow-growing company, World Wrestling Entertainment (NYSE: WWE) offers a steady dividend close to 8%," says Harry Domash, editor of Winning Investing. Here's his "take down" on the stock.

"World Wrestling is the company behind the professional wrestling that you see on TV. It also produces live wrestling exhibitions worldwide, licenses its characters for merchandise and sells videos and DVDs showcasing its stars.

"WWE is a slow grower. Its yearly sales, currently running around $500 million, are only expected grow in the 5% to 10% range. However, WWE is very profitable, has plenty of cash in the bank, little
debt, and is generating more than $1 per share in excess cash annually.

"Even better, WWE seems eager to let its shareholders in on the action. In February, it hiked its quarterly dividend by 50% to $0.36 per share. We expect only modest share price appreciation. However, with a steady 8% or so dividend yield, WWE is a perfect holding for this turbulent market.

"WWE reported December quarter earnings of $0.30 per share, $0.13 above analysts' forecasts and 36% above year-ago. Sales rose 22% to $133 million. Buy to hold 6 to 12 months. Its next dividend payment -- $1.44 per share -- is expected in June for a yield of 7.9%."

Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers the latest market commentary and favorite investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

In the ring: World Wrestling (WWE) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Each year Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, surveys the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is part of his 24th annual Top Picks Report.

IMAX Corp. (NASDAQ: IMAX), which specializes in the development of high-end theater projection and sound systems, is the favorite speculative idea for 2007 from says Nathan Slaughter.

The editor of Half-Priced Stocks notes, "IMAX has been slammed by a 'perfect storm.' Within the span of a few months this year, the company has been battered by investor backlash due to a failed buyout, an informal SEC probe, a class-action lawsuit and, in November, sub-par quarterly results.

"While there is always a danger associated with 'trying to catch a falling knife,' the rewards significantly outweigh the risks at this point. Until fairly recently, IMAX movies were primarily a novelty found at museums, planetariums, and marine centers. But two major technological breakthroughs are bringing the IMAX experience to mainstream America.

"The first is its MPX technology, which allows commercial multiplex owners a cost-effective way to retrofit traditional 35-mm screens and convert them into IMAX theaters. Through the first nine months of 2006, IMAX inked 25 new deals. Further, its digital re-mastering technology that converts traditional 35-mm films into rich 70-mm IMAX format has led to a series of partnerships with major Hollywood studios like Disney and Time Warner, which are increasingly choosing to release blockbuster hits in IMAX theaters.

Continue reading Top Picks 2007: Nathan Slaughter views value in IMAX

Top Picks 2007: Nathan Slaughter views value in IMAX originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 22 Dec 2006 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.