Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) should be a core holding in any portfolio.

It is one of the best-run, most innovative, and profitable companies in the world. Its products are far superior to its competitors', and its ability to innovate continues to amaze.

Apple is one of the tech companies surviving the bear, and you will not find a better investment in the market.

All of this nonsense over the health of company leader, Steve Jobs, has put a cap on its share price. With gains in personal computer sales, continued dominance in music with its iPod and the huge potential of its iPhone, the future of AAPL is certain no matter who is at the helm.

Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) cheap?

The stock is trading in the mid-$60s, and it's almost doubled off its November low. But Amazon has reached far higher -- around $100 in October 2007, and $110 going back to 1999.

More importantly, AMZN is emerging as a retail leader in a lousy economy. Its Web traffic blew away the competition during the crucial holiday season, and its most-recent earnings number crushed expectations by 33%.

Put simply, Amazon.com has figured out how to grow the top and bottom lines in a terrible environment.

Since they are not traveling as much, Americans are "cocooning" -- they always do so during crises.

The term cocooning, invented by a woman with the wonderful name of Faith Popcorn, means people stay at home, entertaining, hanging out, and doing whatever with friends and family.

So people will be watching more movies at home.

Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) is the ultimate cocooning play on the need for many to rent rather than buy DVDs -- especially the new high-definition Blu-ray DVDs.

Take a look at all four Wall Street Presidents Day sales.

Michael Shulman is a contributor to OptionsZone.com.

We are at the start of a new and historic presidency. Americans tend to be optimistic and like to look forward to a better future. But before we get too far down the road, let's take one last look in the rear-view mirror.

How many times have we looked at the outgoing president and remarked at how fast the office aged him? How gray, old and tired he looks.

The presidency is a tough job. Living through this stock market seems equally tough.

Sure, Presidents' Day is supposed to celebrate two of the United States' greatest leaders, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, but that's not what usually happens on the holiday.

What comes to mind when you think of Presidents Day?

Sadly, after Washington and Lincoln, it's mattress sales or furniture bargains. (Car sales are off the radar this year, for obvious reasons.) Not very dignified, but that's just the way it goes.