Since most of the Pittsburgh and Arizona fans who are going to the game will drive -- Pittsburgh fans in their SUVs, Arizona fans in their RVs, avoiding tolls the whole way -- take a look at shorting travel sites.

Think about it.

My guess is that when you need to travel, you probably go to a travel site, find the flight, and then book it on the airline's sites because it's easier and cheaper to change your flight than it is with an online travel service.

Furthermore, not that many people are flying.

Take a look at shorting Expedia (NASDAQ: EXPE). It's a great site -- I use it all the time. But if you want to make money on the stock, short it.

Michael Shulman is a contributor to OptionsZone.com.

Five winning Super Bowl trades: V. Short Expedia (EXPE) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

When shares of Denny's Corp. (NASDAQ: DENN) are trading at half the price of a Grand Slam Breakfast, yet it was one of the companies willing to drop big bucks on a Super Bowl ad, I gotta jump in my car and get down to Denny's to see what's gone wrong.

Problem is, nothing has gone wrong. They are just as crowded as ever, especially during this recession.

They represent a full sit-down meal destination at fast-food prices. And the portions are big.

The company has totally restructured, selling off franchises and keeping all the best locations for its own portfolio -- and the results are pouring in.

On Jan. 15, the company said it expects to meet or exceed its previous guidance for full-year 2008, thanks to the success of the Franchise Growth Initiative (FGI) and other cost-saving actions that protect margins and cash flow.

With the stock trading around $1.50 per share, it's time to consider whether Denny's is some low-hanging fruit ready for the picking.

Bryan Perry is a contributor to OptionsZone.com.

Five winning Super Bowl trades: IV. Buy Denny's Corp. (DENN) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

One billion people will be watching the Super Bowl, but 5.7 billion others couldn't care less. In the United States, we love football -- the rest of the world, loves futbol (soccer).

Grupo Televisa SA (NYSE: TV) produces television channels that reach subscribers in 60 countries throughout Latin America, the United States (via Univision), Canada, Europe and Asia Pacific.

This company won't be blinded by the Super Bowl hype.

Last year, TV yanked NFL games, including the Super Bowl, off the air in Mexico for the whole season after a 35-year run because they felt they were overpaying for the broadcast rights. The NFL felt the Latin heat and entered into new deal terms for the season that began in September 2008.

TV has shown steady revenue and earnings growth during the past several years and is expected to keep growing through 2010. With its advantageous market position and growth characteristics, it is trading at a P/E of about 12.

Ay, caramba!

Nick Atkeson and Andrew Houghton are contributors to OptionsZone.com.

Five winning Super Bowl trades: III. Buy Grupo Televisa SA (TV) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In an economy like this, is anyone going to the game?

Yes -- but Pittsburgh people will stay in their cars (hotels are too expensive), and the Arizona people will stay in foreclosed houses (so they should feel right at home).

Speaking of hotels -- short 'em.

I received an e-mail from the Mirage in Las Vegas to come out to watch the Super Bowl for $69 a night.

Last time I was there for the Super Bowl, maybe 15 years ago, it was about $400 a night.

The Mirage is owned by MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM), which is hovering at a technical support price. Once it breaks through, look out.

I'm not traveling to Tampa or Las Vegas -- I'm staying at home for the big game. And I'm shorting MGM.

Michael Shulman is a contributor to OptionsZone.com.

Five winning Super Bowl trades: II. Short MGM Mirage (MGM) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

You can't talk about the Steelers and the stock market without thinking about U.S. Steel (NYSE: X).

The company's headquarters pierces the Pittsburgh skyline like the Steelers' defense pierces opposing offensive lines.

The U.S. steel industry has been dramatically affected by the global economic slowdown, as demand for autos, buildings and other steel-based products has declined rapidly.

As a result, X is now trading at $30 after hitting a high of almost $200 in June 2008. That's an 85% decline in seven months.

But X has been trying to root out a bottom around $25 for the past three months, and the long-term potential for X is becoming more positive.

And, for what it's worth, X gained 25% in the three months following the Steelers' last Super Bowl victory.

Chris Johnson is a contributor to OptionsZone.com.

Five winning Super Bowl trades: I. Buy U.S. Steel (X) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's Super Bowl time.

This day of the year has almost reached holiday status where families and friends gather in front of big-screen TV to spend six hours watching a typically boring football game and stuffing themselves with nachos, wings and beer.

With all of the hoopla surrounding the event, this is a good time for investors to go for some Super Bowl profits.

Why? Looks like it's not just a pseudo-holiday -- it's a tradition:

Continue reading Five winning Super Bowl trades

Five winning Super Bowl trades originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.