A bit of weakness before the jobs report as the Dow fell 47 points on very light volume.  The advance/declines were negative.  In a holding pattern for the stock indices until tomorrow.  Still short term overbought here.  The summation index continues higher.  I don't think that the summer rally has ended, even if we do move lower tomorrow.  The markets appear to be in holiday mode.  GE was off 1/8 on that very light volume.  I might still try the July calls before the earnings announcement but not completely sold on that idea.  Gold fell today as the US dollar posted a strong session.  The gold futures were off over $10, which wasn't too bad considering the strength in the dollar.  The XAU dropped 1 2/3.  ABX down 5/8, GG lost 3/8 and NEM fell 2/3.  Volume was average for ABX, light otherwise.  My ABX August calls lost some ground but are still showing a profit.  The technicals for ABX are mid-range on a daily basis.  My plan here is to hold onto the calls for a while, probably into the earnings report at the end of the month.  Mentally I'm feeling OK.  The employment report and the market reaction to it will be the key for the near term.  Perhaps the strength in the US dollar today was a clue that the numbers won't be so bad tomorrow.  That's a guess as usual.  There also are not as many players as usual due to the mid-week holiday.  That can skew things as well.  We'll see what happens in the morning and go from there.

Prevent Skin Cancer with Caffeine: Coke or Pepsi Anyone?

Just in time for summer! According to a recent study in the Journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, the risk of getting basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer, can be reduced by drinking caffeinated drinks. This doesn't just mean coffee, it also includes tea and soft drinks such a Coca Cola (KO) and Pepsi (PEP). It even includes chocolate! You only need a couple caffeine servings per day.

This study involved research on 112,897 people. The highlights of the study showed, first, that coffee drinking and basal cell carcinoma risk are inversely associated, which means that the higher the coffee consumption, the lower the risk. Second, the most likely component of coffee that causes this effect is the caffeine. Those who avoid caffeine by drinking decaf should be aware that the study showed that the consumption of decaffeinated coffee showed no reduction in skin cancer, which seems to indicate that caffeine can block skin tumor formation. It isn't just skin cancer risk that caffeine can help prevent. Caffeine has also been  shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. According to Jiali Han, Ph.D., associate professor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston and Harvard School of Public Health, "our results add basal cell carcinoma to a list of conditions for which risk is decreased with increasing coffee consumption."

So how can an investor participate in the consumption of coffee? There are several ways, according to the free list of coffee stocks at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com. First, there are the coffee houses, Starbucks (SBUX) and Peets (PEET). Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse retailer in the world, with outlets in 50 countries and over 17,000 shops worldwide. The stock trades at 23 times forward earnings and pays a yield of 1.3%. Earnings for the latest quarter were up 18.5% on an 14.7% increase in revenues.

Peet's Coffee and Tea is a specialty coffee roaster, marketer, and retailer founded in 1966 in Berkeley, California. The stock trades at 25 times forward earnings. Revenues for the latest quarter were up 7.1%, but earnings dropped by about 38.6%. The company does not pay a dividend.

A major wholesaler of coffee is Coffee Holding Co. (JVA), which also markets private label coffee and branded coffee in the US and Canada. The company has 90 varieties of raw green coffee beans which it imports from around the world and sold to large and small operators.

Another source of caffeine is tea. Teavana Holdings (TEA), which trades on the New York Stock Exchange, operates as a specialty retailer of loose-leaf teas, tea wares, and other tea-related merchandise in North America. The stock has a forward price to earnings ratio of 19, with earning rising 5.4% for the latest quarter on a 26.8% boost in earnings.

But it is not just coffee and tea where you can get your caffeine fix, there are also the soft drinks, also known as soda and pop depending on what part of the country you live in.  Coca Cola distributes numerous types of soft drinks in over 200 countries, and is most known for its Coke product. Coca Cola Classic contains 100.05 milligrams of caffeine per liter. The company sells many other caffeinated drinks such as Nestea and the energy drink Full Throttle. The stock trades at 18 times forward earnings, and will be having their earnings announcement on July 17. The stock is set to have a 2 for 1 stock split on August 12. The stock pays a dividend rate of 2.6%.

PepsiCo, a large food and beverage conglomerate, is probably Coke's biggest competitor. The company's leading caffeinated soft drink, Pepsi, has 104 milligrams per liter of caffeine. It also sells Mountain Dew with 154 mg/L and Mountain Dew MDX which has a supercharged 198.6 mg/L. It even markets Adrenaline Rush. The stock has a forward P/E ratio of 16 and a yield of 3.0%. Earnings will be announced July 25.

Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS) produces Dr Pepper, which contains 187 mg/L. The stock has a forward P/E of 14 and pays a decent yield of 3.1%.

Most of the energy drinks are made by private companies; however, Monster, is made by Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST), which trades on NASDAQ. Monster contains over 316 mg/L. The stock trades at 30 times earnings.

Don't forget chocolate. The Hershey Company (HSY) has its Special Dark Chocolate Bar with 31 milligrams of caffeine per serving and its Special Milk Chocolate Bar with 10 milligrams of caffeine. Hershey trades at 21 times forward earnings and yields 2.1%.

For a free list of coffee caffeine companies and chocolate stocks, which you can download, sort, and update, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Disclaimer: Author owns KO and PEP.

By Stockerblog.com

Over 100 Discounts for Senior Citizens

Do you realize that you can be as young as age 50 and still be considered a senior citizens for discounts? Here are a list of many dozens of discounts for senior citizens. Just remember,  YOU must ASK for your discount!   (Discounts subject to change or elimination.)

RESTAURANTS: 

   

Applebee's: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)  
Arby's: 10% off ( 55 +)
Ben & Jerry's: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan's: discount varies by location (60+)  
Bob's Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)  
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee ( 55+)  
Chili's: 10% off ( 55+)
CiCi's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Denny's: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members ( 55 +)  
Dunkin' Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+)  
Einstein's Bagels: 10% off baker's dozen of bagels (60+)  
Fuddrucker's: 10% off any senior platter ( 55+)  
Gatti's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
Hardee's: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off ( 55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off ( 55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal ( 55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off ( 50+) 
Long John Silver's: various locations ( 55+)  
McDonald's: discounts on coffee everyday ( 55+)  
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)  
Shoney's: 10% off 
Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)  
Steak 'n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday ( 50+) 
Subway: 10% off (60+)  
Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)  
TCBY: 10% off ( 55+)  
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off ( 50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)  
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy's: 10% off ( 55 +)  
White Castle: 10% off (62+) 

 RETAIL & APPAREL:  

Banana Republic: 10% off ( 50 +)
Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month ( 50 +)  
Belk's: 15% off first Tuesday of every month ( 55 +) 
Big Lots: 10% off  
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days ( 55 +)  
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
Clarks: 10% off (62+)  
Dress Barn: 10% off ( 55+)  
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)  
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)  
Kmart: 20% off ( 50+)  
Kohl's: 15% off (60+)  
Modell's Sporting Goods: 10% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions  
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday ( 55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off ( 55+) 
Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month ( 55 +) 

  GROCERY:  

Albertson's: 10% off first Wednesday of each month ( 55 +)  
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday ( 50 +)  
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)  
DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+)  
Fry's Supermarket: free Fry's VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday ( 55 +)
Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)  
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)  
Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location) 
Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)  
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday ( 50 +)  
Publix: 5% off every Wednesday ( 55 +)
Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)  
Uncle Guiseppe's Marketplace: 5% off (62+)

TRAVEL:

   
Airlines:  
Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)
American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking for discount)  
Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)  
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)  
U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)  

Rail:  
Amtrak: 15% off (62+)  

Bus:  
Greyhound: 5% off (62+)  
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+  

Car Rental:  
Alamo Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members  
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members 
Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members ( 50+)  
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off ( 50+)
Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members  
Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members
Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location (62+)  
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members  

Over Night Accommodations: 
Best Western: 10% off ( 55 +)  

Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)
Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when
booked 72 hours in advance Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)  
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler's Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)  
Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+)
Motel 6: 10% off (60+)  
Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off ( 55 +)
Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+) 

ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT:

AMC Theaters: up to 30% off ( 55 +)
Bally Total Fitness: up to $100 off memberships (62+)  
Busch Gardens Tampa, FL: $3 off one-day tickets ( 50 +) 
Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)  
Regal Cinemas: 30% off 
Ripley's Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket ( 55 +)  
SeaWorld Orlando, FL: $3 off one-day tickets ( 50 +)  

CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS:  

AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $29.99/month (65+) 
Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service ( 50 +)  
Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+)
 

MISCELLANEOUS: 

 

Great Clips: $3 off hair cuts (60+)

Super Cuts: $2 off haircuts (60+)

 

Remember --- YOU must ASK for your discount --- no ask, no discount.

Dot Apple, Dot Google, Dot Netflix, Dot AOL New Domains

A top level domain is what you see after the last dot in a basic website address; in other word, .com, .org, .net, .gov, and so on. Now, the non-profit organization that manages the Internet, The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, also known as ICANN, will now allow brand identity top level domains.

For example, Apple (AAPL) could have www.apple.apple in addition to www.apple.com, or www.ipad.apple as a website address. And they are pursuing it. Other companies jumping on the bandwagon include Netflix (NFLX), AOL (AOL), Volkswagen AG (VLKAY), Amazon (AMZN), and Google (GOOG).

It is not just company names that are being applied for. Many businesses have applied for .baby, .baseball, .money, .pizza, .read, .store, .music, and .news. Want to apply for your own top level domain? The application fee is $185,000.

Continuing higher and that is the plan as the Dow gained 72 points on extremely holiday light volume.  The US markets closed early today.  The advance/declines were almost 4 to 1 positive.  An overseas bank scandal did nothing to stop the rise in the stock indices today.  A market that shrugs off bad news is one that is going higher.  The S&P 500 is at its resistance line on the daily charts.  The smaller stocks have already broken through their resistance and the S&P 500 should follow.  GE was off a touch on extremely light volume.  Not exactly sure why GE isn't joining in the party here.  Still overbought on the daily technicals here but that doesn't mean that we can't go higher.  I may look at the July calls once again.  Gold had a good day, up over $20 on the futures.  The US dollar was just a bit weaker.  The XAU rose 5 7/8.  ABX and NEM climbed 1 1/4, while GG was up 1 7/8.  Volume was very light.  My ABX August calls are in the black.  The daily technicals are mid-range, so there is still room to the upside in my opinion.  Mentally I'm feeling a bit tired, did not sleep well.  The stock indexes are in full summer rally mode.  We'll see how far we can go.  There's always the risk of some headline out of Europe but as we've seen recently that can go either way.  Friday is the next event in my mind but the market may ignore that as well.  Gold has found a bid here and I certainly don't know why.  We were short term oversold though.  We'll watch events overseas if there are any, take tomorrow off and be back on Thursday.  

Pretty much just a drift today as the Dow fell 8 points on light volume.  The advance/declines were 2 to 1 positive.  The overall market was much stronger than the Dow.  The summation index continues higher.  The economic news today for the US was soft but the market wants to go higher here.  Summer rally mode continues.  We should move higher into the employment report on Friday.  It's a vacation week with the July 4th holiday right in the middle.  I would not expect a lot of volatility or volume.  GE fell 1/3 on average volume.  Still overbought here on the daily technicals.  We did have a vaid breakout on Friday though.  I'm not sure if I'm going to try the July calls here.  Gold was off around $5 on the futures as the US dollar bounced today.  The XAU was up 1/8.  ABX, GG and NEM all had fractional moves to the downside on very light volume.  My ABX calls are still in the black.  At his point I plan on holding the calls until the earnings report at the end of this month.  Mentally I'm feeling OK.  The stock indices are in a waiting game until Fridays employment report.  Throw in a holiday in the middle of the week and very light volume.  So I really don't expect much in the way of market moves for now.  I do think that we'll drift higher for the time being.  Gold should be quiet as well as the market players are on holiday.  I'll simply watch and wait for the numbers on Friday.

An Invention to Get People to Shut Up

Have you even been in a movie theater where people keep talking through the film? Now, Japanese Scientists have come up with an invention that will cause people to stop talking. It works on the theory that if people hear what they are saying 0.2 seconds after they say it, they won't be able to keep talking.

This device would also be useful for meetings, classrooms, and libraries.