May 2008

What will today bring? A couple quick points that I’d like to make: 1. VOLUME Yesterday’s volume on the NYSE was a low for the year. The consolidated volume was $3.2 billion. The average this year was $4.15 billion. The average for the calendar year 2007 was $3.11 billion. The five-year average is $3.07 billion. Why does this matter? The volume of late has declined pretty ... read more

Yesterday we measured the “Mood of Main Street” on Money for Breakfast. It’s a show we do once a month and a personal favorite of mine. We talk to personal finance experts like Dave Ramsey and radio talk show hosts and personal finance experts in their own right, from Seattle, WA Kirby Wilbur (Host on KVI 570AM), to Louisville, KY Francene Cucinello (Host 84WHAS), and from Boston, MA Reese ... read more

Yesterday we measured the “Mood of Main Street” on Money for Breakfast. It’s a show we do once a month and a personal favorite of mine. We talk to personal finance experts like Dave Ramsey and radio talk show hosts and personal finance experts in their own right: from Seattle, Kirby Wilbur (Host on KVI 570AM) to Louisville, Ky., Francene Cucinello (Host 84WHAS), and from Boston, Reese ... read more

The chief executive office and founder of WPP, Sir Martin Sorrell, joined me this morning on Money for Breakfast. WPP happens to be the World's largest advertising group!!! Sir Martin Sorrell's personal story is a fascinating one. He founded WPP in 1986-1987 after he took a stake in a wire and plastics company which made wire baskets and transformed it into a worldwide marketing services ... read more

Are you as excited as I am about the upcoming release of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian? I know that I've been writing a fair amount about movies of late. The truth is my hobby (or place to shutdown my brain and enjoy a box of Milkduds or Raisinets) is going to the movies. I LOVE movies. Probably should have gone into the business. I try to see most of the well-regarded movies, which ... read more

Ok. I admit it. I’m shameless! I LOVE McDonald’s!!!! Ever since I was a kid my dad and I would pop in for our weekly or bi-weekly McDonald’s visits. The ketchup, a huge allure, is the best in the business but, let’s face it they do have the BEST french fries in the business!! Several months ago I went the McDonald’s headquarters in Illinois and interviewed Chief Executive and Vice ... read more

Get this the gaming industry last year reported $9.5 billion in software sales! HUGE…..that’s right. Last night Activision reported earnings and once again knocked the street off their feet thanks in large measure to Guitar Hero and Call of Duty. They gave strong guidance for 2008. Not bad for an industry that continues to grow and draw tremendous eyeballs.   Look at Take-Two ... read more

Last night I had the great pleasure of attending the IMAX premiere of Speed Racer here in New York City. First of all, if you have not seen a movie on an IMAX screen or did years ago and haven't recently, you HAVE TO GO. It is INCREDIBLE!!! The coolest movie viewing experience especially for a movie like Speed Racer, which was shot on the green screen by the Wachowski brothers (maker of the Matrix ... read more

Yesterday I had the pleasure of guest speaking at the WCBS 880AM Women's Luncheon with Nell Merlino. She is the force behind Take Our Daughters to Work Day and the president and CEO of Count Me In. Count Me In “champions the cause for women’s economic independence by providing access to business loans, consultation and education.” Listen to some of these statistics about women owned and ... read more

Every Thursday on The Opening Bell, we do a special "Market Maven" segment with a true business world legend. This week, our guest was Mario Gabelli of GAMCO Investors -- he's the chairman & CEO and one of the most highly respected value investors in the business. He's the guy who gets quoted everywhere. He loves to talk about and invest in media companies like DirecTV and Cablevision, and has ... read more