Most Recent Posts: To Drill or Not To Drill - Part 2 Will Goldman Sachs get burned by O&G? To Drill or Not To Drill - Part 1

Energy (101)

The Energy sector breaks down in to Energy Equipment and Services and Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels.  Energy Equipment and Services includes drilling contractors and owners of drilling rigs, along with manufacturers of drilling rigs and equipment and the providers of supplies and services to companies involved in the drilling, evaluation and completion of oil and gas wells.

Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels covers companies engaged in the exploration and production of oil and gas, as well as those companies involved in the refining, storage, transportation, marketing of oil, gas, coal and refined products.

Companies that fall under the Energy sector umbrella include ExxonMobile (XOM), Valero Energy (VLO), Transocean Inc. (RIG), Halliburton Co (HAL) and Occidental Petroleum Corp. (OXY).

	Most Recent Posts: CBI: Will high costs knock down this builder? More Room to Run for Goldcorp ADM: Harvest of Profits Ahead?

Materials (151)

The Materials sector covers a wide range of industries, from Chemicals to Construction Materials to Containers and Packaging to Metals and Mining to Paper and Forest Products.  This includes companies that produce industrial and basic chemicals, plastics, paints, fertilizers and pesticides, sand, lime, and concrete; plus companies that manufacture metal, glass and plastic containers; companies that produce aluminum and related products; companies that engage in mining or processing precious metals and minerals; steel and iron producers; manufacturers of timber and related wood products and manufacturers of all grades of paper.

Companies in this sector include Monsanto (MON), Freeport McMoran Copper and Gold Inc. (FCX), BHP Billiton Ltd (BHP), Dow Chemical (DOW),  and Alcoa Inc. (AA).

	Most Recent Posts: Bull/Bear Report: Build a Bridge to Chicago Bridge and Iron (CBI) Decoupling myth... WH

Capital Goods (201)

The Capital Goods sector is comprised of companies which manufacture goods used in the creation of other products. It includes Aerospace and Defense contractors; manufacturers of building components and home improvement equipment; construction and engineering companies; electrical component and equipment makers; manufacturers of heavy electrical equipment; industrial conglomerates; makers of heavy trucks and construction and farm machinery; industrial machinery and industrial components; and the companies that distribute industrial equipment and products.

Companies in this sector include Cummins, Inc (CMI), ITT Corp (ITT), Caterpillar Inc, (CAT), Hitachi Ltd. (HIT), and ABB Ltd. (ABB).

	Most Recent Posts: Market facts in graphs... Cable Collapse U.S. Economy Veers into Recession

Commercial Services & Supplies (202)

The Commercial Services and Supplies sector is made up of companies which provide services and supplies to businesses, including commercial printers; cleaning services; consultants; dining and catering services; human resource and employment services covering benefits, payroll and training services; environmental and facilities services; and office services and supplies.

Companies in this sector include IKON Office Solutions Inc (IKN), Cintas Corp (CTAS), Paychex Inc (PAYX), Iron Mountain Inc (IRM), and Robert Half International Inc (RHI).

	Most Recent Posts: Oil and Airlines - One way to Profit... Bull/Bear Report: Is American Airlines still flying high? What the Cost of Oil Might Do to Airline Stocks

Transportation (203)

The Transportation sector covers companies that engage in the transportation of people and products as well as the companies which provide transportation services. This includes air freight and logistics; passenger airlines; marine transport of goods or passengers (excluding cruise lines); railroads; trucking; and infrastructure, like airport services, road, tunnel and track operators, and marine port servicers.

Companies in this sector include: United Parcel Service Inc (UPS), Expeditors International of Washington Inc (EXPD), DryShips, Inc (DRYS), UAL Corporation (UAUA), and Canadian National Railway Company (CNI).

	Most Recent Posts: Bull/Bear Report: Should you put the brakes on GM? Bull/Bear Report: Ford -- Is This Stock a Lemon? Ford -- Is This Stock A Lemon?

Automobile & Components (251)

The Automobile and Components sector is made up of companies that produce mainly passenger automobiles and light trucks; manufacturers of motorcycles, scooters and three wheelers; auto parts and auto accessories makers, and tire manufacturers.

Companies in this sector include General Motors Corporation (GM), Ford Motor Co. (F), Harley-Davidson Inc (HOG), Polaris Industries Inc (PII), and O’Reilly Automotive Inc (ORLY).

	Most Recent Posts: Time to think small... Or is it really? Plus some retail ideas Searing Results for Sears No Mas! Costco and Wal-Mart Lead a Consumer Revolution

Consumer Durables & Apparel (252)

The Consumer Durable and Apparel sector includes household durables, leisure equipment and products and textiles, apparel and luxury goods. This includes consumer electronics like TVs, VCRs, hi-fi equipment and game consoles; manufacturers of home furnishings; residential construction companies; household appliance makers; houseware specialty makers; manufacturers of sports equipment, bicycles and toys; photographic products; textile manufacturers, apparel and luxury goods makers; and footwear.

Companies in this sector include Whirlpool Corp (WHR), Polo Ralph Lauren Corp (RL), Coach Inc (COH), Nike Inc (NKE) and X Rite Inc (XRIT).

	Most Recent Posts: Inflation's a Huge Drag as Energy Costs Transform Consumer Behavior Consumers Spending More Time in The Kitchen Bull/Bear Report -- Is WYNN a Win?

Consumer Services (253)

The Consumer Services sector is comprised of companies which offer services to consumers, including casinos and gaming; hotels, resorts and cruise lines; leisure facilities like stadiums, sport and fitness centers, golf courses and amusement parks; restaurants; education services, including private universities, online educators, and producers of educational materials; and specialized consumer services, including home security, legal services, interior design and wedding and funeral services.

Companies in this sector include ctrip.com International (CTRP), Shutterfly Inc (SFLY), Standard Parking Corp (STAN), 4 Kids Entertainment (KDE), and Trump Entertainment Resorts (TRMP).

	Most Recent Posts: Fonts in Flash Multiple Tabs in Transmit (Mac) When and why should one sell stocks Part 1

Media (254)

The Media sector is made up of companies is broken down in to advertising, broadcasting and cable TV, movies and entertainment, and publishing. This includes companies which provide advertising, marketing or public relations services; owners and operators of television or radio broadcast systems as well as providers of cable or satellite services, including programming; companies which produce and distribute movies, television shows and music as well as those that operate movie theaters; and publishers of newspapers, magazines and books, as well as providers of information in both print and electronic formats.

Companies in this sector include Clear Channel Communications Inc (CCU), Sirius Satellite Radio Inc (SIRI), Regal Entertainment Group (RGC), Marvel Entertainment Inc (MVL) and the McGraw Hill Companies (MHP).

	Most Recent Posts: Is BLS understating the "true" job losses? Bull/Bear Report : CASY - No general consensus on Casey General Stores U.S. Inflation Worries Spiral as Spending Falls and Customers Stream to Costco and Wal-Mart

Retailing (255)

The Retailing sector covers a wide range of companies including those involved in internet and catalog retail, multi-line retail, and special retail. This includes companies wholesale distributors and retailers; catalogers, mail order and TV home shopping retailers; online retailers; department stores; general merchandise stores; apparel retailers; computer and electronics retailers; home improvement retailers; stores specializing in jewelry, toys, books and entertainment; automotive retail; and furniture and home furnishing stores.

Companies in this sector include Lowe’s (LOW), Gap Inc (GPS), Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) Best Buy Inc (BBY), and Amazon.com Inc (AMZN).

	Most Recent Posts: Commodities Trading: General Mills (GIS) Can CASY top off profits at their pumps Why basic fundamental ratios (like P/E) alone are worthless...

Food & Staples Retailing (301)

The Food and Staples Retailing sector is made up of drug retail, food distributors, food retail and hypermarkets and super centers. This includes owners and operators of primarily drug retail stores and pharmacies; distributors of food products to other companies; owners and operators of primarily food stores; and owners and operators of hypermarkets and super centers selling food and a wide range of consumer staple products.

Companies in this sector include Whole Foods Markets Inc (WFMI), The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (GAP), Delhaize Group (DEG), Nash Finch Co. (NAFC) and Sysco Corp (SYY).

	Most Recent Posts: Starbucks: Can The Mermaid Mimic Ronald McDonald? Another Boring Dividend Stock - SYY Time to sell Imperial Sugar (IPSU)

Food, Beverage & Tobacco (302)

The Food, Beverage and Tobacco sector breaks down in to beverages, food products and tobacco. This covers companies which produce beer and malt liquors; distillers and vintners; soft drink makers; agricultural crop growers, plantation owners and companies which produce and process foods but do not package them; packaged food and meats; and tobacco.

Companies in this sector include Kraft Foods inc (KFT), Coca Cola (KO), ConAgra Foods Inc (CAG), Reynolds American Inc (RAI), and Hershey Co (HSY).

	Most Recent Posts: Buying MAS

Household & Personal Products (303)

The Household and Personal Products sector is comprised of producers of non-durable household products including detergents, soaps, and diapers; and manufacturers of personal and beauty care products including cosmetics and perfumes.

Companies in this sector include Procter & Gamble Company (PG), Colgate-Palmolive Co. (CL), Avon Products inc (AVP), Newell Rubbermaid Inc (NWL) and Estee Lauder Companies Inc (EL).

	Most Recent Posts: Quick thoughts on earnings so far... Bull/Bear Report - What's the Prognosis on UnitedHealth Group, Inc. (UNH) Credit crisis is over!? Or is it?

Health Care Equipment & Services (351)

The Health Care Equipment and Services sector is made up of health care equipment and supplies, health care providers and services, and health care technology. This encompasses manufacturers of health care equipment and devices including medical instruments, drug delivery systems, orthopedic devices and diagnostic equipment; providers of patient services including dialysis, lab testing services, and pharmacy management services; owners and operators of health care facilities; owners and operators of HMOs; and companies providing information technology services primarily to health care providers.

Companies in this sector include Community Health Systems (CYH), St. Jude Medical (STJ), Northstar Neuroscience Inc (NSTR), Zimmer Holdings Inc (ZMH), and WellPoint Inc (WLP).

	Most Recent Posts: Bull/Bear Report -- Elan Pharmaceuticals - A miracle for patients and investors alike? Elan Pharmaceuticals: Just what the stock doctor ordered? Baby Boomers Go 'Bionic' as Body Replacement Devices Soar in Popularity

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences (352)

The Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology and Life Sciences sector includes biotechs, pharmaceutical companies and life science tool and service companies. It is made up of companies which are primarily engaged in the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of products based on genetic analysis and genetic engineering; companies working in the research, development and production of pharmaceuticals and drugs for humans and animals; and companies enabling the research, discovery and production of new drugs by supplying analytical tools, instruments, research services and supplies.

Companies in this sector include Genentech (DNA), Amgen Inc (AMGN), IDEXX Laboratories Inc (IDXX), Johnson & Johnson Inc (JNJ) and Pfizer Inc (PFE).

	Most Recent Posts: The Trouble in Financials is Far from Over MER's announcement- one word- "ugly"... Why?

Banks (401)

The Banks sector is comprised of Commercial banks and thrifts and mortgage finance. Commercial banks include banks whose businesses mostly come from commercial lending, retail banking and small and medium corporate lending; regional banks; and financial institutions providing mortgages and mortgage-related services.

Companies in this sector include Bank of America Corporation (BAC), Citigroup (C), Washington Mutual Inc (WM), Toronto Dominion Bank (TD) and JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM).

	Most Recent Posts: Russia's market is cliff-diving and it's not Olympics... Fixed income vs equities- which one is right? Another "regular" Friday bank failure :)

Diversified Financials (402)

The Diversified Financials sector includes diversified financial services, consumer finance, and capital markets. This includes providers of financial services including banking, insurance and capital markets; providers of specialized financial services, like credit agencies, stock exchanges and specialty boutiques; providers of consumer finance services like credit cards, lease financing and travel-related money services; companies engaged primarily in asset management, including mutual funds and closed-end funds; institutions engaged in investment banking and brokerage services, debt underwriting, and mergers and acquisitions; and institutions engaged in diversified activities such as major corporate lending, investment banking and asset management.

Companies in this sector include CME Group Inc (CME), Goldman Sachs Group (GS), Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc (LEH), SEI Investments CO (SEIC), and T. Rowe Price Group Inc. (TROW).

	Most Recent Posts: The Bull/Bear Report - American International Group, Inc. (AIG) AIG: A stock about to rally or the beginning of the end? Allstate - Still a good buy

Insurance (403)

The Insurance sector is made up of insurance brokers and reinsurance brokerage firms; companies providing life, indemnity, supplemental health or disability insurance; multi-line insurance companies with interests in life, health, property and casualty insurance, companies focused solely on property and casualty insurance and companies focused primarily on reinsurance.

Companies in this sector include AFLAC Inc (AFL), American International Group Inc (AIG), Prudential PLC (PUK), MetLife Inc (MET) and Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc (MMC).

	Most Recent Posts: The Mortgage Meltdown Continues Fear is better than greed...

Real Estate (404)

The Real Estate sector is comprised of real estate investment trusts (REITs) and real estate management and development. This includes companies focused on the acquisition, development, ownership, leasing management and operation of industrial properties, office properties, residential properties including apartment buildings and multi-family homes, and retail properties including shopping malls and outlet malls; mortgage REITs, which service, originate and/or purchase residential and commercial loans; and specialized REITs which operate and invest in health care, leisure, resort and storage properties. It also includes non-REIT companies involved in real estate ownership, management and development.

Companies in this sector include The St. Joe Company (JOE), Consolidated Tomoka Land Co (CTO), Plum Creek Timber Co (PCL), Strategic Hotels and Resorts (BEE) and Nationwide Health Properties (NHP).

	Most Recent Posts: SAP Battered By U.S. Software Slump Tough Times for Corporate Software Spending Trending123.com Scores Huge On SOHU China Play

Software & Services (451)

The Software and Services sector includes Internet software and services, information technology services and software. It is made up of companies that develop and market internet software; provide internet services, database construction and internet design services; provide information technology consulting and systems integration services; provide commercial electronic data processing and automation; and companies that engage in the development, production and marketing of consumer software, business applications, systems software, home entertainment software and education software.

Companies in this sector include Microsoft (MSFT), Oracle (ORCL), Adobe Systems Inc (ADBE), Electronic Data Systems Corp (EDS), and Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (CHKP).

	Most Recent Posts: Another group of skeptical quant ideas... Not all emerging markets are the same... Research In Motion's 3G Counteroffensive

Technology Hardware & Equipment (452)

The Technology Hardware & Equipment sector encompasses communications equipment, computers and peripherals, equipment and instruments and office electronics. This includes manufacturers of communications equipment and products, including LANs, routers and telephones; manufacturers of personal computers, servers, mainframes, and ATMs; manufacturers of data storage components, motherboards, audio and video cards, and other peripherals; producers of electronic equipment, instruments or components, including OEM producers; and technology distributors.

Companies in this sector include Dell, Inc (DELL), Apple Inc. (AAPL), Palm Inc (PALM), Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO), and Flextronics International Ltd. (FLEX).

	Most Recent Posts: Semi Market to Hit Bottom by Fourth Quarter of 2008, Strong Rebound in 2009 Says SEMI World Fab Forecast Nvidia sees no slowdown, eyes boom in ultra-small PCs Getting a double return in options is definitely the golden goose of option trading.

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (453)

The Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment sector is made up of manufacturers of the equipment used to fabricate semiconductors as well as the actual semiconductor manufacturers, who make the semiconductors used in electronic devices such as computers, cell phones and digital music players, as well as related products.

Companies in this sector include Intel Corp (INTC), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSM), SanDisk Corp (SNDK), LSI Corp. (LSI) and KLA-Tencor Corp. (KLAC).

	Most Recent Posts: Juniper CEO Says Business Continues To do Well! Sprint Feels the Pain Apple vs RIM: Smart Phone Wars

Telecommunication Services (501)

The Telecommunication Services sector is made up of diversified telecom services and wireless telecom services. This includes providers of communications and high-density transmission services through fiber optic cable networks; providers of fixed-line telecommunications networks; and providers of cellular and wireless telecommunications services, including pagers.

Companies in this sector include AT&T Inc. (T), Verizon Communications Inc (VZ), Corning Inc (GLW), America Movil S.A.B. de C.V (AMX) and Level 3 Communications Inc (LVLT).

	Most Recent Posts: My 23 "common sense" investing rules Water Industry Spending Still Up - But Clouds Loom Searching for Synthetics and Striking Water

Utilities (551)

The Utilities sector is comprised of companies that produce and distribute electricity (nuclear and non-nuclear); companies that distribute and transmit natural and manufactured gas; companies that purchase and redistribute water to the consumer; utility companies that have a business that is diversified beyond electricity, water and gas; and independent power producers and energy traders.

Companies in this sector include Duke Energy Corp (DUK), Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PEG), FPL Group Inc. (FPL), Veolia Environnement SA (VE) and Mirant Corp (MIR).