Amusement Parks
1999 was a difficult year for the Amusement Park industry. Several unfortunate incidents soured what was shaping up to be a successful season. Yet, parks continue to bring in visitors by the millions, and those visitors spend, on average, $141.32 a day for a family of four. Will amusement parks find themselves on a wild ride in 2000? Rick Aristotle Munarriz reveals all -- plus the company best positioned to reach the top of the industry.
Biotech Companies
Miracle drugs, experimental research, soaring stock prices -- this is the world of the biotechs in a nutshell. Who's putting the most money into crucial R&D? Who has the best track record for FDA approval? Analyst Warren Gump delves into the exciting, fast-paced biotech industry to find out, and also examines one company at the top of the heap -- a must-read if you're considering investing in this uncertain but exciting field.
Candy Makers
Hershey's Kisses, Nestle Crunch, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Juicy Fruit gum. You know them, you crave them, you've probably even gotten cavities because of them, but most of us can't live without these sugary delights. It takes more than a great chocolate recipe to run a successful business, though. So who best combines sweet treats with even sweeter balance sheets? Rick Aristotle Munarriz takes you on a tour of the candy world even more revealing than Charlie's trip through the chocolate factory.
Casinos/Gaming Companies
Thinking of taking a gamble on a casino or gaming company? You'll want to read Paul Larson's take on the industry and its leaders first. He examines which companies are placing smart bets, and which are just a roll of the dice away from disaster. Investing in these companies can be as tricky as beating the dealer at blackjack, so why not stack the deck in your favor?
Casual Steakhouses
Does a 16-ounce Porterhouse with a baked potato and a Caesar salad sound good to you right now? Where would you go to get one? Morton's of Chicago? Sizzler? Outback Steakhouse? The steaks may be juicy at any one of these places, but before you get any ideas about putting your investment money where your mouth is, you'll want to read what Rick Aristotle Munarriz has to say about this industry and its players. After all, research, unlike steak, is something you want very well done.
Competitive Local Exchange Carriers
CLECs, RBOCs, ILECs? The acronyms may not be familiar, but some of the companies in this industry probably are: MCI WorldCom, Sprint, MediaOne. Bill Mann sorts through the ins-and-outs of this complex field to highlight the leaders and what separates them from the rest of the crowd. He also points out one company that is in a particularly good position to succeed in the coming year.
CPU Makers
Quick: What's the difference between Celeron and K-6? Pentium III and Athlon? Well, for starters, the first in each pair is manufactured by Intel, the second by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). In the ever-changing world of computer chips, where a top-of-the-line chip one week is replaced by something even faster a month later, companies have to innovate constantly to stay ahead. Which CPU maker does that the best? Phil Weiss examines the industry up close.
E-Commerce
With more and more people doing their shopping online, the competition between online stores is heating up. New stores arrive every day, and older bricks-and-mortar shops are hopping on the Web just as fast. But many e-commerce companies generate very low margins and operate at a loss. Which companies have the best strategies for turning those losses into profits? Check in with analyst Paul Larson to find out.
Internet Portals
In the very early days of the Internet, portals were important because websites were so dispersed, and it was hard to find anything. Now, of course, we need portals to help us sort through the overwhelming number of sites on the Web. Portals provide an essential service, but they provide it for free. There's a lot a savvy investor needs to understand about how portals make money and what they need to do to keep the traffic flowing. Matt Richey analyzes the Web portal model and the companies that have managed to take a leading position in the industry.
Internet Service Providers
Once upon a time, it seemed there was only one ISP choice: America Online. With its ubiquitous disks, and later, CD-ROMs, AOL blanketed the country, convincing Web newcomers that it was the Internet on-ramp for them. Now, of course, there are dozens and dozens of ISPs out there -- some are even free. Throw into the mix high-speed options such as cable-modem access, DSL, and satellite, and you've got yourself quite a battle. Will AOL be able to hold on to its lead in the new millennium? Paul Larson breaks it down.
Medical Technology
Though you probably haven't heard of many of the companies in this industry (Becton Dickinson, Osteotech, and Stryker don't exactly have the same name recognition of, say, Coca-Cola and McDonald's), someone you know has probably benefited from one of their products. Pacemakers, balloon angioplasty equipment, and hip prosthetics (among many, many other life-saving devices) have all been developed by companies in this field. Since, in all likelihood, the aging U.S. population will have an increasing need for this technology, this might be a good industry to consider for your next investment. Brian Graney cuts through all the complex medical terms to help you understand which companies are likely to take the lead in this very important industry.
Mutual Funds
We here at the Fool aren't big fans of mutual funds -- they charge you high fees and generate low returns in exchange. So while we don't suggest you invest in one, there's nothing wrong with investing in the funds' parent companies. Not everyone is as enlightened as you, after all, so there's still plenty of money to be made. Just make sure you do your homework first (that's where so many fund managers go wrong!) and read Zeke Ashton's insights into the industry.
Online Grocers
No time for grocery shopping? Hate fighting your way down crowded aisles? Online grocers would be happy to take your order and deliver your groceries to your door. Of course, they'd also be happy to have you invest in them as well. But which of the Internet grocery stores really deliver the goods? Rick Aristotle Munarriz has shopped the aisles to bring you the freshest analysis of this industry and its leaders.
PC Companies
Apple, Compaq, Dell, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, IBM… the list of personal computer giants includes many well-known and highly successful companies. But as PC prices drop further and further, which company can survive this increasingly low-margin business? Dale Wettlaufer examines the industry and its players to determine which companies have what it takes to win the PC wars.
Pharmaceutical Companies
There's a lot happening in the pharmaceutical world - blockbuster drugs, mergers, and lagging stock prices. Reason for concern or cause to celebrate? Warren Gump delves into this industry to report on what's ahead for such stalwarts as Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Merck, and Pfizer. Gump addresses issues like who will win the war for Warner-Lambert, and does it really matter? Learn which company in this high-growth industry might be your best bet in 2000.
Telecommunications Equipment
The rapid pace of technological advances in the telecommunications industry can confuse even the savviest investor. But there's no confusion about the fact that this industry offers tremendous potential for growth. The companies in this industry include names like Broadcom, Ericsson, Lucent, Motorola, Nokia, and Nortel -- all strong performers in recent years. What does the future hold for these companies as they rush to develop faster and faster equipment? Bill Mann sorts through the industry and uncovers a company well-positioned for 2000 and beyond.
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