Street Justice: A Crucial Time.

Hey everybody, sorry I'm a bit late with today's post. I had a busy couple of days. I still managed to find 3 killer companies today to help plug the hole in your portfolios.
This first company may seem a bit morbid, but make no mistake they are a solid stock. STEI/Stewart Enterprises provides funeral and cemetery services including cremation, transportation removal and preparation of remains, caskets and flowers. They also provide family counseling and cemetery property sales(grave sites and tombs). STEI owns and operates 229 funeral homes and 139 cemeteries throughout 24 states in the US. The relative value and safety for STEI are pretty low(under 1.00 of 2.00), but the relative timing is excellent. Sales for Stewart were up 5% for the quarter and the net income was up 57% over the same time period. STEI has climbed(price) 30% over the past 52 weeks, 22% over the month and 10.5% over 1 week. With a $.10 per share dividend, like a cherry on top. STEI starts to look more like a Hot Fudge Sundae and less like a death monger. This next company is similar to STEI in the sense that they too prepare objects to bury in the ground. NWPX/Northwest Pipe manufactures large-diameter, high pressure steel pipeline systems for use in water infrastructure applications primarily related to drinking water. They also manufacture propane tanks and other fabricated products. NWPX has customers throughout the US, Canada and Mexico. The relative value, timing and safety are all excellent with sales up 18% over last quarter. Net income for the quarter was up 66%. NWPX has climbed(price) 77% over the past 52 weeks, 9% over 1 month and 23% for the past 7 days. This next company is my favorite of the 3 today. AXYS/Axsys Tech Inc. manufactures and sells highly precise assemblies and components which are embedded in optical systems for both government and commercial applications. These products include precision metal optical products, infrared optical products, motion control devices, precision machined lightweight products and ball bearings used in various commercial markets. AXYS has customers around the globe. Relative numbers are all great for AXYS and sales are up 7% over last quarter. Net income for the year was up 63% and 19.5% for the quarter. AXYS is up(price) 166% over the past 52 weeks, 40% for the month and 10% over the past 7 days. Annual sales were up 50% for AXYS as well.
Well, things are looking up. I think even some bears might say we are getting close to a bottom. I mean 2 weeks ago the consensus was that oil would be at $200 a barrel by now. Sure, we still have a long way to go and some uncertainties ahead, but things are looking better.
What's your view on all this? Are we nearly outta the woods? Or, are we just taking a break on the way to $200 a barrel oil and $1000 an ounce gold? Let me know.
It would seem the dollar is supporting the conclusion that we're near or at a bottom. It's actually at a 5 week high(the dollar). I pulled a 150 pip gain out of an overnight EUR/USD short trade. Not mention my biggest gain yet on my long-term EUR/USD short. Bottom line, the dollar is kickin butt across the board.
My schedule is gonna be very full soon. I start Fall Semester at school in less than a week. That being said, I will still do my best to stay on top of the markets and your portfolios, cause we're all in this together. Thanks for reading.