Cement and aggregates will be needed for many years in both construction and infrastructure. Cemex has operations around the globe, and has been able to use localized procedures depending on the way products are used in the various parts of the world. Playing with the house's money

This company has a diverse workforce that can provide contract fulfillment for various software, hardware, maintenance, help desk, and homeland security issues to both government and private contractors. Employee ownership makes employees accountable for their duties, and productivity per employee is high as a result. This company is company I had stock in when it was private, and kept a few shares of when it went public. Playing with the house's money, but not since going public.

This company's truck engines and parts are in high demand globally, and the company has had some success diversifying into other fields to lessen the cyclicality of the automotive part of the business. Besides being a good business, the company has been voted one of the best companies to work for, and has contributed a lot to the city of Columbus IN, making it a better place to live. Listened to Analyst call from early September; no changes to thesis, but new offices being opened in Turkey, Egypt, Iraq. Cummins values continue in new countries and in the USA. Cummins has been in China for 25 years and India for 42 years, and is actually exporting from India. Playing with the house's money and only about 1/3 of that

The best of the discount/warehouse retailers - customer and employee friendly with a CEO who believes that the whole team deserves credit

Diversified financial company with a lot of other businesses - including Dairy Queen, Geico, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Borsheims Jewelers, Champion Homes, etc. Stocks for the financial holdings are bought as Great Companies at Fair Prices for the most part. Other holdings taken on occasion, when certain companies are perceived as extremely undervalued. I only have 2 shares, and will not take profits.

Barbie and Fisher Price and Disney Toys are among the most popular in the world - Barbie may not be so popular among kids these days, but the collectors will keep up the brand, and the American Girls dolls are very popular among older girls (6-10) - also the American Girls books encourage girls to read and learn about history. American Girl place stores are in demand as places to vist for girls and parents spend a lot of money there. Decent dividend, although it is only paid once a year (makes sense to pay once a year, since this is the quarter where most of the profits are made). My initial investment taken out in March 2007 at 28 - bought back Nov 2007 at 19 with approx 2/3 of initial investment. Sold this part of the investment Dec 2007 with a slight profit plus sold 1/2 of the dividend. Back to playing with the house's money.

Good dividend, good beverages, Frito-Lay - stable grower. Playing with less than 1/5 of the house's money at this point

Employee friendly company with the ability to hold on well through slowdowns. Sold part to take profits - playing with the House's money