As an engineer, I knew that Airbus was in major trouble the third time they slipped their date on the new bird. Sometimes technology projects just get out of control. It opened the door for Boeing to make a major move in market share. And, once an airline invests in a brand of plane or engine, there is an economy to standardizing for maintenance, training, etc that encourages larger and repeat buys. Plus, I liked the management team moving to Chicago - it showed the ability to work outside the box.

Avis/Budget is basically a sound business that took an undeserved beating. It was a bargain.

All those new Boeing jets need Avionics to get off the ground. Collins, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has the capacity to respond to a surge in orders from Boeing, while still delivering equipment to the military. Love their low-overhead location.

Roll-out of the Bank of America brand in the Chicago area showcased what a well run organization this is. Dividends sweeten the deal.

Aircraft engines, biomaterials, wind energy, alternative fuels, -- it's like buying a whole portfolio of innovators. Plus the media portion of the company, generating lasting wealth in licensable intellectual property. Solid, and pays a decent dividend.

Bought this after it was beaten down by the hurricane damage. Doubled down on the news of a possible buy out, which will cash out this stock at $90, a solid respectable gain. If they hadn't been a buy-out target, I would have hung on to HET because with the new cash in-ticket out slots, the casinos are making more money than ever with lower overhead.

Looking at all those destroyed casinos in the gulf, I could see insurance paying for brand new slot machines by the truckload ... Plus, upgrading machines to cash in-ticket out generates even more revenue.

Sara Lee is so well run. I see them generating more and more cash as they add more pre-cooked, heat and serve items to their product line.