| Zacks Industry Rank Analysis Highlights: Activision, Electronic Arts, Netflix, Perfect World and Take-Two Interactive
Zacks.com releases the latest Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks featured in this week's analysis includes Activision (Nasdaq: ATVI), Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS), Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX), Perfect World (Nasdaq: PWRD) and Take-Two Interactive (Nasdaq: TTWO). To see the Zacks Industry Rank and the trend in earnings estimates revisions for more than 200 industry groups, visit http://at.zacks.com/?id=3154. Zacks Industry Rank Analysis is written by Charles Rotblut, CFA, Senior Market Analyst for Zacks.com. One area often overlooked by investors is entertainment. Though tied somewhat to consumer spending, entertainment stocks can provide diversification benefits. Plus, there are certain segments within the broad entertainment umbrella that are doing well despite the current economic backdrop.
Be wary of over-the-counter stocks not listed on Nasdaq
Q: What does "OTC" refer to in the financial world? --G.R., Macon, Ga. A: OTC officially stands for "over the counter," but today it should really be "over the computer." Long ago, to buy or sell a stock that didn't trade on an exchange, you would call your broker, who would then call another broker and make the trade over the phone. Then, in 1971, the Nasdaq stock market was established, offering an automated trading system. Suddenly, it was much easier to get the best price on your transaction, and trading activity could be monitored, too. The Nasdaq stock market is the main OTC system in the United States, and it lists thousands of companies -- from young, relatively unknown firms to many enterprises you're probably familiar with, such as Apple, Microsoft, Intel, Starbucks and eBay.
Mixed Open Facing New Zealand Shares
New Zealand shares turned modestly lower on Thursday in trading generally described as directionless. On a day that opened with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand doing as expected in leaving its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 8.25 percent, the NZSX-50 Index closed lower by 15.6 points at 3,603.8. Trading volume totaled a light NZ$88.1 million. Among the individual stocks of interest, the blue chip issues were generally mixed, with Fletcher Building drifting lower all day to end with a loss of .31 or three percent. Top-traded stock Telecom Corporation of New Zealand losing .02, while Contact Energy posted a gain of .05, Fisher and Paykel Healthcare was up .03, F & P Appliances was up a penny and SkyCity Entertainment Group was higher by .02. The takeover saga continues for Auckland International Airport, as the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board announced its share of the facility had risen to 18.1 percent from 15.5 percent one day earlier.
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