Thoughts About Vice Stocks

I had mentioned a few weeks back that there are some vice stocks (MO, LO, VGR, RAI, RGR and SWHC) recently on the screen. So far this year, the gun stocks are (ahem) shooting higher while the cigarette stocks are (ahem) getting crushed.

I am not sure why the cigarette manufacturers are struggling.  But a thought came to me this morning.  Alternatives.  People can either fly, drive or take a train.  People can use either gas or oil to heat their house.  You can buy chicken instead of beef. Beer instead of wine.  And soon, can you smoke pot instead of cigarettes?  As I do not smoke anything, I do not know if this is viable, but stocks associated with pot are (ahem) flying high.  GWPH is one discussed on Eds Talking Stock. It went up 23% yesterday. CBIS has gone up 300% (penny stock) since the start of the year.

Not much news for my portfolio.  It seems it a pretty tight range so far this year. I continue to make no changes.  Pretty boring, I know.  In my mini contest I set up at the start of the year, my top 10 versus Barron's and MLBAC I am pleased to say that I am leading!

Player	Stock	Start	Current	Dividends	Change
MFI Diary	GNW	15.53	16.71	-	7.6%
	GTAT	8.72	9.30	-	6.7%
	SBS	11.34	10.40	-	-8.3%
	HIMX	14.72	14.29	-	-2.9%
	HIG-WT	27.53	27.11	-	-1.5%
	KLIC	13.30	12.92	-	-2.9%
	CF	233.04	239.99	-	3.0%
	BAC-WTA	6.47	7.00	-	8.2%
	RPXC	16.90	17.08	-	1.1%
	ATVI	17.83	18.30	-	2.6%
	Total				1.4%
Player	Stock	Start	Current	Dividends	Change
Barron's	ABX	17.63	17.74	-	0.6%
	CNQ	33.10	32.35	-	-2.3%
	DE	91.33	88.98	-	-2.6%
	GM	40.87	40.49	-	-0.9%
	INTC	25.96	25.31	-	-2.5%
	MET	53.92	54.55	-	1.2%
	NSRGY	73.59	72.27	-	-1.8%
	SPG	152.16	154.20	-	1.3%
	LCC	22.35	22.55	-	0.9%
	C	52.11	55.20	-	5.9%
	Total				0.0%
Player	Stock	Start	Current	Dividends	Change
ML/BAC	ADM	43.40	42.16	-	-2.9%
	CAT	90.81	89.71	-	-1.2%
	CTL	31.85	30.79	-	-3.3%
	C	52.11	55.20	-	5.9%
	CSCO	22.43	22.09	0.17	-0.8%
	DVA	63.37	65.64	-	3.6%
	XOM	101.20	99.76	-	-1.4%
	GM	40.87	40.49	-	-0.9%
	NEE	85.62	86.02	-	0.5%
	NUE	53.38	52.74	-	-1.2%
	Total				-0.2%
Player	Stock	Start	Current	Dividends	Change
Eric Y	CA	33.65	33.85	-	0.6%
	CLCT	17.15	17.96	-	4.7%
	CSCO	22.43	22.09	0.17	-0.8%
	LO	50.68	49.16	-	-3.0%
	MANT	29.93	29.71	-	-0.7%
	MSFT	37.41	35.53	-	-5.0%
	PETS	16.63	15.59	-	-6.3%
	RGR	73.09	80.03	-	9.5%
	USMO	14.28	13.78	-	-3.5%
	VCI	34.25	34.05	-	-0.6%
	Total				-0.5%