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Last Wednesday, Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S) president and CEO Dan Hesse announced the company’s collaborative plan with Clearwire (CLWR) to build a wireless high-speed Internet network based on the emerging WiMAX technology with initial investments of $14.5 Billion.

Comcast Corp, Time Warner Cable Inc, Intel Corp, Google Inc. and cable operator Bright House Networks are expected to kick in $3.2 billion to help finance the venture. The deal will provide much needed funding for Sprint and Clearwire and will allow cable providers to offer wireless services and compete more effectively with rivals AT&T and Verizon Communications.

As of late, AT&T and Verizon have been chipping away at cable companies’ market share by offering affordable and convenient television, Internet, phone and wireless service bundles. WiMAX is a new technology with tremendous promise that is capable of providing broadband connection to wireless devices anywhere.

Intel Corp. has been an enormous proponent of WiMAX for years. The company sees the new technology as a catalyst to future growth and has already begun imbedding WiMAX chips in Centrino-based laptops and other mobile devices. Looking into the future, Intel foresees just about every electronic device having a WiMAX chip, from digital cameras to game consoles.

Already, there are flash memory cards for cameras that have Wi-Fi capabilities built in so that the user can upload pictures to a web site or social network without ever connecting to a computer.

check it out: http://www.eye.fi/

The implications on the businesses of leading chip manufacturers will be extremely positive If SprintNextel and Clearwire can make good on their plans to deploy the network throughout the country’s top 100 cities, reaching between 120M and 140M subscribers by the end of 2010. Therefore, Intel – the worlds largest chip manufacturer – believes that investing in this new age technology will only benefit their chip sales over the upcoming years. The company is shelling out a reported $1B for the Clearwire venture.

With the potential to help the world access the web from virtually anywhere, we strongly feel that WIMAX and the Clearwire venture could soon drive the next wave in telecommunications industry progression. SprintNextel better hope so. The company recently reported a first quarter loss of $505M or $.18 per share versus $211M or $.07 per share during Q1 ‘07.

Intel Corp. Press Release:
http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20080507corp_a.htm?iid=pr1_releasepri_20080507ra

WiMAX Homepage:
http://www.wimaxforum.org/home/

According to Offshore Magazine: “The 2008 Offshore Technology Conference attendance was 75,092, report organizers. This tally is up 11% from last year“.

In my opinion this is promising for Marmion Industries Corp. (OTCBB: MMIO). The company recently initiated its first ever concerted sales & marketing program and recognized the event as a unique opportunity to introduce a new line of industrial climate control products.

They then purchased ad space in Offshore Magazine, which was reportedly distributed, free-of-charge, to all interested attendees. As I mentioned previously, MMIO reps were also in attendance at the show to follow up with any potential inquiries as well as network with interested parties.

For a company that has relied on word of mouth thus far to drive growth, the conference is a major step in the right direction. The implications for Marmion are huge here if just one long-standing relationship is forged. Particularly since MMIO did rely on only 3 customers to generate 64% of revenues in fiscal ‘07, with Powell Industries accounting for a lofty 28%.

As consumer spending tightens, industries once thought impervious to economic slowdown are starting to feel the pinch.

A report issued by Nevada’s Gaming Control Board reveals that “winnings” for Las Vegas Strip casinos have declined in three consecutive months. Reportedly, a 4.8% dip in March followed decreases of 3.1% and 1.3% in February and January respectively. From what I’ve read, until recently, Vegas hadn’t seen a dip in winnings since 2001.

With even the most ‘recession proof” investment ideas falling by the wayside as of late, I’d like to provide you with two ideas that should flourish despite the current economic downturn in the U.S. But first, more on Vegas.

Quote of The Day:
“I think there is a recession and we’re certainly feeling a slowdown in Las Vegas,”
Steve Wynn

High Gas Prices Hinder Vegas Casino Winnings

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) recently reported that the number of conventions declined more than 10% and the average daily room rates nearly 4% during the first two months of the year. Things are certainly changing.

The fundamental flaw plaguing Strip casinos today lies in their revenue mix between gaming and non-gaming activities. Today nearly 60% of revenues are derived from non-gaming activities. In the early 1990’s non-gaming revenues contributed a far lesser 42% of the overall figure. The problem is that non-gaming activities such as food sales and hotel reservations are far less resilient against recession in comparison to activities such as sports betting and table games.

Even the allure of the weak dollar to foreign tourists eager to make their voyage to “gamblers Mecca” hasn’t been enough to help Vegas hedge against the ongoing slowdown.

“Price of Gas Forcing People to Avoid Vegas: Gamble at Online Casinos Instead”

Casino Shares Tumble

MGM (NYSE: MGM), the largest of the publicly traded casinos (1yr. chart to left), has seen shares tumble nearly 50% since October. MGM’s profits took a 30% nose dive during the first quarter of 2008 amid higher construction and energy costs and decreased tourism. In addition to the MGM Grand, the company’s other Vegas properties include: Bellagio, The Mirage, and Mandalay Bay.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) shares are also down nearly 50% since October. LVS logged an $11.2M loss during Q1 2008 and appears to be increasingly relying on international business, particularly in Asia, to fuel future growth.

Judging by the most recent Q, the company’s Asian business is not performing quite so well at this point and Vegas operations are bringing in more money. However, costs are increasing at a much higher rate than sales. Consequently, KeyBanc Capital Mkts downgraded shares from “Hold” to “Overweight” on 5/1/08.

In the private sector, Tropicana Entertainment recently filed for bankruptcy. The company currently owns the famous Tropicana Casino in Las Vegas as well as 8 others across the country.

“MGM Mirage outlook cut to stable; ‘BB’ rating affirmed – S&P”

Creditcorp: A Great Play on Peru’s Growth

One investment idea that I like in the same relative price range as LVS is CREDICORP LTD (NYSE: BAP), Peru’s largest financial services company. I’m patriotic, sure, but sometimes you have to look outside of the U.S. for growth in these trying times.

Since I mentioned the company on April 10, the stock is up about $4.50 to $80.89. Not a bad little return. However, despite posting a 125% year-over-year revenue increase ($179M) shares were recently downgraded by Citigroup (3/07). They have been wrong before. We actually saw a 52-week high of $84.64 on 5/7 and are still trading far higher that the $72.56 we saw at the close of that day.

JP Morgan has also recently downgraded their opinion, from from overweight to neutral (5/8). Regardless of the recent negative shift in analyst opinion, I still like the stock over the longer term, say 6-12 months. After a green finish on Friday, the stock appears to be shrugging off another downgrade and showing promise for a move higher next week.

While shares trade at a relatively high price in comparison to more established peers including Unibanco (NYSE: UBB), Peru is an emerging market worth examining closely, and BAP is the country’s biggest financial services company. Fitch Ratings, a leading independent global rating agency, recently upgraded Peru’s long-term foreign currency issuer default rating to BBB-, investment grade, from BB+, citing strong improvement in fiscal and external solvency ratios.

Peru’s economy grew by about 7.5% in 2007 and is set to expand by about 6.3% this year. The past five years have seen average year-over-year economic growth of roughly 5%. The country is also busting at the seams with natural resources including: natural gas, lead, copper, zinc, silver, gold, iron ore and coal. The middle class is “movin on up” and finally becoming qualified for loans which they pay back religiously.

At this point in time I believe only about 1% of the company’s loans are past due. In stark comparison, Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) wrote down $1.9B on bad debt during the first quarter. BAC also set aside another $6B for loan and credit losses, almost double the $3.3 allocated in Q4. All in all, BAP is a very timely investment opportunity given the current economical and political climate in the country.

“Peru’s Born-Again Free Marketeer”

In the $80 range, I’d rather speculate on the growth of the Peruvian banking system than gamble on the turnaround of the Las Vegas casino business.

Did you know that Staph Infections kill more Americans on an annual basis than AIDS?

Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to as “MRSA” is now the most common cause of staph infections. The highly drug resistant bacterium affects more than half a million people in the U.S. alone and is quickly spreading out of its traditional breeding ground – hospitals – and into places like schools, locker rooms, tattoo parlors, and restaurants.

Infection Driving Demand

Recent Staph-related deaths have been well-documented by the media and are leading to heightened consumer awareness surrounding the dangers of the deadly bacteria. They have also driven increased demand for capable cleaning products.

Unfortunately, the majority of current topical cleaning solutions on the market today are comprised of either chemical or alcohol-based formulations. In addition to the obvious dangers associated with the use of hazardous and even ‘low toxic” chemical formulations to eliminate bacteria, alcohol-based products are reported to have a number of significant drawbacks. Skin/eye damage, corrosion to various surfaces, ineffectiveness due to rapid evaporation and public health risks are a few.

In response to the growing need for a “Green” topical cleaning product tough enough to tackle even the world’s nastiest bacteria, Proton Laboratories (OTCBB: PLBIE) has developed an electrolyzed water formulation that has been successfully proven to drastically reduce MRSA on hard surfaces by a world renowned third party.

The Green Solution To Staph Infection

Proton has taken a simple but well-established process of electrolytic ion separation, added new thinking to the process, and re-engineered the structure of water so that it is low in pH and high in oxidation-reduction. Thus yielding a powerful medium that can be used as a:

1. Communicable disease control medium for health care environments where staph infections through MRSA and MRSE;
2. Disinfecting solution for industries that requires a clean and safe work environment; and
   
3. A highly efficacious, safe and healing assisting medium for various aspects of wound care.

The technology, once mass produced, can be applied across a variety of potential application environments including: Home & Office, Personal and Commercial.

Don’t Forget To Wash Your Hands!

The number one MRSA prevention method as identified by the CDC is “Wash your hands. Use soap and water or an alcohol-base hand sanitizer”.

Public perception has changed. No longer are hand sanitizers only used in medical facilities. They are now ubiquitous and found everywhere from From Chick-Fil-A to your local health club. According to ACNielson, U.S. hand sanitizer sales grew by double digits from 2003 to 2007. While the market remains dominated by the Purell Brand with nearly $40M in 2006 sales, the many downfalls of alcohol-based products are driving demand for “greener” products.

You’re not gonna drink that, are ya? The simple fact is this. If you chose to ingest enough of your typical alcohol-based hand sanitizer, you could eventually get drunk. From what I’ve read, leading brands contain between 60% and 70% alcohol, about twelve times more than a single beer!

While amusing for felons, there have also been reports on increased child poisonings related to the consumption of hand sanitizers. In addition, The American Association of Poison Control Centers has reported that the country’s 61 poison centers reported 12,000 related cases in 2006.

Global Leader in Healthcare Product Testing Gives “Thumbs Up”

Today’s new release announces that Hill Top Research recently conducted a successful efficacy test of the company’s electrolyzed water on MRSA, ATCC 6538 (Methicillin Resistant Staphylacoccusaureus). With more than 60 years of experience, Hill Top is the self-proclaimed “worldwide leader in clinical research for personal care and health care products”.

Independent verification by such as highly-esteemed source provides the company with high level of credibility and confidence that its product is a winner. Proton now aspires to market the electrolyzed water as an off-the-shelf consumer spray product that can be used in the reduction to MRSA ATCC 6538 levels.

Proton Labs plans to contract manufacturing capabilities for the product by Q4 2008. So, the next few months could get very interesting indeed if the company keeps the public abreast of developments in that regard.

Proton Laboratories may in fact hold the key to a green solution for the world’s staph infection problem. As consumers worldwide increasingly arm themselves with products designed to fend off problems including staph infections, salmonella, listeria and E.coli, cleaning formulations that are both non-toxic and non alcohol-based, such as those offered by Proton should be in high demand.

With the stock trading right around its historical low, we feel that now is a great time to take a deeper look into the company given its recent achievements and future potential.

This week could prove to be a pivotal one for the folks at Marmion Industries Corporation (OTCBB: MMIO).

Corporate executives are reportedly attending world’s largest offshore oil technology conference in conjunction with their first ever major advertising campaign. Marmion is currently running an ad for its new Stallion product line in Offshore Magazine, which is being given away to each of the estimated +70,000 attendees.

The gathering should present an ideal networking opportunity for the company and a chance to garner increased brand recognition in the petrochemical industry. With a new, larger manufacturing facility being built, MMIO appears eager to pursue new business and prepare to take advantage of its expanded capabilities.

Shares are up 12.5% to $.0135 as of 11:49 EST today on volume of 1.4M.

It will be very interesting to see if we test $.015 in the coming hours. Another surge of high volume like we saw earlier this morning could push the stock higher, but trading in the stock has slowed a bit.

Interest in MMIO is surely growing throughout the micro-cap market as positive news continues to flow.

Given the current activity of the stock, those still potentially holding shares from March’s 52-week lows will be closely evaluating their investments in the very near future, if they have not already, and deciding what to do with their positions.

Will they take a healthy profit in the sub .015 range, or hang on for a push higher? I’ll be watching closely over the next few hours.