This column is for investors willing to take more risk and potentially receive more reward.  The stocks mentioned in this column are not recommended to buy or sell.  They're brought to your attention so you can investigate them further to determine if they fit your risk profile.  Most of the stocks will have less than $1 billion of market capitalization, have more volatility than other stocks, and oftentimes no earnings.  And some will have tremendous stories.

October 2, 2008 - CKX, Inc. (CKXE-NASDAQ) with its subsidiaries, engages in the ownership, development, and commercial utilization of entertainment content worldwide. It holds rights to the name, image, and likeness of Elvis Presley; the operations of Graceland; the rights to the name, image, and likeness of Muhammad Ali; and proprietary rights to the Idols television brand, including the American Idol series.

In addition, CKX, Inc. is involved in the creation and production of entertainment properties, including American Idol series in the United States and local adaptations of the IDOLS television show format airing in about 100 countries. It also offers television, music, sponsorship and merchandising, touring, and artist management services. Further, the company manages comedic talent and produces motion pictures and television programming. CKX, Inc. was founded in 1986 and is based in New York, New York.

Elvis lives! Or at least his royalties do. Along with Elvis, the undisputed king, the company has the hottest series on television: American Idol. If you like entertainment as an investment, you'll want to know more about CKX, Inc.

First, revenues are growing. In 2006, they were $210.2 million, then went to $266.8 million. Last year they hit $288.1 million. This year, 1 analyst predicts $315.9 million. There is no projection for next year.

Earnings have followed the same path. In 2005, there was a deficit of 35 cents a share. Then in 2006, a profit of 10 cents a share. In 2007, earnings per share (eps) jumped to 23 cents. Last year, they almost doubled to 40 cents. The analyst sees this year at 33 cents with no prediction for 2010. The economy even affects Elvis.

There's lots of cash in the banks. $102 million to be exact. That's also the amount of debt on the books. There's 93 cents a share in cash. Current ratio is 2.56 while Book Value is $2.43. Price to Sales is 1.69. Price to Book is 2.24. Beta is 1.37. The low in the last 52-weeks was $1.55. The high was $10.70 on June 2, 2008. There are 94.16 million shares outstanding with a float of 55.48 million. Insiders own 41% of the stock.

To give you an idea of how extensive the Elvis brand is, there is now an Elvis iPhone and iPod Touch application called Elvis Mobile. To quote from the press release: "Elvis always believed in embracing new technology and this new Elvis Mobile application is another unique way to continue Elvis' legacy," says Scott Williams, EPE Vice President of Marketing. "Elvis has had a commanding online presence for a number of years with elvis.com. With Elvis Mobile on the iPhone and iPod Touch, we're giving fans of the King of Rock 'n' Roll another tool to experience Elvis in a new and interactive way."

"Elvis Mobile" App Features:

• An "Elvis Sightings" section allows fans to submit their Elvis pictures, taken with their iPhone, directly to www.elvis.com from anywhere in the world and simultaneously update their Facebook pages with the same information.
• An "Image" section will be updated weekly and will feature never-before-seen and rare pictures of the life and times of Elvis Presley.
• A "Video" section will be updated periodically with clips of Elvis and special Elvis events/happenings.
• A "News" section features the latest information on all things Elvis from www.elvis.com.
• A "Livecam" section gives fans a real-time look at Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion in Memphis, TN.
• A "Podcast" section allows users to listen to The Graceland Beat from Elvis Radio.

And you thought Elvis was gone.

- Company Web site: www.ckx.com

- Ted Allrich

- Ted Allrich