Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) the world's largest retailer said the U.S. economy is playing a critical factor in 2008 and the stock is down 2% and falling. Stocks are taking a hit today and down the ship goes.

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Yesterday shares of Nautilus, Inc. (NYSE:NLS) jumped 31% to $6.77 on volume of 1 million shares shares, more than 3 times their daily average over the past 30 days. This all happens a week later after the earnings call on May 5th?  What, what, what!??

Fellow Masters, passing on a great article from OldSchoolValue.com on a company called AeroGrow International, Inc. (NASDAQ:AERO) that trades for $2.67 a share. Their AeroGarden that grows plants using just air and water is amazing, but can it get the backing from Wall Street? 

Wow, bold move here. Tony Wible of Citi Investment Research said the potential Blockbuster Inc.'s (NYSE:BBI) acquisition of Circuit City (NYSE:CC) deal could provide BBI with increased revenue and cost savings. He estimates the transaction could lift the value of Blockbuster's stock to nearly $11, which would be a 287% gain from today's BBI price.

Today Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc (NYSE:BBW) is down 9% and shares are getting closer to a new low, hanging out around $9 a share. Bad news has driven this stock down 68% over the last year and if you're hoping to catch a rebound, better think again.

Circuit City Stores, Inc. (NYSE:CC) goes down for the count.  On Friday they announced it would open its books to Blockbuster Inc. and Blockbuster's largest shareholder, Carl Icahn. So short term investors playing the stock, its time to bail.

Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE:S) shares have recovered 43% in the last month and the Street is looking for more good news come Tuesday. Now Sprint is teaming up with Clearwire (CLWR) and merger rumors with Deutsche Telekom have picked up interest again this week.  So Masters, how to play the earnings call, walk away or run to it?

The Metal Industry has been on fire and with the unstoppable world wide demand for metal, there appears more room to gain for the best players.  The developing Nations need metal, and we've got your Heavy Metal Index in time for the weekend, Rock On.

When will oil stop heading up and will we have to pay $5 or $6 a gallon for gas at the pump?  There's only one way to offset the costs of oil and gas for Joe Consumer, buy shares of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM). Take part in the soon to be record profits for the world's largest company on a market capitalization basis.