Cash America International, Inc. (CSH)

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2009/11/09/pawn-lenders-looking-more-like-kings.aspx

Good PE and PEG ratios on a small cap no less. Unique industry to play. Should find more buyers than sellers going forward.

More people are using the pawn services of CSH because they need cash for monthly bills that their stagnant paychecks don't cover. Even if legislation progresses to limit APR on consumer loans, it will take until the next session of Congress to enact, if then.

EMA Cross

Low relative PE, good star ranking, PEG & 09 PE still below normal - bottom fishing 4/20 picks.

One of the most prominent and heavily involved companies in this sector, they've done their research and have invested in online lending much earlier than their competition. Despite industry wide pessimisim and regulatory onslaught, their diversification into pawn shops as well as cash advance retail shops will keep them going strong as the consumer need for sub-prime finace continues to swell.

Down 40% in a month. This is essentially a bank for the poor - whose numbers will increase. Reasonable debt level, small dividend. Seems like a growth business in these times.

Pawn shop??

Change is coming.....this one is going nowhere but down. Local elections wont matter as much because I know that Mr. O will not take kindly to pawn shops. Earnings seem good for now though.

It may seem immoral to bet on tragedy, but people are going to be pawning and paycheck loaning more than ever in the coming year.

Job losses will mount, people will need cash, and they'll find some of it by pawning their stuff, and taking short-term cash advances.

Also can't hurt to have a bunch of gold (jewellry) in their hands.

With this economy people are needing cash. It is more difficult to get loans, so these type of shops will see more use and sales should grow.

Poor man's Bank looks good for awhile

Low P/E and a bad economic environment are good omens for this company.

May be subject to the ire of a crusading AG or Congressman, however.

Recession period, people are more likely to have finanical problem. Pawn shop business will grow.

one of the oldest trade in books
gambling, postitution and pawnshops

This is the "mcdonalds" of pawn brokers as stated in Kiplinger's Magazines' last issue. It is a pawn broker, a cash checking server, paycheck advances and even loans via internet. It is well positioned along the border of US/Mexico to take advantage of those sending money home to family. It may be a distasteful business, but it is making money and will continue to do so as the economy weakens.

Stock picking software. I expect these to come out on top of 2008 with decent return. No steller performance, but better than cash in savings.

falling economy!