A Case For Lower Volatility: Consumer Stocks

http://seekingalpha.com/article/2568145-a-case-for-lower-volatility-consumer-stocks

A review of five consumer stocks with high margins, low betas and steady dividends.

Why I like PepsiCo better than Coca-Cola.

Consumer stocks may minimize the damage in a downturn in equities.

The Economists Are Wrong: Rail Traffic Indicates GDP Growing Faster Than They Think

http://seekingalpha.com/instablog/9857091-michael-hooper/3349445-record-setting-rail-traffic-shows-economy-growing-faster-than-economists-think

Record Setting Rail Traffic Shows Economy Growing Faster Than Economists Think 

U.S. railroad traffic in third quarter 2014 set records that lead me to believe Gross Domestic Product will rise higher than economists predict.

Last month, a survey of leading economists lowered their forecast for GDP growth to 3.0% from 3.1%.

I expect third quarter GDP to grow 4% to 4.5% due to record setting demand for intermodal freight, which is primarily the goods that trade in stores and businesses. 

How Likely Is A Merger Between CSX and Canadian Pacific?

http://seekingalpha.com/article/2559725-how-likely-is-a-merger-between-csx-and-canadian-pacific

E. Hunter Harrison, CEO of Canadian Pacific, wants to merge with CSX Transportation and acquire two Chicago switching companies.

A look back on the Surface Transportation Board's handling of proposed merger of BNSF Railway and Canadian National Railway. Why the deal fell apart.

CSX is growing flow of intermodal containers and trailers.

Why I'm Long Canadian Pacific Railway

http://seekingalpha.com/article/2550345-why-im-long-canadian-pacific-railway

Summary

Canadian Pacific Earnings Will Double in Four Years.
Management Improves Operating Ratio.
CP is a Transcontinental Railroad With Penetration in U.S. Markets.CP Hauls Record Grain Harvest.

Railroads Set To Deliver Record Third-Quarter Profits Amid Customer Complaints

http://seekingalpha.com/article/2535715-railroads-set-to-deliver-record-third-quarter-profits-amid-customer-complaints

Record Corn Harvest Will Challenge Railroads

http://seekingalpha.com/article/2518325-record-corn-harvest-will-challenge-railroads

Summary

• Oil and grain are increasing rail congestion in the Dakotas.
• Some rail stocks are up 30% YTD. Are they overvalued?
• Union Pacific and Canadian National Railway have the highest returns on invested capital.

In Demand: Massive Quantities of Craft Beer

http://seekingalpha.com/instablog/9857091-michael-hooper/3257975-in-demand-massive-quantities-of-craft-beer

Craft brewers like Boston Beer (NYSE:SAM) and Sierra Nevada can't brew beer fast enough to meet the growing demand for better-quality, richer-content, higher-alcohol beer. This trend is picking up pace as the economy improves and more consumers feel they can afford to pay for better beer.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale quickly disappears off the shelf at my local retailer, Fleming Place Wine & Spirits, Topeka Kan. The 12-pack cans of Sierra Nevada Pale were sold out yesterday and won't be available for another two weeks, the seller says.

Another popular beer that gets sold out at this time of year is Boston Beer Octoberfest; every autumn customers look for this seasonal beer as temperatures cool and consumers want that extra spicy flavor that comes with this beer.

It's obvious. There is a craft brewing sensation developing across the country as you see local brewers taking market share from the beer giants.