TaylorMade Soars As Rest Of Golf Industry Swoons

Alex Morris submits: On Friday, July 30, Fortune Brands (FO) released earnings for the second quarter of 2010.

After a brief career in TV, ex-NFL player Tiki Barber is going into the business world. He co-founded a company called Thuzio — a booking website where normal people can hire current and former athletes for a wide variety of purposes.

War is hell – except for reality shows. Americans may be exhausted by the real wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. But we unwind with no fewer than 17 reality shows with "wars" in their titles. They depict so-called wars waged over whiskers, parking spots and cupcakes.

The entire premise of the JC Penney (JCP) turnaround effort, led by former Target and Apple executive Ron Johnson, has been to do away with sales and just give consumers everyday low prices, a la Wal-Mart (WMT) and Target (TGT). That all sounds well and good, unless you actually learn anything about the core JCP shopper, who comes to the store for bargains. Sure, a $50 shirt that sold everyday at 60% off really is not a $50 shirt.

Thanks to the performances of wunderkinds the likes of Rory McIlroy, the game of golf is no longer relegated to wheeling and dealing executives or retirees.

Alex Morris submits: With the recent news of an 11% position in Fortune Brands (FO), Bill Ackman of Pershing Square Capital Management has created a slight buzz in the golf industry. As a result of rumors regarding the possible split of Fortune Brands into three business units (distilled spirits, golf, and home & security products), there is speculation about the possible Acushnet unit.

Authored by Lars Seier Christensen, CEO Saxo Bank via his blog, The real problem is not Cyprus, it is the Euro. After a few disturbing weeks, I would like to wrap up my comments on Cyprus and, hopefully, turn to other issues going forward. It is astonishing that a EUR 10 billion bailout can keep the world spellbound for so long. But then again, while the amount is not staggering, some of the implications are mind-blowing.

In honor of Mother's Day, we're honoring the Mothers of Tech. These women are not only moms, but are also leaders in the tech industry. They prove that you don't have to choose between a family and fabulous career, you can have it all. Let them be an inspiration to other women, and to men, too.