Pat Mauro
President
Patrick Mauro Investment Advisor Inc.
Oak Brook, IL

Stock Picks 4-14-08

Wm, Wrigley Jr. Company (WWY-NYSE) April 11 Closing $61.97

A) Chicago, IL based gum and Confectionery Company. Wrigley ranks as the largest gum company in the world and is the fourth largest confectionery company overall.

B) The company has doubled sales and earnings since 2000, and believes it can sustain a long term growth rate of 10%. S&P ranks Wrigley highest when combining, growth, stability, and dividends.

C) Almost one half of business is concentrated in China, Russia, India and the United States. About 175 countries account for the remainder.

D) Last summer, the company introduced a new brand in the U.S. Called "5." It is off to a very promising start with an almost six per cent share of market. New gum flavors are also being introduced.

A) Company operates as a master limited partnership with headquarters in Dallas, TX.

B) The primary business of ETP is the gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas. About 10% of its revenues are derived from the distribution of propane.

C) S&P estimates ETP will pay a $3.48 distribution in 2008 yielding 7.20%. Zack's investment research maintains that ETP can sustain a 10% growth in distributions annually.

D) ETP enjoys a BBB S&P credit rating. Just last month the company issued over $1.5 billion in intermediate and long term debt with ease into a very difficult credit market. The 30 year note for example yielded less than 3% over an equivalent U.S, Treasury bond.