So, after doing a little research, I'm buying into two new stocks today.

TCHC (Century 21st Insurance) - a small time insurer who was doing very well until the hurricanes and industry regulation hit Florida.  They may be on track to rebound... Here's some good reading: http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080115/20080115005838.html?.v=1 This stock may be a bit more speculative than I normally buy into...but I don't see much downside at current levels ($11.60ish).  Volume is usually less than 100,000 on this one.

 TTWO (Take Two Interactive) - I'm buying at $15.60ish, which is more than I would normally pay for this stock.  However, there are rumors that Viacom may be wanting to buy out Take Two at $21 a share.  This is a rumor, so I shouldn't put too much stock in it, but with EA buying Bioware-Pandemic and Blizzard merging with Activision in recent months, this one could be very true.  Here are a couple of links for good reading.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/63383-rumor-viacom-looking-at-take-two-interactive/

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/rumor-viacom-bidding-1-5-billion-to-takeover-take-two/

Besides, when Grand Theft Auto IV comes out, Take Two is going to skyrocket anyway. 

These are riskery plays than I've been playing, but I feel like TCHC is going to do ok on earnings in a few days, and I don't see the downside (potential losses) as drastic.  In other words, much more potential upside than potential downside.

Take Two is speculative, but as a gamer, I know that mergers have been the "in" thing lately, and I know that Take Two has had loads of problems in the last year or so.  A merger with Viacom sounds reasonable.  (and like I said, with GTAIV coming out, it's gonna pop in a month or two anyway). 

I like the gaming Idea. However the Insurance (TCHC) with a book value of $9.63, is bottom fishing. I tried that with ABR and considered buying back in at $15, their book value is 23.40. And if you include the unreported gains, they own many properties free and clear, it is closer to $30. The problem is the credit market and commercail real estate will probably take another hit. I am not going to bottom fish in a bear market, unless it is day trading.

You've got a good point there on TCHC.  I got burned the last time that I went bottom fishing (BRLC).  But, I took a look at what has happened to them over the last few years, and felt like they were worth the risk.  TTWO has been a wild ride today.  The shot up 8% after I bought in today, and then dropped back down 6%.   It looks like Viacom denied the buyout rumors as soon as Take Two's stock took off.  However, this has me to thinking... Take Two is undervalued compared to it's competitors, and probably is a decent buyout candidate.  The Seeking Alpha article above made a few good points about why TTWO is a good buyout candidate.  This may be a stock that I accumulate when it goes lower.  Even without the buyout rumors, I still think the stock is a good pick.  I only bought 100 shares, and I may sell those for a profit in the next few days and re-load the boat when it drops. 

-Thanks for the response.

TTWO might be a good speculative play, but speculation is the key word.

 Activision just blew out their quarter today and revised upward for this quarter... I don't know why they werent up more than one percent after hours.  Check out my post on them to see why I like them in general.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080224/electronic_arts_take_two_interactive.html?.v=9

Very, very good speculation. I applaud you sir!  If only I had followed your advise sooner instead of putting it on my "to research" list!