The stock jumped today $3.50 on news that Phil Dolori is being promoted to Group President. Also, Papa John’s announced a deal with Middleby yesterday stating it has made an agreement with Middleby for purchase of energy-efficient ovens that can make pizza in 5-7 minutes and “has the exclusive right through 2008 to purchase the patented oven and has committed to the purchase of 1,500 or more by the end of 2008. The company expects that the oven will be installed, usually two per restaurant, in all 500+ company-owned domestic Papa John’s restaurants by mid-2007 and an additional 250 or more franchised or company-owned Papa John’s restaurants through 2008.” Exciting news for the company, I’m sure.

I just got back from tonight’s Bender Trust meeting (http://www.libor.rutgers.edu/bender.html). Bender Trust is an event held as part of the Little Investment Bankers of Rutgers (LIBOR) organization at my University. The competition, if you will, consists of picking a stock and presenting it to Bender Trust portfolio manager Mr. Francfort, expressing why you think the company is of value. I hear Mr. Francfort likes to tear the participants apart in terms of the questions he asks them, so my group is very motivated to know our pick (Middleby, Nasdaq: MIDD) the best we can. Another thing I noticed was how many of the participants were very well-versed in a multitude of industries trading in the stock market. I realize that my group and I are only freshman where as the rest of the participants are Juniors and Seniors. Nevertheless, I realize that if I really want to know how the market works I am going to have to follow it everyday. So, from now on I will wake up at 8:30am every weekday morning to catch the opening bell and perhaps catch the closing bell if I can. Also, I’ve added many books to my reading list for this summer. These include:

Think and Grow Rich

The Little Book that Beats the Market by Joel Greenblatt

New Venture Creation by Jeffry A. Timmons

Losing my Virginity by Richard Branson

Reads by various authors including:

Buffett

Graham

Ben Franklin

Bill Miller

This blog is devoted to tracking my journey to financial success by way of investing, entreprenurial ventures, and other crazy ideas. I am 18 today, let’s see how far I can advance financially by the age of 19.