The Neo-Market Report

Yet again, the time has come to drop in on Neopia's leading market watchers. Visiting our hosts this week will be Skeith Bodyguards CEO Butch Skeithness, who'll be here to discuss the budding future of the security industry. And now, here are Neil and Maria…

KAUVUTO: Hello and welcome to this week's edition of The Neomarket Report. I am your host Neil Kauvuto, Financial Editor of The Neopian Times, and as always I'm joined by the lovely Maria Blumaroono, who comes to us today from the floor of the exchange. Maria, what's the latest word?

BLUMAROONO: Well Neil, despite the fact that activity picked up this week, the Neodaq continues to sit at forty-three, as large gains by Bob's Big Bonus Bingo and Böda Furnishings were offset by the complete collapse of Korbat Cricket Supplies. After last week's phenomenal eighteen-point jump, it was learned that nearly all of the wood being used for this quarter's cricket bats had been infested with NeoMites. So, instead of the handsome profits that the company had anticipated, it now looks like KBAT will be operating in the red for at least the next quarter. When asked about the situation, company President Kobey Cortenn declined to comment, saying only "You saw what happened to our bats, how do you think I feel?"

KAUVUTO: On the other hand, as Maria mentioned, there were a couple of companies posting profits. Leading the way was Bob's Big Bonus Bingo, which saw share values jump a whopping seventeen points, thanks to a report showing that their Year 3 earnings for the second quarter were up twenty-five percent over last year's totals. Also making an impressive showing this week was Böda Furnishings, which received some clutch last minute financing, which should allow them to recover from that fire two weeks ago. Apparently, investors feel like this loan will allow Böda to get back on their feet, as they sent the stock price soaring with a twelve-point jump.

BLUMAROONO: Our guest today also had a good week, as shares of his company Skeith Bodyguards rose a pleasant six points in this week's heavy trading. Joining us is the CEO of Skeith Bodyguards, Mr. Butch Skeithness. Butch, glad to have you drop in.

BUTCH: Thanks, Maria. I have to say that I read the Neopian Times every week, and your market report is always my favourite section… next to the comics, of course!

BLUMAROONO: Well, it's hard to compete with that Jubjub from The Neopian Laugh… that guy's a hoot! But we try…anyhow, we've seen investors take a liking to your company; could you tell us why the security industry is booming right now?

BUTCH: I think one of the biggest factors in the rise of private security is the growing disparity between the rich and the poor in Neopia—every week in The Neopian Times, you hear rich and poor Neopians going back and forth. Well, what's happened is basically two things. First, the rich Neopians feel like a target; with cheaters and scammers out there trying to hustle them out of their hard earned items and NPs, they're looking to companies such as ours to protect them. Second, a lot of poorer Neopians are growing increasingly desperate…when they go into a shop and see something that they want but can't afford to buy, it ends up creating a lot of resentment and hostility. So, in awkward situations like this, shops look to our security experts to take care of the situation with as little hassle as possible.

BLUMAROONO: Hopefully, services such as those provided by Skeith Bodyguards will keep the shops of Neopia free from crime.

BUTCH: Well, that's what we're counting on…

KAUVUTO: That's about all the time we have this week. For Maria Blumaroono and Butch Skeithness, this is Neil Kauvuto saying thank you and so long….