Proof World Is Coming To An End

[WildKat]

Tough times for porn, booze
Even sin isn't secure anymore. Gambling, sex, cigarettes and alcohol are among the supposedly recession-proof businesses hit hard by the economic downturn.

[Related content: stocks, entertainment, consumer goods, Altria, Michael Brush]
By Michael Brush
MSN Money
In this economy, even the wages of sin aren't what they used to be.

Market lore says people keep spending on sex, booze, butts and slots in hard times, no matter what. Sin is supposedly recession-proof.

But the widespread weakness among so-called sin stocks suggests the downturn has converted a lot of sinners into saints.

Playboy Enterprises (PLA, news, msgs) stock is down about 80% in the past year, twice the 40% decline of the S&P 500 Index ($INX). Casino operator Las Vegas Sands (LVS, news, msgs) is down more than 90%. And alcohol stocks such as Diageo (DEO, news, msgs) and Constellation Brands (STZ, news, msgs) have done little better than the market.

The Vice Fund (VICEX), which invests in many of these industries, hasn't done any better that the S&P 500 over the past year. A gaming and casino fund run by Ladenburg Thalmann closed in December.

All of this suggests Hustler publisher Larry Flynt might not have been kidding after all earlier this month when he asked Washington for a $5 billion "stimulus" package for the porn industry. Strippers, card dealers and bartenders are hurting just like, well, Wall Street bankers.

Still smoking and drinking
Satan isn't on the mat just yet, though. A close peep into these industries reveals:

People are cutting back on porn, strippers and gambling.

They're spending about as much as ever on booze and cigarettes, though drinkers may be trading down to the cheaper stuff.

[mrwho]

i'm sure porn is hurt by the internet more then anything..dunno about booze and cigs as my group of friends still spend a fortune on booze every week...

[Pigeon]

Casinos...what recession?

[chillin0887]

strippers? bullshit... i havent cut back at all.. i still visit "the mens club" everyyyyyyy monday night!

[uva3021]

strip clubs transcend the economy

capitalism and naked chics, such genius

[WildKat]

Originally Posted by chillin0887

strippers? bullshit... i havent cut back at all.. i still visit "the mens club" everyyyyyyy monday night!

thats the spirit!

[Bronson7]

Strippers make 120,000 a year, fuk me. I still go, but i make sure i get my moneys worth. They usually say no sucking all licking, well whos paying here baby.

[dave nz]

Its funny how outside the clubs u can often tell chicks are strippers, least I can.

[Bronson7]

Originally Posted by dave nz

Its funny how outside the clubs u can often tell chicks are strippers, least I can.

Sifting through the trash cans. Only in America though.

[iggs111]

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/play...p/?cl=11759882

lol, pacemaker sales up 33%

[Windy City Irish]

seeing the title of this thread and Wildkat's name attached to it I thought he had quit drinking

[WildKat]

Originally Posted by Windy City Irish

seeing the title of this thread and Wildkat's name attached to it I thought he had quit drinking

[SSHudder]

Never heard of the Vice Fund (VICEX) but sounds like it might be worth looking into. Afterall, even recessions run their course ... booze and ass seem eternal.

[be47320]

Originally Posted by Windy City Irish

seeing the title of this thread and Wildkat's name attached to it I thought he had quit drinking

i thought it was going to say rev got laid.

[RanPicks]

Originally Posted by be47320

i thought it was going to say rev got laid.

or BP gave up saying GFYM...