If you're feeling good about the market, you're not alone. Take my hand as we go over some of this week's more uplifting headlines.
1. Chinese wedding season is here
You didn't think that Apple
The world's most valuable tech company is finally moving aggressively to return money to its shareholders through a quarterly dividend of $2.65 a share. A $10 billion repurchase will take place in fiscal 2013. All told, Apple's earmarking $45 billion over the next three years returned to shareowners.
That may seem like a lot, but in reality Apple will probably have even more than $97.6 billion on its books by the time it's done.
The rich get richer, my friends.
2. Green soda
SodaStream's
The Israeli company behind the leading home-based soda-making system is teaming up with an agroforestry resource center to launch Replant the Planet. SodaStream will plant 10 trees in Brazil for every purchase of its limited edition Rethink Your Soda line of still-water carbonation systems.
SodaStream may not seem like an eco play, but what do you think happens when you replace bottled and canned pop with home-fizzed beverages? The counter on SodaStream's website shows that nearly 1.7 billion bottles and cans have been saved because of the system.
Obviously every owner of a SodaStream isn't concerned about the environment. Some flock to the platform because it's cheaper and more convenient than brand soda. Parents turn to SodaStream because its non-diet flavors are far healthier than store-bought pop.
As long as SodaStream keeps appealing to several different groups with different hooks, the company's healthy growth will continue.
3. Netflix stages a Hostel takeover
Series by series, Netflix
The video service provider announced that it will offer Hemlock Grove -- a 13-episode horror series by Hostel mastermind Eli Roth -- to its streaming accounts early next year.
It's too early to tell if the Netflix-exclusive show will be a hit, but it comes on the heels of this year's Lilyhammer and this summer's House of Cards. It also has the highly anticipated fourth season of Arrested Development as a digital revival slated for next year.
After a sharp dip in subscribers during last year's third quarter, Netflix began to grow its streaming accounts again during the fourth quarter. As Netflix follows HBO and Showtime in stocking up on original programming, you can expect not only accounts to grow but possibly granting Netflix the flexibility to eventually raise its prices to the level of what Showtime and HBO are charging.
4. Buying leads the smart way
Amazon.com
It's a brilliant strategy. Amazon now has a million leads, and it probably won't lose money on the promotion as shoppers likely buy far more than the $10 on the gift card codes.
Yes, Amazon is a significant investor in LivingSocial, the second largest player in this booming niche. However, it's also important to be out for itself in promoting its homegrown effort.
5. Room with a Vue
Shares of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
Starbucks brews will be available as Vue packs for the high-end single-serve coffeemaker in the fall.
Green Mountain took a hit earlier this month when Starbucks revealed that it will be putting out a single-serve espresso maker that also makes traditional coffee.
This is a win-win deal. Green Mountain gets to offer the marquee brand in premium java for its Keurig Vue machines. Starbucks also has something to fall back on in case its espresso system fails to catch on.
Cool beans.
Keep it coming
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