Profit from Population Growth: 7 Billion People on Earth

You may have seen the most recent headline that the World Population is now 7 Billion Human Individuals.

Can we profit from this?

1. Water Infrastructure:
   
   Water Infrastructure will be needed to support the growing population.
   You can play this with the PowerShares Global Water Portfolio ETF (PIO) or the Powershares Water Resources ETF (PHO). Individual company names can include companies such as Tetra Tech (TTEK).
   
   
2. Agriculture
   
   The growing population will require more food and more efficient food. You can play this with companies such as Monsanto (MON), the Bio-engineering stock of agriculture. Monsanto even has drought resistant crops, and can also be a play on Global Warming / Climate Change.
   
   Or, you can invest in companies such as Potash (POT), a fertilizer company.
   
   ETFs include Powershare's Global Agriculture ETF (PAGG).
   
   
3. Infrastructure
   
   Infrastructure will need to support the growing population, and there may be more urbanization in the future.
   
   There are many infrastructure companies out there such Siemens (SI), General Electric (GE), and ABB Ltd (ABB)
   
   
4. Environmental Cleanup and Waste
   
   More people means more waste and more industrial waste.
   
   Companies in this sector include Waste Management (WM), Clean Harbors (CLH), and U.S. Ecology (ECOL).
   
   

French Utility companies Suez and Gaz De France (GAZ.PA) Merge Creating Europe's 2nd Largest Electricity and Gas Group

French Utility Companies Suez (formerly SZEZY) and Gaz De France (GAZ.PA in France) have merged to form Europe's 2nd largest Electricity and Gas Group. French Nuclear Power Group EDF (EDF.PA) is the first.

The new company is GDF Suez (GDFZY.pk is the United States ADR).

Suez had been known as a good French Utility with good exposure to Water and Waste Management. However, the merger agreement says there will be a spinoff of 65 percent of Suez's water and waste management arm through a market listing.

With the merger, Eruope's natural gas sector will be firmly dominated by a handful of players including Gazprom of Russia, E.ON of Germany, Eni of Italy, Gasunie of the Netherlands and Norsk-Hydro of Norway.

The longer term stock chart of the original GAZ.PA looks good as the stock has gone steadily up since the 2005 IPO. The stock as of July 30, 2008, is also above the 200 day moving average.

Water, Energy, and Minerals with Layne Christensen (LAYN)

Today, on Mad Money, Jim Cramer seems to have offered no opinion on Layne Christensen (LAYN). While it may initially sound like a retailer, Layne Christensen is really a good $1 Billion industrial company.

Layne Christensen (LAYN) provides drilling and construction services for:
1. Water and Wastewater Infrastructure (largest part of the business)
2. Mineral Exploration (2nd largest part of the business)
3. Energy
4. Other

All sectors are in bull market mode. Water and water infrastructure is a critical need in the US and around the world. Some people consider water to be the next Oil.

Mineral Exploration is also very important. Basic minerals are important to help global growth. The same situation occurs with energy.

Layne Christensen (LAYN) has a forward PE of 26, 5 year estimated growth of 31% for a very cheap 0.83 PEG ratio (under 1 is very cheap).

Stock is very strong, and has reached its 52 week high.

Recently, however, the company announced that it may be selling $172 Million worth of shares. Having more shares in the market dilutes the value of each share.

Maybe, after more research, you should consider Layne Christensen (LAYN) on a pullback or after all the extra shares are offered on the market.