Online business news provider TheStreet.com has proven that selling content online can be a viable profitable business. The New York-based company known for its founder and stock pundit Jim Cramer has turned a profit during the last two years and has even distributed a three-cent dividend the past four quarters. With online advertising on the rise and subscription for its various editorial products looking positive, the future only looks bright for the company as it has gone from survival mode during its early years to a predatory posture today. TheStreet's new aggressive strategy to expand is highlighted with the Monday, March 26, hiring of Steven Elkes as its first chief revenue officer and executive vice president of mergers and acquisitions. This means TheStreet will likely be on the prowl for deals likely to beef up and complement its editorial content. The company made a shrewd move in 2005 adding Weiss Ratings, which provides stock ratings to more than 6,000 companies. Rumors have swirled in the past that TheStreet was interested in adding a print component to its editorial lineup. That would certainly be a viable direction for TheStreet, providing a channel to garner more advertising dollars. But, at the same time, it would have to be for the right price. Print publications are labor-intensive and TheStreet obviously does not want to get involved in an investment that shows no prospect for positive results. Case in point: its three-year investment in Independent Research Group, its former securities research and brokerage arm. TheStreet shuttered the 40-person operation in 2005 after it showed lackluster earnings.— Gerald Magpily
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