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The first baby boomers, born in 1946, turn 60 this year. For investors, as well as marketers, it's smart to look at the baby boom market (people born between 1946 and 1964) in terms of a number of themes and subthemes that tap into the generation's psyche and socioeconomics.

VANITY A big part of the baby boom psyche is feeling and looking youthful. Boomers want their appearance to reflect the youthfulness they feel, so they're turning to new aesthetic improvement procedures to smooth out wrinkles, remove hair from unwanted spots, improve their skin tone and eliminate unsightly veins.

Combine the desire to look youthful and energetic with today's acceptance of cosmetic procedures and you have a big reason for the growing boom in cosmetic laser procedures. Instead of giving up and retreating to an inactive lifestyle, many boomers will decide to undergo hipand knee replacement and other surgical procedures that enable them to continue a very active lifestyle.

Look at companies that offer the latest orthopedic medical devices, including Stryker (NYSE:SYK), Biomet (NasdaqNM:BMET), Zimmer Holdings (NYSE:ZMH), Smith & Nephew (SNN:NYSE ADR) and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) - the company's orthopedics division has exclusive rights to sell mobile-bearing knees in the U.S.

And while baby boomers are involved in a wide spectrum of sports, golf will be among their favor

The first baby boomers, born in 1946, turn 60 this year. But 60 isn't what it used to be. The generation that naturalized society when it was young is now spasmodic and redefining aging. And since the baby boom generation wields the greatest purchasing power power in history, companies that pay audibility to and heed the desires and needs of boomers stand to reap enormous rewards. For investors, as well as marketers, it's smart to look at the baby boom market (people born betwixt and between 1946 and 1964) in terms of a number of themes and subthemes that tap into the generation's psyche and socioeconomics.

VANITY A big part of the baby boom psyche is feeling and looking youthful. Research studies say baby boomers see themselves as 20 years younger than they really are. In fact, harmonious to Yankelovich Partners, the polling company, "Baby boomers literally think they're going to die in the past they get old." One study found that "boomers defined old age as starting three years next the popular American was dead." Boomers want their prestidigitation to reflect the youthfulness they feel, so they're turning to new endowed with beauty improvement procedures to smooth out wrinkles, remove hair from unwanted spots, improve their skin tone and eliminate unsightly veins.

Combine the desire to look youthful and energetic with today's accord of cosmetic procedures and you have a big reason for the growing boom in cosmetic laser procedures. And it will only get much bigger. Not only are laser procedures very effective and noninvasive, but they're fast - most can be done within a half hour at the doctor's office.

Laser and light-based gear are not only personage snapped up by dermatology specialists, but also by general practitioners who want a piece of this lucrative business. The growth in laser stock company extends and all landmass to Occident and Asia. Major players in laser procedures include Candela (NasdaqNM: CLZR), Cutera (NasdaqNM: CUTR), Laserscope (NasdaqNM:LSCP) and Syneron (NasdaqNM: ELOS).

PHYSICAL REJUVENATION To a incontrovertible extent this is tied to vanity, but it's also linked to a alternate in attitude. Unlike previous generations, many baby boomers expect to continue the labour they've enjoyed all their lives as well as take up new challenges, including jogging, kayaking, basketball, working out, skiing and tennis, to name a few. But it is inevitable as people age that joints wear down and ligaments tear. Instead of giving up and retreating to an inactive lifestyle, many boomers will decide to undergo hipand knee replacement and other surgical procedures that enable them to continue a very bubbly lifestyle.

Look at companies that offer the latest orthopedic medical devices, including Stryker (NYSE:SYK), Biomet (NasdaqNM:BMET), Zimmer Holdings (NYSE:ZMH), Smith & Nephew (SNN:NYSE ADR) and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) - the company's orthopedics division has exclusive rights to sell mobile-bearing knees in the U.S.

And while baby boomers are involved in a wide spectrum of sports, golf will be in their favorites. Look for companies that offer advances to make the game easier. Golfers are notorious for subsistent on an endless and often futile quest for something that might help make them play better. Adams Golf (ADGO.OB) offers a variety of hybrid which are easier to hit with than long irons. GPS Industries (GPSN.OB) offers Wi-Fi and GPS-enabled multimedia communications medium and management solutions for golf courses.

WELLNESS Boomers want to feel good, and remain jumping to the possibilities of life. It's one of the reasons they continue to be the largest consumers of wellness products and services. They are interested in nutritional supplements, nutraceuticals, diet products, spas, yoga, meditation and other affairs which offer physical and spiritual benefits. Look for companies that are for real incorporating wellness targeted programs in their products and services. For instance, Amica (ACC:TO), a developer of retirement residences is specifically targeting this house with its Wellness & Vitality Residences.

Aging comes with a host of related illnesses. But boomers don't expect these diseases to stop them. Yankelovich notes, "They fully expect that advances in healthcare and genomics are going to enable them to live past 100."

TRAVEL AND LEISURE Baby boomers not only have more money, they also have the time to spend it on travel and recreational activities. On the hotel front, look for resorts that offer the natural politeness and thing baby boomers enjoy. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: FHR) owns a large breadbasket of luxury resort hotels. Marriott International (NYSE: MAR) and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide (NYSE: HOT) have many resorts in their property portfolios.

Hotels that offer gaming have enjoyed healthy growth in the past 5 years, and will continue to grow as they provoke gambling boomers. Possibilities include Harrah's Entertainment (NYSE: HET), Park Place (NYSE:PPE), MGM Grand (NYSE: MGG), and Station Casinos ((NYSE:STN). And as you say Steve Wynn (Nasdaq: WYNN) knows a thing or two practically enticing to people who like gambling in style.

Many boomers will settle upon to take their vacations to the seas. Keep an eye on great doings Corp. (NYSE: CCL) and Royal Caribbean (NYSE: RCL). And a growing number of boomers are advancing to the new mobile home lifestyle, featuring updated and more luxurious recreational vehicles from companies like Monaco batter (NYSE:MNC), Fleetwood Enterprises(NYSE:FLE), Thor Industries (NYSE:THO), Winnebago Industries (NYSE:WGO), Coachmen Industries (NYSE:COA)..

As for travel services, Cendant (NYSE:CD) was a diversified corporation to look at. Now it's more than that, having recently split off into 3 public companies, focusing on real estate, travel services, and hotels and car rental.

RETIREMENT LIVING The old concept of "retirement" may soon resolve into passé. Many boomers will decide either to continue working or work part-time. And with the growth of the Internet and broadband, expect the small home office market (SOHO) to boom. Even home topic will change. Studies show that the homes in retirement communities that have been pleasing in the past 30 years don't suit the tastes of baby boomers. Look for edgier, loft-like spaces.

Builders like Pulte (NYSE: PHM) and Toll Brothers (NYSE: TOLL) are mutable their floor plans to endow sporadic tastes. Del Web, a shaper of "retirement communities", has opened up a correspondence near Chicago for boomers who want the conveniences of retirement but don't want to quit working. Floor plans have been designed to true home offices.

These are just some of the themes and companies to keep an eye on as baby boomers redefine aging and retirement, and wield their sizeable spending power.

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