Watch Super Bowl XLV For Profits (GM, F, SKX, ETFC, BUD, PEP)

Super Bowl Sunday is right around the corner and in addition to watching the game, investors should be watching the commercials... and stock gains.

Benzinga readers have already been offered two ways to play the game. One investing strategy is going long in the companies that provide the greasy, fatty, sugary, and alcoholic products that are usually consumed during the course of the game. The other option is to pay close attention to the commercials and invest in these companies. Either strategy may be a good choice in terms of longer-lasting price increases, rather than what one weekend of increased sales can offer a stock price.

Though the Super Bowl is the biggest advertising event of the year, it has struggled in the previous years. Advertisers have their work cut out for them as simply the presence of a commercial does not necessarily equate to a higher price. Benzinga readers know that average Super Bowl spending was down last year compared to 2009. However, the overall economy has been improving, and perhaps the number will jump up again and make the millions of dollars in advertising worth it to those companies.

However, investors should not simply invest in every company with a Super Bowl advertisement. Cornell University and The Buffalo School of Management studied the Super Bowl's effect on stock price. Researchers found that likeability of the commercials showed an increase in stock price. An irrational incidence? Probably, but if you cannot beat them, it may be profitable to join them.

Companies to watch for this weekend are General Motors (NYSE: GM), Ford (NYSE: F), Skechers USA (NYSE: SKX), E*Trade (NASDAQ: ETFC), Anheuser Busch (NYSE: BUD), and Pepsico (NYSE: PEP).

Neither Benzinga nor its staff recommends that you buy, sell, or hold any security. We do not offer investment advice, personalized or otherwise. Benzinga recommends that you conduct your own due diligence and consult a certified financial professional for personalized advice about your financial situation.