While Bob Guccione's publishing business is not in danger of closing its doors, it is being drained financially by his expensive ventures outside publishing. For example, D. H. Blair & Co. Inc. has had trouble interesting the investment community in purchasing one million units of International Fusion Energy Systems Co. Inc. (INESCO), Guccione's costly, visionary fusion energy company. According to Guccione, he is laying out $12 million-$13 million annually for nonproductive investments. This cash drain has stalled a variety of other projects, including: 1. motion pictures, 2. a direct-broadcast adult television channel, and 3. a research effort in genetic engineering. An increase in the cover price allows Penthouse magazine to continue generating a profit of about $20 million annually. Circulation, however, was down to 3.2 million in June 1984 from its 4.7 million peak in the 1970s.
Guccione's Other Plans Shepherd, William G., Jr.. Venture. New York: Nov 1984. Vol. 6, Iss. 11; pg. 86, 5 pgs Randy
