BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Sears offering hedge for consumers who lose their job -- good idea?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/03/sears-offering-hedge-for-consumers-who-lose-their-job-good-id/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/03/sears-offering-hedge-for-consumers-who-lose-their-job-good-id/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/03/sears-offering-hedge-for-consumers-who-lose-their-job-good-id/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Sears Holdings (NASDAQ: SHLD), a retailer whose competitive colleagues include Target (NYSE: TGT), Best Buy (NYSE: BBY), and Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), wants to improve its brand equity and find a new path to growth. As such, it's willing to employ all kinds of initiatives, especially ones that will form a nice image with the consumer during this dreadful economic contraction.

According to The Wall Street Journal (subscription required), Sears is trying out a program that offers protection against the risk of investing in an expensive appliance during a time when job security is not as secure as it used to be.

The program will run for a specified time period beginning next week, and the basic gist is this: buy an appliance priced $399 or higher on a Sears credit card and, and if you lose your job, Sears will credit one twelfth of the cost every month. Still no job after one year? Keep the appliance, your debt will be forgiven.

Continue reading Sears offering hedge for consumers who lose their job -- good idea?

Sears offering hedge for consumers who lose their job -- good idea? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appliancesBBYBest Buyfeaturedinthenewsrecessionretailsears holdingsSHLDTargetTGTunemploymentWal-MartWMTFri, 03 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Will Best Buy best the analysts?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/15/will-best-buy-best-the-analysts/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/15/will-best-buy-best-the-analysts/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/15/will-best-buy-best-the-analysts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Best Buy (NYSE: BBY), the electronics mecca that competes with retailers such as Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), Target (NYSE: TGT), Sears (NASDAQ: SHLD), and GameStop (NYSE: GME), will be issuing earnings for the first fiscal quarter on Tuesday, June 16. According to this source, Best Buy will see a decline in net income. Analysts believe that the retailer will do $0.34 per share, which represents a drop of about 20%.

But, according to that same source, Best Buy has beaten the analysts at their game in the last two quarters. If you ask me, I think the company has a good chance of beating the forecast yet again. With all the euphoria in the equities market as of late, and with all the talk about the recession possibly coming to an end late this year, I feel that consumers must have been in a better mood in the most recent quarter. And one would assume a big name like Best Buy would get its share of the traffic.

Continue reading Will Best Buy best the analysts?

Will Best Buy best the analysts? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BBYBest BuyBestBuyearnings previewEarningsPreviewelectronicsGamestopGMEinthenewsretailSearsSHLDTargetTGTWal-MartWMTMon, 15 Jun 2009 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Talbots has troubling first quarter, but beats estimates]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/10/talbots-has-troubling-first-quarter-but-beats-estimates/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/10/talbots-has-troubling-first-quarter-but-beats-estimates/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/10/talbots-has-troubling-first-quarter-but-beats-estimates/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Last time I covered Talbots (NYSE: TLB), I was very bearish. I didn't like the stock's prospects. Since then, it's been up. The retailer, which counts Macy's (NYSE: M) and Ann Taylor (NYSE: ANN) as colleagues, has also seen its stock nearly double since the beginning of the year. But the company is still struggling, as the numbers from the fiscal first quarter clearly show. What am I missing?

Revenues from continuing operations declined 26%. The net loss on an adjusted basis was 23 cents per share. That was worse than last year's results for the similar quarter. Much worse. There was a profit of 42 cents per share at that time. The most dismal aspect of the current quarter can be found in the same-store sales statistic. Comps were simply massacred. They plummeted almost 27%! What a bloodbath.

Continue reading Talbots has troubling first quarter, but beats estimates

Talbots has troubling first quarter, but beats estimates originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fashioninthenewsretailTalbotsTargetTGTTLBWal-MartWMTWed, 10 Jun 2009 08:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Target's same-store sales slide 6.1% in May]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/05/targets-same-store-sales-slide-6-1-in-may/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/05/targets-same-store-sales-slide-6-1-in-may/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/05/targets-same-store-sales-slide-6-1-in-may/#commentsFiled under: ,

Since late last year, retail has been hurt as the recession dug in for the winter and stayed throughout the start of the 2009 summer. Although job loss data for May just in indicates a steep drop (leveling off perhaps?), consumers are still pinching pennies and keeping savings under the proverbial mattress. One of the continuing casualties -- Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT).

The second-largest discount retailer in the U.S. said that same-store sales for May came in at a -6.1% level -- worse than analysts had forecast. Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel indicated sales "were somewhat below our expectations." By comparison, average same-store sales from 32 retailers in May dropped 4.6%, putting Target at a worse-performing range than most.

Continue reading Target's same-store sales slide 6.1% in May

Target's same-store sales slide 6.1% in May originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inthenewsretail salesRetailSalesTarget Corp.Target salesTargetCorp.TargetSalesTGTFri, 05 Jun 2009 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Earth to Bill Ackman: Wait to sell Target real estate]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/02/earth-to-bill-ackman-wait-to-sell-target-real-estate/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/02/earth-to-bill-ackman-wait-to-sell-target-real-estate/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/02/earth-to-bill-ackman-wait-to-sell-target-real-estate/#commentsFiled under:

Hedge fund magnate Bill Ackman of Pershing Square Capital recently had his bid to seat five new directors on the board of Target (NYS: TGT) soundly rejected by shareholders. Management has fought Ackman tooth and nail. Ackman's strategy has been fairly simple. He believes Target should sell off key real estate assets with lease backs for his stores. He also believes Target should, as much as possible, get out of the credit card business by letting a specialist company run that practice. The board has told Big Bill to just buzz off. We are seeing a current Piqqem Sentiment of Target as Neutral with actually not a ton of interest, implying no one sees a big move in the stock coming.

Continue reading Earth to Bill Ackman: Wait to sell Target real estate

Earth to Bill Ackman: Wait to sell Target real estate originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ackmanpershing square capitalPershingSquareCapitalTargetTue, 02 Jun 2009 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Dollar Tree sells cheap items, but it has rich quarter ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/29/dollar-tree-sells-cheap-items-but-it-has-rich-quarter/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/29/dollar-tree-sells-cheap-items-but-it-has-rich-quarter/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/29/dollar-tree-sells-cheap-items-but-it-has-rich-quarter/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Dollar Tree (NASDAQ: DLTR) saw a nice increase in its bottom-line profit. The retailer, which reported earnings for the first quarter earlier this week, said it made 66 cents per share, good for an increase of more than 37%. Revenues increased 14%, and same-store sales went up a whopping 9%. So many retailers would absolutely kill to have that same-store number.

It's no secret why Dollar Tree is thriving. Bad economy plus items-that-sell-for-a-dollar-each equals retail success. Brand equity is important. So is convenience. But a cheap price point oftentimes trumps all.

Continue reading Dollar Tree sells cheap items, but it has rich quarter

Dollar Tree sells cheap items, but it has rich quarter originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 May 2009 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>discount retailersDLTRdollar storesDollar TreeDollarTreefamily dollarFDOinthenewsretailTargetTGTvaluewal-martWMTzac bissonnetteFri, 29 May 2009 09:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Earnings highlights: Home Depot, Target, Sears, Campbell, Deere and more]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/23/earnings-highlights-home-depot-target-sears-campbell-deere/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/23/earnings-highlights-home-depot-target-sears-campbell-deere/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/23/earnings-highlights-home-depot-target-sears-campbell-deere/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Home Depot, Target, Sears, Campbell, Deere and more

Earnings highlights: Home Depot, Target, Sears, Campbell, Deere and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 23 May 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AeropostaleAROAruba NetworksARUNBKEBuckleCampbell SoupCampbellSoupCPBDEDeereearningsGameStopGMEHASTHasting EntertainmentHDHome DepotHot TopicHOTTJim CramerLas Vegas SandsLenovoLOWLowesNetAppNTAPPETMPetSmartSafewaySearsSHLDSWYTargetTGTSat, 23 May 2009 09:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: TGT, SWY, CSIQ, HOTT, MPEL, RIO, CPB, CVD and HGG]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/21/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations-tgt-swy-csiq-ho/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/21/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations-tgt-swy-csiq-ho/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/21/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations-tgt-swy-csiq-ho/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Analyst upgrades:
  • UBS upgraded Target (NYSE: TGT) to Buy from Neutral and raised its price target to $52 from $45 citing reduced inventories, some credit stability, and an improved back-to-school period.
  • Credit Suisse said concerns regarding Safeway's (NYSE: SWY) price position are overblown and that earnings risk is limited. The firm upgraded shares to Outperform from Neutral and raised the target price to $25 from $22.
  • Oppenheimer upgraded Canadian Solar (NASDAQ: CSIQ) to Outperform from Perform as it believes the story is underappreciated following the recent sector rally. The firm has a $14 price target on the stock.
  • CME Group (NASDAQ: CME) was upgraded to buy from Neutral at Goldman.
  • Freeport McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.
  • Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at FTN Equity.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: TGT, SWY, CSIQ, HOTT, MPEL, RIO, CPB, CVD and HGG

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: TGT, SWY, CSIQ, HOTT, MPEL, RIO, CPB, CVD and HGG originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 21 May 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Campbell SoupCampbellSoupCanadian SolarCanadianSolarCICignaCMECME GroupCmeGroupCovanceCPBCSIQCVDFCXfreeport mcmoranFreeportMcmoranGILDGilead SciencesGileadSciencesHGGhhgreggHot TopicHOTTHotTopicMelcoMelco CrownMelcoCrownMPELMT BankMTBMtBankPerrigoPETMPetSmartPRGORIOSafewaySTPsuntechsuntech powerSuntechPowerSWYtargettarget corp.TargetCorp.TellabsTGTTLABValeThu, 21 May 2009 11:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Target beat masks problems]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/20/target-beat-masks-problems/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/20/target-beat-masks-problems/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/20/target-beat-masks-problems/#commentsFiled under: ,

The cheap chic retailer beat the Street handily in its latest earnings numbers. That's no surprise, considering the dismal performance of Target (NYSE: TGT) as compared to peers over the past year. The drugstore that stocks everything nearly destroyed a hedge fund run by legendary investor Bill Ackman designed solely to bet on Target shares. I think Target's rebirth may not be long-lived. Piqqem Sentiment for Target is neutral. Investors may be giddy today but they should consider the obstacles to a full-blown revival.

Here's why. The company's growth in groceries just means more reliance in a notoriously low-margin and fickle consumer environment where they compete with brutal sharks such as Costco and Wal-Mart. Getting into the food biz is nothing to crow about, but that's just what the Target CEO Greg Steinhafel did on the conference call when he said the chain was seeing real gains in food shopping at Target stores.

Continue reading Target beat masks problems

Target beat masks problems originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 20 May 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consumer spendingConsumerSpendinginthenewsretailretailerretailersspending habitsspendinghabitsTargetTGTWed, 20 May 2009 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Kohl's beats expectations, but comps decline -- a buy? ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/14/kohls-beats-expectations-but-comps-decline-a-buy/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/14/kohls-beats-expectations-but-comps-decline-a-buy/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/14/kohls-beats-expectations-but-comps-decline-a-buy/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Kohl's Corporation (NYSE: KSS) reported a not-so-impressive first quarter. It wasn't the worst I've ever seen, but I've seen better, certainly. Net sales were basically flat, and earnings per share dropped four pennies to $0.45.

Yes, that number did beat estimates by the proverbial penny, but the big problem I have with the quarter is the same-store sales performance. Kohl's saw a decline of 4.2% in comps. What does that mean? It means the retailer needs to do a lot of work in terms of attracting customers to its stores. Yes, the recession is a huge problem, and people are turned off by the idea of spending a lot of money on anything. Still, Kohl's must do a better job when it comes to getting people through its doors.

Continue reading Kohl's beats expectations, but comps decline -- a buy?

Kohl's beats expectations, but comps decline -- a buy? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 14 May 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inthenewsKohlsKSSretailTargetTGTwal-martWMTThu, 14 May 2009 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Wal-Mart delivers okay quarter, but comps were cool ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/14/wal-mart-delivers-okay-quarter-but-comps-were-cool/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/14/wal-mart-delivers-okay-quarter-but-comps-were-cool/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/14/wal-mart-delivers-okay-quarter-but-comps-were-cool/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), a retailer that competes with companies such as Target (NYSE: TGT), Sears (NASDAQ: SHLD), and Costco (NASDAQ: COST), issued what I thought was a decent Q1 report. Sales may have been affected by currency effects, but overall, the giant chain seems to be holding up reasonably well.

Revenues dipped 0.6%. The company earned $0.77 per diluted share. No, the bottom line didn't do great in terms of earnings growth. Last year at this time, Wal-Mart made $0.76 per diluted share. That extra penny does not connotate excitement, I can tell you that. But shareholders can comfort themselves by the fact that Wal-Mart came in at the high end of its own guidance. Wall Street analysts pretty much agreed that the business would make about that much.

Continue reading Wal-Mart delivers okay quarter, but comps were cool

Wal-Mart delivers okay quarter, but comps were cool originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 14 May 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Read | Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ben SteinBenSteinCOSTcostcofeaturedretailSearsSHLDTargetTGTWal-MartWMTThu, 14 May 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Target to start stocking fresh food in its stores to revive sales]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/13/target-to-start-stocking-fresh-food-in-its-stores-to-revive-sale/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/13/target-to-start-stocking-fresh-food-in-its-stores-to-revive-sale/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/13/target-to-start-stocking-fresh-food-in-its-stores-to-revive-sale/#commentsFiled under: ,

Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) is looking at every possible way to increase sales and discount store market share this year. Part of that plan will soon be to sell fresh food and products in up to 100 of its normal merchandise stores to supplant sales at its merchandise/grocery SuperTarget locations that already exist.

Continue reading Target to start stocking fresh food in its stores to revive sales

Target to start stocking fresh food in its stores to revive sales originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 13 May 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Food storesFoodStoresgrocery storesGroceryStoresSuperTargetTarget Corp.Target StoresTargetCorp.TargetStoresTGTWed, 13 May 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill Ackman lines up new board against Target's current one]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/12/bill-ackman-lines-up-new-board-against-targets-current-one/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/12/bill-ackman-lines-up-new-board-against-targets-current-one/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/12/bill-ackman-lines-up-new-board-against-targets-current-one/#commentsFiled under: ,

Longtime Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) supporter and share activist Bill Ackman has finally had enough. Not content with Target's board and wishful thinking that the retailer's fortunes will turn around any time soon, Ackman wants to replace at least four board members on Target's board. Ackman says his picks have the needed expertise in retail, credit card operations and real estate.

Continue reading Bill Ackman lines up new board against Target's current one

Bill Ackman lines up new board against Target's current one originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 12 May 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bill AckmanBillAckmaninthenewsTarget Corp.Target managementTarget stockTargetCorp.TargetManagementTargetStockTGTTue, 12 May 2009 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Target thinking about nationwide price-matching program]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/11/target-tgt-thinking-about-nationwide-price-matching-program/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/11/target-tgt-thinking-about-nationwide-price-matching-program/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/11/target-tgt-thinking-about-nationwide-price-matching-program/#commentsFiled under: ,

Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) has woken up and realized that in this day and age, marketing, colors, positioning and everything else comes second hat when discount retail is involved. Larger competitor Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) has taken the lion's share of retail dollars in the last three quarters based on its "Save Money. Live Better" marketing slogan and mode of operation. When pennies are to be pinched, pricing is all that matters.

Continue reading Target thinking about nationwide price-matching program

Target thinking about nationwide price-matching program originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 11 May 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>price matchingPriceMatchingTarget Corp.Target pricesTargetCorp.TargetPricesTGTWal-MartWMTMon, 11 May 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: STT, TGT, PEP, V, WMT ... ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/08/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations-stt-tgt-pep-v/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/08/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations-stt-tgt-pep-v/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/08/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations-stt-tgt-pep-v/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Analyst upgrades:
  • Citigroup upgraded Cooper Industries (NYSE: CBE) to Hold from Sell to reflect improving macro indicators and a belief negative earnings revisions are unlikely going forward. The firm raised its target price to $37 from $28.
  • Royal Bank of Scotland upgraded Siemens (NYSE: SI) to Buy from Hold on expectations the company will benefit from an economic recovery.
  • Banc of America/Merril upgraded State Street (NYSE: STT) to Buy from Neutral and raised their price target to $50 from $40 following stress test results that show the company does not need additional capital. The analyst said the news "clears one of the bars on capital concerns."
  • Teradata (NYSE: TDC) was raised to Market Weight from Underweight at Thomas Weisel.
  • Target (NYSE: TGT) was lifted to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.
  • Diageo (NYSE: DEO) was upgraded at UBS to Neutral from Sell.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: STT, TGT, PEP, V, WMT ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: STT, TGT, PEP, V, WMT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 08 May 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bascbecelgdeoinwklamrmigpaspepsdxcsislabstttdctgttrivwmtFri, 08 May 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cramer on BloggingStocks: The seductive pull of the early cycle ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/20/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-the-seductive-pull-of-the-early-cycle/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/20/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-the-seductive-pull-of-the-early-cycle/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/20/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-the-seductive-pull-of-the-early-cycle/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

TheStreet.com's Jim Cramer is seeing signs of a coming boom, but he's still being cautious here.

If you had to define the early cycle, if you had to outline what stocks should be soaring coming out of a recession into a boom and which ones should be faltering, you would have to say the action in this market in the last month is the quintessential behavioral pattern.

What are the components of the early cycle? First, it's the homebuilders. As is typical coming out of a recession, the stocks precede the bottom of housing. That's exactly what's happening with the lowest permits and highest affordability and best mortgage rates and massive inventory. Everywhere, except on Wall Street reporting, the bottom is bursting out. When you read the lead story in the Sunday Philadelphia Inquirer, and it is all about the thousands of prospective homebuyers heading south to pick up condos and homes for half of what they were worth two years ago -- or even less -- and you know that virtually no one has broken ground in the Sunshine State in a year, you can bet that the bottom's actually behind us. This housing market has wiped out all but the most stable private builders and even the public ones are merging as we know from Pulte (NYSE: PHM) (Cramer's Take) and Centex (NYSE: CTX) (Cramer's Take). So, in the next cycle, you can see some profitability developing year over year even though the new homes don't have much margin because the foreclosed homes next door are going for a song. And don't believe this won't change the dynamic of future foreclosures. In most areas, rent is higher than the interest on mortgages, so you will find that second or third job needed to stay in your home. The incentive structure's radically different than a year ago.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: The seductive pull of the early cycle

Cramer on BloggingStocks: The seductive pull of the early cycle originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abtalvanaxpazoccelgcofctbctxcvseateftcffeaturedfmergildgisgmgpshnzhsyjcijcpjim cramerJimCramerjnsjnyjwnkkmxkssmmnropbypeppgphmpnrarostschwshldtgttjxtrowunwagyumMon, 20 Apr 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Talbots not looking pretty as it posts a bigger loss in Q4]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/13/talbots-not-looking-pretty-as-it-posts-a-bigger-loss-in-q4/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/13/talbots-not-looking-pretty-as-it-posts-a-bigger-loss-in-q4/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/13/talbots-not-looking-pretty-as-it-posts-a-bigger-loss-in-q4/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Talbots, Inc. (NYSE: TLB), a retailer targeted to women and a colleague of businesses such as Macy's (NYSE: M) and Ann Taylor (NYSE: ANN), posted Q4 earnings on Monday after the bell. Actually, they weren't earnings, they were losses. And they were worse than last year's numbers. The chain said it lost, on an adjusted basis, $2.40 per share from continuing operations. In the fourth quarter of the previous fiscal year, Talbots lost only $0.13 per share from continuing operations.

In terms of expectations, this source says that the loss was much wider than anticipated. Net sales for the quarter declined 23%. Cash from operations is a fraction of what it once was. And same-store sales simply bombed, diving almost 25%!

Continue reading Talbots not looking pretty as it posts a bigger loss in Q4

Talbots not looking pretty as it posts a bigger loss in Q4 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aeon Co.AeonCo.ANNann taylorAnnTaylorinthenewsMMacysretailtalbotsTargetTGTTLBMon, 13 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wal-Mart's comps don't meet Wall Street's expectations -- buying or selling opportunity?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/09/wal-marts-comps-dont-meet-wall-streets-expectations-buying/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/09/wal-marts-comps-dont-meet-wall-streets-expectations-buying/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/09/wal-marts-comps-dont-meet-wall-streets-expectations-buying/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), whose competitors include Target (NYSE: TGT) and Costco (NASDAQ: COST), reported same-store sales for the month of March. According to the press release, things are going pretty well at the retailer, given current economic conditions. Domestic comps over the nine-week frame rose 3.1% on an overall basis. Breaking that down to performance stats for Wal-Mart and Sam's Club on an individual basis, we see that the former increased its comps by 2.6% and that the latter improved its same-store sales by 6.1%. Over the five-week frame, comps weren't as good. They came in at 1.4%. Wal-Mart itself barely saw a move in the metric, rising 0.6%. Fear not, shareholders, for you have to consider the timing of the Easter holiday. It came early last year.

Now, international net sales didn't fare so well because of currency translations. If you decide to include that effect, then sales dipped well over 14% last month. Excluding currencies gives you a much more positive 7.8% increase. Can't really do much about currency issues right now. As we all know, all companies with international exposure have to face them. Nevertheless, I like Wal-Mart's comps. And I particularly like the performance at Sam's Club. A lot of consumers seem to be using the warehouse club to save money during the tough times. Wal-Mart's management is apparently reaching that shopper.

Continue reading Wal-Mart's comps don't meet Wall Street's expectations -- buying or selling opportunity?

Wal-Mart's comps don't meet Wall Street's expectations -- buying or selling opportunity? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>compsCOSTCostcodividend investingdividend stocksDividendInvestingdividendsDividendStocksinthenewsretailsame store salesSameStoreSalesSams ClubSamsClubTargetTGTWal-MartWMTThu, 09 Apr 2009 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Bed Bath & Beyond goes beyond the call of duty in Q4]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/08/bed-bath-and-beyond-goes-beyond-the-call-of-duty-in-q4/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/08/bed-bath-and-beyond-goes-beyond-the-call-of-duty-in-q4/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/08/bed-bath-and-beyond-goes-beyond-the-call-of-duty-in-q4/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Bed Bath & Beyond (NASDAQ: BBBY) reported earnings for the fourth quarter on Tuesday after the market closed its doors. In the after-hours session, the retailer's stock rallied mightily, rising over $3.50, or better than 14%. Let me tell you, that was impressive. As was the beat on the bottom line.

As I wrote in my preview piece, the market was looking for 44 cents per share. Bed Bath & Beyond did its job and delivered 55 cents per share. Net sales decreased by less than 1%. Granted, no one likes to see the top line contract even a little, but considering how bad retail has been, I actually find this to be a small victory. Unfortunately, the same-store sales weren't good. They dropped over 4%. Also, operating profit and cash from operations saw a decline.

Continue reading Bed Bath & Beyond goes beyond the call of duty in Q4

Bed Bath & Beyond goes beyond the call of duty in Q4 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abercrombie and fitchAbercrombieAndFitchANFBBBYbed bath and beyondBedBathAndBeyondfeaturedretailTargetTGTWal-MartWMTWed, 08 Apr 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill Ackman's patience with Target may be running out]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/04/bill-ackermans-patience-with-target-may-be-running-out/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/04/bill-ackermans-patience-with-target-may-be-running-out/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/04/bill-ackermans-patience-with-target-may-be-running-out/#commentsFiled under: ,

Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) has had its hands full in the past few quarters. Larger competitor Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) has been taking all the glory, growing sales every quarter while most other retailers shrink. While Target held all the media's attention during 2007 and much of 2008 -- with cleaner stores, hipper advertising, and a true alternative to the bargain basement -- it's struggled during the recession.

Target's status-quo attitude may not be enough to keep Bill Ackman away, though. The billionaire controls 8% of the retailer's stock and, until now, has not indicated that he's unhappy about Target's current management team.

Continue reading Bill Ackman's patience with Target may be running out

Bill Ackman's patience with Target may be running out originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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