With shares of Lowe�� (NYSE:LOW) trading around $40, is LOW an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE or STAY AWAY? Let�� analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:
T = Trends for a Stock’s Movement
Lowe���operates as a home improvement retailer. It offers products for maintenance, repair, remodeling, and home decorating.�The company serves homeowners and renters consisting of do-it-yourself and do-it-for-me as well as commercial business customers comprising of construction trade, and maintenance and repair organizations. After the housing bubble burst that led to the Financial Crisis in 2008, home and business owners are opting for home and business improvement over purchasing new properties. This trend is poised to continue as there are still a large amount of home and commercial locations readily available for consumers across the nation.
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T = Technicals on the Stock Chart are Strong
10 Best Retail Stocks To Buy For 2015: Aeropostale Inc (ARO)
Aeropostale, Inc., (Aeropostale), incorporated on September 1, 1995, is a mall-based, specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories, principally targeting 14 to 17 year-old young women and men through its Aeropostale stores and 4 to 12 year-old kids through its P.S. from Aeropostale stores. P.S. from Aeropostale products can be purchased in P.S. from Aeropostale stores, in certain Aeropostale stores, and online at www.ps4u.com. As of January 28, 2012, it operated 986 Aeropostale stores, consisting of 918 stores in 50 states and Puerto Rico, 68 stores in Canada, as well as 71 P.S. from Aeropostale stores in 20 states. The Company designs, sources, markets and sells all of its own merchandise. In addition, pursuant to a licensing agreement, it operated 14 Aeropostale and P.S. from Aeropostale stores in Middle East and South East Asia. During March 2011, it announced that it had signed a second licensing agreement. The licensee to this agreement is focused to open approximately 30 stores in stores in Turkey over the next five years. In November 2012, the Company acquired online women's fashion footwear and apparel retailer GoJane.com (GoJane).
P.S. from Aeropostale offers casual clothing and accessories focusing on kids between the ages of 4 and 12. It�� P.S. from Aeropostale products are sold only at its stores and online through its e-commerce Websites, www.ps4u.com and www.aeropostale.com. The Company operates three street level stores in the New York City area. It also has a19,000 square foot Aeropostale store in the Times Square section of New York City. It offers both Aeropostale and P.S. from Aeropostale products in the Times Square store.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Johanna Bennett]
After the closing bell, Walt Disney (DIS) rose 0.7% to $70.47 after announcing a 15% dividend hike. And teen retailer Aeropostale (ARO) fell 3.8% $9 after reporting fiscal third-quarter financial results.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Shares of Abercrombie & Fitch have gained 11% to $36.78 today, even as Aeropostale (ARO) has dropped 5.2% to $8.50, and Zumiez (ZUMZ) has fallen 5.6% to $22.85. Wet Seal (WTSL), meanwhile, has gained 0.8% to $2.60 and�American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) has advanced 0.9% to %15.46.
- [By Reuters]
Mark Lennihan/APAbercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries An Abercrombie & Fitch shareholder urged the teen apparel retailer to replace Chief Executive Officer Mike Jeffries after his contract expires in February, failing which the company should look to sell itself. Engaged Capital, which owns less than 1 percent of the company's shares, said in a letter to the board Tuesday that the expiration of Jeffries' term is an opportunity for the board to set a new direction for the company. Engaged Capital, a young activist investment firm led by former Relational Investors managing director Glenn Welling, said a sale of the company to a private equity buyer may represent the best option for shareholders. "However, as we have learned through discussions with industry insiders and private equity firms, Mr. Jeffries' presence represents a major stumbling block to a transaction," the activist investment firm said in the letter. Abercrombie's (ANF) shares, which have lost about 30 percent of their value this year, rose 6.4 percent to $36.20 by midday. Analysts have raised concerns about the company's ability to revitalize its merchandise, citing management's focus on cost-cutting, marketing and distribution instead of product and design. "A little fresh blood would definitely benefit the company," Morningstar (MORN) analyst Bridget Weishaar told Reuters. However, she said the board has been very supportive of Jeffries. "So, I'd be highly doubtful if this letter changes anything." Engaged Capital said there appeared to be no qualified successor within the company to replace 69-year-old Jeffries, who has been CEO for 16 years. His current contract includes a clause that he would receive over $100 million if the company changes control. Jeffries owned about 1.3 percent of Abercrombie's shares as of July 30. The company wasn't immediately available for comment. Engaged Capital said it owned about 400,000 shares of Abercrombie. The company has about 76.4 mil
10 Best Retail Stocks To Buy For 2015: Viad Corp(VVI)
Viad Corp, together with its subsidiaries, operates in exhibition and events, and travel and recreation industries primarily in North America, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates. The company?s Marketing & Events Group segment designs, plans, and produces face-to-face events for show organizers, corporate brand marketers, and retail shopping centers. It offers general event management, planning and consultation, concept design, exhibition layout and design, graphics and design, show traffic analysis, carpeting and flooring, decorating products and accessories, custom graphics, overhead rigging, and cleaning services, as well as temporary electrical, lighting, and plumbing services. This segment also provides custom exhibit design and construction; portable and modular exhibits and design; integrated marketing, including pre- and post-event communications and customer relationship management; multimedia services; event surveys; return on investment an alysis; attendee and exhibit booth traffic analysis; staff training; online management tools; logistics and freight-forwarding, storage, and refurbishment of exhibits; booth furnishings, carpeting, and signage; in-house installation and dismantling; and various other show services. In addition, the segment offers various entertaining attractions and brand-based experiences, sponsored events, mobile marketing and other branded entertainment, and face-to-face marketing solutions for clients and venues, including movie studios, leading consumer brand marketers, shopping malls, museums, and casinos. Its Travel & Recreation Group segment provides tourism products, including attractions, transportation services, inbound package tour operations, hotel operations, and corporate and event management; operates five lodges, three motor inns, and one resort hotel; and engages in food and beverages, and retail and concession businesses. Viad Corp was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Seth Jayson]
Calling all cash flows
When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Viad Corp (NYSE: VVI ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.
Top 10 Promising Stocks To Buy Right Now: Dollar General Corporation(DG)
Dollar General Corporation operates as a discount retailer of general merchandise in the southern, southwestern, midwestern, and eastern United States. The company offers consumables, including paper towels, bath tissue, paper dinnerware, trash and storage bags, laundry, and other home cleaning supplies; packaged food and perishables; beverages and snacks, such as candies, cookies, crackers, salty snacks, and carbonated beverages; over-the-counter medicines and personal care products; and pet supplies and pet food products. It also provides seasonal products consisting of decorations, toys, batteries, small electronics, greeting cards, stationery, prepaid cell phones and accessories, gardening supplies, hardware, and automotive and home office supplies; home products comprising kitchen supplies, cookware, small appliances, light bulbs, storage containers, frames, candles, craft supplies, and bed and bath soft goods; and apparel products, such as casual everyday apparel for infants, toddlers, girls, boys, women and men, as well as offers socks, underwear, disposable diapers, shoes, and accessories. In addition, the company holds a license to Bobbie Brooks clothing, as well as the Fisher Price brand for various items of children's clothing. As of May 25, 2011, it operates approximately 9,500 stores in 35 states. The company was formerly known as J.L. Turner & Son, Inc. and changed its name to Dollar General Corporation in 1968. Dollar General Corporation was founded in 1939 and is based in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Rick Munarriz]
Shares of Dollar General (NYSE: DG ) took a 9% hit on Tuesday after the company hosed down its guidance for the full fiscal year. The report follows disappointing results last month out of Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT ) and Target (NYSE: TGT ) .
- [By Roland Head]
Among the companies that released earnings before the opening bell today, Dollar General (NYSE: DG ) reported first-quarter earnings of $0.67 per share on revenue of $4.24 billion, falling short of EPS estimates of $0.71 and matching sales forecasts. The company also revised its full-year EPS forecast from a range of $3.15 to $3.30 down to a range of $3.15 to $3.22. The company's stock is down almost 5% in premarket trading, though it has gained 25% year to date.
- [By Chris Hill]
Dollar General's (NYSE: DG ) first-quarter profits rose rose 3%, but the retailer cut guidance for the full year. Business market software maker ExactTarget (NYSE: ET ) rose more than 50% after Salesforce.com (NYSE: CRM ) agreed to buy the company for more than $2.3 billion. Zynga (NASDAQ: ZNGA ) held firm after shares tanked on Monday in the wake of the company announcing it's cutting 18% of its staff. And IBM (NYSE: IBM ) buys a company to better compete in the cloud computing space. In this installment of Investor Beat, our analysts discuss four stocks making big moves.
10 Best Retail Stocks To Buy For 2015: Kate Spade & Co (KATE)
Kate Spade & Co, formerly Fifth & Pacific Companies Inc, incorporated in January 1976, designs and markets a portfolio of retail-based, premium brands, including JUICY COUTURE, KATE SPADE and LUCKY BRAND. The Company also has a private brand jewelry design and development division, which markets brands through department stores and serves J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc. (JCPenney), through exclusive supplier agreements for the LIZ CLAIBORNE and MONET jewelry lines and Kohl's Corporation (Kohl's) through an exclusive supplier agreement for DANA BUCHMAN jewelry. It also has licenses for the LIZ CLAIBORNE NEW YORK brand, available at QVC and LIZWEAR, which is distributed through the club store channel. It maintains an 18.75% stake in MEXX, a European and Canadian apparel and accessories retail-based brand. As of December 31, 2011, the Company operated a total of 307 specialty retail stores under various Company trademarks, consisting of 285 retail stores within the United States and 22 retail stores outside of the United States (primarily in Europe and Canada). The Company operates in four segments: JUICY COUTURE segment, KATE SPADE segment, LUCKY BRAND segment, and Adelington Design Group & Other segment. In August 2013, Granite Real Estate Investment Trust closed its acquisition of a 600,000 square foot logistics-distribution facility in West Chester (Cincinnati), Ohio from the Company. In February 2014, the Company completed the sale of Lucky Brand Dungarees Inc.
JUICY COUTURE segment consists of the specialty retail, outlet, concession, wholesale apparel, wholesale non-apparel (including accessories, jewelry and handbags), e-commerce and licensing operations of its JUICY COUTURE brand. KATE SPADE segment consists of the specialty retail, outlet, wholesale apparel, wholesale non-apparel, e-commerce and licensing operations of its KATE SPADE and JACK SPADE brands. LUCKY BRAND segment consists of the specialty retail, outlet, wholesale apparel, wholesale non-apparel, e-commerce and licensing ! operations of its LUCKY BRAND. Adelington Design Group & Other segment consists of exclusive arrangements to supply jewelry for the DANA BUCHMAN, LIZ CLAIBORNE and MONET brands; the wholesale non-apparel operations of the TRIFARI brand and licensed KENSIE brand; the wholesale apparel and wholesale non-apparel operations of the licensed LIZWEAR brand and other brands, and the licensed LIZ CLAIBORNE NEW YORK brand.
JUICY COUTURE
The Company�� JUICY COUTURE brand offers luxurious, casual and fun women's and girl's apparel, as well as accessories and jewelry under various JUICY COUTURE trademarks. JUICY COUTURE products are sold through wholly owned specialty retail and outlet stores, select upscale specialty retail stores and department stores throughout the United States, through a network of distributors and owned and licensed retail stores in Asia, Canada, Europe, South America and the Middle East, as well as through its JUICY COUTURE e-commerce Website. In addition, JUICY COUTURE has existing licensing agreements for fragrances, footwear, optics, watches, swimwear, electronics cases and baby products.
KATE SPADE
The Company�� KATE SPADE brand offers fashion products (accessories, apparel and jewelry) for women and men under the KATE SPADE and JACK SPADE respectively. These products are sold primarily in the United States through wholly owned specialty retail and outlet stores, select specialty retail and upscale department stores, its operations in Brazil and the United Kingdom and through its KATE SPADE e-commerce Website, as well as through joint ventures in Japan and China and through a network of distributors in Asia. KATE SPADE's product line includes handbags, small leather goods, fashion accessories, jewelry and apparel. In addition, KATE SPADE has licensing agreements for footwear, optics, fragrances, tabletop products, legwear, electronics cases, bedding and stationery. JACK SPADE products include briefcases, travel bags, small leather go! ods and a! pparel.
LUCKY BRAND
The Company�� LUCKY BRAND offers an expanded assortment of men's and women's denim, woven and knit tops, dresses and sweaters, graphic tees, as well as accessories and jewelry, under various LUCKY BRAND. LUCKY BRAND products are available for sale at wholly owned specialty retail and outlet stores in the United States and Canada, select department and specialty stores and through the LUCKY BRAND e-commerce Website. LUCKY BRAND also has licensing agreements for fragrances, footwear, swimwear, eyewear and electronic cases.
Adelington Design Group & Other
The operations within the Company Adelington Design Group & Other segment consist of exclusive supplier arrangements to provide JCPenney with LIZ CLAIBORNE and MONET branded jewelry and Kohl's with DANA BUCHMAN-branded jewelry for two years; a license to produce and sell jewelry under the KENSIE brand name; a royalty free license for the LIZ CLAIBORNE NEW YORK brand; LIZWEAR, women's apparel available through the club store channel, and TRIFARI, a signature jewelry brand for women sold in mid-tier department stores.
The Company competes with Marc by Marc Jacobs, JCrew, Michael Kors, Pink, Coach, Diane von Furstenberg, Diesel, Guess, True Religion, 7 for all Mankind, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Tory Burch.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Maria Armental var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); popups.forEach]
Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Wednesday’s session are Kate Spade Co.(KATE), Deere(DE) & Co. and Fossil Group Inc.(FOSL)
- [By Matt Egan]
Shares of BP (BP) nudged over 2% higher after the oil and gas firm hiked its dividend. But Coach (COH) dropped 9% after the luxury handbag company reported weaker sales, even as it beat on profits. One trader said that Coach continues to face pressure from rivals Michael Kors (KORS) and Kate Spade (KATE).
- [By Mukesh Baghel]
Luxury retailer Coach (NYSE: COH ) has lost its wheels in 2014, while competitors Michael Kors (NYSE: KORS ) and Kate Spade (NYSE: KATE ) are chugging along nicely. Coach's bad times started when the company declared disappointing second-quarter results in late January. Its North American comps declined 13.6% while its overall revenue dropped 6%.
10 Best Retail Stocks To Buy For 2015: WH Smith PLC (SMWH)
WH Smith PLC is a United Kingdom-based retail company. The Company has two businesses divisions: Travel and High Street. The Company's Travel division sells a range of newspapers, magazines, books and impulse products for people on the move and a broader convenience range in hospitals and workplaces. The Company's High Street sells a wide range of stationery, books, newspapers, magazines and impulse products, as well as a small range of entertainment products.The Company�� subsidiaries include WH Smith PLC, WH Smith Retail Holdings Limited, WH Smith High Street Holdings Limited, WH Smith Travel Holdings Limited, WH Smith High Street Limited, WH Smith Travel Limited and WH Smith Hospitals Holdings Limited.
Advisors' Opinion: 10 Best Retail Stocks To Buy For 2015: Lojas Renner SA (LREN3)
Lojas Renner SA is a Brazil- based company primarily involved in the operation of department stores. The Company divides its business into two segments. The Retail segment is engaged in sale of women's, men's and children's apparels, underwear and shoes, as well as sportswear and other department stores' articles in the domestic market. The Company also sells household articles, bedding and bath items, furniture and decoration articles. The Financial products segment is involved in the intermediation of financial services, including brokerage of personal loans, sales financing, brokerage of insurance and bonds, and credit card processing, among others. The Company operates through a numerous subsidiaries, including Dromegon Participacoes Ltda, Renner Administradora de Cartoes de Credito Ltda, Renner Empreendimentos Ltda and Maxmix Comercial Ltda.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Ney Hayashi]
Anhanguera Educacional Participacoes SA (AEDU3) tumbled after Brazil�� antitrust regulator signaled it may limit the education company�� merger with competitor Kroton Educacional SA. (KROT3) Lojas Renner SA (LREN3) led retailers higher after a report showed Brazil�� industrial production expanded faster than expected in October, easing concern that growth is faltering.
10 Best Retail Stocks To Buy For 2015: GUESS? Inc (GES)
Guess?, Inc. (GUESS?) designs, markets, distributes and licenses apparel and accessories for men, women and children. The Company operates in five: Europe, North American Retail, Asia, North American Wholesale and Licensing. The Company�� products are sold through retail, wholesale, e-commerce and licensing distribution channels. The lines include full collections of clothing, including jeans, pants, skirts, dresses, shorts, blouses, shirts, jackets, knitwear and intimate apparel. It also grant licenses to manufactures and distributes a range of products, including eyewear, watches, handbags, footwear, kids' and infants' apparel, leather apparel, swimwear, fragrance, jewelry and other fashion accessories. In fiscal 2012, the Company, along with its distributors and licensees, opened 224 stores in all concepts combined outside of the United Sates and Canada, which consisted of 120 stores in Europe and the Middle East, 89 stores in Asia and 15 stores in the combined area of Central and South America.
As of January 28, 2012, the Company directly operated a total of 504 stores in the United Sates and Canada and 251 stores outside of the United Sates and Canada, and in addition, 230 smaller-sized concessions in Asia and Europe. As of January 28, 2012, its international licensees and distributors operated 804 stores located outside the United Sates and Canada, and 119 smaller-sized licensee operated concessions located in Asia. As of January 28, 2012, it operated retail Websites in the United Sates, Canada, Europe and South Korea. As of January 28, 2012, it had e-commerce available to 26 countries, and in 6 languages around the world. The Company and its network of licensee partners sell its products around the world primarily through six different store concepts, namely its flagship GUESS? retail stores, its GUESS? factory outlet stores, its GUESS by MARCIANO stores, its G by GUESS stores, its GUESS? Accessories stores and its GUESS? Kids stores. The Company also has a small number of footwe! ar, Gc watch and underwear concept stores.
Europe Segment
In the Company�� Europe segment, GUESS? sells its products in 63 countries throughout Europe and the Middle East through wholesale, retail and e-commerce channels. In fiscal 2012, its Europe segment accounted for approximately 37.6% of its revenues. The Company�� European wholesale business generally relies on a large number of smaller regional distributors and agents to distribute its products primarily to smaller independent multi-brand boutiques. The Company�� products are also sold directly to department stores like Galeries Lafayette, Printemps and El Corte Ingles. As of January 28, 2012, GUESS? had showrooms in Barcelona, Dusseldorf, Munich, London, Paris, Florence and Lugano. It sells both its apparel and certain accessories products under the Company�� GUESS? and GUESS by MARCIANO brand concepts through its wholesale channel, operating primarily through two seasons, Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter.
The Company�� European retail network consists of a mix of directly operated and licensee operated GUESS? and GUESS by MARCIANO retail and outlet stores, GUESS? Accessories stores, GUESS? Footwear stores and GUESS? Kids stores. As of January 28, 2012, it had 179 directly operated stores and 382 licensee stores, excluding 17 smaller-sized concessions in Europe. During fiscal 2012, the Company opened 45 new directly operated stores, 75 licensee stores and 5 concessions. The Company�� GUESS? Accessories stores average approximately 800 square feet, GUESS by MARCIANO stores average approximately 1,300 square feet and full-price GUESS? stores generally average 2,300 square feet.
North American Retail Segment
In the Company�� North American Retail segment, it sells its products through a network of directly operated retail and factory outlet stores in North America and through its on-line stores. In fiscal 2012, the Company�� North American Retail segment accounted for ap! proximate! ly 41.6% of its revenue. As of January 28, 2012, it also directly operated 25 GUESS? branded stores in Mexico through a majority-owned joint venture. The Company�� the United Sates and Canada GUESS? retail stores carry an assortment of men's and women's GUESS? merchandise, including most of its licensed product categories. As of January 28, 2012, these stores occupied approximately 1,025,000 square feet and ranged in size from approximately 2,500 to 13,500 square feet, with most stores between 4,000 and 6,000 square feet. In fiscal 2012, it opened nine new retail stores and GUESS? closed four stores.
The Company�� the United Sates and Canada factory outlet stores are located primarily in outlet malls generally operating outside the shopping radius of its wholesale customers and its retail stores. These stores sell selected styles of men's and women's GUESS? apparel and licensed products. As of January 28, 2012, its the United Sates and Canada factory outlet stores occupied approximately 717,000 square feet and ranged in size from approximately 2,000 to 11,000 square feet, with most stores between 4,500 and 6,500 square feet. In fiscal 2012, it opened 10 new factory stores. The Company�� G by GUESS store carries apparel for both men and women and a line of accessories and footwear. As of January 28, 2012, its G by GUESS stores occupied approximately 317,000 square feet and ranged in size from approximately 4,000 to 10,000 square feet, with most stores between 4,000 and 5,500 square feet. In fiscal 2012, the Company opened 12 new G by GUESS stores and it closed three stores.Its GUESS? Accessories store concept sells GUESS? and GUESS by MARCIANO labeled accessory products.
As of January 28, 2012, the Company�� GUESS? Accessories concept stores occupied approximately 122,000 square feet and ranged in size from approximately 1,000 to 4,000 square feet, with most stores between 1,500 and 2,500 square feet. In fiscal 2012, GUESS? opened four new GUESS? Accessories stores and i! t closed ! three stores. The Company�� GUESS by MARCIANO stores in the United Sates and Canada offer a women's collection designed for the stylish, trend-setting woman. As of January 28, 2012, its GUESS by MARCIANO stores occupied approximately 156,000 square feet and ranged in size from approximately 2,000 to 6,500 square feet, with most stores between 2,000 and 3,000 square feet. In fiscal 2012, it opened two new GUESS by MARCIANO stores and the Company closed four stores. The Company�� North American Retail segment also includes its the United Sates and Canada retail Websites, including www.guess.com, www.gbyguess.com, www.guessbymarciano.com, www.guesskids.com, www.guess.ca and www.guessbymarciano.ca. These Websites operates as virtual storefronts that both sell its products and promotes its brands.
Asia Segment
In the Company�� Asia segment, GUESS? sells its products through wholesale, retail and e-commerce channels throughout Asia. In fiscal 2012, its Asia segment accounted for approximately 9.3% of its revenue. Its Asia retail business includes both licensee and the Company operated stores, including GUESS?, G by GUESS, GUESS by MARCIANO, Gc, GUESS? Accessories and GUESS? Underwear stores. During fiscal 2012, it and its partners opened 89 new stores in Asia, as of January 28, 2012, it had 423 stores, 47 of which it operated directly and 376 of which were operated by licensees or distributors. The Company and its partners opened flagship stores in cities, such as Seoul, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei and Beijing and have partnered with licensees to develop its business in the second tier cities in this region.
North American Wholesale Segment
In the Company�� North American Wholesale segment, it sells its products through wholesale channels in North America and to third party distributors based in Central and South America. In fiscal 2012, its North American Wholesale segment accounted for approximately 7.0% of its revenue. As of January 28, 20! 12, its p! roducts were sold to consumers through 1,005 major doors in the United Sates and Canada. These locations include 345 shop-in-shops, a selling area within a department store that offers an array of its products and incorporates GUESS? signage and fixture designs. The Company has sales representatives in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. During fiscal 2012, Macy's, Inc. was its largest domestic wholesale customer, accounting for approximately 2.7% of its consolidated net revenue.
Licensing Segment
The Company�� licensing segment includes the worldwide licensing operations of the Company. In fiscal 2012, its licensing segment royalties accounted for approximately 4.5% of its revenue. As of January 28, 2012, GUESS? had 19 domestic and international licenses that included eyewear, watches, handbags, footwear, kids' and infants' apparel, leather outerwear, fragrance, jewelry and other fashion accessories; and included licenses for the manufacture of GUESS? branded products in markets, which include Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, Central America, North America and South America.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Chris Hill]
Krispy Kreme's (NYSE: KKD ) 1st-quarter profits rise 33%, and shares hit a nine-year high. Guess? (NYSE: GES ) moves higher on stronger-than-expected first-quarter profits. AIG (NYSE: AIG ) stumbles after missing a payment deadline. And Lions Gate Entertainment (NYSE: LGF ) reports strong fourth-quarter results, fueled by strong home-video sales of the Twilight�series. In this installment of Investor Beat, Motley Fool analysts Ron Gross and Charly Travers discuss four stocks making big moves.
10 Best Retail Stocks To Buy For 2015: Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc.(SPB)
Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer products company worldwide. It offers consumer batteries, including alkaline and zinc carbon batteries, rechargeable batteries and chargers, and hearing aid batteries and other specialty batteries; pet supplies, such as aquatic equipment and supplies, dog and cat treats, small animal foods, clean up and training aids, health and grooming products, and beddings; and home and garden control products comprising household insect controls, insect repellents, and herbicides. The company also provides electric shaving and grooming devices; small appliances, including small kitchen appliances and home product appliances; electric personal care and styling devices; and portable lighting. Its sells its products through various trade channels, including retailers, wholesalers and distributors, hearing aid professionals, industrial distributors, and original equipment manufacturers primarily under t he Rayovac, Remington, Varta, George Foreman, Black & Decker, Toastmaster, Farberware, Tetra, Marineland, Nature?s Miracle, Dingo, 8-in-1, Littermaid, Spectracide, Cutter, Repel, Hot Shot, Black Flag, and TAT brands. The company was headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. As of January 7, 2011, Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Harbinger Group Inc.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Marc Bastow]
Consumer products manufacturer Spectrum Brands (SPB) raised its quarterly dividend 20% to 30 cents per share, payable on Mar. 18 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 19.
SPB Dividend Yield: 1.58%
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Shares of Energizer have jumped 15% to $112.37 at 10:24 a.m. today, while Spectrum Brands (SPB) has risen 1.4% to $76.88 and Kimberly Clark (KMB) has gained 1% to $112.14.
10 Best Retail Stocks To Buy For 2015: FTD Companies Inc (FTD)
FTD Companies, Inc. (FTD), incorporated on April 25, 2008, is a floral and gifting company. The Company provides floral, gift and related products and services to consumers and retail florists, as well as to other retail locations offering floral and gift products primarily in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland. The Company operates in one segment, which includes floral and related products and services. Its business uses the FTD and Interflora brands, both supported by the Mercury Man logo. The Company�� portfolio of brands also includes Flying Flowers, Flowers Direct, and Drake Algar in the United Kingdom. On November 1, 2013, United Online, Inc. (United Online) completed the separation of United Online into two independent, publicly traded companies: FTD Companies, Inc. and United Online, Inc.
The Company�� products revenues are derived primarily from selling floral, gift and related products to consumers and the related shipping and service fees. Products revenues also include revenues generated from sales of hard goods, software and hardware systems, cut flowers, packaging and promotional products, and a range of other floral-related supplies to floral network members. Its services revenues related to orders sent through the floral network are variable based on either the number of orders or on the value of orders and are recognized in the period in which the orders.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By John Udovich]
As we head towards Black Friday, small cap specialty retail stocks United Online, Inc (NASDAQ: UNTD), TravelCenters of America LLC (NYSE: TA) and MarineMax, Inc (NYSE: HZO) have the distinction of being the best performing small cap�specialty retail stocks for this year (according to Finviz.com) with gains of 181.2%, 123.8% and 71.8%, respectively. With those returns in mind, what are these small cap specialty retail stocks doing right and will the performance last through the all important holiday season? Here is what new and existing investors and traders alike need to know or consider:
United Online, Inc.�A provider of consumer products and services over the Internet, United Online�� Content & Media segment services are online nostalgia (Memory Lane) and online loyalty marketing (MyPoints) while its�primary Communications segment services are Internet access and email (NetZero and Juno). The reason United Online is among the�best performing specialty retail stocks for this year in various stock screening tools like Finviz.com�is actually misleading as the company has just completed the spin off�of subsidiary FTD Companies, a floral and gifts products company acquired in August 2008 for $441 million, as�FTD Companies Inc (NASDAQ: FTD) where United Online shareholders received one share of FTD common stock for every five shares of United Online common stock they hold. In addition, United Online completed�a�one-for-seven reverse stock split of United Online shares.�On Tuesday, small cap United Online, Inc fell 1.01% to $15.72 (UNTD has a 52 week trading range of $11.65 to $62.30 a share) for a market cap of $207.79 million plus the stock is up 181.2% since the start of the year and up 182.2% over the past five years. Meanwhile, the FTD Companies Inc�now has a�market cap of $611.60 and the stock is up almost 6% since October. - [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]
BlueOrange Studio/Shutterstock One day out of 365, we pay homage to our sainted mothers. Those of us who are members of this long-suffering, uncomplaining, self-sacrificing class may get some soggy French toast in bed, (don't worry, kids; mom will clean up the kitchen), a chance to read in peace, or perhaps time to indulge in a long, hot bath. Bringing Home the Bacon If you really want to pay back mom for all she's done, get ready to pony up big. A card and some carnations (the official flower of Mother's Day, who knew?) just won't cut it. The cost of replacing mom as nurturer, nurse, cleaner and cook -- according to Insure.com's 2014 Mother's Day salary index -- would run you $62,985 a year, up from $59,862 in 2013. Breaking down the price of having someone else handle her various duties: Cooking and cleaning, $12,230 Child care, $21,736 Homework help, $7,290 Chauffeur, $5,672 Shopping, yard work, party and activity planning, finances, etc., $15,019 And my personal favorite, finding out what the kids are up to (paid in the equivalent value of a private detective), $1,036. Salary.com placed a higher value on moms in its 2014 Mother's Day salary survey, concluding that stay-at-home moms were worth $118,905 and working moms worth $70,107 (this does not include any paid salary from their job), with both groups putting more than 56 hours of overtime at home. These numbers are all up from last year's survey. Cooking It Up in a Pan Mom helps to pay for other things, too. Thanks to the Department of Agriculture, you can see what it costs to raise a child in the U.S. to 18. As of August 2013, the average cost is $241,080. This does not cover college, and hopefully dear old dad is contributing. In 2012, there were 10.3 million single U.S. mothers with children under 18, and one-third of women who gave birth in 2012 were single moms. By becoming moms, women give up time to do other things, what economists call an "opportunity cost." Particularly if your mother st
10 Best Retail Stocks To Buy For 2015: Natural Grocers By Vitamin Cottage Inc (NGVC)
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc., incorporated on April 9, 2012, is a specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries and dietary supplements. The Company operates within the natural products retail industry. The Company offers products and brands, including a selection of natural and organic food, dietary supplements, body care products, pet care products and books.
The Company offers its customers an average of approximately 18,000 store-keeping units (SKUs) of natural and organic products per store, including an average of approximately 7,000 SKU of dietary supplements. As of June 30, 2012, the Company operated 55 stores in 11 states, including Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming, as well as a bulk food repackaging facility and distribution center in Colorado. The size of its stores varies from 5,000 selling square feet to 14,500 selling square feet, and a new store averages 9,500 selling square feet.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By John Udovich]
Large cap natural and organic foods supermarket giant Whole Foods Market, Inc (NASDAQ: WFM), otherwise known as ��hole Wallet��r ��hole Paycheck,��is not the only player in the natural or organics supermarket space for consumers and investors alike as mid cap Sprouts Farmers Market Inc (NASDAQ: SFM) and small caps Fairway Group Holdings Corp (NASDAQ: FWM) and Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc (NYSE: NGVC) are also players in the space. It should be mentioned that Whole Foods Market is down 15.7% since the start of the year and has a downward trending technical chart, but�shares are�still up 13% over the past year, up 426.3% over the past five years and up 3,108.6% since January 1992.
- [By John Udovich]
Small cap Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE: NGVC) and mid cap Sprouts Farmers Market Inc (NASDAQ: SFM) are taking aim at natural and organic foods supermarket giant Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM), but do either of these stocks have what it takes to take on the the king of organic retailing? Whole Foods Market was founded in Austin way back in 1978 by a�twenty-five year old college dropout and a twenty-one year old�at a time when there were only a handful of natural or organic�supermarkets in the country. Today, Whole Foods Market�has 364 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom���which are sometimes referred to as ��hole Wallet��r ��hole Paycheck��given how much it costs to shop there.
- [By David Mamos]
The Fresh Market Inc. (Nasdaq: TFM), Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc. (NYSE: NGVC), and privately held Trader Joe's are others crowding into the field.
