"Walgreen (NYSE: WAG) reported fourth quarter profits that topped Wall Street's expectations," says Geoffrey Seiler.

In his BullMarket,com advisory, he forecasts, "We expect to see continued operational improvements in the months ahead." Here, the advisor reiterates his buy rating and boosts his price target for the stock.

The advisor observes,, "The company reported a net profit of $436 million, or 44 cents per share, for the quarter ended August 31st, a -1.5% decrease the same quarter a year ago. Results topped the Wall Street consensus by 5 cents share and edged the full-year EPS estimate by 3 cents.

Continue reading Walgreen (WAG): More healthy returns

Walgreen (WAG): More healthy returns originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Validea is an intriguing newsletter that selects stocks based on the strategies of the market's most legendary investors. Here, editor John Reese takes a look at Aeropostale (NYSE: ARO).

"This mall-based clothing retailer targets youngsters age 14 to age 17 through more than 900 stores in 49 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

"The company has developed a new retail store concept called P.S. from Aeropostale, which will offer casual clothing and accessories focusing on elementary school children between the ages of seven and 12.

Continue reading Market 'legends' like Aeropostale (ARO)

Market 'legends' like Aeropostale (ARO) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Maidenform Brands (NYSE: MFB), which earns our strong buy rating, saw sales rise 5.6% in the second quarter based on strong demand," reports analyst Tracey Ryniec.

In Zacks Elite Stocks, she explains, "Maidenform Brands sells intimate apparel such as bras and shapewear at department stores and other retail outlets.

"The company provides a collection of recognizable brands including Maidenform, Lilyette, Control It!, and Sweet Nothings. It also licenses the Donna Karan and DKNY brands, which it launched in the first quarter.

Continue reading Maidenform Brands (MFB): In good form

Maidenform Brands (MFB): In good form originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Diageo (NYSE: DEO), the world's largest spirits maker, offers solid and safe dividend, as well as the potential for strong capital appreciation," says Louis Basenese.

The senior analyst for the prestigious The Oxford Club suggests, "Moreover, investors can also prepare for a US dollar decline by buying these shares." Here's his bullish outlook.

"Headquartered in London, roughly 70% of the company's sales come from outside the United States. So any dollar dip will increase the value of our ADRs.

"Moreover, management concedes that positive currency tailwinds in the other countries where Diageo sells spirits will help the company easily grow earnings by double digits this year.

Continue reading Diageo: Toast to growth & income

Diageo: Toast to growth & income originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB), a consumer-products company that counts Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) and Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL) as colleagues, announced Q2 results on Thursday. The performance wasn't spectacular, but management successfully defended the bottom line from the recession by instituting pricing strategies that leveraged the brand equity of the company's portfolio.

The bottom line fell, of course, but probably not as far as it would have if there weren't any pricing mechanisms in place. Earnings per share came in at 97 cents. This was six cents lower than last year's adjusted Q2 income. Revenues were challenged by dollar fluctuations, dropping well over 5%. However, here's the silver lining: organic sales increased almost 3%, even with volumes on the decline.

Continue reading Kimberly-Clark up on Q2 numbers

Kimberly-Clark up on Q2 numbers originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Shares of Del Monte (NYSE: DLM) are up over 9% in early afternoon trading. And the volume is doing gangbusters business. The market is responding to the company's fourth-quarter results. The numbers did tell an overall fun story.

To begin with, revenues saw a big jump of 20%. As many news items have pointed out, price increases helped out. It should also be pointed out that the company's press release indicated that an extra week skewed things a bit. That's okay, though, it was still a good top-line performance. Earnings per share from continuing divisions came in at $0.35, which meant that Del Monte grew the bottom line by 75% (a couple elements affecting the perception of this profit expansion was a better tax situation linked to a positive change in California tax code and a $0.04 per-share transformation expense recorded in Q4 2008). Analysts said the company might earn $0.26 per share. That's a pleasant difference, isn't it?

Continue reading Del Monte's Q4 rocked -- buy or sell on the news?

Del Monte's Q4 rocked -- buy or sell on the news? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Income investors have to be very careful when searching for yield; many high-yielding stocks have turned in disastrous performances over the last year," cautions Chuck Carlson.

In his The DRIP Investor he adds, "That's what makes Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM) so attractive. The issues stands as as one in which investors can be confident of a steady dividend stream."

"The stock's current yield of 5% is especially attractive in this environment. And the dividend is taxed at the current preferential tax rate of just 15%, giving it an extra appeal relative to yields on fixed-income investments. Furthermore, the dividend is safe.

Continue reading Steady income from Philip Morris Int'l (PM)

Steady income from Philip Morris Int'l (PM) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A recent Time magazine cover story described it as, "The New Frugality." The "it" here is the change in behavior, attitudes and even values Americans are embracing as a byproduct of the "Great Recession." It's just a fact that most of us have in some way or another altered our spending habits to a more frugal lifestyle as a direct result of the worst economic downturn since the 1930s.

One company feeling the sting of the country's new frugality is high-end retailer Williams-Sonoma (NYSE: WSM). Today the company reported a Q1 loss of $18.7 million, or 18 cents a share, compared with a profit of $10.4 million, or 10 cents a share, a year earlier. A performance not uncommon for retail stocks these days.

The losses were actually smaller than the company had projected, but those previous projections included a slashed advertising budget, a cut in capital spending and lowered merchandise inventories. More importantly, the company said that revenue in the quarter ended May 3 fell 22% to $611.6 million. Yikes!

Of course, Wall Street rewarded the anemic results with a near-10% drop in Wednesday's trade. So, what does the Williams-Sonoma miss tell us?

Continue reading Attention Williams-Sonoma: Get used to a 'frugal nation'

Attention Williams-Sonoma: Get used to a 'frugal nation' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"To invest in the growing personal protection industry, Brinks Home Security Holdings (NYSE: CFL) looks particularly attractive," says Jim Powell in Global Changes & Opportunities Report.

"Brinks Holdings is an October 2008 spin-off from Brinks Company; as its name suggests, Brinks Home Security has a tighter focus than its parent organization that offers security services to banks and other high value businesses.

"I think the emphasis on protecting families from burglary and home invasions is a plus in today's economy.

Continue reading Security from Brinks (CFL)

Security from Brinks (CFL) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 May 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Our confidence in this market is growing... albeit slowly; the fundamental blocks are already in place for a market bottom, and the technical blocks seem to be following," says Jim Stack, well known for having accurately forecast the market. housing and economic downturn.

In InvesTech Market Analyst, he suggests, "We are now stepping up our allocation. The newest addition to our Model Portfolio is VF Corp. (NYSE: VFC)."

"VF Corporation is the world's largest publicly held apparel manufacturer and distributor. It owns an incredibly diverse line of brands; including such well known names as Wrangler, Lee, North Face, Vans, and Nautica.

Continue reading VF Corp. (VFC): Dressed for success

VF Corp. (VFC): Dressed for success originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 May 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a seven article report -- Food for thought: Best bets in food & beverage stocks.

"Customers are trading down to McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) from higher-end restaurants," says growth stock expert Toby Smith in his ChangeWave Investing.

The fast food operator is also a buy from Bill Martin, who adds, the company continues to serve up solid results. In his BullMarket.com advisory, he reviews the stock's recent quarter.

First, Toby Smith explains, "Given the endless parade of depressing economic news, it's no wonder that most people have lost their appetite for food -- if not altogether, then at least for the finer dining.

"Our proprietary ChangeWave Alliance survey -- ongoing pols of thousands of individuals and investors in various industries and professions -- just 5% of respondents said they would spend more at restaurants, which is unchanged from the all-time low.

Continue reading McDonald's (MCD): Two bets on Big Mac

McDonald's (MCD): Two bets on Big Mac originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The CEO of Target (NYSE: TGT) has purchased $4.6 million in shares of the discount retailer, and we're going to follow suit," says Bill Martin in his BullMarket.com advisory.

"Chief Executive Officer Gregg Steinhafel purchased 150K shares at $30.54 on March 18th. On the same day, he also acquired 78K shares at $31.58 for his 401(k) plan in what appears to have been an automated transaction.

"Following the transactions Steinhafel now holds 555.8K shares, exercisable options on 727.7K shares at $34.00 to $58.13, and unexercisable options on 600.9K shares at $48.16 and $58.13.

Continue reading Insider targets Target (TGT)

Insider targets Target (TGT) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Personally, I haven't played a video game since college; but I know the video game market is red hot," says Alex Green; here, the investment director for The Oxford Club takes a look at GameStop (NYSE: GME).

"With more than 5,100 stores throughout the United States and 15 other countries, GameStop is the world's largest video game retailer.

"Its stores include GameStop, EB Games and Electronics Boutique. It also publishes Game Informer, the industry's largest circulation video game magazine with more than 2.2 million paid subscribers.

Continue reading Gaming gains at GameStop (GME)

Gaming gains at GameStop (GME) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) has bucked the global recession in February as both global and U.S. same *store sales rose," says Tracey Ryniec, who has chosen the fast food giant as its latest featured company in Zacks Ellite Stock of the Day.

The analyst explains, "The company, which operates more than 32,000 McDonald's restaurants in over 100 countries, reported February comparable sales results on Mar 9 that showed global sales rising 1.4% year over year even as Feb 2008 included an extra day due to leap year. Excluding the extra day, sales grew 5.4%.

"U.S. sales climbed 2.8%, or 6.8% if you exclude the extra calendar day in 2008. Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa rose 0.7%, or 4.1% if you exclude the extra calendar day. Only Europe saw a decline, losing 0.2%, but if you exclude the extra day, even Europe increased 4%.

Continue reading Zacks Elite bites into Big Mac

Zacks Elite bites into Big Mac originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"I now believe some bargains are developing among technology stocks," says growth stock expert Mark Skousen. In his specialized trading service, The Turnaround Trader, he adds, "Motorola (NYSE: MOT) is a fallen tech leader that may even rise in a bear market -- and has a chance to double or triple once the market turns around."

Skousen expplains, "Technology stocks appear to have bottomed and are moving higher. Motorola, the $8-billion mobile ohone manufacturer, is in the midst of a classic turnaround situation.

"It used to be the cell phone technology leader, having developed the world's first handheld cellular phone and technical standard for high-definition TV. Yet the stock has fallen nearly 70% from its lofty highs of $26 a share two years ago.

Continue reading Motorola (MOT) : 'Classic tech turnaround'

Motorola (MOT) : 'Classic tech turnaround' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) Pepsi is about as dependable a company as there is and the stock would be an excellent anchor for most portfolios," says value investor Nathan Slaughter.

In his Half-Priced Stocks, he says, "All told, PepsiCo has built an impressive lineup of 18 brands that each generate more than $1 billion in annual sales."

"Long ago, management realized that carbonated drink sales would fizzle out and per-capita consumption would become sluggish. In their place, bottled water and sports drinks became two of the fastest-growing categories. And Pepsi is the dominant player in both, with its Aquafina and Gatorade brands.

"Meanwhile, energy drinks have emerged as the industry's hottest segment -- with sales soaring from $1.2 billion in 2002 to more than $6.6 billion last year. Again, Pepsi is well-represented with Amp.

Continue reading PepsiCo (PEP): A portfolio anchor

PepsiCo (PEP): A portfolio anchor originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The credit crisis on Wall Street is headed for Main Street," says Mark Skousen, economist, professor, financial author and investment advisor.

In his The Hedge Fund Trader, he explains, "This means business is likely to jump at the nation's pawnbrokers." Here, he looks at EZCorp (NASDAQ: EZPW).

"Both the economy and the financial markets need consumer confidence for things to go smoothly. That is sorely lacking right now. As a result, I'm expecting a bumpy ride during the next few quarters.

"Predictably, low-income earners and middle-class individuals will be particularly hard hit by the downturn. That means business is likely to jump at the nation's pawnbrokers.

"So now is an excellent time to pick up a few shares of EZCorp. Based in Austin, Texas, EZCorp is a leader in the 'specialty consumer finance industry,' better known as pawn broking.

Continue reading Pawnbroker profits with EZCorp (EZPW)

Pawnbroker profits with EZCorp (EZPW) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"With $37.2 billion in revenues in 2007, Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT) is the largest food manufacturer in the U.S. and second-largest worldwide," notes leading turnaround stock expert George Putnam.

The editor of The Turnaround Letter explains, "New management has begun to shake things up and the turnaround program is well underway." Here's the advisor's review.

"The roots of some of Kraft's products reach all the way back to 1767, but it wasn't until 1903 that James L. Kraft started his wholesale cheese business from a horse drawn wagon in Chicago. Today, Kraft produces many of the best-known food brands in the world.

"In 1988, Philip Morris (renamed Altria) purchased Kraft, and in 2000 it integrated the purchase of Nabisco into Kraft. Altria sold a small stake to the public in 2001, but maintained majority control until 2007, when the company was completely spun off as an independent company once again.

"Under the Altria umbrella, Kraft stagnated, with declining revenues and little product innovation. As a result, the stock price today is within $1 of the price where it was when first sold to the public in mid-2001.

"New management has begun to shake things up at Kraft. In June 2006, veteran food executive Irene Rosenfeld became CEO, returning to Kraft from a stint at Pepsico running its Frito-Lay division.

Continue reading Turnaround Kraft (KFT): New management 'shakes things up'

Turnaround Kraft (KFT): New management 'shakes things up' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Skechers USA (NYSE: SKX), a trendy California-based retailer, is a new buy recommendation on our 'hot list'," says John Reese, who selects stocks based on the criteria used by several legendary stock pickers.

In his always-fascinating Validea newsletter, the advisor explains, "Skechers gets approval from two of my guru-based strategies, those that I base on the writings of Peter Lynch and Kenneth Fisher." Here is his review.

"My Lynch-based model considers the firm to be a 'fast-grower' because of its 23.08% long-term growth rate (based on the average of the three- and five-year earnings per share figures).

"Lynch was perhaps best known for using the P/E/Growth ratio, which divides a stock's price/earnings ratio by its growth rate to identify growth stocks that are still selling at a good price.

"P/E/Gs below 1.0 are acceptable to my Lynch-based model, with those under 0.5 the best case. With a P/E of 10.99 and that 23.08 percent growth rate, Skechers has a P/E/G of 0.48, passing this critical Lynch-based test with flying colors.

Continue reading Sketchers (SKX): A hot idea for Peter Lynch or Ken Fisher

Sketchers (SKX): A hot idea for Peter Lynch or Ken Fisher originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Earnings season is basically over, but there are still some reports out there. On Friday, Wimm-Bill-Dann (NYSE: WBD), a dairy and juice distributor based in Russia, divulged its Q1 earnings stats. Talk about growth across the board. Everything was double-digit appreciation (except for one metric, which I'll get to in just a minute).

Seriously, this is like a picture of perfection in many ways. Net revenues jumped 35%. Gross profit shot up 26%. Operating income soared 23%. Net income on a dollar basis rose 31%. Net income on a diluted basis increased 30% to $0.95 per share. Bravo, Wimm-Bill-Dann!

Now, there's one metric that the company didn't shine on. It can be found in the statement of cash flows. Net cash from operating activities actually declined 45%. Okay, cash flow is one of my favorite metrics, so yes, this decrease isn't a joyous event for me. But this is just the first quarter. The growth rates in the other areas nevertheless inspire confidence in this foreign company. Plus, according to Reuters, this quarterly performance beat expectations.

Continue reading Wimm-Bill-Dann has an incredible quarter of growth -- should you buy?

Wimm-Bill-Dann has an incredible quarter of growth -- should you buy? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 07 Jun 2008 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.