BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![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[Rice shortages in America? Unbelievable]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/24/rice-shortages-in-america-unbelievable/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/24/rice-shortages-in-america-unbelievable/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/24/rice-shortages-in-america-unbelievable/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Reports that Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s (NYSE: WMT) Sam's Club and Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ:CSCO) were placing limits on the amount of staples such as rice and flour that customers can purchase have left me stunned. It makes me think of the food rationing that went during World War II.

Food inflation is getting out of control. Prices for everything from cereal to pastries have jumped. Pizza shop owners are getting squeezed by soaring costs for milk, flour and cheese. Rice prices alone have soared 68 percent since the start of the year, according to Reuters. Think of that the next time you order takeout from your favorite Chinese restaurant. No wonder demand for Food Stamps is at a record.

Continue reading Rice shortages in America? Unbelievable

Rice shortages in America? Unbelievable originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>COSTFood inflationFoodInflationinthenewsricerice shortagesRiceShortagesSams ClubSamsClubWal MartWalMartWMTThu, 24 Apr 2008 11:50:00 EST