I first wrote about Kohl's (KSS) on April 28, 2009, at a price of $43.82, and shares of the retailer have retreated in bear-hug fashion this summer after hitting a high near $59. Typically, that would be a danger sign, but I'm sticking with the play. Here's why.

Look for Kohl's same-store sales to increase 5% to 6% in this year, FY2011, after a roughly flat FY2010.

Kohl's is a moderate-price retailer that held its own during the recession, and will now benefit from increased spending per customer, as Americans gradually increase dollars allocated to optional, retail purchases.

Continue reading Has Kohl's Pull-Back Created an Opportunity?

Has Kohl's Pull-Back Created an Opportunity? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT) is turning into a "frugal consumer" play, which is why I'm reiterating my Buy rating for the company, first recommended on July 13, 2009, at a price of $26.88.

Kraft will benefit from the now-established "frugal consumer" trend, whereby Americans save more and eliminate needless, optional purchases. Included in the above will be more meals consumed at home per month, which is good news for food company Kraft.

Continue reading Kraft: Suddenly, it's a 'frugal consumer' play

Kraft: Suddenly, it's a 'frugal consumer' play originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Short City Update: McDonald's: hold short; Fortune Brands: cover short

Short City Update: McDonald's: hold short; Fortune Brands: cover short originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Did you catch one theme of the frugal consumer era? For middle America, dinner out is out; dinner in is in.

Look for Newell Rubbermaid to continue to profit from this trend, as Americans shun dining out for a very long time, which means leftovers will increase. That's bullish for the company's Rubbermaid food storage containers; kitchen utensils will also see impressive gains.

Continue reading Look for Newell Rubbermaid to ride the 'dinner in' wave

Look for Newell Rubbermaid to ride the 'dinner in' wave originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

When I wrote about The TJX Companies (NYSE: TJX) back in November of last year, I was clearly bearish. Hey, things seemed a lot tougher back then, and the frugal consumer was putting a ton of pressure on retail prices. Now, though, after checking out the company's second-quarter report, I find myself losing some of my negative thoughts about it.

According to the press release, sales increased 4% and earnings per diluted share from continuing operations expanded by 27% to come in at 61 cents. This was a penny better than market expectations, according to Earnings.com.

Continue reading TJX Companies sees growth in Q2: Should stock be considered a buy?

TJX Companies sees growth in Q2: Should stock be considered a buy? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The key statistic in the U.S. Q2 GDP report, aside from the 1% decline in GDP, which was below the 1.5% Bloomberg News consensus estimate: the decline in consumer spending.

Consumer spending declined 1.3% in Q2, compared to a 0.7% increase in Q1. In Q2, durable goods decreased 7.1%, compared to an increase of 3.9% in Q1; nondurable goods decreased 2.5%, in contrast to an increase of 1.9%; and services increased 0.1%, compared to a decrease of 0.3%.

Continue reading U.S. Q2 GDP report: Era of 'frugal consumer' continues

U.S. Q2 GDP report: Era of 'frugal consumer' continues originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Newell Rubbermaid has no complaints about dinner leftovers

Newell Rubbermaid has no complaints about dinner leftovers originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.