General Electric's (NYSE: GE) studio division didn't have a great summer at the box office. This past weekend, though, the company's new comedy made waves at the box office.

According to Box Office Mojo, Universal's Couples Retreat, starring Vince Vaughn, took in about $35 million at domestic theaters as of early estimates, more than enough to capture the top slot. Sony (NYSE: SNE) took the next two spots on the chart with Zombieland, and the resilient cartoon Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, respectively. Don't get too cocky, though, Sony, because Disney (NYSE: DIS) was right behind you with its Toy Story 3D special release.

Continue reading GE's 'Couples Retreat' or Viacom's 'Paranormal Activity' -- which is really No. 1?

GE's 'Couples Retreat' or Viacom's 'Paranormal Activity' -- which is really No. 1? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The news for video games isn't improving, I'm sorry to say. My colleague Mark Fightmaster recently discussed the disappointing industry sales results observed in the month of August. As he pointed out, total revenues for the sector have now dropped six times in a row.

Oh, that doesn't feel nice at all. I own shares of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), and I have to admit, the trend does send an icy chill down my spine. But I'll bet shareholders of Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) feel even worse. August, of course, is a big month for them. The latest version of the Madden football franchise is released during the latter part of summer. Unfortunately, this year's game seems to have been a disappointment in terms of units sold.

Continue reading Electronic Arts misses with Madden?

Electronic Arts misses with Madden? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Earlier this week, Kohl's (NYSE: KSS) issued its August sales report. Kohl's hasn't been on my list of potential buys, but like I said back in May, the stock has been technically strong. I wanted to check back in with the retailer to see how things are going.

According to the press release, total net sales increased 4.8%. We don't care too much about total sales, though. We want to know what the same-store sales say about the company. That stat is way more vital for this sector. Unfortunately, comps were up a pitiful 0.2% last month, and they declined by 2.7% for the year-to-date period.

Continue reading Kohl's reports lower August comps, but maybe retailer is a buy?

Kohl's reports lower August comps, but maybe retailer is a buy? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The domestic box-office estimates for the July 4th holiday weekend are in. According to Boxofficemojo, at the time of this writing, the results are too close to call. Both Viacom's (NYSE: VIA) Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and News Corp.'s (NASDAQ: NWS) Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs are credited with the same amount of money: $42.5 million. Boxofficemojo is giving Dinosaurs the edge for now and calling it the top movie, presumably because the per-theater average for the computer cartoon is slightly higher.

I previously discussed News Corp.'s strong opening with Dinosaurs, but unfortunately, I'm not so sure the movie lived up to it. When the second Ice Age was released back in 2006, it scored $68 million in its three-day debut weekend. Dinosaurs didn't do as well, but let's take into account the film's Wednesday opening, and tally up the gross for the five-day period, since some of the excitement that might have been reserved for the weekend could have been spread over the mid-week showings. Even by that standard, as of the current estimate, Dinosaurs has taken in a little less than the second Ice Age.

Continue reading Were News Corp.'s 'Ice Age' sequel and GE's 'Public Enemies' disappointments?

Were News Corp.'s 'Ice Age' sequel and GE's 'Public Enemies' disappointments? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

GameStop (NYSE: GME) reported earnings for Q4 and the full fiscal year on Thursday. As expected, they were very good. Why shouldn't they be? The country is in love with video games, and systems by Sony (NYSE: SNE), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Nintendo (OTC: NTDOY) are keeping a lot of people from all age groups occupied. Including myself. I just recently completed Resident Evil 5 for the PlayStation 3.

Continue reading GameStop issues a good report, but stock sells off -- buy it?

GameStop issues a good report, but stock sells off -- buy it? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

With earnings due out tomorrow, only those comfortable with potential near-term volatility should consider Mark Fightmaster's recommendation for Under Armour (NYSE: UA). Nevertheless, the analyst with Schaeffer's Investment Research says, "I am a raging bull when it comes to this athletic apparel firm."

He explains, "Under Armour has a lot going for it. UA darn near has the market cornered when it comes to performance apparel. Its marketing is aggressive and catchy, and it was the innovator, not the imitator."

"Walk into your local sporting goods store or look at UA's internet site," he notes, and "check out the ducats you need to shell out for one of the company's shirts."

The advisor continues, "Okay, now let's take a look at UA's technical merits and see if my bullish enthusiasm is warranted. The shares are positioned above potential support at their 50-week moving average. Since its inception, UA has finished just one week below this trendline, which is rapidly ascending into the technical picture to provide support."

Continue reading Under Armour (UA): Contrary technician is a 'raging bull'

Under Armour (UA): Contrary technician is a 'raging bull' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.