The positive equity story continues with discount/off-price apparel retailer The TJX Companies (TJX), first discussed here on May 12, 2009, on $28.13, and I obviously still like the business model at this stage.

Look for a 2% to 4% fiscal 2011 same store sales increase for TJX, which will continue to perform admirably in a consolidating retail sector.

TJX, operator of the T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods chains, remains in the discount retail sweet spot: it's poised to gain market share in the era of the frugal consumer.

Continue reading TJX Companies: Discount Retail Gem

TJX Companies: Discount Retail Gem originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Barnes & Noble, the Gap, RadioShack, and Sears -- that may sound like the lineup at the local mall, but in fact they are just a few of the retailers scheduled to step into the earnings spotlight this week. Following last week's disappointing January retail sales numbers from the Commerce Department but strong fourth-quarter reports from Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) and Nordstrom (JWN), the coming week will offer plenty more data on the sector for investors to mull over.

Walmart

Bentonville-based Walmart (WMT) offered free holiday shipping, closed its Moscow office and named a chief merchandising officer during its fourth quarter. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters forecast earnings for that period to come to $1.31 per share, up from $1.17 in the same quarter of last year. The world's largest retailer also is expected to post revenues of $117.7 billion for the three months that ended in January. That's 3.5% more than a year earlier.

Continue reading Week in Preview: Walmart, Home Depot and More Retail Earnings

Week in Preview: Walmart, Home Depot and More Retail Earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 20 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Want evidence concerning the strength of retailer The TJX Companies (TJX)? Consider this:

On Friday TJX announced it would cut 4,400 jobs and convert 91 A.J. Wright stores in to T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, or HomeGoods stores, while closing the remaining 71 A.J. Wright stores.

In other words, another casualty of what's likely to be a smaller retail cut of the U.S. GDP pie this decade.

Continue reading TJX: Even More Efficient After Rightsizing

TJX: Even More Efficient After Rightsizing originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Ending the Week on a Positive (GE, GMCR, EPCT, TJX, THC, YOKU)

Closing Bell: Ending the Week on a Positive (GE, GMCR, EPCT, TJX, THC, YOKU) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"So far this year, 36 U.S.-traded stocks have declared stock splits, nearly triple the amount from all of last year," says Richard Moroney.

The editor of Dow Theory Forecasts -- an advisorty service that has focused on blue chip stocks for over 50 years -- explains, "We have reviewed stocks that have climbed to within 25% of the price of their last split. Below, we review four of these stocks, all potential stock-split candidates: Apple (AAPL), Lubrizol (LZ), TJX (TJX) and Varian Medical Systems (VAR).

"Is an increase in stock splits important? After all, stock splits have no fundamental impact on a company, neither creating nor destroying value.

Continue reading Four Potential Split Candidates: Apple, Lubrizol, TJX, Varian Medical

Four Potential Split Candidates: Apple, Lubrizol, TJX, Varian Medical originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Last January I suggested that shares of Ross Stores (ROST) might be as much of a bargain as the merchandise it sells. That turned out to be true. The stock has outpaced the market considerably. At the time, it was trading at $45.20. Last week, on Sept. 3, Ross closed at $52.60 for a year-to-date gain of 16.37%.

Ross pays a small dividend yielding 1.12%. It is not high, but it exceeds what you're getting from money market accounts or CDs and, added to the stocks appreciating, it's a bonus.

After this nice gain, how do the metrics shape up today? Is it too late to make some money here?

Continue reading Chasing Value: Ross Stores Update, Great Then and Now

Chasing Value: Ross Stores Update, Great Then and Now originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading The TJX Companies: A Retail Shining Star

The TJX Companies: A Retail Shining Star originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Below are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks. Click through to the original posts for more details.

• Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF) shares sold off after it posted a narrower Q1 net loss, but same-store sales rose.
• Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT) swung from a year-ago loss to a Q2 profit that was better than expected.
• Deere & Co. (DE) reported better-than-expected Q2 earnings and improved sales, and raised its full-year outlook.
• Dell Inc. (DELL) posted better-than-expected Q1 earnings, but the gross margin was disappointing, and shares fell.
• GameStop Corp. (GME) higher Q1 earnings beat consensus estimates but same-store sales declined.
• Gap Inc. (GPS) said its higher Q1 earnings beat expectations while revenue fell in line with estimates.

Continue reading Earnings Highlights: Dell, Gap, GM, Home Depot, HP, Sears, Target, Walmart ...

Earnings Highlights: Dell, Gap, GM, Home Depot, HP, Sears, Target, Walmart ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 22 May 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Needham upgraded Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS) to buy from hold following the company's Q1 results as it believes the sell-off in shares provides an attractive entry point into the name. The firm has a $31 price target for the stock. Piper Jaffrey upgraded Dick's Sporting to overweight from neutral following the company's Q1 results and raised its target for shares to $34 from $31.
• Piper Jaffray also upgraded MGIC Investment (MTG) to overweight from neutral. The firm upgraded shares on valuation and raised its target to $11 from $10.
• Macy's (M) was upgraded to buy from neutral and VeriSign (VRSN) was upgraded to sell from conviction sell at Goldman.
• Fidelity National (FIS) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Raymond James.
• Watson Pharma (WPI) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: CCRT, DKS, HAST, JCP, M, MTG, MUSA, TJX, VZ, WWE ...

Analyst Calls: CCRT, DKS, HAST, JCP, M, MTG, MUSA, TJX, VZ, WWE ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 May 2010 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading TJX: Buy or Sell After Q1?

TJX: Buy or Sell After Q1? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 May 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading The TJX Companies: Retail Sector Winner

The TJX Companies: Retail Sector Winner originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 07 May 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Oppenheimer upgraded Williams-Sonoma (WSM) to outperform from perform. Opco believes the company's business model is being underappreciated by investors and upped its target price for shares to $40 from $26.
• BMO Capital upgraded Tractor Supply (TSCO) to market perform from underperform and set a $75 target. The firm upgraded the stock after the company's positive preannouncement.
• JCPenney (JCP) was upgraded to conviction buy from neutral at Goldman.
• DISH Network (DISH) was upgraded to buy from neutral at UBS.
• BJ's Wholesale (BJ) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at Credit Suisse.
• Taseko Mines (TGB) was upgraded to buy from hold at TD Newcrest.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AA, BJ, CELG, DISH, JCP, MGM, TJX, TSCO, WSM ...

Analyst Calls: AA, BJ, CELG, DISH, JCP, MGM, TJX, TSCO, WSM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The TJX Companies (TJX), a retailer that competes with Kohl's (KSS) and Target (TGT), made its shareholders happy yesterday by announcing a dividend increase. The new quarterly payment was expanded by 25% to 15 cents per share.

Not only was that event pretty cool, but so was the price action of the stock. Shares of the company hit a new 52-week high of $44.95 during Tuesday's intraday session. At the end of regular trading activities, the stock settled to a nice $44.70. Volume was healthy, as well.

Continue reading TJX: Buy After the Dividend Increase?

TJX: Buy After the Dividend Increase? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• American Public Education Inc. (APEI) received an analyst upgrade following the Q4 report and guidance.
• Autodesk Inc. (ADSK) traded higher after it reported swinging to a profit in Q4, but revenue declined year over year.
• Blackstone Group (BX) reported adjusted Q4 earnings, compared to a year-ago loss, and postive renvenue too.
• Campbell Soup Co. (CPB) higher Q2 earnings beat estimates, but shares fell on so-so revenue results.
• DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. (DWA) lower Q4 earnings beat expectations but net income for the full year rose.
• Garmin Ltd. (GRMN) topped analysts' Q4 earnings expectations but shares fell after it warned of lower margins.

Continue reading Earnings Highlights: Campbell, Dreamworks, Home Depot, Safeway, Target ...

Earnings Highlights: Campbell, Dreamworks, Home Depot, Safeway, Target ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 27 Feb 2010 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading TJX Cos Trades Higher Following Better-Than-Expected Earnings

TJX Cos Trades Higher Following Better-Than-Expected Earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Last week, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), the world's largest retailer, led off the coming parade of earnings reports from retailers by posting disappointing fourth quarter results. JCPenney (JCP), on the other hand, easily topped earnings expectations.

Many more shopping mall and strip mall stalwarts are scheduled to report results this week. The expectations of analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are high for the likes of Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD) and Macy's Inc. (M), RadioShack Corp. (RSH) and America's Car Mart Inc. (CRMT), to Caribou Coffee Co. Inc. (CBOU) and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. (CBRL), all expected to report double-digit earnings growth year over year. Here's a look a few of the biggest anticipated earnings winners reporting this week.

Continue reading The Week in Preview: Eye on Retail: Dollar Tree, Nordstrom, Target and more

The Week in Preview: Eye on Retail: Dollar Tree, Nordstrom, Target and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 21 Feb 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading TJX: In the Retail Sweet Spot

TJX: In the Retail Sweet Spot originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The 2009 equity market recovery has led to an increase in Q ratios for the world's largest retailers. What does this mean? They're using their tangible assets effectively and have demonstrated the strength of intangible factors, such as brand and operational efficiency, to create shareholder value.

"Q" is the ratio of a public company's market capitalization to the market value of its tangible assets. So, a Q ratio of above one means that investors value the company's non-tangible assets -- e.g., brand, differentiation, innovation, customer experience and customer loyalty -- and see these factors as reasons to pay a higher price per share. A company with a Q ratio of below one can't generate a sufficient return on its physical assets. According to Deloitte, this could create an arbitrage opportunity, as it may be ripe for an acquisition.

Continue reading Emerging Markets and Electronics Retailers Sport Best Intangible Values

Emerging Markets and Electronics Retailers Sport Best Intangible Values originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• JPMorgan upgraded Alliance Data Systems (ADS) to overweight from neutral to reflect potential upside to 2010 estimates. The firm raised its target on shares to $84 from $68.
• JMP Securities upgraded SVB Financial (SIVB) to outperform from market perform and has a $54 target on the stock. The firm believes industry conditions are improving and that the recent TARP repayment is a positive sign regarding credit and liquidity.
• Citigroup upgraded Agrium (AGU) to buy from hold on expectations that 2010 will bring a recovery in fertilizer volumes. The firm raised its target price on shares to $82 from $64.
• Edwards Lifesciences (EW) was upgraded to conviction buy from buy at Goldman.
• Barclays (BCS) was upgraded to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Tower Bancorp (TOBC) was upgraded to outperform from market.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ADS, ANF, BCS, EXC, HRS, KO, TJX, WEN ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ADS, ANF, BCS, EXC, HRS, KO, TJX, WEN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This week, the world's top retailers will tell investors how the much-discussed holiday season went. Analysts expect a year-over-year gain of 1.3% for stores open at least a year, which of course uses a dismal 2008 as a benchmark.

The holiday shopping season is the last chance retailers get to pump up their financial statements before the close of their fiscal year, which usually comes at the end of January. For some retailers, up to 40% of their revenue comes in the weeks heading into Christmas.

Continue reading Retail Results to Come this Week, but Spring Is the Test

Retail Results to Come this Week, but Spring Is the Test originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.