Shares of retail giant Best Buy (BBY) traded higher Thursday morning after the company posted better-than-expected earnings for its fourth quarter.

Going into the earnings report, analysts had been expecting to see Best Buy report earnings of $1.84 per share for the quarter. Best Buy topped estimates by posting earnings of $1.98 per share.

Continue reading Best Buy Tops Earnings Estimates but Revenues Disappoint

Best Buy Tops Earnings Estimates but Revenues Disappoint originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Retail giant Target Corp. (TGT) reported its fourth quarter results this morning, and a strong holiday shopping season helped boost profit by 11%.

The company reported earnings of $1.38 per share, slightly lower than the $1.40 that analysts had been expecting. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.24 per share.

Continue reading Target Trades Higher Following Fourth-Quarter Earnings

Target Trades Higher Following Fourth-Quarter Earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Tomorrow is a big day for Verizon (VZ) customers who have been waiting to get their chance to join the iPhone revolution, and we now learn that Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) will also be carrying the Verizon iPhone 4 at 600 retail stores across the nation.

As of today, when you visit Apple's (AAPL) website you are given the option to order an iPhone for use on either AT&T (T) or Verizon, with the price being the same for either option.

Continue reading Walmart Joins the iPhone Party

Walmart Joins the iPhone Party originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

There are definitely a lot of happy Beatles fans out there today, as Apple Inc. (AAPL) announced that it would finally be selling Beatles material through its iTunes store.

Fans have been waiting, not-so-patiently, for this to happen for years now, and today it has finally arrived. Apple wrote on its website that "In 1964, the band that changed everything came to America. Now they're on iTunes."

Continue reading Apple Finally Starts Selling Beatles Songs Through iTunes

Apple Finally Starts Selling Beatles Songs Through iTunes originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Discount retailer Target Corporation (TGT) announced today that starting October 3 its stores will start to carry all six models of the popular new Apple, Inc. (AAPL) iPad.

While this is not the first time that Apple has teamed up with outside retailers, Target is the largest retailer to date that has agreed to sell the iPad.

You can already buy iPad in some Best Buy stores, and the company has announced that starting this Sunday it will be selling the device at all of its U.S. stores. In addition to facing competition from Best Buy Co., Inc. (BBY), Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT) is also rumored to begin selling iPads in stores soon.

Continue reading Target to Begin Selling iPads

Target to Begin Selling iPads originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Wal-Mart (WMT), a buy recommendation in our model growth portfolio and the largest retailer in the world, recently reports its second-quarter earnings," notes Stephen Leeb.

The growth stock specialist and editor of The Complete Investor explains, "Earnings per share were up 9 percent -- and, more important, the company increased its EPS guidance for the full year; the company is now expecting to make from $3.95 to $4.05, exceeds its earlier forecast of $4 profit for the year.

Continue reading Walmart (WMT): An 'Essential Investment'

Walmart (WMT): An 'Essential Investment' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Aflac Trading Slightly Higher Following Q1 Earnings Report

Aflac Trading Slightly Higher Following Q1 Earnings Report originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading IQ Trends' Blue Chip Buys: The 'Timely Ten'

IQ Trends' Blue Chip Buys: The 'Timely Ten' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The wireless mobile phone service is a highly lucrative business. Now the competition is heating up with the expansion of service from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) service.

Walmart will offer prepaid mobile phone service for $30 for 1,000 minutes and $45 for unlimited calling. Walmart will expand service to 3,200 stores from 234. Response to the initial launch was "overwhelming," said Walmart.

Continue reading Walmart to offer cut-rate mobile phone service

Walmart to offer cut-rate mobile phone service originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Wal Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT), the world's largest retailer, with $405 billion in revenues last year, has remained remarkably strong during the recession even as other retailers have floundered," says Stephen Leeb.

In his The Complete Investor, he explains, " Its low prices have lured more customers, while its product line-up emphasizes items seldom cut from consumer budgets, such as food and health care products." Here's his review.

"Its Wal-Mart stores draw an estimated 100 million people a week, explaining why the company dominates the U.S. supermarket industry, with a better than 25% market share. The company also sells under numerous other names, including Sam's Club.

Continue reading Wal-Mart (WMT): A 'giant without peer'

Wal-Mart (WMT): A 'giant without peer' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In early 2008, Toby Smith forecast a shift among consumers towards discount retailers; in ChangeWave Investing, he still looks to Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) and Fred's (NASDAQ: FRED) as the best way to participate in this ongoing trend.

"Consumers are worried about their jobs and about trying to build savings, so the last thing they are apt to do is spend frivolously.

"Early in 2008, our ChangeWave Alliance accurately picked up a major transformational shift in retailing as consumers began to increase spending at discounters. That shift became even more dramatic, as the economic downturn worsened in Q4 2008.

Continue reading Retail winners? Look to discounters

Retail winners? Look to discounters originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"If you're going to stay invested, you should look to defensive sectors," explain Ron Rowland and Brandon Clay, who point to consumer staples as a top pick for the current market environment.

In their Invest with an Edge, the advisors explain, "Perhaps the best way to stay defensive is with the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLP), an exchange traded fund.

"In a bear market, opportunities are usually limited to certain sectors. Surveying the investment horizon, we think the consumer staples sector has the best opportunity for growth in this economy.

"Regardless how the economy acts, people still eat. Consumers may not shop at Whole Foods, but they'll still buy groceries. Companies like Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) and Safeway (NYSE: SWY) will continue to rake in revenues from hungry customers.

"In addition, these companies should continue to receive additional revenue from consumers who normally shop at specialty stores, but can no longer afford to.

"Consumers may not be shopping at Sharper Image any more, but there are other creature comforts that will be difficult for Americans to abandon.

"Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) and PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) will still sell products during a prolonged downturn. In addition, companies providing toiletries and convenience like Procter and Gamble and CVS Pharmacy stand to do well during a shifty economy.

Continue reading Stay defensive: Invest in consumer staples

Stay defensive: Invest in consumer staples originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Retailer Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) joined the earnings parade this morning when it reported its first quarter numbers. Despite a 7.5% drop in net income, the company was still able to come in above Wall Street estimates.

Going into today's earnings report, analysts had been looking for earnings for the quarter of 71 cents per share, and the company actually was able to post earnings of 74 cents a share, on net income of $602 million. During the same period last year, the company was able to show net income of $651 million.

Revenues came in slightly under analyst estimates, with a reported $14.8 billion, compared to Wall Street's expectations for $14.92 billion. Same store sales were down by 0.7% in the quarter, but revenue was actually higher by 5.4% as the company's new stores were able to overshadow the decrease in revenue that the company witnessed in its stores open more than a year.

Continue reading Target (TGT) reports weak Q1 earnings, but still beats estimates

Target (TGT) reports weak Q1 earnings, but still beats estimates originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 May 2008 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) to report Q1 earnings; conference call at 8:00am.
• W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE: GWW) to hold sales conference call at 8:00am.
• XM Satellite Radio Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: XMSR) and Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRI) to report quarterly earnings; the conference call is at 10:00am for XM and at 4:30pm for Sirius.

• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) to report Q1 earnings; conference call at 7:30am.
• Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE: TOL) to report preliminary Q2 results and outlook at 2pm.
• Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) to report Q2 earnings; conference call at 4:30pm.

• FCC Open Commission Meeting at 9:30am.
• SEC Open Commission Meeting at 10:00am.
• Macy's, Inc. (NYSE: M) to report Q1 earnings; conference call at 10:30am.
• Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: A) to report Q2 earnings; conference call at 4:30pm.

Continue reading Market highlights for next week: Wal-Mart and Hewlett-Packard reporting

Market highlights for next week: Wal-Mart and Hewlett-Packard reporting originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 09 May 2008 16:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Happy Cinco de Mayo!
• Day one of the two-day FDA Anesthetic/Life Support Drugs & Drug Safety/Risk Management Advisory Committees meeting: Purdue Pharma's NDA for Oxycontin.
  
• Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE:APC) to report Q1 earnings; conference call Tuesday at 10:00am.

• Day two of the two-day FDA Anesthetic/Life Support Drugs & Drug Safety/Risk Mgmt Advisory Committees meeting: Cephalon's (NASDAQ:CEPH) sNDA for Fentora.
• Molson Coors (NYSE:TAP) to report Q1 earnings; conference call at 12:00pm.
• Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) to report Q2 earnings; conference call at 4:30pm.

• Marsh & McLennan (NYSE:MMC) to report Q1 earnings; conference call at 8:30am.
• Transocean (NYSE:RIG) to report Q1 earnings; conference call at 10:00am.
• Hot Topic (NASDAQ:HOTT) and Zumiez (NASDAQ:ZUMZ) to report April sales at 4:00pm.

• Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) to report April sales at 8:00am. Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF) to report sales at 8:15am. Target (NYSE:TGT) to report sales at 8:30am.
  
• NVidia (NADAQ:NVDA) to report Q1 earnings; conference call at 5:00pm.

• PDUFA date for Adolor Corp (NYSE:ADLR) and GlaxoSmithKline's (NYSE:GSK) Entereg for management of Post-operative Ileus.
• American International Group (NYSE:AIG) to report Q1 earnings; conference call at 8:30am.
• Sotheby's (NYSE:BID) to report Q1 earnings; conference call at 9:00am.

Market highlights for next week: April sales results coming out originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 May 2008 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• ComScore (NASDAQ: SCOR) was upgraded to Outperform from Perform at Oppenheimer to reflect the strong Q1 report and strong customer additions.
  
• Duke Realty (NYSE: DRE) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wachovia upgraded based on valuation.
  
• Nordstrom (NYSE: JWN) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse.
  
• Sun Healthcare (NASDAQ: SUNH) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Friedman Billings based on valuation and notes the Medicare rate cuts will be as drastic as feared.

• MedAssets (NASDAQ: MDAS) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Piper, which thinks the company's acquisition of Accuro will strengthen its revenue cycle management offering, and the firm believes the tight credit markets make the company's MedAssets a compelling product in the short-term. In addition, Piper notes that the company has recently had success with large hospital systems.
  
• Jones Apparel (NYSE: JNY) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Merrill citing sales expectations for the l.e.i. brand at Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) and margin improvements from leaner inventories.
  
• Affiliated Computer (NYSE: ACS) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Jefferies based on valuation and expectations for better bookings.

Analyst upgrades: SCOR, DRE, JWN and SUNH originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 May 2008 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

"Value stocks are those whose prices are relatively low compared to their fundamental value, as measured by factors such as earnings and net worth," notes Mark Hulbert.

"Value stocks can be considered all-season stocks, as history shows that they can perform well in both up and down markets." Here, the editor of The Hulbert Financial Digest also offers a list of value stocks that recommended by the most advisors who have also beaten the broad market over the last decade on a risk-adjusted basis.

"Value stocks are to be distinguished from so-called growth stocks, which have relatively high price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios.

"Consider first how value stocks perform during bear markets. Believe it or not, they on average actually tend to make money. It's not only that they lose less money than the overall market, they actually gain.

"Take the 2000-2002 bear market, for example, during which the overall stock market declined by 48.6% (as measured by the dividend-adjusted version of the Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 index (97199001:Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Composite Index

"In contrast, according to data compiled by University of Chicago finance professor Eugene Fama and Dartmouth University finance professor Kenneth French, the average value stock over this time gained over 80%.

Continue reading Hulbert on value stocks: All-weather plays?

Hulbert on value stocks: All-weather plays? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) delivers amid the recent retail meltdown," says Richard Moroney, editior of Dow Theory Forecast, a blue chip service that has been published for over 50 years.

The advisor adds, "The company stands to benefit as cost-conscious shoppers shift away from convenience in favor of value." Here is his review of the stock, which earns his "long-term buy" rating.

"As evidence of strain on the U.S. consumer mounts, Wal-Mart Stores continues to post solid results.The nation's biggest retailer delivered U.S. same-store-sales growth of 2.4% excluding gasoline sales in December, while rival Target (NYSE: TGT) saw same-store sales fall 5% and other discounters and department stores also delivered bad news.

"With decent operating momentum and solid long-term growth prospects, Wal-Mart shares seem reasonably valued at 14 times the consensus profit estimate for the year ending January 2009. Meanwhile, the company is getting bigger and better.

Continue reading Wal-Mart (WMT): A 'cost-conscious' value

Wal-Mart (WMT): A 'cost-conscious' value originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Welcome to the 26th installment of The Wal-Mart Weekly, a column dedicated to bringing you insight, wit, facts, results, opinions and just a bit of everything else when it comes down to a very hot topic these days: Wal-Mart. Last week we wondered whether Always Low Prices was just a myth in today's competitive climate.

This past week, I discussed Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) Stores, Inc.'s entry into the non-protected digital music file download business. With the retailer selling non-protected songs from its website for a maximum of $0.94, will this action dent into Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL)'s iTunes market share? Who knows at this point.

Wal-Mart has been in the news quite a bit this past week in regards to a European competitor entering a market Wal-Mart is already in (just not in a big way) -- California. Tesco (LSE: TSCO) said it will be opening smaller-concept stores soon that feature the opposite of the big-box retail feeling of the standard 100,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter. Tesco's stores will average about 10,000 square feet. What will Wal-Mart do in response?

Continue reading The Wal-Mart (WMT) Weekly: Smaller stores to come?

The Wal-Mart (WMT) Weekly: Smaller stores to come? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 31 Aug 2007 07:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.