http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/02/28/riches-to-rags-at-nordstrom.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 28, 2007

It’s been a rough couple of days for high-end retailer Nordstrom (NYSE: JWN).

On Monday, it missed fourth-quarter earnings, and then it took another hit in yesterday’s market meltdown. But the shares have recovered a bit so far today and could be poised for further gains.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/02/28/action-jackson-hewitt.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 28, 2007

Carl Weathers, best known for playing boxer Apollo Creed in the Rocky Balboa films, starred in a 1988 cop-thriller film called Action Jackson. The movie flopped; so did tax-preparation firm Jackson Hewitt’s (NYSE: JTX) third-quarter results. Let’s take a closer look at the action, or lack thereof.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/02/26/did-buffett-throw-in-the-towel-on-hr-block.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 26, 2007

It was recently revealed that Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A) (NYSE: BRK-B) trimmed some of its stake in the long-term holding of H&R Block (NYSE: HRB). Has Berkshire thrown in the towel on the tax advisor?

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2007/02/23/skechers-has-sole.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 23, 2007

After seeing the pitfalls that come with being a one-trick pony, I have to commend footwear designer and retailer Skechers (NYSE: SKX) for its success in pursuing a diversified approach to selling shoes.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2007/02/23/shoe-trends-turn-k-swiss-into-cheese.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 23, 2007

Shares of footwear designer and marketer K-Swiss (Nasdaq: KSWS) fell as much as 13% yesterday after releasing weak 2006 earnings and a sharp drop in expected earnings. There could be more shoes to drop as conditions look grim, but K-Swiss does have a couple of investment merits worth trying on for size.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/02/23/jc-penney-takes-a-breather.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 23, 2007

Perhaps venerable department-store operator J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) is just stopping to catch its breath. At current prices, its shares have more than quadrupled since its restructuring plan finally took hold in 2003. However, shares fell more than 3% after the company reported a more subdued outlook in its fourth-quarter earnings. Still, a number of positive trends could keep Penney’s rolling through the aisles.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/02/23/woes-slow-at-lowes.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 23, 2007

While Home Depot (NYSE: HD) works overtime to return to its retailing roots, rival Lowe’s (NYSE: LOW) continues to chip away at its archrival’s home improvement leadership position.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/02/22/dueling-fools-pfizer-bull.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 22, 2007

I didn’t want to start my bullish argument on pharmaceutical giant Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) on such a dour note, but there’s no sense beating around the bush: Pfizer has a number of vital issues to work through in terms of its drug pipeline. I’ll get into the specifics below, but overall I see two key reasons why contrarian-minded Fools may still want to consider placing some chips on the table. They can both be summarized as follows: Pfizer is a king of cash.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/02/22/dueling-fools-pfizer-bull-rebuttal.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 22, 2007

Collectively, my Foolish colleague Brian Lawler and I have identified Pfizer‘s (NYSE: PFE) key investment merits and drawbacks. Fools must now weigh in on deciding to buy, hold, or sell the stock. Our conclusions hinge on how successful we think Pfizer will be in offsetting the deluge of patent expirations that have already sent several of its drugs to the generic graveyard — and will send the almighty Lipitor down the same path within the next few years.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/02/21/home-depot-needs-repairs.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 21, 2007

Investors have been left in the dark, wondering whether home-improvement giant Home Depot (NYSE: HD) will be able to regain its former glory. Yesterday’s Q4 and year-end earnings announcement offered little insight, but recent developments suggest the company is finally turning over a new leaf.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/02/21/its-a-matter-of-taste-pepsi-vs-coca-cola.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 21, 2007

Beverage giants Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) and PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) recently reported fourth-quarter and year-end 2006 results. Quarterly details are always worth a glance, but taking an annual perspective (or longer) is even more Foolish. Let’s compare Coke and Pepsi’s 2006 numbers and results since 2001 to see which is the better firm to consider for your investment portfolio.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/02/21/can-mumbles-save-build-a-bear.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 21, 2007

Shares of “make your own stuffed animal” specialty retailer Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) fell nearly 10% yesterday after weak fourth-quarter sales sent bearish shareholders into hibernation. Customers also appear to be avoiding the stores, but other than that the stock is worth keeping on your watch list.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/02/21/tween-brands-deserves-justice.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 21, 2007

Investing in Limited Brands (NYSE: LTD) a number of years ago would have brought welcome exposure to a number of the most successful stores in retailing history. Limited still owns the venerable Victoria’s Secret chain as well as Bath & Body Works, but it has since spun off Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) and an interesting niche retailer now known as Tween Brands (NYSE: TWB).

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/02/20/logjam-at-timberland.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 20, 2007

Footwear and accessories firm Timberland (NYSE: TBL) may want to consider moving overseas. U.S. consumers continue to shun its merchandise, with no end in sight. There is hope for a turnaround, but it had better happen soon, or investors may take an ax to their positions.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/02/15/a-tamer-zebra-looks-to-rfid.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 15, 2007

Bar-code design and print firm Zebra Technologies (Nasdaq: ZBRA) has a solid reputation as a conservative yet profitable and growing technology company. And while earnings just fell 33% for 2006, Zebra hasn’t yet changed its stripes. However, the company may need some help to keep running at the head of the herd.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/02/15/a-food-stock-sampler.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 15, 2007

Mr. Market is a relaxed fellow these days. The Dow Jones index hasn’t dipped by more than 2% for almost six months, share volatility is low, and economic growth has remained steady for as long as investors can remember. No wonder food stocks are attracting so little attention.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/02/15/labcorp-takes-names.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 15, 2007

Lab-testing firm LabCorp (NYSE: LH) is firing on all cylinders right now. The good times are expected to continue into the foreseeable future, but at current stock price levels an archrival may be an even more tempting opportunity right now.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/02/08/sara-lees-messy-kitchen.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 8, 2007

After deciding back in February 2005 that there were too many cooks in the kitchen, food and beverage firm Sara Lee (NYSE: SLE) jettisoned a number of non-core business units. It’s now been two full quarters since it completed its most significant corporate overhaul, spinning off Hanesbrands (NYSE: HBI) to shareholders. But it’ll take even longer for investors to discern whether the updated corporate recipe for growth is paying off.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/02/08/the-skinny-on-whirlpool.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 8, 2007

Whirlpool (NYSE: WHR) is seeing softness in its primary domestic markets because of the nationwide housing slump, but favorable prospects from a major acquisition and international growth avenues should overshadow any near-term worries at this home appliance giant.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/02/06/royal-caribbean-submerged.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 6, 2007

Apparently, one of the primary drivers for a company is how it will perform over the next couple of months. Shares of Royal Caribbean (NYSE: RCL) fell more than 5% yesterday after the company released fourth-quarter and full-year 2006 results. Fourth-quarter results came in better than analysts had expected, and management’s full-year 2007 guidance of $3.05-$3.20 also appeared to mesh nicely with the $3.16 analysts had estimated. However, its first-quarter “wave period” is seeing weaker pricing for cruises, even though volumes are holding up well. As a result, Royal projects earnings of only $0.03-$0.08 for the first quarter of 2007, well below the $0.30 or so analysts were seeking.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/02/06/avon-slowly-getting-dolled-up.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 6, 2007

What started last quarter with more attractive sales growth appears to be trickling down to the bottom line. Beauty products direct seller Avon Products (NYSE: AVP) isn’t out of the woods yet on its restructuring plans, but today’s earnings release suggests the company is on the right path.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/02/05/wendys-recipe-for-success.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 5, 2007

Fast-food restaurateur Wendy’s International (NYSE: WEN) appears to be reading the same playbook used by its larger archrival McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD) in jettisoning anything and everything not having to do with the namesake brand. And while Mickie D’s is loving the results from the tough decision it made recently, can investors expect the same successful turnaround at Wendy’s?

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/02/05/boston-scientifics-unscientific-outlook.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 5, 2007

To the victor go the spoils, or so it’s said. Unfortunately, Boston Scientific‘s (NYSE: BSX) success in winning Guidant from the clutches of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) has so far only spoiled billions of dollars in shareholder capital. Management is still optimistic it will have the last laugh, but when might that be?

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/02/02/uncertain-outlook-on-cvs.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 2, 2007

Fellow Fool Matthew Crews put it well when he recently said these are interesting times for drugstore operator CVS (NYSE: CVS) as it pursues increasingly large and complicated acquisitions. But has the company bit off more than it can chew?

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/02/02/the-scoop-on-snap-on.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 2, 2007

Shares of Motley Fool Income Investor pick Snap-on (NYSE: SNA) are up more than 40% from their 52-week lows and now also trade for more than 30 times trailing earnings. But as scary as that sounds, the overall valuation is more reasonable than it appears, and this tool and equipment maker and distributor has long-term appeal.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/02/01/watching-the-wheels-on-tractor-supply.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
February 1, 2007

I’m starting to worry about Tractor Supply (Nasdaq: TSCO).

Read the rest of this entry »