http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/04/30/radioshack-gets-back-on-track.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 30, 2007

Consumer-electronics retailer RadioShack (NYSE: RSH) appears to have finally stopped the bleeding. But can it make a full recovery?

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http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/04/27/3-cheers-for-3m.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 27, 2007

Recent share price gains at diversified industrial and technology giant 3M (NYSE: MMM) may be due as much to a happy Mr. Market as to strong first-quarter results, but investors aren’t complaining.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/04/27/hip-results-at-zimmer-holdings.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 27, 2007

Orthopedic-implant and surgical-product maker Zimmer Holdings (NYSE: ZMH) rewarded existing shareholders today with an all-time high share price. While that sets the bar even higher for prospective investors, it’s hard to argue with the company’s still-favorable prognosis.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2007/04/27/the-pantrys-slick-buying-binge.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 27, 2007

Current developments at convenience-store operator The Pantry (Nasdaq: PTRY) illustrate how a buying binge and high debt can magnify tough industry conditions. Strangely enough, that could end up being a good thing for potential investors.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/04/27/labcorp-tests-positive.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 27, 2007

As it turns out, last month’s temporary swoon in lab-testing firm LabCorp‘s (NYSE: LH) stock price was a buying opportunity. However, recent results were “outstanding by every measure” and could signal even better things to come.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/04/26/tractor-supply-gears-up.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 26, 2007

Tractor Supply (Nasdaq: TSCO) considers its first quarter a “get ready quarter” for the all-important spring selling season. Judging by solid recent results, it is indeed ready. But does a stock that’s already pricey reflect any upcoming favorable news?

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http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/04/25/a-tale-of-two-cheesecakes.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 25, 2007

Restaurant operator Cheesecake Factory (Nasdaq: CAKE) has gained a reputation for serving large portions of upscale food and decadent cheesecake. As a result, customers have been willing to endure long waits and higher check prices. In contrast, the stock market continues to mark the shares down to fast-food levels.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/04/25/is-aflac-a-lame-duck.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 25, 2007

Shares of supplemental insurer Aflac (NYSE: AFL) just hit their highs for the year after the company released first-quarter earnings. Aflac is still struggling in its core Japanese market, but trends could be turning, and business here at home has a lot of potential. 

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/04/24/boston-scientific-regains-consciousness.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 24, 2007

For the most part, medical device maker Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX) is still reeling from drug-eluting stent challenges and difficulties encountered after boldly acquiring rival Guidant last April. A full recovery may be some time off, but a couple of positive signs are beginning to surface.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/04/24/will-snap-on-ever-slow-down.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 24, 2007

Motley Fool Income Investor recommendation Snap-on (NYSE: SNA) will soon be known as a growth company if it’s not careful. Fortunately, the toolmaker’s dividend yield is still decent, and operational improvements are easily offsetting the lower yield as the stock price goes up. But does the company still have the huge potential that made it a pick in the first place?

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/04/24/red-and-white-results-at-amgen.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 24, 2007

Biotechnology titan and Rule Maker company Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) posted another quarter of double-digit sales and earnings growth. If it keeps up this type of performance, the stock price may actually follow someday.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/04/24/mixed-foliage-at-forest-labs.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 24, 2007

Strong core drug sales continue to boost results at Forest Laboratories (NYSE: FRX). Problem is, the firm is dependent on a couple of blockbusters that will soon go off patent. Management is working overtime to reposition itself, but don’t count on an easy transition.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/04/23/the-coast-is-clear-at-allstate.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 23, 2007

Calmer catastrophe conditions are helping insurance giant Allstate (NYSE: ALL) post steady financial results. They’re also helping the company generate excess cash flow with which to buy back gobs of stock. Future sailing may not turn out to be quite as smooth, since insurance stocks are always up against Mother Nature, but mighty Allstate is among the most able to ride out any potential turbulence.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/04/20/discerning-pfizers-pfuture.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 20, 2007

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) is working frantically to reinvent itself. Recent results suggest a transformation is under way, but there are still clouds on the horizon.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/04/20/diagnosing-quest-diagnostics.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 20, 2007

Big, bad managed care company UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) recently pulled the carpet out from under Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), turning to a rival for its lab-testing needs. Fools should carefully consider the investment implications of this short-term setback, because Quest should eventually regain its footing.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/04/20/housing-woes-paint-sherwin-williams.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 20, 2007

Homebuilding malaise and subprime scares are marring the once-shining performance of a variety of firms in the housing industry. Paint firm Sherwin-Williams (NYSE: SHW) has even seen some of the shine come off its strong growth track record, but so far, its stock is holding up surprisingly well.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/04/18/sitting-pretty-at-regions-financial.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 18, 2007

Operating a bank isn’t easy, but can be a straightforward and very profitable affair over time, especially if you’re not geographically challenged.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/04/19/keycorps-key-concern.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 19, 2007

Cleveland-based KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) primarily offers banking services to Great Lakes states and the northeastern United States. Problem is, baby boomers and people in general are moving to warmer Sun Belt states. And while KeyCorp is still doing well, investors wonder whether growth prospects will ever gain momentum.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/04/19/dueling-fools-wal-mart-bull.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 19, 2007

Retail titan Wal-Mart‘s (NYSE: WMT) motto is “Always low prices. Always.” Little did it know this mantra would also apply to its stock price.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/04/19/dueling-fools-bull-rebuttal.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 19, 2007

My worthy adversary and Fellow Fool Michael Leibert agree on one thing: “Wal-Mart‘s (NYSE: WMT) steady sales and earnings growth have not translated into strong stock returns in recent years.” That is a fact, jack, and it’s precisely the reason I’m bullish on the stock.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/04/18/bulking-up-by-slimming-down.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 18, 2007

In an attempt at addition by subtraction, Wisconsin-based bank Marshall & Ilsley (NYSE: MI) will soon spin off its data-service segment, Metavante, to shareholders. Time will tell whether each segment can perform better alone, but I like their chances.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/04/18/no-interest-in-inversion-at-wells-fargo.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 18, 2007

One quarter means little to Fools when ferreting out appealing investment opportunities, but in the case of bank icon Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC), first-quarter results illustrate just why it is a well-respected financial institution.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/high-growth/2007/04/18/whats-in-the-wind.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 18, 2007

Want to be kind to the planet and your portfolio at the same time? The Fool shows you how in our special series on Earth-friendly investing.

Concerns about global warming are constantly hitting the headlines these days, and if you’ve seen An Inconvenient Truth, you’re aware of the scientific data that suggest the Earth is heating up rather quickly. The consumption of fossil fuels is largely to blame; they spew carbon dioxide and other pollutants, contributing to unwanted climate changes.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/04/18/healthy-prognosis-at-johnson-johnson.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 18, 2007

Giant firms such as Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC), and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) seemingly defy logic in their ability to grow in the double digits year after year. Recent results at Johnson & Johnson illustrate why it is a heavyweight in the health-care industry.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/04/17/a-golden-opportunity-for-wachovia.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 17, 2007

Share prices of the six largest banks in the country are underwater so far this year. Investors can thank subprime mortgage market woes for Wall Street’s concerns about financial stocks in general. But the bigger banks are proving that diversified business models can withstand the heat.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/04/17/clean-bill-of-health-at-eli-lilly.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 17, 2007

Pharmaceutical giant Ely Lilly (NYSE: LLY) spends close to 20% of sales on researching and developing new drugs. This is among the highest percentages in the industry, and a primary reason for Lilly’s strong pipeline. But does the current stock valuation already reflect the company’s appealing prospects?

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/04/17/krispy-kreme-sweet-no-more.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 17, 2007

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (NYSE: KKD) used to be mentioned in the same breath as Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX) as one of the hottest food and beverages retailers. These days, the only hot topic about the company is determining when doughnuts sales might stop plummeting.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/04/13/the-bed-bath-debate-continues.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 13, 2007

It wasn’t easy, but Bed Bath & Beyond (Nasdaq: BBBY) just logged its 15th straight year of earnings gains. That’s not bad, seeing as the streak dates back to when the company first went public. But investors are only interested in what lies beyond for Bed Bath, which is currently debatable.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/04/13/sink-or-swim-at-pier-1.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 13, 2007

Another earnings release, another loss at embattled retailer Pier 1 Imports (NYSE: PIR).

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/04/13/rite-aids-right-size-ambitions.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 13, 2007

Drugstore retailer Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD) has been a work in progress for as long as investors can remember. Fools may be wondering whether the company will ever blossom into a savvy operator, much like its larger rivals. But a solution now seems to loom, and other potential improvements could spell big gains for investors.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/04/13/where-a-helmet-with-polaris.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 13, 2007

Two decades of growing popularity for all-terrain vehicles has driven Polaris (NYSE: PII) to a near-pole position in terms of industry market share. Recent flat demand trends have derailed growth prospects for the time being, and other potential potholes exist, but Fools may want to at least consider taking the shares out for a test-drive.   

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/04/10/bakers-footwear-trips-investors.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 10, 2007

As far as I can tell, specialty footwear retailer Bakers Footwear (Nasdaq: BKRS) doesn’t have an investor relations section on its website. This is probably because the company is small and underfollowed by investors, not because it’s trying to hide recent dismal results.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/04/09/sour-grapes-at-constellation-brands.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 9, 2007

Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ) belongs to a select group of large, dominant alcoholic-beverage firms. But just how top-shelf is the company?

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http://www.fool.com/investing/high-growth/2007/04/09/scrutinizing-monsanos-outlook.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 9, 2007

An investment in agricultural product firm Monsanto (NYSE: MON) only four years ago would have yielded seven times your original investment. That’s not bad, and farmers appear to be increasingly embracing its seed and weed-control products to enhance their crop yields. But before jumping headlong into the stock, Fools may want to chew on a couple of other items.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/04/09/second-could-work-at-circuit-city.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 9, 2007

I haven’t been kind to Circuit City (NYSE: CC) lately, having declared archrival Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) the winner when it comes to dominating electronics retailing. But before we give up on Circuit City, let’s look at the benefits of playing second fiddle in retailing.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2007/04/09/fitful-rest-from-sealy.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 9, 2007

Bedding and mattress manufacturer Sealy (NYSE: ZZ) made investors restless after releasing first-quarter results last week. Despite the near-term shivers, the stock remains comfortably near its highs for the year. Is it time for Fools to sleep on Sealy?

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/04/04/game-over-in-electronics-retailing.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 4, 2007

Electronics retailing is a tough business, and right now, nearly everyone seems to be getting pummeled — except for Best Buy (NYSE: BBY).

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/04/03/the-impetus-at-international-speedway.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 3, 2007

NASCAR fans looking to capitalize on the popularity of racing can look no further than International Speedway (Nasdaq: ISCA). The company definitely has the pole position in the industry, but does that warrant consideration as a No. 1 holding in Foolish portfolios?

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