http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/06/29/soap-dispenser-half-empty-at-bed-bath.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 29, 2007

Investors appear to be exiting shares of Bed Bath & Beyond (Nasdaq: BBBY) in droves, but the jury is still out on whether shoppers are following a similar path.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/06/29/rite-aids-recent-remedy.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 29, 2007

Drugstore operator Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD) just closed a major acquisition that will bring it closer to matching the sales of the two largest players in the space. But is it the right prescription to make it a more formidable rival?

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/06/29/no-wine-ing-from-constellation-brands.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 29, 2007

Judging by Constellation Brands‘ (NYSE: STZ) upbeat first-quarter earnings call, business has never been better for the producer and marketer of alcoholic beverages. Yet while near-term challenges should eventually pass, I’m finding the outlooks from Constellation’s archrivals easier to swallow.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/high-growth/2007/06/28/did-nike-just-overdo-it.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 28, 2007

Late last year, I tagged athletic apparel and footwear icon Nike (NYSE: NKE) as the Best Blue Chip stock for 2007, and I must admit, I’m delighted at how things have turned out so far this year. Just yesterday, Nike sprinted to a new share price high after reporting impressive fourth-quarter and full-year earnings. But has the stock gotten ahead of itself?

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/06/27/stride-rite-ready-to-unlace.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 27, 2007

Footwear firm Stride Rite‘s (NYSE: SRR) days are numbered as an independent firm. That’s because Payless Shoesource (NYSE: PSS) recently announced it was acquiring its rival for $20.50 in cold, hard cash per share. Yesterday’s earnings release helped illuminate just what Payless will soon be receiving, and it looks promising.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/06/26/walgreen-sells-convenience.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 26, 2007

Drugstore operator Walgreen (NYSE: WAG) has so much going for it, I don’t know why I bother investing in other retail companies.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/06/22/peter-pan-picks-up-jm-smucker.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 22, 2007

In the eternal battle for peanut-butter preeminence, Jif recently received a gift from Peter Pan. The market clearly liked the outcome, sending shares of J.M. Smucker (NYSE: SJM) to a new high. But at current prices, the short-term boost may end up hurting Smucker’s long-term investment appeal.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2007/06/21/hr-blocks-taxing-supbrime-exposure.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 21, 2007

H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) had a pretty good year in its core tax preparation business, and several other segments also performed well. Too bad it lost close to a billion dollars on its mortgage unit, which thankfully will be sold off soon.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/06/21/pier-1-cleans-house.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 21, 2007

Specialty retailer Pier 1 Imports (NYSE: PIR) just reported another difficult quarter of falling sales and negative earnings. But it’s got a game plan to swim against the tide, rather than be swept away by its current challenges.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/06/20/power-outage-at-circuit-city.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 20, 2007

It was bad.

As expected, electronics retailer Circuit City (NYSE: CC) posted a tough first quarter, and investors’ only consolation is that the company can’t miss expectations going forward. That’s because management pulled the plug on guidance for the remainder of the year.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2007/06/20/dardens-dependable-dining-duo.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 20, 2007

It looks as if Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI) will remain dependent on Olive Garden and Red Lobster for the foreseeable future. That’s definitely not a bad thing, especially if you’re an income-sensitive investor or like to see share buybacks.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/06/20/morgan-stanley-still-shining.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 20, 2007

Financial services giant Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) just posted another impressive quarter of double-digit revenue and earnings growth, and it continues to outshine archrivals Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) and Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER). It will also soon part ways with its underperforming credit card unit, which should only serve to boost profitability.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/06/19/fool-on-the-street-cbs-could-be-stronger.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 19, 2007

Here at The Motley Fool, we believe individual investors should have the same access to information that Wall Street has. In that spirit, we’ve listened in on some investment bank conferences with major companies, and we’re giving you the rundown. We call this feature “Fool on the Street.”

Back at the end of 2005, entertainment conglomerate Viacom (NYSE: VIAb) decided to separate its slower-growing television, radio, billboard, and publishing businesses from its high-margin content franchises. The stodgier firm was renamed CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS) and was forced to fend for itself in a changing marketplace.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2007/06/19/sharper-image-is-fading-fast.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 19, 2007

Specialty retailer Sharper Image (Nasdaq: SHRP) just celebrated an unfortunate anniversary: two straight years of falling sales and profits. Worse yet, the plummet in sales appears to only be gathering steam, and recent developments suggest time is running out for the company to get its house in order. So why are insiders and other investors buying?

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/06/19/the-partys-over-at-best-buy.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 19, 2007

The party looks to have come to an abrupt end for Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) as it just posted weak first-quarter earnings. However, volatile consumer demand is common in the electronic retailing industry, and Best Buy remains the undisputed industry leader.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/06/19/fuel-prices-dampen-carnivals-party.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 19, 2007

Higher fuel costs are starting to hit Carnival (NYSE: CCL) (NYSE: CUK) again, but the cruise-line operator was still able to post second-quarter earnings that beat analysts’ projections. It did lower full-year earnings guidance, however, and if hurricane worries resurface later this year, Fools could see a repeat of last year’s turbulent trends.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/06/18/benihanas-sizzling-growth-prospects.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 18, 2007

Despite an 11% rise in sales, hibachi and sushi restaurant operator Benihana (Nasdaq: BNHN) (Nasdaq: BNHNA) posted a 7.4% decline in earnings per share during its 2007 fiscal year. And while the company’s remodeling and store expansion programs are proving expensive, that hasn’t stopped the stock from rising as investors expect sizzling sales trends to eventually trickle down to the bottom line.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/06/15/fool-on-the-street-a-shift-in-attitude-for-sara-le.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 15, 2007

Sara Lee (NYSE: SLE) is relying on faster-growing international markets to enhance its status as a steady performer, the company reported at a conference earlier this week.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/06/15/is-adobe-a-flash-in-the-pan.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 15, 2007

No doubt about it, Adobe Systems (Nasdaq: ADBE) is an impressively profitable software firm.  Better yet, it is in the early innings of releasing new versions of its key product offerings. Too bad an 800-pound industry gorilla and other industry titans are constantly breathing down its neck.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/06/14/dueling-fools-glaxosmithkline-bear.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 14, 2007

As much as I like GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK), I believe there are more compelling large-cap health care opportunities out there. And my money is where my mouth is on a number of them.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/06/14/dueling-fools-glaxosmithkline-bear-rebuttal.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 14, 2007

After reading Brian’s Bullish opener to this round of Dueling Fools, I’m even more convinced that now is as good a time as any to establish a position in GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK), as short-term concerns are weighing on what looks to be a stable long-term outlook.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/06/14/del-montes-new-food-menu.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 14, 2007

Food firm Del Monte (NYSE: DLM) is boosting sales growth by acquiring food brands in the pet-product category. So far, it’s unclear whether the diversification out of people food will pay off as higher costs are stalling the earnings improvements that investors demand. But there is hope.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/06/14/high-octane-results-at-caseys.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 14, 2007

Convenience store operator Casey’s General Stores (Nasdaq: CASY) didn’t meet most of its margin goals for fiscal 2007, but still was able to blow by analyst expectations with its results released Wednesday night, sending its stock to a new high Thursday.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2007/06/12/jamba-juice-looks-for-a-boost.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 12, 2007

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Jamba (Nasdaq: JMBA) makes its way to Indianapolis soon to open one of its famed Jamba Juice fruit smoothie stores. Judging by recent developments, Jamba is gearing up for an aggressive push to become the latest national beverage concept. But will the endeavor turn into smooth sailing for investors?

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/06/08/fool-on-the-street-fortunes-mixed-bag-of-brands.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 8, 2007

Thanks to housing-related woes, Fortune Brands (NYSE: FO) has the unfortunate distinction of a business model with 44% of profits dependent on the struggling home improvement industry. On a more fortunate note, it is a growing player in the highly profitable and popular spirits and wine segment of the alcohol industry.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/06/08/this-tequilas-for-you.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 8, 2007

Is the King of Beers turning its back on its frosty brew? In an interesting development on Tuesday, Anheuser Busch (NYSE: BUD) announced that it would begin distributing Margaritaville Tequila in the state of Massachusetts.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2007/06/08/vail-ascends-the-mountain.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 8, 2007

Vail Resorts (NYSE: MTN) continued its upward climb after a favorable earnings report this morning. That’s good news for the short term, but can the company continue to give stockholders the share-price lifts they’re enjoying by staying focused on just the slopes?

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/high-growth/2007/06/07/big-gains-for-a-little-lab-tester.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 7, 2007

Bio-Reference Labs (Nasdaq: BRLI) is positioned in an industry that’s favorably exposed to certain demographic and health-care trends. That situation is helping the lab-testing company to post some impressive growth trends, all while its two larger peers increasingly cross each other’s paths.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/06/05/spirits-are-high-at-jack-daniels.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 5, 2007

Premium spirits and alcohol firm Brown-Forman (NYSE: BF-A) (NYSE: BF-B), owner of the venerable Jack Daniel’s whiskey, is quickly regaining the premium that past investors ascribed to its stock price. Shareholders are toasting the company’s recent results, but prospective investors will want to keep a clear head when checking out the company’s worth.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/06/05/krispy-kremes-sugar-coma.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 5, 2007

For courageous Fools interested in checking out a firm with “long-standing challenges,” including concerns regarding “overall system economics,” look no further than former market highflier Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (NYSE: KKD).      

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/06/01/fool-on-the-street-whats-in-capital-ones-wallet.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 1, 2007

In a number of respects, the credit card industry is an unloved business these days. Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) appears tired of Discover and plans to spin it off to shareholders late this year, while MBNA sold out to banking behemoth Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) not too long ago as its rapid growth days were firmly behind hit. Capital One Financial (NYSE: COF), or CapOne as it’s also referred to, has taken another path by acquiring its way to a position as the 11th-largest depository institution in the United States.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/06/01/fool-on-the-street-time-to-cross-state-street.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
June 1, 2007

Boston-based State Street (NYSE: STT) is one of the largest providers of financial services to money management institutions. Exposure to such a large market has allowed it to post a sturdy, long-term track record of sales and earnings gains. However, the recently announced acquisition of Investors Financial Services (Nasdaq: IFIN) scared investors into thinking growth prospects may not be so robust, causing State Street to pay a hefty premium for control of a hometown archrival.

Read the rest of this entry »