http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/07/31/ugly-quarter-at-avon.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 31, 2007

Direct seller and marketer of makeup Avon Products (NYSE: AVP) just reported an ugly quarter by most metrics, throwing recent turnaround successes into question.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/07/30/3m-bucks-the-trend.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 30, 2007

Despite the worst week in Wall Street since 2003, diversified industrial and technology giant 3M (NYSE: MMM) bucked the trend and ended up about where it started last Monday.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/07/30/jim-beam-almost-saves-fortune-brands.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 30, 2007

Fortune Brands (NYSE: FO) operates in the disparate spirits and wine, home products, and golf businesses. The only thing tying them together is that the products are market leaders. The only thing untying current results is exposure to housing.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2007/07/30/columbia-sportswear-worth-trying-on.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 30, 2007

The second quarter is usually a slow one for Columbia Sportswear (Nasdaq: COLM), as it is stuck in the middle between the ultra-important spring selling and the also-significant fall and winter period. However, management did its best to liven things up by boosting its expectations for the balance of the year and declaring a $0.14 dividend.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/07/30/monster-cleans-house.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 30, 2007

At first glance, online employment pioneer Monster Worldwide (Nasdaq: MNST) could appear to be a company in crisis. But dig a little deeper, and it can be considered a king of cash that is taking the appropriate steps to ensure profitable growth going forward.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/07/30/radioshack-shops-for-an-identity.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 30, 2007

The bleeding has stopped, but electronics retailer RadioShack (NYSE: RSH) is still searching for a way to get consumers to enter its doors.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/07/27/global-payments-could-pay-off.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 27, 2007

Electronic-processing and money-transfer firm Global Payments (NYSE: GPN) just reported that sales and earnings grew by the double digits for its full fiscal year, but the stock remains more than 20% below where it started the calendar year. What gives?

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/07/27/bottom-fishing-with-national-city.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 27, 2007

Banking stocks are struggling these days, and value investors are starting to do some bottom-fishing. At the very bottom of the barrel is Cleveland-based National City (NYSE: NCC) — but does that make it the deal of the bunch?

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/07/26/aflac-ducks-a-weak-yen.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 26, 2007

During supplemental insurer and Motley Fool Stock Advisor pick Aflac‘s (NYSE: AFL) second-quarter earnings call, CEO Daniel P. Amos stated that 15% annual growth isn’t as easy as it used to be. However, a weak Japanese yen and challenging trends in Aflac’s largest market weren’t enough to keep the stock from reaching an all-time high, or to derail its prospects through 2008.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/07/26/labcorp-leaps-forward.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 26, 2007

Lab-testing firm and Motley Fool Stock Advisor pick LabCorp (NYSE: LH) once again outperformed an archrival and continued to fire on all cylinders.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/07/26/zimmer-simmers.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 26, 2007

Companies that operate in appealing industries, have little debt, and post net profit margins greater than 20% aren’t likely to inflict serious pain in Foolish portfolios. In fact, they may have precisely the opposite effect, as orthopedic implant firm Zimmer Holdings (NYSE: ZMH) seems to demonstrate.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/07/26/royal-caribbean-navigates-the-fuel-undertow.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 26, 2007

The undertow of high fuel costs continues to drag on Royal Caribbean (NYSE: RCL), but its sights are set on successfully navigating the favorable industry tailwinds.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/07/26/tractor-supplys-sales-drought.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 26, 2007

An unseasonably cool April, coupled with drought conditions, created a tough spring selling season for Tractor Supply (Nasdaq: TSCO). Then again, investors have been down this path before. Did a tough second quarter parch the company’s prospects for the entire year?

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http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/07/26/king-of-mediocrity.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 26, 2007

After years of rapid growth and dominant market share, it’s hard not to think a stall in growth could be brewing for the self-proclaimed king of beers, Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD). Additionally, the company is struggling through a major shift in the industry, as demand for its core product wanes. However, the company is in the process of implementing a plan, and the solid second-quarter results show that management’s new strategies are already paying off.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/07/26/brunswick-still-not-above-water.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 26, 2007

We knew it was coming.

But the extent of Brunswick‘s (NYSE: BC) latest earnings dive confirms that things in the boating industry will remain turbulent for the foreseeable future.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/high-growth/2007/07/25/the-latest-procedure-from-quest-diagnostics.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 25, 2007

Lab testing firm and Motley Fool Inside Value pick Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) took a hit earlier this year from the loss of a major contract, but a market leadership position and appealing business model look to be keeping it from going down for the count.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2007/07/25/cheesecake-factorys-tasty-prospects.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 25, 2007

Upscale restaurateur Cheesecake Factory (Nasdaq: CAKE) made less money selling its decadent desserts during the second quarter, but the overall company growth and profitability outlook remains quite tasty.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/07/23/boston-scientific-still-drowsy.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 23, 2007

Medical device firm Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX) recently regained consciousness, but its recovery remains far from certain. The company still hasn’t followed through on the initial hype from last year’s acquisition of archrival Guidant.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/07/23/wachovia-is-one-big-deal.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 23, 2007

Banking giant Wachovia (NYSE: WB) has a reputation for actively acquiring rivals, which is the primary reason it has grown into the fifth largest bank in the land. Its second quarter was no exception, and there is another big deal in the works. But will buying market share work forever?

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/07/23/bank-of-america-is-outbanked.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 23, 2007

Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), the second-largest bank in the land, didn’t impress for yet another quarter and was easily outflanked by the competition. But there could be relief on the horizon.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/high-growth/2007/07/20/stryker-does-a-body-good.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 20, 2007

Orthopedic implant and equipment maker Stryker (NYSE: SYK) is continuing its impressive run of double-digit growth, and may even be getting healthier.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/07/20/mohawk-gets-a-trim.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 20, 2007

Carpet and flooring manufacturer Mohawk Industries (NYSE: MHK) is hurting from a cyclical downturn in the residential housing market, but it appears to be withstanding any serious difficulties. In fact, it could be gearing up to take advantage of industry malaise.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/07/20/whirlpool-continues-to-rinse-maytag.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 20, 2007

As with most companies with unfortunate exposure to residential housing, appliance manufacturer Whirlpool (NYSE: WHR) is experiencing a down cycle in its domestic business. But a recent acquisition of an archrival is helping the company cut costs, and international trends are coming in static-free.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/international/2007/07/19/ibm-is-beyond-mediocre.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 19, 2007

After last evening’s impressive earnings announcement, technology giant International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM) can proudly tout the international piece of its name. With close to $100 billion in annual revenue, Big Blue probably runs into every player in the technology sector. Thanks to a global footprint, its size isn’t stopping it from growing briskly, as second-quarter sales grew 9% and earnings advanced a healthier 15%.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/07/19/sherwin-williams-brushback.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 19, 2007

It appears last quarter’s homebuilding challenges didn’t mean a permanent stain on Sherwin-Williams‘ (NYSE: SHW) results for the rest of the year. That’s because the paint company just reported second-quarter results that were ahead of expectations and raised its full-year guidance.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/07/19/allstate-still-an-all-star.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 19, 2007

Property and casualty insurance giant Allstate (NYSE: ALL) just posted some uninspiring operating results. Its investing savvy almost saved the day, highlighting that the company has plenty of ammo to maintain its status as an industry titan.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/07/18/further-savings-for-regions-financial.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 18, 2007

Birmingham-based Regions Financial (NYSE: RF) continues to see near-term benefits from a couple of large acquisitions, and it is still sitting pretty from a long-term perspective.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/07/18/wells-fargo-makes-cents.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 18, 2007

Banking giant Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) just posted another quarter of double-digit revenue and earnings growth, a feat it has achieved consistently for two decades now.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/07/18/time-to-turn-the-keycorp.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 18, 2007

Signs are beginning to emerge that Cleveland-based KeyCorp‘s (NYSE: KEY) shift to core commercial and relationship banking is paying dividends, but there are still indications that it remains stuck in the middle compared to certain better-capitalized peers.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/07/18/pfizer-prepares-for-l-day.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 18, 2007

Maybe there isn’t enough downside built into Pfizer‘s (NYSE: PFE) shares.

In a precursor to what the next few years will bring, sales of Pfizer’s best-selling drug, Lipitor, slipped significantly during the second quarter. Total sales of the blockbuster cholesterol drug fell 13% on a worldwide basis, due primarily to a 25% plummet here in the United States.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/07/18/more-ma-for-mi.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 18, 2007

Despite a full plate on the M&A front, Milwaukee-based Marshall & Ilsley (NYSE: MI) was still able to assemble a decent second quarter. Better yet, an upcoming spinoff may interest certain value investors.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/07/17/diagnosing-jjs-product-diversity.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 17, 2007

Health-care giant Johnson & Johnson‘s (NYSE: JNJ) second-quarter results this morning provided investors with a near-term overview of what is driving growth at the company. The situation at the industry bellwether also underscores a couple of trends that could indicate a tougher road for a number of key competitors.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/07/17/concentrated-results-at-coca-cola.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 17, 2007

The business of selling syrupy soda-pop concentrate isn’t what it used to be, but beverage giant Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) looks to have figured out how to stay true to its roots and find complementary growth avenues. It’s not out of the woods yet, but it’s hard to argue against Coke’s long-term investment appeal.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/07/16/fool-on-the-street-the-straight-scoop-from-scotts.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 16, 2007

Small-cap lawn and garden firm Scotts Miracle-Gro (NYSE: SMG) recently rained on investors by lowering full-year earnings guidance, as April turned out to be unseasonably wet and dry, depending on which part of the country you live in. However, as a long-term investment, Scotts has a number of healthy qualities, including a leading market share position, a growing business that is easy to understand, and a stock that, though it isn’t dirt-cheap, offers reasonable value, given the company’s recently provided outlook.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/07/12/international-yumminess.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 12, 2007

Restaurateur Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM) continues to feast on overseas growth, with little end in sight. As for the less-tasty prospects at home, the company game plan appears to be to let franchisees increasingly share in the pain, which only serves as another benefit to shareholders.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/07/12/will-ruby-tuesday-shine-again.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 12, 2007

If it weren’t for a couple of adjustments, restaurateur Ruby Tuesday (NYSE: RT) would have just posted its fourth straight year of lower earnings. But if it isn’t careful, next year could result in more of the same.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/07/12/nobodys-home-at-fleetwood-enterprises.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 12, 2007

It’s hard to find something positive to say for a company that continues to roll downhill, but I’ll try to find a silver lining in Fleetwood Enterprise‘s (NYSE: FLE) most recent earnings release.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/07/12/change-afoot-at-fastenal.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 12, 2007

Industrial and construction supplier Fastenal (Nasdaq: FAST) just reported second-quarter earnings that beat consensus analyst projections by a penny. Investors duly rewarded the stock with a new 52-week high, but does the long-term outlook support such enthusiasm?

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http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2007/07/11/squeaky-clean-results-at-wolverine-worldwide.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 11, 2007

Shares of footwear firm Wolverine World Wide (NYSE: WWW) are flat-footed so far this year, but it has now increased earnings guidance twice since April. Plus, it just reported its 20th straight quarter of record sales and earnings. Sounds great, but lately the competition has been performing even better.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/07/10/put-pepsi-bottling-on-ice.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 10, 2007

Recent results at Pepsi Bottling (NYSE: PBG) have definitely been easy to swallow, but the industry spoils are likely to continue flowing to a couple of related industry players.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/07/02/the-little-book-of-common-sense-investing.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 2, 2007

The “Little Book, Big Profit” series of short-but-sweet financial texts continues to offer up an all-star list of authors and tried-and-true investment strategies. What started with Joel Greenblatt’s The Little Book That Beats the Market and continued with Christopher Browne’s The Little Book of Value Investing has led to John C. Bogle’s The Little Book of Common Sense Investing, which was published earlier this year.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/07/02/fool-on-the-street-aisles-of-opportunity-at-best-b.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
July 2, 2007

The game may be over in consumer electronics (CE) retailing, but does that make industry leader Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) an appealing candidate for Foolish portfolios? Not right now, it seems. A surprisingly putrid first quarter sent investors heading for the exits. But recent news from the company suggests that the longer-term picture remains resoundingly clear.

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