http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/08/31/option-weighs-down-hr-block.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 31, 2007
The first quarter after tax season is supposed to be a quiet time for tax-preparation firms. Unfortunately for H&R Block (NYSE: HRB), recent market turmoil is making it hard to unwind its mortgage business. But once it does make the break from Option One Mortgage, do its other businesses have any appeal for contrarian-minded Fools?
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/08/31/benihana-is-on-a-sushi-roll.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 31, 2007
Japanese-themed restaurateur Benihana (Nasdaq: BNHN) has served up another dish of appetizing sales. Existing-store trends also continued their string of tasty gains. As long as management can effectively balance older-store renovations with new-store ambitions, Fools may want to consider Benihana for some small-cap restaurant exposure in their portfolios.
http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/08/31/is-jack-daniels-tasty.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 31, 2007
Brown-Forman (NYSE: BF-A) (NYSE: BF-B), owner of the venerable Jack Daniel’s whiskey brand and a number of other high-end spirits, reported first-quarter results earlier today. It looked like business as usual at the firm, but is this enough to justify the stock’s premium prices?
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/08/30/collective-brands-catches-its-breath.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 30, 2007
After some initial optimism on my part, Collective Brands (NYSE: PSS) quickly kicked it down a notch by reporting a tougher-than-expected quarter. However, based on where the stock is trading, some downside may already be priced into the valuation, which could sit well with prospective investors.
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/08/30/does-conns-deserve-credit.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 30, 2007
Electronics retailer Conn‘s (Nasdaq: CONN) just reported another solid quarter of sales and earnings gains. The company has a few more moving parts than a number of larger archrivals, but a regional focus and extension of credit to its customers could be considered key competitive advantages — as long as current credit challenges subside.
http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/08/24/hsbc-subprime-in-the-hoosier-state.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 24, 2007
A recent announcement to cut jobs in northern Indiana may not have been a significant event for international banking giant HSBC (NYSE: HBC), but it caused a minor stir locally.
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/08/23/limited-outlook-or-unlimited-potential.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 23, 2007
There are two ways to look at Limited Brands‘ (NYSE: LTD) recent decision to focus on its flagship Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works franchises. The first supports the way management would like investors to look at it — positioning the company to focus on its strongest, growing brands. However, based on current developments, the other view suggests that Limited could be a company with a deteriorating competitive position.
http://www.fool.com/news/2007/08/23/shoppers-are-jonesin-at-the-buckle.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 23, 2007
Small-cap jean and apparel retailer The Buckle (NYSE: BKE) is successfully bucking what is turning out to be a challenging retail environment for certain peers. The company’s second quarter proved no exception, and management continues to “feel good” about its business prospects going forward. Plus, it has a solid track record of feel-good returns to shareholders.
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/08/23/hop-on-the-gamestop-bus.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 23, 2007
Video game retailer and Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendation GameStop (NYSE: GME) followed up its best first quarter ever with its best second quarter ever, which in my estimation makes the first half of fiscal 2007 its best ever. Trends are coming in so strong in the industry that management raised full-year guidance again, and investing in GameStop stock is proving to be one of the best ways for Fools to capitalize on the latest cycle in video game hardware and software.
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/08/22/dicks-sporting-goods-is-a-champ.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 22, 2007
Contrarian investors are always on the lookout for short-term company setbacks that present an appropriate margin of safety with which to purchase a stock. As a result, we tend to miss companies such as Dick’s Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS). It seems never to have near-term hiccups, which is an especially impressive feat in the fickle retail industry.
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/08/22/upbeat-about-medtronic.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 22, 2007
In an encore to fourth-quarter results, medical-device firm Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) was able to leverage single-digit sales growth into double-digit earnings gains. Strong international trends again led the way, and a couple of events could keep Medtronic a compelling play in an appealing industry.
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/08/21/is-saks-ahead-of-schedule.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 21, 2007
It’s back to basics at department-store retailer Saks (NYSE: SKS), if you call wealthier customers “basics.” That’s because the company is finally experiencing the payoff from selling off its mediocre brands.
http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/08/20/lowes-grows-despite-housing-woes.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 20, 2007
It’s no surprise that Lowe’s (NYSE: LOW) is struggling.
Housing woes abound, and it has been a tough ride for home improvement retailers this year. However, the good news for Lowe’s is that it doesn’t seem to be struggling quite as much as its larger orange archrival, because it’s requiring less renovation to weather this industry storm.
http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/08/17/kohls-is-cool.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 17, 2007
Fellow Fool Rich Smith recently wondered how long Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) can continue to grow rapidly. Judging by last evening’s second-quarter earnings release, the company is a long way from cooling off, and Kohl’s remains one of the few retailers investors can count on in a tough retailing environment.
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/08/17/nordstrom-contends-for-the-upper-crust.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 17, 2007
High-end department-store operator Nordstrom (NYSE: JWN) has put together an impressive run of sales and earnings growth. Last evening’s second-quarter results were no exception, and Nordstrom expects to end the year on a high note. This, coupled with a flagging stock price, could be music to the ears of potential investors.
http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/08/16/jc-penney-schools-the-competition.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 16, 2007
Department-store operator J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) continues to be a beacon of strength in an otherwise dour domestic retail environment. Today’s earnings release was a fresh breath of air, given what certain archrivals are reporting, and Penney’s is showing little sign that it’s long-term recovery is wearing thin.
http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/08/15/home-depot-has-work-to-do.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 15, 2007
Investing in big-box retailers is leading to big blowups these days, with surprisingly dour results from the likes of Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), Best Buy (NYSE: BBY), and Sears Holdings (Nasdaq: SHLD). The crater du jour was Motley Fool Inside Value pick Home Depot (NYSE: HD), which is taking it on the chin from many fronts, including subprime woes, underinvestment in its stores, and uncertainty about the sale of its Home Depot Supply business.
http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/08/15/this-stock-embraces-everyday-low-pricing.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 15, 2007
In many respects, Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) continues to defy logic, because it’s difficult to fathom how a company stands any chance to grow after reporting $92 billion in quarterly sales. Yet in other respects, Wal-Mart is confirming that growing in the double digits is only becoming more of an uphill battle.
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/08/15/macys-new-look.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 15, 2007
Department-store giant Macy’s (NYSE: M) recently underwent a makeover by acquiring an archrival and rebranding its stores and corporate name, but until it proves it can grow sales under its unified platforms, investors might want to consider shopping elsewhere.
http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/08/15/sizing-up-sara-lee.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 15, 2007
As part of Sara Lee‘s (NYSE: SLE) earnings release, CEO Brenda Barnes proudly said, “We have now entered a growth phase for Sara Lee.” I wouldn’t go quite that far, but there are still signs that the food producer’s recent moves are leading to more consistent trends.
http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/08/14/sysco-feasts-on-growth.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 14, 2007
Food distributor and Motley Fool Income Investor pick Sysco (NYSE: SYY) is starting to show the market that its best growth days may be ahead of it, judging by the full-year results announced yesterday.
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/08/13/is-lions-gate-a-flop.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 13, 2007
Media producer and horror junkie Lions Gate Entertainment Group (NYSE: LGF) usually spends its first quarter ramping for upcoming film and television releases. This year’s first quarter proved no exception, and costs came in higher than myopic analysts expected. Longer term, Lions Gate is definitely worth watching.
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/08/13/stale-results-at-steak-n-shake.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 13, 2007
Despite a loyal following, 24-hour burger chain Steak n Shake (NYSE: SNS) still isn’t seeing decent sales growth shake down to its bottom line.
http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2007/08/10/perficients-efficient-growth.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 10, 2007
Small-cap information technology consultant Perficient (Nasdaq: PRFT) continues to swing for the fences by aggressively growing sales and earnings. And management plans on keeping the pedal to the metal, as it fully intends on doubling Perficient’s size by 2010.
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/08/09/emersons-electric-results.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 9, 2007
If it weren’t for its storied history and industrial focus, Emerson Electric (NYSE: EMR) might be considered a growth stock. And though its businesses are somewhat cyclical, lately, its stock has largely avoided the volatile stock market cycle of the past few weeks.
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/08/09/diversification-pays-at-aig.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 9, 2007
Insurance and financial services giant American International Group (NYSE: AIG) just posted another strong quarter of double-digit revenue and earnings growth. It also updated investors on its exposure to the shaky residential housing market, demonstrating that investors may still be able to play it safe by going with AIG.
http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2007/08/09/is-sally-a-beauty.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 9, 2007
Shares of Sally Beauty Holdings (NYSE: SBH) are quickly falling back to the levels at which Alberto-Culver (NYSE: ACV) spun it off last November. Does this mean the market expects Sally to fail as an independent retailer and distributor of beauty supplies?
http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/08/08/sales-grow-even-as-tyco-goes-solo.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 8, 2007
On June 29, Motley Fool Inside Value recommendation Tyco International (NYSE: TYC) completed its long-anticipated breakup into three companies. It also announced the settlement of a class action lawsuit that was hanging over its head. On Tuesday, Tyco reported third-quarter results, giving some initial insight into its prospects.
http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/08/07/mercury-general-is-homesick.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 7, 2007
Auto insurer Mercury General (NYSE: MCY) continues to perform well in its home state of California. Perhaps it should consider staying close to home, because trends in other states are still not looking so hot.
http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/08/07/a-mixed-quarter-at-marsh.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 7, 2007
Financial-services firm Marsh & McLennan’s (NYSE: MMC) glacial pace continues, but management isn’t sitting still. It’s working hard to recapture at least some of the company’s former glory. A recent move helped shore up some much-needed capital, and a long-anticipated recovery could be even closer on the horizon.
http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2007/08/07/the-shoe-rests-on-steve-madden.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 7, 2007
With perhaps the exception of overhyped Deckers Outdoor (Nasdaq: DECK), stocks of companies that operate in the shoe industry invariably fall victim to fickle consumer-fashion trends. Steve Madden (Nasdaq: SHOO) is proving no exception, and investors may want to consider taking advantage of the negativity.
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/08/03/cvs-caremark-is-no-sicko.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 3, 2007
It’s scary to play “Lewis and Clark.” But after listening to CVS Caremark‘s (NYSE: CVS) second-quarter conference call, it’s quite apparent that the newly formed entity is intent on blazing a new health-care trail.
http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/08/03/procter-gamble-leads-the-way.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 3, 2007
Consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) is one of those companies that appears to defy logic by consistently growing — despite $77 billion in annual sales. But when the planet Earth is your target market, there is plenty of room to build on already-leading market share.
http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/08/02/foolish-book-review-the-man-who-beats-the-sp.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 2, 2007
It’s been nearly six months since Bill Miller, whom we Fools consider one of America’s greatest money managers, underperformed the market for the first time during his leadership of the Legg Mason Value Trust (LMVTX). But 15 out of 16 ain’t bad, especially considering that the vast majority of money managers fail to beat the Standard & Poor’s 500 over time.
http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/08/02/dueling-fools-wrigley-bear.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 2, 2007
“At the end of the day, 100 percent of the value of an equity depends on the future, not on the past.”
http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/08/02/dueling-fools-wrigley-bear-rebuttal.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 2, 2007
As I suspected, Steven Mallas explained the key characteristics that make Wrigley (NYSE: WWY) a great company. But he didn’t help me lay to rest my two key concerns: valuation and future growth.
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/08/02/getty-images-paints-an-ugly-picture.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 2, 2007
It’s quickly becoming apparent that creative-content distributor Getty Images (NYSE: GYI) is slowing down. The company is currently the leader in a fragmented and appealing industry, but whether that constitutes a defensible economic moat is up for debate — especially after the recent earnings release.
http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2007/08/01/buffalo-wild-wings-takes-a-breather.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 1, 2007
The near-term hype surrounding Motley Fool Hidden Gems pick Buffalo Wild Wings (Nasdaq: BWLD) appears to have waned. That could be good news to prospective investors.
http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2007/08/01/masco-bides-its-time.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 1, 2007
Recent results at Masco (NYSE: MAS) weren’t as bad as feared, but when sales will begin to grow again is anyone’s guess. The stock, though, may be worth waiting around for.
http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/08/01/teleflex-goes-uncommercial.aspx
Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 1, 2007
Mini-conglomerate and Motley Fool Inside Value selection Teleflex (NYSE: TFX) continues to move toward businesses with more consistent growth profiles and higher profitability. Currently, this is making the financial statements more complicated, but it could end up working out quite well for shareholders. In fact, it already is. Â
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