http://www.fool.com/investing/high-growth/2008/05/30/tiffanys-a-girls-best-friend.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
May 30, 2008

Despite the dull momentum in the retail world these days, upscale jeweler Tiffany’s (NYSE: TIF) shone through with first-quarter results that sparkled like the jewels in its showcases. However, that luster came from overseas customers, who helped polish tarnished performance here in the U.S.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2008/04/29/is-k-swiss-ok.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
April 29, 2008

Domestic firms with international operations have best been able to withstand rising home foreclosures and other inflationary trends that are putting a serious dent in personal pocketbooks. Footwear firm K-Swiss (Nasdaq: KSWS) is fortunate enough that 60% of first-quarter sales stemmed from overseas, but for reasons I’ll get to below, that may not be enough to keep it on solid footing.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2008/05/29/movado-takes-time.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
May 29, 2008

Crafting a fine timepiece takes significant time and effort. Metals such as stainless steel, gold, and platinum are all part of the process, as is an understanding of quartz-analog technology. In a similar vein, watch maker and distributor Movado (NYSE: MOV) is in the midst of crafting an updated corporate strategy and cutting back on the number of retailers that sell its watches.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2008/05/23/in-a-new-york-minute.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
May 23, 2008

Yesterday, New York & Co.’s (NYSE: NWY) stock price lit up like the New York City skyline at night, jumping 6% on the company’s earnings news. While the Motley Fool Hidden Gems recommendation saw same-store sales continue to dip, its bottom line did come in higher than analysts were expecting.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2008/05/22/the-limited-lacks-sex-appeal.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
May 22, 2008

Unlike the glamorous models posing in its Victoria Secret’s catalogs, Limited Brands (NYSE: LTD) doesn’t look so hot right now. With gas prices at all-time highs, few consumers have enough cash left over to splurge on expensive lingerie or premium-priced creams from Bath and Body Works.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2008/05/21/a-tale-of-two-tween-brands.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
May 21, 2008

Tween Brands (NYSE: TWB), which has made a name for itself catering to girls aged 7-14, posted first-quarter sales growth of 12.8% on continued strong results in its Justice store base. Unfortunately, results at its Limited Too stores continued to flag, contributing to a more than 65% drop in the quarter’s earnings.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2008/05/20/staples-delivers.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
May 20, 2008

Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) continued to prove why it’s the savviest operator in the office supply business with this morning’s first-quarter earnings release. Diluted earnings per share grew only a penny, to $0.30 for the quarter, but total sales managed a 6% boost in what is turning out to be a very challenging environment for retailers.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2008/05/19/will-lowes-get-back.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
May 19, 2008

Home improvement retailer Lowe’s (NYSE: LOW) reported first-quarter results today that confirm conditions remain grim in any business related to residential housing.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2008/05/16/nordstrom-clears-the-racks.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
May 16, 2008

It was a tumultuous first quarter, but many retailers have hunkered down into inventory and other cost controls until the consumer climate becomes brighter.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2008/05/15/the-softer-side-of-jack-in-the-box.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
May 15, 2008

Pop! goes Jack in the Box (NYSE: JBX). That’s what’s supposed to happen when you wind it up. Unfortunately for the restaurant franchise named after the old-fashioned toy, this quarter’s results did anything but pop its stock price. While the Motley Fool Hidden Gems Pay Dirt recommendation beat analyst earnings expectations by a penny, the stock fell more than 10% on the news.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2008/05/15/jc-penney-waits-it-out.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
May 15, 2008

As any runway model can attest, being a slave to fashion has its upside. On the flip side, being a slave to a weakened consumer environment is no fun at all, and happens to be where J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) finds itself these days. Despite the challenging near-term climate, on Thursday morning Penney’s posted first-quarter earnings of $0.54, firmly ahead of analyst projections.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2008/05/14/warren-buffetts-recommended-reading-list.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
May 14, 2008

Warren Buffett attributes his success to spending the majority of his day reading, hunkered down in the details of company annual reports, business periodicals, and numerous other books. It’s little surprise, then, that reading is a common theme when savvy investors make a pilgrimage to attend Berkshire Hathaway‘s (NYSE: BRK-A) (NYSE: BRK-B) annual shareholder meeting, also known as Woodstock for Capitalists.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2008/05/13/is-tjx-a-bargain.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
May 13, 2008

Low-price retailer TJX (NYSE: TJX), best known for its T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s stores, posted first-quarter earnings this morning that were in line with the preliminary results it released last week. A total sales increase of 6.2% and adjusted earnings improvement of 10.8% weren’t enough to impress investors, as the stock is down more than 4% today. I, however, think this is simply a response from shorter-term investors who were expecting more upside for the quarter.

Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2008/05/06/the-pantry-finds-itself-less-filling.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
May 6, 2008

Last month, convenience-store operator The Pantry (Nasdaq: PTRY) hit investors over the head with an explanation for an unexpected second-quarter loss. The previous warning was confirmed today, as the company announced its $0.23 loss.

Read the rest of this entry »