http://www.fool.com/investing/high-growth/2008/08/29/a-diamond-and-a-rough-jeweler.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 29, 2008

Tiffany (NYSE: TIF) and Zale (NYSE: ZLC) both operate jewelry stores, and both reported impressive earnings yesterday. But that’s where the similarity ends. One is on pace to become a preeminent global brand, while the other will likely remain locked in combat with domestic rivals for long-term relevancy.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2008/08/29/get-spirited-about-these-stocks.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 29, 2008

Yesterday, British booze giant Diageo (NYSE: DEO) put the ice on its results for the fiscal year, while Tennessee-based Jack Daniel’s owner Brown-Forman (NYSE: BF-A) (NYSE: BF-B) tapped its next fiscal year by announcing first-quarter results. The results weren’t overly spirited, but they did demonstrate that the market for high-end spirits is relatively recession-proof and has plenty of long-term appeal.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2008/08/26/is-wells-fargo-on-the-prowl.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 26, 2008

You can’t tell by the share price — it’s down nearly 20% so far in 2008 — but Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) is weathering the financial crisis quite well. You can get a clear indication of Wells’ comparatively strong stance by looking at the share movements of archrivals such as Citigroup (NYSE: C) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), which have fallen more than twice as much as Wells has this year, as a result of much higher levels of subprime exposure and riskier lending practices that are coming home to roost.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2008/08/19/rebuilding-at-home-improvement-stores.aspx

Ryan Fuhrmann, CFA
August 19, 2008

Second-quarter results are now in from Lowe’s (NYSE: LOW) and Home Depot (NYSE: HD), and while they weren’t pretty, life finally may be starting to get easier for the two big-box home improvement retailers.

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