Upscale jeweler Tiffany & Co. (NYSE:TIF) continues to reel as consumers shun big-ticket items and non-discretionary merchandise. However, recent results suggest that sentiment is slowly beginning to improve, in preparation for the day when Tiffany comes back in full fashion.
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The office supply market is extremely competitive and currently struggling as businesses and consumers cut back on office procurement during the current global recession. Staples (Nasdaq:SPLS) reported second-quarter results on Tuesday that reflected these themes, but indications are that it will come out of the current environment in a much stronger competitive position, thanks in part to continued struggles among archrivals and the completion of a major acquisition.
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Last week apparel retailer Gap (NYSE:GPS) had another opportunity to demonstrate that management has found a way to finally boost its sales growth prospects. That opportunity quickly passed, though it continues to perform admirably on the cost front. This strategy is working out well for shareholders in the short term, but won’t over the longer haul.
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Packaged food firms have had a number of obstacles to overcome in the past year or so. Many are seeing consumers embrace more affordable private-label brands after struggling with high commodity inflation last year. In contrast, J.M. Smucker (NYSE:SJM) has been focused on integrating a giant acquisition that looks to be transforming it for the better.
Off-price retailer TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX) reported second-quarter results on Tuesday that further demonstrated the current uncertain economic environment suits it just fine. In fact, it is outperforming rivals that also adhere to a discount philosophy.
Second-quarter results at specialty retailer Urban Outfitters (Nasdaq:URBN) illustrated that, while it is far from immune from a challenging consumer spending environment, its focus on merchandise and its conservative management style continue to set this company apart from the competition. Results suggest that Urban can return to attaining its long-term growth targets; when it does, investors stand to reap the benefits.
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Hewitt Associates (NYSE:HEW) runs an array of human resource and outsourcing businesses that can be counted on for steady profitability and cash flow generation. Unfortunately, recent results and near-term expectations illustrate the overall business is struggling to grow, but this doesn’t necessarily negate Hewitt’s overall investment appeal.
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Retail behemoth Walmart (NYSE:WMT) demonstrated in its second quarter earnings release that it doesn’t need sales growth to keep profit expansion chugging along. Anemic top-line trends will cost it over the longer term, but it has a number of levers to pull to keep shareholders happy.
Consumer electronics firm hhgregg (NYSE:HGG) is still just a bit player in the industry but has big plans for its future. Recent quarterly trends indicate that consumer demand is still tepid, but hhgregg is planning for better days ahead and recently upped its expansion plans. The issue is whether this will end up helping or hurting existing shareholders.
Consumer goods giant Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL) can be counted on for steady results in any economic climate. A stock performance chart on the company’s investor relations website illustrates the impressive extent to which Colgate has benefited investors over the past quarter century. And perhaps surprisingly, it is handily outperforming many peers.
To many sports coaches, defense is the best offense. In today’s stock market, defense is one of the few industries where investors can find appealing valuations and solid underlying business fundamentals to move portfolios forward. Top on my list is General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), which reported second-quarter results on Wednesday ahead of analyst projections and also upped its full-year guidance. Read the rest of this entry »
Recent operating results from diversified industrial titan United Technologies (NYSE:UTX) illustrated that, while its businesses are being stressed from global economic turmoil, its business model is far from broken. And compared to its competition, United Tech is more than holding its own in the current environment.
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2013-05-17 16:00
