Posts related to ‘Luxury’

eBay Crashes on Saturday (EBAY)

eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) is having an issue which may have just cost sellers millions and millions of dollars in untold upside in combined auction results today.  After doing random searches today on Christmas present chores and with eBay being one of the online destinations, it was suddenly evident that something was wrong on eBay.  The system was not working if you did not already have your item numbers known.  Search functions yielded nothing and stores were out.  If this were to happen after midnight on a Tuesday, it might not matter.  But this outage is on a weekend day when so many buyers and sellers aren’t at work and are able to spend the effort to go eBaying.

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Posted on: November 21, 2009 – 6:51 pm in Consumer Electronics, Consumer Goods, Internet, Luxury, Product Review, Retail,

Black Friday Gimmicks & Desperation, A Win For Consumers (WMT, BBY, COST, TGT, KSS, GPS, M, JWN, MA, AMZN)

We are right at a week away from the highly awaited Black Friday for 2009’s holiday and Christmas season.  As you likely know, this is THE day that retailers look forward to all year and critically depend upon as an anchor to how each retailer’s full year earnings results turn out.  You may already be tired of Christmas ads and the holidays haven’t even arrived yet.  With over 10% unemployment, a recession-end that doesn’t feel like a recession-end, a very tight discretionary spending budget, and a general lack of consumer confidence, it is no surprise at all that the focus for the Holiday Season in 2009 is one of deals and thrift.

These are not in any particular order, but the promotions have been reviewed at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT), Best Buy Co. (NYSE: BBY), Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ: COST), Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT), Kohl’s Corp. (NYSE: KSS), Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS), Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE: M), and Nordstrom Inc. (NYSE: JWN).  There is also already promotion between MasterCard Incorporated (NYSE: MA) and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN).  Admittedly, this is just a sampling of major outlets.

What is amazing is just how much of the deal-making is already out before the holiday season starts as retailers key off of each other.  It is almost impossible to avoid thinking how such a promotional Christmas and Holiday Season in 2009 is going to add pressure to margins at almost all the first-line retailers.
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Posted on: November 19, 2009 – 12:54 pm in Apparel, Calendar, Editor's Picks, Entertainment, Luxury, Product Review, Retail, , , , , , , , , ,

Expedia Scores S&P Rating Upgrade (EXPE)

Expedia LogoThe travel sector may still be complaining about softness and  a spotty recovery, but things are getting better financially at Expedia Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE).  It turns out that Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services gave the debt rating an upgrade, and now the company is classified as an investment grade company.  The reasons for the upgrade were cited as a conservative fiscal policy, a solid operating performance, and strong financial results.
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Posted on: October 14, 2009 – 3:43 pm in Analyst Calls, Entertainment, Internet, Luxury

52-Week High Club

Apache Corporation (NYSE: APA) rallied over 4% to a yearly high of $97.36 following news that it had gained government approval on contracts to supply 50 million cubic feet of natural gas per day in Argentina.

The Coca-Cola Corporation (NYSE: KO) hit a yearly high of $54.33 following reports that Pepsi had beat earnings estimates.  Coca-Cola reports on October 20th.

Gammon Gold Inc. (NYSE: GRS)  hit a yearly high of $10.24 after the company announced that it expected to be within its guidance range for FY09.

Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF) hit a yearly high of $40.96 after Citigroup analysts recommended that investors buy shares in the company, setting a price target of $50.

Garrett W. McIntyre

Posted on: October 6, 2009 – 4:09 pm in Food, Luxury, Oil & Gas

Conde Nast Woes, An Opportunity For The Knot? (KNOT)

Money Stack PicBurning Money PicThe Knot, Inc. (NASDAQ: KNOT) may just have become an indirect beneficiary of the old print media world dying one publication at a time.  The Wall Street Journal and CNBC have reported that Conde Nast is closing four magazines, two of which are Elegant Bride and Modern Bride.  While this highlights problems in the wedding sector, it actually opens up more possibilities for The Knot’s key bridal and wedding website called TheKnot.com and for the twice-per-year THE KNOT Magazine which sells for $9.95.  This highlights that weddings are not recession-proof.
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Posted on: October 5, 2009 – 11:49 am in Entertainment, Internet, Luxury, Media,

Martha Stewart Lands at Home Depot (MSO, HD, SHLD, M)

Martha Stewart ImageHD LogoMartha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. (NYSE: MSO) has a new exclusive product lineup partner. We still want to know where Martha will end up after the K-Mart deal she has with Sears Holdings (NASDAQ: SHLD) expires, although a new partnership unveiled today does not specifically address that question and does not sound  “exclusive” despite the term being used.

The Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) announced an agreement today with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia to develop an exclusive Martha Stewart Living brand of home improvement products.  It was not noted that this will have any impact on the K-Mart agreement and it still notes that Macy’s Inc. (NYSE: M) is one of the many retailers where Martha Stewart products will be available.
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Posted on: September 14, 2009 – 4:40 pm in Consumer Goods, Entertainment, Housing, Luxury, Product Review, Retail, , , ,

Charts vs. Fundamentals: How High Can Gold Go? (GG, ZLC, GLD, GDX, ABX)

Gold ImageThis morning’s move in gold may have seemed like an anomaly as gold briefly traded up over $970.00 per ounce.  The shiny yellow stuff rose $2.28 at $964.78 as of 10:42 AM EST.    What is interesting is how the companies and instruments around the shiny metal have been trading and what they have been reporting.  Gold Fields (NYSE: GG), Zale Corp. (NYSE: ZLC), SPDR Gold Shares (NYSE: GLD), Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSE: GDX), and Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE: ABX) are all of focus and interest here.

One of our affiliates has run a chart based audio visual analysis with the expectation that next week will be a solid week in gold and a note that we could pass the $1,000.00 mark.
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Posted on: August 6, 2009 – 11:18 am in Charts, Commodities, ETF, Luxury, Metals, , , , ,

Whole Foods Earnings Better Than Organic (WFMI)

money-stack-imageWhole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ: WFMI) has reported that sales for the last quarter rose by 2% to $1.878 billion, although comparable store sales decreased 2.5% versus a 2.6% increase in the prior year. Income from operations increased 23% to $78.9 million. The Company’s effective tax rate was 41.0%, income available to common shareholders was $35.0 million, and diluted earnings per share were $0.25 after a $0.02 accounting credit (LIFO).  Thomson Reuters had estimates pegged at $0.20 EPS and $1.86 billion in revenues.
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Posted on: August 4, 2009 – 4:29 pm in Earnings, Food, Luxury, Retail,

Online Jewelry Sales Heating Up? (NILE)

Generally speaking, it takes one significant analyst call to move a stock 10%.  Yet today, that is exactly what we are seeing in shares of Blue Nile Inc. (NASDAQ: NILE).  Citigroup raised its rating on the online jewelry leader to Buy from Hold this morning.  But where this gets interesting is determining how much better the business is doing.
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Posted on: July 14, 2009 – 1:53 pm in Analyst Calls, Luxury,

Media Digest 7/7/2009 Reuters, WSJ, NYTimes, FT, Bloomberg

newspaperReuters:   Japanes Topix index is expect to rise to 1,000.

Reuters:   The US may need a second stimulus package.

Reuters:   Hospitals have agreed to contribute $155 billion over ten years to help with the healthcare package.

Reuters:   Treasury is ready to push Wall St. on starting a consumer protection agency.

Reuters:   Lear filed for bankruptcy. Read More »

Posted on: July 7, 2009 – 2:55 am in Autos, Banking, Earnings, Healthcare, Luxury, Mergers and Buy Outs, Pharmaceuticals, Press Digest, Wireless, , , , , , , ,

Media Digest 6/29/2009

newspaperReuters:   GM will accept product liability on cars it has built in the past.

Reuters:   Obama could consider a second stimulus if necessary.

Reuters:   Rising office availability in NYC is slowing.

Reuters:   VW says it has not issued an ultimatum to Porsche on a tie-up.

Reuters:   Tata launched Jaguar and Rover in India. Read More »

Posted on: June 29, 2009 – 2:54 am in Alternative Energy, Banking, Drug companies, Earnings, Entertainment, Green Biz, Luxury, Media, Mergers and Buy Outs, Metals, Oil & Gas, Old Media, Press Digest, Telecom, Wireless, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ruth’s Chris, or Ruth’s Hospitality, Raising Cash (RUTH)

Money Stack ImageRuth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: RUTH) has filed a shelf registration to raise capital. The owner of the Ruth’s Chris Steak House chain has filed a mixed securities shelf to raise up to $200 million in new capital.
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Posted on: June 25, 2009 – 3:43 pm in Food, Luxury, Retail, Secondary Offering,

As The Rich Squirm: A Take of Two Luxury Goods Brands (COH, TIF)

In a recession, the poor get poorer, and as Merrill Lynch study today suggests, the poor get poorer still, which has forced Coach Inc. (NYSE: COH) to make big changes that are helping to separate it from other luxury brands.  This has implications for the likes of Tiffany & Co (NYSE: TIF).
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Posted on: June 24, 2009 – 11:39 am in Apparel, Economy, Luxury, Retail, ,

Giving Away Vegas To Get Traffic in Vegas (WYNN, LVS, MGM)

money-stack-imageIf you have ever stayed at the Wynn resort or the even newer Encore in Las Vegas, you will know that calling either a high-end resort and casino destination may represent an understatement of the year.  Wynn Resorts Ltd. (NASDAQ: WYNN) has not been immune to the woes of Las Vegas despite the stock more than doubling from recent lows.  Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) is also in this boat along with every other casino operator.  But if you are one of the 90.8% of the employed and are one of the privileged consumers who has escaped the recession without much damage, the summer deals in Vegas are almost too good to be true. There are similar deals being offered by the Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) and by MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM).  If you are unencumbered by the economy, Vegas is almost free right now.
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Posted on: June 18, 2009 – 10:40 am in Casinos, Entertainment, Luxury, Product Review, , ,

Apple’s Aggressive Pricing Risks (AAPL, T, RIMM, PALM, S, VZ)

Apple LogoApple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) is having more than its share of free press from the World Wide Developers Conference this week.  The big new push here seems to be on revamping the iPhone and MacBook.  But the pull to go to Mac is where the risks also come into play.  As Apple lowers its pricing threshold, its margins at least theoretically will come down as well.  And the new pricing is so far being described as “aggressive.”
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Posted on: June 8, 2009 – 2:59 pm in Consumer Electronics, Luxury, PC Companies, Technology Companies, Telecom, WiMAX, Wireless, , , , , ,

Palomar’s Chance To Take Away from BOTOX (PMTI, JNJ, AGN)

Money Stack ImagePalomar Medical Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: PMTI) is seeing shares surge to new heights not seen in 18-months.  The company is the first to receive FDA approval for over-the-counter clearance for a new, patented home use laser device that for the treatment of periorbital wrinkles (for eyes, like crows feet). The beauty of this, no pun intended, is that it is part of a Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) partnership and that may lead to much greater use.  This one will not exactly kill the entire Botox market for Allergan, Inc. (NYSE: AGN), but even for one such possible replacement the idea of a home-use laser has to be a bit more enticing than getting stuck with a needle full of Botulinum toxins.
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Posted on: June 5, 2009 – 11:49 am in Entertainment, FDA, Healthcare, Luxury, Medical, Product Review, , ,

Whole Foods Unexciting, Yet Perhaps Enough (WFMI)

Whole Foods ImageWhole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ: WFMI) has reported its quarterly earnings at $0.19 non-GAAP EPS and $1.86 billion in revenue.  Thomson Reuters had consensus estimates of $0.18 EPS and $1.87 billion in revenue.  Be advised that the earnings included non-cash asset impairment charges of approximately $13 million, or $0.05 per share.  The company noted that same store sales for the quarter came in at -4.1% in the quarter, yet it showed operating cash flow of $173 million and generated $98 million of free cash flow.
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Posted on: May 13, 2009 – 3:20 pm in Cult Stock, Earnings, Food, Luxury, Retail,

Gold Miners Struggling with Costs, Gold Prices (NEM, ABX, GDX)

gold-image1Lower prices for copper and gold hit Newmont Mining Corp. (NYSE:NEM) hard in the first quarter of 2009. Barrick Gold Corp. (NYSE: ABX) is also getting hit after its report, and all of this is acting to drag down even the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSE: GDX).

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Posted on: April 30, 2009 – 9:15 am in Commodities, ETF, Earnings, Luxury, Metals, , ,

Airlines Hit By UBS & Swine Flu (CAL, AMR, LCC, UAUA, XJT, CPA)

burning-money-pic28Airlines are getting hit hard this morning before the open on two issues: swine flu and an analyst downgrade.  UBS has downgraded the US legacy airline sector in a broad call and the impact on some of these stocks looks exacerbated by the swine flu news.  The new sector ratings were taken to NEUTRAL from BUY.  Among the downgrades were Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL). AMR Corp. (NYSE: AMR), US Airways (NYSE: LCC), and IAL Corp. (NASDAQ: UAUA).  There is also a secondary tie here for both ExpressJet Holdings Inc. (NYSE: XJT) and Copa Holdings SA (NYSE: CPA).
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Posted on: April 27, 2009 – 8:12 am in Airlines, Analyst Calls, Entertainment, Luxury, Trading Alert, Transports, , , , , ,

Nordstrom Earnings & Outlook: When Bad Is Good Enough (JWN)

Nordstrom Inc. (NYSE: JWN) reported terrible earnings.  Interestingly enough, the report from the high-end retailer  is looking “good enough” when you consider the state of many retailers.
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Posted on: February 23, 2009 – 4:26 pm in Earnings, Luxury, Retail,