Hope is a fine human emotion until it moves to lunacy. A psychosis of optimism has seized the retail industry. The National Retail Federation says that sales will rise only 2.2% this…
The evidence that sales at many companies are struggling and that employment will suffer are almost everywhere. Recently, a division of GMAC said it would let 5,000 people go. According to MSNBC,…
With the trading year almost half over and results from the first quarter out, 24/7 Wall St. has created the latest installment of its Ten Worst Managed Companies In America list. This…
Today’s 52-week low list was full of some of the usual suspects, and you can count airlines as the top group of 52-week lows after that breather in oil prices did not…
According to Reuters, merger talks between United (UAUA) and US Air (LCC) has been halted. Reuters reports that a US oil probe is focusing on price manipulation. Reuters writes that April insured…
Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD) posted a loss this morning, and it is being reflected in the shares. The retail giant controlled by Eddie Lampert saw a $56 million loss, which translated…
Douglas A. McIntyre The hallmark of some of the most successful companies over the last fifty years is that the CEOs spent a great deal of their time with customers and at company locations around…
Edward S. Lampert, billionaire and hedge fund manager, arrived at the Recession about six months late. The chairman of zombie retailer Sears (SHLD) "said the retailer is taking a conservative stance amid…
According to Reuters, UBS (UBS) will cut 5,500 jobs. The company is also selling $15 billion in subprime mortgage paper to Blackrock. Reuters writes that Bernanke says that high foreclosure rates are…
There is an interesting report out of ChangeWave, which shows that higher prices combined with tighter consumer pocketbooks are driving customers significantly. A large-scale movement to discount retailers driven by skyrocketing inflation…
"The current financial crisis is the most serious since the second world war, and perhaps since the Great Depression."–The London Observer, March 23, 2008 Many investors find it hard to believe that…
Baby has got to have new shoes. For those who can’t afford the nice ones, there is always Wal-Mart (NSYE: WMT). And that showed up in their same-store sales last month. Wal-Mart’s…
ChangeWave looked at consumer spending habits between February 18 and February 25. They polled 3,773 people on their spending plans going forward. Thirty-nine percent said that they would spend less over the…
Several brands which were extremely powerful during the last few decades are about to disappear. Many of them no longer drive big sales. Some are a part of companies that are in…
According to Reuters, the NABE semiannual Economic Policy Survey show that the subprime crisis and heavy debt are still the biggest threats to the economy. Reuters writes that Microsoft (MSFT) will expand…
