52-Week Low Club (AAI, ANN, AM, BIG, BJRI, CHS, CC, LIZ, M, OMX, MSO, RL, HOT, WM, WEN, ZLC)

Today’s list of 52-week lows was still dominated by retail and consumer spending stocks, although a surprise surge from several key semiconductor names made today’s list.  Some of these did end up recovering back above their respective 52-week lows.  Here’s your list for today:

• Airtran (AAI)…down from a $13.09 high.  $95+ Oil is a pain. Stock broke significant support at $8.00 two weeks ago so it’s in no-man’s land.
• Ann Taylor (ANN)… Is the growth story gone? If so and IF it can hit its earnings estimates then it is a hidden value stock.  But with women spending less on clothes over the holidays it may just be a value trap.
• American Greeting (AM)… I started complaining about the cost of greeting cards LONG BEFORE the economy softened, and I’m not alone.
• Big Lots (BIG)…again…should say "habitual offender" on it.
• BJ’s Restaurants (BJRI)…cool brewpub, although still expensive on earnings measurement.
• Chico’s FAS (CHS)…again.
• Circuit City (CC)…needs to fire that CEO immediately.
• Liz Claiborne (LIZ)…again.
• Macy’s (M)….again.
• Marvell Tech (MRVL).. see chip stocks on 52-week lows.
• Martha Stewart Living (MSO)… Is it changing its name to "DYING"? Maybe a weak ad environment and magazine environment is even worse than we thought?
• Micron Tech (MU) turnaround still can’t turn around… see chip stocks on 52-week lows.
• Office Max (OMX)…again.
• Ralph Lauren Polo (RL)…recovered above that 52-week low but this was a surprise to see even in a weak consumer. Stock is now over $40.00 under highs.
• Sandisk (SNDK).. see chip stocks in 52-week lows.
• Starwood Hotels (HOT)… givin’ all the inheritance away may not keep young Paris happy.
• STMicro (STM)…see chip stocks on 52-week lows.
• Washington Mutual (WM)… when WA-MU changes its name to UH-OH!
• Wendy’s International (WEN)… just an expensive burger chain with a "hoped for buyout" allowing a premium, otherwise would be even lower.
• Zale Corp. (ZLC)….. I didn’t get my wife diamonds for Christmas either.

All these CEO’s have a fairly easy new year’s resolution for 2008: "I want to keep my stock from hitting 52-week lows"…….

Jon C. Ogg
December 27, 2007