TJX
Retail Sales, Banks, Pharma Drive Dow to Biggest Gain in a Month
Stocks rose on Monday after a strong gain in retail spending suggested that consumers could be getting more confident about the economy. Bank stocks rose broadly after Citigroup delivered a strong earnings report.
Shoppers Cautiously Pushed Up Spending in May
Americans loosened their purse strings in May to update their wardrobes with bright new styles and take advantage of Mother's Day promotions.
Perfect Prom on a Budget: 13 Ways to Spend Less, Still Shine
Prom has gotten almost absurdly pricy: The average teen this year will spend $1,078 on the spring formal. Be smarter than average, and try these tips from consumer expert Andrea Woroch that could save you and your teen a ton, without making the night any less special.
Follow the Female Leaders to Faster Portfolio Growth
Executives ask themselves daily: "What can I do to give my company an edge?" Studies show that the answer may be as simple as hiring more women for executive and board of director roles. So you just might want to invest in these six companies that have done just that.
Why J.C. Penney Will Never Be Great Again
J.C. Penney's new CEO plans to remake the tired old department store chain a la the Apple Store and Target, and his fresh ideas are earning him applause. But as investors and industry watchers cheer Ron Johnson's turnaround concepts, they're ignoring some big potholes on the road ahead.
Will the Layaway Revival Come Back to Bite Retailers?
Layaway became obsolete in the bubble years, an anachronism from bygone times when many consumers couldn't access credit. In today's rough economy, layaway is making a comeback for the holidays. But for investors who hold certain retail stocks, this may mean lumps of coal in their portfolios.
Could Layaway Be Right For You?
This holiday season, layaway is making a comeback at several large retailers. Layaway is the process of buying an item which you leave at the store and pay for over time, often with a one-time service charge but no credit check. It's not a perfect system, but here's why it beats those "no interest/no payments for X months" deals hands-down.
5 Things to Watch Next Week on Wall St.
Next week brings more earnings reports from big-name companies, including several home improvement giants, a couple of "good enough" computer makers, penny-pinching discount masters, and office supplier Staples -- whose results might stand as an indication of the broader economy's health.