retail stocks

Johnson & Johnson Wins Big Court Battle

J.C. Penney today opens its first store-within-the-store boutiques. They'€™ll offer home goods from designers such as Michael Graves, Jonathan Adler and Sir Terence Conran.

Walmart Internal Emails: Sales Figures a "Total Disaster"

Bloomberg got its hands on some internal emails exchanged by Walmart executives discussing recent sales figures, and they paint a grim picture of the situation at the world's largest retailer. Asks one executive: "Where are all the customers? And where's their money?"

Walmart Shares Down as International Growth Slows

Wal-Mart Stores Inc's full-year profit may miss analysts' expectations as growth slows in its international markets, pressuring the company even as its U.S. discount stores continue to prosper.

Wall Street this Week: Surprises in Store for Retailers

It's going to be a busy week for retailers as more than a dozen publicly traded chains offer up their latest quarterly financials. But regardless of how popular a diversion shopping is, don't assume that crowded malls are translating into blowout results for major retailers.

Retail Stocks Are a Bad Buy: Why the Rally Won't Last

The stock market's recent bounce has a lot of folks looking for a piece of the action. And with retail stocks shooting up faster than average, but still cheaper than a year ago, some analysts say now's the time to buy them. They're wrong. Here's why:

Macy's Raises Profit Outlook, Doubles Dividend

Macy's is raising its earnings outlook for the fourth quarter and full year due to a strong holiday season and says it will double its quarterly dividend to 20 cents a share. The retailer is also increasing its share repurchase program by $1 billion. The announcements came as the department store operator reported Thursday that a key measure of its December sales rose faster than analysts had expected.

Buy hhgregg, Sell Best Buy

Every portfolio can use a little refreshing. Why not consider hhgregg, the consumer electronics and appliance retailer that's growing fast at the same time that Best Buy is suffering, battered by the internet?

2 Off-the-Radar Retail Stocks Are Worth a Look

While well-known retail stocks like Wal-Mart and Best Buy get most of investors' attention, another path to investment success is to find and buy misunderstood or overlooked stocks. Ascena Retail Group and rue21 are two such stocks, relative unknowns that are performing quite well in today's difficult economic climate.

Are There Any Bargain Stocks in Teen Retail?

Despite the dismal economy, some investors have been snapping up teen retail stocks, driving their prices higher. But the combination of high fashion and high prices doesn't necessarily earn a company a premium price tag, or a place in a well-managed portfolio. Keep these metrics in mind to separate the bargains from the poseurs.

Why You Should Shop Carefully for Retail Stocks

Retail stocks surged Thursday, as June same-store sales sparked investor euphoria. The jump probably stood out even more sharply against a still-tough economy for many U.S. consumers. However, if this sudden elation has you thinking about snapping up retail shares yourself, make sure you shop with more than a little caution.

What Retail Rebound Means for Shoppers, Investors

Retailers are forecasting a strong 2011 as the economy continues to pick up speed. A boost in retail sales is good news, of course. But what, exactly, will it do for your wallet? And how will higher gasoline and clothing prices play out in the mall and in your portfolio?

Retail Earnings: Can the Uptrend Continue?

After a holiday season that marked a return to some form of normalcy, merchants are bracing for a year of mild sales growth and more stable operations. Whether that momentum holds is an open question, given the state of the housing and job markets.

Nine Valentine's Day Stocks to Sweeten Your Portfolio

Spending for the lovers' holiday this year is expected to climb 5.8% over 2009, and that spells opportunity for investors. Here are some greeting card, candy, jewelry, flower and restaurant stocks that could get a lift from sweethearts looking for that special something.

Bargain Hunters Marked Down December's Retail Sales

Many shoppers who took advantage of the early holiday sales in November held back and forced retailers to cut prices as Christmas neared. Despite increases in luxury spending, the results show that mainstream consumers remain focused on discounts.

Will Amazon's Stock Jump With Black Friday's Boost?

On Wall Street, the retail sales figures that count aren't absolute numbers. Investors act based on how those numbers compare to what was expected, and in the case of Black Friday Internet sales, reality beat the predictions. That's good news for Amazon.

Face-Off on Stocks: Macy's, J.C. Penney, Kohl's

The nation's three biggest department-store operators have been disproportionately pinched by the downturn in consumer spending. That's what happens when you're stuck in the middle of the retail-price spectrum during a period of sagging home values and lofty unemployment. [Video]

Overseas Sales Propel Walmart Earnings Higher

The giant retailer's profits grew 9% in the third quarter to $3.4 billion. But revenue disappointed analysts, mainly due to a small decline in U.S. sales. Still, the company raised its future earnings guidance.

Retail Stocks That Can Thrive in a Down Economy

Fund manager Neil Hennessy believes investors should target retail stocks that are likely to thrive in slow-growth economic conditions -- but which also stand to benefit when the economy picks up again. Here are some of his favorites.

Face-Off on Stocks: Costco, BJ's, Wal-Mart

Retail stocks tend to rise ahead of other sectors in the early stages of an economic recovery, and so far, following a familiar pattern, both up-market and discount chains have benefited at the expense of middle-market players. So is it time to buy stock in wholesale clubs?

Up or Down: 5 Retailing Leaders -- and 5 Laggards

Some merchants adjusted quickly to the "new normal" of penny-pinching shoppers, but others are still struggling with shrinking consumer budgets or headwinds they were fighting before the bottom fell out. Here's a look at the two groups that are going in two different directions.