Services

(MAR) Marriott International to Binge on Caribbean

Marriott International Inc. (MAR) recently revealed its intention to double is presence in the Caribbean and Latin America by 2017. Currently, Marriott operates 69 hotels in 25 countries in that region. The...

18Apr2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(COST) Retail Industry Stock Outlook – April 2012 – Industry Outlook

Right-sizing inventories and enhancing efficiencies through greater use of technology were the key agenda items on retailers’ to-do lists most of last year. Progress on those fronts has paved the way for the retailers to enter fiscal 2012 with a more optimistic outlook.

So...

16Apr2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(COST) Retail Industry Stock Outlook – April 2012 – Industry Outlook

Right-sizing inventories and enhancing efficiencies through greater use of technology were the key agenda items on retailers’ to-do lists most of last year. Progress on those fronts has paved the way for the retailers to enter fiscal 2012 with a more optimistic outlook.

So...

12Apr2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(UAL) United Continental – Bear of the Day

We are downgrading our recommendation on United Continental (UAL) to Underperform on projections of a weak first quarter. Although United Continental would benefit from merger synergies, global network, leading...

12Apr2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(GPS) Gap Expands to South Africa

Only a few days ago we reported about our balanced view on Gap Inc. (GPS) and thus reiterated our long-term Neutral recommendation on the premier international specialty retailer. Our prime focus in rendering...

11Apr2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(DISH) DISH Network Sees Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services Upgrade

Satellite pay-TV service provider DISN Network Corp. (DISH) recently received a shot on its arm as Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) raised its outlook on the company from Stable to Positive....

11Apr2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(SIRI) SIRIUS XM Teams with Asbury Automotive Group (revised)

SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. (SIRI) recently announced a strategic partnership with Asbury Automotive Group (ABG) in order to provide radio service...

10Apr2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(JWN) Nordstrom Expands Store Network

Nordstrom Inc. (JWN), a leading fashion specialty retailer in the United States, announced the opening of two new Nordstrom Rack stores; one in Huntington, New York, and the other in Upland, California.

The...

9Apr2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(ASGN) Company News for March 22, 2012 – Corporate Summary

•    Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) announced that next year it would offer an original horror series, Hemlock Grove, starring Bill Skarsgard and Famke Janssen. Following the announcement, Netflix’ shares jumped 4.4% to settle...

5Apr2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(ZUMZ) Zumiez Incorporated – Bull of the Day

Zumiez Inc. (ZUMZ) posted earnings of $0.60 per share for fourth quarter 2011, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny and improved substantially from the prior-period profit of $0.49. The improved...

5Apr2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(CVS) Management Churn at CVS Caremark

CVS Caremark Corporation (CVS) recently announced a change in top management. According to the company’s design, effective September 1, 2012, the present EVP and Chief Operating Officer of the Pharmacy Benefit...

4Apr2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(V) Visa Shuns Global Payments Incorporated for Breach of Data

Visa Inc. (V) has dropped Global Payments Inc. (GPN) from its list of service providers after detecting a cyber intrusion in the latter’s...

3Apr2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(CCL) Carnival Corporation – Bear of the Day

Following the recent sinking of Carnival Corp.’s (CCL) cruise ship, we are cautious about the sector in the near term. This disaster shook customer confidence, thereby sharply reducing the booking volume...

3Apr2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(DISH) DISH Network Gains FCC Confidence

Recently, DISH Network Corp. (DISH) received a favorable ruling from department of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to use its existing satellite spectrum of 40MHz for setting up terrestrial wireless...

2Apr2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(BGFV) Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation Upgraded to Neutral

We have upgraded our long-term recommendation on the U.S. based sporting goods retailer Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (BGFV) to Neutral from Underperform with a target price of $8.50. This rating upgrade...

2Apr2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(LUV) Southwest Airlines – Bear of the Day

We are downgrading our recommendation on Southwest Airlines (LUV) to Underperform as the company is not expected to report profits in the first quarter this year. The company reported lower year-over-year...

2Apr2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(WPO) The Washington Post Company – Bull of the Day

The Washington Post’s (WPO) top and bottom lines surpassed the Zacks expectations in the fourth quarter of 2011. The quarterly earnings of $8.75 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.36 (but...

29Mar2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(HOT) Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide To Open Aloft Property in California

Aloft, one of the new lifestyle brands of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. (HOT) is set to unveil a property in Cupertino, California in early 2013. The upcoming property will mark the third Aloft...

28Mar2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(KR) The Kroger Company – Bull of the Day

We upgraded our recommendation on The Kroger Company (KR) to Outperform following the company’s fourth-quarter 2011 results. The quarterly earnings of $0.50 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate...

27Mar2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(WU) Western Union Launches WU Pay

In a conscious effort to expand its e-payment service, Western Union Co. (WU) has announced the launch of WU Pay.

The recently launched platform will enable customers to pay for their online purchases...

26Mar2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(ICE) IntercontinentalExchange Incorporated – Bull of the Day

We are upgrading our recommendation on IntercontinentalExchange Inc. (ICE) based on its high earnings visibility, strong product portfolio, consistent cash generation, disciplined investment and limited balance...

26Mar2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(EXM) Excel Maritime Carriers- Bear of the Day

We downgrade our recommendation on Excel Maritime Carriers (EXM) to Underperform ahead of its fourth quarter of 2011 financial results. We believe the drybulk shipping industry has a gloomy outlook, facing...

23Mar2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(CNI) Canadian National Railway Buys Locomotives

After announcing plans for initiating new intermodal services connecting British Columbia and Alberta, Canadian National Railway (CNI) is about to carry out another infrastructural development. The company...

23Mar2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(MHS) Medco Healh Analyst Reiterates Shares at Neutral

Recently, we reiterated our Neutral recommendation on Medco Health (MHS) with a target price of $74.00.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, Medco reported adjusted EPS of $1.25, beating the Zacks...

22Mar2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(GES) Guess? Incorporated – Bear of the Day

Guess? Inc.’s (GES) fourth quarter and fiscal 2012 earnings missed year-ago earnings by 5.4% and 1.9%, respectively. Severe austerity measures taken by the European government to combat the debt crisis...

20Mar2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(ESRX) Company News for March 12, 2012 – Corporate Summary

•    Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) launched the latest espresso brewer and announced that the company will be selling single-cup coffee machines

•    According to reports, the Federal Trade Commission...

13Mar2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(CAB) Cabela’s Analyst Reiterates Outperform Rating on Shares

We reiterate our long-term Outperform recommendation on Cabela’s Inc. (CAB), one of the leading specialty retailers and direct marketers of hunting, fishing, camping, and related outdoor merchandise,...

13Mar2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(KR) The Kroger Company – Bull of the Day

We upgraded our recommendation on The Kroger Company (KR) to Outperform following the company’s fourth-quarter 2011 results. The quarterly earnings of $0.50 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate...

9Mar2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(WAG) Walgreen Inks Deal with AARP

Leading drugstore chain Walgreen (WAG) recently entered into a three-year contract with a nonprofit organization AARP, to deliver retail drugstore program benefits to its members belonging to the 50-plus age...

7Mar2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(ROST) Ross Stores’ February Results Strong

February 2012 proved another strong month for Ross Stores Inc. (ROST), the largest off-price apparel and home fashion chain in U.S., with sales and same store sales numbers showing substantial improvement...

7Mar2012 | | Comments Off | Continued