Many retailers have raised guidance for their upcoming first-quarter earnings reports and saw modest gains in April sales. But stores warn that May could be a weak month due to a late Memorial Day this year. And concerns remain over the health of consumer demand.

Continue reading Healthier Retail Sales, but Will It Last?

Healthier Retail Sales, but Will It Last? originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 06 May 2010 15:10:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Economy, Earnings, JC Penney, Macy's, Wal-Mart Stores, Target Corp, Costco, TJX, Retail

The following is a round-up of news likely to affect stock prices today:

Cigna Corp. (CI) said Thursday its net income climbed 36% in the first quarter to $283 million, or $1.02 per share, because of greater premium revenue and better results from two discontinued businesses. While this handily beat analysts' estimates, the Associated Press cautions the numbers may not be comparable.

BP Plc (BP)...

Continue reading Stocks in the News: Cigna, Alcatel-Lucent, CBS

Stocks in the News: Cigna, Alcatel-Lucent, CBS originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 06 May 2010 08:00:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Investing, CIGNA Corporation, Costco, Nintendo, BP

Still in the thick of earnings season, investors are keeping a close eye on financial reports from some of the nation's biggest corporations. A few stocks to watch during today's trading session include Microsoft, Sears and Xerox.

Continue reading Stocks in the News: Amazon, Sears, Xerox

Stocks in the News: Amazon, Sears, Xerox originally appeared on DailyFinance on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 07:55:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Investing, Goldman Sachs , Microsoft, Sears Holdings Corp., Apple, American Express, Costco Wholesale Corp., Amazon.com Inc., Schlumberger

In Tuesday's legal news: Will Google lose its best defense against Viacom? Can U.S. retailers sell discounted goods that are intended for foreign markets? And are schools keeping too close an eye on our children?

Continue reading Legal Briefing: Google May Lose Key Precedent for Battle with Viacom

Legal Briefing: Google May Lose Key Precedent for Battle with Viacom originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:20:00.

Filed Under: Google , Viacom, Costco Wholesale Corp.

The following is a round-up of news likely to affect stock prices today:

Hot Topic Inc. (HOTT) reported March same-store sales declined 7.5%, way ahead of estimates for a decline of 11.2%. The retailers also set a $1 special dividend and initiated a regular quarterly dividend as it looked to return some of its $100 million cash pile to shareholders. Shares shot up 20% in premarket trading.

Forest...

Continue reading Stocks in the News: Hot Topic, Forest Labs, US Airways

Stocks in the News: Hot Topic, Forest Labs, US Airways originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 07:50:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Investing, Apple, Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., Costco Wholesale Corp., Palm, Peabody Energy, Toyota

Some of Wednesday's best online stories for investors, including 10 startling predictions from top venture capitalist Jim Robinson, how Twitter can predict how well a movie will do, and lessons from Warren Buffett's personal portfolio.

Continue reading Daily Blogwatch: Warren Buffett's Personal Portfolio

Daily Blogwatch: Warren Buffett's Personal Portfolio originally appeared on DailyFinance on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 07:20:00.

Filed Under: Investing, Google , Apple, Costco Wholesale Corp.

As tempting as it may be to blame NutriSystem's flagging profits on its cheesy ad campaign featuring former football greats, investors should look elsewhere.

Continue reading Don't Blame Flabby Ex-Jocks for NutriSystem's Woes

Don't Blame Flabby Ex-Jocks for NutriSystem's Woes originally appeared on DailyFinance on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:00:00.

Filed Under: Investing, Media

Despite uncooperative weather in the Eastern and Southern U.S., analysts at Thomson Reuters estimate that retailers will show a 2.9% sales increase for the month, led by a healthy 4.8% sales gain among discounters.

Continue reading February Snowfalls Probably Didn't Slow Shoppers

February Snowfalls Probably Didn't Slow Shoppers originally appeared on DailyFinance on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:35:00.

Filed Under: Economy, Earnings, Retail

Warehouse clubs BJ's and Costco both reported growth in sales and store traffic for the last quarter, but held their optimism in check for the rest of the year, saying consumers are still being careful with their money and the recovery is still plodding ahead slowly.

Continue reading BJ's and Costco Report Rising Profits for the Quarter

BJ's and Costco Report Rising Profits for the Quarter originally appeared on DailyFinance on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:45:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Earnings, Costco Wholesale Corp., Retail

Investors have more M&A and economic data to digest Wednesday as Costco reports a 25% profit surge, Pfizer mulls a bid for German generic-drug maker Ratiopharm GmbH and new jobs reports offer an update on the state of the U.S. labor market.

Continue reading Stocks in the News: Costco, Pfizer, Novell

Stocks in the News: Costco, Pfizer, Novell originally appeared on DailyFinance on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:57:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Investing, Netflix, Pfizer, Apple, Viacom, Costco Wholesale Corp., Yahoo