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

Among Tuesday's best online stories for investors are Warren Buffett on the U.S. economy, lessons from super penny-stock trader Tim Sykes, the truth about the old investing advice, "Sell in May and go away."

Continue reading Daily Blogwatch: The Truth About 'Sell in May and Go Away'

Daily Blogwatch: The Truth About 'Sell in May and Go Away' originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 04 May 2010 08:30:00.

Filed Under: Columns, Investing, Goldman Sachs , Google , Apple, Wal-Mart Stores

Supreme Court Justices challenged arguments from lawyers trying to keep private signatures on a petition to repeal a Washington domestic-partners law. Also in this roundup of legal news: The first genetic discrimination suit and Wal-Mart's settlement of wage charges.

Continue reading Legal Briefing: Your Name on a Petition Isn't Private

Legal Briefing: Your Name on a Petition Isn't Private originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:45:00.

Filed Under: Columns, Wal-Mart Stores

While Goldman Sachs allegedly defrauded Wall Street's elite, it was Main Street investors who were duped by Charles Schwab. Schwab put more than $700 million of its clients' money in what it said was a "conservative" fund, but was really a high-risk bet on mortgage-backed securities.

Continue reading Legal Briefing: Average Joes Win (Sort of) in Schwab Settlement

Legal Briefing: Average Joes Win (Sort of) in Schwab Settlement originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:40:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Columns, Investing, Charles Schwab, Wal-Mart Stores, Real Estate

Lenovo is considering a bid for smartphone maker Palm. But such a move could be risky. Palm is slipping partly because its operating system is caught in a dead zone somewhere between Apple's iPhone and Google's Android.

Continue reading Why Palm Can't Win: It's Stuck in a Cell-Phone Market Dead Zone

Why Palm Can't Win: It's Stuck in a Cell-Phone Market Dead Zone originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:10:00.

Filed Under: Technology, Investing, Google , Apple, Palm

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

Ford Motor Co. (F) said Tuesday it earned $2.1 billion, or 50 cents a share in the first quarter, compared to a loss of $1.4 billion, or 60 cents per share, in last year's quarter. Analysts had expected earnings of 32 cents a share. With sales rising 37%, this is yet another sign the economy is improving as people spend more...

Continue reading Stocks in the News: Ford, Goldman Sachs, DuPont

Stocks in the News: Ford, Goldman Sachs, DuPont originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:57:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Investing, CIT Group, Ford Motor Co., Goldman Sachs , Oracle, Wal-Mart Stores, UPS, 3M

The U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled that a class action by female workers against Wal-Mart can proceed. But no one seems to know have any clear idea of how much money might be at stake if it loses.

Continue reading Wal-Mart's Discrimination Suit: How Much Money Is at Stake?

Wal-Mart's Discrimination Suit: How Much Money Is at Stake? originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 05:42:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Wal-Mart Stores

Radio Shack has been the subject of much takeover speculation in recent weeks. Analysts expect small improvements when it reports on Monday, and some investors hope that will help the company find a buyer.

Continue reading Earnings Preview: RadioShack First Quarter Report Won't Stop Takeover Talk

Earnings Preview: RadioShack First Quarter Report Won't Stop Takeover Talk originally appeared on DailyFinance on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:00:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Earnings, Wal-Mart Stores, Retail

Wal-Mart has reclaimed the top spot on this year's Fortune 500 list. It's an impressive feat given the recession's negative impact on consumer spending -- and the costly mistake the company made last year switching from name brands to house brands.

Continue reading Wal-Mart Tops Fortune 500 List Again Despite Branding Blunder

Wal-Mart Tops Fortune 500 List Again Despite Branding Blunder originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:00:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Economy, Kraft Foods, Wal-Mart Stores, Retail

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

Google Inc. (GOOG) is expected to post earnings of $6.60 per share on 20% higher revenue of $4.95 billion after the close of trading.

UPS (UPS) said its adjusted first-quarter earnings would be much higher than anticipated and reported they were 71 cents a share, far exceeding analyst expectations of 57 cents a share. Revenue...

Continue reading Stocks in the News: UPS, Google, Mariner Energy

Stocks in the News: UPS, Google, Mariner Energy originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 07:55:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Investing, Ford Motor Co., Google , Wal-Mart Stores, UPS