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Eric Novinson

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  • Three Key Areas For Tilly's

    By Eric Novinson - March 22, 2013 | Tickers: PSUN, ZQK, TLYS, ZUMZ

    Surf and skate clothing retailer Tilly's (NYSE: TLYS) wiped out after hours on Wednesday after releasing disappointing results. Tilly's had higher than usual fiscal 2012 expenses because of IPO-related costs, but weaker same store sales figures provided the main reason for the dip. This release still had one major bright spot for investors though, as Tilly's surpassed an important growth projection it made when it went public more »

  • Hain Celestial's Counterattack

    By Eric Novinson - March 19, 2013 | Tickers: HAIN, K, KR, WFM

    Hain Celestial (NASDAQ: HAIN) could soon have a much wider moat, even if more competitors enter the organic food business. The natural food company recently announced a wide variety of new product launches and upgrades that include products with Bisphenol A (BPA) free packaging, and reiterated its support for GMO labeling laws. Private label competition remains a threat, but competitors could have difficulty matching Hain's moves here. 

    Organic Competition more »

  • Marissa Mayer's Telecommuting Decision Could Help This 2013 IPO

    By Eric Novinson - March 14, 2013 | Tickers: BFAM, GOOG, HD, YHOO

    Soon after Marissa Mayer became the CEO of Yahoo!, (NASDAQ: YHOO) she announced a policy that required telecommuters to show up at the office. If this plan works for Yahoo!, other large tech companies could follow by cutting back their own work from home plans. These companies may need to make arrangements for workers who have young children, which could mean more clients for recent child care center IPO Bright more »

  • This Struggling Pharmacy Made Another Turnaround Move

    By Eric Novinson - March 12, 2013 | Tickers: CVS, ESRX, RAD, KR, WAG

    Pharmacies had a challenging February. Both Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD) and Walgreen (NYSE: WAG) reported weaker same store sales. CVS (NYSE: CVS) didn't report monthly sales figures, but high gas prices don't help this pharmacy's customers either.

    The tough retail environment threatens Rite Aid's turnaround efforts, but the struggling drugstore has come up with a strategy that could add sales. Rite Aid's plan makes its more »

  • Multiple Brands Definitely Help Yum! Right Now

    By Eric Novinson - March 12, 2013 | Tickers: MCD, PEP, SONC, YUM

    Yum! (NYSE: YUM) may have convinced Chinese diners to come back. After a chicken contamination scandal hit Chinese KFC restaurants hard last quarter Yum! warned that this problem could weigh on the company's results for the entire year. Now, Yum! looks like it might recover from this scandal sooner. And KFC isn't the only thing Yum!'s cooking up. Taco Bell has shaken up its menu, adding a more »

  • Safeway Cheers Up

    By Eric Novinson - March 7, 2013 | Tickers: CVS, SWY, TFM, WMT, WFM

    Safeway (NYSE: SWY) just proved that traditional grocers won't go down without a fight. The grocer's Lifestyle remodeling efforts have paid off, and other stores that sell groceries have cut back their expectations. A recent trip to a local Vons store (Safeway owns Vons) showed that the grocer definitely made some improvements, but now Safeway has to show that it can keep its turnaround going. If Safeway can more »

  • Nordstrom Racks Up Strong Results

    By Eric Novinson - March 4, 2013 | Tickers: JCP, M, MSO, JWN

    Nordstrom (NYSE: JWN) demonstrated that shoppers who want high end clothing remain very interested in bargains. Nordstrom Rack stores brought in more revenue in 2012, and the discount concept could pay off even more in 2013. A battle between competitors Macy's (NYSE: M) and J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) over contracts with Martha Stewart Living (NYSE: MSO) has also heated up recently, which could also have potential upside for more »

  • Hain Celestial Remains Optimistic

    By Eric Novinson - March 2, 2013 | Tickers: BNNY, HAIN, UNFI, WFM

    Investors may have become more cautious about the health food market after Whole Foods (NASDAQ: WFM) and United Natural Foods (NASDAQ: UNFI) cut back their expectations. These announcements could have created an opportunity to pick up Terra Chips and Celestial Seasonings maker Hain Celestial (NASDAQ: HAIN) at an attractive price. Hain Celestial actually raised its own forecast last quarter. A recent study on organic tomatoes shows why Hain's products more »

  • This Scoreboard Maker's Drop Could Be a Chance to Score a Deal

    By Eric Novinson - March 1, 2013 | Tickers: DAKT, GE, PHG, LYTS

    Daktronics (NASDAQ: DAKT) dropped after announcing weak sales for fiscal 3Q 2013, but the company also announced order growth figures that look more promising. The display maker's screens show up at stadiums around the country, and its LED display technology offers cost advantages that could support sales over the long run. Daktronics' LED displays can help marketers, schools, and athletic teams put on a show while limiting their electricity more »

  • Picking a Promising Pet Stock

    By Eric Novinson - February 27, 2013 | Tickers: IDXX, MWIV, PETS, PETM, WOOF

    Pet related stocks carry high approval ratings from other Fools. Five of the eight stocks that show up under the Pets tag have five star CAPS ratings. These companies all help take care of pets, but they aren't all in the same line of business, and they don't all have similar financial expectations. Picking the strongest pet stock could make a big difference. After eliminating stocks with very more »

  • Wolverine Worldwide Claws Its Way Up

    By Eric Novinson - February 19, 2013 | Tickers: AMZN, CAT, VFC, WWW

    Wolverine Worldwide's (NYSE: WWW) name illustrates its competitive strategy. This shoe company has a plan for the Indian market that could bring in more international shoe sales, and this plan also makes a major construction company look better.

    Wolverine Worldwide also expanded its brand lineup recently, obtaining four shoe brands from Collective Brands in a major 2012 acquisition. Wolverine Worldwide does face competition from online shoe sellers, and clothing more »

  • Zoltek Stumbles, Retains Long-Term Growth Drivers

    By Eric Novinson - February 18, 2013 | Tickers: GE, HXL, WWD, ZOLT

    Zoltek (NASDAQ: ZOLT) started off 2013 with a miss, but three of the reasons to buy this carbon fiber maker remain valid. The bull case for Zoltek depends on the carbon fiber market, the market for big windmills, and the production tax credit. Federal support for wind energy and renewables also helps Zoltek's prospects, although some representatives remain skeptical about subsidies for wind power. Wind power companies, including Zoltek more »

  • Could Dollar Tree Gain From Wal-Mart's Challenges?

    By Eric Novinson - February 15, 2013 | Tickers: DG, DLTR, FDO, FRED, WMT

    Discounters might face some additional headwinds in 2013. Renee Dudley, at Bloomberg News, reported that internal Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) messages mentioned weaker sales for the discount giant so far in February and pointed out higher payroll taxes as a contributing factor. Bad news for Wal-Mart could mean a tougher market for every discounter, but investors may still have reasons to feel confident in Dollar Tree. (NASDAQ: DLTR)

    Price Action

    Wal-Mart more »

  • Cooking Up Growth at Williams-Sonoma

    By Eric Novinson - February 8, 2013 | Tickers: BBBY, MIDD, PIR, URBN, WSM

    Right now, a stronger housing market means better prospects for Williams-Sonoma (NYSE: WSM) as shoppers buy new decorations, silverware, and furniture for their homes. Interest in high end cooking appliances could also add big ticket sales for this retailer. The company can also benefit from shoppers' interest in self-sufficiency and disaster preparation as well. Stores in the Middle East and Australia offer international growth. This retailer doesn't have the more »

  • Brazil Makes Sense for CVS

    By Eric Novinson - February 7, 2013 | Tickers: CVS, ESRX, RAD, WAG | Editor's Choice

    CVS (NYSE: CVS) continues to grow in the United States, attracting shoppers from independent pharmacies and weaker big box chains. This pharmacy giant still risks hitting the wall in the domestic market if lucrative pharmacy expansion spots run low. Competitors Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD) and Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) face similar domestic growth constraints, and Walgreens addressed this challenge by entering the international market. Now CVS has international expansion plans of more »

  • Temporary Employment Trends Favor This Company

    By Eric Novinson - February 4, 2013 | Tickers: KELYA, MAN, ASGN, RHI

    A temp agency that can supply workers who possess rare skills that employers need has a valuable competitive advantage right now. On Assignment (NYSE: ASGN) provides scientists, engineers, IT professionals, and health care professionals to its clients. The company does compete with established temp agencies that have moved beyond their traditional specialties such as providing production line workers and low level clerical staff. On Assignment benefits from both recent growth more »

  • Three Factors For Department Store Investors to Consider

    By Eric Novinson - February 1, 2013 | Tickers: DDS, JCP, KSS, M

    The traditional department store pricing strategy might have its advantages after all. Reuters reported that J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) will bring back its sales events, as CEO Ron Johnson explained that ending the frequent sales had cost the store customers. J.C. Penney made a good decision here, but other department stores can also attract shoppers with sales events. Three factors could help an investor decide which department store more »

  • Two Starbucks Growth Initiatives for 2013

    By Eric Novinson - January 29, 2013 | Tickers: DNKN, GMCR, MCD, SBUX

    Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) just provided some more detail about its plans for 2013, and two initiatives could help the company hit its growth targets. Home coffee brewing machines and drive through coffee shop expansion plans appear prominently in the coffee shop's earnings call transcript at Morningstar. These initiatives could also mean more competition for Starbucks though, so 2013 could become an eventful year for the company.

    Overall Results

    Starbucks more »

  • Post Gains Gluten Free Products With Attune

    By Eric Novinson - January 23, 2013 | Tickers: BDBD, GIS, K, POST

    Post Holdings (NYSE: POST) looks better positioned after buying the small health food company Attune. Attune offers a variety of gluten free foods that include several types of cereal and snack bars, as well as other health food products. Shoppers who have allergies to wheat and other grains go out of their way to find gluten free foods. Post could gain loyal customers and boost its margins with this move more »

  • Catering Could Keep Chipotle on Track

    By Eric Novinson - January 17, 2013 | Tickers: CMG, JACK, PNRA, YUM

    Chipotle (NYSE: CMG) faces tough challenges in 2013. The burrito chain knows that rising food costs threaten its margins. This restaurant also needs to beat tough comps. Chipotle could hike its burrito prices, but competitors like Yum! Brands' (NYSE: YUM) Taco Bell and Jack in the Box's (NASDAQ: JACK) Qdoba could capture market share. Chipotle needs a value proposition that gives diners a good reason to pay more. The more »