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Eshna De

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  • Ford is Doing the Balancing Act

    By Eshna De - May 24, 2013 | Tickers: FIATY.PK, F, GM

    Ford’s (NYSE: F) goal is simple. And that is to earn profits. It is well aware that Europe will take time to recover so meanwhile it is working on maximizing the gains from its other markets.

    Currently, North America is Ford’s growth engine where the company is outperforming the industry and all its peers. Between January to April this year the US auto market has grown by 7 more »

  • The Phoenix of the Smartphone industry

    By Eshna De - May 23, 2013 | Tickers: AAPL, BBRY, SSNLF

    In 2009, when BlackBerry (NASDAQ: BBRY) launched its ‘BlackBerry boys’ campaign and lowered the price of the entry level Curve model, the younger generation became addicted to BlackBerry Messenger, a free substitute to SMS. It saw a loyal customer base, sales zoomed up, share prices soared but little did the company know this success would be short lived.

    Now, time is running out for this Canadian smartphone maker as customers more »

  • Where Does Nike Stand in China?

    By Eshna De - May 22, 2013 | Tickers: ADDYY, GPS, NKE

    Nike (NYSE: NKE) is a world sportswear champion. The brand has become legendary through endorsements and ad campaigns featuring superstars and controversial athletes to spice things up now and then. One thing is for sure: whenever people think of sports, somewhere in their minds they visualize the famous Nike “swoosh.”

    The company isn't just popular with sports fans, either; investors also love Nike. Over the last 2 years, the more »

  • Asia Beckons PepsiCo

    By Eshna De - May 22, 2013 | Tickers: KO, PEP

    CEO Indra Nooyi often talks about the PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) algorithm which calls for balancing out growth initiatives between developed, developing, and emerging markets. It is heartening to see that the management is delivering on this strategy. Over the last 7-8 years the company has increased its focus on more geographic diversion and has created a success story out of this.

    In 2005 PepsiCo generated around 61% of its sales more »

  • Is Monster Losing Its Energy?

    By Eshna De - May 17, 2013 | Tickers: KO, MNST, PEP

    Energy drinks maker Monster Beverage (NASDAQ: MNST) seems to have lost some of its growth momentum. Investors have always perceived this company as a fantastic growth proposition and have not been disappointed in the past. Monster has returned around 62.5% in share price appreciation over the last two years while the S&P 500 has only returned around 17.16%.

    Things have been a little quieter of late, however more »

  • Coca-Cola’s Game Plan

    By Eshna De - May 16, 2013 | Tickers: KO, PEP

    Soda makers have become bad guys in the US, Europe, and other developed nations. They are often held responsible for the growing obesity epidemic, which brings with it hordes of diseases like diabetes, heart problems, hyper tension and the list can go on.

    As awareness increases, it is no surprise that soda giants like Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) and PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) are seeing falling sales in the world’s largest more »

  • Ford Fusion: A Winner in the Making?

    By Eshna De - May 16, 2013 | Tickers: F, HMC, TM

    The mid-size race in the US auto market is heating up. On one side we have the perennial favorites like Toyota's (NYSE: TM) Camry and Honda's (NYSE: HMC) Accord, while on the other side there are the new entrants like the Ford (NYSE: F) Fusion and the Nissan Altima. As the four sedans race each other for the top spot the question that comes up is who is more »

  • Trouble in China for Yum! Brands

    By Eshna De - May 16, 2013 | Tickers: MCD, SBUX, YUM

    Yum! Brands' (NYSE: YUM) Chinese empire is falling apart. It runs around 4,400 KFCs in the country and some 1,000 Pizza Huts. It also owns two small Asian chains by the name of East Dawning and Little Sheep.

    China is the company’s single largest market and accounted for over half the group’s revenue last year. But recently Yum! has been struggling with a series of setbacks more »

  • Keep an Eye on This Auto Maker

    By Eshna De - May 15, 2013 | Tickers: GM, NSANY.PK, TSLA, TM

    Tesla Motors (NASDAQ: TSLA) finally found its Holy Grail with its Model S car as the company went profitable for the 1st time in the company’s ten year history. It said it was receiving worldwide orders for the Model S in excess of 20,000 vehicles per year as it plans to expand its operations outside North America to Europe and Asia. Tesla broke the electric car inertia more »

  • Where Did Wendy’s Fall Short?

    By Eshna De - May 15, 2013 | Tickers: BKW, MCD, WEN

    Wendy’s (NASDAQ: WEN) is going through a makeover. It is not only modernizing is restaurants and changing its logo, but it is also coming out with premium menu options, like flat-bread sandwiches, that compete with those of fast-casual chains.

    However, in its quest for becoming more upscale, is Wendy’s turning away the regular value-oriented customers who constitute the main traffic in any fast-food chain? 

    First-quarter revenue missed expectations more »

  • Ford Is Going Far

    By Eshna De - May 9, 2013 | Tickers: F, GM, TM

    Ford’s (NYSE: F) latest destination is Myanmar. The company joins the bandwagon of western companies that are increasingly targeting this market, a list which includes big names like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, General Electric, Caterpillar, and Google. In the last month alone Vodafone and China Mobile have formed a consortium to bid for mobile licenses in Myanmar.

    The situation at Myanmar

    Myanmar had been shut off from the western world for more »

  • Are You Craving Taco Bell?

    By Eshna De - May 9, 2013 | Tickers: BKW, MCD, YUM

    The latest buzz in the fast food world is the new $1 ‘Cravings’ menu from Taco Bell. Taco Bell is owned by Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM), which also owns KFC and Pizza Hut. The chain, which is known for its inexpensive menu, is going one step further.

    It is planning to replace its existing value menu, better known as “Why pay more?,” with the new menu option. The reason for more »

  • Are Investors Listening to This Troubled Retailer?

    By Eshna De - May 8, 2013 | Tickers: JCP, KSS, M

    J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) is making news again. And this time, it is with its recently launched apology ad where it is claiming to listen to people and asking them to come back. It has also started a huge social media campaign over Facebook and Twitter, where it is trying to connect with anyone who is willing to spare a moment.

    With so much of telling and listening happening more »

  • Are the Tides Turning for GM in Europe?

    By Eshna De - May 8, 2013 | Tickers: F, GM, VLKAY

    General Motors (NYSE: GM) has excited investors with its lower European losses in the first quarter. It also earned brownie points for outperforming rival Ford (NYSE: F), which has posted more than double the losses of GM. Huge round of applause to GM for making this happen--but the story is not yet over.

    Both GM’s and Ford’s losses of $175 million and $462 million, respectively, tell the story more »

  • This Automaker Is A Buy!

    By Eshna De - May 8, 2013 | Tickers: FIATY.PK, F, GM

    What a run Ford (NYSE: F) F-series pick-ups are having! Ford has sold a whopping 120,000 pick-ups over the last two months. Demand is so high that analysts are wondering if Ford would be able to keep up with the pace of demand growth. As General Motors (NYSE: GM) gears up for its big pick-up launches and demand for the new 2013 Chrysler RAM gathers steam let’s see more »

  • Which of These Companies Will Run Faster?

    By Eshna De - May 7, 2013 | Tickers: ADDYY, NKE, UA

    Statistics might suggest that the running shoe industry in the U.S. has matured with just 1% growth last year, but Nike (NYSE: NKE) and Adidas (NASDAQOTH: ADDYY) are still betting on this market. And they are not the only ones, as analysts at Credit Suisse are also predicting that growth for these two giants will mostly come from their new running shoes.

    With the new hi-tech light weight sneakers more »

  • Looking Forward To SodaStream’s Results

    By Eshna De - May 6, 2013 | Tickers: KO, PEP, SODA

    SodaStream (NASDAQ: SODA) has a good problem. The demand for its products is rising at a higher pace than anticipated. Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) and PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) would love to trade places with it.

    But the beverage giants have had their days of growth and now they have matured gracefully. They have built tremendous brands and emerged as global powerhouses. And they are still aiming for more. SodaStream has miles more »

  • Brewing Success

    By Eshna De - May 3, 2013 | Tickers: DNKN, MCD, SBUX

    Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) CEO has said that analysts who had predicted market saturation for Starbucks in the U.S. five years back could not have been more wrong. And he is right. The company is buzzing with new initiatives, which positions it well for solid long-term growth.

    The fact that Starbucks is getting it right is amply reflected in its second quarter results. Where most fast food chains, including rivals more »

  • What Is a Better Strategy for Chipotle?

    By Eshna De - May 1, 2013 | Tickers: CMG, JACK, YUM

    Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) has always been a favorite with food lovers on account of its healthy menu. The company uses more naturally raised meat than any other fast food chain in the US.

    However, of late the sales trends have come down from the levels with which we have always associated Chipotle. It did beat earnings estimates in the first quarter but it needs to do more to more »

  • Taking the Top Flight

    By Eshna De - April 28, 2013 | Tickers: AAPL, BBRY

    Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), the multinational giant known for designing personal electronics married with exclusive software, has remained the apple of its customers’ eyes for a long 30 years. When it comes to cutting edge technology, Apple has always come up with innovations that everyone craves. With ground breaking products like the iPod, iPhone, iPad and many more under its belt, this super gadget-maker has delivered efficiency with satisfaction.

    Rough sledding more »

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