Retail Staggers into the New Year

Ockham Research Staff @ January 9, 2009 # No Comment Yet


So, we all expected holiday shopping to be weak, but it was even worse than expected. Retail results for the month of December continue to be released and the results are pathetic, but the discounters continue to be the only stocks we could recommend in this sector.

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Wagering on Hard Times
No Cause for Optimism
Read more on Wal-Mart, U.S. Economic Cycles, Retail at Wikinvest

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Grocer Kroger Thriving in Recession

Ockham Research Staff @ December 9, 2008 # No Comment Yet


Kroger grocery stores reported earnings today that narrowly beat earnings and revenue estimates. The company raised guidance going forward as consumers are cooking at home more often during the recession; however, KR stock is selling off more than 7 precent at this time and it is approaching a very appealing valuation level.

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The Enterprising Investor’s Guide 12-1-08

Ockham Research Staff @ December 1, 2008 # No Comment Yet


The Enterprising Investor’s Guide 12-1-08

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In Rough Times, Inferior Goods Make Superior Stocks

Ockham Research Staff @ November 26, 2008 # 2 Comments


No one can tell you where the economy is heading but if you are among those that believes that it will continue to deteriorate, then we suggest looking to companies that make inferior goods, like Spam. Hormel is producing the canned meat seven days a week in order to meet increased demand for the cheap alternative. Campbell Soup is having much the same growth in its condensed soups products.

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Put Hormel Foods on Your Shopping List
Spam: The New Economic Indicator
Hormel Foods looks appetizing
Read more on Hormel Foods, Campbell Soup Company at Wikinvest

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Another Blowout Month for BJ’s Wholesale

Ockham Research Staff @ November 7, 2008 # 2 Comments


BJ’s (enter joke here) has continued to post extremely impressive sales gains in recent months, in part do to the economic downturn. What’s more, the company has aggressively expanded its store presence coming into the down turn and sharholders are actually up so far this year!

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McDonald’s Riding High By Pricing Low

Ockham Research Staff @ October 22, 2008 # No Comment Yet


Consumers everywhere are pinching penny’s in this difficult economic environment and McDonald’s is one of the benefitiaries of this trend. We highlight in this post why MCD may be a great hedge against further deterioration of the economy.

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the golden arches raise dividend 33%
McDonalds Increases Dividend 33.3%
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Wal-Mart Gets Boost from Stimulus Checks

Ockham Research Staff @ July 10, 2008 # No Comment Yet


Wal-Mart has gone in the opposite direction of the broad market indexes thus far this year (up 20%). June same-store sales were up 5.8% which was well ahead of estimates of only 2%-4% increase. Interestingly, Ockham is still very positive on Wal-Mart from a long term value perspective.

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Adding to Walmart (WMT)
Discounters will rule
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Wal-Mart Continues to Impress

admin @ April 14, 2008 # No Comment Yet


Our value investing methodology has shown Wal-Mart ( WMT) to be a very attractive buy candidate for quite some time now. In fact, at the beginning of 2007 we were asked for our top value stock buys by Barron’s and Wal-Mart topped our list. The price has oscillated a bit since […]

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Consumers Spend at Wal-Mart

admin @ March 6, 2008 # No Comment Yet


The economy is slowing, but that is not a problem for retail giant Wal-Mart Stores ( WMT). Wal-Mart is the world’s largest retailer and its economies of scale allow the company to offer lower prices than its competitors. So, as housing prices fall, gas prices rise, and the average consumer gets […]

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Sony: Blu-ray Redeems Betamax

admin @ February 15, 2008 # No Comment Yet


Sony Corporation ( SNE) appears to have learned its lesson from the Betamax/ VHS format war. As some already know, Sony was the primary backer of the Betamax format introduced in 1975 that competed with-and eventually-lost market share to VHS. The VHS format was introduced in 1976 by JVC and it proceeded to […]

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