Epiphany Investing

Searching Out the Optimal Portfolio of “Revelation” Stocks

Weekend Reading: Richie Poor, Moody’s Soul-Searching, Depression Debate Begins

In the somewhat lonely life of a stock analyst these days, I read hundreds upon hundreds of articles, slides, charts, and commentary every week. Most provide a marginal benefit at best, and are just regurgitations at worst.
But as with any mining effort, it’s all about finding the few nuggets that may lead to moments of [...]

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Washington Screws It Up AGAIN! (Real Wealth - Global Wealth Report, 2/4/10)
Warren Buffett Sells Moody's (MCO) Shares... Again (market folly, 12/24/09)
Moody’s Warns Of Pain Ahead For Financials, Profitability Concerns Due To Record Charge-Offs (Phil’s Stock World - Members S..., 3/10/10)
Read more on Moody's at Wikinvest

Costco Reports Lower Comps as Gas Prices Plummet (COST)

Warehouse retailer Costco Corporation (COST) reported sales and comparables for November and the past 13 weeks on Thursday morning, as this economy continues to prove that even the best fighters will take body shots.
Costco reported total sales for November down 3% (year-over-year) to $5.55 billion, while sales for the 13 weeks ending November 30th rose [...]

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Costco Sharebuilder bonuses hit our accounts this morning (Geographic Independence, 12/11/08)
Costco Bonuses at ShareBuilder (Geographic Independence, 11/12/08)
Update on Oil — Global Demand Estimate Raised AGAIN! (Red Hot Energy and Gold - Global..., 3/12/10)
Read more on Costco Wholesale, Oil at Wikinvest

Macy’s, Best Buy Signal That Consumer Spending Still Decelerating (BBY, M)

Macy’s reported a $44 million loss in the 3rd quarter today on a 6% decline in comparable sales. While the comps result was slightly better than competitors like J.C. Penney (JCP) and Kohl’s (KOL), Macy’s somehow still felt it could reiterate its previous guidance for $1.10 to $1.30 EPS in the 4th quarter. But here’s [...]

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Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE: BBY): Q4 Earnings Preview 2009 (Stock Wizard, 3/10/10)
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Read more on Best Buy, Macy's Inc. at Wikinvest

Costco Reports (1%) Comps During October; Retail Numbers to Weaken

While Wal-Mart again sets the bar for steady comps performance this year with a 2.4% rise in same-store-sales, ex-fuel. Costco, meanwhile, reported a 1% drop versus expectations of 3.6%. But if we strip out the spiking U.S. dollar’s effect on the month, the company-wide comps growth at Costco rises to 3%, with 9% international growth.
As [...]

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Costco Bonuses at ShareBuilder (Geographic Independence, 11/12/08)
Costco Sharebuilder bonuses hit our accounts this morning (Geographic Independence, 12/11/08)
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Read more on Costco Wholesale at Wikinvest

With Circuit City the Poster Child, Consumer Retail is Full of Land Mines

Today’s news that Circuit City would close 155 stores and re-negotiate leases on 566 others certainly isn’t shocking - the company has been an awful operator for several years and is one Hail Mary away from insolvency. That said, we shouldn’t ignore the potential harbinger of weakness across anything related to discretionary consumer spending.
I’m frankly [...]