BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[How do hedge funds differ from mutual funds?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/12/how-do-hedge-funds-differ-from-mutual-funds/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/12/how-do-hedge-funds-differ-from-mutual-funds/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/12/how-do-hedge-funds-differ-from-mutual-funds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Has your broker repeatedly sold you on the "safe" investment vehicle, the mutual fund? Investing in a wide variety of prominent companies, with solid, long-term track records, mutual funds have been an easy-to-understand and popular investment choice for decades.

Mutual funds are hugely diversified, holding large stakes in recognizable names such as Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), Citigroup (NYSE: C), Walmart (NYSE: WMT), Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), General Electric (NYSE: GE), Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), and Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM).

Continue reading How do hedge funds differ from mutual funds?

How do hedge funds differ from mutual funds? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative investmentsEric Jacksonfeaturedhedge fundsHedgeFundBlogger.cominvestment fundsmutual fundsRichard Wilsonshort sellingFri, 12 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Krispy Kreme's stock is up this year -- buy after Q1 report?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/04/krispy-kremes-stock-is-up-this-year-buy-after-q1-report/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/04/krispy-kremes-stock-is-up-this-year-buy-after-q1-report/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/04/krispy-kremes-stock-is-up-this-year-buy-after-q1-report/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts' (NYSE: KKD) stock has had a nice run of late. It's doubled so far on the year-to-date frame. Is there something to this story? Before, there was nothing. Krispy Kreme has been a very troubled business, and it would be very difficult to convince me otherwise. But, have things changed?

Well, net income did drop in Q1. Krispy Kreme said it made t $0.03 per share. Last year at this time, the doughnut guru earned $0.06 per share. Although the profit decline isn't attractive, I liked the comps. Same-store sales at company locations increased over 2%.

Continue reading Krispy Kreme's stock is up this year -- buy after Q1 report?

Krispy Kreme's stock is up this year -- buy after Q1 report? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>doughnutsfoodfranchiseKKDkrispy kremeKrispyKremeSBUXStarbucksThu, 04 Jun 2009 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Starbucks: Another day, another change]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/03/another-day-another-change-at-starbucks/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/03/another-day-another-change-at-starbucks/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/03/another-day-another-change-at-starbucks/#commentsFiled under: ,

If it's Wednesday, that means another change at Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), right? Reuters is reporting that SBUX is "reworking 90 percent of its baked goods." The latest move by the caffeine king is to start selling baked goods without high-fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors and dyes. The company will also introduce salads and other items -- nothing like a coffee and some salad, right?

According to Michelle Gass, SBUX's executive vice president of marketing, "Food has been the Achilles' heel of the company. [...] That statement will be long buried after we launch this program." The new campaign from SBUX will be promoted as "Real Food. Simply Delicious." and is an extension of last year's healthy campaign.

Continue reading Starbucks: Another day, another change

Starbucks: Another day, another change originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coffeecoffee warsCoffeeWarsdunkin donutsDunkinDonutsfeaturedhigh fructose corn syrupHighFructoseCornSyrupmcdsbuxStarbucksWed, 03 Jun 2009 09:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Starbucks tries to Tweet for profits]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/19/starbucks-tries-to-tweet-for-profits/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/19/starbucks-tries-to-tweet-for-profits/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/19/starbucks-tries-to-tweet-for-profits/#commentsFiled under: ,

I have ridiculed Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) in the past, but I actually have to give them some props for trying something new. Of course, this newest move is a double-edged sword, but we'll deal with that in a moment.

According to The New York Times, SBUX will display new advertising posters in six major cities and will try "to harness the power of online social networking sites by challenging people to hunt for the posters on Tuesday and be the first to post a photo of one using Twitter."

Continue reading Starbucks tries to Tweet for profits

Starbucks tries to Tweet for profits originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 19 May 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingcoffeecoffee warsCoffeeWarsMcCafesocial networkingSocialNetworkingTwitterTue, 19 May 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Moody's lowers Starbucks' rating]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/14/moodys-lowers-starbucks-rating/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/14/moodys-lowers-starbucks-rating/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/14/moodys-lowers-starbucks-rating/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It has been a while since I have had the pleasure of discussing Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) and its business issues. That changes today, as Moody's Investors Service downgraded Starbucks' $550 million senior unsecured notes to 'Baa3' from Baa2.'

The move takes into account what the ratings house sees as challenges lying ahead for the coffee company. In addition, Moody's cut Starbucks' short-term commercial paper rating.

An analyst with Moody's stated that the "downgrade reflects Starbucks challenge of refocusing the business without significantly damaging its brand, as well as weaker than anticipated operating performance" over the intermediate term. The biggest problem facing Starbucks is seen as weakness in consumer spending and increased competitive pressures.

Continue reading Moody's lowers Starbucks' rating

Moody's lowers Starbucks' rating originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 14 May 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>downgradefeaturedMCDMcDonaldsMoodysratings cutRatingsCutThu, 14 May 2009 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[More signs of trouble at Starbucks: No more decaf in the afternoon, McCafe gains ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/08/more-signs-of-trouble-at-starbucks-no-more-decaf-in-the-afterno/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/08/more-signs-of-trouble-at-starbucks-no-more-decaf-in-the-afterno/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/08/more-signs-of-trouble-at-starbucks-no-more-decaf-in-the-afterno/#commentsFiled under:

Feel like a nice cup of decaf right about now? Don't plan on getting it at Starbucks. Popular blogger (and newspaper doomsayer) Jeff Jarvis is complaining about a new but not well publicized Starbucks policy to stop brewing fresh decaf coffee after the morning rush.

Continue reading More signs of trouble at Starbucks: No more decaf in the afternoon, McCafe gains

More signs of trouble at Starbucks: No more decaf in the afternoon, McCafe gains originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 08 May 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coffeeconsumer discretionaryConsumerDiscretionaryrestaurantsSBUXstarbucksFri, 08 May 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Starbucks in Warsaw: It's ironic, but it's working]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/05/starbucks-in-warsaw-its-ironic-but-its-working/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/05/starbucks-in-warsaw-its-ironic-but-its-working/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/05/starbucks-in-warsaw-its-ironic-but-its-working/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Starbucks, were the company to own up to the history of coffee, owes its origins -- not to the cafes of Italy where Howard Schultz drank the future -- but the coffeehouse culture of Central Europe. It wasn't as glamorous in the 80s and 90s to admit it, perhaps, and certainly there was no culture, coffeeshop or otherwise, to be had until McDonald's opened in Warsaw in the early 1990s.

Ironically, then, the Polish youth are embracing the newly-opened Starbucks cafes. Washington Post op-ed columnist Anne Applebaum is in Warsaw, and says that the new Starbucks there are met with open wallets and customers eager to buy the expensive brew and flaunt it, with "the famous green label facing outward."

Continue reading Starbucks in Warsaw: It's ironic, but it's working

Starbucks in Warsaw: It's ironic, but it's working originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 May 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coffeeshopculturefeaturedhistorypolandsbuxstarbuckswarsawTue, 05 May 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Full page ad in NYT proves it: Starbucks is in real trouble]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/04/full-page-ad-in-nyt-proves-it-starbucks-is-in-real-trouble/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/04/full-page-ad-in-nyt-proves-it-starbucks-is-in-real-trouble/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/04/full-page-ad-in-nyt-proves-it-starbucks-is-in-real-trouble/#commentsFiled under:

On the back page of my Sunday New York Times I found a full-page four-color ad from Starbucks Corporation (NYS: SBUX). The big, bold type at the top of the ad said "They Want You To Think Coffee is Coffee. Well, It's Not Just Coffee. It's Starbucks." No, actually its just coffee. Really, really expensive coffee that was perfect for the frothy past three decades but far less so now. And when these types of pathetic bleats for help issue forth from massive lifestyle corporations, its best to start the Doomsday Clock.

Continue reading Full page ad in NYT proves it: Starbucks is in real trouble

Full page ad in NYT proves it: Starbucks is in real trouble originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 04 May 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coffeeconsumer spendingConsumerSpendingrestaurantsretailstarbucksMon, 04 May 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Earnings highlights: Starbucks, Kodak, Verizon, Visa, Office Depot, Baidu and more]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/02/earnings-highlights-starbucks-kodak-verizon-visa-office-dep/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/02/earnings-highlights-starbucks-kodak-verizon-visa-office-dep/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/02/earnings-highlights-starbucks-kodak-verizon-visa-office-dep/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Starbucks, Kodak, Verizon, Visa, Office Depot, Baidu and more

Earnings highlights: Starbucks, Kodak, Verizon, Visa, Office Depot, Baidu and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 02 May 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlltelBaiduBIDUBKCBRCMBroadcomBurger KingCorn ProductsCPODow ChemicalearningsEastman KodakEKEnergizerExxonGoodyearGTINETInternet BrandsJim CramerMETMetLifeMOTMotorolaODPOffice DepotOMCOmnicomPFEPfizerQCOMQualcommSBUXStarbucksTime WarnerTWXUHS: VisaUhs:VisaUniversal HealthVerizonVZXOMSat, 02 May 2009 09:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Starbucks perks up on Q2 beat, but I'm not convinced]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/30/starbucks-perks-up-on-q2-beat-but-im-not-convinced/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/30/starbucks-perks-up-on-q2-beat-but-im-not-convinced/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/30/starbucks-perks-up-on-q2-beat-but-im-not-convinced/#commentsFiled under: ,

Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) reported earnings after the bell on Wednesday. Today, shares are up almost 10% on active volume in early afternoon trading as I write this. What does the market see in the numbers that is making it so happy?

Well, it's difficult to say precisely. As we all know, Starbucks has been having its problems, and data in Q2 indicate that the status quo essentially remains. Sales: down almost 8%. Operating income: down 77%. Adjusted earnings per share: down two pennies to $0.16. Cash from operations: down 6%. Same-store sales: down 8%. See what I mean? I hate using the word "down" so many times.

Continue reading Starbucks perks up on Q2 beat, but I'm not convinced

Starbucks perks up on Q2 beat, but I'm not convinced originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baristaBKCBurger KingBurgerKingcoffeefeaturedMCDmcdonaldsmichael fowlkesMichaelFowlkesSBUXStarbucksThu, 30 Apr 2009 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Starbucks second quarter earnings preview]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/28/starbucks-second-quarter-earnings-preview/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/28/starbucks-second-quarter-earnings-preview/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/28/starbucks-second-quarter-earnings-preview/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Starbucks Earnings PreviewEarnings season continues to move right along, and Wednesday following the market close coffee giant Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) will get its chance to impress Wall Street.

The last time that the company reported earnings was back on January 28 when it failed to meet analyst expectations by posting 15 cents per share versus analyst estimates for 17 cents a share. This time around, analysts are looking for the company to show 15 cents a share for its fiscal second quarter.

Continue reading Starbucks second quarter earnings preview

Starbucks second quarter earnings preview originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bairdcoffeeearningsearnings previewEarningsPreviewluxury itemsLuxuryItemsSBUXStarbucksTue, 28 Apr 2009 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Closing Bell: An IPO, Banks & Tech, all killing the bears (JPM, RST, SBUX, LUV, RF)]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/16/closing-bell-an-ipo-banks-and-tech-all-killing-the-bears-jpm/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/16/closing-bell-an-ipo-banks-and-tech-all-killing-the-bears-jpm/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/16/closing-bell-an-ipo-banks-and-tech-all-killing-the-bears-jpm/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The sages say to sell the news and have started calling the market grossly overbought on the near-term, yet stock enthusiasm is at the exact opposite of how negative things were 6 weeks ago. We have 6 million on the jobless claims now, although this week showed a real decline in new claims. The rally came on late in the day after the market was down triple-digits at one point. Here are the unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow 8,125.43 +95.81 (1.19%)
S&P 500 865.29 +13.23 (1.55%)
Nasdaq 1,670.44 +43.64 (2.68%)

Top Analyst Calls

Continue reading Closing Bell: An IPO, Banks & Tech, all killing the bears (JPM, RST, SBUX, LUV, RF)

Closing Bell: An IPO, Banks & Tech, all killing the bears (JPM, RST, SBUX, LUV, RF) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deutsche bankDeutscheBankfeaturedjobless claimsJoblessClaimsregions financialRegionsFinancialRSTThu, 16 Apr 2009 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Closing Bell: When 'less-bad' starts looking great (AXP, DNDN, GM, SIRI, SBUX, YHOO)]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/15/closing-bell-when-less-bad-starts-looking-great-axp-dndn-g/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/15/closing-bell-when-less-bad-starts-looking-great-axp-dndn-g/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/15/closing-bell-when-less-bad-starts-looking-great-axp-dndn-g/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Today's late-day rally had a common theme throughout the day: less-bad economic data. This went from better housing data and CPI not showing any deflation fears. The Beige Book was also showing that some of the 12 Fed regions are seeing a decline in the slowdown. Here are today's unofficial closing levels, which were essentially around the highs of the day:

Dow 8,029.62 +109.44 (1.38%)
S&P 500 852.06 +10.56 (1.25%)
Nasdaq 1,626.80 +1.08 (0.07%)

Top 10 Analyst Calls

Continue reading Closing Bell: When 'less-bad' starts looking great (AXP, DNDN, GM, SIRI, SBUX, YHOO)

Closing Bell: When 'less-bad' starts looking great (AXP, DNDN, GM, SIRI, SBUX, YHOO) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american expressAmericanExpresscredit cardsCreditCardsdendreonDNDNSaturnsiriusWed, 15 Apr 2009 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Fast Food Wars #2: McDonald's looks strong on global numbers, new menu, smart management]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/18/fast-food-wars-2-mcdonalds-looks-strong-on-global-numbers-ne/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/18/fast-food-wars-2-mcdonalds-looks-strong-on-global-numbers-ne/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/18/fast-food-wars-2-mcdonalds-looks-strong-on-global-numbers-ne/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

This is the second post in Fast Food Wars, a look at the players in this unhealthy business that has traditionally garnered healthy returns in down times as Americans tank up on fries and burgers slathered with secret sauce.

Last week we looked at Burger King (NYSE: BKC), today we turn to Mickey D's, the grand-daddy of them all. McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD ) boasts over 35,000 locations (franchised and company owned) in 100 countries.

Continue reading Fast Food Wars #2: McDonald's looks strong on global numbers, new menu, smart management

Fast Food Wars #2: McDonald's looks strong on global numbers, new menu, smart management originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BKCBurger Kingfast foodfeaturedhamburgersMCDmcdonaldsrestaurantsSBUXWed, 18 Mar 2009 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Starbucks (SBUX) plans to calm investors]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/17/starbucks-sbux-plans-to-calm-investors/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/17/starbucks-sbux-plans-to-calm-investors/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/17/starbucks-sbux-plans-to-calm-investors/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Since shares of Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) have dropped so sharply over the last year, the company keeps coming up with ways to convince its investors that it has a handle on things and can run the coffee retailer well in a harsh environment. It will make another attempt at getting its arguments across at its annual meeting Wednesday.

According to The Wall Street Journal, "executives are expected to outline a plan to weather the recession that includes an effort to make Starbucks products seem more affordable, and reassure investors that the company is on track to cut $500 million of costs by the fall."

Continue reading Starbucks (SBUX) plans to calm investors

Starbucks (SBUX) plans to calm investors originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>annual meetingAnnualMeetinginthenewsSBUXTue, 17 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Starbucks $3.95 breakfast: Brand-new day?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/04/starbucks-3-95-breakfast-brand-new-day/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/04/starbucks-3-95-breakfast-brand-new-day/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/04/starbucks-3-95-breakfast-brand-new-day/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

"Hello to a new day," reads a sign at my neighborhood Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ: SBUX). On the sign is advertised one of the "breakfast pairings at an attractive price," or what many critics have called Starbucks' attempt at "value meals": a Bacon Artisan Sandwich and a Tall Pike Place Coffee. No price is listed on the chalkboard, although new static-cling signs on the windows advertise a latte and "Perfect Oatmeal" for $3.95.

The question on everyone's lips, of course, is: will this work? Will customers buy it, figuratively, and, by taking out their wallets and buying? While I was impressed with the good taste of the sandwich, giving a thumbs up (and deciding that I would, indeed, choose to have breakfast instead of just coffee with the new meal deal -- at about $2 more, it seems to approach "bargain" status), the reaction of customers who don't typically shop at Starbucks; the real target of this campaign (along with those who've defected to McDonalds) was not encouraging.

Continue reading Starbucks $3.95 breakfast: Brand-new day?

Starbucks $3.95 breakfast: Brand-new day? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakfastbreakfast pairingsBreakfastPairingssbuxstarbucksvalueValueMealWed, 04 Mar 2009 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Entrepreneur's Journal: Crowdsourcing your customers, just like Starbucks and Dell]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/01/entrepreneurs-journal-crowdsourcing-your-customers-like-starb/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/01/entrepreneurs-journal-crowdsourcing-your-customers-like-starb/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/01/entrepreneurs-journal-crowdsourcing-your-customers-like-starb/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In his book Crowdsourcing: Why the Power of the Crowd Is Driving the Future of Business, Jeff Howe shows the power of leveraging communities. Some of the cases he looks at are Threadless, iStockphoto and Wikipedia. Basically, with few resources, these organizations have allowed their users and customers to build their business.

Or, look at companies like Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX), Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) and Dell (Nasdaq: DELL). They have created idea portals that allow their customers to provide feedback. So far, the results have been strong.

However, can smaller businesses take advantage of idea portals?

Continue reading Entrepreneur's Journal: Crowdsourcing your customers, just like Starbucks and Dell

Entrepreneur's Journal: Crowdsourcing your customers, just like Starbucks and Dell originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 01 Mar 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Idea PortalsIdeaPortalsSun, 01 Mar 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Single-serving coffee not the answer for Starbucks]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/25/single-serving-coffee-not-the-answer-for-starbucks/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/25/single-serving-coffee-not-the-answer-for-starbucks/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/25/single-serving-coffee-not-the-answer-for-starbucks/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Is it realistic to expect Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) to deliver double-digit earnings growth in this environment?

Seriously, can retail customers afford premium coffee when budgets are severely strained and debts are high?

No way. Premium coffee is a luxury item, and though many are addicted to java, cutting back is relatively easy to do. In that dynamic, sales are likely to slow.

Continue reading Single-serving coffee not the answer for Starbucks

Single-serving coffee not the answer for Starbucks originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coffeedlugoschgmcrgreen mountain coffee roastersGreenMountainCoffeeRoastersinthenewslouis navellierlouis navelliers portfoliograder proLouisNavellierLouisNavelliersPortfoliograderProportfolio graderportfolio grader proPortfolioGraderPortfolioGraderProsbuxWed, 25 Feb 2009 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Would you rather live near McDonald's or Starbucks?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/23/would-you-rather-live-near-more-mcdonalds-or-starbucks/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/23/would-you-rather-live-near-more-mcdonalds-or-starbucks/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/23/would-you-rather-live-near-more-mcdonalds-or-starbucks/#commentsFiled under: ,

Perhaps you will file this under things that only I find interesting, but this article details results from the Pew Research Center noting that 43% of people surveyed would rather live near McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) than Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX).

Interesting statistic. My guess is that the biggest reason the Golden Arches is more popular is that it offers far more food at a far cheaper price.

Continue reading Would you rather live near McDonald's or Starbucks?

Would you rather live near McDonald's or Starbucks? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demographicsinthenewsmcdmcdonaldsresearchsbuxspending habitsSpendingHabitsstarbucksMon, 23 Feb 2009 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[McDonald's says it ain't afraid o' no Starbucks]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/21/mcdonalds-says-it-aint-afraid-o-no-starbucks/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/21/mcdonalds-says-it-aint-afraid-o-no-starbucks/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/21/mcdonalds-says-it-aint-afraid-o-no-starbucks/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) is making an aggressive move into the breakfast business, including a planned budget breakfast launch that looks to capitalize on the same recession that is hurting the company's overpriced coffee sales.

That has some analysts concerned that McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) could face some competitive pressure, but CEO Jim Skinner isn't buying it. He was asked at a luncheon in Chicago whether Starbucks' revamped breakfast menu was hurting his company: "No, I don't think so in terms of market share," he replied.

But before McDonald's shareholders breath a sign of relief, they should wait and see what happens in March. On the third day of next month, Starbucks will begin offering customers their choice a 12-ounce latte with a coffee cake or oatmeal, or a tall coffee with a breakfast sandwich, for $3.99. Starbucks gained fame for being the home of the $4 coffee, but now that includes breakfast too.

Continue reading McDonald's says it ain't afraid o' no Starbucks

McDonald's says it ain't afraid o' no Starbucks originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BreakfastMCDMcdonaldsSBUXStarbucksSat, 21 Feb 2009 11:40:00 EST