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10 Stocks That Deserve Your Love… and 10 That Don’t
Valentine’s Day may be a commercialized holiday to some, but there’s no denying that its big business. And this coming Valentine’s Day may be extra sweet since it falls on a Sunday making it a great excuse for a romantic night out. In fact, total Valentine’s Day spending is expected to reach $17.6 billion this year, up 3.3% over 2009, according to consumer spending researchers at IBISWorld.
That’s a big payday, and one that investors should be paying attention to. So, in the spirit of this Valentine’s Day spending surge, here are 10 stocks to fall in love with — plus 10 stocks every investor should hate.
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Amazon.com (AMZN)
Sure, flowers and chocolates are common gifts. But in this digital age there are tons of gifts with a high-tech edge — like digital photo frames with multiple pictures of your sweetheart in rotation or romance novels for eReaders. This makes online retailer Amazon.com (AMZN) a sure thing for the Valentine’s Day shopping surge. The company posted an 18% earnings surprise and a 5% sales surprise at the end of January and is still going strong.
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Blue Nile (NILE)
Diamonds are always popular around Valentine’s Day, but lingering unemployment problems and consumer confidence woes have hit most jewelry stores hard. But not Blue Nile (NILE). This online retailer of fine custom-made rings, earrings and necklaces allows consumers to browse a huge array of diamonds without paying a middle man. This allows for some great deals, making NILE your best bet to cash in on jewelry sales this Valentine’s Day.
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Limited Brands (LTD)
Lingerie is another popular V-Day gift, and Limited Brands (LTD) has the inside track on these sales with its Victoria’s Secret stores. Limited’s same-store sales were up 6% in January, thanks to a 17% increase at Victoria’s Secret outlets. That’s a trend you can take to the bank in February and beyond.
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Priceline.com (PCLN)
How about a romantic weekend getaway? Priceline.com (PCLN) has got lovebirds covered whether they’re flying south for a warm vacation or just finding a first-class hotel with a spa for some time alone. Priceline.com allows buyers to name their own price for everything from airline tickets to rental cars to cruises. You may not think that travel spending is very high right now, but the bottom line is that value-conscious consumers really love Priceline’s ability to “haggle” on prices. This has allowed the website to become an oasis for cash-strapped consumers and generate huge numbers even during the recession.
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American Greetings (AM)
A simple card can say so much, and that makes American Greetings (AM) a great choice for investors this Valentine’s Day. But don’t think this card is a seasonal wonder — AM has posted dramatic earnings performances lately, including earnings surprises of more than 550% and 245% in the last three quarters. This stock is a great investment for February and beyond.
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Whole Foods (WFMI)
Speaking as a guy who normally eats out or watches my wife do all the cooking, I can say that nothing is more appreciated by hardworking wives and mothers than a great meal they didn’t have to prepare. That’s where Whole Foods (WFMI) comes in with gourmet meats and cheeses that make simple recipes delicious — even for inexperienced chefs. Whole Foods has topped expectations in each of the last four quarters for an average of 18% a period, and the stock remains a great buy.
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Carmike Cinemas (CKEC)
How about a nice romantic comedy on Valentine’s Day? Carmike Cinemas (CKEC) owns and operates a total of about 250 movie houses in the U.S. and is a frontrunner to capitalize on the movie spending that is sure to be strong on Sunday. The company saw a nice boost after the recent blockbuster Avatar hit the silver screen and should keep that momentum going through the coming months.
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Steak n Shake (SNS)
Not everyone can afford a fancy restaurant this Valentine’s Day, so casual dining outfits are sure to see the lion’s share of the profits. Near the front of this group is Steak n Shake (SNS). With over 400 locations in the U.S., this comfort food company provides great American fare at great prices. The restaurant just topped earnings estimates by 310% in its latest report, so this company is clearly going strong.
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IncrediMail (MAIL)
It’s hard to have a personal touch via email, but if ever there was a day when you should try it it’s Valentine’s Day. That makes IncrediMail (MAIL) a great pick. MAIL develops software that lets users customize e-mail using animation, 3D effects, handwritten signatures and sound effects. This makes digital messages much warmer and more personal and can help long-distance sweethearts say “I love you.” The company reported strong sales and profits in November and is poised for another great earnings report in the weeks ahead.
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Ford (F)
For the big spenders out there who are planning on a dramatic gift this Valentine’s Day, a car is a popular choice. And among automakers right now, Ford (F) stands alone. GM is struggling to emerge from bankruptcy, and Chrysler is in even worse shape. Toyota has recalled millions of vehicles and is suffering from bad press. If you want an auto for your sweetheart this February, a Ford is the best choice. And with surging sales over the past few months, Ford is also a great buy for investors.
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10 Valentine’s Day Stocks to Hate
Not all companies in these love-struck industries are good buys. Here are 10 stocks to break up with this Valentine’s Day.
- 1-800-Flowers (FLWS): A good gift, but a poorly run company that has posted a loss for three of the last four quarters.
- Hershey (HSY): Missing out on the Cadbury merger was not so sweet for Hershey.
- Cardiac Sciences (CSCX): It’s hard to have a heart for a company that fails seven out of my eight fundamental screens.
- Verizon (VZ): If you’re giving your sweetie a cell phone for V-Day, it’s probably an iPhone — the bane of Verizon’s fading subscriber base.
- Titanium Metals (TIE): No matter how much you want those fancy new golf clubs, she’s not buying them this year.
- Molson-Coors (TAP): Drinking alone on Valentines Day? Not a good idea — or a good investment.
- Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF): Stylish but overpriced clothes are still falling flat with consumers, even on V-Day.
- Darden Restaurants (DRI): Olive Garden and Red Lobster are seeing slow sales, and I don’t expect the holiday to turn that around significantly.
- Airtran (AAI): This regional carrier is going nowhere this Valentine’s Day.
- Liz Claiborne (LIZ): With numbers showing fewer women shopping here on their own, chances are their sweethearts won’t be banging down the door this February.
Top 5 Stocks for the 1st Quarter
These must-have companies are just hitting their stride and are poised to outperform the market in the short-term. Investing pro Louis Navellier reveals his top five picks in this free stock guide — download your FREE copy here.
