Burke Speaker

Investorplace Writer

Burke Speaker has been a journalist, writer and editor for the past 12 years, having worked at newspapers and magazines along the East Coast. His past writing has covered everything from health to business and finance to travel, the last of which he explores at TheTravellier.com.

Recent Articles

Starbucks (SBUX) Hiding Smaller Coffee Sizes?

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

In a move that is either a strictly financial decision or a bid to lesson customer confusion while speeding up the wait time, Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) has erased the “tall” coffee choice from its drive-thru menu.

McDonald’s (MCD) Burgers Rank Worst in Survey

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD) is No. 1 on the worst-tasting burgers list, according to a new Consumer Reports ranking. But for a company whose stock is at an all-time high – with new deals and menu items that keep customers coming back – is that even a problem?

BP Plays Blame Game With Halliburton, Transocean, others

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

British energy company BP (NYSE: BP) today blamed “multiple parties” – naming Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) and Transocean (NYSE: RIG) – for its oil well spill that gushed millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico and left 11 workers dead. The report ends a four-month investigation by the company’s own safety and operations chief.

Target (TGT) Expands Push into Clinics

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

On the heels of the ever-expanding health services of Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), CVS (NYSE: CVS) and Walgreens (NYSE: WAG), big box giant Target (NYSE: TGT) is today opening more of its clinic locations, expanding more of its services to entice more consumers to stores.

Starbucks (SBUX) Takes Via to Global Grocery Stores

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) today announced the expected overseas expansion of its already popular VIA Ready Brew line of products, through international grocery channels in Japan, Canada and the U.K.

Stocks That Could See a Spark From Nuclear Push

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

Nuclear power has been making big headlines lately. From recent news that Germany will extend the life of its nuclear plants for 12 years past their 2021 scheduled closures, to the prospect of nuke plants in Vietnam and – to the chagrin of the U.S. – in Iran.

Retailers Turn to Internet for Global Sales Reach

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

In a bid to catch up to what’s quickly becoming the new norm, more big-name international retailers are jumping online, including Spanish retailer Zara and chic retailer H&M, spurred by less-than-savory sales at their brick-and-mortar stores.

Retail Stocks Post Big Gains This Week

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

With strong August retail sales numbers in general, along with news retailers such as Nordstrom Inc. (NYSE: JWN) and Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) that exceeded estimates, clothing shops and mall mainstays are back on track after a summer of mostly bad economic news.

JetBlue (JBLU) Trying to Soar Past Major Airline Stocks

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

JetBlue Airways Corp. (NASDAQ: JBLU) debuted its new service route between Boston and Phoenix on Thursday, another positive sign that the burgeoning airline stock is not only holding its own against its larger competitors but providing a reason for stockholder spirits to take off.

Bank Failures Continue to Plague Financial Sector

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

While the U.S. may appear to have steadied itself somewhat from the mortgage crisis, the wake of banking destruction shows little sign of abating, with more than 800 banks – mostly smaller lending institutions – now facing serious threats and risk of failure.

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