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

Walmart (WMT) Pushes Product Selection, Not Price

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

In an effort to correct what’s now being seen, in part, as a pricing miscalculation, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) is looking to increase in-demand items and retool its pricing format, with the hopes that this will re-energize revenues by the end of this year.

Target (TGT) to Sell Facebook Gift Cards

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

Facebook IPO rumors continue to rumble. But with the announcement by Target (NYSE: TGT) that it will begin selling Facebook Credits in gift-card form to shoppers starting Sept. 5, it appears that Facebook is looking hard at unique ways to increase its cash flow and profitability. That’s probably in part due to Facebook IPO hopes and a desire for new revenue streams.

Summer Movie Sales Slump Hurts Hollywood

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

Summer box-office revenue rose +2.4% to a record $4.35 billion in the U.S. and Canada as higher prices more than made up for the lower attendance, according to Hollywood.com Box Office estimates. The average ticket price is expected to have increased +5.1%to $7.88 from $7.50 last year, the largest overall gain since the +6.3% increase in 2000.

Electric Car Sales May See Dim Future

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

Nissan Motors (PINK: NSANY) is expected to begin taking orders tomorrow on its new Leaf, the electric vehicle that aims its price-point to everyday consumers. The Nissan Leaf price should run $28,000 to $35,000 for a well-equipped C-class version of the electric vehicle.

CVS Offers Free Flu Shot with $30 Puchase

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

Available at every CVS pharmacy and MinuteClinic stores, the flu shots will be provided at no charge to consumers who buy $30 worth of products from Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) such as Bounty paper towels, Pampers diapers and Tide laundry detergent.

J.Crew (JCG) Opens Online ‘Outlet’ to Boost Sales

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

J.Crew (NYSE: JCG) is capitalizing on the trend of online shopping with a new concept of an online outlet store that will launch in September. The bid from retail stock J.Crew is meant to attract bargain shoppers in an economy characterized by weak consumer spending.

Diageo (DEO) Leads the Booze Boom

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

Earnings reports for Diageo (NYSE: DEO), the world’s largest liquor maker, and other similar companies are proving that “sin stocks” are doing well, during a recession in which the only items consumers appear to be spending money on are seen as small comforts in an otherwise difficult time.

Blockbuster Bankruptcy Looms, to No One’s Surprise

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

Blockbuster (PINK: BLOKA) is well on its way to filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. And industry insiders say a Blockbuster bankruptcy could signal more than just the last breath of a company that seemingly had ample opportunity to change its business model to save itself. Rather, the Blockbuster failure would be a footnote in the budding history of streaming video and digital content.

Could Airlines Cordon Off Kids on Flights?

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

In an idea that may go over only too well with the airline industry, more consumers say they want a “families-only” section on flights, according to a new poll by travel and fare-comparison website Skyscanner.

Homebuilder Stocks Boast Upside of up to +50%

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer

With existing and new home sales down dramatically this week, you’d expect homebuilder stocks such as Toll Brothers (NYSE: TOL), KB Home (NYSE: KBH), Pulte Group (NYSE: PHM), as well as stocks in building materials makers and home improvement retailers, to see similar declines. You’d be wrong.

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