Retail Stocks

Consumers dictate the economy, so it is only fair that retail stocks have a tendency to dominate the market. Superstores such as Walmart (NYSE:WMT) and Target (NYSE:TGT) have come to lead the sector, although smaller cap stores such as Dick’s Sporting Goods (NYSE:DKS) and American Eagle (NYSE:AEO) make interesting plays, as they cater to specific fields.

Retail stocks have an optimistic forecast, assuming the market continues to recover. Should the market falter, retail stocks may plummet. If you choose to invest in retail, watch the market extremely carefully.

Ross Stores — 3 Pros, 3 Cons

By Tom Taulli, InvestorPlace Contributor
Discount retailer Ross Stores posted solid quarterly results, but is ROST stock a good investment in such a high-competition sector?

2 U.S. Sectors to Shield You From Europe

By Jim Woods, Editor-in-Chief, Successful Investing, Intelligence Report, Bullseye Stock Trader
Don't get pierced by Europe's arrows. Here are some healthy all-American companies that do all of their business right here at home. See our safest picks.

Thinking Retail Stock? Swap Out Sears for Dillard’s

By Will Ashworth, InvestorPlace Contributor
With investors unbelievably still buying Sears stock, here's a reminder why another retailer is a better play. Buy this name instead.

Wal-Mart’s Stepped-Up D.C. Push a No-Brainer

By Jeff Reeves
Wal-Mart's (WMT) plans to open D.C. stores has sparked the usual argument about its impact on the local economy. But for Wal-Mart itself, the strategy is sound.

Target vs. Wal-Mart: Who Wins This Retail Smackdown?

By Susan J. Aluise, Aviation, Auto & Transportation Writer
In the battle for budget-conscious consumers, both Wal-Mart and Target are closely matched -- but only one has the overall edge.

Electronics Retail Owes Apple, iPhone 4S a Big ‘Thank You’

By Anthony John Agnello, Consumer and Technology Writer
Electronics retail sales were up 3.7% year-over-year, with a big push from Apple's iPhone 4S. Of course, Apple has a history of pumping up the metric.

AmEx’s Prepaid Card for Target Could Hit the Bull’s-Eye

By Kyle Woodley, Senior Investing Editor, Kiplinger
American Express is partnering up with Target to offer a prepaid card in hopes of gaining ground on their bigger competitors. The timing couldn't be better.

Wal-Mart’s Earnings Miss May be Target’s Gain

By Tim Biggam, InvestorPlace Contributor
TGT has held support at the key $50 level and seems poised to make a move to close the gap between $55 and $59 by April options expiration.

Time to Go Shopping for Retail Stocks

By Jim Woods, Editor-in-Chief, Successful Investing, Intelligence Report, Bullseye Stock Trader
With a solid holiday shopping season expected, it's a good time for investors to hone in on retail stocks. Here's how to ferret out the winners.

Can Apple Business Model Save J.C. Penney?

By Jeff Reeves
J.C. Penney's new CEO Ron Johnson will try to draw on his Apple experience to steer the ship -- but the department store retailer is a much different monster.

Wal-Mart Wanes, RIM Romps — Tuesday’s IP Market Recap

By Kyle Woodley, Senior Investing Editor, Kiplinger
Wal-Mart (WMT) finally snapped its U.S. same-store sales decline streak but its earnings underwhelmed; Research In Motion (RIMM) got a BlackBerry boost.

Wal-Mart Earnings Disappoint — Again

By Jeff Reeves
Wal-Mart (WMT) reported shabby profits Tuesday, and its full-year forecast fell short, too. Investors should be wary of viewing this stock as a value buy.

3 Teen Retail Stocks for Holiday Shoppers

By Jamie Dlugosch, InvestorPlace Writer
Teen shoppers care more about fashion trends than about European debt, so retailers that cater to teens should keep beating expectations.

A Retail ‘Call’ to Arms

By Jim Woods, Editor-in-Chief, Successful Investing, Intelligence Report, Bullseye Stock Trader
Major retailers say they’re expecting increased sales this holiday season. This is the play traders willing to take a bullish bet should make.

The Better Retail Bet: Macy’s Vs. Ralph Lauren

By Peter Cohan, InvestorPlace Writer
Both have been bucking the slow economy, but only one is trading at a discount.

Ulta Salon an Easy Way to Beautify Your Portfolio

By John Kmiecik, InvestorPlace Contributor
Ulta shares are up almost 100% for the year, with the stock recently hitting a 52-week high.

The Sector to Watch for Clues

By Serge Berger, InvestorPlace Contributor
If this relative outperformer turns lower, then the market is likely to follow.

4 Reasons to Return Sears Shares This Season

By Susan J. Aluise, Aviation, Auto & Transportation Writer
The mid-market retailer is caught in between stronger rivals above and below. And with a sub-par holiday shopping season shaping up, SHLD could slide further.

5 Signs Pointing to Fewer Presents Under the Tree in 2011

By Jeff Reeves
A host of disturbing consumer headlines foretell a rather bleak holiday shopping season for retailers -- and the broader market.
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