Liz shuts down money-losing outlet stores

LIZ CLAIBORNE INC. $4.76 (New York symbol LIZ; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 94.5 million; Market cap: $449.8 million; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.2; No dividends paid since December 2008; WSSF Rating: Extra Risk) will close its 87 “Liz Claiborne” outlet stores over the next… Read More

Popular brands will lure shoppers back

Consumer confidence is rising in the U.S., but the recovery remains fragile. To cut your risk, we look for consumer companies with well-known brands, like these three clothing retailers. Their strong brands should help them keep increasing sales, both in the U.S. and overseas. But… Read More

Exclusive deal will help both

J.C. PENNEY CO. INC. $33 (New York symbol JCP; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 235.9 million; Market cap: $7.8 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.5; WSSF Rating: Average) has entered into a 10-year alliance with clothing maker LIZ CLAIBORNE INC. $5.69 (New York symbol LIZ;… Read More

Liz Claiborne Inc. $2.84 – New York symbol LIZ

LIZ CLAIBORNE INC. $2.84 (New York symbol LIZ; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 94.7 million; Market cap: $268.9 million; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.1; WSSF Rating: Extra Risk) designs and sells clothing and accessories for men and women under about 20 different brands, including Juicy… Read More

These Three Will Survive the Slump

Slowing retail sales and weak consumer confidence have hurt most consumer stocks. Clothing is largely a discretionary purchase, so the downturn has been particularly hard on these three apparel-related companies. Based on the steep drop in their stock prices, it appears that investors feel they… Read More