These two need a housing rebound

Sherwin-Williams and La-Z-Boy are doing a good job of cutting costs in response to weak housing markets, which are hurting paint and furniture demand. The resulting savings have boosted both companies’ earnings and share prices. However, their sales will likely remain weak for the next… Read More

How to spot high return investments

Hidden value is one of the key factors we look for when we’re picking high return investments to recommend in our investment advisories, including Wall Street Stock Forecaster, our newsletter that covers the U.S. stock market.

By hidden value, we mean valuable assets that are not… Read More

Hi Pat: What do you think about Ebix?

Ebix Inc., $14.74, symbol EBIX on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 35.0 million; Market cap: $516.5 million), sells software and e-commerce services to the insurance industry. These products help Ebix’s clients automate several routine functions, such as preparing quotes and settling claims.

Based in Atlanta, Ebix sells… Read More

Lower costs a plus, but sales remain weak

LA-Z-BOY INC. $11 (New York symbol LZB; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 51.6 million; Market cap: $567.6 million; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.5; No dividends paid since March 2009; WSSF Rating: Speculative) makes upholstered reclining chairs and sofas. It also imports wooden furniture,… Read More