Luxury goods retailer Coach was severely punished by an earnings miss recently.Although net sales and earnings rose 4% on the year,they fell 2% in the US.The holiday season was challenging for the chain as competition has heated up from the likes of Michael Kors.
Kors is a relatively young enterprise in comparison to the more mature Coach.It has more potential for growth in the developed world.While Coach has more than 800 stores,Kors has only 237.Plus,the American designer's business is more diversified,selling clothing as well as shoes,handbags and accessories.It is better positioned to be a lifestyle brand.
On the other hand,Coach is concentrating on expanding Asian operations at the moment,which is capital intensive.Even so,margins are stable.Once those costs have been absorbed,the company stands to do well from emerging Asia and its upward mobility.
As well,the spending patterns of Asia are different.The Asian stores will prosper more at the Asian New Year season than at Christmas.That means the earnings for Q1 may be enhanced significantly.Wall Street docked Coach stock 15% in a knee jerk way,failing to take this subtlety into account.
In addition,Coach is paying a decent dividend of around 2.3%,while Kors is paying nothng.Coach's run may not be over after all.
Investor sentiment was 98% bullish for Kors on Monday,and neutral for Coach,according to MarketWatch.
Coach Inc(COH),Michael Kors Ltd(KORS)
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
The Washington Post Holds Mega Career Fair
The Washington Post is holding its Mega Career Fair on Tuesday,January 29 from 10am-3pm at
Dulles Expo and Conference Center
4320 Chantilly Shopping Center
Chantilly,VA 20151-4016
The three career fairs in one are
Engineering,Technology and Security Clearance
Nursing Therapy and Allied Health
Professional and General(all levels of experience)
Companies represented include
MITRE Corporation;Duke Energy;HCA Virginia Health System;Patient First;Verizon Wireless;Fairfax County Public Schools;ING Financial Partners;LSG Sky Chefs;Stratford University
Free resume seminars by Anointed Words.
If you cannot attend,resumes may be submitted to resume@expoexpertsllc.com
For more information,visit careerfairs@washingtonpost.com
Dulles Expo and Conference Center
4320 Chantilly Shopping Center
Chantilly,VA 20151-4016
The three career fairs in one are
Engineering,Technology and Security Clearance
Nursing Therapy and Allied Health
Professional and General(all levels of experience)
Companies represented include
MITRE Corporation;Duke Energy;HCA Virginia Health System;Patient First;Verizon Wireless;Fairfax County Public Schools;ING Financial Partners;LSG Sky Chefs;Stratford University
Free resume seminars by Anointed Words.
If you cannot attend,resumes may be submitted to resume@expoexpertsllc.com
For more information,visit careerfairs@washingtonpost.com
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
GlaxoSmithKline Submits New Diabetes Treatment
On January 14,London-based GlaxoSmithKline,a leading pharmaceutical and health care company,submitted albiglutide BLA,an investigational once-weekly treatment for adult type 2 diabetes,to the FDA.The drug will also be submitted to the European Union in early 2013.
Albiglutide is a GLP-1 agonist,a biotech drug that is designed for once-weekly subcutaneous dosing.GLP-1 is a peptide,a short chain of amino acids, normally secreted from the gastrointestinal tract during eating which helps release insulin to help control blood sugar.GLP-1 secretion is absent or reduced in those with type 2 diabetes.
While GLP-1 rapidly degrades,the new treatment,albiglutide,has been engineered to have a longer duration of action.It is comprised of two copies of modified human GLP-1 fused in series to human albumin,a protein made by the liver,the company said.
Shares of GlaxoSmithKline closed flat at 44.83 in Thursday trading.
GlaxoSmithKline(GSK)
Albiglutide is a GLP-1 agonist,a biotech drug that is designed for once-weekly subcutaneous dosing.GLP-1 is a peptide,a short chain of amino acids, normally secreted from the gastrointestinal tract during eating which helps release insulin to help control blood sugar.GLP-1 secretion is absent or reduced in those with type 2 diabetes.
While GLP-1 rapidly degrades,the new treatment,albiglutide,has been engineered to have a longer duration of action.It is comprised of two copies of modified human GLP-1 fused in series to human albumin,a protein made by the liver,the company said.
Shares of GlaxoSmithKline closed flat at 44.83 in Thursday trading.
GlaxoSmithKline(GSK)
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Should You Buy Homes Now
Now is the time to buy homes,said Mark Kiesel,manager of a PIMCO Investment Grade Corporate Bond Fund.There's a lot of pent-up demand for housing because rental prices are going up.A lot of the inventories are older.
Invest in building materials companies as well as construction.Timberland owner Weyerhaeuser gets 75% of its income from housing.Consider USG Corp. and Masco Corp.USG provides construction materials such as Sheetrock and Durock,while Masco offers building supplies,construction materials and contractor services.
Whirlpool gets 62% of its income from replacement,so remodeling benefits them.
Get into the emerging markets.We like to invest in 2-3 times the overall growth rate in fields such as gaming;gas distribution in China;and emerging markets banks.Brazil and Peru will see a lot of emerging markets growth.
Mr.Kiesel has an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.He is Morningstar's 2012 Fixed Income Manager of the Year.
Weyerhaeuser(WY),USG Corp.(USG),Masco Corp.(MAS),Whirlpool(WHR),PIMCO Investment Grade Corporate Bond Fund Instl(PIGIX)
Invest in building materials companies as well as construction.Timberland owner Weyerhaeuser gets 75% of its income from housing.Consider USG Corp. and Masco Corp.USG provides construction materials such as Sheetrock and Durock,while Masco offers building supplies,construction materials and contractor services.
Whirlpool gets 62% of its income from replacement,so remodeling benefits them.
Get into the emerging markets.We like to invest in 2-3 times the overall growth rate in fields such as gaming;gas distribution in China;and emerging markets banks.Brazil and Peru will see a lot of emerging markets growth.
Mr.Kiesel has an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.He is Morningstar's 2012 Fixed Income Manager of the Year.
Weyerhaeuser(WY),USG Corp.(USG),Masco Corp.(MAS),Whirlpool(WHR),PIMCO Investment Grade Corporate Bond Fund Instl(PIGIX)
Monday, January 21, 2013
Asia This Day:Russian Advances at Australian Open;Reliance India
At the Australian Open,the Grand Slam of the Asia-Pacific,Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova upset Dane Caroline Wozniacki 2-6,6-2,7-5 to advance to the quarter finals.Victoria Azarenka of Belarus also advanced,defeating Russian Elena Vesnina 6-1,6-1.
On Sunday,Serb Novak Djokovic defeated Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in a 5-hour marathon match 1-6,7-5,6-4,6-7,12-10.It is being called one of the best Australia Open matches in history.
American Serena Williams will be playing Russian Maria Kirilenko for another quarter final berth today.
All US men and Australians have been eliminated from singles competition.
The tennis tournament is being sponsored by KIA Motors,ANZ Bank,Rolex,IBM and Jacob's Creek Winery.
India's Nifty Fifty futures were up in early Monday trading as Reliance Industries Ltd reported better than expected earnings.
The Australian housing market is more affordable than New Zealand's,a survey shows.
Gold and silver prices were up,and oil rose as well in early Monday trading.
Update:Serena Williams defeated Maria Kirilenko 6-2,6-0.She must now play fellow American Sloane Stephens,who is 19 years old and the top-ranked teenager in the world.
iShares Australia Index Fund(EWA)
On Sunday,Serb Novak Djokovic defeated Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in a 5-hour marathon match 1-6,7-5,6-4,6-7,12-10.It is being called one of the best Australia Open matches in history.
American Serena Williams will be playing Russian Maria Kirilenko for another quarter final berth today.
All US men and Australians have been eliminated from singles competition.
The tennis tournament is being sponsored by KIA Motors,ANZ Bank,Rolex,IBM and Jacob's Creek Winery.
India's Nifty Fifty futures were up in early Monday trading as Reliance Industries Ltd reported better than expected earnings.
The Australian housing market is more affordable than New Zealand's,a survey shows.
Gold and silver prices were up,and oil rose as well in early Monday trading.
Update:Serena Williams defeated Maria Kirilenko 6-2,6-0.She must now play fellow American Sloane Stephens,who is 19 years old and the top-ranked teenager in the world.
iShares Australia Index Fund(EWA)
Friday, January 18, 2013
Keck Hospital Installs Latest Toshiba Ultrasound Technology
The Keck Hospital of USC in Los Angeles has installed two Aplio(TM)500 ultrasound systems and a Viamo(TM) ultrasound system by Toshiba American Medical Systems,Inc.
The Aplio 500 provides advanced visualisation capabilities such as Fly Thru,a groundbreaking 4D technology which images interiors of ducts and vessels for improved exploration of masses and lesions,and assists in the planning of interventional procedures.Fly Thru provides an inside-out view of anatomical structures and was evaluated by Edward G. Grant,MD,professor and chairman,Department of Radiology at the Keck School of Medicine.
The Aplio 500 system comes standard with enhanced workflow tools and ergonomics such as the iStyle(TM) Productivity Suite.
The Viamo is a laptop ultrasound system providing a new level of advanced imaging in a hand-carried system,in terms of both image quality and its penetration of up to 40cm.
The new systems will be used for a broad range of patient exams.The Aplio 500 Fly Thru technology will enable anatomical views never seen before in ultrasound,while the Viamo will be useful for general exams such as traditional radiology,according to Tomohiro Hasegawa,director of Toshiba's Ultrasound Business Unit.
Toshiba Corp.(TOSBF)
The Aplio 500 provides advanced visualisation capabilities such as Fly Thru,a groundbreaking 4D technology which images interiors of ducts and vessels for improved exploration of masses and lesions,and assists in the planning of interventional procedures.Fly Thru provides an inside-out view of anatomical structures and was evaluated by Edward G. Grant,MD,professor and chairman,Department of Radiology at the Keck School of Medicine.
The Aplio 500 system comes standard with enhanced workflow tools and ergonomics such as the iStyle(TM) Productivity Suite.
The Viamo is a laptop ultrasound system providing a new level of advanced imaging in a hand-carried system,in terms of both image quality and its penetration of up to 40cm.
The new systems will be used for a broad range of patient exams.The Aplio 500 Fly Thru technology will enable anatomical views never seen before in ultrasound,while the Viamo will be useful for general exams such as traditional radiology,according to Tomohiro Hasegawa,director of Toshiba's Ultrasound Business Unit.
Toshiba Corp.(TOSBF)
Monday, January 14, 2013
Will Hewlett-Packard Have a Happy New Year
Hewlett-Packard's Elite Pad is focused on the enterprise,said Todd Bradley,Executive Vice President of HP's Printing and Personal Systems Group.It is built on a Microsoft platform with manageability and security in mind,starting at the enterprise and letting it come down to the consumer.
Clearly the global market is changing.Our ability to innovate in hardware,software and design will help us stand out and sell to both consumers and enterprise.
The activity at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas was pretty robust.There was a lot of focus on touch and Windows 8.
HP will roll out new high speed ink products later this year.There will be eprint,which goes from a mobile device anywhere in the world to the printer you choose.
Christmas was good for HP.The transition to both online and in-store shopping is taking place all over the world and is converging.
In after hours trading Monday,HP shares were at 17.00,up 0.84%.
Hewlett-Packard(HPQ),Microsoft(MSFT)
Clearly the global market is changing.Our ability to innovate in hardware,software and design will help us stand out and sell to both consumers and enterprise.
The activity at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas was pretty robust.There was a lot of focus on touch and Windows 8.
HP will roll out new high speed ink products later this year.There will be eprint,which goes from a mobile device anywhere in the world to the printer you choose.
Christmas was good for HP.The transition to both online and in-store shopping is taking place all over the world and is converging.
In after hours trading Monday,HP shares were at 17.00,up 0.84%.
Hewlett-Packard(HPQ),Microsoft(MSFT)
Entertainment Industry:Golden Globes Awarded
Hollywood stars gathered at the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hills Hilton Sunday Night for the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards.The honors are bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
Fans seated in bleachers cheered as movie stars strolled to the hotel,the actresses posing in their couture on the red carpet.Head-turner of the night was Zooey Deschanel of TV series "The New Girl" in her scarlet Oscar de la Renta dress.
Nicole Kidman said she'd had a great year in terms of the diversity of her roles.That's what an actor seeks.
Jennifer Lawrence of "The Silver Linings Playbook" said she will star in the sequel to the hugely popular "The Hunger Games."She felt that giving the people what they liked so much in the first film was the main consideration in making a sequel.
Anne Hathaway of "Les Miserables" said the ceremony was never ho-hum.It means something's going very well for you.She felt like herself in her Chanel dress.
Kevin Costner of "Hatfields and McCoys" said he just thought it was smart writing.It was filmed in Romania.He will be playing Superman's father in the upcoming "Man of Steel."
Jessica Chastain of "Zero Dark Thirty" was dressed in Calvin Klein Collection and Harry Winston jewelry.Ironically,she was getting recognised for portraying a CIA agent who cannot accept any recognition for her key role in taking out Osama bin Laden.
Among the winners were:Best Mini Series or TV Movie:"Game Change."
Best Original Song:"Skyfall" by Adele.
Best Actor TV Miniseries or Motion Picture:Kevin Costner "Hatfields and McCoys."
Best Motion Picture Comedy or Musical:"Les Miserables."
Best Actress Motion Picture Drama:Jessica Chastain "Zero Dark Thirty."
Best Actor Motion Picture Drama:Daniel Day Lewis "Lincoln."
Best Motion Picture Drama:"Argo."
Former President Bill Clinton made a surprise appearance at the ceremony,introducing the trailer for "Lincoln."The audience gave him a standing ovation.
Time Warner Inc(TWX)
Fans seated in bleachers cheered as movie stars strolled to the hotel,the actresses posing in their couture on the red carpet.Head-turner of the night was Zooey Deschanel of TV series "The New Girl" in her scarlet Oscar de la Renta dress.
Nicole Kidman said she'd had a great year in terms of the diversity of her roles.That's what an actor seeks.
Jennifer Lawrence of "The Silver Linings Playbook" said she will star in the sequel to the hugely popular "The Hunger Games."She felt that giving the people what they liked so much in the first film was the main consideration in making a sequel.
Anne Hathaway of "Les Miserables" said the ceremony was never ho-hum.It means something's going very well for you.She felt like herself in her Chanel dress.
Kevin Costner of "Hatfields and McCoys" said he just thought it was smart writing.It was filmed in Romania.He will be playing Superman's father in the upcoming "Man of Steel."
Jessica Chastain of "Zero Dark Thirty" was dressed in Calvin Klein Collection and Harry Winston jewelry.Ironically,she was getting recognised for portraying a CIA agent who cannot accept any recognition for her key role in taking out Osama bin Laden.
Among the winners were:Best Mini Series or TV Movie:"Game Change."
Best Original Song:"Skyfall" by Adele.
Best Actor TV Miniseries or Motion Picture:Kevin Costner "Hatfields and McCoys."
Best Motion Picture Comedy or Musical:"Les Miserables."
Best Actress Motion Picture Drama:Jessica Chastain "Zero Dark Thirty."
Best Actor Motion Picture Drama:Daniel Day Lewis "Lincoln."
Best Motion Picture Drama:"Argo."
Former President Bill Clinton made a surprise appearance at the ceremony,introducing the trailer for "Lincoln."The audience gave him a standing ovation.
Time Warner Inc(TWX)
Friday, January 11, 2013
The Flu:Just How Bad Is It This Year-plus prevention tips
So far,42 states have reported influenza cases this season.In New York state,flu hospitalisations are up 169% from 2012.Flu season usually peaks in January or February,but some are saying it seems a bit earlier than normal this year,in their opinion.The predictions of what strains we would see were right on target,based on early indications from Asia.This year's vaccine was based on that information.
The CDC ranks it as a moderate to severe outbreak.
Children,teens and the elderly are most susceptible to the leading strain of the virus this year,H3N2.Other strains occurring include 2009's H1N1 and also influenza B.All three are covered by the vaccine,which is now in short supply in some areas.It is still advisable to be vaccinated.
Urban areas such as New York City are hotbeds of the illness,with their massive and crowded populations.Less crowded states such as Maine and South Dakota are reporting a low incidence of the disease so far.NYC is reporting more than 15,000 cases,as opposed to last year's 4,400.
To help prevent the flu,shared objects such as phones and keyboards should be wiped with disinfectant.Windows should be opened so air droplets containing the virus can be carried out by the breeze.Hands should be sanitised by alcohol-based cleansers to kill the virus.
The CDC ranks it as a moderate to severe outbreak.
Children,teens and the elderly are most susceptible to the leading strain of the virus this year,H3N2.Other strains occurring include 2009's H1N1 and also influenza B.All three are covered by the vaccine,which is now in short supply in some areas.It is still advisable to be vaccinated.
Urban areas such as New York City are hotbeds of the illness,with their massive and crowded populations.Less crowded states such as Maine and South Dakota are reporting a low incidence of the disease so far.NYC is reporting more than 15,000 cases,as opposed to last year's 4,400.
To help prevent the flu,shared objects such as phones and keyboards should be wiped with disinfectant.Windows should be opened so air droplets containing the virus can be carried out by the breeze.Hands should be sanitised by alcohol-based cleansers to kill the virus.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Bill Gross:New Normal Seen Persisting in the New Year
Bill Gross,co-founder of Pacific Investment Management Company,or PIMCO,sees stubbornly high or even increased unemployment for 2013,resulting in weak fixed income and stock returns and a surge in gold prices.Mr.Gross issued his firm's "Fearless Forecast" for the new year recently.It shows basically that the economy will trundle along in the new normal as defined by PIMCO:high unemployment;slow growth;and orderly deleveraging by developed countries.
GDP growth will be 2% or less on account of globalisation,deleveraging and demographic headwinds.Stocks and bonds will return less than 5%.The market will also lack the tailwind of the Fed's quantitative easing.The future price tag of Fed policies will be in the form of inflation and devaluation of currencies,relative either to themselves or to the prices of commodities in less limitless supply,such as oil and gold.
Future growth must come from investment in education and infrastructure.It has to be less consumption-oriented.It takes a determination and a primal-spirited momentum to put this economy back in the hands of the private sector.
Mr.Gross manages the company's iconicTotal Return Fund,which returned a strong 10.5% in 2012.The economy and global economy are limited,he pointed out.PIMCO is a two trillion dollar firm.We'll cross our fingers and we won't be totally confident,but we think we can do it again,the"Bond King"predicted.
PIMCO Total Return Fund Instl(PTTRX)
GDP growth will be 2% or less on account of globalisation,deleveraging and demographic headwinds.Stocks and bonds will return less than 5%.The market will also lack the tailwind of the Fed's quantitative easing.The future price tag of Fed policies will be in the form of inflation and devaluation of currencies,relative either to themselves or to the prices of commodities in less limitless supply,such as oil and gold.
Future growth must come from investment in education and infrastructure.It has to be less consumption-oriented.It takes a determination and a primal-spirited momentum to put this economy back in the hands of the private sector.
Mr.Gross manages the company's iconicTotal Return Fund,which returned a strong 10.5% in 2012.The economy and global economy are limited,he pointed out.PIMCO is a two trillion dollar firm.We'll cross our fingers and we won't be totally confident,but we think we can do it again,the"Bond King"predicted.
PIMCO Total Return Fund Instl(PTTRX)
Monday, January 7, 2013
Anne Arundel Community College Jobs
Anne Arundel Community College is hiring faculty for the fall 2013 semester,which begins August 16.The Arnold,Maryland two year institution,named a Great College to Work For by the Chronicle of Higher Education for the past three years, is seeking renewable term contract faculty with the possibility of tenure in several fields,including
Communications
English(multiple positions)
Graphic Design
Music
Physics
Reading
Sociology
Computer Technologies
Homeland Security
For full details and to apply,please visit their website and click on Career Opportunities at www.aacc.edu/employment
AACC:Bring your expertise and passion for teaching.
Communications
English(multiple positions)
Graphic Design
Music
Physics
Reading
Sociology
Computer Technologies
Homeland Security
For full details and to apply,please visit their website and click on Career Opportunities at www.aacc.edu/employment
AACC:Bring your expertise and passion for teaching.
Friday, January 4, 2013
GE Makes New Saudi Commitment
General Electric,active in Saudi Arabia since 1942,has made a new commitment to invest 1 billion dollars there in the fields of energy,health care and innovation.The GE Innovation Center will be a collaborative place that will foster innovation in its DNA and drive a culture of co-creation to realise Vision 2020,the company says.The Center will open in early 2013 in the Eastern Province's Dharhan TechnoValley.
Vision 2020 emphasises Energy Diversification;Education;Research and Development;Quality Health Care;and Human Capital.The GEIC will bring together different players from customers,to academics and think tanks to collaborate and co-create,with the shared goal of finding solutions to realise Vision 2020.Reportedly 92% of Saudis feel innovation can drive a competitive economy.GE will work to incubate local innovation through the GEIC.
GE is providing Saudi Arabia with military and commercial aircraft jet engines;health care technologies and training;gas turbine technology through the GE Manufacturing Technology Center,or GEMTEC;and financial solutions.GEMTEC manufactures and services high tech energy equipment in the form of highly reliable and efficient gas turbines,which are characterised by operational flexibility and reduced emissions.
GEMTEC supports Saudi Arabia's strategic direction for the future.It currently employs 350 people,50% of whom are Saudis.GE is expanding GEMTEC to provide hundreds of new jobs in several new buildings.
Vision 2020 emphasises Energy Diversification;Education;Research and Development;Quality Health Care;and Human Capital.The GEIC will bring together different players from customers,to academics and think tanks to collaborate and co-create,with the shared goal of finding solutions to realise Vision 2020.Reportedly 92% of Saudis feel innovation can drive a competitive economy.GE will work to incubate local innovation through the GEIC.
GE is providing Saudi Arabia with military and commercial aircraft jet engines;health care technologies and training;gas turbine technology through the GE Manufacturing Technology Center,or GEMTEC;and financial solutions.GEMTEC manufactures and services high tech energy equipment in the form of highly reliable and efficient gas turbines,which are characterised by operational flexibility and reduced emissions.
GEMTEC supports Saudi Arabia's strategic direction for the future.It currently employs 350 people,50% of whom are Saudis.GE is expanding GEMTEC to provide hundreds of new jobs in several new buildings.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Shop Talk:New Year 2013
Happy 2013,dear readers.Bonne annee.In observance of the holiday,the normal business post will not be published.
New York just welcomed 2013 with Train,backed by a children's choir, performing John Lennon's "Imagine" in Times Square just before the famous ball descended.
The well-behaved crowd in blue Mad Hatter hats by Nivea lotion was showered with confetti as the massive object,lit by LED lights for the first time,gently reached the ground and there was a lot of kissing all around.Recordings of Frank Sinatra,Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong were played as the NYPD watched over the million-strong gathering.
In a Yahoo poll asking how was the year 2012 for you,34% of the 334,678 respondents said it was great.I'm lucky;while 66% said it was rough.I'm ready for a new start.
Thank you for being my readers and starting the New Year here at this blog.May it be worthy of your aspirations.
Andrew Taylor
Publisher
New York just welcomed 2013 with Train,backed by a children's choir, performing John Lennon's "Imagine" in Times Square just before the famous ball descended.
The well-behaved crowd in blue Mad Hatter hats by Nivea lotion was showered with confetti as the massive object,lit by LED lights for the first time,gently reached the ground and there was a lot of kissing all around.Recordings of Frank Sinatra,Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong were played as the NYPD watched over the million-strong gathering.
In a Yahoo poll asking how was the year 2012 for you,34% of the 334,678 respondents said it was great.I'm lucky;while 66% said it was rough.I'm ready for a new start.
Thank you for being my readers and starting the New Year here at this blog.May it be worthy of your aspirations.
Andrew Taylor
Publisher
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)