WMT

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) reported $0.97 diluted EPS compared to $0.89 in the second quarter last year. analysts average $0.97. WMT in line.

Income from continuing operations for the quarter increased to $3.6 billion from $3.5 billion in the second quarter last year.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates retail stores in various formats worldwide.
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As part of a growing trend among hedge funds and Wall Street firms, Cold War-style satellite surveillance is being used to gather market-moving information.

In the past we have looked at the importance of a company’s ability to sustain its dividend. However, as an investor in dividend growth stocks, it is not enough to simply sustain the dividend – I want to own companies that are capable of sustained dividend growth. Needless to say, this is a little more difficult to evaluate, but here are few important things to consider…

A stock with a high yield doesn’t mean much if the dividend is cut or eliminated, and the stock price declines significantly. Sometimes it is desirable to accept higher risk for a higher yield. Other times we may be accepting higher risk and are not being adequately compensated for the additional risk. What can we do to help gauge the risk of an individual stock?

If income investing were as simple as picking the stock with the highest yield, everyone would be an expert. Most assume (rightfully so) that yield is heavily influenced by risk, but much more goes into determining yield. Below are several important factors that influence a stock’s yield, along with some illustrative examples:

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), President and CEO Mike Duke laid out four strategies for building the Next Generation Walmart at the company's annual shareholders meeting today. Over the next five years, Wal-Mart will create 500,000 jobs around the world. Deliver "Every Day Low Price" business model everywhere. Continued leadership on social issues. Keep the culture strong everywhere.

Gymboree is a specialty retailer of childrens clothing, operating the Gymboree, Janie and Jack, and Crazy 8 concepts. A solid operator with good growth potential, this looks like a decent MFI purchase.

It’s Friday! The Dean will be watching these penny stocks today: $JEDM, $KRY, $MINED, $CGNH, and $JSDA

Yesterday, Jedi Mind, Inc. (OTC: JEDM.PK) announced a new thought-controlled application that could “hit the market next month.” The press release detailing this development suggests this puts $JEDM in the PC gaming market, which reached $13.1 billion in 2009.

In an economic downturn many investors turn to dividend stocks which are sometimes referred to as defensive stocks. These stocks offer sustainable dividends providing the investor with a minimum level of positive return, which helps buffer the downward pressure from the market. But what happens when the market turns up?

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) reported diluted earnings per share were $0.88 compared to EPS of $0.77 in the first quarter last year. analysts average $0.85, WMT beats by $0.03.

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011 were $99.1 billion, an increase of 6.0 percent from $93.5 billion in the first quarter last year.

The Forbes Top 150 Companies list ranked by Magic Formula Statistics. Which large global companies are both cheap and highly efficient with capital?

Does your portfolio contain small cap value stocks? If it does not, here are 5 reasons why it should.

Everyone loves a deal and loves getting something at a rock bottom price. Dividend investors are no different. However, as long-term buy-and-hold investors, we aren’t known for our ability (or desire) to time the market and call the bottom. That’s not to say we can’t enjoy the benefits of buying at the bottom. So, how does a long-term buy-and-hold investor accomplish this?

Everyone loves a deal and loves getting something at a rock bottom price. Dividend investors are no different. However, as long-term buy-and-hold investors, we aren’t known for our ability (or desire) to time the market and call the bottom. That’s not to say we can’t enjoy the benefits of buying at the bottom. So, how does a long-term buy-and-hold investor accomplish this?

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is the largest retailer in North America. The company operates retail stores in various formats worldwide. It operates through three segments: Wal-Mart Stores, Sam's Club, and International. Linked here is a detailed analysis and commentary.