A portfolio of 8 stock picks from the edge

As noted by Bespoke, Chico's stock has put together an enviable string of up-days amidst a period of market turmoil. The stock has now risen for 11 consecutive trading days. The streak started on August 22, 2008. The stock rose from the prior day's close of 4.48 to 4.84. The following days saw the stock close at 4.98, 5.09, 5.59, 5.70, 5.74, 5.90, 6.11, 6.28, 6.32, and today 6.67. During the 11 day period, Chico's experienced a … read on »

"No, there's no one else, I find, To undermine or dash a hope Quite like you." -Aimee Mann Bad news from every direction tortured the stock market 3% lower. The selling was broad based and few stocks were spared. Let's take a break from the carnage and look at some recent news items for the 8 Stock Portfolio. Chico's Chico's (CHS) reported a same store sales decline of 10% for August. This double digit decline was apparently better than expected and … read on »

Yesterday morning, Chico's (CHS) reported their second quarter earnings. As a brief recap, net sales decreased 7.1% to $405 million and net income fell 83% to $6.7 million or 4 cents per share. Same store sales at Chico's stores declined a whopping 19%. Usually an 83% decline in net income and 19% drop in same store sales would be taken as a bad thing. However, part of the idea behind the 8 Stock Portfolio is that … read on »

This post will bring you a recap of some recent news events for stocks in the 8 Stock Portfolio. This will become a regular feature, likely joined by lengthier posts containing commentary surrounding major or notable events. For now, here's the news recap for the week ended August 8, 2008: Whole Foods Market Whole Foods (WFMI) reported third quarter results that were absolutely horrible, along with guidance just as bad, and suspended their dividend. While some took … read on »

This specialty retailer caters to a market of middle aged women under the Chico's (CHS) name plus a trendier crowd with its While House|Black Market stores. This stock was a former darling with perpetual same store sales growth. It's fortunes changed a few years back and it has been posted double digit same store sales growth declines since. Counterargument: The company has zero debt and 230 million in cash. They are still posting quarterly profits. Years … read on »