Limited Brands Inc. (LTD), a specialty retailer of women’s apparel, beauty and personal care products, recently raised its third-quarter 2009 earnings guidance but warned on below-expectation October comparable-store sales trends. The operator of the Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works store chains now expects its earnings per share between break-even and a loss of 4 cents. Earlier, Limited had forecasted a loss of 7 cents to 12 cents a share. Limited also notified that it now expects free cash flow in the range of $500 million to $600 million for the fiscal year 2009, up from the $350 million to $450 million previously anticipated. Despite an optimistic outlook, the retailer lowered its comparable-store sales guidance for the month of October 2009. The company cautions investors about the downtrend seen in the sales. Limited now expects comps to be negative low-to-mid single digits, slightly up ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - June 9, 2009 - Zacks Equity Research highlights Vodafone (VOD) as the Bull of the Day and Somaxon (SOMX) the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on McDonald's Corporation (MCD), Starbucks (SBUX) and Yum! Brands Inc (YUM).

Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2676.

Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:

Bull of the Day:

We maintain our Buy recommendation for Vodafone (VOD), the largest revenue-generating international wireless carrier. Operating results for fiscal 2009 were highlighted by respectable increases in subscriber count bolstered by record net additions for its Indian operation.

Vodafone continues to accelerate 3G wireless service deployments and expanding network availability across Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa, primarily through acquisitions. Additionally, the company is focused

...

MCD: May Sales Sizzle but FX to Take Bite Out of EarningsCurrency headwinds temper growth but MCD shares remain a good value in a dangerous marketMcDonald's Corporation (MCD) continues to report strong worldwide same-store sales but, as expected, foreign currency translation remains a drag on earnings.Much of the foreign exchange [FX] drag -- expected to be $0.20 for 2009 -- was already factored into estimates or offset by anticipated declines in commodity costs in 2H09. In turn, we are trimming our 2009 EPS estimates by just $0.04 to $3.78 and maintaining our Buy rating on what we consider a defensive safe haven in a dangerous market.McDonald's announced today that global same-restaurant sales jumped 5.1% in May, with overseas operations remaining strong and those in the U.S. moderating. Comps in in the U.S. grew 2.8% in May -- respectable given the ...

Highlights include McDonald's Corporation (MCD), Burger King Holdings Inc (BKC), Wendy's/Arby's Group (WEN), Jack in the Box Inc (JACK), CKE Restaurants Inc (CKR) and Yum! Brands Inc (YUM).MCD: April Sales Take Bite Out of Competitors' LunchIt appears that McDonald's Corporation (MCD) is not only taking share from casual dining restaurants, it's taking share from its fast-food competitors as well.McDonald's announced today that global same-restaurant sales jumped 6.9% in April, with strength in all territories. Comps surged 6.1% in the U.S., 8.4% in Europe and 6.5% in Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa.Although McDonald's quick service competitors -- including Burger King Holdings Inc (BKC), Wendy's/Arby's Group (WEN), Jack in the Box Inc (JACK) and CKE Restaurants Inc (CKR) -- haven't announced April sales yet, recent results suggested they were losing share, with comps ...

Wendy's Adapts with Value Offerings, Arby's Lags Lean TimesThe sinking economy necessitates that restaurants adapt to survive. First quarter financial results at Wendy's/Arby's Group Inc. (WEN) indicate Wendy's is adapting well to the lean times, attracting cash-squeezed consumers with a "Value Trio" of 99-cent sandwiches, while Arby's $5.95 bundling value packages is driving them to cheaper fare at McDonald's (MCD), Taco Bell -- a Yum Brands Inc. (YUM) concept, and Jack in the Box Inc. (JACK).Wendy's/Arby's Group, formed in September through the merger of Arby's parent, Triarc, and Wendy's, reported that 1Q09 system-wide same-store sales at its Wendy's fast-food hamburger chain rose 1.0%, but fell 8.7% at the pricier Arby's roast beef take-out chain. Wendy's comps would have been stronger, but 300 of its units stopped serving breakfast.Excluding one-time charges, 1Q09 EPS was $0.01, missing our estimate of $0.04 ...

Yum! Brands' (...

Investors occasionally use a stock trading technique called 'Buying Dividends,' which is the technique of buying stocks before the ex dividend date and selling the stock shortly after the ex date at about the same price, yet still being entitled to the dividend. This technique generally works only in bull markets.br /br /If you are interested in a href="http://stockerblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/buying-dividends-top-7-stocks-going-ex.html"buying dividends/a, there are many stocks in many different industries to choose from. In order to be entitled to the dividend, you have to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date, and you can't sell the stock until after the ex date. The actual dividend may not be paid for another few weeks.br /br /All of the following stocks have market caps over $500 million, and yield over 1%. br /br /Repsol YPF, S.A. ( REP) Ex-dividend date: 1/12/2009 Yield: 7.55%br /Solvay S.A. (SVYSY) Ex-dividend date: 1/12/2009 Yield: 7.51%br /Abbott Laboratories (ABT) ...

If there’s a proverb that captures the outlook for the U.S. economy in the New Year, it’s the one that says: “It’s always darkest before the dawn.”

Regardless of any formal announcement of whether or not the United States drops into an actual recession, the ongoing credit crisis guarantees a contraction of the American economy by virtually every measure we know. That period of darkness will be marked by a dramatic slowdown in economic activity, as well as by rising unemployment, additional declines in U.S. stock prices, and constant volatility. It could last as long as 12-18 months.

But when the dawn does come, it will be one to remember. If U.S. President-elect Barack Obama gets it right - and I have every reason to believe that he will - then investors will be presented with the greatest investment opportunity of our generation. At that point, shares of American companies will be

...

If there’s a proverb that captures the outlook for the U.S. economy in the New Year, it’s the one that says: “It’s always darkest before the dawn.”

Regardless of any formal announcement of whether or not the United States drops into an actual recession, the ongoing credit crisis guarantees a contraction of the American economy by virtually every measure we know. That period of darkness will be marked by a dramatic slowdown in economic activity, as well as by rising unemployment, additional declines in U.S. stock prices, and constant volatility. And it could last as long as 12-18 months.

But when the dawn does come, it will be one to remember. If U.S. President-elect Barack Obama gets it right - and I have every reason to believe that he will - then investors will be presented with the greatest investment opportunity of our generation. At that point, shares of American

...

General Growth Properties Facing Bankruptcy; Macy’s Cut Capital Spending 45%; Oil Futures Dip; China Retail Sales Soar; Yum Restructures; AB Shareholders Approve InBev Merger

General Growth Properties Inc. (GGP) warned it is on the brink of bankruptcy, as slow retail sales have forced many of its mall vendors to close their doors, CNNMoney.com reported. The nation’s second-largest shopping mall operator said in a SEC filing that it has more than $950 million in property and corporate debt, and is facing another $3.07 billion in debt that matures in 2009. Sales fell 7% in the third quarter for Macy’s Inc. (M), leading to a $44 million loss, or 10 cents a share. As a result, the Cincinnati-based ...