In September, total retail sales fell by 1.5% sequentially (seasonally adjusted). This almost totally reverses the 2.2% gain for August. On a year-over-year basis, total retail sales were down 5.7% -- a slight improvement from the 5.8% year-over-year decline in August (remember that things really started to fall apart last September). However, the headline number is a bit misleading since it includes auto sales, which were greatly inflated during August by the "Cash for Clunkers" program. After the program was over, auto sales fell right back to where they had been before the program started. If autos are excluded, sales were up 0.5% for the month and off 4.9% from a year ago. In August, retail sales excluding autos were up 1.0% from July and down 6.3% year over year. Sales of autos and parts fell 10.4% for the month and are down 9.3% year over year. ...

PetroChina (PTR) is right on track to meet its annual production target from Changqing field in northwestern China. During the first nine months, total production from this field increased 22% to 22.6 million metric tons of oil equivalent. This includes 11.4 million tons of crude and 14 billion cubic meters of natural gas. In Dec. 2008, the company had set the target of 20% to 30% production increase from this field. However, PetroChina’s production from the country’s largest and oldest oilfield has been declining. To maintain its production at 40 million tons over the next ten years, the company is presently using new drilling techniques. On the other hand, PetroChina’s non-petrol business is gaining momentum. During the first nine calendar months of 2009, revenue from this business increased approximately 70% year over year. With greater emphasis on natural gas business, the company remodeled about 2,000 ...

Few sectors have managed to side-step the harsh impact of the recession, and even fewer have actually experienced significant growth. However, according to ABI Research, the U.S. digital signage market is set up for growth this year, leveraged by the declining price of digital screens, which attracts companies vying for consumer awareness and a loyal consumer base while maintaining a conservative budget.

The ABI report said 2008 revenue ranged up to $700 million, and further forecasted the market to increase by 33 percent this year, eventually reaching up to $2.6 billion by 2011.

Aside from a decline in digital screens costs, the research firm also attributed positive market expectations to an increase in consumers’ interest in traditional advertising, which fails to offer modern, customized and targeted messaging.

A growing market means increased competition, and Data Call Technologies Inc. has positioned itself as

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Retail sales rose a stronger-than-expected 2.7% in August. The consensus expectation was for a rise of 1.9%.

Most of the gain was due to the Cash for Clunkers program, which led to a 10.6% rise in sales at auto dealers. However, even stripping out autos it was a stronger-than-expected report, up 1.1% versus expectations of a 0.4% rise.

On a year-over-year basis, total retail sales are down 5.3% and, excluding autos, they are down 6.2%. Autos are down 1.0% on a year-over-year basis. Keep in mind that a year ago retail sales started to fall off a cliff following the financial meltdown. Therefore, going forward the comparisons are going to start to look very easy.

As the graph below (from http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/) shows, it looks like the retail worm has turned. It tracks the year-over-year change in retail sales in both real and nominal terms, excluding auto sales. While the chart only

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Casey's General Stores Inc. (CASY) saw same store sales rise 6.4% in the fiscal first quarter thanks to better gasoline margins. The company has surprised on estimates 2 out of the last 4 quarters by an average of 17.50%. CASY is trading with a forward P/E of 14.42.

Company Description

Casey's General Stores, founded in 1959 in Iowa, operates convenience stores affiliated with gas stations in small towns across the United States. As of March 31, the company operated 1474 stores.

Casey's Saw Record Fiscal First Quarter

On Sep 8, Casey's General Stores reported fiscal first quarter 2010 earnings that blew by the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 45%. Earnings per share were 87 cents which easily surprised on the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 60 cents and bested the year ago quarter by 50%.

The company attributed the record quarter to strong gas margins and enhanced profitability inside the stores.

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Earlier this week, TAM S.A. (TAM) formed a partnership with Ipiranga and Wal-Mart Store Inc. (WMT) for its loyalty program network Multiplus Fidelidade. Ipiranga and Wal-Mart have customer loyalty and affiliation programs called Km de Vantagens and Bomclube, respectively.

Other than availing flights and tour packages with TAM Viagens, the tourism provider for TAM Airlines, Multiplus Fidelidade members will now be able to accumulate points by purchasing products and services at Ipiranga gas stations and by shopping at Wal-Mart stores. Members would also be able to redeem prizes at these partners' sales outlets.

Km de Vantagens and Bomclube will raise the customer base of Multiplus Fidelidade from 6 million members to nearly 12 million. Management believes that Multiplus will prove to be an efficient tool for establishing customer loyalty and retaining consumers at favorable costs for all the partners.

TAM is making use of every method to

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An audio interview with Data Call Technologies, Inc. Chairman Jim Ammons is now available at www.qualitystocks.net/videocharts.php?chartvid_id=335. During the interview, Mr. Ammons provides an overview of the company, along with the growth of the digital signage industry in recent years.

Over the past few years, digital signage has been expanding into consumers’ daily lives, being featured in banks, grocery stores, and gas stations, reflecting an estimated $2-3 billion dollar industry in 22 countries worldwide. Mr. Ammons also gave his insight on the company’s competitors, incredible growth rate, as well as plans for international expansion.

In the six-minute interview, Mr. Ammons stated, “We average about 30 to 40 new accounts every single month. We have thousands and thousands of locations, from military bases to sports stadiums, even the Plaza Hotel in New York. The industry we are in is made up of commerce

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – August 14, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Ford (F), Toyota (TM), Best Buy (BBY), Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) and Walgreen (WAG).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:

Retail Sales Turning Tail

The government auto sales numbers (up 2.4% from June, following a 1.9% increase the previous month) were well below what was indicated by the unit sales numbers coming from auto companies like Ford (F), General Motors and Toyota (TM). However, the "Cash

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Retail sales in July were much lower than expected. Total sales fell by 0.1%, far below the 0.8% increase forecast by the consensus of economists and the 0.8% increase that was posted in June. The one piece of good news in the report was that the June number was revised up from a 0.6% increase. If autos are excluded, sales fell 0.6% versus the expected increase of 0.1% and well below the 0.5% increase in June (originally reported as up 0.3%). The government auto sales numbers (up 2.4% from June, following a 1.9% increase the previous month) were well below what was indicated by the unit sales numbers coming from auto companies like Ford (F), General Motors and Toyota (TM). However, the "Cash for Clunkers" surge was right at the end of the month, and some of those sales may show up in the August ...

Ethos Environmental, Inc., a San Diego-based manufacturer of award-winning fuel based eco-friendly solutions, recently announced the launch of the company’s Clean Air Initiative through its wholly owned distribution arm, Ecomates (www.ecomates.com).

This initiative is designed to incentivize new users to begin using EthosFR+ Fuel Treatment and EthosFR Oil Treatment by subsidizing their monthly gas purchases. Users will receive a $25 monthly rebate each time they present $100 in fuel receipts from participating gas stations. For complete program terms and conditions, please visit www.ecomates.com.

Ethos Environmental’s CEO, Corey P. Schlossmann, stated, “We believe this project will be the first of many new sales initiatives that will help Ethos extend its growing presence in the marketplace.” He continued, “This is a positive step as good things happen for our customers and the company when our products are used. This unique program should immediately accelerate the growth of our expanding customer base.”

Let

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