A.F. analysts clash… can the niche retailer survive the credit crunch?…Crisis begets steadfast citizens… Americans move about the country at lowest rate in 47 years…A long-term outlook on the American stock market…The latest sector to catch Chris Mayer’s attention…U.K. launches historic spending spree, hikes taxes to 50%..

If the credit-strapped suburban mall culture is truly on the rocks, how long do you think this can survive:

Lady Amaranth, Goth Temptress

Among our analysts, a debate brews at the heart of the current consumer conundrum: “Cutting-edge apparel retailer Hot Topic,” writes Wayne Burritt, about the purveyor of goth clothing and lip-piercing paraphernalia, “is loaded with attractive fundamentals and technicals, while its call options offer an oversized premium. Hot Topic is a mall and Web-based specialty retailer that has a proven track record in the often-fickle teen

Conn’s Inc. is a specialty retailer with headquarters in Beaumont, Texas. As part of the Electronic Stores business sector, they trade on NASDAQ. Their current market capitalization is $368.06M. The company has a rich history being in business for over 110 years.

Conn’s began in 1890 as a small plumbing company, selling products for the trade. They were a one-store organization until the 1960s when they branched out into a multi-store operation. By 1994, they were a $100M dollar company. Total revenues for the quarter ended April 30, 2008 alone were $218.6M.

The company’s product lines consist of consumer electronics, which are approximately 31 percent of their business. They also sell major home appliances, which account for 28 percent of their business. These electronics include plasma and LCD flat-panel televisions, DVD players, camcorders, and digital cameras.

Conn’s sells computers, video gaming, and other small electronics, which account for 12 percent of their revenues.