Pool Corp (POOL) is the world's largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related products. We reiterate our Hold rating on the shares prior to the release of third-quarter financial results. Given the current challenging operating environment, we believe that a multiple near the low-end of the company's historic range is appropriate.Pool is unquestionably the leader in the industry, and stands to reap substantial benefits when the market eventually improves. The current operating environment remains challenging due to the downturn in the housing market, adverse weather conditions in key markets, and the negative impact of recently opened sales centers. While recent results provided some evidence that the company's business may have stabilized, we continue to prefer a cautious outlook. Shares of POOL currently trade at approximately 13.9x our 2008 EPS estimate of $1.28, and at approximately 11.7x our 2009 EPS estimate of ...

China 3C Group (CHCG) announced it will be opening its first mobile phone retail counter, after signing an agreement with the China Intime Group. China Intime operates a chain of 11 department stores in China. The CHCG retail location is in the high-end LiQun Department Store, in Hangzhou City.

“Our agreement with China Intime is our first with a high-end retailer,” said Zhenggang Wang, China 3C Group Chairman and CEO. “We believe our penetration into its flagship store can further diversify our customer base and maximize sales of our leading mobile phone brands.”

China 3C will sell about 20 brands and 100 models of mobile phones, including those from Nokia, Samsung, Sony-Ericsson and Motorola. The company, overall, is a retailer and wholesale distributor of consumer and business products in China. Its goal is to become the number one retailer of communities, creation and connectedness (3C) products in China.

“It’s a pleasure to work

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Valence Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: VLNC) announced today that it welcomes Ross A. Goolsby, as its new chief financial officer, effective Nov. 17.

“Ross brings with him an outstanding skill set in finance and information technology, including extensive planning and budgeting, internal controls and SEC reporting experience,” said Robert L. Kanode, Valence president and CEO. “A seasoned professional with nearly 20 years of diverse experience, Ross will be an excellent addition to our talented senior management team.”

Valence, based in Austin, Texas, develops lithium phosphate energy storage units and components, including the first reliable and rechargeable lithium phosphate battery. It has facilities in Nevada, China and Northern Ireland.

Goolsby began his career working in the Houston and Dallas offices of Ernst & Young. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston.

Most recently he served as senior vice president and CFO for Healthtronics, Inc.,

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Genuine Parts Co. (GPC) has undertaken various initiatives such as product line expansion, penetration into new markets and acquisitions to boost sales and earnings. Genuine Parts has been diversifying its revenue base to reduce excessive dependence on the automotive replacement market.

The companyÂ’s electronic and industrial parts businesses are showing impressive performance and it has a strong balance sheet. However, our optimism is dampened by the sluggish automotive and office products industries in the U.S. Considering these factors, we maintain our Hold recommendation with a target price of $43.

Genuine Parts relies on a diverse product portfolio for top-line and bottom-line growth. For 2008, the company expects overall revenue growth of 3%-5%. The company made many acquisitions during the first six months of 2008. It spent $67 million for the acquisitions during the period, which accounted for 1% of total sales growth.

However, slowing growth in the Automotive Parts segment remains an

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General Automotive Company (OTCBB: GNAU) recently announced that they have added two members to their board of directors, Anthony J. Dowd and Kenneth F. Adams. The company is a provider of original equipment and aftermarket automotive parts, mobile electronics, and related automotive products spanning different areas of distribution within the United States and internationally.

Anthony Dowd is the managing partner of the private equity partnership, Charter Oak International Partners. During his sixteen years at Charter Oak, Dowd directed and led numerous acquisitions and investment ventures with privately held businesses. His team has completed more than forty-five acquisitions since founding Charter Oak’s private equity business.

Kenneth Adams brings with him an extensive background of management experience. He served as vice president and CFO of Saab Cars USA, Inc. for thirteen years, a subsidiary of General Motors Corporation and a wholesale distributor of Saab cars, producing

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You know you’re doing something right when Fortune Magazine ranks you as one of their “Most Admired Companies” for the past two years. That honor continues to inspire United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) to better performance for their customers and shareholders alike. Headquartered in Dayville, Connecticut, United is the largest, publicly traded wholesale distributor to the natural and organic foods industry.

Trading on NASDAQ as part of the Food Wholesale business sector, they carry and distribute over 40,000 products to more than 17,000 customers in the United States. They serve traditional supermarket chains, natural products superstores, independent health food retailers, and the food service industry. In 2003, the company became the first and largest certified organic distributor in North America. Quality Assurance International, the industry’s underwriter of organic quality, certified all of their distribution centers.

United Natural Foods Inc.’s product lines include natural and organic groceries, nutritional supplements, personal care items,

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