We are going to see the effect of higher energy prices trickle up to the middle-income consumers. |
We don't have an opinion or more importantly a vote one way or another. We're not thrilled with it ... but it's essentially up to the analysts. |
We haven't seen this kind of positive sales performance since we began tracking the group in November 2000. Fourth-quarter profits for department stores rose 5 percent compared to a 1 percent rise a year ago. We've now has a couple of quarters of improving trends. |
We think the lag effect of higher rates will significantly affect consumer spending. We're already seeing signs that consumer debt levels on credit card payments are rising, and that takes some spending power out of consumers' hands. |
We're getting some very good results today despite the very difficult 6.7 percent February same-store sales comparisons from last year. |
We've already seen some big disappointments in both Limited and Ann Taylor. Up front, retailers are also facing their most difficult hurdle of the year in the form of a 6.1 percent gain racked up in September last year. |
We've finally got a great February. The first set of numbers indicates that this was a blowout month with the kind of sales gains that we haven't seen in a while. |
Weather transitioned from a major negative in May to a major positive in June, |
Weather transitioned from a major negative in May to a major positive in June. |
When you say a school and a district is going to be judged on this, and then it's not a valid test, that doesn't seem right. |
You could still argue that they are still too bullish, |
You really have to take March and April as a package deal because of the 2 to 3 percentage point shift that usually takes place because of the Easter holiday. |