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[seana-smith-blog]

Walmart cutting jobs at 500 stores; Adidas forecasts record soccer sales; Macy's avoids strike

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Walmart (WMT) – The retail giant is planning to cut back office jobs at about 500 stores in the US as part of its effort to become more efficient. The workers affected by the cuts have been offered other store positions but are not guaranteed the same pay.

Adidas (ADDYY) – The athletic retailer expects soccer-related sales to increase 14% year-over-year to a new record of $2.8B this year. Adidas shares have reached all-time highs in recent months, driven by its boost in sales.

Macy’s (M) – The department store says it has reached a tentative agreement with the union representing its New York City workers. The deal will avert a strike at Macy’s flagship store in Manhattan.

Exxon (XOM) – The oil giant says it has evacuated non-essential personnel from its Las Flores Canyon processing plant in California amid the threat of a wildfire. The fire broke out in Santa Barbara County.

Rite Aid (RAD) – The drugstore chain reported quarterly results below Wall Street expectations. Rite Aid posted an adjusted loss per share of one cent on revenue of $8.18 billion. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had forecast adjusted earnings of 5 cents on $8.26 billion in revenue.

Yahoo (YHOO) – Citi (C) upgraded Yahoo to buy from neutral, citing six factors that have created a more compelling risk/reward for Yahoo shares, including recent commentary about the auction process and Alibaba’s (BABA) recent positive outlook. Citi also raised its price target on the stock to $43 a share.

[likefolio]

Is Adidas picking up Nike’s crumbs?

Adidas is an also-ran for most.  But that could be changing.  We’ve already told you that Nike is losing ground... but it might not just be Under Armour picking up the crumbs...

Social data for Adidas is soaring, with sentiment going sky high and purchase intent volume jumping off the page in the LikeFolio App:

Those are impressive moves by the company over the last few months.

This is also backed up by Google Trends data, which clearly shows an acceleration in the popularity of the brand over the recent past:

Obviously, the company is starting to get more consumer interest on Main Street-- and that’s exactly the kind of thing that can take a little-watched stock like Adidas higher at sprinter speed.

– LikeFolio provides research on companies based on purchase intent and sentiment data gathered from consumers on social media. 

[mitchzacks]

Zacks Sector Telescope

Construction (summer is easier to build), Building Materials (think home building), Electronics & Media (summer movies), Water Supply (drought), and Electricity (air conditioning) — all look stronger now.

Weak sectors are Energy, Consumer Staples, and Industrials.

(1) Health Care is Very Attractive, so look for a play in Medical Care. The health care industry has been strong and stable for months according to Zacks Rank.

Company to look at:  HCA Holdings

HCA Inc. is a non-governmental hospital in the U.S. providing health care and related services.

The Company operates a network of acute care hospitals, outpatient facilities, clinics and other patient care delivery settings. The Company also owns and manages freestanding surgery centers, diagnostic and imaging centers, radiation and oncology therapy centers, rehabilitation and physical therapy centers, and various other facilities. HCA Inc. is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.

(2) Consumer Discretionary Upgraded to a Very Attractive sector. Look at Consumer Electronics. Discretionary, Apparel, and Media. Summer spending is here.

Company to look at: Adidas AG

Adidas is a leading brand in the sporting goods market with strong positions in footwear, apparel and hardware. Adidas products offer tech innovations and cutting-edge designs to athletes of all skill levels who aspire to achieve peak performance. The Adidas brand is structured in three divisions: Forever Sport, Originals and Adidas Equipment.

(3) Utilities Upgraded to Attractive. Water Supply (drought in California) and Electric Power (summer air conditioning) look good.

Company to look at:  National Grid

National Grid is an international energy delivery business, whose principal activities are in the regulated electricity and gas industries.

They own and operate the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales, and Britain's natural gas transportation system. In the U.S. they are one of the top ten electricity companies, with the largest electricity transmission and distribution network in the New England/New York region.

(4) Telcos Upgraded to Attractive. Telephone Utilities are the best spot.

(5) Financials Look Like a Market Weight. Major-Banks are looking good, with rate hikes on the way. Real Estate is good. Investment Banking & Brokering look good.

(6) Info Tech stays a Market Weight in June. Electronics and Computer-Office Equipment are the strong industries.  

(7) Materials Fall to Market Weight. The best industry is Building/Construction Materials, with a big boost in summertime building. Paper and Chemicals are solid.

(8) Energy Becomes an Unattractive sector in June. The best industry is Oil & Gas Integrated followed by Oil & Gas E&P. Alternatives, Coal, Pipelines, and Drillers are in the tank.

(9) Industrials Look Unattractive. Business Products is the best. Machinery, Metal Fabricating, Pollution Control and Conglomerates are in the tank.

(10) Consumer Staples Stay an Unattractive sector. Stay away from Food, Beverages, Agri-Business, and Soaps & Cosmetics.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss.

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