Top 10 Retail Stocks To Own For 2015

Shares of La-Z-Boy (LZB) have sunk in after-hours trading after the maker of reclining chairs reported disappointing earnings and revenue.

Associated Press

La-Z-Boy said it earned 32 cents a share, below analyst forecasts for 35 cents, on sales of $350.4 million, below estimates of $378.7 million.

What can you say about that? How about blaming the weather? Here’s CEO Kurt Darrow, from La-Z-Boy’s press release:

We believe the fundamental pace of our business and ability to improve our profitability on sales growth remains steady and unchanged. During the third quarter, however, weather conditions did have some impact on sales, production and deliveries. Moving forward, we are confident we have the right plan in place to grow the company through our 4-4-5 store strategy while enjoying the benefits of our lean manufacturing structure. At the same time, our integrated retail model is delivering results and our sales, merchandising and marketing teams are driving market share gains.

Top 10 Retail Stocks To Own For 2015: Macy’s Inc (M)

Macy�s, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates stores and Internet Websites in the United States. Its retail stores and Internet Web sites sell a range of merchandise, including apparel and accessories for men, women, and children; cosmetics; home furnishings; and other consumer goods. The company also operates Bloomingdale�s Outlet stores that offer a range of apparel and accessories, including ready-to-wear, shoes, fashion accessories, jewelry, handbags, and intimate apparel products. As of January 28, 2012, it operated approximately 840 stores under the names of Macy�s and Bloomingdale�s; and 7 Bloomingdale�s Outlet stores, as well as macys.com and bloomingdales.com. The company was formerly known as Federated Department Stores, Inc. and changed its name to Macy�s, Inc. in June 2007. Macy�s, Inc. was founded in 1820 and is based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Damian Illia]

  Guess markets its products through a wide brand portfolio and, through six store concepts, the company operates as much as 512 locations in the US and 1,178 internationally, 858 of which are licensees. Its U.S. wholesale customers are large department stores like Macy�� Inc. (M), and Bloomingdale��.

• [By Laura Brodbeck]

  Next week investors will be waiting for several key earnings reports including Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO), Macy�� (NYSE: M), Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT) and�JC Penney (NYSE: JCP).

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of Dillard’s have dropped 1.4% to $89.99 at 3:13 p.m., while Macy���(M) has dropped 0.6% to $57.33,�Sears Holdings�(SHLD) has fallen 2.7% to $44.61 and Nordstrom�(JWN) has has dipped $61.59. JC Penney is little changed at $8.29.

• [By Associated Press]

  Last week, Macy's (NYSE: M  ) , Target (NYSE: TGT  ) , and other major retailers rejected the settlement and filed their own lawsuit.

Top 10 Retail Stocks To Own For 2015: Caseys General Stores Inc.(CASY)

Casey?s General Stores, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates convenience stores under the Casey?s General Store, HandiMart, and Just Diesel names in 11 Midwestern states, primarily Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois. Its stores offer foods, beverages, dairy and bakery products, sandwiches, fountain drinks, donuts, cookies, brownies, Danish rolls, ham and cheese sandwiches, pork and chicken fritters, sausage sandwiches, chicken tenders, popcorn chicken, breakfast croissants and biscuits, breakfast pizza, hash browns, quarter-pound hamburgers and cheeseburgers, and potato cheese bites. The company?s stores also provide nonfood items, which include tobacco products, health and beauty aids, school supplies, house wares, pet supplies, photo supplies, and automotive products. In addition, it offers gasoline or gasohol for sale on a self-service basis. As of July 31, 2011, the company operated 1,665 stores. The company was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in Ankeny, Iowa.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Emerson]

  My selection of stocks was now almost entirely based upon themes. Instead of seeking out value in out-favor-sectors, I had temporarily diverted to the path of attempting to identify investing themes, although I would only purchase a stock if I deemed it to be a bargain. The major themes I had identified were natural gas related stocks, material stocks such as cement companies, and discounted Chinese growth stocks which made their money by selling their products to Chinese consumers. I also owned significant positions in some other purely American companies which included Casey�� (CASY) and Gray Television (GTN). Ultimately, Gray Television would turn out to be a colossal failure (more on GTN later).

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Casey's General Stores (Nasdaq: CASY  ) reported earnings on June 13. Here are the numbers you need to know.

  The 10-second takeaway
  For the quarter ended April 30 (Q4), Casey's General Stores met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Hot Defense Stocks To Own For 2015: Zale Corp (ZLC)

Zale Corporation, incorporated on April 26, 1991, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is a retailer of fine jewelry in North America. The Company operates in three segments: fine jewelry, kiosk jewelry and all other. As of July 31, 2012, the Company operated 1,124 specialty retail jewelry stores and 654 kiosks located mainly in shopping malls throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The Company�� fine jewelry segment consists of five brands: Zales Jewelers, Peoples Jewellers, Zales Outlet, Mappins Jewellers, and Gordon's Jewelers The Company�� kiosk jewelry operates under the brand names Piercing Pagoda, Plumb Gold, and Silver and Gold Connection (collectively, Piercing Pagoda) through mall-based kiosks. The Company provides insurance and reinsurance services for various types of insurance coverage, which is marketed primarily to its private label credit card guests, through Zale Indemnity Company, Zale Life Insurance Company and Jewel Re-Insurance Ltd.

Fine Jewelry

Each brand specializes in fine jewelry and watches, with merchandise and marketing emphasis focused on diamond products. Zales Jewelers is the Company's national brand in the United States providing moderately priced jewelry to a range of guests. Zales Outlet operates in outlet malls and neighborhood power centers and capitalizes on Zales Jewelers' national advertising and brand recognition. Gordon's Jewelers is a value-oriented regional jeweler. Peoples Jewellers, Canada's fine jewelry retailer, provides guests with shopping experience. Mappins Jewellers offers Canadian guests a selection of merchandise from engagement rings to fashionable and contemporary fine jewelry.

The Company has extended its reach of certain brands through the use of its Webstores, mobile devices and social media to provide its guests access to its brands wherever and whenever they choose. In addition, the Company offers its guests the option to purchase warranty coverage on substantially all of its mercha! ndise in Fine Jewelry. The Company also offers repair services to guests who do not purchase warranty coverage. Zales Jewelers (Zales), the Company's United States based flagship, is a brand name in jewelry retailing in the United States, operating 639 stores in 50 states and Puerto Rico with an average store size of 1,681 square feet. Gordon's Jewelers (Gordon's) operates 147 stores in 27 states and Puerto Rico with an average store size of 1,534 square feet.

The Company�� Zales brand is positioned as the Diamond Store emphasizing on diamond jewelry, especially in the bridal and fashion segments. Zales and Gordon's combined revenues accounted for 60% of the Company's total revenues during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012 (fiscal 2012). Both brands operate as multi-channel retailers and serve Internet guests through the e-commerce sites www.zales.com and www.gordonsjewelers.com, which accounted for approximately 5% of the Company's total revenues in fiscal 2012.

In Canada, the Company operates 206stores in nine provinces. The Company's Canadian operations consist of two brands, Peoples Jewellers (Peoples) and Mappins Jewellers (Mappins), and accounted for 17% of the Company's total revenues in fiscal 2012. The average store size is 1,605 square feet with an average transaction value of $332 in fiscal year 2012. Peoples serves Internet guests through the e-commerce site, www.peoplesjewellers.com. The Company operates 132 Zales Outlet (Outlet) stores in 35 states and Puerto Rico, sales from which accounted for 10% of its total revenues in fiscal 2012. The average store size is 2,362 square feet in fiscal 2012.

Kiosk Jewelry

The Company�� kiosk jewelry segment is focused on the opening price point jewelry guest. The Company's presence in Kiosk Jewelry has been expanded through the e-commerce site, www.pagoda.com. The Company also offers its guests the option to purchase warranty coverage on certain products. As of July 31, 2012, Piercing Pagoda op! erated 65! 4 locations in 41 states and Puerto Rico, sales from which accounted for 13% of the Company's total revenues in fiscal. Piercing Pagoda offers collection of bracelets, earrings, charms, rings, non-precious metal products and 14 karat and 10 karat gold chains, as well as a selection of silver and diamond jewelry, all in basic styles at moderate prices. Kiosk locations average 188 square feet in size in fiscal 2012.

All Other

The Company insurance companies are the insurers (either through direct written or reinsurance contracts) of the Company's guests' credit insurance coverage. In addition to providing merchandise replacement coverage for certain perils, credit insurance coverage provides protection to the creditor and cardholder for losses associated with the disability, involuntary unemployment, leave of absence or death of the cardholder. Zale Life Insurance Company also provides group life insurance coverage for the Company's eligible employees. In fiscal year 2012, 36% of the Company's private label credit card purchasers purchased some form of credit insurance. In fiscal year 2012, all other accounted for approximately 1% of the Company's total revenues.

The Company competes with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., .C. Penney Company, Inc., Signet Jewelers Limited, and QVC, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rick Aristotle Munarriz]

  Steve Mack/FilmMagic There was no shortage of wonders of blunders even in this holiday-shortened market week. From a retailer's gadget going cold to some jewelers just starting to heat up, here's a rundown of the week's smartest moves and biggest errors in the business world. Men's Wearhouse (MW) -- Loser Jos. A. Bank (JOSB) tried to acquire the larger Men's Wearhouse a few weeks ago. It didn't pan out, and now Men's Wearhouse has made an offer to buy Jos. A. Bank. This is technically a smart move, especially since the two companies should be able to realize some serious cost savings as a combined entity. However, this still is being scored as a blunder because Men's Wearhouse originally balked at Jos. A. Bank's buyout at least partially on the grounds that antitrust regulators would not allow it to take place. Now it has to eat its words. Yahoo! (YHOO) -- Winner Yahoo! announced on Monday that Katie Couric will be joining the meandering dot-com giant as its global anchor next year. She will help develop the coverage at Yahoo News, giving the Web giant some welcome street cred in reporting circles. Couric won't be leaving TV. She plans to continue hosing her syndicated daytime take show -- Katie -- that runs through ABC News. Yahoo! has struggled with online advertising growth lately, and Couric's presence should help increase what it can milk out of advertisers. The Nook -- Loser Barnes & Noble (BKS) posted disappointing quarterly results, but the real culprit here was a sharp drop in sales for the struggling bookseller's Nook e-reader and tablet lines. Shares of Barnes & Noble slipped after reporting a 32 percent plunge in Nook sales. The slide over the past year consists of a 41 percent decline in device and accessories and an even more problematic 21 percent drop in digital content. After all, it's one thing if no one's buying new Nooks, but it's even more troublesome if the wider usage base is buying less digital content. Jewelry -- Winne

• [By Rick Aristotle Munarriz]

  AP Photo/Burger King Companies can make brilliant moves, but there are also times when things don't work out quite as planned. From a Japanese gaming pioneer finally cutting prices on its poor selling devices to a burger chain introducing a burger for a buck, here's a rundown of the week's smartest moves and biggest blunders in the business world. Walmart (WMT) -- Winner The country's biggest retailer was singled out in this column last week for the way that it's bringing back its layaway plan for the holiday shopping season. And this week it earns another shout out. In a memo to its associates this week, Walmart revealed that its health insurance policies for 2014 will cover "any spouse or domestic partner" regardless of gender. Walmart knows that this is still a polarizing topic. However, by opening up health coverage to domestic partners -- gay or straight -- Walmart is likely to score points with many who have been critical of the company's practices in the past. Sure, we can lament that just half of Walmart's 1.3 million associates have elected health coverage through the company. No one's saying the giant discounter is perfect. However, this move will help improve its image with a lot of its detractors. Burger King (BKW) -- Loser Burger chains are bucking the trend these days, beefing up their dollar menus at a time when the economy is showing signs of life. There's a reason for that. Customers are moving up to higher quality "fast casual" establishments that offer better food at slightly higher price points with the convenience of counter service. Burger King's latest push was announced this week. It will add a French fry-topped hamburger -- for a buck -- to its menu in September. There's nothing inherently wrong with the new sandwich. Who hasn't placed fries inside their burger from time to time? However, this seems like a bad play for franchisees: They may see fry sales slip at the hands of penny-pinching diners believing that they can knock of

• [By John Kell]

  Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Wednesday’s session are Zale Corp.(ZLC), Herbalife Ltd.(HLF) and Devon Energy Corp.(DVN)

Top 10 Retail Stocks To Own For 2015: Lowe's Companies Inc.(LOW)

Lowe's Companies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a home improvement retailer in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company offers a range of products for maintenance, repair, remodeling, home decorating, and property maintenance. It provides home improvement products in the categories of appliances, lumber, paint, millwork, building materials, lawn and landscape products, flooring, rough plumbing, seasonal living, tools, hardware, fashion plumbing, lighting, nursery, outdoor power equipment, cabinets and countertops, home organization, rough electrical, and home fashion, as well as boards, panel products, irrigation pipes, vinyl sidings, and ladders. The company also offers installation services through independent contractors in various product categories. Lowe's Companies serves homeowners and renters primarily consisting of do-it-yourself customers and do-it-for-me customers; and commercial business customers, who work in the construction, rep air/remodel, commercial and residential property management, or business maintenance professions. As of August 15, 2011, it operated approximately 1,725 home improvement stores in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company also offers its products through electronic product catalogs and Lowes.com. Lowe's Companies, Inc. was founded in 1952 and is based in Mooresville, North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]

  Lowe�� enables consumers and companies to engage in the massively popular home improvement space through its products and services. The company showed strong third-quarter results Wednesday morning. The stock has been flying higher and is now trading near all time high prices. Over the last four quarters, earnings have been rising while revenues have been mixed which have kept investors satisfied. Relative to its peers and sector, Lowe�� has been a year-to-date performance leader. Look for Lowe�� to OUTPERFORM.

• [By Kiplinger]

  Getty Images The Presidents Day holiday on Feb. 17 means a day off for some of us -- and the first big sales event of the year for retailers. Several retailers -- including Best Buy (BBY), Macy's (M) and Walmart (WMT) -- already have launched Presidents Day sales. And last year, some merchants continued their sales several days beyond the holiday, according to dealnews.com. So Presidents Day sales can actually last for two weeks, rather than just the three-day holiday weekend. But do these sales really offer good money-saving opportunities for consumers? As always, it depends on what you're buying. "Presidents Day sales are a great way to save on big-ticket items," says Offers.com Vice President Howard Schaffer. The sales are also a good opportunity to get deeply discounted cold-weather apparel for next winter for growing children by purchasing a size or two larger than what they currently wear, Schaffer says. However, he warns, watch out for new seasonal items such as spring clothing, grills and patio furniture that are promoted along with Presidents Day sales items because they'll actually be at their highest prices of the year. Here are several items you'll see on sale around Presidents Day, along with our advice on whether the discounts are worthwhile or just mediocre. Deep Discounts on Winter Apparel Most retailers already have put cold-weather clothing on clearance racks, with discounts as high as 70 percent. You can expect those sales to last through Presidents Day, but you should be able to find coupons from most merchants that will let you get an additional 10 to 25 percent off clearance items over the holiday weekend, according to dealnews.com. In the past, some retailers have offered coupons for as much as 70 percent off clearance items, according to dealnews.com. Download a coupon app, such as the one from RetailMeNot, before you head to the mall to see which merchants are having sales and offering coupons. Don't expect widespread sales on s

• [By Rick Munarriz]

  Most investors will ignore Trex and Lumber Liquidators. They'll turn to Home Depot (NYSE: HD  ) and Lowe's (NYSE: LOW  ) as the big plays on home improvement, and that could be a mistake. Even in this market recovery, analysts see Home Depot and Lowe's growing revenue at a 3% to 4% clip this year and next year. Lumber Liquidators and Trex are expected to expand their sales three to four times faster.

• [By Matt Thalman]

  Over the past few years, investors looking to capitalize on the housing recovery poured into shares of homebuilder sticks from Hovnanian to Lennar, and into the two retailers that cater directly to the housing industry: Home Depot (NYSE: HD  ) and Lowe's (NYSE: LOW  ) . But the housing recovery continues to struggle to move into high gear, and investors are constantly being hit with housing reports indicating that sales are moving higher one month, but lower the next. This pattern has increased the importance of why market participants need to focus more of their attention on earnings and understand that it will take time, but eventually the housing market will once again be a strong aspect of the U.S. economy.

Top 10 Retail Stocks To Own For 2015: Ross Stores Inc.(ROST)

Ross Stores, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates off-price retail apparel and home accessories stores under the Ross Dress for Less and dd?s DISCOUNTS brand names in the United States. Its Ross Dress for Less brand stores sell brand and designer apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashions for the entire family at everyday savings of 20 to 60 percent off department and specialty store regular prices; and dd?s DISCOUNTS brand stores sell apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashions for the entire family at everyday savings of 20 to 70 percent off moderate department and discount store regular prices. As of January 29, 2011, the company operated 1,055 stores, of which 988 were Ross Dress for Less brand stores in 27 states and Guam, and 67 were dd?s DISCOUNTS brand stores in 6 states. Its Ross Dress for Less brand stores primarily target middle income households and dd?s DISCOUNTS brand stores target moderate income households. Ross Stores, Inc. was found ed in 1957 and is headquartered in Pleasanton, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  On Thursday, small cap discount�retail stock Overstock.com, Inc (NASDAQ: OSTK) surged 22.24% after another great earnings report, but can a small cap discount online retailer really take on Ross Stores, Inc (NASDAQ: ROST) and Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN) for the long haul? After all, small cap Overstock.com sells a broad range of products�that includes�furniture, rugs, bedding, electronics, clothing, jewelry and cars���meaning there is�considerable overlap with brick and mortar retailer Ross Stores and online behemoth Amazon.com.

• [By MARKETWATCH]

  NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Off-price retailer Ross Stores Inc. (ROST) said Thursday its third-quarter profit rose to $171.6 million, or 80 cents a share, from $159.5 million, or 72 cents, a share, a year earlier. Sales rose 6% to $2.4 billion. The company forecast fourth-quarter profit of 97 cents to $1.01 a share in the fourth quarter. Third-quarter results matched the consensus estimate while fourth-quarter outlook fell short of an average estimate of $1.08 a share, according to FactSet. "We are up against our own challenging multi-year comparisons and an upcoming holiday season that we believe will be the most intensely competitive and promotional selling period in recent years," said Chief Executive Michael Balmuth. Ross shares slumped 7% in after hours trading.

• [By David Kerr]

  As of November 2013, Ross Stores (ROST) operated 1,285 off-price retail stores offering various apparel, accessories, footwear, and home furnishings items under the names Ross and dd�� DISCOUNTS. Both of these chains primarily target 25 to 54 year-old value-conscious men and women in middle to moderate income households. Ross stores, the company�� primary name, average 29,300 square feet of selling space and are located in 33 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Guam. dd�� DISCOUNTS store average 23,800 square feet in 10 states. Almost all of the stores currently occupy leased facilities and are in neighborhood shopping centers. The stores are primarily located in heavily populated urban and suburban areas.

Top 10 Retail Stocks To Own For 2015: PetSmart Inc(PETM)

PetSmart, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty retailer of products, services, and solutions for pets in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The company offers consumables, such as pet food, treats, and litter; and hardgoods, which include pet supplies and other goods comprising collars, leashes, health care supplies, grooming and beauty aids, toys, apparel, and pet beds and carriers, as well as aquariums and habitats, accessories, d�or, and filters for fish, birds, reptiles, and small pets. It also provides fresh-water fish, small birds, reptiles, and small pets; and pet services, such as grooming, including precision cuts, baths, nail trimming and grinding, and teeth brushing, as well as training, boarding, and day camp services. In addition, the company operates PetsHotels that offer boarding for dogs and cats; provides personalized pet care, an on-call veterinarian, temperature controlled rooms and suites, daily specialty treats and p lay time, and day camp services for dogs; and operates veterinary hospitals, which offer services comprising routine examinations and vaccinations, dental care, a pharmacy, and surgical procedures. As of January 29, 2012, it operated 1,232 retail stores; 192 PetsHotels; 791 veterinary hospitals under the trade name of Banfield, The Pet Hospital; and 8 hospitals operated through other third parties in Canada. The company also offers its products through an e-commerce and community site, PetSmart.com. PetSmart, Inc. was founded in 1986 and is based in Phoenix, Arizona.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  PetSmart Inc.(PETM) said it won’t replace the chief operating officer position after the retirement of Joseph O’Leary this year, a move that mirrors a growing trend among U.S. corporations. Shares dropped 3.1% to $65 premarket.

• [By Jayson Derrick]

  Analysts at Bank of America downgraded PetSmart (NASDAQ: PETM) to Underperform from Neutral with a price target lowered to $60 from a previous $77. Shares lost 3.98 percent, closing at $66.61.

• [By Rich Smith]

  PetSmart (NASDAQ: PETM  ) will soon have a new CFO to go with its new CEO and COO.

  In January, the pet supplies superstore confirmed that David K. Lenhardt would become its new chief executive officer, and Joseph O'Leary would assume the chief operating officer's post. That was two down, one to go, and the company named the third member of its C-level triumvirate Monday: Carrie Teffner, who will become chief financial officer effective June 3.

Top 10 Retail Stocks To Own For 2015: Zumiez Inc (ZUMZ)

Zumiez Inc. (Zumiez) is a specialty retailer of action sports related apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories operating under the Zumiez brand name. As of January 28, 2012, the Company operated 434 stores in the United States and 10 stores in Canada. In addition, the Company operates a Website that sells merchandise online. At January 28, 2012, its stores averaged approximately 2,900 square feet. Its apparel offerings include tops, bottoms, outerwear and accessories, such as caps, bags and backpacks, belts, jewelry and sunglasses. Zumiez�� footwear offerings primarily consist of action sports related athletic shoes and sandals. Its equipment offerings, or hardgoods, include skateboards, snowboards and ancillary gear, such as boots and bindings. The Company also offers a selection of other items, such as miscellaneous novelties.

The Company supplements its merchandise assortment with a select offering of private label products across many of its apparel product categories. During the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012 (fiscal 2011), its private label merchandise represented 17.7% of the Company�� net sales. The Company sources its private label merchandise from foreign manufacturers worldwide.

The Company competes with Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, American Apparel, American Eagle Outfitters, Billabong, CCS, Forever 21, Hollister, Hot Topic, Old Navy, Pacific Sunwear of California, The Buckle, Wet Seal, Tilly��, Urban Outfitters, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Dick�� Sporting Goods, Sport Chalet and The Sports Authority.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sean Williams]

  Zumiez (NASDAQ: ZUMZ  )
  Summer is all about being outside and taking up various sports and activities with friends and family. A little-known beneficiary could be action-sports apparel and accessories retailer Zumiez. It's pretty easy to be distrusting of the action-sports sector as a whole, because Pacific Sunwear�and Quiksilver's�inability to get the right product in its stores over the past couple of years doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in youth-oriented action-sports retailers. However, Zumiez has maintained strong pricing power through careful inventory management and has resisted the urge to expand into new locations beyond its ability to control that inventory. If consumers need surf, beach, or biking gear heading into summer, there's a possibility that Zumiez could be their destination.

• [By Jeremy Bowman]

  What: Shares of sports-apparel retailer Zumiez (NASDAQ: ZUMZ  ) jumped as much as 16% today after reporting better-than-expected same-store sales.

• [By Wallace Witkowski]

  Zumiez Inc. (ZUMZ) �shares fell 3.6% to $23.57 on light volume after the specialty retailer said same-store sales were hit by weak mall traffic.

• [By Sue Chang]

  Zumiez Inc. (ZUMZ) �is likely to post earnings of 62 cents a share in the fourth quarter.

Top 10 Retail Stocks To Own For 2015: Susser Holdings Corporation(SUSS)

Susser Holdings Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates convenience stores in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The company operates in two segments, Retail and Wholesale. The Retail segment operates convenience stores that offer merchandise, food service, and motor fuel, as well as provides other services, including car washes, lottery, ATM, money orders, prepaid phone cards and wireless services, and movie rentals. As of January 1, 2012, it operated 541 convenience stores under the Stripes brand name. The Wholesale segment distributes motor fuel to its retail convenience stores, contracted independent operators of convenience stores, unbranded convenience stores, unattended fueling facilities, and other end users in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. The company also offers environmental, maintenance, and construction management services to the petroleum industry; and sells and installs motor fuel dispensers and tanks, as well as provides a range of environmental consulting services, such as hydrocarbon remediation, and Phase I and II site assessments for its stores and outside customers. Susser Holdings Corporation is based in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lauren Pollock var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); popups.forEach]

  Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Monday’s session are AstraZeneca(AZN.LN) PLC,�Furiex Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Susser Holdings Corp.(SUSS)

Top 10 Retail Stocks To Own For 2015: Tim Hortons Inc.(THI)

Tim Hortons Inc. develops, franchises, and operates quick service restaurants primarily in Canada and the United States. Its restaurants serve coffee and other hot and cold beverages, baked goods, sandwiches, soups, and other food products. As of April 03, 2011, the company and its restaurant owners operated 3,169 restaurants in Canada and 613 restaurants in the United States under the Tim Hortons name; and had 274 primarily self-serve licensed locations in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom Tim Hortons Inc. was founded in 1964 and is based in Oakville, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Canadian restaurant chain�Tim Horton's� (NYSE: THI  ) �declared today�its regular quarterly dividend of $0.26 per share, slightly higher than the $0.2534 per share it paid back in February.�

Top 10 Retail Stocks To Own For 2015: Vitacost.com Inc (VITC)

Vitacost.com, Inc. (Vitacost), incorporated in May 20, 1994, is an online retailer of health and wellness products, including dietary supplements such as vitamins, minerals, herbs and other botanicals, amino acids and metabolites, as well as cosmetics, natural personal care products, pet products, sports nutrition and health foods. The Company sells these products directly to consumers primarily through its Website, www.vitacost.com. It offers its customers the selection of healthy living products. It offers its customers a selection of approximately 40,000 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs), from over 2,000 third-party brands, such as New Chapter, Nature�� Way, Twinlab, Source Naturals, Jarrow Formulas, Jason, Desert Essence, Atkins, Bob�� Red Mill, BSN, Optimum Nutrition, USP Labs and MuscleTech in addition to its own brands: Vitacost, Cosmeceutical Sciences Institute (CSI), Best of All, and Smart Basics. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had approximately 2.1 million customers.

The Company offers products in a range of potency levels and dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, vegi-capsules, softgels, gelcaps, liquids and powders. It offers products that encompass four main categories: Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs and Supplements; Sports Nutrition; Beauty; and Natural and Organic Food.

Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs and Supplements (VMHS)

VMHS products are taken to maintain or improve health and address specific health conditions. In its dietary supplements category, the Company offers its offer its Vitacost branded products as well as third-party brands such as Nature�� Way, Twinlab, Jarrow, Carlson and Rainbow Light. Vitamin and mineral products include multi-vitamins, lettered vitamins, such as Vitamin A, C, D, E and B-complex, along with minerals such as calcium, magnesium, chromium and zinc.

Herbal products include whole herbs, standardized extracts, herb combination formulas and teas. Supplements include essential fatty acids, probiotics, anti-o! xidants, phytonutrients and condition-specific formulas.

Sports Nutrition

Sports nutrition products are used in conjunction with cardiovascular conditioning, weight training and sports activities. Major categories in sports nutrition include protein and weight gain powders, meal replacements, nutrition bars, sport drinks and pre and post-workout supplements. The Company offers bodybuilding and sports products from third parties, such as Optimum Nutrition, CytoSport and BSN as well as our Vitacost branded sports nutrition products.

Beauty

Natural care products consist of a variety of natural products for skin, body, hair and oral health. The Company offers hundreds of natural personal-care products from companies, such as JASON, and Kiss My Face, as well as its CSI-branded products. These products appeal to allergen-conscious and environmentally-conscious consumers seeking products that are made without harsh chemicals and additives.

Natural and Organic Food

Natural and organic food products consist of organic and specialty products such as organic peanut butter, gluten free foods and low mercury tuna and salmon. The Company offers third-party brands, such as Kashi, Eden Foods and Amy�� Organic, as well as its Best of All natural food products.

Under its Vitacost brand, the Company offers over 900 products including multivitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, anti-oxidants and others. Under its CSI brand, it markets and sells health and beauty products such as facial cleanser, facial and body moisturizing creams and lotions, and other beauty and skincare products. Under its Best of All brand, it markets and sells organic food products such as banana chips, trail mix, almonds, cashews and more. Under its Smart Basics brand, it markets and sells organic fruit juices and extracts and related dietary supplements. Under its Walker Diet brand, it markets and sells low carb powders used to assist in weight loss and ! managemen! t.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Calling all cash flows
  When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Vitacost.com (Nasdaq: VITC  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Margins matter. The more Vitacost.com (Nasdaq: VITC  ) keeps of each buck it earns in revenue, the more money it has to invest in growth, fund new strategic plans, or (gasp!) distribute to shareholders. Healthy margins often separate pretenders from the best stocks in the market. That's why we check up on margins at least once a quarter in this series. I'm looking for the absolute numbers, so I can compare them to current and potential competitors, and any trend that may tell me how strong Vitacost.com's competitive position could be.