"McDonald’s Profit Is Up; So Are Costs"

Quotes - finance.google.com
Range 78.81 - 79.37
52 week 65.31 - 80.94
Open 78.83
Vol / Avg. 1.39M/4.71M
Mkt cap 82.17B
P/E 16.74
Div/yield 0.61/3.08
EPS 4.73
Shares 1.04B
Beta 0.50


I would not buy the McDonald’s stock because it is trading at its weekly high, 79.21 and I am assuming it is going to decline soon. Its price range in the last 52 weeks is 65.31 to 80.94, meaning that it is trading at 52 weekly high as well. Moreover the prices are increasing on food, such as “beef and other crucial ingredients.” Most likely this will scare many costumers away which will be vital for the business. People “dine there mainly because of the low cost” so once the prices go up it should greatly affect the stock trade. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/22/business/22mcdonalds.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

-Anzhelika Masheyeva

McDonalds/ Hiring

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7487028326737608796


 Mcdonalds the Franchise of billions and billions servered decided to hire 50,000 more. On April 19,2011 McDonalds around the United States all together hired 50,000 more workers. By hired 50,000 workers McDonalds expanded by 7.7%. By Hiring more workers the U.S unemployment rate dropped by .4% which may not seem like a lot but there are now 50,000 more people with jobs. This massive hiring spree will definite help Mcdonalds because as a costumer I can see the difference is service time between each order. Because of this I would by McDonalds stock its constant improvement and costumer service McDonalds will continue to grow as a strong Franchise.


DeSean M

McDonald's Public Relations Department

"I'm lovin it! " It's McDonald's public relations is doing a magnificent job of keeping the company's image alive. Even though cities are pushing a banned on the meal options "New York City is now considering a "Happy Meal" ban, which could make it the second city where it is illegal to put toys in a kid’s meal that is less than healthy," (Bertacchi)  the companies relations department constant portrayal of the Ronald McDonald house- McDonald's charity organization that provides housing for those who have sick children- as a highly respected organization that provides services for those families who struggle due to the need of medical attention for their children. With it's celebration of May 11, McHappy Days coming to a near investing in McDonlad's seems to be a good idea. "With McDonald's Restaurants  join[ing] more than 1,400 restaurants across the country to celebrate the 18th McHappy Day May 11th" and with " $ 1 of every Big Mac sandwich, Happy Meal and coffee(tea) tea sold will go to the Ronald McDonald House,"(Wetaskiwin) McDonald's is doing a genius idea by combining food people wouldn't usually buy - due to calories- having an incentive to stop by McDonald's  and order a meal ( to support a great cause and help those in need while feeding the family for cheap). With such a great public relations team, McDonald's could not go wrong (unless of course they have budget cuts and need to fire people).  If only making a decision on public relations, I believe that buying McDonald's stock could not hurt both our portfolio and a chance for investment growth is possible. 




Bertacchi, Denise. "Are Happy Meals Dangerous? - Affton-Shrewsbury, MO Patch."Affton-Shrewsbury, MO Patch - News, Sports, Events, Businesses & Deals. 20 Apr. 2011.
Wetaskiwin. "McHappy Day Set for next Week in Wetaskiwin." Wetaskiwin Times Advertiser - Alberta, CA. 04 May 2011. 


Sophia Beytelman

Mcdonalds/Statistics

Quotes-Google Finance
Range- 78.81 - 79.37
52 Week- 65.31 - 80.94
Open- 78.83
Vol/ Avg.- 1.54M/4.71M
Mkt cap- 82.35B
P/E- 16.78
Div/ Yield- 0.61/3.07
EPS- 4.73
Shares- 1.04B
Beta- 0.50
Inst own.- 72%

McDonald’s Corporation franchises and operates McDonald’s restaurants in the global restaurant industry. These restaurants serve a varied, limited, value-priced menu in more than 100 countries around the world. McDonald's is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving more than 58 million customers daily. McDonald's stock is doing well trading at 79.22 which is closer to its yearly high of 80.94, and had increased by 0.79%. I personally prefer McDonald's over other fast food restaurants due too its large variety from breakfast meals to lunch and dinner, and a wide variety of foods on the menu.


-Downer Antonio

Spring Break- Fed Ex

Google Finance
Range 91.80 - 95.99
52 week 69.78 - 98.52
Open 92.16
Vol / Avg. 3.64M/2.10M
Mkt cap 30.08B
P/E 23.00
Div/yield 0.12/0.50
EPS 4.14
Shares 315.66M
Beta 1.17
Inst. own 78%

News Headlines-
Weekly News Roundup: FedEx (NYSE:FDX)
FedEx to deliver e-commerce

Projections for this Stock-
FedEx Express is committed to providing quality customer service and has earned a reputation for being an innovative market leader in all areas of operation. I would invest in this stock because it is doing extremely well trading close to its yearly high of 98.52, and increased by 2.86%. Fed Ex has been working on its mobile accessibilty, which is helpful because it simplifies shipping transactions. Fed Ex has joined the electronic commerce market by aquiring new software that allows companies to use the internent for vending merchandise. Fed Ex stocks will continue to flourish which means now would be the time to invest.

http://news.cnet.com/FedEx-to-deliver-e-commerce/2100-1017_3-236291.html?tag=mncol;4n

-Downer Antonio

Walmart

Quotes- finance.google.com
Range -
52 week 13.15 - 30.10
Open -
Vol / Avg. 0.00/0.00
Mkt cap 2.50B
P/E 23.61
Div/yield 0.21/1.86
EPS 0.97
Shares 108.67M
Beta 0.74
Inst. own 0%

Wal-Mart, a chain of discount stores started by Sam Walton in 1962, has become a central figure of social, economic and political debates. Walmart topped the 2011 fortune 500 list for the second consecutive year, coming in with $421.85 billion in revenue. Walmarts's legendary low prices have democratized consumption, allowing low-income households to afford expensive items such as a flat screen television. I would invest in Walmart's stock because its trading closer to its yearly high of 30.10, and has increased by 1.89%.

http://www.thestreet.com/story/11106846/1/wal-mart-tops-fortune-500-again.html?puc=tscmarketwatch&cm_ven=tscmarketwatch

-Downer Antonio

T-Mobile

I will not invest in T-Mobile stock because its undergoing a merger with AT&T. In 2011 Deutsche Telekom agreed to sell the company to AT&T for about $39 billion in cash and stock. T-Mobile is now a privately owned business and the CEO from both T-Mobile and AT&T will appear before the Senate committee to argue in favor of the merger. A main point of their argument will be that a combined company will be able to provide broadband access to more more rural customers than two companies would be able to do individually.

http://www.tmonews.com/2011/05/att-and-t-mobile-senate-hearing-bringing-ceos-together/

-Downer Antonio

Ford Motor Company

Quotes- finance.google.com
Range 14.88 - 15.30
52 week 9.75 - 18.97
Open 14.97
Vol / Avg. 62.57M/66.11M
Mkt cap 57.26B
P/E 9.51
EPS 1.59
Shares 3.80B
Beta 2.37
Inst. own 62%

I would invest in Ford Motor Company's stock because at 15.08 its cleary trading closer to its yearly high of 18.97 as opposed to its yearly low at 9.75. There hasn't been any major spikes recently, its been very steady and there would be less risk of losing money. Ford sales have gone up, because the need for fuel-efficient vehicles have increased due to increasing gas prices. “Ford’s plan to lead in fuel efficiency is saving our customers money at the pump and helping us to profitably grow our business," said Ken Czubay.

http://corporate.ford.com/news-center/news/press-releases/press-releases-detail/pr-ford-us-april-sales-up-as-gas-34494

-Downer Antonio

thestreet.com - Amazon

Quotes - finance.google.com
Range 180.74 - 186.42
52 week 105.80 - 191.60
Open 186.27
Vol / Avg. 11.24M/5.89M
Mkt cap 82.22B
P/E 72.10
Div/yield -
EPS 2.53
Shares 451.00M
Beta 1.16


I agree with Joe Terranova in the idea of waiting before buying the Amazon stock. Although Amazon is expensive to invest in I would still consider it. Since the stock is going down it is better to wait. The range is from 180.74 to 186.42 and right now it is 182.30. Still seeing a decline I am assuming that it will continue to do so. Its opening price in the latest trading day was 186.27 and it has decreased by 1.68%. I believe it is best to invest in Amazon when it is at its lowest so it is better to wait.

http://www.thestreet.com/story/11094480/1/fast-money-recap-dont-worry-about-amazon.html

-Anzhelica Masheyeva

Spring Break - American Eagle Outfitters

Quotes - finance.google.com
Range 15.61 - 16.05
52 week 11.35 - 18.19
Open 16.00
Vol / Avg. 6.56M/5.06M
Mkt cap 3.04B
P/E 17.26
Div/yield 0.11/2.82
EPS 0.

I would not invest in American Eagle Outfitters because the stock is starting to go down. The price range in the last 52 weeks is from 11.35 to 18.19 and at the moment it is 15.61. The stock went down by 1.89% and it is likely that it will continue to do so because according to the news, Stephanie Clifford said, “As retailers have been warning, their costs are rising as cotton and other materials get more expensive, laborers in China demand higher wages and fuel prices go up.” American Eagle has no choice but raise their price on the products. “For example, at American Eagle Outfitters, the price of striped polo shirts was raised about a week ago to $34.50, up from $29.50.” (Camouflaging Price Creep) Moreover, in the terms of RPE in the Apparel Retail Industry, American Eagle Outfitters rank the lowest. (zacks.com)


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/23/business/23prices.html
http://www.zacks.com/research/get_news.php?id=110l6929

- Anzhelica Masheyeva

Starbucks

Known as the hotspot to meet, Starbucks is a company that most children, teenagers, and adults can count on to hang out. With a recent survey stating that "indicated that consumers found Starbucks to be a more interesting brand than Coke."(QsRB)which allows a company to "supports behavioral change" (QsRB)in a person. After these results were released, my belief that investing in Starbucks grew. If a company has the ability to market its product in a manner which not only brings people of all ages, races, income and tastes together but also sells products well. Going green in 2008, "the coffee franchise [Starbucks] has now completed the pilot phase for the U.S. Green Building Council’s new LEED Volume Certification program. Starbucks plans to build all new, company-owned stores to LEED standards starting this year." (DeFreitas, Susan) By developing a more greener business, Starbucks is not only saving money but will also gain profits from the amount of money it saves as well as the amount of people that will desire to buy such a project. Also, with recent reports stating that "Starbucks now ranks behind only No. 1 McDonald's and runner-up Subway, according to research firm Technomic's just-released listing of America's top 500 restaurant chains in total 2010 U.S. sales."(Bruce Horovitz) Becoming the first coffee franchise to make it as a top ranked chain store speaks more of Starbucks potential than any stock can.(to me this just screams potential)As seen in the trend of the stock, the values are rapidly increasing over the course of the last 3 months. With this trend being continuous and my addiction to coffee, I believe that investing in Starbucks is a great idea; not only is the company doing well but coffee is an addictive product so people are more likely to invest in coffee.

52 Week Range:22.50 - 38.21
Day High:37.28
Day Low:36.72



DeFreitas, Susan. "Starbucks to Build All New Stores LEED | EarthTechling." EarthTechling | Green Technology News and Reviews for All Earthlings. Earth Teching, 21 Apr. 2011.

Horovitz, Bruce. "Starbucks Spurts to No. 3 U.S. Restaurant Chain - USATODAY.com." News, Travel, Weather, Entertainment, Sports, Technology, U.S. & World - USATODAY.com. USA Today, 26 Apr. 2011.

QsRB. "Consumers List Coca-Cola, Starbucks as Most Relevant Brands | QSRweb.com." QSR Web - Quick Service Restaurant News, Trends and Insights | QSRweb.com. 26 Apr. 2011.

Sophia Beytelman

Spring Break Post || HP

Stock Quotes from Google Finance
NYSE: HPQ
Range: 40.20 - 40.67
52 Week: 37.32 - 54.75
Last year at Apr. 15th, 2011: 54.23

News Headlines
- Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ) Planning Acquisition
- H-P To Establish Software Innovation Center in Sunnyvale
- Vendor Claims HP Stole Web Testing Software Invention
- Startup America gets Microsoft, Google, HP support

Projections for this Stock
I would buy this stock because it is near its year low and will probably go up because of its impending acquisition. Also, on Hewlett-Packard's site, the front page is devoted to telling customers about its weekly deals and a 40% off of certain products. There is another section of the front page devoted to sustainable practices, which is becoming a trend among businesses because of consumers wanting to know where the products come from, what impact their products have on the environment or on its workers who put the products together, and where will the product go at the end of its life cycle. HP is also perceived as a good business because of its going green attitude and its involvement with Startup America Partnership to help budding entrepreneurs.


- Anna Lee

Spring Break.... Sony

STOCK QUOTES:  Google Finance
Range: 30.50-30.63
52 Week: 25.85-36.97
A year ago @ April 22, 35.70

News Headlines:
-Why Omnivision's Sensors Will Be in the iPhone 5 - Not Sony's
-Sony chairman credited with developing CDs dies
-[$$] Former Sony Chairman Dies


Projections for this Stock:
-I would not buy Sony stock for many reasons. First off it is trading very close to its 52 week high. Looking at the history of this stock, it seems to be too steady. There is not enough growth to gain any profit from the stock. Just about to two days ago Sony's chairman; and CD creator died suddenly from multiple organ failure.  Nothing new has been rumored to come out from the company anytime soon, making a lot of consumer's wonder, has Sony has lost its spark of being the first and best with new electronic gadgets.

-DeSean Mullings

Jet Blue

Range 5.51 - 5.68
52 week 5.14 - 7.60
Open 5.60

Since the weather is warm outside, people are coming to the realization that summer is around the corner and that only means one thing, SUMMER VACATION. People are going to begin to plan their summer vacation soon and that means that people are going to make travel plans soon. Jet Blue is an airline company that people use to fly within the United States. And just in case you weren't aware of Summer only being 2 months away, Jet Blue is here to remind you. With a special, "JetBlue Airways launched a wide-ranging three-day sale Monday at a time when airfare deals haven't been quite so fast and furious " (Forgione) Selling cheap tickets for only a short period of time will stimulate people to think about Summer travel and buy tickets now before soar. Not only does the weather scream travel but with plans of "JetBlue's aircrafts .. [using] Ka-band commercial aviation broadband network with ... the first "media-enabled" satellite broadband system."(Genuth) The new airplanes that provide the use of high-speed internet in flight, allowing me to predict that more people will begin to book seats with JetBlue. Being able to stay connected while flying is important especially for working men and women. With stock prices increasing at a decent pace, investing in Jet Blue would be a smart thing to do.



Forgione, Mary. "JetBlue's 3-day Sale: $39 Long Beach-Las Vegas, $159 Long Beach-Anchorage - Los Angeles Times." Featured Articles From The Los Angeles Times. 11 Apr. 2011. Web.

Genuth, Iddo. "JetBlue High Speed In-flight Internet by 2012." TFOT - The Future Of Things. 13 Apr. 2011. Web.

Sophia Beytelman

Kraft

Range 32.78 - 33.54
52 week 27.49 - 33.54
Open 32.94

Krafts food is on a roll, one that leads to a bull market. With rising prices due to partnerships with organizations, ethical actions and expansion. On Tuesday April 12,2011, Kraft has issued a statement explaining how "Mr. Lee will be sharing his expertise on Chinese culinary culture and taste preferences with the company, and introducing Kraft products to Chinese-Canadian families by developing recipes for the company’s website." (WENCY LEUNG) By hiring people of different cultural backgrounds, Kraft is able to expand its market targeting immigrants as well as allowing others to expand their taste buds to new food. Recently, Kraft's partnership with "Minor League Baseball ... on the popular "Tuesday Night Tickets" deal. Beginning today [April 12,2010] through September 6, 2011, fans are encouraged to bring any KRAFT Singles package wrapper to participating teams' ballpark box offices on Tuesday nights to buy one ticket and get another ticket free courtesy of KRAFT Singles. The partnership is also a unique opportunity for both parties to increase brand awareness, showcase their companies and target a large audiences of fans and consumers." (Bisons) With this partnership, Kraft will expose itself to MLB fans which will cause an increase in demand for Kraft products. With the stock value flunctuating, I believe that investing in Kraft will be too risky for our group.

Bisons, Buffalo. ""Tuesday Night Tickets" Return." The Official Site of Minor League Baseball | MiLB.com Homepage. 12 Apr. 2011. Web.

Leung, Wency. "Kraft Calls on Star Chefs to Capture Immigrant Market - The Globe and Mail." Home - The Globe and Mail. 12 Apr. 2011. Web.

Sophia Beytelman

Costco

Range 76.24 - 77.03
52 week 53.41 - 78.46
Open 76.34

Costco plans on expanding its market. With the introduction of caskets in March, weeding dresses in March and know with the introduction of selling rings valued at millions of dollars Costco is trying to make an attempt to bring a new name to wholesale. Recently," Costco’s Chief Financial Officer, Richard Galanti told WSJ, “Although we would rather have lower gas prices and more spending in the store, we do see a pickup in traffic to our gas stations and a small pickup in memberships.” (Shifrin) This idea that gas - an elastic substance- is being offered at much cheaper prices should work as a stimulus and get more people shopping at Costco than at any other store. Not only is Costco expanding its inventory, Costco is also expanding its stores. Expecting to open "the biggest Costco store on Vancouver Island,"(Valley) I believe that the stock might rise in value however with the current rise in value, I can expect the value of the stock to drop rapidly due to the high expectations that many people may have on how Costco stock is doing.

Shifrin, Marina. "Do Walmart and Costco Offer the Best Deals at the Gas Pump? | MyBankTracker.com." Compare Daily Bank Rates, Deals & Reviews MyBankTracker.com. 12 Apr. 2011. Web.
Valley, COMOX. "Costco Looks to June 2 Opening." Canada News. 12 Apr. 2011. Web.

Sophia Beytelman

the street: Walmart...

Being at a 52 week high, investing in Wal-Mart at the current moment would be a unprofitable investment. Even though the company plans to increase the number of stores, Wal-mart is receiving negative publicity from protestors. Protestors of Wal-Mart moving is instilling such controversy that ads (propaganda) is being instilled in the people. Even though people can be conditioned into perceiving Wal-Mart in a positive matter, the idea that Wal-Mart is acting unethically can cause people to sell stock by the mass ; resulting in a drop of Wal-Mart stock value. 

52 Week :47.77 - 57.90

Range : 57.07 - 57.90

Open: 57.07

"Labour, Black Business, Consumers...Walmart Faces a Storm of Protest: City Press: Business: News." Web. 01 Apr. 2011. 
Sophia Beytelman

the street.com Microsoft...

Stock Quotes: Google Finance

12-Month Sales Growth: 17%

12-Month Net Income Growth: 50%
Quarterly Operating Profit Margin: 44%
Cash Flow Multiple: 8.9 (53% peer discount)
Analysts' Median Target: $32.99
3-Year Dividend Growth: 10%
Dividend Yield: 2.3%
Payout Ratio: 24%

52 Week High: 22.73- 31.58

Market Trends: Microsoft's stock has been steadily rising, nothing dramatic or out of the ordinary, very blue chip like. 


News Headlines:  
Is Microsoft stock cheap right now?
Microsoft+Nokia= A challenge for Apple
Windows 7, subject to recall


Projections For This Stock:
I believe that this stock will do will. Personally I would buy Microsoft stock. It is a steady stock to invest in. With the launch of its new x box and Nintendo 3ds. Stock price will increase. The looming recall for windows 7 should not be a big deal, it can be fixed by a CD that will be free to windows 7 buyers and users. Microsoft has many gadgets suitable for toddlers all the way up to the elderly. By increasing the age group of there products this will also benefit there stock.
-By: DeSean Mullings

thestreet.com || IBM

Stock Quotes from The Street
NYSE:IBM
Range: 163.28 - 164.55
52 week: 116.00 - 167.72
A year ago at Apr. 1, 2010: 128.25

News Headlines
- IBM Develops Anti-MRSA Nanotechnology
- IBM Helps Bring Smarter Healthcare to Nigeria's Cross River

Projections for This Stock
This stock is pretty pricy, and I would not buy this stock because it is near its year high, and it will be too steady. They are doing pretty well because of Watson and the new MRSA destroying technology. Unless there is a rapid decline in prices, I would not consider such a steady stock.

- By Anna L.

Automotive

I would not invest in Toyota stock because of the earthquake that happened in Japan. Everything was put into halt from March 14^th to March 22^nd and it is predicted that somewhere in mid-April or even later that the Japanese automaker will “expand domestic production to cover more models… in accordance with the recovery of materials and parts supplies” (Reporting by Shravya Jain) A headline such as “UPDATE 1-Toyota Motor partially lifts output halt” will definitely affect the price because it will keep the stock either steady or drop. If its present range is 80.50-81.23 and the stock is going down it will most likely continue to do so. The stock started going down from April 2010 to October 2010 and only from January 2011 to mid-March 2011 did it go back up. Moreover, as of the last couple of days, the stock began to drop so it is expected that the stock will keep decreasing and will bring no profit. If we purchase this stock that would mean we are taking a huge risk in losing a lot of money and according to the news it is better to wait and see if there is going to be some progress in April.                                                                                                                                                    

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/28/idUSL3E7ES32R20110328

Range 80.50 - 81.23

52 week 67.56 - 93.90

Open 80.85

Vol / Avg. 711,765.00/839,283.00

Mkt cap 138.87B

P/E 20.75

Div/yield 0.47/1.26

- Anzhelika Masheyeva