A number of sources, from Fitch Ratings to UBS,�have decided that it's time for investors to get out of department stores. The argument is that customers are trending more toward specialty retailers, and that the benefit well for department store stocks is all but dried up. Other observers aren't sold on the idea, though, and the National Retail Federation ranks among the skeptics. Daniel Butler, a VP of retail operations with the Federation, said that department stores are actually outperforming the retail sector overall.
For investors, it may simply be a matter of being more selective. The range of department stores and performances is broad, so here are three of the bigger players, and how they stack up against one another.
J.C. Penney
At the bottom of the pile is J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP ) . I vacillate between thinking that J.C. Penney is about to go out of business and take everyone down with it and thinking that it's about to go out of business but liquidate its real estate to generate some value for investors. Either way, things at the retailer are not working out. Last quarter, both net sales and comparable sales were down more than 16%. The company's loss per share doubled from the quarter last year.
Top 10 Specialty Retail Stocks To Own For 2014: Johnson Controls Inc.(JCI)
Johnson Controls, Inc. engages in building efficiency, automotive experience, and power solutions businesses worldwide. Its building efficiency business designs, produces, markets, and installs integrated heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems, as well as building management systems, controls, and security and mechanical equipment. This business also provides technical services, energy management consulting, and operations of real estate portfolios for the non-residential buildings market. In addition, this business offers residential air conditioning and heating systems, and industrial refrigeration products. The company?s automotive experience business designs and manufactures interior products and systems for passenger cars and light trucks, including vans, pick-up trucks, and sport/crossover utility vehicles. It offers seating systems and components; cockpit systems comprising instrument panels and clusters, information displays, and body controllers; overh ead systems, such as headliners and electronic convenience features; floor consoles; and door systems. This business also produces automotive interior systems for original equipment manufacturers. Its power solutions business produces lead-acid automotive batteries serving automotive original equipment manufacturers and the general vehicle battery aftermarket. This business produces lead-acid batteries, as well as offers absorbent glass mat and lithium-ion battery technologies to power hybrid vehicles. The company was formerly known as Johnson Electric Service Company and changed its name to Johnson Controls, Inc. in 1974. Johnson Controls, Inc. was founded in 1885 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Martin]
Johnson Controls (JCI, $28.85). Auto parts supplier — one of every three cars uses their components — to benefit from "pe nt-up demand."
Top 10 Specialty Retail Stocks To Own For 2014: Kam And Ronson Media Group Inc (KME.V)
Kam and Ronson Media Group Inc., together with its subsidiary, Kam and Ronson Enterprise Company Limited, engages in the distribution of home video program titles primarily in Hong Kong and Macau. The company distributes various titles in digital video disc, video compact disc, compact disc, and blue ray disc formats. It also involves in the production of digital video discs and video compact discs. The company is based in Calgary, Canada.
Top 10 Canadian Stocks To Own For 2014: BioSpecifics Technologies Corp(BSTC)
Biospecifics Technologies Corp., a biopharmaceutical company, involves in the development of an injectable collagenase for various indications. It has a development and license agreement with Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for injectable collagenase for clinical indications in Dupuytren?s contracture, Peyronie?s disease, and frozen shoulder. Biospecifics Technologies Corp. also focuses on the development of collagenase for various other clinical indications, including human and canine lipoma and cellulite. The company develops and commercializes XIAFLEX, which is used for the treatment of adult Dupuytren?s contracture. Biospecifics Technologies Corp. was founded in 1957 and is headquartered in Lynbrook, New York.
Top 10 Specialty Retail Stocks To Own For 2014: First Merchants Corporation(FRME)
First Merchants Corporation, a financial holding company, provides financial and banking products and services. Its deposit products include demand deposits, savings deposits, and certificates and other time deposits. The company?s loan products portfolio comprises commercial and industrial loans; agricultural production financing and other loans to farmers; real estate loans, including construction, commercial and farmland, and residential loans; individuals? loans for household and other personal expenditures; tax-exempt loans; lease financing; consumer loans; and other loans. It also rents safe deposit facilities; and provides personal and corporate trust services, brokerage services, and other corporate services, as well as letters of credit and repurchase agreements. The company operates through 79 banking locations in 23 Indiana and 2 Ohio counties, as well as through ATMs, check cards, interactive voice response systems, and Internet technology. In addition, First Merchants Corporation operates as a property, casualty, personal lines, and employee benefit insurance agency; and involves in life reinsurance business. The company was founded in 1893 and is headquartered in Muncie, Indiana.
Top 10 Specialty Retail Stocks To Own For 2014: Independent Bank Corporation(IBCP)
Independent Bank Corporation operates as a holding company for the Independent Bank that provides various retail and commercial banking services in Michigan. The company offers various deposit products, including non-interest bearing demand deposits, time deposits, checking and savings accounts, and NOW accounts. It also provides commercial lending, direct and indirect consumer financing, mortgage lending, and safe deposit box services. The company, through its other subsidiaries, offers payment plans used by consumers to purchase vehicle service contracts and title insurance services, as well as provides investment and insurance services. As of May 2, 2011, it operated approximately 100 offices across Michigan?s Lower Peninsula. The company was founded in 1864 and is based in Ionia, Michigan.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Harding]
Independent Bank is a commercial bank in Michigan. It provides checking and savings accounts, commercial lending, direct and indirect consumer financing and mortgage lending.
Shares of the Michigan company climbed after Independent Bank said its net loss applicable to shareholders shrank to $4.9 million, or 65 cents a share, in the fourth quarter, compared to a year-earlier loss of $48.2 million, or $20.49 a share. On Feb. 16, Independent Bank announced its senior management succession plan, although shares pulled back shortly after when the company announced the unregistered sale of 253,000 shares of common stock to Dutchess Opportunity Fund II as part of an investment agreement established in July 2010.
Current Share Price: $3.23 (March 29)
First Quarter Total Return: 148%
Analyst Ratings: Stifel Nicolaus is the only research firm currently following Independent Bank, recommending that investors hold on to shares.
TheStreet Ratings has a "sell" rating on Independent Bank, noting that despite the recent stock rally, shares are down sharply in the past two years and underperform the S&P 500. "Investors have so far failed to pay much attention to the earnings improvements the company has managed to achieve over the last quarter," the March 20 research note reads.
Top 10 Specialty Retail Stocks To Own For 2014: Canda Gas Corp (CJC.V)
Canada Strategic Metals, Inc., an exploration stage mining company, engages in the exploration and development of mineral properties in Canada. The company holds interests in various rare earth element and graphite properties located in Quebec, Canada. It also owns a 33.33% interest in the Prophet River natural gas project situated in northeastern British Columbia. The company was formerly known as Canada Rare Earths Inc. and changed its name to Canada Strategic Metals, Inc. in August 2012. Canada Strategic Metals, Inc. was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.
Top 10 Specialty Retail Stocks To Own For 2014: First Quantum Minerals Ltd (FQVLF.PK)
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (First Quantum) is a mineral exploration, development and mining company. First Quantum is engaged in the production of copper, gold, nickel and acid and related activities, including exploration, development and processing. As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� operating mines and projects are located in Zambia, Mauritania, Australia, Finland and Peru. It is developing the Kevitsa nickel-copper-platinum project in Finland and the Sentinel copper project in Zambia, and exploring the Haquira copper deposit in Peru. As of December 31, 2011, it produced London Metal Exchange grade equivalent copper cathode, copper in concentrate, nickel, gold and sulphuric acid. During the year ended December 31, 2011, it produced 265,576 tons of copper, 175,225 ounces of gold. In March 2012, Eurasian Natural Resources Corp PLC acquired its residual claims and assets in respect of the Kolwezi Tailings project, the Frontier and Lonshi mines and related exploratio n interests.
Top 10 Specialty Retail Stocks To Own For 2014: Goldsearch Ltd (GSE.AX)
Goldsearch Limited engages in the identification, discovery, and development of mineral properties in Australia and southern Sweden. It primarily explores for gold, silver, nickel, lead, zinc, copper, and uranium deposits, as well as other base metals. The company�s principal properties include the Mount Wellington project in Victoria, Australia. Goldsearch Limited is based in Sydney, Australia.
Top 10 Specialty Retail Stocks To Own For 2014: GATX Corp (GMT)
GATX Corporation (GATX) leases, operates, manages and remarkets assets primarily in the rail and marine markets. GATX has three segments: Rail, American Steamship Company (ASC) and Portfolio Management. Rail and its affiliates lease tank cars, freight cars and locomotives in North America and Europe. ASC operates a fleet of United States flagged vessels on the Great Lakes. Portfolio Management has investments in affiliated companies. As of December, 31, 2011, the Company held 37.5% interest in AAE Cargo AG (AAE), a 12.5% interest in Adler Funding LLC (Adler) and a 50% interest in Southern Capital Corporation (ACC). In January 2012, ASC entered into a five-year lease for a newly constructed articulated tug-barge. The tug is diesel powered and the barge is 740 feet in length with a carrying capacity of 34,000 gross tons. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Clipper Fourth Limited and Clipper Fourth APS marine joint ventures, in each of which GATX held a 45% interest, were dissolved.
Rail
Rail is exploring leasing opportunities in Asia through both wholly owned subsidiaries, as well as joint venture arrangements. As of December 31, 2011, Rail�� worldwide fleet, consisted of wholly owned and leased-in railcars, totaled approximately 130,000 railcars. Rail offers customers financial, operational, management and maintenance expertise. In addition, Rail actively manages fleets for an affiliate and other third-party owners of approximately 8,000 railcars, in aggregate.
Rail�� customers primarily operate in the chemical, petroleum, food/agriculture and transportation industries. Rail�� fleet consists of a diverse selection of railcar types that are used by its customers to ship approximately 700 different commodities. Rail also had an ownership interest in approximately 32,000 railcars through investments in affiliated companies. Affiliate fleets consist primarily of freight and intermodal railcars. Additionally, Rail manages approximately 2,000 railcars f! or third-party owners. Rail primarily provides railcars pursuant to full-service leases under which it maintains the railcars, pays ad valorem taxes and insurance and provides other ancillary services. Rail also offers net leases for railcars under which the lessee is responsible for maintenance, insurance and taxes.
In North America, Rail leases railcars for terms that generally range from three to 10 years. Rail�� North American operations also include a locomotive leasing business. As of December 31, 2011, Rail�� locomotive fleet totaled 572 locomotives. The majority of Rail�� leases are full-service contracts under which Rail maintains the railcars. Rail operates an extensive network of service facilities across North America that perform repair, maintenance, modification and regulatory compliance work on the fleet. Maintenance services include interior cleaning of railcars, general repairs to the car body and safety appliances, regulatory compliance work, wheelset replacements, exterior blast and painting, and car stenciling.
Rail leases standard gauge railcars to customers throughout Europe. Lease terms generally range from one to seven years and at December 31, 2011, the average remaining lease term of the fleet was approximately two years. Rail acquires new railcars primarily from the IRS Group and VRZ Karlovo. The owned service centers are supplemented by a number of third-party repair facilities.
ASC
ASC operates a fleet of United States flagged vessels on the Great Lakes, providing waterborne transportation of dry bulk commodities primarily for customers in the steel, electric utility and construction industries. The primary commodities carried by ASC�� vessels are iron ore, coal, limestone aggregates and metallurgical limestone. End markets for these commodities include domestic automobile manufacturing, electricity generation and non-residential construction. At December 31, 2011, ASC�� fleet consisted of 17 vessels. Fourteen ! of the ve! ssels are diesel powered. The diesel vessels range in size from 635 to 1,004 feet in length with maximum load capacities between 23,800 and 80,900 gross tons. The three remaining vessels are steam powered. The steamer vessels range in size from 690 to 767 feet in length with maximum load capacities between 22,300 and 26,300 gross tons. In 2011, ASC carried 28.4 million net tons of cargo including both contracted volume and spot business.
Portfolio Management
Portfolio Management leverages its equipment knowledge by managing portfolios of assets for third parties. Portfolio Management generates fee and residual sharing income through portfolio administration and remarketing of these assets. Affiliate activities include aircraft spare engine leasing, shipping operations and gas compression equipment leasing. Rolls-Royce and Partners Finance (RRPF) is a collection of 50%-owned domestic and international joint ventures with Rolls-Royce plc, a manufacturer of commercial aircraft jet engines. RRPF leases spare engines to Rolls-Royce plc and commercial airlines. The RRPF portfolio in aggregate is comprised of approximately 370 Rolls-Royce and International Aero Engine aircraft engines. Cardinal Marine Investments LLC (Cardinal Marine) is a 50%-owned marine joint venture with IMC Holdings, a subsidiary of the IMC Pan Asia Alliance Group (IMC).
Cardinal Marine owns six chemical parcel tankers (each with 45,000 dead weight tons that operate under a pooling arrangement with IMC�� other chemical tankers in support of the movement of liquid bulk chemicals in the Middle East Gulf/Far East and United States Gulf/Far East trades. Somargas II Private Limited (Somargas) and Singco Gas Pte, Limited (Singco), respectively, are 35% and 50%-owned joint ventures with IM Skaugen ASA (Skaugen). Clipper Third Limited (Clipper Third) is a 50%-owned joint venture with Clipper Group Invest Ltd. (the Clipper Group). Clipper Third owns two handysize vessels that support the worldwide movement! of dry b! ulk products, such as grain, cement, coal and steel. Enerven Compression, LLC (Enerven) is a 45.6%-owned joint venture with ING Investment Management and Enerven management. Enerven provides natural gas compression equipment leasing through its subsidiary, Enerven Compression Services (ECS) and third-party maintenance and repair services through its subsidiary, Worldwide Energy Solutions Company (WESCO).
The Company competes with Union Tank Car Company, General Electric Railcar Services Corporation, American Railcar Leasing, CIT Group Inc., Trinity Leasing, First Union Rail, Helm Financial Corporation, National Railway Equipment Corporation, Relco Locomotives, Inc., VTG Aktiengesellschaft, Ermewa, CTL Logistics Group, PCC Rail Group, Interlake Steamship Company, VanEnkevort Tug and Barge, Grand River Navigation, Great Lakes Fleet, Inc. and Central Marine Logistics.
Top 10 Specialty Retail Stocks To Own For 2014: Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd (BGM.V)
Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd. engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of gold mineral properties in British Columbia, Canada. The company controls 117,691 hectares of mineral tenure, including 3 historic groups of contiguous crown-granted mineral claims, such as Cariboo Group, Island Mountain Group, and Mosquito Creek Group, as well as a block of primarily contiguous mineral tenures roughly centered on the Town of Wells located to the east of Quesnel, British Columbia. It also operates the QR mine and mill that is located to the southeast of Quesnel in the Cariboo Mining District. The company was formerly known as International Wayside Gold Mines Ltd. and changed its name to Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd. in January 2010. Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd. was incorporated in 1970 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.
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