"Not as if we got dumb all of a sudden"

J.C. Penney is a storied tale in U.S. retail. Its first store opened in 1902 in Kemmerer, Wyoming. That store is still open for business. But today shareholders had a rough day. The stock dropped 5%. The second steep sell-off in 2 days. The company has already had a terrible couple of months. The shares are down over 40% since March. Today the company spooked investors by sending out a chilling profit warning. Its Q4 profit will be $1.80/shr at the most. Previously the company said it would make $2.41/shr. Ouch! But don’t look to CEO Myron Ullman to take any responsibility for the company’s shoddy performance. He’s blaming everything on external factors. The weather, the funky housing market, high gas prices, Hollywood writer's strike (ok maybe not that one). During the conference call Ullman said “it’s not as if we got dumb all of a sudden”. Now that's eloquent.

Business Buzzkills

There will be a little less holiday cheer this year. According to an executive search firm, 85% of U.S. companies say they will throw a Christmas party this year. In 2006, 95% threw parties. To make matters worse, this year’s crop of parties will likely be less fun. More companies are planning afternoon affairs instead of evening get-togethers. And horror of horrors, less booze will be served. Only 70% of parties will serve alcohol versus 85% last year. What a drag! The grinches are blaming it all on sub-prime. Apparently there is simply less money to throw around this year.

More beer money

The Canadian dollar had quite a day. As of 8am the loonie had busted through US$1.10. But the c-buck actually ended the day around 1.07. A lot of volatility. A lot. BNN assigned me a fun story today. Find out how much more buying power Canadians have now versus a year ago when they go abroad. I decided not to look at buying power in the U.S. That has been well documented in the mainstream media. Apparently wait times to cross the border into the U.S. and get back into Canada are one hour plus. So obviously Canadians already know how much further the dollar takes them these days when they go to the U.S.
But what about Europe and elsewhere? The price of a plate of fish and chips in "Archies Fish and Chips" in North London will cost you approx 15 pounds which is about 30 Canadian bucks. A year ago it would have cost you 35 bucks. The price of a pint of Guinness in "101 Talbot" in Dublin Street, will cost you about 3 Euros and 50 cents. Or about 5 bucks Canadian. A year ago it would have been 5.50 Canadian. Savings in the price of fish and chips and lovely pints all because of how much the loonie has gone up against the pound and the Euro.