A Fool Looks Back

LG stands for Let's Go
Well done, Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX). The company that most people associate with DVD rentals going postal in signature red mailers is starting to think inside of the box. Netflix is teaming up with South Korea's LG Electronics to deliver flicks directly into upcoming models of LG high-def televisions.

The move is bold. I have often accused Netflix of a slow-footed approach to digital delivery. It was late in launching a digital delivery platform, and even there the company limited itself to PC users and just a sliver of its existing library. It almost seemed as if Netflix wanted to gingerly wedge its foot in the door, without committing to the digital delivery platform that could one day supplant its bread-and-butter mail-order subscription business.

The deal with LG is significant, especially because the early indication is that the digitally delivered product will be completely free for existing Netflix subscribers. Even if cable providers like Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) keep a ready supply of free video on demand options, Netflix is making a stand on battling it out in the future.

Elsewhere in the world of business news
The holiday slowdown didn't stop the financial headlines from coming.

• Overstock.com (Nasdaq: OSTK) co-founder Jason Lindsey retired again. It should stick this time. CEO Patrick Byrne talked Lindsey into returning to the discount e-tailer less than two years ago. He did a stellar job of keeping inventory in check and slashing costs. Growth slowed substantially, but at least the company now has positive free cash flow over the trailing year. The stock may not be the darling it used to be, but at least it's got what it takes to be a survivor. Bears? Get thee to a closeout bin for an immediate sale on Overstock.com.
• Despite the abridged trading week, analysts were still busy upgrading and downgrading major stocks. A Citi analyst upgraded shares of Amazon.com (Nasdaq: AMZN) just as a Bear Stearns pro was downgrading Starbucks (Nasdaq SBUX). Can you believe that Starbucks is now trading for less than 20 times forward earnings? It may be the first time that Starbucks and its overpriced lattes have ever been called cheap.
• Two of Thursday's biggest losers were tax preparation giants H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) and Jackson Hewitt (NYSE: JTX), which fell after the Internal Revenue Service threatened to restrict the practice of tax return anticipation loans. Talk about Uncle Sam getting a pair of companies to mutter "uncle!"

Until next week, I remain,

Rick Munarriz

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