If you're feeling good about the market, you're not alone. Take my hand as we go over some of this week's more uplifting headlines.
1. Game on, Blockbuster
DVD-rental giant Blockbuster
Beating Netflix
However, it will broaden the value proposition of Blockbuster's fledgling mail rentals. The company will be able to position itself as a more complete home-entertainment service, and it will have greater flexibility to raise subscription prices, too.
This is what Blockbuster needs -- and what Netflix dreads.
2. So Zune me
I've been laughing at Microsoft's
Microsoft is finally giving its Zune -- a distant third in the portable media player space -- the makeover it needs. The new Zune HD will look a lot like the iPod touch, but it's beefing up the specs with an OLED touch screen, the ability to play high-def on TV screens, and a built-in receiver for HD Radio.
For the first time since my brown-Zune-inspired giggling fit, I actually want a Zune.
3. No more Sirius shortcomings
Sirius XM Radio
The real gem in the report is that the company's "Best Of" package is a surprising success. When Sirius XM posted a year-over-year decline in average revenue per user this past quarter, I figured that it wasn't getting a lot of traction on its premium offering, with which subscribers pay $4 more to hear a few choice channels from the other service. Well, it's apparently catching on. There are apparently 748,000 subscribers who have signed up for the "Best Of" package.
4. Right on Target
Target
That's good. Ackman's ideas weren't out of whack, nor was his proposed slate of directors weak. In fact, his candidates had ideal skill sets and impressive pedigrees.
However, the old "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" adage is appropriate here. Target is holding up relatively well. Shareholders aren't ready to take a battering ram to the company in protest. Sure, the company hasn't been as recession-resistant as Wal-Mart
In the words of Chris Crocker, "Leave [Target] alone!"
5. Krispy Kreme comes full circle
If you want to appease your inner Homer Simpson, remember to stop by a Krispy Kreme
You have to love this promotion. Who eats just one doughnut? Who could resist pairing their free doughnut with a cup of hot coffee or one those nice, cool Krispy Kreme Chillers? When Ben & Jerry's or Baskin-Robbins have their annual free cone days, you see lots of people walk in and out with just the free ice cream. A complimentary doughnut is the better bait for add-on sales.
Stay positive!