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. Zombieland, starring Bing Ballmer
Guess who's back from the dead? Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) Bing seemed doomed last week, when two Web-analytics specialists noted that the new search engine's market share fell last month. However, comScore chimed in with its read of September search trends, and it claims that Bing instead gained sequential market share.
No one is expecting Bing to be Superman. It can't leap over tall Googles in a single bound. Not yet, anyway. However, it had shown monthly market-share gains consistently since its springtime launch. If all of the traffic watchers had arrived at the same conclusion -- that Bing's popularity peaked in August -- that would have spelled an end to the surprising momentum. But now there's still hope for Bing.
It seems that Bing still has it, although it depends on whom you ask.
2. Shop until your jaw drops
I have a confession to make. I'm a huge fan of Disney (NYSE: DIS), but I can't stand more than five minutes in any of its namesake stores. They're too bland and predictable. They're just too vanilla for a company that has a way with colors.
Well, my doldrums may be in for some relief. Disney is in the process of rolling out a makeover so intense that the company is thinking about changing the name of its stores to Imagination Park. In the prototype store profiled by The New York Times this week, Disney is transforming its mall space into an interactive wonderland.
From talking trees with illuminated fireworks to "smellitizer" machines that give off scents like orange grove and pine tree, based on what's being screened, the stores are aiming to be better ambassadors of the family entertainment giant's theme parks.
I realize that cool stores won't necessarily get the registers ringing, but it will mean that kids -- and kids at heart, like me -- will want to spend more time surrounded by the whimsical. It's a start.
3. No one expects the Sirius inquisition
Monty Python Radio kicks off on both the Sirius and XM channels of Sirius XM Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) today. Fans of British comedy may want to tune in quickly, because the tribute channel, rich with skits, songs, sketches, and live programming, will go "dead parrot" in 10 days.
That may not seem like a very effective marketing platform. There won't be too many nonsubscribing Python fans willing to pay up for a receiver and service for just a week and a half of content, but this is also the kind of action that makes Sirius XM sticky to active subscribers.
Sirius XM has the flexibility to adapt to news (this summer's Michael Jackson tribute channel), events (this marks the 40th anniversary of the original Python television show), and seasons (the Halloween channels are just around the corner). It's neat temporary channels like these that keep the programming fresh. More importantly, it makes it harder to deactivate your subscription, since you probably don't want to miss what Sirius XM will spring on its listeners next.
4. Good going, Google
When is a surprise not a surprise?
Last night's Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) quarterly report blew past Wall Street expectations. Adjusted earnings rose nearly twice as much as the pros expected, and CEO Eric Schmidt feels that the worst is behind the company. Gee, if that's the worst, imagine how good things will get when the economy really starts going.
This was an easy win to see coming. Even when the recession found smaller search rivals Yahoo! (Nasdaq: YHOO) and Microsoft backpedalling, Big G still found a way to grow. With consumer sentiment improving during the summer, why wouldn't Google be an early indicator?
5. Sam Walton calls in
Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is going nationwide with its Straight Talk cellular service, offering unlimited minutes, texting, and data for just $45 a month. There are no lengthy contracts, and this is a prepaid wireless service being provided through Wal-Mart partner America Movil (NYSE: AMX).
No fancy smartphones are being offered, but this is the kind of missive that is going to give the low-end wireless carriers fits and keep the buoyant plan prices at high-end carriers in check.
This is good for consumers, as well as for Wal-Mart and America Movil. But it won't be good for rival wireless service providers.
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