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. IMAX on Cruise control
It was a good week for IMAX (Nasdaq: IMAX ) . Between new screen deals for China and Indonesia, a Stifel Nicolaus analyst upgrade, and a well-received company presentation, could things get any better for the company behind supersized theatrical experiences?
Well, IMAX also revealed that Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol, the fourth installment in Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible movie franchise, will open five days earlier on IMAX than it does in conventional movie theaters.
IMAX screenings will begin a week from today, giving die-hard fans of the series little choice but to pay a premium for the enhanced cinematic presentation or wait until Dec. 21 to screen the action flick in a traditional multiplex theater.
2. Sun sets
Pacific Sunwear (Nasdaq: PSUN ) is closing 200 of its underperforming stores, armed with a $60 million loan from retail turnaround specialist Golden Gate Capital.
I'm not one to applaud shuttered stores, but PacSun couldn't just stand still. It has been posting years of quarterly losses, and it's actually comforting to see Golden Gate Capital risk its money in exchange for what may be a lucrative stake in the retailer if it can turn things around.
PacSun now has a better chance of survival with 600 of its better-performing stores, explaining why the stock traded as much as 43% higher yesterday before settling for a more modest 10% gain.
3. Androids among us
Google (Nasdaq: GOOG ) may not be making gobs of money off the success of its Android mobile operating system, but it's an entirely different story for developers. Google revealed that there have been a cumulative 10 billion Android application downloads, with the latest trend calling for a billion Android app downloads a month.
For those scoring at home, a billion app downloads a month is what Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL ) was bragging about just two months ago.
4. Here's a nickel for your Mustang
Ending a five-year drought, Ford (NYSE: F ) is reinitiating its dividend policy.
The automaker's new quarterly rate of $0.05 a share isn't much. It amounts to a yield of just 1.9%. However, Ford's press release indicates that it's starting with a conservative payout that will be sustainable through all economic cycles.
"We have made tremendous progress in reducing debt and generating consistent positive earnings and cash flow," Executive Chairman Bill Ford explains. "The board believes it is important to share the benefits of our improved financial performance with our shareholders."
5. Well-dressed plan
Men's Wearhouse (NYSE: MW ) came dressed to kill in its latest quarterly report. The retailer of business suits and tuxedoes posted better-than-expected results, issuing guidance that also exceeded what analysts were forecasting.
I can proudly say that I saw this coming. Men's Wearhouse has now landed ahead of Wall Street's profit targets for 14 quarters in a row. That's not dumb luck. That's not a mere coincidence. The retailer has a knack for staying ahead of the prognosticators, and that's a trait that more often than not pays off nicely for investors.
If you want to see if these companies continue to do the smart thing, track them through My Watchlist.
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