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Tag: decorating

  • Celebrating A Heroine: Dark Academia Interior Design For A Tortured Poet

    Celebrating A Heroine: Dark Academia Interior Design For A Tortured Poet

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    In a remarkable Fortnight, Taylor Swift’s latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, has shattered global records, leaving an everlasting mark on Swift’s large fanbase and further cementing her astounding legacy. With each era, Taylor Swift has given fans a reason to congregate–sharing emotions ranging from heartache to feelings of happiness and relief as they reflect on their personal experiences within her poetic lyricism. 

    For those who have found an affinity for the 31-track album and are eager to elevate their listening experience suitable for a tortured poet, this Redfin article is for you. We’ll unveil an array of interior design and decoration tips that harmonize everyday essentials with the dark academia aesthetic of The Tortured Poets Department.

    Each of Taylor Swift’s unique eras is distinguished by a signature color. Her eleventh studio album is no different, as The Tortured Poets Department debuted with a white album cover. Lo and behold, when Swift dropped The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology (a second album), she did so with a black album cover. Her five vinyl variants include clear, white, black, and shades of greige.

    These colors make up the album’s aesthetic and are reflected in her album art and the Fortnight music video which features Post Malone. As you design your space, keep these colors in mind while integrating fabrics, furniture pieces, and other design elements. Avoid going with one color over another; seamlessly blending and layering these colors together will contribute to a dark academia interior.

    Upcycled poetry books and vinyls can add décor intrigue to any room in your house. Poetry books from infamous “tortured poets,” such as Sylvia Plath, Emily Dickinson, and Edgar Allen Poe, can serve as reading material accessible atop a coffee table or displayed among bookshelves with other literature. 

    As the self-appointed chairman of the department, a vinyl shelf or stand with Taylor Swift’s discography is a must. Alongside her, vinyls from artists such as Stevie Nicks and Charlie Puth would be exceptional companions.

    dark academia aesthetic bookshelf

    When Taylor Swift declared the manuscript to no longer be hers and put it into the hands of the fans, it felt natural for fans to discover pieces of themselves within the sung words. Setting the mood to explore these lyrics from your perspective can be elevated when filling the room with your favorite scents.

    Pillar candle holders or those with Baroque ornament details are excellent choices to bring in  the dark academia flare. Set the mood with scents of floral or freshness, such as lilac, to evoke relaxation as you gather with your friends, Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus.

    Like any feline friend, Taylor’s cats Meredith Gray, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button, likely enjoy a comfortable piece of furniture to snuggle into. Explore vintage wood pieces with darker stains, such as mahogany. These pieces can be anything from bed frames to a writing desk or seating arrangements.

    Though it is no secret that the glitter gel pens didn’t appear on The Tortured Poets Department, fans got a flood of quill and fountain pen songs. These pens offer a timeless touch atop a desk where you can write your thoughts into a journal or on loose paper with ink smudges and dried droplets of spilled tea as mementos.

    quill pen on desk

    Early Hollywood actress Clara Bow was commemorated on Swift’s album. Additionally, Taylor Swift paid homage to her knowledge of Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle on the track So High School.

    These past figureheads can be found in paintings and photographs and bode well with the dark academia style if framed in a Victorian brass or distressed black frame. With several talented artists, if you’re seeking something other than a portrait, explore scenic paintings with a muted, natural color palette that doesn’t overwhelm your space.

    Fans will discover a 24-page book-bound jacket within The Tortured Poets Department vinyl that offers images of Taylor Swift and song lyrics. In several of the photos, Swift is photographed with flowers that add to the aesthetic of her album.

    Draping flat surfaces such as console or dining tables, fireplace mantles, or bathroom countertops with dried florals adds a decorative layer when paired with a flickering candle. This look is also a pleasant way to style your space with natural elements that “can symbolize the many fleeting moments of life and remind us of the wisdom and meaning behind them all.”

    black candle and dried flowers

    Once you’ve made your way through the first part of The Tortured Poets Department, you reach part two, The Anthology. Here, fans discover a more somber vibe than the blended pace in the initial sixteen songs. These songs allow listeners to gaze into the moonlight, contemplate life’s sorrows, and live a “movie moment.”

    Designing your home with lace curtains makes this experience more enjoyable as they are lighter in weight and offer more light exposure than solid curtains, which are designed to block out light. 

    While perhaps not on the side of dark academia, an interior design inspired by a heroine such as Taylor Swift and as an intern of The Tortured Poets Department, having album-inspired merchandise is imperative. 

    Across Swift’s vast discography, you’ll find an array of merchandise that will pair with your newly styled  Tortured Poets Department-inspired home from vinyl holders to patches–but remember, handle your merchandise carefully; you wouldn’t want to break your favorite toys.

    Any reference to any person, products, or services, or any third-party links in this article, do not constitute or imply the endorsement of those third parties, or the provider of those products or services.

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    Marcello Kline

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  • How to upgrade your home with cleaning and painting – Growing Family

    How to upgrade your home with cleaning and painting – Growing Family

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    A clean and fresh home is an essential aspect of a healthy and happy lifestyle. However, over time, walls, ceilings, and other surfaces can accumulate dirt, grime, and stains. Painting is a great way to give your home a fresh look, but it’s important to start with a clean slate. A clean start and a flawless finish is the key to upgrading your home with cleaning and painting.

    paint rollers and stripes of colourful paint on a white wall

    Before painting, you need to prepare the surfaces properly. This includes cleaning, sanding, and repairing any damage.

    Cleaning the surfaces removes any dirt, dust, and grease, which can affect the adhesion of the paint. Sanding helps to smooth out any rough spots and creates a surface that the paint can adhere to. Repairing any damage, such as cracks or holes, ensures a smooth and even finish. By taking the time to properly prepare the surfaces, you’ll achieve a professional-looking finish that will last for years to come.

    When it comes to painting, there are many techniques to achieve a professional finish. From using the right tools to applying the paint in the correct order, each step is important. Choosing the right colour and finish is also crucial to achieving the desired look. With the right techniques and colour selection, you can create a space that reflects your personal style and enhances your home’s overall aesthetic.

    Preparation for painting

    Before starting any painting project, it is essential to prepare the room and surfaces properly. The following subsections will guide you through the preparation process.

    Room and surface preparation

    A flawless paint job starts with a spotless workspace. Thorough cleaning is crucial before painting, as it ensures proper paint adhesion and a smooth, even finish.

    Start by removing all furniture and decor. Cover any remaining items with drop cloths to protect them from dust and paint.

    Next, tackle those walls! Fill any cracks or holes and sand them smooth when dry. Use painter’s tape to protect the trim, doors, and other areas that do not require painting. Pay special attention to corners and areas where the ceiling meets the wall.

    If you’re short on time or want to guarantee a perfectly prepped space, a house cleaner in Melbourne can expertly handle the cleaning process. This allows you to focus on the creative aspects of painting and ensures the best possible end result.

    Choosing the right tools and materials

    Choosing the right tools and materials is crucial for achieving a professional finish. Use a high-quality paintbrush or roller to apply the paint evenly.

    The type of paint you choose will depend on the surface you are painting. For example, you could use a satin or semi-gloss paint for trim and doors, and a flat or eggshell finish for walls.

    Priming for perfection

    Priming is an essential step that should not be skipped. It helps the paint adhere better to the surface and provides a uniform base for the paint. Choose a primer that is suitable for the surface you are painting. For example, use a stain-blocking primer for walls with water stains or smoke damage.

    Humidity can affect the drying time of the paint, so try to avoid painting on humid or rainy days. Ensure that the room is well-ventilated and that there is adequate lighting to see any imperfections.

    paint tin and paint rollerpaint tin and paint roller

    Painting techniques for a professional finish

    Achieving a professional finish when painting a room requires more than just selecting the right colour. Brush and roller techniques, even coverage and texture, and mastering edges and corners are all critical to creating a stylish finish.

    Brush and roller techniques

    When painting, it’s important to choose the right brush or roller for the job. Synthetic brushes are ideal for water-based paints, while natural bristle brushes are best for oil-based paints. Rollers with a shorter nap are better for smooth surfaces, while longer nap rollers are better for textured surfaces.

    To avoid lap marks and achieve even coverage, always maintain a wet edge. This means overlapping each stroke slightly with the previous one. Use long, even strokes when applying the paint, and be sure to fill in any missed spots.

    Achieving even coverage and texture

    To ensure even coverage, apply multiple coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next. Sand the surface smooth between coats for a crisp, clean finish.

    To add depth and dimension, consider using a glossy or matte finish. Glossy finishes are ideal for creating shine and depth, while matte finishes are better for a more subtle look.

    Mastering edges and corners

    Use a high-quality brush to create crisp lines and avoid drips and smudges. Be sure to paint the corners first, using a smaller brush to get into tight spaces.

    By using proper painting techniques and following these tips, anyone can paint a room like a pro.

    modern living room with wall artmodern living room with wall art

    The importance of colour and finish selection

    When it comes to upgrading a home with cleaning and painting, choosing the right colour and finish is crucial. It can make a significant difference to the overall appearance and aesthetic of a room.

    Color choice and room dynamics

    Choosing the right paint colour can be a daunting task. Consider the dynamics of the room when making a decision. Different colours can evoke different moods and emotions, and it is essential to choose a colour that complements the room’s purpose.

    For instance, blue is known for its calming effect and is an excellent choice for bedrooms, while red is an energising colour and is best suited to living rooms or dining rooms.

    Additionally, it is essential to consider the room’s lighting when selecting a paint colour. Natural lighting can change the appearance of a colour throughout the day, and artificial lighting can also affect how a colour looks. It’s advisable to test paint colours in different lighting conditions before making a final decision.

    Understanding paint finishes

    Another crucial aspect of paint selection is understanding the different paint finishes available. The finish of a paint can significantly impact the appearance and durability of a painted surface.

    High-gloss finishes are known for their shine and durability, making them an excellent choice for high-traffic areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. On the other hand, flat finishes are ideal for ceilings or low-traffic areas, as they are less durable but provide a smoother appearance.

    Exterior painting services specialise in understanding the unique demands of exterior surfaces. They’ll help you select the right finish that not only achieves your desired look, but also provides the necessary protection against sun, rain, and other harsh elements. Quality paint can provide better coverage, adhesion, and colour retention, making the final result more durable and aesthetically pleasing.

    two people holding hands and decorating toolstwo people holding hands and decorating tools

    Post-painting cleanup and maintenance

    After completing a painting project, it’s essential to clean up properly to maintain your tools and keep your property neat. In this section, we’ll discuss effective cleaning after painting, plus touch-ups and long-term care.

    Effective cleaning after painting

    The first step in cleaning up after painting is to remove painter’s tape carefully to avoid peeling off fresh paint. Next, clean your brushes and rollers thoroughly, and store them properly for future use. For water-based paints, brushes, rollers, and trays can be washed with warm soapy water. For oil-based paints, use mineral spirits to clean the tools.

    When cleaning the walls, use a mild detergent and a soft cloth to avoid damaging the fresh coat of paint. Finally, clean the floors and other surfaces to remove any debris and avoid tracking paint throughout the house.

    Touch-ups and long-term care

    Even with the most careful painting techniques, imperfections such as drips or missed spots can occur. To fix these issues, you can use touch-up paint and a synthetic brush to blend in the touch-up with the rest of the wall.

    For long-term care, it’s important to consider environmental factors such as weather and lighting conditions. Adequate ventilation and lighting are crucial when painting a room, and different lighting conditions can affect the appearance of the finished product.

    By following these cleaning and touch-up techniques, the DIY enthusiast can achieve a professional finish and maintain the beauty of their home for years to come.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What are the essential steps to prepare surfaces for painting?

    Before painting a surface, it is essential to prepare it properly. The first step is to clean the surface thoroughly. This can be done using warm water and a mild detergent. Any dirt, grease, or grime must be removed from the surface. Once the surface is clean, it should be sanded to remove any loose or peeling paint. The surface should then be primed to ensure that the paint adheres properly.

    Is priming necessary for all types of siding before painting?

    Priming is essential for all types of siding before painting. It helps the paint adhere better to the surface and provides a smooth finish. Priming also helps to seal any cracks or gaps in the surface, preventing moisture from seeping in and causing damage.

    How can you effectively clean walls before applying paint?

    To effectively clean walls before painting, start by dusting the walls with a soft cloth or brush. Then, mix warm water and a mild detergent in a bucket. Dip a sponge or cloth into the solution and wring it out well. Wipe the walls with the sponge or cloth, starting at the top and working your way down. Rinse the sponge or cloth frequently and change the water in the bucket as needed. Once the walls are clean, rinse them with clean water and let them dry completely before painting.

    What techniques ensure a smooth paint finish on exterior cladding?

    To ensure a smooth paint finish on exterior cladding, it is important to choose the right type of paint. For example, masonry paint is ideal for brickwork, while oil-based paint is best for wood. It is also important to use a high-quality paintbrush or roller and apply the paint evenly. Start at the top of the cladding and work your way down, applying the paint in long, even strokes.

    Can you paint over previously painted brick surfaces?

    Yes, it is possible to paint over previously painted brick surfaces. However, it is important to prepare the surface properly before painting. This involves cleaning the surface thoroughly, removing any loose or peeling paint, and filling any cracks or gaps. The surface should then be primed before painting.

    How do you choose the right type of paint for different cladding materials?

    Different cladding materials require different types of paint. Masonry paint is best on brickwork, while wood is suited to oil-based paint. It is important to choose a paint that is specifically designed for the type of cladding you are painting. This will ensure that the paint adheres properly and provides a long-lasting finish.

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    Catherine

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  • 10 Floating Kitchen Shelves That’ll Add Instant Storage to Your Space

    10 Floating Kitchen Shelves That’ll Add Instant Storage to Your Space

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    Sarah writes about all things shopping for Apartment Therapy, The Kitchn, and Cubby helping you find the best deals and the best products for you and your home. A Brooklyn-born Jersey Girl, she loves a good playlist, a good bagel, and her family (but not necessarily in that order).

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    Sarah M. Vazquez

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  • The Art of Feng Shui for Your Home: How to Bring Balance to Your Living Space

    The Art of Feng Shui for Your Home: How to Bring Balance to Your Living Space

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    In today’s busy world, the pursuit of tranquility within our living spaces is becoming more and more important. Enter Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese practice that strives to harmonize individuals with their surroundings. Whether you’re looking to invigorate your home in Portland, OR, or your apartment in Nashville, TN, this Redfin article will delve into the core principles of Feng Shui and explore how this age-old art can be applied to various areas of your home to foster balance and serenity.

    What is Feng Shui?

    At its essence, Feng Shui is a holistic system originating from Chinese philosophy. It focuses on the flow of energy, or chi, within a space, seeking to optimize it for the well-being of those inhabiting it. By understanding the fundamental principles of Feng Shui, individuals can transform their homes into serene environments that promote positive energy and balance.

    Reina Mohan, founder of Mera Sona in Oklahoma City, shares how Feng Shui translates as “wind and water” and adds, “As wind and water move effortlessly through the world, so can people as they move through life practicing Feng Shui.”

    The five elements of Feng Shui

    Feng Shui recognizes five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal, and water – each associated with specific qualities. Incorporating these elements strategically within your space can evoke a sense of balance and tranquility.

    Susannah Alle, certified Feng Shui consultant with Healing Homes Feng Shui, shares how, without smooth-flowing energy, there can be “negative impacts on your emotional and physical well-being.” However, look no further than these five elements, which can be used to “modify the quality of energy in your home.”

    The Bagua Map

    A key tool in the practice of Feng Shui is the Bagua Map. This map divides a space into nine areas, each corresponding to specific aspects of life such as wealth, health, and relationships. Utilizing the Bagua Map enables individuals to align critical elements within these areas, thereby enhancing positive energy flow throughout their homes.

    Lien Luong, Feng Shui master designer and owner of Lieng Feng Shui, shares that using tools such as the Bagua Map and other objects can “help to balance out the energy and create more harmony, happiness, and prosperity.”

    woman doing yoga in sacred space

    Balancing yin and yang energies

    Feng Shui significantly emphasizes balancing yin and yang energies in a space. These energies represent passive and active forces, and their equilibrium is essential for creating an atmosphere that encourages relaxation and productivity. Incorporating light and dark elements into your décor is a practical way to achieve this balance, promoting harmony within your living environment.

    One method for striking balance, as shared by Melani Lewandowski of eco-spiritual living, is to “have a solid wall at one’s back to find stability” and an “open view ahead to stimulate your senses” and “see expanded possibilities.”

    How to integrate Feng Shui practices into your spaces

    Feng Shui isn’t about revamping your entire home overnight. Andrea Finck, certified Feng Shui professional for Finding Flow Feng Shui, suggests starting small. Finck states, “Pick one area in your home that doesn’t feel right and focus there.” She adds that starting small can be done with deep cleaning, removing clutter, opening windows, and playing “positive music to activate the energy.”

    Before integrating Feng Shui practices throughout your home, Linda Cahan, founder of Cahan & Company, shares that there should be “intent to make your spaces more conducive to your successes and health.” She cautions that, “if our inner attitude is one of failure, we doom ourselves to repeat that on the outside.” 

    As you make changes within your house, Cathleen McCandless, author of “Feng Shui that Makes Sense, Easy Ways to Create a Home that Feels as Good as it Looks,” shares how with proper Feng Shui in our living spaces, we can “experience less stress and a greater sense of positivity and empowerment.”

    Bedroom harmony

    Among the benefits of Feng Shui, Sandra Mossman, Feng Shui consultant and astrologer, shares how “a rearrangement of the bedroom can lead to better relaxation and sleep.” Consider arranging your bed to have a clear view of the door, symbolizing a sense of security. Choose calming colors, incorporate soft textures, and strategically place mirrors to optimize positive energy flow. 

    Home office balance

    Optimizing your home office with Feng Shui becomes crucial with the rising trend of remote work. Choose colors that promote focus and productivity, arrange furniture to encourage a sense of flow, and incorporate elements like plants to enhance the overall atmosphere. By doing so, you create a workspace that fosters both concentration and relaxation.

    Living room serenity

    The living room, often considered the heart of the home, can benefit significantly from Feng Shui principles. Arrange furniture to facilitate open communication, and position decor elements strategically to maximize positive energy flow. By creating an inviting and harmonious space, you foster an atmosphere that is ideal for hosting and socializing.

    Kitchen flow

    Even the kitchen, where nourishment is prepared, can benefit from Feng Shui practices. Organize kitchen spaces efficiently, optimize the placement of appliances, and incorporate the five elements to create a balanced and harmonious environment for cooking and dining. This not only enhances the functionality of the space but also contributes to the overall positive energy of your home.

    Final thoughts on how Feng Shui can create harmony in your home:

    Incorporating Feng Shui principles into various areas of your home is a transformative journey toward creating an environment that exudes balance and harmony. By understanding the fundamental concepts and applying them to specific spaces in your home, you can uncover the full potential of this ancient art in fostering serenity within your living spaces. 

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    Marcello Kline

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  • How to Decorate for Winter: 5 Tips to Transform Your Home into a Winter Wonderland

    How to Decorate for Winter: 5 Tips to Transform Your Home into a Winter Wonderland

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    Whether you find yourself in the cozy, snow-covered homes of Buffalo or the mild, coastal climate of Santa Monica, the desire to create a warm and enchanting atmosphere indoors remains universal.

    This Redfin article will highlight five expert recommendations on how to decorate for winter, turning it into a wonderland that’s perfect for embracing the cold weather months. Now, let’s get started.

    1. Introduce a wintry color palette

    As with any season, decorating for winter comes with choosing a complimentary color palette to the changed landscape of the outside ambiance. 

    Jillian Czyz, interior designer for Jillian Czyz Interior Design + Styling, suggests to those fond of a more vibrant palette, “opt for colors such as greens, deep reds, and browns.”

    Additionally, Linda Heaton, master designer with Design Decor Knoxville, recommends  “incorporating frosted blueberries, or snow-covered greenery,” and adds to keep your candle choices white.

    For those living in a geographical landscape that doesn’t offer that “winter” feel, playing with a more neutral palette, such as pure white, light gray, or a darker midnight shade of blue, can help satisfy that feeling.

    Two female friends sitting in a living room

    2. Replace simple items with something seasonal

    When thinking about decorating for winter, you don’t have to worry about completely transforming your home. The wintry look can be achieved by replacing or adding simple decorative items.

    Mary Shamow, interior designer of My Design Haven, suggests “incorporating items with texture such as in thicker knit throws, or with other items that include faux fur, wool, or velvet elements.”

    Principal interior designer for Color Conscious Living, Mehanaz Khan, recommends “switching out your lightweight drapery for thicker fabrics.”

    Jillian Czyz shares how interior foliage atop surfaces or in floor planters can easily be swapped for wintry natural branches, evergreen, berry sprigs, or needle pines.

    Wendy Yeakley, principal designer and owner of Homestyles Interior Design, says “adding a quilted, velvet coverlet layer to beds” can also add “warmth and set a winter mood.”

    Comfortable home interior

    3. Opt for warm, cozy lighting

    If you don’t have color-changing smart lighting, this can often be an overlooked opportunity for creating the right seasonal ambiance. 

    Tamara Leicester, certified interior designer (NCIDQ) for Tamara Heather Interior Design, shares that “warm spectrum light bulbs (ideally 2700K) are essential for the warmest and most flattering lighting.”

    Another excellent method of decorating for winter with warm lighting is by integrating carefully placed candles throughout your home or cozying up near a warm, lit fireplace.

    Unrecognizable female hands lights the candle on Christmas table in dinning room.

    4. Blend natural elements

    The power of blending natural elements can never be understated when decorating your home. During winter, incorporating natural wood tones is one of the quickest ways to achieve a Hallmark rustic aesthetic.

    Ava Milani, lead interior designer for Ilene Chase Design, suggests “blending natural elements like reclaimed wood accents.” 

    The Atlanta, GA-based Seasonal Designs team shares items in which wood accents can be incorporated and add to the wintry look, including “custom-made signs, painted pallets, or rustic frames hung on walls.”

    Mature men enjoying in comfortable arranged greenhouse with fireplace. He is using smart phone.

    5. Fill the air with seasonal scents

    Now that your home glistens like the snow on the floor in the New England states, take it one step further by filling the air with wintry aromas.

    Ava Milani adds how scents such as “cedarwood, cinnamon, and vanilla can heighten the sensory experience” of your cozily decorated home.

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    Marcello Kline

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  • 4 Tips to Create A Modern Christmas Aesthetic at Home this Holiday Season

    4 Tips to Create A Modern Christmas Aesthetic at Home this Holiday Season

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    Tis the season to indulge in the cozy ambiance of winter, whether you’re in your lavish Hollywood Hills home or a charming snow-kissed cabin in Frederick, MA. 

    As you enjoy the holiday season, the excitement to deck the halls in festive décor is palpable. But in a world where traditional reds and greens dominate, you might be yearning for something more contemporary. This Redfin article will be your guide to infusing the classic holiday spirit with a fresh, modern twist.

    1. Harmonize holiday décor with your existing style

    Transforming your home for the holidays doesn’t mean a complete overhaul. Instead, weave Holiday decorations seamlessly into your existing décor. The key is to pick elements that complement your current style. For a modern aesthetic, focus on simplicity and elegance. If your space is minimalistic, opt for decorations with clean lines and a monochromatic palette.

    Design and color expert Dawn Bane with Spectrum Design Group shares, “When introducing seasonal décor to your modern façade, consider natural materials that can bring the outdoors in, but without a strong contrast like traditional red and green Christmas décor.” Bane suggests introducing decorative pieces such as clay or terracotta trees, table-top villages, and other “high textural elements to contrast.” 

    Michael Baetge, Owner of SC41 Furniture & Mattresses, also recommends “choosing decorative holiday items made of warm natural fiber rugs and organic cotton throws for a sleek modern look.”

    Christmas Tree in living room  interior - stock photo

    2. Curate a contemporary Christmas tree with unique ornaments

    Christmas trees are a glimpse of personality that doesn’t have to be sacrificed when styling your home in a modern fashion. Milad Kazemi, president of M&N Home Design Inc. in Agoura Hills, CA, recommends “decorating with geometric shapes, metallic finishes, and clear glass ornaments to capture modernism.”

    Among your contemporary ornaments, add in sentimental pieces collected throughout the years; whether it commemorates a child’s first Christmas, a wedding anniversary, or an ornament from your travels abroad.

    Remember, less is more in modern design, so be selective and aim for a balanced, visually appealing tree that stands as a centerpiece in your modern holiday home.

    Interior of a modern lake house with fireplace and Christmas decorations in the winter.

    3. Don’t let decorations overwhelm your space

    In modern design, there’s beauty in simplicity. When decorating for the holidays, it’s important not to overdo it. Opt for fewer, high-quality decorations rather than a multitude of items that can clutter your space. This approach not only maintains the sleek, uncluttered aesthetic of modern design but also allows each decoration to stand out and be appreciated fully.

    Lexi Brandfon of Brooklyn, New York’s Lex & Hudson Interiors shares to continue the theme of modernism by “limiting the areas within your home to display holiday decorations.” Places to consider integrating Christmas decorations without overwhelming your interior include the mantle, a console table, and a corner or window front spot for your Christmas tree.

    home interior with holiday decor

    4. Opt for subtle and sophisticated lighting

    Lighting plays a crucial role in creating a modern Christmas atmosphere. Instead of the traditional multicolored, blinking lights, opt for a more subdued and sophisticated approach. Choose warm white LED lights for a clean, consistent glow that complements a modern aesthetic. Consider string lights with a minimalist design, or use simple, elegant candle lights to add a warm and inviting ambiance. For an ultra-modern touch, incorporate smart lighting solutions that allow you to control brightness and color to match your mood or theme.

    Julie Radle, marketing manager with Lighting by GGA, suggests integrating LED track lighting on the exterior of your home to capture a winter wonderland moment in addition to LED strands weaved within your Christmas tree, hanging wreaths, or garland.

    Fireplace, christmas tree and presents in a luxurious chalet with snowy mountain view.

    Final thoughts on creating a modern Christmas aesthetic:

    Creating a modern Christmas aesthetic in your home involves thoughtful choices and a less-is-more approach. Remember, the essence of modern design lies in simplicity and elegance. So, as you prepare your home for the holiday season, let these tips guide you in crafting a space that is both festive and fashionably contemporary.

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    Marcello Kline

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  • Lowe’s Sales Disappoint as Consumers Pull Back. The Stock Is Dropping.

    Lowe’s Sales Disappoint as Consumers Pull Back. The Stock Is Dropping.

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    Lowe’s earned more than expected in the third quarter but the stock was tumbling after the home-improvement retailer reported disappointing sales and noted that consumers were reining in spending.

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  • These 20 stocks in the S&P 500 are expected to soar after rising interest rates have pushed down valuations

    These 20 stocks in the S&P 500 are expected to soar after rising interest rates have pushed down valuations

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    Two things investors can be sure about: Nothing lasts forever and the stock market always overreacts. The spiking of yields on long-term U.S. Treasury securities has been breathtaking, and it has led to remarkable declines for some sectors and possible bargains for contrarian investors who can commit for the long term.

    First we will show how the sectors of the S&P 500

    have performed. Then we will look at price-to-earnings valuations for the sectors and compare them to long-term averages. Then we will screen the entire index for companies trading below their long-term forward P/E valuation averages and narrow the list to companies most favored by analysts.

    Here are total returns, with dividends reinvested, for the 11 sectors of the S&P 500, with broad indexes below. The sectors are sorted by ascending total returns this year through Monday.

    Sector or index

    2023 return

    2022 return

    Return since end of 2021

    1 week return

    1 month return

    Utilities

    -18.4%

    1.6%

    -17.2%

    -11.1%

    -9.6%

    Real Estate

    -7.1%

    -26.1%

    -31.4%

    -3.0%

    -8.8%

    Consumer Staples

    -5.4%

    -0.6%

    -6.0%

    -2.2%

    -4.4%

    Healthcare

    -4.2%

    -2.0%

    -6.1%

    -1.7%

    -3.3%

    Financials

    -2.5%

    -10.5%

    -12.7%

    -2.5%

    -4.7%

    Materials

    1.3%

    -12.3%

    -11.2%

    -1.9%

    -7.0%

    Industrials

    3.5%

    -5.5%

    -2.1%

    -1.8%

    -7.3%

    Energy

    4.0%

    65.7%

    72.4%

    -1.9%

    -1.4%

    Consumer Discretionary

    27.0%

    -37.0%

    -20.0%

    -0.6%

    -5.2%

    Information Technology

    36.5%

    -28.2%

    -2.0%

    0.8%

    -5.9%

    Communication Services

    42.5%

    -39.9%

    -14.3%

    1.1%

    -1.3%

    S&P 500
    13.1%

    -18.1%

    -7.4%

    -1.1%

    -4.9%

    DJ Industrial Average
    2.5%

    -6.9%

    -4.5%

    -1.7%

    -4.0%

    Nasdaq Composite Index
    COMP
    28.0%

    -32.5%

    -13.7%

    0.3%

    -5.1%

    Nasdaq-100 Index
    36.5%

    -32.4%

    -7.7%

    0.5%

    -4.2%

    Source: FactSet

    Returns for 2022 are also included, along with those since the end of 2021. Last year’s weakest sector, communications services, has been this year’s strongest performer. This sector includes Alphabet Inc.
    GOOGL
    and Meta Platforms Inc.
    META,
    which have returned 52% and 155% this year, respectively, but are still down since the end of 2021. To the right are returns for the past week and month through Monday.

    On Monday, the S&P 500 Utilities sector had its worst one-day performance since 2020, with a 4.7% decline. Investors were reacting to the jump in long-term interest rates.

    Here is a link to the U.S. Treasury Department’s summary of the daily yield curve across maturities for Treasury securities.

    The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes

    jumped 10 basis points in only one day to 4.69% on Monday. A month earlier the 10-year yield was only 4.27%. Also on Monday, the yield on 20-year Treasury bonds

    rose to 5.00% from 4.92% on Friday. It was up from 4.56% a month earlier.

    Market Extra: Bond investors feel the heat as popular fixed-income ETF suffers lowest close since 2007

    The Treasury yield curve is still inverted, with 3-month T-bills

    yielding 5.62% on Monday, but that was up only slightly from a month earlier. An inverted yield curve has traditionally signaled that bond investors expect a recession within a year and a lowering of interest rates by the Federal Reserve. Demand for bonds pushes their prices down. But the reverse has happened over recent days, with the selling of longer-term Treasury securities pushing yields up rapidly.

    Another way to illustrate the phenomenon is to look at how the Federal Reserve has shifted the U.S. money supply. Odeon Capital analyst Dick Bove wrote in a note to clients on Friday that “the Federal Reserve has not deviated from its policy to defeat inflation by tightening monetary policy,” as it has shrunk its balance sheet (mostly Treasury securities) to $8.1 trillion from $9 trillion in March 2022. He added: “The M2 money supply was $21.8 trillion in March 2022; today it is $20.8 trillion. You cannot get tighter than these numbers indicate.”

    Then on Tuesday, Bove illustrated the Fed’s tightening and the movement of the 10-year yield with two charts:


    Odeon Capital Group, Bloomberg

    Bove said he believes the bond market has gotten it wrong, with the inverted yield curve reflecting expectations of rate cuts next year. If he is correct, investors can expect longer-term yields to keep shooting up and a normalization of the yield curve.

    This has set up a brutal environment for utility stocks, which are typically desired by investors who are seeking dividend income. In a market in which you can receive a yield of 5.5% with little risk over the short term, and in which you can lock in a long-term yield of about 5%, why take a risk in the stock market? And if you believe that the core inflation rate of 3.7% makes a 5% yield seem paltry, keep in mind that not all investors think the same way. Many worry less about the inflation rate because large components of official inflation calculations, such as home prices and car prices, don’t affect everyone every year.

    We cannot know when this current selloff of longer-term bonds will end, or how much of an effect it will have on the stock market. But sharp declines in the stock market can set up attractive price points for investors looking to go in for the long haul.

    Screening for lower valuations and high ratings

    A combination of rising earnings estimates and price declines could shed light on potential buying opportunities, based on forward price-to-earnings ratios.

    Let’s look at the sectors again, in the same order, this time to show their forward P/E ratios, based on weighted rolling 12-month consensus estimates for earnings per share among analysts polled by FactSet:

    Sector or index

    Current P/E to 5-year average

    Current P/E to 10-year average

    Current P/E to 15-year average

    Forward P/E

    5-year average P/E

    10-year average P/E

    15-year average P/E

    Utilities

    82%

    86%

    95%

    14.99

    18.30

    17.40

    15.82

    Real Estate

    76%

    80%

    81%

    15.19

    19.86

    18.89

    18.72

    Consumer Staples

    93%

    96%

    105%

    18.61

    19.92

    19.30

    17.64

    Healthcare

    103%

    104%

    115%

    16.99

    16.46

    16.34

    14.72

    Financials

    88%

    92%

    97%

    12.90

    14.65

    14.08

    13.26

    Materials

    100%

    103%

    111%

    16.91

    16.98

    16.42

    15.27

    Industrials

    88%

    96%

    105%

    17.38

    19.84

    18.16

    16.56

    Energy

    106%

    63%

    73%

    11.78

    11.17

    18.80

    16.23

    Consumer Discretionary

    79%

    95%

    109%

    24.09

    30.41

    25.39

    22.10

    Information Technology

    109%

    130%

    146%

    24.20

    22.17

    18.55

    16.54

    Communication Services

    86%

    86%

    94%

    16.41

    19.09

    19.00

    17.43

    S&P 500
    94%

    101%

    112%

    17.94

    19.01

    17.76

    16.04

    DJ Industrial Average
    93%

    98%

    107%

    16.25

    17.49

    16.54

    15.17

    Nasdaq Composite Index
    92%

    102%

    102%

    24.62

    26.71

    24.18

    24.18

    Nasdaq-100 Index
    97%

    110%

    126%

    24.40

    25.23

    22.14

    19.43

    There is a limit to how many columns we can show in the table. The S&P 500’s forward P/E ratio is now 17.94, compared with 16.79 at the end of 2022 and 21.53 at the end of 2021. The benchmark index’s P/E is above its 10- and 15-year average levels but below the five-year average.

    If we compare the current sector P/E numbers to 5-, 10- and 15-year averages, we can see that the current levels are below all three averages for four sectors: utilities, real estate, financials and communications services. The first three face obvious difficulties as they adjust to the rising-rate environment, while the real-estate sector reels from continuing low usage rates for office buildings, from the change in behavior brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Your own opinions, along with the pricing for some sectors, might drive some investment choices.

    A broader screen of the S&P 500 might point to companies for you to research further.

    We narrowed the S&P 500 as follows:

    • Current forward P/E below 5-, 10- and 15-year average valuations. For stocks with negative earnings-per-share estimates for the next 12 months, there is no forward P/E ratio so they were excluded. For stocks listed for less than 15 years, we required at least a 5-year average P/E for comparison. This brought the list down to 138 companies.

    • “Buy” or equivalent ratings from at least two-thirds of analysts: 41 companies.

    Here are the 20 companies that passed the screen, for which analysts’ price targets imply the highest upside potential over the next 12 months.

    There is too much data for one table, so first we will show the P/E information:

    Company

    Ticker

    Current P/E to 5-year average

    Current P/E to 10-year average

    Current P/E to 15-year average

    SolarEdge Technologies Inc.

    SEDG 89%

    N/A

    N/A

    AES Corp.

    AES 66%

    75%

    90%

    Insulet Corp.

    PODD 18%

    N/A

    N/A

    United Airlines Holdings Inc.

    UAL 42%

    50%

    N/A

    Alaska Air Group Inc.

    ALK 51%

    57%

    N/A

    Tapestry Inc.

    TPR 39%

    49%

    70%

    Albemarle Corp.

    ALB 39%

    50%

    73%

    Delta Air Lines Inc.

    DAL 60%

    63%

    21%

    Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc.

    ARE 59%

    68%

    N/A

    Las Vegas Sands Corp.

    LVS 96%

    78%

    53%

    Paycom Software Inc.

    PAYC 61%

    N/A

    N/A

    PayPal Holdings Inc.

    PYPL 33%

    N/A

    N/A

    SBA Communications Corp. Class A

    SBAC 27%

    N/A

    N/A

    Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

    AMD 58%

    39%

    N/A

    LKQ Corp.

    LKQ 92%

    44%

    78%

    Charles Schwab Corp.

    SCHW 75%

    54%

    73%

    PulteGroup Inc.

    PHM 94%

    47%

    N/A

    Lamb Weston Holdings Inc.

    LW 71%

    N/A

    N/A

    News Corp Class A

    NWSA 93%

    73%

    N/A

    CVS Health Corp.

    CVS 75%

    61%

    67%

    Source: FactSet

    Click on the tickers for more about each company or index.

    Click here for Tomi Kilgore’s detailed guide to the wealth of information available for free on the MarketWatch quote page.

    News Corp
    NWSA
    is on the list. The company owns Dow Jones, which in turn owns MarketWatch.

    Here’s the list again, with ratings and consensus price-target information:

    Company

    Ticker

    Share “buy” ratings

    Oct. 2 price

    Consensus price target

    Implied 12-month upside potential

    SolarEdge Technologies Inc.

    SEDG 74%

    $122.56

    $268.77

    119%

    AES Corp.

    AES 79%

    $14.16

    $25.60

    81%

    Insulet Corp.

    PODD 68%

    $165.04

    $279.00

    69%

    United Airlines Holdings Inc.

    UAL 71%

    $41.62

    $69.52

    67%

    Alaska Air Group Inc.

    ALK 87%

    $36.83

    $61.31

    66%

    Tapestry Inc.

    TPR 75%

    $28.58

    $46.21

    62%

    Albemarle Corp.

    ALB 81%

    $162.41

    $259.95

    60%

    Delta Air Lines Inc.

    DAL 95%

    $36.45

    $58.11

    59%

    Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc.

    ARE 100%

    $98.18

    $149.45

    52%

    Las Vegas Sands Corp.

    LVS 72%

    $45.70

    $68.15

    49%

    Paycom Software Inc.

    PAYC 77%

    $260.04

    $384.89

    48%

    PayPal Holdings Inc.

    PYPL 69%

    $58.56

    $86.38

    48%

    SBA Communications Corp. Class A

    SBAC 68%

    $198.24

    $276.69

    40%

    Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

    AMD 74%

    $103.27

    $143.07

    39%

    LKQ Corp.

    LKQ 82%

    $49.13

    $67.13

    37%

    Charles Schwab Corp.

    SCHW 77%

    $53.55

    $72.67

    36%

    PulteGroup Inc.

    PHM 81%

    $73.22

    $98.60

    35%

    Lamb Weston Holdings Inc.

    LW 100%

    $92.23

    $123.50

    34%

    News Corp Class A

    NWSA 78%

    $20.00

    $26.42

    32%

    CVS Health Corp.

    CVS 77%

    $69.69

    $90.88

    30%

    Source: FactSet

    A year may actually be a short period for a long-term investor, but 12-month price targets are the norm for analysts working for brokerage companies.

    Don’t miss: This fund shows that industry expertise can help you make a lot of money in the stock market

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  • These 20 growth stocks are worth considering on a pullback, says Citi

    These 20 growth stocks are worth considering on a pullback, says Citi

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    Citi has released a list of 20 large-cap growth stocks that it says present opportunities in the event of a pullback.

    “Our call since early summer has been to hold Growth and look to buy on pullbacks,” Citi analyst Scott Chronert said in a note released Monday, adding that Citi has had a tactical preference for cyclicals. “However, on the heels of the strong Cyclicals surge during June and July, and our upwardly revised S&P 500 target of 4600, the messaging has been to buy on pullbacks more broadly,” he wrote.

    Citi also notes that the Russell 1000 Growth Index
    RLG
    has sold off more than 6% from its mid-July high, although two-thirds of the stocks in the index are down 10% or more, with one-third down more than 20%. “This sets up for interesting intermediate to long-term stock selection opportunities,” Chronert said.

    Related: Preorders for the iPhone 15 have begun, and here’s a sign they’ve been ‘solid’

    The analyst acknowledged that there is still a risk of economic softening ahead, if not a recession. “Yet, the argument that Growth stocks can show fundamental resilience during periods of broader economic weakening is a theme that we have considered for several years now,” he said.

    Set against this backdrop, the analyst firm has compiled a tech-heavy list of 20 stocks that have a buy rating from Citi, have at least 75% of market cap assigned to growth, according to Russell, and have experienced a decline of 10% or more from year-to-date highs since March 31. Other common characteristics of the stocks include consensus estimates of free cash flow per share above March 31 levels and free cash flow per share within or above market-implied five-year-forward estimates.

    Tech heavyweights Apple Inc.
    AAPL,
    +0.74%

    and NVIDIA Corp.
    NVDA,
    +1.47%

    are on the list, along with Pinterest Inc.
    PINS,
    -2.47%
    ,
    Lam Research Corp.
    LRCX,
    +0.24%
    ,
    Teradata Corp.
    TDC,
    +0.36%
    ,
    Datadog Inc.
    DDOG,
    +0.09%
    ,
    MongoDB Inc.
    MDB,
    -0.73%
    ,
    HubSpot Inc.
    HUBS,
    +0.18%

    and KLA Corp.
    KLAC,
    +0.79%
    .
    The other stocks cited by Citi are Lockheed Martin Corp.
    LMT,
    -0.18%
    ,
    DraftKings Inc.
    DKNG,
    -1.44%
    ,
    Las Vegas Sands Corp.
    LVS,
    -0.98%
    ,
    Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.
    CMG,
    -0.85%
    ,
    Netflix Inc.
    NFLX,
    +1.31%
    ,
    TKO Group Holdings Inc.
    TKO,
    -1.93%
    ,
    Rockwell Automation Inc.
    ROK,
    +1.09%

    and Paycom Software Inc.
    PAYC,
    +0.45%
    ,
    and healthcare stocks Bruker Corp.
    BRKR,
    +1.04%
    ,
    Insulet Corp.
    PODD,
    -0.66%

    and Intuitive Surgical Inc.
    ISRG,
    +1.75%
    .

    Related: Will Nvidia stock be like Apple or Cisco in the AI era?

    Shares of Apple, which recently launched its iPhone 15, are down 5.5% in the last three months. Shares of chip maker NVIDIA are up 2.8% over the same period, while Lockheed Martin is down 8.9% and DraftKings is up 8.6%. Las Vegas Sands is down 21.8% and Chipotle is down 8.8%, while Netflix is down 7.8%.

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  • Nvidia, Lowe’s, Dollar Tree, and More to Watch

    Nvidia, Lowe’s, Dollar Tree, and More to Watch

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    The majority of second-quarter earnings season is over, with a handful of major technology and retail names left to report this week. Economists will be focused on any news from an annual gathering of monetary policy thinkers and practitioners in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

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  • Home Depot, Target, and More to Watch This Week

    Home Depot, Target, and More to Watch This Week

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    Home Depot, Target, Cisco, Deere, Walmart, and More Stocks to Watch This Week

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  • Want companies to lower their prices? Stop buying stuff from them.

    Want companies to lower their prices? Stop buying stuff from them.

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    The thing that will make companies lower prices is if consumers stop complaining about paying more for the things they need and want, and actually start refusing to buy them.

    As the U.S. corporate earnings-reporting season progresses, with earnings from major retailers Walmart Inc.
    WMT,
    +0.59%
    ,
    Target Corp.
    TGT,
    +0.10%

    and Home Depot Inc.
    HD,
    +0.52%

    on tap next week, investors can get a ground-floor view of how consumer demand may have been hurt, or not, by higher prices, and what the companies plan to do, or not do, about it.

    This dynamic of how consumers adjust their spending habits when prices change is referred to by economists as the price elasticity of demand.

    For companies to cut prices, ‘you have to have the consumer go on strike, and they’re not there yet.’


    — Jamie Cox, Harris Financial Group

    Those who trust companies will choose to ratchet down prices on their own, or at least not raise them because the rise in input costs has been slowing, haven’t been listening to what the many companies have told analysts on their post-earnings-report conference calls.

    Read: U.S. inflation eases again, PCE shows. Prices rise at slowest pace in almost two years.

    Kraft Heinz Co.
    KHC,
    +0.47%

    acknowledged after its second-quarter report that its relatively higher prices have hurt demand, but not by enough for the food and condiments company to consider cutting prices.

    Colgate-Palmolive Co.
    CL,
    +0.81%

    said it will continue to raise prices, even as inflation slows and selling volume declines, as the consumer-products company continues to be laser focused on boosting margins and profits.

    And while PepsiCo Inc.
    PEP,
    +0.16%

    was worried that elasticities would increase, given how its lower-income customers were being particularly pressured by inflation, the beverage and snack giant reported strong results as it witnessed “better elasticities” in most of the markets in which it operated.

    “Obviously, there is still carryover pricing, and I don’t think we’ll do anything different than our normal cycles on pricing in the balance of the year,” PepsiCo Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston told analysts, according to an AlphaSense transcript.

    Basically, as MarketWatch has reported, so-called greedflation is alive and well.

    Jamie Cox, managing partner for Harris Financial Group, said as long as the job market stays strong, as it is now, corporate greed will continue to pay off.

    “If something is more expensive, and you have a job, you’ll complain about it, but you won’t substitute it for something cheaper,” Cox said. For companies to cut prices, “you have to have the consumer go on strike, and they’re not there yet,” Cox added.

    ‘At some point, people are going to say, “All right — enough.” ’


    — Paul Nolte, Murphy & Sylvest Wealth Management

    The reason elasticity is so important in the current environment is that, as long as consumers continue to pay the higher prices companies are charging, inflation will remain stubbornly high, making it, in turn, more likely that the Federal Reserve will continue to raise interest rates or, at the very least, not lower them.

    But the longer interest rates stay high enough to crimp economic growth, the more likely the stock market will reverse lower as recession fears rise.

    “At some point, people are going to say, ‘All right — enough,’ ” said Paul Nolte, senior wealth manager and market strategist at Murphy & Sylvest Wealth Management. “But we just haven’t seen that yet.”

    What is elasticity?

    Economists use the term “price elasticity of demand” to refer to the way in which consumers adjust their spending habits when prices change.

    “Elasticity tries to measure how much more producers will want to produce if prices rise, and how much more consumers will want to buy if prices fall,” explained Bill Adams, chief economist at Comerica.

    Elasticity often depends on the type of product a company sells.

    For example, consumer-discretionary-goods companies that sell products and services that people want will often experience greater price elasticity than consumer-staples companies that sell things that people need, such as groceries and prescription drugs.

    But even for needs, consumers often still have a choice, as less expensive generic, or private-label, alternatives may be available.

    Andre Schulten, chief financial officer of consumer-staples maker Procter & Gamble Co.
    PG,
    +0.58%
    ,
    which recently beat earnings expectations as it continued to raise prices, telling analysts that, while there was “some trading into private label,” the overall market share of private-label products was unchanged for the year.

    As Harris Financial’s Cox said, consumers may be complaining about higher prices, but they aren’t yet desperate enough to stop buying.

    The Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book economic survey stated that business contacts in some districts had observed a “reluctance” to raise prices as consumers appeared to have grown more sensitive to prices, but other districts reported “solid demand” allowed companies to maintain prices and profitability.

    That’s likely why companies and analysts have become less concerned about price elasticity. Based on a FactSet analysis, mentions of the word “elasticity” in press releases and conference calls of S&P 500 companies
    SPX
    increased as inflation and interest rates started surging in early 2022 through the end of the year.

    With inflation trends softening this year, the Fed took a brief pause in raising rates in June, helping fuel further stock-market gains, before raising rates again in July.

    Mentions of the word elasticity in earnings press releases and conference-call transcripts of S&P 500 companies.


    FactSet

    As the chart shows, “elasticity” popped up in more than 55% of earnings releases and conference calls in mid-2022, but with the second-quarter 2023 earnings-reporting season more than half over, mentions had dropped to about 20%.

    Perhaps that will pick up, as retailers, especially those catering to lower-income customers — recall the PepsiCo comment — assess the demand impact of continued price increases.

    Meanwhile, the branded-foods company Conagra Brands Inc.
    CAG,
    +0.71%
    ,
    whose wide-ranging food brands including Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Hunt’s, Orville Redenbacher’s and Slim Jim, were starting to see the emergence of a different dynamic.

    Chief Executive Sean Connolly said consumers were shifting behavior in some categories as prices remained high. Rather than trade down to lower-priced alternatives, he noticed some consumers buying fewer items overall, “more of a hunkering down than a trading down.”

    That’s exactly the kind of consumer behavior that is needed, if companies are to stop feeding into the greedflation phenomenon and to start pulling back on prices.

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  • Lowe’s stock falls after earnings beat expectations but full-year guidance was cut

    Lowe’s stock falls after earnings beat expectations but full-year guidance was cut

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    Shares of Lowe’s Companies Inc. dropped Tuesday, after the home-improvement retailer beat fiscal first-quarter profit and sales expectations but cut its full-year outlook, citing lower demand for discretionary items.

    Net income for the quarter to May 5 was $2.26 billion, or $3.77 a share, after income of $2.33 billion, or $3.51 a share, in the same period a year ago. Net income fell while earnings per share increased as the number of shares outstanding used to calculate EPS dropped 9.8% to 597 million.

    Excluding nonrecurring items, such as an asset-sale gain, adjusted EPS of $3.67 beat the FactSet consensus of $3.44.

    Total sales declined 5.5% to $22.35 billion, above the FactSet consensus of $21.60 billion, while the same-store sales decline of 4.3% missed expectations for a 3.4% decline.

    Cost of sales fell less than sales, down 5.1% to $14.82 billion, as gross margin contracted to 33.7% from 34.0%. The value of merchandise inventory as of May 5 fell 3.5% from a year ago to $19.52 billion.

    The stock
    LOW,
    -1.51%

    shed 1.0% ahead of the open, but pared earlier premarket losses of as much as 3.4%.

    During the quarter, Lowe’s said it spent $2.1 billion to repurchase 10.6 million shares and paid out $633 million in dividends.

    “We are pleased with the performance of our business despite record lumber deflation and unfavorable spring weather,” said Chief Executive Officer Marvin Ellison. “Although we delivered positive comparable sales in Pro and online for the first quarter, we are updating our full-year outlook to reflect softer-than-expected consumer demand for discretionary purchases.”

    For fiscal 2023, the company lowered its guidance ranges for adjusted EPS to $13.20 to $13.60 from $13.60 to $14.00 and sales to $87 billion to $89 billion from $88 billion to $90 billion. The outlook for same-store sales was revised to down 2% to down 4% from flat to down 2%.

    Meanwhile, Wall Street’s full-year estimates were within the lowered guidance ranges, as the FactSet consensus for EPS was $13.56. The estimate for sales was $88.36 billion and for same-store sales was a decline of 2.2%.

    Lowe’s results came less than a week after rival Home Depot Inc.
    HD,
    -0.08%

    reported a first-quarter profit beat — but sales missed expectations. Home Depot also lowered its full-year outlook.

    The stock has gained 2.0% year to date through Monday, while Home Depot shares have dropped 8.0% and the S&P 500 index
    SPX,
    +0.02%

    has advanced 9.2%.

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  • Home Depot stock falls after sales miss and lowered outlook, citing lumber deflation and bad weather

    Home Depot stock falls after sales miss and lowered outlook, citing lumber deflation and bad weather

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    Shares of Home Depot Inc. dropped Tuesday, after the home improvement retail giant reported fiscal first-quarter profit that topped expectations but sales that fell short, and it cut the full-year outlook, citing lumber deflation and bad weather.

    Net income for the quarter to April 30 fell to $3.87 billion, or $3.82 a share, from $4.32 billion, or $4.09 a share, in the same period a year ago. That topped the FactSet consensus for earnings per share of $3.80.

    Sales declined 4.2% to $37.26 billion, well below the FactSet consensus of $38.31 billion.

    “Our sales for the quarter were below our expectations primarily driven by lumber deflation and unfavorable weather, particularly in our Western division as extreme weather in California disproportionately impacted our results,” said Chief Executive Officer Ted Decker.

    Overall same-store sales fell 4.5% to miss the FactSet consensus for a 1.6% decline, with same-store sales in the U.S. falling 4.6%.

    The stock sank 3.6% toward a seven-month low in premarket trading.

    “Given the negative impact to first quarter sales from lumber deflation and weather, further softening of demand relative to our expectations, and continued uncertainty regarding consumer demand, we are updating our guidance to reflect a range of potential outcomes,” said Chief Financial Officer Richard McPhail.

    For fiscal 2023, the company cut its EPS outlook to a decline of between 7% and 13% from a decline in the mid-single digit percentage range, and lowered its sales outlook to a decline of between 2% and 5% from approximately flat.

    The stock has dropped 10.2% over the past three months through Monday, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average
    DJIA,
    +0.14%

    has slipped 1.0%.

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  • Walmart, Home Depot, Meta, DocuSign, Medtronic, and More Stock Market Movers

    Walmart, Home Depot, Meta, DocuSign, Medtronic, and More Stock Market Movers

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  • 18 stock picks in a ‘Goldilocks’ scenario for U.S. consumers

    18 stock picks in a ‘Goldilocks’ scenario for U.S. consumers

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    It may not have been a surprise to see the consumer discretionary sector of the S&P 500 get hammered last year amid talk of a looming recession while the Federal Reserve jacked up interest rates to push back against inflation.

    But the stock market always looks ahead. Following a decline of 19.4% for the S&P 500
    SPX,
    +0.42%

    in 2022 and a 37.6% drop for the benchmark index’s consumer discretionary sector, this may be the time to begin looking for bargains.

    And now, analysts at Jefferies have lifted the sector to a “bullish” rating.

    In a note to clients on Jan. 10, Jefferies’ global equity strategist, Sean Darby, wrote: “A Goldilocks scenario might be unfolding for the U.S. consumer — falling inflation but steady employment conditions.”

    He sees consumer confidence improving, in part because “households are still sitting on [about] $1.4 trillion of Covid savings.”

    Darby pointed to a list of 18 consumer discretionary stocks favored by Jefferies analysts that was published on Jan. 6. Those are listed below, along with three stocks in the sector the analysts rate “underperform.”

    The ratings of the Jefferies analysts for individual stocks is based on their 12-month outlooks for the companies, in keeping with Wall Street tradition.

    So we have added another list further down, showing which companies in the S&P 500 consumer discretionary sector are expected by analysts polled by FactSet to increase sales the most through 2024.

    The Jefferies 18

    Here are the 18 consumer discretionary stocks recommended by Jefferies analysts with “buy” ratings on Jan. 6, sorted by how much upside the firm sees for the shares from closing prices on Jan. 9:

    Company

    Ticker

    Jan. 9 price

    Jefferies price target

    Implied 12-month upside potential

    Three-year estimated sales CAGR through 2022

    Two-year estimated sales CAGR through 2024

    Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.

    MODG,
    -0.22%
    $20.76

    $56

    170%

    32.8%

    10.0%

    Bloomin’ Brands Inc.

    BLMN,
    +3.87%
    $22.08

    $35

    59%

    2.4%

    3.7%

    Coty Inc. Class A

    COTY,
    +1.23%
    $9.38

    $14

    49%

    -7.1%

    3.7%

    MGM Resorts International

    MGM,
    +1.71%
    $37.64

    $56

    49%

    -0.1%

    6.6%

    Chewy Inc. Class A

    CHWY,
    +1.63%
    $40.13

    $57

    42%

    28.0%

    10.6%

    Planet Fitness Inc. Class A

    PLNT,
    +0.69%
    $82.36

    $115

    40%

    10.4%

    13.9%

    Molson Coors Beverage Co. Class B

    TAP,
    +0.67%
    $50.21

    $69

    37%

    0.5%

    1.4%

    Fox Factory Holding Corp.

    FOXF,
    +3.95%
    $99.90

    $135

    35%

    28.1%

    6.6%

    Hasbro Inc.

    HAS,
    +0.99%
    $63.70

    $85

    33%

    9.1%

    3.6%

    Hostess Brands Inc. Class A

    TWNK,
    +0.33%
    $23.10

    $30

    30%

    14.2%

    5.0%

    Lowe’s Cos. Inc.

    LOW,
    +0.08%
    $199.44

    $250

    25%

    10.6%

    -1.9%

    Walmart Inc.

    WMT,
    -0.27%
    $144.95

    $175

    21%

    4.9%

    3.3%

    Dollar General Corp.

    DG,
    -0.26%
    $241.05

    $285

    18%

    10.9%

    6.7%

    Church & Dwight Co. Inc.

    CHD,
    -1.17%
    $82.25

    $97

    18%

    7.0%

    4.6%

    McDonald’s Corp.

    MCD,
    +0.39%
    $267.25

    $315

    18%

    2.4%

    4.0%

    Estee Lauder Cos. Inc. Class A

    EL,
    +0.39%
    $261.63

    $304

    16%

    2.8%

    5.8%

    Mondelez International Inc. Class A

    MDLZ,
    -0.04%
    $67.24

    $75

    12%

    6.3%

    4.1%

    Tapestry Inc.

    TPR,
    +0.73%
    $41.25

    $45

    9%

    3.3%

    3.2%

    Sources: Jefferies, FactSet

    Click on the tickers for more information about the companies.

    Click here for Tomi Kilgore’s detailed guide to the wealth of information available for free on the MarketWatch quote page.

    The two right-most columns on the table show estimated compound annual growth rates (CAGR) for the companies over the past three calendar years and expected sales CAGR for two years through calendar 2024, based on the companies’ financial reports and consensus estimates among analysts polled by FactSet.

    (We used calendar-year numbers, some of which are estimated by FactSet for prior years, because some companies have fiscal years or even months that don’t match the calendar.)

    The stock pick with the highest 12-month upside potential, based on Jefferies’ price target, is Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    MODG,
    -0.22%
    .
    This company has the highest estimated three-year sales CAGR on the list, and has the third-highest projected sales CAGR through 2024, after Planet Fitness Inc.
    PLNT,
    +0.69%

    and Chewy Inc.
    CHWY,
    +1.63%
    .

    On Jan. 6, the Jefferies analysts also listed three stocks in the sector they rated “underperform.” Here they are, sorted by how much the analysts expect the stocks to decline over the next 12 months:

    Company

    Ticker

    Jan. 9 price

    Jefferies price target

    Implied 12-month upside potential

    Three-year estimated sales CAGR through 2022

    Two-year estimated sales CAGR through 2024

    Lululemon Athletica Inc.

    LULU,
    +2.98%
    $298.66

    $200

    -33%

    26.3%

    14.6%

    Williams-Sonoma Inc.

    WSM,
    +1.75%
    $122.17

    $98

    -20%

    14.1%

    -0.3%

    Harley-Davidson Inc.

    HOG,
    +0.35%
    $43.25

    $39

    -10%

    -2.8%

    4.4%

    Sources: Jefferies, FactSet

    Screen of consumer discretionary sales growth

    A look head at which companies are expected to increase sales the most over the next two years might serve as a good starting point for your own research.

    Bear in mind that some of the companies in travel-related industries suffered declining sales for three years through 2022 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Some of those are on this new list of 20 stocks in the S&P 500 consumer discretionary sector expected to show the highest two-year sales CAGR through calendar 2024:

    Company

    Ticker

    Two-year estimated sales CAGR through 2024

    Three-year estimated sales CAGR through 2022

    Share “buy” ratings

    Jan. 9 price

    Consensus price target

    Implied 12-month upside potential

    Las Vegas Sands Corp.

    LVS,
    +1.59%
    59.2%

    -32.6%

    79%

    $52.78

    $53.53

    1%

    Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

    NCLH,
    +1.67%
    39.6%

    -9.3%

    44%

    $13.78

    $16.96

    23%

    Carnival Corp.

    CCL,
    +1.64%
    35.2%

    -14.7%

    30%

    $9.47

    $10.11

    7%

    Tesla Inc.

    TSLA,
    -1.83%
    34.3%

    49.7%

    64%

    $119.77

    $232.43

    94%

    Wynn Resorts Ltd.

    WYNN,
    +2.01%
    29.3%

    -17.5%

    53%

    $94.33

    $96.07

    2%

    Royal Caribbean Group

    RCL,
    +2.22%
    28.4%

    -6.8%

    53%

    $57.29

    $66.43

    16%

    Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.

    CMG,
    -0.17%
    13.4%

    15.9%

    71%

    $1,446.74

    $1,778.81

    23%

    Amazon.com Inc.

    AMZN,
    +2.61%
    12.2%

    22.1%

    92%

    $87.36

    $133.76

    53%

    Booking Holdings Inc.

    BKNG,
    +0.37%
    11.9%

    3.9%

    63%

    $2,208.41

    $2,307.67

    4%

    Aptiv PLC

    APTV,
    +1.66%
    11.9%

    6.4%

    70%

    $97.98

    $117.23

    20%

    Starbucks Corp.

    SBUX,
    +1.28%
    11.2%

    7.2%

    42%

    $104.74

    $103.44

    -1%

    Etsy Inc.

    ETSY,
    +3.56%
    11.1%

    45.3%

    50%

    $120.99

    $124.04

    3%

    Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

    HLT,
    +0.06%
    10.1%

    -2.9%

    38%

    $129.08

    $146.17

    13%

    Expedia Group Inc.

    EXPE,
    +0.39%
    9.0%

    -0.9%

    50%

    $93.77

    $125.65

    34%

    NIKE Inc. Class B

    NKE,
    +0.68%
    8.1%

    5.8%

    62%

    $124.85

    $126.15

    1%

    Marriott International Inc. Class A

    MAR,
    +0.47%
    7.5%

    -1.2%

    30%

    $152.53

    $172.81

    13%

    BorgWarner Inc.

    BWA,
    +1.82%
    7.1%

    15.3%

    53%

    $42.24

    $46.93

    11%

    Tractor Supply Co.

    TSCO,
    +1.06%
    6.8%

    19.0%

    61%

    $217.48

    $232.34

    7%

    Yum! Brands Inc.

    YUM,
    -0.76%
    6.7%

    6.4%

    47%

    $129.76

    $137.79

    6%

    Dollar General Corp.

    DG,
    -0.26%
    6.7%

    10.9%

    67%

    $241.05

    $267.54

    11%

    Source: FactSet

    Among the companies on this list that didn’t suffer sales declines from 2019 levels, Tesla Inc.
    TSLA,
    -1.83%

    is expected to achieve the highest two-year sales CAGR through 2022.

    Dollar General Corp.
    DG,
    -0.26%

    is the only company to appear on this list based on consensus sales growth estimates and the Jefferies recommended list.

    Don’t miss: These 15 Dividend Aristocrat stocks have been the best income builders

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  • Home Depot Earnings Top Estimates. Customers Are ‘Resilient,’ CFO Says.

    Home Depot Earnings Top Estimates. Customers Are ‘Resilient,’ CFO Says.

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    Home Depot


    third-quarter earnings results beat expectations, giving the stock a boost on Tuesday.

    The home-improvement retailer reported third-quarter earnings of $4.24 a share, topping analysts’ projections of $4.12 a share. Revenue came in at $38.9 billion, up 5.6% from a year earlier and topping estimates for $38 billion. Same-store sales rose 4.3%, ahead of estimates for 3.1%. U.S. same-store sales rose 4.5%.

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  • Home Depot Sales Up 5.6% in Third Quarter

    Home Depot Sales Up 5.6% in Third Quarter

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    Home-improvement retailer logs sales increase even as it again records fewer transactions

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  • April Cornell, Business Woman and Designer, Receives National ICON Honors Award

    April Cornell, Business Woman and Designer, Receives National ICON Honors Award

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    Designer and entrepreneur April Cornell received a lifetime achievement honor for her contribution to the gift and home industry

    Press Release



    updated: Jul 17, 2018

    April Cornell, fashion and home designer of colorful and artistic apparel and home furnishings, was honored with an ICON Honors Lifetime Achievement award. ICON Honors are awarded to individuals and companies of distinction who have impacted the gift and home industry. Icon Honors is the signature event of The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market®. The gift and home industry’s most celebrated recognition was presented by Arianna Huffington, the keynote speaker at the event.

    April Cornell is known for her signature prints and whimsical, joyful and romantic style and has been a designer presence in the retail world since the 1970s. Boasting hundreds of vintage-inspired prints designed from her own watercolors and works of art, April Cornell was recognized for her contribution as a creative entrepreneur with a knack for niche markets and a special attention to the retail experience. She has always had a global outlook with deep roots in India, where she owns her own factory, and retail and wholesale markets in both USA and Canada.

    April, like a poet, sensitively capture’s nature’s many moods and splendid colors with strokes of a paintbrush. April’s travels throughout the world, particularly India where she does charitable work, has also given her craft unique flavors. Throughout the years, I have admired her timeless ever-evolving, unformulaic brand signature, which is why I licensed her work years ago at Silvestri and continue to collaborate with her now.

    Linda Simpson, noted industry licensing expert & owner of Imagination Network

    She cites her love of nature, love of color, affinity for beauty and desire to make women’s lives more joyful as a driving force for her design. She often speaks of customers as kindred spirits with creative hearts. She is known for her philosophy of “finding beauty in the everyday.”

    Linda Simpson, owner of Imagination Network and noted industry licensing expert, describes her reaction to the award:

    “April, like a poet, sensitively capture’s nature’s many moods and splendid colors with strokes of a paintbrush. April’s travels throughout the world, particularly India where she does charitable work, has also given her craft unique flavors. Throughout the years, I have admired her timeless ever-evolving, unformulaic brand signature, which is why I licensed her work years ago at Silvestri and continue to collaborate with her now. This award is well-deserved, recognizing April’s innate ability to translate her love of nature into a recognizable feminine lifestyle brand with an ever-growing populace of customers worldwide.“

    Media Contact:

    Kelly Cornell
    kcornell@aprilcornell.net
    (917) 687-4647

    Source: April Cornell

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