Goldman Sachs lowered Alibaba's price target from 18 Yuan to 15 Yuan, or 16 percent, and lower the company's target price earnings ratio of 2009 from 33 times to 30 times, but maintained the stocks neutral rating.
For the past eight years, Wal-Mart Stores Inc's shareholders have had little reason to beam like the retailer's well-known smiley face image, as stock prices have dropped and the company has underperformed rivals like Target Corp.
But the gloom may be finally lifting -- ironically thanks in part to the U.S. economy's increasing troubles.
A federal judge in California certified a class action lawsuit against Target Corp (TGT.N) brought by plaintiffs claiming the discount retailer's website is inaccessible to the blind, according to court documents.
An earnings warning from Lowe's Cos Inc and a slashed September sales forecast from Target Corp hammered retail stocks on Tuesday as skittish consumers rein in spending, fueling concerns that the holiday shopping season could be the weakest in years.
Sony Corp's game unit said it was fairly confident of doubling shipments of PlayStation 3 game consoles to 11 million in the year to March, and may buy more software firms to boost demand for its console.
Dutch bank ABN AMRO NV reiterated its 2007 earnings per share target of 2.30 euros ($3.19) on Monday despite current market turmoil and said it has very limited exposure to the subprime market.
Target Corp on Tuesday said its quarterly profit rose more than 12 percent, boosted by strong sales at stores open at least a year and returns from its credit-card business. The retailer also reiterated its full-year earnings outlook.
Most U.S. retailers posted weaker-than-expected July sales on Thursday, hurt by a delayed back-to-school shopping season and high gas prices that cut consumers' trips to the mall.
Target plans to carry only Blu-ray high definition DVD players through the holiday shopping season, a move that boosts the Sony-backed technology and may deal a blow to rival HD-DVD.
The hedge fund run by activist investor William Ackman said on Monday it now owns a 9.6 percent stake in Target Corp., adding the discount retailer to its small list of closely watched investments.
The second-largest U.S. retailer, Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT), said that its first-quarter profit jumped by 18 percent on Wednesday, beating analysts expectations and sending shares higher.
Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG), the world's largest lighting maker, confirmed its stated financial targets on Thursday and also said it is reviewing a number of possible acquisitions.
As holiday shopping winds down, new research shows Toy shoppers are migrating more to Target stores than the main competition which includes Toys R Us and Wal-Mart.
Retailer Target Corp. reported its net sales for the five-week period prior to September 30, were up 13.4 percent.
Volkswagen AG intends to keep driving profit growth beyond the record 5.1 billion euros ($6.6 billion) before tax it has targeted for 2008, management told analysts on Monday.
The retail giant's push for profits with more upscale merchandise puts it on a collision course with Target Corp. the second largest retailer.
Target Corp., the US market's second largest retailer, endured an uncertain economy in the latest quarter to earn a solid profit which beat Wall Street expectations.
