Howard Levine

Mattel to AutoNation Show Consumers Drive S&P 500 Sales

Consumer companies from Mattel Inc. to AutoNation Inc. are beating analysts’ sales estimates by the broadest margin in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index as shoppers help spur growth in the U.S. economy.

Consumer Sentiment in U.S. Declines to a Nine-Month Low

Confidence among consumers fell in April to a nine-month low as Americans grew more pessimistic about the outlook for the economy.

Family Dollar Surges After Peltz’s Takeover Proposal

Family Dollar Stores Inc. surged the most in more than 30 years in New York trading after investor Nelson Peltz offered to buy the retailer for as much as $7.6 billion, spurring speculation other suitors will follow.

Family Dollar Takeover Doomed With Shares Below Bid: Real M&A

Family Dollar Stores Inc. , which billionaire investor Nelson Peltz offered to buy for $7.7 billion, is the most likely to fail among 2011 deals, according to traders who profit from mergers and acquisitions.

Dollar General Seen Hurting as Customers Pay More Taxes: Retail

It’s the last thing Dollar General Corp. and Family Dollar Stores Inc. need right now: an extra $15 a week deducted from the wages of customers already living paycheck to paycheck.

Family Dollar Rejects Buyout Offer From Peltz's Trian, Adopts Poison Pill

Family Dollar Stores Inc . rejected a hostile takeover offer from Nelson Peltz’s Trian Fund Management LP, saying it “substantially” undervalues its business, and adopted a defense to discourage unsolicited offers.

Family Dollar Investors Raise Bets on Sale as Short Sellers Flee: Real M&A

Family Dollar Stores Inc. shareholders aren’t writing off an acquisition of the second- largest U.S. dollar chain just yet.

Wal-Mart Executives Sweat Slow February Start in E-Mails

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. had the worst sales start to a month in seven years as payroll-tax increases hit shoppers already battling a slow economy, according to internal e-mails obtained by Bloomberg News.

Wal-Mart Sales Slump May Signal Less U.S. Consumer Spending

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. internal e- mails revealing the worst sales start to a month in at least seven years may be the first sign of a broader weakening in U.S. consumer spending as households grapple with the payroll-tax increase and delayed refunds.

Wal-Mart Sales Slump May Signal U.S. Consumer Spending to Cool

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. internal e- mails revealing the worst sales start to a month in at least seven years may be the first sign U.S. consumer spending will cool as households try to cope with a payroll-tax increase and delayed refunds.

"Whether it's the payroll tax increase, tax refund delays, gas prices or difficult weather comparisons, all of these factors make near-term trends difficult to predict."

- Howard Levine on Apr 12, 2013

New York

Dollar General

Nelson Peltz

North Carolina

U.S. Stocks Fall on Concern Fed Will Scale Back Stimulus

KKR Said to Weigh Investment in Saks, May Push for Merger

BlackBerry Founder Says IPhone Users Will Embrace BBM App

Boeing CEO Sees 5-Year Edge On Airbus in Twin-Aisle Jets

Apple Tax Grilling Becomes Cook’s Latest Testing Crisis