A humorous look at the companies that caught our eye, for better or worse, this week.
World Wrestling Entertainment
WWE (NYSE)
April 11, 2014 close: $20.29 (U.S.)
down $7.73 or 27.6% over week
Everyone knows that wrestling is fake. Unfortunately, the money investors are losing is real. Shares of World Wrestling Entertainment were drop-kicked in the face after the company revealed that just 667,000 subscribers had signed up for its $9.99 monthly WWE Network streaming service – far fewer than analysts expected. Investors are so mad they want to rip someone’s head off.
Nasdaq composite
COMP-I
April 11, 2014 close: 3,999.73 points
down 128 points or 3.1% over week
True or false:
The Nasdaq composite still hasn’t reclaimed the high it reached in March, 2000, before the dot-com boom went bust.
Answer: true.
And if this keeps up, it might never get there: Hammered by selloffs in biotech stocks and so-called momentum plays such as Netflix and TripAdvisor, the index suffered its worst one-day tumble since 2011, leaving it 14 per cent off its record high.
Bed Bath & Beyond
BBBY (Nasdaq)
April 11, 2014 close: $63.72 (U.S.)
down $5.50 or 7.9% over week
Talk about a stock that’s circling the drain. Shares of Bed Bath & Beyond plunged after the retailer posted lower fourth-quarter revenue and earnings, citing “disruptive” weather, and issued first-quarter guidance below estimates. With consumers still reluctant to spend and online competition heating up from Amazon.com and others, shareholders are pulling the bedsheets over their heads.
Dollarama
DOL (TSX)
April 11, 2014 close: $88.54
up $1.17 or 1.3% over week
Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, a few personal items or an affordably priced wedding gift, Dollarama has a wide selection of items that won’t break the bank. The stock, on the other hand, isn’t exactly cheap: The shares surged to a record after fourth-quarter earnings topped expectations and the retailer hiked its dividend. Investors are loading their baskets with the expensive $3 items.
Herbalife
HLF (NYSE)
April 11, 2014 close: $51.48 (U.S.)
down $5.67 or 9.9% over week
Herbalife sells a broad range of nutritional supplements and weight-loss products designed to improve people’s health. Right now, however, investors couldn’t be feeling sicker: The shares plummeted 14 per cent on Friday amid reports that the company, which hedge fund manager Bill Ackman has alleged is a pyramid scheme, is being investigated by the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice.