Consumer Discretionary

Can insurers cope with this spate of storms? Is wind energy about to take off? What can I invest in for wind protection (with conviction)?

Premier Investments has been reaping stockbroker downgrades following a disappointing interim result, but an acquisition could turn the tide.

Kathmandu has delivered a better than expected initial interim profit result and with its store rollout program ahead of schedule brokers have lifted forecasts for coming years.

GSJB Were adds Pacific Brands to its Conviction List while Credit Suisse looks at mid-cap resource companies and JP Morgan looks at the WA housing market.

David Jones reports interim earnings on Wednesday and brokers see margins as a point of focus as the company continues to work on lowering costs.

Not everyone is convinced the future looks bright for retailer Myer.

Higher disposable incomes in Australia in 2009 were not matched by consumer spending levels, leading CommSec to suggest consumers are still somewhat cautious.

Sales growth will be a key point of interest in Myer’s upcoming half-yearly report.

Standard and Poor’s has announced changes to the composition of its Australian indices and Myer is seen as a likely winner.

S&P will announce index changes next week, plus earnings estimates are not genuinely moving higher and what’s happening with Telstra?