Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ:COLM)

Oh Columbia, what hast happened to thou lately? I love the volatility of this stock and have bought and sold it many times. I think this is a great dip to dive into. Plus, I love their products and commend them for their recent experiment with higher end clothing and equipment; it tells me their management is on the ball and thinking strategically.

Tim Boyle has been CEO & President since 1989, but has been involved in running the company since 1964, after his father’s sudden death. Columbia Sportswear was founded in 1938 by current chairwoman Gert Boyle's father (Tim Boyle’s grandfather). Common sense dictates that this family history and involvement means that management have deep interest in the firm, however, unlike other firms which have handed over the reigns to institutional shareholders, insider holdings still make up the majority: 64.90%. Despite this old history, it has been able to keep up with the times, and Tim Boyle at the lead has been able to reinvent and refresh the company. Jim Cramer stated “Tim Boyle…who's delivering and delivering”.

Fall 2011 backlog increased 19% as compared to same quarter last year and this “reflects growth across each major brand, geographic region and product category.”

I won’t breakdown sales by brand and geographic region here, however, sales of the Sorel brand has increased indicating that people are buying these hand over fist. Maybe that sounds a bit over-exaggerated: 158% soar in sales disproves that.

The downside, as with other retailers, is the systematic risk. Products costs, and as a result margins and income fluctuate based on raw materials, oil prices and consequently freight costs (which have been down the quarter but may see an increase for the next quarter so watch out for that), currency rates and labor costs. Staying on the topic of margins, Tim Boyle supports that “We’ve made significant investments…in technologies that make us different from our competitors and that’s, at the end of the day, how you are able to raise your margins in an inflationary environment.”

With a slow incline and if you just look around getting in shape is in, columbia sells its products at a good price and there not all crap. Use to be up in the 60 share range and i think it will return as more and more company's sopport sport equipment. This is a weak thought but im going to watch it.

P/E = 11.23
P/B = 1.08
Current Ratio = 5.038
Steadily increasing EPS
Great cash flow
Pays dividends

Plus I realized that when researching stocks today I was wearing a Columbia jacket. That about sealed the deal for me

Very Strong Brand, High Quality Products. The only thing holding this one back is the overall tanking economy.

oops! ride this one down to $25 over the next few months. long term looks good, but there's better places to put your $ now.

spec

toasty toes at least

Columbia Sportswear Company is involved in the design, manufacture, marketing, and distribution of active outdoor apparel primarily in North America, Europe, and Asia. It offers outerwear, sportswear, footwear, equipment, and related accessories.
Columbia has a lot of positives right now and that's why it's been on my watchlist for a while. The company has heavy inside ownership, the stock price has been hammered lately, and for a value investor like myself, means that you're paying a lower price for more earnings. It's like paying $10,000 for a Saturn one year and then paying that same $10,000 for a Ferrari the next. In addition it's a cash rich company with a clean balance sheet.
All good enough reasons for my money. Plus my man and long time Fool Tom G. is all over this company with praise.
Go Long,
Fool On!!!

I spend a lot of money on clothing from Columbia Sportswear. So it seems only fitting that you invest in companies that you already believe. Good company and great products.

This seems very cheap. Correct me if I'm wrong. Yes this one has potencial to grow if Marketing gets it right. I will watch this one.

Yeah Yeah, all the same reasons

Brand loyalty through the roof...Zero Debt and a dividend...

http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2008/07/24/todays-hot-stock-tip.aspx

Very popular retailer, has a historic downturn every summer (who buys parkas in July?) but continues to do well every holiday season. Very safe investment particularly with their new 'green' lines.

asdf

While they are slumping in a soft economy, this is still a top brand, especially with its "Titanium" premium outdoor apparel line. Greater "green" consciousness and expense of road and air travel is likely to lead to more vacations camping, as well as increasing numbers of city dwellers riding their bike to work, all of which is likely to increase their activewear sales based on their brand strength. One good "mother Gert Boyle, son Tim" commercial and all the commuter bikers and weekend warriors could be flocking to get the latest Columbia gear.

house hold income may decrease but people still like to look good , maintain a positive image even in slow times . not to mention staying warm

love their products, low pe, with the price beaten down, this is a good time to get in

With the Oylmpics coming up, I think this stock will rise. Anything athletic will.