Furniture Brands International, Inc. (FBN)

upward 3

I thought it could be a bargain but it turned out I was totally fooled. This company is running out of cash, I think.

trading almost $4 below book value, HUGE retailer - it will gain at minimum $3 per share - good easy profit.....still not sure? Buffet bought it

trend PS test

give it some time it will be a huge bounce back company

This company has a lot of problems. From Jan 2005 to Jan 2008, its stock price has dropped 67%. At last report the company showed negative sales growth, negative income, negative EPS, negative return on equity and negative net profit. Right now, investors are contemplating changing board members in hopes that a fresh perspective might help the company improve its performance. Unfortunately, a mere change in the board likely isn't going to help in the short term. With consumers cutting back on spending to compensate for increased fuel costs and increased costs of necessities, its unlikely that consumers are going to devote a lot of income to purchasing furniture. Thus, it is unlikely that FBN will be able to increase sales and profits or improve its financials within the near future. Despite having a dividend and yield of 0.16 (1.18%), an investor would fare better finding another company with solid financials.

momentum bad stocks

home furnishing and fixture sector

run for the hills1 The only person who had a "clue" resigned yesterday......Stormy seas ahead....dump it as its only getting worse!

The growing number of new house (mortage-poor), has limited spending on higher end home furnishing (not high high or custom). It

will take lower interest rates or a booming economy to turn this bussines upward

over the S&P, but I expect to see this company handle the downward pressure and to track the S&P at a lag, by the 4th quarter.

PEG Ratio of over 19
Acid Test Ratio of 0.92

This stock has been battered but save a buyout or the interest of a turn-around guru; it is still overvalued.

Very low valuation, good products, strong fundementals

Eliminating 80 executive and administrative employees throughout the company; closing three manufacturing plants in North Carolina resulting in about 150 layoffs and also eliminating 100 employees. Has closed 34 of its 59 plants since 2000 and laid off 1/3 of their work force. Net sales down 13.3%, gross margin down 23.3%...I just don't see anything positive here. How many times can realignments fail?

Weakest furniture chain in the industry. Huge debt, earnings & revenue decreasing. AND everyone already bought their furniture to fill the houses they bought in recent years.

This is a tough evaluation. Solid brands, with a low P/B and low P/E makes me think value pick. Still, the earnings per share has been flat over the last 10 years with a tough market.

It pays a dividend, but I think there are other stronger choices out there and this one doesn't match even the S

In line with our latest retail checks, which indicate that sales remain depressed nationally, FBN lowered its 4Q guidance. Anecdotally, FL & the NE are among the weakest mkts, down as much as 12% YOY, while sales in TX are up slightly
off flat comps. We believe this reflects the cyclical downturn the industry is in the midst of, given the housing slowdown & higher interest rates.
Once more... It's time to get some value.

Furniture Brands International, Inc. is a furniture-making empire, which markets its products through four operating subsidiaries: Broyhill Furniture, Lane Furniture, Thomasville Furniture, and HDM Furniture. These four subsidiaries offer a line-up of nationally recognized furniture brands. They design, manufacture, source, market, and distribute a full line of branded products consisting of both wood and upholstered furniture.

The industry, in which the company operates, is witnessing a down turn. New home sales and existing home sales have been declining from the past four quarters. Moreover, home equity is expected to further fall by 40% in 2007. To cope with this softness in the industry, the company has started offering aggressive discounts on slower-moving products. and had scheduled downtime in several upholstery plants. However, such moves imply that the company is using its assets less efficiently and will probably have weaker gross margin and operating margins in future.

The company’s margins have been declining from the past seven consecutive quarters. This is largely because of the increase in raw material prices, which are expected to increase further. The company is currently trading at the price of $17.39, which is nearer to its 52-weeks low.

Considering the softness in the industry owning to factors like higher interest rates and cooling home sales, which are leading some consumers to pull back big purchases and move-on to the repair-and-remodel activities, it is believed that the company would under perform in the near future.