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Conference Calls: The Good, the Bad, the Misunderstood

01/02/08 - 12:00 PM EST

Scott Rothbort

When I summarized the Dick's Sporting Goods' conference call on RealMoney Silver , I wrote:

If you want to see what a model growth retailer looks like, take a look at Dick's Sporting Goods. The company is growing in the right geographies and through strategic acquisitions like Galyan's and Golf Galaxy. Heavier reliance on private-label sales helps to increase margins. The company is one of the best, if not the best at managing inventories. I have written about the company on this site for years, and I have to reiterate my opinion that Dick's is a great growth vehicle in retail. On top of that, it is less vulnerable to a consumer pullback than a general merchandiser. Even during the deep dark years of the Jimmy Carter recession, kids played sports, and sports fans still hung on to their Pittsburgh Steelers and Boston Celtics.

To listen to an archive of Dick's Sporting Goods' Nov. 20, 2007, call, click here (registration required).

To listen to an archive of Research In Motion's Dec. 20, 2007, call, click here (registration required).

To listen to an archive of Apple's Oct. 22, 2007 call, click here.

Good conference calls such as these do exactly what's expected: they report a solid quarter and have a good "story" to tell for future growth. As an investor, you cannot ask for anything more.

Sharpen Your Listening Skills

You can listen to a wide-range of earnings conference calls via TheStreet.com Earnings Release section. Just click here.




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At the time of publication, Rothbort was long COST, AAPL, RIMM and DKS, and was stock and calls for MER, although positions can change at any time.

Scott Rothbort has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. In 2002, Rothbort founded LakeView Asset Management, LLC, a registered investment advisor based in Millburn, N.J., which offers customized individually managed separate accounts, including proprietary long/short strategies to its high net worth clientele.

Immediately prior to that, Rothbort worked at Merrill Lynch for 10 years, where he was instrumental in building the global equity derivative business and managed the global equity swap business from its inception. Rothbort previously held international assignments in Tokyo, Hong Kong and London while working for Morgan Stanley and County NatWest Securities.

Rothbort holds an MBA in finance and international business from the Stern School of Business of New York University and a BS in economics and accounting from the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a Professor of Finance and the Chief Market Strategist for the Stillman School of Business of Seton Hall University.

For more information about Scott Rothbort and LakeView Asset Management, LLC, visit the company's Web site at www.lakeviewasset.com. Scott appreciates your feedback; click here to send him an email.


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