Top Takes From RealMoney

The RealMoney contributors are in the business of trading and investing all day on the basis of ongoing news flow. Below, we offer the top five ideas that RealMoney contributors posted today and (if applicable) how they played those ideas.

1. Early Look at Earnings

By Timothy Collins
8:58 a.m. EST

America's Car-Mart(CMRT Quote) had one of the more impressive earnings reports that I've seen this season. Numbers all around are showing improvement. Here's a company that actually grew revenue and profits. The stock is bid up in the $$24.70 area, and I will be happy to take some profits here; however, this is also one stock I'm sliding some shares over to a long-term portfolio.

Gap(GPS Quote) results seemed in line. Personally, I like what they've done with the Old Navy stores, and think that may be the key shorter term. The stock's reaction thus far is muted.

Dressbarn's(DBRN Quote) numbers were strong. They were able to beat on revenue and EPS, as well as guiding higher, which is what I was looking for. The merger with Tween Brands(TWB Quote) seems on track. The stock may push the $22.50 upside potential that I have targeted.

Dell(DELL Quote) is just plain disappointing. The stock is below the $15.00 area premarket. Goldman Sachs(GS Quote) is out defending the name, and that may help it get back to 15.00.

Positions: Long DBRN, CRMT, GPS

2. Retail Fading

By Robert Marcin
9:34 a.m. EST

Another week of retail earnings reports and it's very obvious that the consumer hit a wall in the past four weeks. Retail sales faded fast in the last two weeks of October and the first half of November. Unemployment, lack of confidence and $3 per gallon gas are the major culprits.