Shiver Me Timbers! Target's Sinking Faster Than the Pearl!

Why is the Rum Always Gone? Target's Empty Treasure Chest

Blast and barnacles! Yours truly Captain Jack Sparrow reporting from the high seas of commerce. It seems our friends at Target – aye that be the one with the red bullseye – have hit a bit of a reef haven't they? Their latest earnings report is drier than a biscuit after a week at sea. Seems they've missed the mark both above and below. CEO Brian Cornell is blaming consumer confidence and tariffs but I say a good captain navigates any storm! Where's the rum? I mean the strategy?

More Like Target...Missed!

Word on the poop deck is that Target's stock took a plunge faster than I do when Elizabeth Swann's dad shows up with a warrant. Down more than 31% this year? Savvy? The numbers don't lie but liars do figures. It looks like there's trouble brewing in the retail world and the consumer bless their cotton socks might be tightening their belts tighter than Gibbs does after a grog ration.

A Kraken of Consumer Spending? Is the Tide Turning?

Now I've faced the Kraken and let me tell you a slowdown in consumer spending can be just as terrifying. JPMorgan bless their ledger loving hearts have noticed a dip in spending with more days below the average than above. Seems even landlubbers are feeling the pinch. It's a bit worrying when spending slows down; it keeps the sea dog from his rum!

Tariffs and Trouble: The East India Trading Company Strikes Again!

Those blasted tariffs! Always meddling in things they shouldn't. UBS is scratching their heads wondering if the market's been a bit too optimistic and I say optimism is all well and good but a healthy dose of paranoia never hurt anyone. 'Specially when it comes to dealing with sneaky government types. Remember not all treasure is silver and gold mate.

Company Specific Woes or Signs of the Apocalypse?

Wells Fargo seems to think that Target's troubles might be their own fault. Blimey! Could it be that they just aren't selling enough shiny trinkets to keep the masses happy? Or is it a sign of a larger problem? Maybe the consumer is just tired of those little red dogs? I mean...bullseyes. Maybe it's the rum?

Lower Gas Prices Empty Purses: What Does It All Mean?

Falling gas prices should be a cause for celebration like finding a chest full of doubloons but if folks aren't spending the extra coin something's amiss. Perhaps like me they are saving for a new ship. A beautiful ship that needs to be saved. A ship like the Black Pearl! When a big retailer like Target feels the pinch it's time to pay attention savvy? Perhaps it's time to bury our treasure and batten down the hatches!