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To: Carl Worth who wrote (36334)	1/13/2004 8:18:19 AM
From: Dale Baker	Respond to of 118717

HELE was another one I held and dumped long ago - somewhere around that range. Ditto a few more retailers I sold way too soon.

To: Carl Worth who wrote (36334)	1/13/2004 10:42:19 AM
From: - with a K	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 118717

Well, I'm happy to report HELE is my third largest position. Just haven't talked about it much. :>) Message 19364475

To: Carl Worth who wrote (36334)	1/29/2004 1:42:24 PM
From: - with a K	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 118717

HELE News: Was upgraded to a "1" by ValueLine this week. Their Jan. 2 report forecasts cash flow growth of 18% and eps growth of 21% Snip from SmartMoney story of unheard-of stocks titled "Helen is a Hottie:" What in the Helen happened? "Sales increased in every segment of our business, except Tactica," said Chief Executive Gerald Rubin in the earnings report, referring to a 55%-owned infomercial subsidiary. "Our sales leaders continue to include retail personal-care products, the Professional division, the International division and our Idelle Labs skin and hair-care products." Analysts say Tactica, which accounted for 7.7% of third-quarter sales, compared with 13.3% a year ago, may soon be dumped. "In the event that HELE sells its interest in Tactica, we believe the company could possibly record a modest gain on its investment, as well as simplify its accounting methods for investors," wrote First Dallas Securities analyst Eric Marshall in a Jan. 14 research note. "We believe the company has engaged several parties interested in Tactica and could announce an outcome over the next three to four months." (Marshall doesn't own shares of Helen of Troy; First Dallas doesn't have an investment-banking relationship with the company.) Management now expects the company to earn 34 cents to 39 cents in the fourth quarter. Analysts had been looking for 34 cents. And Helen now says earnings for 2004 will be between $2.05 and $2.10 a share, up from its previous guidance of $1.85 to $1.90. Assuming the company will hit the low end of its guidance, shares trade now at 13 times earnings. That's considerably less than the appliance-and-tool group's average P/E of 22. And Helen is projected to increase earnings by 15% annually over the next five years, faster than peers' 11%. That puts Helen's PEG at 0.87, well below the group's 2.0 or the S&P 500's 1.8. One last bit of gloss: In the third quarter, Helen approved a three million share repurchase, and has since bought 319,000. With little debt and the prospect of dropping its weakest division soon, further buybacks from this beauty look likely. yahoo.smartmoney.com