The market for initial public offerings is thawing, but retail investors shouldn't expect to find access to this notoriously exclusive market any easier -- though a few back doors are open for those who know where to look.

Friday’s successful launch of Dollar General’s (DG) IPO suggests the recession is a good time for deep discounters or stores that offer rock-bottom prices to cash-strapped shoppers.Dollar General operates about 8 700 stores in 35 states most in small towns and about 30% of the total in low income neighborhoods. Dollar General plans to open about 600 new stores next year and remodel or relocate another 500. The company’s same-store sales rose about 8.5% for the fiscal quarter ending in July.In July 2007 Dollar General was taken private by KKR and Goldman Sachs (GS). Dollar General priced its initial ...

Investors may keep shares of Palm Inc. moving after hours following dayside gains ahead of the launch of the mobile-handset maker's latest smartphone.

But once those rose-colored glasses come off, the view may be different.

Retails stocks are mixed, after results from retailers suggest a still unclear outlook heading into the industry’s crucial holiday selling season.

NOTE TO EDITORS: The Following Is an Investment Opinion Being Issued by Stock Market Alerts LLC.