Sally Beauty Holdings and Ulta Cosmetics could be the perfect long/short hedge.

Hermès versus Wal-Mart (WMT); upscale versus downscale. It hardly seems like a fair fight in these trying economic times: The venerable Paris-based fashion house whose customers range from traditional royalty to Paris Hilton and Madonna pitted against the world’s largest retailer -- the Bentonville Arkansas-based discounting behemoth whose customers seem as likely to achieve fame on the Jerry Springer Show as anywhere else.In fact it is Hermès and the luxury retailers such as Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy that have been prospering as of late. Last month Hermès reported a 12% revenue gain for the second quarter. Today Wal-Mart weighed ...

A few "entry level" luxury plays for China's emerging middle class.

img.border { border: 1px solid #000000 ; }   VIEW SLIDESHOW Before releasing a new product a company normally spends months -- if not years -- on research and development. It wants to be absolutely certain it can stand behind the item's look feel and functionality. But focus groups and venture capital are no guarantee of success - especially when critical design flaws are missed. Minyanville presents 9 consumer-product misfires.In memory of our fallen friend and trusted colleague Bennet Sedacca 100% of the donations made to the RP Foundation through April will be channeled to philanthropic endeavors consistent with the RP mission ...

There are many different ways to put together a stock portfolio: Some people scrutinize earnings reports, P/E ratios, and more financial minutia. Some people close their eyes and throw a dart at the financial page.