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A business analysis of bebe stores, inc., a firm that designs, develops, produces and sells contemporary women's apparel and accessories through its retail stores and licensee operated stores, is presented, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) faced. Strengths include strong cash position. Weaknesses include dependence on third party suppliers and manufacturers. Opportunities for improvement include international expansion. Threats include intense competition.

A business analysis of New York City-based Liz Claiborne Inc., which designs and markets branded women's and men's apparel, accessories and fragrance products, is provided, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths include benefits derived from its diverse brand portfolio. Weaknesses include declining revenue growth. Opportunities for improvement include restructuring efforts. Threats to the company include counterfeit products.

A company profile of New York City-based Liz Claiborne Inc., which designs and markets branded women's and men's apparel, accessories and fragrance products, is presented. An overview of the company is given, along with key facts including contact information, number of employees and revenues. A SWOT analysis is provided which includes strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Presents an overview of ADC Telecommunications Inc., a provider of communications network infrastructure products and related services. Company overview, including revenues generated in fiscal year 2005, services provided, and principal businesses; Key facts, including contact information; Analysis of the company, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Provides a business analysis of ADC Telecommunications Inc., a provider of communications network infrastructure products and related services, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including benefits derived from its global reach and wide product portfolio, strong topline growth, steady growth operating margins and favorable cash position; Weaknesses, including decline in sales of access products and overdependence on a few customers; Opportunities for improvement, including restructuring, increased spending in the U.S. telecommunications industry, growth in the residential Internet market in Europe; Threats to the company, including consolidation in the U.S. telecommunication industry and intense competition.

Provides a business analysis of Allstate Corp., a Northbrook, Illinois-based company which is engaged in personal property and casualty insurance, life insurance, and retirement and investment products business, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including benefits derived from its diversified product portfolio, strong market position in the property and casualty business and strong credit ratings; Weaknesses, including declining profitability, weak revenue growth and weak cash position; Opportunities for improvement, including increasing home ownership, increasing demand for investment products and rising interest rates in the U.S.; Threats to the company, including intense competition and catastrophic losses and mounting expenses.

Provides a business analysis of ENSCO International Inc., a Dallas, Texas-based provider of offshore drilling services to the oil and gas industry which operates in the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea, offshore Africa, Venezuela, Indonesia, Trinidad, and the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including benefits derived from its position as an international operator and strong financial position and cash flows; Weaknesses, including high dependence on shallow-water segment, underutilization of ENSCO 7500, and increasing operating expenses; Opportunities for improvement, including strong demand in the Middle East, recovery in Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska-U.S. gas pipeline project; Threats to the company, including highly competitive and cyclical business, environmental issues and natural calamities.

Presents an overview of ENSCO International Inc., a Dallas, Texas-based provider of offshore drilling services to the oil and gas industry which operates in the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea, offshore Africa, Venezuela, Indonesia, Trinidad, and the Asia-Pacific region. Company overview, including revenues generated in fiscal year 2005, services provided, and principal businesses; Key facts, including contact information; Analysis of the company, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Provides a business analysis of Deutsche Bahn AG, a Berlin, Germany-based government-owned railway company which operates in Germany, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including benefits derived from its leading market positions, consistent cash flows, success of the rail reform program and use of Technology; Weaknesses, including delayed privatization, cuts in federal budget, history of losses and high debt; Opportunities for improvement, including outlook for freight business, expected recovery in German economy and expansion to overseas markets; Threats to the company, including declining market for passenger transport, intense competition in long distance passenger transport division and pricing and competitive pressures in the freight market.

Provides a business analysis of Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd., one of the world's leading commercial printing companies, also providing multimedia-related services, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including benefits derived from its leading industry position, and strong cash position; Weaknesses, including the overdependence on the Information Communication business, and high dependence on domestic market; Opportunities for improvement, including growth in sales of smart cards, and increasing demand for color filters; Threats to the company, including rising prices of raw materials, and decreasing popularity of books and magazines.

The article features Nisshin Seifun Group, a holding company based in Tokyo, Japan. In this paper, a background information on the operations of the company is provided. This article also provides information on its financial performance. The strengths of the company are mentioned including its well diversified business, rising revenues and strong cash positions. Details on weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the company are also provided in this paper.

The article profiles heavy industrial machinery and equipment manufacturer Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. (IHI). The factors that contributed to the growth of its revenue include the increase of income from offshore segments. The manufacturer has a weak cash position. The strong stand of the Japanese government on reducing greenhouse gases is expected to significantly increase compliance for firms such as IHI.

Provides a business analysis of Mattel Inc., a California-based diversified toy manufacturer, which holds a licensing agreement with Walt Disney that allows Mattel to capitalize on classic Disney characters, such as Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including benefits derived from its strong brand recognition, extensive product offering and higher return on assets and equity in comparison to competitors; Weaknesses, including declining revenues from the U.S., customer concentration and weak cash position; Opportunities for improvement, including demographic and socioeconomic trends and international markets; Threats to the company, including increasing crude oil prices, inventory management and high competition.

Provides a business analysis of Del Monte Foods Co., a San Francisco, California-based company which is engaged in the production of packaged fruits and vegetables and a range of specialty items such as pet food and snacks, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including benefits derived from its dominant market position, strong liquidity position and portfolio of strong brands; Weaknesses, including customer concentration, sluggish customer product growth, exclusive supply agreement and declining net income; Opportunities for improvement, including growing demand for healthy food, growth in biotechnology products and new dietary guidelines; Threats to the company, including retailer consolidation and concerns regarding methyl mercury in seafood products.

Provides a business analysis of CCC Information Services Group Inc., a Chicago, Illinois-based holding company which provides software, communications systems, and Internet and wireless-enabled technology to customers in the automotive claims and collision repair industries, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including benefits derived from its market leadership, renewed focus on core business, extensive presence across auto claims supply chain and predictable revenue stream; Weaknesses, including low sales growth, delayed introduction of new products and high debt and poor capital position; Opportunities for improvement, including introduction of new solutions, favorable macro environment, significant client wins in early fiscal 2005 and move into specialty estimating segment; Threats to the company, including ongoing litigation related to Valuescope and customer losses.

Provides a business analysis of Worthington Industries Inc., a Columbus, Ohio-based steel processor and manufacturer of metal products such as metal framing, pressure cylinders, automotive past model service stampings, and metal ceiling grid systems, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including benefits derived from its customized offerings, increasing return on equity and strong performances by joint ventures; Weaknesses, including consistent decline in profitability in the pressure cylinders division, fall in organic volume of sales across all product lines and deteriorating cash position; Opportunities for improvement, including widening product line and customer base, growth in the nonresidential office construction market and streamlining activities to focus on core business; Threats to the company, including increasing consolidation in the steel industry and weakness in the automotive sector.

Provides a business analysis of Nippon Soda Co. Ltd., which is engaged in the manufacturing and supply of chemical products and is a leading caustic soda manufacturer, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including benefits derived from its improved cost management, and improving cash position; Weaknesses, including the deceleration of revenue growth, and declining profitability of chemical division; Opportunities for improvement, including opportunities in South Korea, and rising demand for organic colorants; Threats to the company, including rising raw material prices, and the REACH system.

Presents an overview of Nippon Soda Co. Ltd., which is engaged in the manufacturing and supply of chemical products and is a leading caustic soda manufacturer. Company overview, including revenues generated in fiscal year ended March 2005, principal businesses, and areas of operations; Key facts, including contact information; Analysis of the company, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Provides a business analysis of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd., a company which manufactures a range of electronic products such as audiovisual components, information and communications equipment, home appliances, and electronic devices, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including benefits derived from its broad product portfolio, strong brand name and increasing profitability of home appliances segment; Weaknesses, including poor financial performance, declining cash position and low return on assets and investment; Opportunities for improvement, including positive outlook for the Japanese economy, growing flat panel TV market and booming semiconductor market; Threats to the company, including rising steel prices and consolidation in the PC industry.

Presents an overview of CeoTronics, a Roedermark, Germany-based manufacturer of electronic communication systems such as headsets, communication systems, and mobile and digital mini radio networks. Company overview, including revenues generated in fiscal year 2005, services provided, and principal businesses; Key facts, including contact information; Analysis of the company, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Provides a business analysis of WPS Resources Corp., a Green Bay, Wisconsin-based company which provides regulated electricity and natural gas utilities to customers in northeastern and central Wisconsin and an adjacent portion of Upper Michigan and Canada, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including benefits derived from its competitive return on equity, assets and investments, growing Canadian business and strong sales growth; Weaknesses, including poor cost management, volatility in cash position and over dependence on coal; Opportunities for improvement, including strategic acquisitions, projected increase in the demand for electricity and natural gas and growing popularity of renewable energy; Threats to the company, including weak outlook for average electricity prices, rising prices of natural gas and coal and highly regulated industry.

Provides a business analysis of Alberto-Culver Co., a company which manufactures and distributes a variety of healthcare, beauty and household products, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including benefits derived from its strong sales growth, strong cash position and high brand recognition; Weaknesses, including low return on assets, investment and equity, poor cost management and over dependence on the U.S. market; Opportunities for improvement, including growing global cosmetics market, acquisition of CosmoProf and growth in demand for skin care products; Threats to the company, including Chinese ban on direct selling, presence of harmful ingredients in cosmetics and rising packaging costs.

Presents an overview of Alberto-Culver Co., a company which manufactures and distributes a variety of healthcare, beauty and household products. Company overview, including revenues generated in fiscal year 2004, services provided, and principal businesses; Key facts, including contact information; Analysis of the company, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Provides a business analysis of NCR Corp., a Dayton, Ohio-based provider of the enterprise data warehousing space and technology and services such as automated teller machines, retail point of sale workstations, bar code scanners and self check in/out systems, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including benefits derived from its strong market position, balanced revenue streams and cash position; Weaknesses, including high cost structure, performance of payment and imaging and customer services division, and low return on assets, investment and equity; Opportunities for improvement, including new acquisitions and emerging markets; Threats to the company, including slow growth in ATM usage, decline in global IT spending, impact of patent protection and exposure to currency fluctuations.

Presents an overview of NCR Corp., a Dayton, Ohio-based provider of the enterprise data warehousing space and technology and services such as automated teller machines, retail point of sale workstations, bar code scanners and self check in/out systems. Company overview, including revenues generated in fiscal year 2004, services provided, and principal businesses; Key facts, including contact information; Analysis of the company, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Provides a business analysis of Unocal Corp., El Segundo, California-based oil and gas exploration and production company which also produces geothermal energy and electrical power in Asia, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including benefits derived from its strong cash position, diverse geographic spread of asset base and offering in renewable energy segment; Weaknesses, including inept vetting of legal matters, high cost structure and human rights infringement; Opportunities for improvement, including increased opportunities in Asia, rising demand for petroleum products in the U.S., and rise in demand for natural gas; Threats to the company, including increased competition due to rising consolidation and volatility in oil prices.

Provides a business analysis of Infineon Technologies AG, Munich, Germany-based company, which is engaged in manufacturing, designing, development and marketing of semiconductors, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including benefits derived from its well diversified position, ability to differentiate products based on technology, and decreasing defect parts per million rate; Weaknesses, including customer concentration, cash position and low return on assets; Opportunities for improvement, including growing mobile phone market, booming Bluetooth chipset market and further expansion into China; Threats to the company, including weak outlook for semiconductor markets, competition from Asian manufacturers and sluggish PC sales.

Provides a business analysis of United Business Media PLC, which is a provider of business information services to the technology, healthcare, media, automotive, financial services and property industries, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including large market share, leading news distribution business and cash position; Weaknesses, including global presence, advertising revenues and competitive environment; Opportunities for improvement, including market research, online advertising market and acquisitions; Threats to the company, including effect of no recovery in business to business publishing sector and advertising recovery in 2004.

Presents an overview of United Business Media PLC, which is a provider of business information services to the technology, healthcare, media, automotive, financial services and property industries. Company overview, including revenues generated in fiscal year 2003, services provided, and principal businesses; Key facts, including contact information; Analysis of the company, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Presents an overview of Terra Lycos SA, a company which provides Internet access, interactive content and services. Company overview, including revenues generated in fiscal year 2003, services provided, and principal businesses; Key facts, including contact information; Analysis of the company, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Provides a business analysis of Terra Lycos SA, a company which provides Internet access, interactive content and services, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including cash position, alliances and good reputation; Weaknesses, including losses, effect of reliance on Telefonica group and exchange rate fluctuations; Opportunities for improvement, including positive effect of revival in Internet industry, growth in broadband subscriptions and new products; Threats to the company, including online advertising and competition, government regulations.

Provides a business analysis of King Pharmaceuticals Inc., a company which develops, manufactures, markets and sells prescription pharmaceutical products, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including growth prospects, therapeutic focus and cash position; Weaknesses, including limited potential, acquisitions and negative effect of reliance on few drugs; Opportunities for improvement, including acquired products, realization and expansion of pipeline, acquisitions, in-licensing opportunities, partnerships and alliances; Threats to the company, including competition, co-marketing agreements, acquisition potential, specializations and investigations.

Presents an overview of King Pharmaceuticals Inc., a company which develops, manufactures, markets and sells prescription pharmaceutical products. Company overview, including revenues generated in fiscal year 2003, services provided, and principal businesses; Key facts, including contact information; Analysis of the company, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Provides a business analysis of Patterson Dental Co., a company which is one of the largest distributors of dental supplies and equipment in North America, as well as a distributor to the pet veterinary markets, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including effect of strong cash position on facilitating strategic acquisitions, strong position in the dental equipment market, single source capabilities and competitive financing options; Weaknesses, including reduced flexibility; Opportunities for improvement, including growth in dental supply division, growth in the veterinary supply division and acquisitions; Threats to the company, including intense competition, lack of suitable companies for acquisition and ineffective integration with recent acquisitions.

Presents an overview of Patterson Dental Co., a company which is one of the largest distributors of dental supplies and equipment in North America, as well as a distributor to the pet veterinary markets. Company overview, including revenues generated in fiscal year 2003, services provided, and principal businesses; Key facts, including contact information; Analysis of the company, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Presents an overview of Henderson Land Development Co., which is one of the largest property developers in Hong Kong. Company overview, including revenues generated in fiscal year 2003, services provided, and principal businesses; Key facts, including contact information; Analysis of the company, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Provides a business analysis of Henderson Land Development Co., which is one of the largest property developers in Hong Kong, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including diverse property portfolio, strong land bank and strong cash position; Weaknesses, including falling property completions and slow property pre-sales; Opportunities for improvement, including improved economic conditions and growth in retail market; Threats to the company, including changes in policy and legislative measures and strong competition.

Provides a business analysis of Entergy Corp., a company which is a global energy company engaged in the production and distribution of power, and other related services, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including leading nuclear power generator, divestiture initiatives bolster cash position and diversified asset base; Weaknesses, including weak financial performance, project cancellations and heavy dependence on U.S. utility business; Opportunities for improvement, including investment in Entergy-Koch, back to basics, clean energy sources and increase in rates; Threats to the company, including volatile trading price of energy products, losses due to natural calamities, allegations relating to bogus trading and possibility of terrorist attacks.

Presents an overview of Entergy Corp., a company which is a global energy company engaged in the production and distribution of power, and other related services. Company overview, including revenues generated in fiscal year 2002, services provided, and principal businesses; Key facts, including contact information; Analysis of the company, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Provides a business analysis of King Pharmaceuticals Inc., a company which is a vertically integrated pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, markets and sells prescription pharmaceutical products, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including solid short- to mid-term growth prospects, broad therapeutic focus and good cash position; Weaknesses, including limited potential in pipeline, dependence on acquisitions, reliance on few drugs and profits lag Altace's growth; Opportunities for improvement, including exploitation of acquired products, realization and expansion of pipeline, possible acquisitions, in-licensing opportunities, formation of new franchises, development of partnerships and alliances; Threats to the company, including risk of generic competition, co-marketing agreements, acquisition potential, lack of specialization and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigations.

Presents an overview of King Pharmaceuticals Inc., a company which is a vertically integrated pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, markets and sells prescription pharmaceutical products. Company overview, including revenues generated in fiscal year 2002, services provided, and principal businesses; Key facts, including contact information; Analysis of the company, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Presents an overview of Takeda Chemical Industries Ltd., which is Japan's largest manufacturer of pharmaceuticals. Company overview, including revenues generated in fiscal year 2003, services provided, and principal businesses; Key facts, including contact information; Analysis of the company, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Presents an overview of Evotec OAI AG, a company which is a drug discovery company that offers a range of products and services to increase the efficiency and aim to reduce the risk involved in the identification of new drugs. Company overview, including revenues generated in fiscal year 2002, services provided, and principal businesses; Key facts, including contact information; Analysis of the company, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Provides a business analysis of Northwest Airlines Corp., which operates the world's fourth largest airline, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including loyalty programs, network, regional carriers and cash position; Weaknesses, including unionized workforce, debts and loss making; Opportunities for improvement, including industry recovery, further alliances and shifting customer needs; Threats to the company, including strong competition, decline in airline industry, fuel costs, seasonality and government regulation and tax.

Presents an overview of Northwest Airlines Corp., which operates the world's fourth largest airline. Company overview, including revenues generated in fiscal year 2002, services provided, and principal businesses; Key facts, including contact information; Analysis of the company, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Presents an overview of UCB SA, which is a global pharmaceutical company that specializes in providing pharmaceutical and chemical products as well as film services. Company overview, including revenues generated in fiscal year 2002, services provided, and principal businesses; Key facts, including contact information; Analysis of the company, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Provides a business analysis of Novartis AG, which is a world leader in healthcare with several business sectors including pharmaceuticals, consumer health, generics, eye-care and animal health, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including high profit margins, strong cash position, performance of generics business, new products, low patent risk and solid pipeline; Weaknesses, including high level of generic risk and failing infectious disease portfolio; Opportunities for improvement, including further penetration of the U.S. market and Roche merger; Threats to the company, including increasing consolidation among industry peers and more delays to pipeline launch schedule.

Presents an overview of Novartis AG, which is a world leader in healthcare with several business sectors including pharmaceuticals, consumer health, generics, eye-care and animal health. Company overview, including revenues generated in fiscal year 2002, services provided, and principal businesses; Key facts, including contact information; Analysis of the company, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Presents an overview of Easynet Group PLC, which is a pan-European Internet service provider and telecommunication company. Company overview, including revenues generated in fiscal year 2002, services provided, and principal businesses; Key facts, including contact information; Analysis of the company, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats.

Provides a business analysis of Easynet Group PLC, which is a pan-European Internet service provider and telecommunication company, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and threats to the company. Strengths, including strong cash position, market leadership and revenue growth in Europe; Weaknesses, including voice services and loss making; Opportunities for improvement, including ULL establishment and market trends; Threats to the company, including strong competition and interest and foreign currency exchange rates.