An uncertain global economy has put a damper on Fastenal Co.
Wunderlich Securities analyst Brent Rakers wrote in an investor note that second-quarter earnings, released Wednesday, were disappointing, but he still rates the stock of Winona-based seller of industrial supplies a buy.
The company recently added 347 full-time salespeople. Rakers believes they will help the company grow. He called it "the most important element" of the company's earnings release.
Target closer to Tech Talent
Target Corp.'s Technology Innovation Center in San Francisco is part of Target's effort to recruit talent and use technology and data to keep ahead of change in retail. The center in Silicon Valley is seen as necessary to attract engineers and programmers to advance multichannel retailing, mobile payments, social interaction and data analytics.
Carol Spieckerman, a retail consultant and analyst, told the Star Tribune recently: "They are trying to get closer to the talent. Not everything can come out of headquarters."
Patrick Kennedy
