Shop Talk

Check out Abercrombie losing its CFO to Kellwood.
 
Michael Kramer is leaving Abercrombie & Fitch as of Aug. 18 to take the top job at clothing manufacturer Kellwood Co and Wall Street doesn’t like it.
 
“With Mike Kramer’s departure, we are less certain that margins stay at historical levels and growth initiatives are pursued carefully, Thomas Weisel partners analyst Liz Dunn said.
 
Abercrombie already has problems with tepid sales as customers cut spending to cope with rising gasoline and and food costs.
 
Sluggish sales require “prudent management of expenses and capital spending, Credit Suisse analyst Paul Lejuez said. “Without a CFO, there is no one to lead the charge.”
 
Also in the basket:
 
Fortune Brands profit tops lowered Wall St expectations.
 
Consumer confidence rebounds from 28-year low
 
Foreclosures double from last year 
 
(Photo: Reuters)