Adverse Weather Could Hamper Q2 And Q3 Retail Sales: Sterne

Weather has become the go-to culprit for weak December earnings in some corners (even though the market's 2013 rally was never motivated by earnings in the first place), and according to Weather Trends International (WTI) it will continue to frustrate investors and retailers for most of the year.

“Net/net, after all the weather disruptions we saw in 2013, retailers will not see a bounce back year - a discouraging development that most companies will need to consider when providing '14 guidance in the coming weeks,” write Sterne Agee analysts Charles Grom, Renato Basanta and John...