Shopping, loans and booze

• Buy 200 shares of Bon-Ton Stores (BONT, news, msgs) at the open.

• Buy 400 shares of First Cash Financial Services (FCFS, news, msgs) at the open.

• Buy 200 shares of Central European Distribution (CEDC, news, msgs) at the open.

Hi, all!

To coincide with the Las Vegas Money Show, which runs through Thursday, May 17, at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, I'm bringing you three recommendations. Hope to see you all in Vegas!

Shopping a go-go!

Bon-Ton had a great fiscal year that ended in February. The company's earnings grew from $1.57 per share in the prior year to $2.78. And it estimates that its 2008 earnings will rise between 22% and 26%.

The company recently doubled its dividend, and its yield is 0.4%.

Bon-Ton trades at a price-to-earnings ratio around 18, about 40% lower than its competitors. Its ratios are healthy and the company’s growth prospects are excellent. Its market capitalization is $852.8 million, with 17.43 million shares outstanding. It has $24.7 million in cash.

I recommend that you purchase 200 shares of BONT at a price no greater than $50. My 12- to 24-month price target is $65, about a 30% increase from today’s level.

Need some cash?

The company is going strong, with first-quarter profits climbing 35%, to 31 cents per share, while sales soared 62%, to $90.2 million.

First Cash's analysts are forecasting sales of $89.8 million and earnings of 26 cents for the quarter ending in June. It has a market cap of $731 million, with 32.19 million shares outstanding. It has $15.53 million in cash.

I recommend that you purchase 400 shares of FCFS at a price no greater than $23.75. My 12- to 24-month price target is $30, about a 32% increase from today’s level.

The hard stuff pays off

The company makes vodka and distributes some 700 brands of other alcoholic beverages, including beer, spirits and wine, as well as nonalcoholic beverages. Its import brands include Metaxa brandy, Ernest & Julio Gallo and Sutter Home wines, Remy Martin cognac, Jägermeister, Grants whiskey, Jim Beam bourbon, Guinness beer, Sierra Tequila and Teachers whiskey.

For 2006, the company saw its sales grow by 26%, while its operating income jumped by 78%. Earnings per share grew from $1.09 to $1.28. For 2007, CEDC estimates its earnings will range between $1.50 and $1.66 per share. Its market cap is $1.32 billion, with 40.06 million outstanding shares. It has $108.67 million in cash.

The company’s sales growth is twice that of its competition, while its debt is less than half. Its prospects look very positive.

I recommend that you purchase 200 shares of CEDC at a price no greater than $34. My 12- to 24-month price target is $43, about a 30% increase from today’s level.