By Rapaport
Debswana, the world’s largest diamond producer, to shut operations until April 15 and suspend production of two mines through 2009. We estimate the move will reduce their annual production by about 20% or by 6-7 mil. cts. De Beers to borrow $500 mil. from shareholders, 2008 rough sales flat at $5.9 bil. even though they increased prices by 14%. 2008 profits at $90 million. Gold passes $1,000/oz for first time since March 2008. U.S. Jan. jewelry price index +5%. German and Indian jewelry shows better than expected. Zale 2Q sales -18% to $679 mil. with loss of $24 mil. and plans to close 115 stores. Birks & Mayors 3Q sales -28% to $88 mil. with $42.7 mil. loss. Bidz.com 4Q jewelry sales -44% to $35 mil. profits -64% to $3 mil. J. C. Penney 4Q sales -10% to $5.8 bil. same store sales -11% and profits -51% to $211 mil. with jewelry ranking as weakest category. Macao 4Q watch, jewelry sales +22% to $138 mil. Fortunoff liquidates. Finlay to exit department stores and close 40 specialty boutiques.
Click here for original article.
- The Basics of Buying a Diamond - August 13, 2020
- Houston Sports Hall of Fame 2018 - October 8, 2018
- Red Bull Rubik's World Championship Ring - October 8, 2018