Industry Stocks: February Performances

February was a mixed month for the Publishers Weekly Stock Index, with the stock prices of 12 companies rising, while stock prices fell at nine. Overall, the PWSI inched up 0.5% in February, slightly less than the 0.9% gain posted by the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The most dramatic change in the month came at Amazon.com, whose stock price fell by more than $7. Analysts attributed the 14.7% decline to profit taking and disappointment among investors about the e-tailer's gross margins. Books-A-Million's stock also had a poor February, with its stock price falling 13.3%. Other book retailers, however, had a good month, led by Hastings Entertainment, whose stock price rose 15.2%, and Borders Group, whose stock price increased 9.2% due in part to an upbeat forecast for 2004. Another stock of note in the month was Courier Corp.; its closing price of $45.20 at the end of February was just off its 52-week high of $45.70 that was achieved earlier in the month.