Office Depot is buying OfficeMax for $1.2 billion. Why?

Competition Office supply retailing has been a tough business lately. Demand for paper, writing materials, envelopes, and many other products is falling as people do more and more work on line. On-line stores are making big inroads, just as they have done in books,...

Competitive Strength Under Stress

Competition affects credit strength, and never more than in tough times. Favorable conditions can mask competitive weaknesses. Consider General Motors at the peak of the SUV craze. Unfavorable conditions can amplify weaknesses. Consider General Motors today.   This...