Barnes & Noble, Inc. (BKS), Apple Inc. (AAPL), Macy’s, Inc. (M): Four Gift Ideas for Mom and the Stocks Behind Them

With Mother’s Day just around the corner on May 12, most of us are still in shopping mode for the moms in our lives. Below are four gift ideas that may help get you started in your search for the perfect gift, each from companies whose stock looks like an attractive investment at current levels. While we each want to find something special and unique for Mom, these companies offer gifts we can all benefit from.

Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE:BKS)

With the company’s recent announcement that its Nook tablet will now include the full complement of Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android applications, the device looks more attractive than ever. With a starting price of $199, the Nook is competitive with other similarly equipped tablets, while offering one of the best displays on the market. As for the stock, while Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) may be the real winner, Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE:BKS) should be reinvigorated by this new partnership and become more competitive in the tablet market. Furthermore, with the company potentially up for sale, the stock has the potential to pop from here.

Source: Barnes & Noble.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)

For ease of use and simplicity, it is hard to beat an Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad Mini for Mom on her special day. Starting at $329, the iPad Mini is more pricey than the Nook, but if Mom is already a part of the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) ecosystem, the ease with which she will be able to add the device to her daily routine is impossible to match. As an investment, while Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares have taken a beating over the past few quarters, the combination of the company’s solid business and recently announced share buyback and dividend increase make shares very attractive at current levels.

Source: Apple.

Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE:M)

From perfume to a treat for the kitchen, Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE:M) gives you the flexibility to pick something for your mom that is special for her. With countless retail locations and the option to shop online, this is the best broad option on the list. From an investment perspective, Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE:M) has been slowly grinding higher all year, beating the return of the overall market and showing no signs of slowing down. With a dividend yield of 1.7%, the stock offers the income element of U.S. Treasuries and plenty of upside beyond that.