Jan 25, 2010

Daily Markets - Financial News & Opinions

Daily Markets - Financial News & Opinions


General Mills Stock Has Shown Its Short-Term Value And Is Still A Long-Term Winner

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 01:01 PM PST

On May 26, 2009, I recommended buying shares of General Mills Inc. (GIS) stock.  Investors who took my advice then would have paid about $52.61 for the stock, which is currently trading at $70.96 a share, resulting in a gain of about 35%.

The stock at the time had been neglected and offered a very compelling risk-reward situation, especially considering the market conditions. But the market often takes some time to recognize tremendous opportunities that to others seem obvious.

That … [visit site to read more]


Brooks Automation (NASDAQ:BRKS) — Shares “Smacked” Down On Analyst Downgrade

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 01:00 PM PST

In a previous position at a technology publication we closely followed companies like Brooks Automation, due to the automation, vacuum, and instrumentation solutions it provides to the semiconductor and related industries. So, today's recent Citigroup analyst downgrade caught my eye. The negative perspective resulted from chip inventory that may be building up too quickly based on seasonal trends, and greater than expected capital expenditures early this year.
However, Agora Financial editor … [visit site to read more]


Eaton Beats Estimates

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 12:59 PM PST

Electrical equipment maker Eaton Corporation (ETN) reported fourth quarter earnings of $1.35 per share, beating its own guidance of $1.15-$1.25 and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.23. Quarterly earnings also increased 25% from the year-ago profit of $1.08 per share.
For the full year 2009, Eaton reported earnings per share of $2.59, above its guidance range of $2.40−$2.50 and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.47. However, full-year earnings were down 62% from $6.83 reported in … [visit site to read more]


EFII Misses By A Penny

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 12:40 PM PST

Electronics For Imaging Inc. (EFII) recently posted fourth quarter net loss of $3.4 million or 7 cents per share, compared to a loss of $104.5 million or $2.03 per share in the year-ago period, which included a goodwill and asset impairment charge of $111.9 million. The quarterly result also came in behind the Zacks Consensus Estimate for a loss of 6 cents per share.
Electronics For Imaging designs and markets products that support color and black-and-white printing on a variety of peripheral … [visit site to read more]


Forex Trading: AUDUSD Consolidates With 0.9092 Providing The Ceiling

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 12:34 PM PST

The AUDUSD has consolidated for the second straight day (non -trending) and this has allowed the 100 hour Moving average some time to catch up with the price.  The price has been below the 100 hour moving average since breaking below at 0.9258 on January 19th last week.  The move has pushed the pair to a low at 0.8982 in the process. 
As the NY day ends and the Far East session approached the market will be watching the support at the 0.9021 level where the trendline support is … [visit site to read more]


GATX Loses On Low Freight Rates

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 12:22 PM PST

GATX Corporation's (GMT) fourth quarter earnings of 35 cents per share were a couple of pennies below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 37 cents. A year ago, the company had reported a profit of 58 cents. GATX, which provides transportation assets to rail companies, witnessed a drain in earnings due to a weak rail market coupled with low freight rates.
Total revenues declined 6.5% due to lower business at American Steamship, where revenues dropped 20% to $54 million due to a steep decline in … [visit site to read more]


Skyworks Delivers Solid Quarter

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 12:11 PM PST

Skyworks Solutions, Inc. (SWKS) reported revenues of $245.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010, up 17% year over year and surpassed management's guidance range of $238 million – $242 million.
The top-line growth was driven by increasing demand for mobile Internet applications, increasingly diversified linear products and the rapid adoption of smart-grid technologies.
Gross margin came in at 42.2%, up 130 basis points sequentially driven by a richly diversified product mix, volume … [visit site to read more]


Positive Opinion For Glaxo Drug

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 12:04 PM PST

Last week, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Denmark-based Genmab received good news with the European Medicines Agency's (EMEA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) issuing a positive opinion for Arzerra (ofatumumab), a monoclonal antibody. GlaxoSmithKline is seeking approval for the use of Arzerra to treat patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a cancer of the blood and bone marrow.
 
The CHMP has recommended Arzerra's conditional marketing authorization in the … [visit site to read more]


ETF Update: Look To Japan For Lower Risk Investing

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 12:01 PM PST

In a wild and volatile week for equity markets, there was really no place to hide.  Anyone who owned stocks experienced significant losses. Is it time to bail out, or are there still attractive opportunities in ETF’s?

Our analysis shows a genuine opportunity in Japan, not just a “safer place” to park money.

Background

Each week we provide a list of sectors emphasizing those that we expect to have the best performance over the next three weeks.  ETF investors can check out the … [visit site to read more]


The Natural Order Of Credit Cycle Correction

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 12:00 PM PST

Is this it? Is this the beginning of the end?
In the beginning there was the word. And the word was 'subprime.' When investors spoke the word in 2007, markets quaked. By the autumn of 2008, Lehman Bros. had gone broke and stocks were falling all over the globe.
The end of the beginning came on March 9th, 2009. Stocks had lost about half of their value…a loss of about $25 trillion, worldwide. The first stage was over.
The next stage was the rebound…the bounce. It boosted stock prices … [visit site to read more]


New Nordstrom Rack For Chicago

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 11:53 AM PST

Nordstrom Inc. (JWN), a leading fashion specialty retailer, recently announced plans to open a new 36,000 square feet Nordstrom Rack on East Chicago Avenue between North Michigan Avenue and North Rush Street.
 
The new store would be the seventh of its kind in greater Chicago and the second such store downtown. The new Nordstrom Rack is expected to open in the fall of 2010 and would offer merchandise at fire-sale prices with discounts of 50%−60%. Nordstrom has continually opened new … [visit site to read more]


Will Iraqi Oil Deals Boost Energy ETF?

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 11:39 AM PST

On Monday, news of coordinated bomb attacks in Baghdad made headlines around the world, highlighting the ongoing violence that continues to grip Iraq. Also on Monday, the government reported that the man known as "Chemical Ali," one of the most ruthless allies of Saddam Hussein, was executed for crimes against humanity. Receiving far less attention was a development in the country that could have a major impact on the Iraqi economy and the global crude oil market.
A consortium comprised of … [visit site to read more]


ProLogis Obtains Euro Loan

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 11:29 AM PST

ProLogis (PLD), a leading global provider of distribution facilities, has recently obtained European property funds totaling €622 million, collateralized by various assets in France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Poland and the U.K. The financing has a weighted average rate of 4.91%.
 
The company obtained three four-year funding worth €441 million for ProLogis European Properties. The largest component of the financing was a €300 million syndicated loan with six European … [visit site to read more]


Follow Up To EWJ And JOF

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 11:23 AM PST

In the last 6 weeks, I have highlighted the i-Shares MSCI Japan Index Fund (symbol: EWJ) and the Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund (symbol: JOF). Since December 17, 2009, EWJ is up 4% while the S&P500 is essentially flat over that same time period. Since January 21, 2010, JOF is up a couple of percent in an otherwise crappy tape.

Technically, the set up for higher sustainable prices is there, but fundamentally, Japan may be “the most hated market in the globe” according to comments made … [visit site to read more]


Swiss Franc: Continuation Of The Rebound

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 11:18 AM PST

Update on supports and resistances. … [visit site to read more]


Australian Dollar: Bounce

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 11:18 AM PST

Update on supports and resistances. … [visit site to read more]


Canadian Dollar: Continuation Of The Rebound

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 11:18 AM PST

Update on supports and resistances. … [visit site to read more]


Japanese Yen: The Upside Prevails

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 11:18 AM PST

Update on supports and resistances. … [visit site to read more]


British Pound: The Upside Prevails

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 11:17 AM PST

Update on supports and resistances. … [visit site to read more]


Euro: Bounce

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 11:17 AM PST

Update on supports and resistances. … [visit site to read more]


Ford-UAW Dispute Continues

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 11:07 AM PST

Leaders of United Auto Workers (UAW) have voted to protest Ford Motor Co.'s (F) decision to restore some benefits for white-collar workers. They claimed that the automaker's move would violate its contract with the union after the union workers had made concessions. However, a Ford spokesperson has revealed that the decision is a part of the company's commitment to reinstate the white-collar benefits once its finances improved.
 
In December last year, Ford has announced that it … [visit site to read more]


Forex Trading: GBPUSD Moves Back Higher And Tests The Days Highs

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 11:02 AM PST

 
Market ranges compressed but the GBPUSD remains supported.  The pair has trended for most of the day with one earlier dip to test the 200 bar MA on the 5 minute chart. The price remains well above the 100 bar MA on that chart which is at 1.6186.
Over the last few hours, the pair has consolidated the gains.  However, the correction has been modest and shallow.  The pair is now probing the highs and keeps the 100 hour moving average as the … [visit site to read more]


Picture Du Jour: Are US Consumers Spending And Borrowing?

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 11:01 AM PST

The two graphs below come courtesy of Investment Tools (via the Dow Theory Letters).
Commercial and industrial loans outstanding
The trend of loans is still strongly southwards. Also, the rate-of-change indicator (green line in the bottom section of the chart) does not yet seem to have started bottoming out.

Consumer credit outstanding
“One of the most sensitive measures of consumer spending is the trend of consumer credit. Consumers are hiding in the basement and saving. I get … [visit site to read more]


The Worst Housing Flip Of All Time

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 10:59 AM PST

Back in the height of the bubble, just three short years ago, this plot of land, glass and concrete represented the biggest real estate deal in US history:

World's biggest foreclosure?
This morning, we filed it in our bulging "signs of the times" folder… Witness one of the worst housing "flips" of our time:
The busted owners of NYC's Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village returned the city-within-a-city to their creditors today.
Tishman Speyer Properties and BlackRock Realty … [visit site to read more]


Panera’s Robust Earnings Outlook

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 10:49 AM PST

The earnings outlook for Panera Bread Company (PNRA) remains strong ahead of its quarterly results next month. While the prospects of many of its peers continue to be weighed down by the weak economic environment, the upscale bakery chain last week reported robust same-store sales for the fourth quarter.
Panera shares have been strong performers since its pre-release in an otherwise weak market. The company is scheduled to report fourth-quarter results on February 11.
During the fiscal 2009 … [visit site to read more]


Allegheny Energy To Issue Notes

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 10:45 AM PST

Allegheny Energy Inc.'s (AYE) subsidiary Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Company (TrAILCo) will issue $450 million aggregate principal amount of 4.0% unsecured notes due 2015. TrAILCo will also enter a new $350 million, three-year unsecured revolving credit facility concurrently with the closing of the notes offering. TrAILCo will use the net proceeds from the notes, together with funds from the new credit facility, to repay all amounts outstanding under its existing credit … [visit site to read more]


Video: Bernanke Boosts Risk Appetite

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 10:26 AM PST

Growing speculation that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will be confirmed for a second term has paved the way for investors to favor higher-yielding currencies this session. … [visit site to read more]


Initiating Fastenal At Neutral

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 10:22 AM PST

We have initiated coverage on Fastenal Co. (FAST) with a Neutral recommendation and a target price of $45.
 
Founded in 1967 and based in Winona, Minnesota, Fastenal is a leading national distributor of industrial and construction supplies and has 2,369 stores in Canada, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Singapore, China and all 50 states in the U.S.
 
Fastenal continues to upgrade its inventory management system, initially known as Customer Service Project (CSP), to … [visit site to read more]


The Smart Grid/Enernet Initiative: The First Great Infrastructure Project Of The 21st Century

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 10:20 AM PST

Monday, January 25, 2010: Issue #1182
You don't have to look around too much to find the latest buzz on renewable energy sources and the companies behind them. Since oil prices began rising and the movement toward a cleaner, greener world has gathered pace, they've become all the rage.
But it's important to note that no matter how much momentum the sector builds up, the lack of one key thing could steer this "groundswell of green" into a brick wall.
It's called the Smart Grid – … [visit site to read more]


Video: Market Movers: BCS, AKS, CAL, STI

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 10:20 AM PST

The latest news and information on U.S. stocks that are moving the market. … [visit site to read more]


AK Steel Beats Expectations

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 10:16 AM PST

Shares of AK Steel Corporation (AKS) gained more than 6% after the company reported a net income of $39.8 million or 36 cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2009, in contrast to a net loss of $430.6 million or $3.87 per share for the fourth quarter of 2008. Reported earnings were ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 20 cents. For the full-year 2009, AK Steel reported a net loss of $74.6 million, or 68 cents per share, compared to a net income of $4.0 million, or 4 cents per … [visit site to read more]


Moderate Initially On ITW

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 10:06 AM PST

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW), a manufacturer of a diversified range of industrial products and equipment, was recently initiated as "Neutral.”
 
Illinois has grown through its ability to develop new and improved products and numerous acquisitions. Improvisation and development of new methods, processes and equipment along with acquisitions provide the company a big push.
However, immense competitive pressure along with the huge exposure to foreign currency sales puts Illinois at a … [visit site to read more]


Chart Of The Week: Weekly iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index (FXI)

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 10:01 AM PST

Investors who have been waiting for a significant VIX spike to signal a changing of the guard in investor sentiment finally got something to sink their teeth into last week. On the other hand, investors who have been watching China closely have seen a slowly deteriorating picture since about mid-November.

In fact, FXI, the iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index (FXI), is now down 15.8% from its November high water mark and after declining sharply on large volume for the past two weeks is … [visit site to read more]


How Long Have We Really Been In A Bear Market?

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 09:59 AM PST

"It seems nothing can keep a bad market down," we opined last week, adding, "If this bounce goes much higher, we're going to have to review the laws of financial gravity."
Just when we were on the verge of losing faith in those immutable laws…the market put them to the test for us, leaping off a cliff with barely a cocktail umbrella to slow its fall. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted more than 4% during the past five trading days. The broader S&P 500 index faired even … [visit site to read more]


Praxair Expands To Costa Rica

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 09:51 AM PST

Recently, Praxair, Inc. (PX) started its new air separation plant in San Jose, Costa Rica. In addition to meeting increasing demand for oxygen, nitrogen and argon from industrial and medical customers in Costa Rica, the new facility positions Praxair to supply distributors in Panama and the Caribbean market.
 
The Praxair unit in China, Praxair China, plans to build a nitrogen plant and integrate its patented direct-injection technology at Marcegalia's new steel-tube mill in Yangzhou, … [visit site to read more]


Target Sets Growth Targets

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 09:34 AM PST

Target Corp. (TGT) stated that it will focus more on store renovations rather than new openings in 2010.
The Minnneapolis-based big-box retailer said that it will spend about $1 billion to remodel approximately 340 stores. The company's renovation program includes expanded grocery offerings, improved store layout, new product assortments and enhancement of its in-store shopping experience in a number of departments, including beauty, home, electronics and video games, aimed at increasing … [visit site to read more]


Existing Homes Sales Plunge

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 09:18 AM PST

The National Association of Realtors reported this morning that in December Existing Homes Sales plunged 16.7% from November, to an annual rate of 5.45 million. That rate was, however, 15.0% below the extremely depressed 4.74 million rate in December 2008. While inventories also dropped (as is seasonally normal), falling 6.6% on the month and down 11.1% year over year, the bigger drop in sales meant the months of supply on the market increased to 7.2 months from 6.5 months in November.
There … [visit site to read more]


T. Rowe Price Enters India

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 09:17 AM PST

On Jan 20, T. Rowe Price Group Inc. (TROW) announced the purchase of the 26% share of the Unit Trust of India Asset Management Company Ltd. (UTI AMC) and UTI Trustee Company Pvt. Ltd., for INR 6.5 billion or US$142.4 million. The deal was being mulled over by the management since Nov, 2009. The transaction was sealed post the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approval in India. 

As a part of the deal, State Bank of India, Life Insurance Corporation of India, Punjab National … [visit site to read more]


Sealed Air Meets Expectations

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 09:08 AM PST

Sealed Air Corporation (SEE) posted third-quarter EPS of 40 cents, in-line the Zacks Consensus Estimate and slightly higher than the prior-year EPS of 39 cents. Through its stringent cost-control measures and global manufacturing strategy, the company managed to offset the impact of lower sales on its earnings.
Net sales declined 1.8% to $1.15 billion from $1.17 billion in the fourth quarter of 2008. This included a negative impact of 3.6% due to lower unit volumes, 2.2% from unfavorable … [visit site to read more]


Marc Faber: White House Should Let Markets Work

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 09:01 AM PST

The US administration’s interventions in the market will not solve problems and will bring about unintended consequences, Marc Faber, author and publisher of the Gloom, Boom & Doom Report, told CNBC on Friday.
President Barack Obama on Thursday proposed new limits on the size and trading practices of big banks, to prevent excessive risk-taking.
“I don’t have a very high opinion of Mr. Obama,” Faber told CNBC’s Squawk Box Europe. “I was negative of Mr. Bush but I think Mr. Obama makes him … [visit site to read more]


MoneyGram Allies In China

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 09:00 AM PST

Expanding its presence in China, on Jan 19, MoneyGram International Inc. (MGI) has announced its partnership with Bank of China, to enhance its money transfer service business by extending its service to the bank's 10,000 domestic branches across the country, over a period of time. Through this alliance, MoneyGram has added yet another strong Fortune 500 company to its global network. The partnership was confirmed after MoneyGram passed the six-month trial project that was carried across … [visit site to read more]


China’s Economy Is Overtaking Japan’s, Here’s What It Means To You

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 08:50 AM PST

Just as Japan's economy has been slumping over the past two decades, China's has been vigorously building steam. And, as Bill Emmott points out in an article today, it won't be long until Japan gets bumped down a notch and China takes its place as the world's second largest national economy after the US.
Emmott downplays the significance of the particular data point, but notes that it's an interesting, and potentially fortuitous, moment in time for Japan. From the Times Online:
"The … [visit site to read more]


Quest Beats, Guides In-Line

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 08:46 AM PST

Quest Diagnostics' (DGX) fourth quarter earnings per share of 97 cents beat both the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny and the 87 cents reported in the year-ago period. Revenues for the quarter increased 2.7% to $1.8 billion.
Clinical testing revenues, which account for most of Quest's sales, increased 2.3% compared to the prior year. For the full year, while revenues increased 2.8% to $7.5 billion, earnings per share recorded a rise of 20% to $3.88.
The growth in revenues was primarily … [visit site to read more]


Family Dollar Ups Dividend

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 08:40 AM PST

Family Dollar Stores Inc. (FDO), the operator of self-service retail discount store chains, recently boosted its quarterly dividend by 14.8%. The Board approved an increase in annual dividend to 62 cents (or 15.5 cents quarterly) from 54 cents a share (or 13.5 cents quarterly).
 
The higher dividend will be paid on April 15, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business as of March 15, 2010. Family Dollar's strong liquidity position provides financial flexibility to drive … [visit site to read more]


The Mini-Rally For Currencies Continues

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 08:38 AM PST

On Friday, the currencies kept with their mini-rebound versus the dollar – for the most part – as the Big Dog, euro (EUR) crept higher and higher, but in tiny, baby steps for sure! It's as if traders want to take the euro higher, and sell the dollar, but they just aren't sure right now…
Stocks got hammered on Friday in reaction to the president's proposed ban on proprietary trading in banks. You know, it occurred to me that the government, the media, and now even I have gotten in … [visit site to read more]


Forex Trading: EURUSD Non - Trending With 1.4155 Area A Top. A Break Of 1.4128 Eyed.

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 08:37 AM PST

 
Be on alert that the EURUSD is non-trending as the 100 and 200 bar MA on the 5 minute chart is moving sideways and converged. The price has been testing the moving average lines over the last three hours, using the level as a ceiling.  When the price and the moving averages converge the market often looks to move away (i.e Threes a Crowd - 2 moving averages and  the price).  The bias is to the downside now as the price is below the moving averages, but a bearish … [visit site to read more]


ICICI Bank’s Profit Increases

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 08:29 AM PST

ICICI Bank Limited's (IBN) 2010 fiscal third quarter (ended December 31) net earnings rose 6% sequentially to INR11.01 billion (US$237 million). The results were primarily driven by a decrease in loss provisions and reduced operating expenses.
However, net earnings of ICICI Bank were down 13% on a year-over-year basis, primarily due to the absence of treasury income in the reported quarter compared to a treasury income of INR9.76 billion (US$210 million) in the year-ago quarter. This was … [visit site to read more]


Auxilium Earns Milestone

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 08:20 AM PST

Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AUXL) and Pfizer Inc. (PFE) recently announced that the review process of their Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for Xiaflex has commenced in the European Union. Pfizer was informed by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) that the Xiaflex MAA has completed the validation phase successfully resulting in the commencement of the review process on Jan 21, 2010. 

Auxilium is now eligible to receive a $15 million milestone payment from Pfizer based … [visit site to read more]


Forex Trading: GBPUSD Moves Back Above The 200 Day MA. Eyes The 100 Hour MA Resistance Now.

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 08:18 AM PST

 
The GBPUSD has moved back above the 200 day MA at the 1.6175 level and re-entered the area defined by the "goal post" in our analysis. The Goal Post are defined by the 100 and 200 bar MAs. When the price moves below the 200 bar MA but returns back above after a failed break, the market is said to be back within the Goal Posts.
Normally, the market will look to revisit the 100 bar MA at some point, as long as the price can remain above the 200 bar MA.  The 100 bar MA comes in at … [visit site to read more]


U.S. Drilling Climbs Again

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 08:11 AM PST

In its weekly release, Houston-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. (BHI) reported a rise in the U.S. rig count (number of rigs searching for oil and gas in the country), reflecting intensified drilling activity by the producers in response to higher commodity prices.
Rig count in the U.S. climbed to 1,282 for the week ended Jan. 22, 2010 (as clear from the first chart below from Baker Hughes). This is up by 34 from the previous week's tally and represents the 13th gain in the … [visit site to read more]


Video: Ericsson’s 4Q Profit Plunges 92% , Announces Job Cuts

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 08:04 AM PST

Wireless equipment maker LM Ericsson AB announced Monday that due to poor 4Q profit results, it will be slashing a,500 jobs this year. … [visit site to read more]


President Obama And The Volcker Rule = Job Creation? NO!

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 08:01 AM PST

Last Thursday, President Obama unveiled the toughest new restrictions yet on the nation’s largest banks in the aftermath of the financial crisis. The proposal is called the “Volcker Rule”, in recognition of the former Federal Reserve chairman, Paul A. Volcker, who has been pushing the proposal for months.

Under the still sketchy Volcker Rule, referred to as “Glass-Steagall in spirit,” banks that take federally insured deposits or have the right to borrow from the Fed would be required to … [visit site to read more]


Seven Surprising ETF Trading Stats

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 08:00 AM PST

One of the best sources of information on the state of the ETF industry is the monthly data download from the National Stock Exchange. While the most interesting numbers are generally the fund flows into exchange-traded products and the issuer "totem pole," the release has some pretty thorough statistics on notional and share trading volumes. A closer look at the December version reveals some interesting insights about the ETF industry and sheds some light on a few interesting patterns … [visit site to read more]


JAVA-ORCL Gets OK From EU

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 08:00 AM PST

Sun Microsystems, Inc. (JAVA) said that Oracle Corporation's (ORCL) acquisition of the company had been approved by the European Commission. 

While struggling to generate profit, its results not showing any spark and continuing to be hit hard by the recession, Sun Microsystems, Inc. announced it's acquisition by Oracle Corporation for $9.50 per share in cash in 2009. The transaction is valued at approximately $7.4 billion, or $5.6 billion net of Sun’s cash and debt. We believe … [visit site to read more]


Video: Investors Trying To Prop Market Following Last Week’s Drop

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 07:43 AM PST

According to floor trader Alan Valdes, following last week’s steep market selloff, it appears as if investors are starting off the new week by throwing some funds into blue chip stocks. … [visit site to read more]


Positive Results For Masimo

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 07:40 AM PST

Masimo Corporation (MASI) recently announced positive results form its 21-month clinical study on the impact of the Masimo Patient SafetyNet remote monitoring and clinician notification system. Results indicated that continuous pulse oximetry monitoring and clinician notification in post-surgical patients on the general floor leads to a significant drop in key clinical outcome measures, such as 65% fewer rescue events, 48% fewer ICU transfers and reduced annualized ICU time by 135 … [visit site to read more]


Video: NYSE Opening Bell Market Monitor: ETN, HAL, AKS

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 07:40 AM PST

The latest in news, commentary, and information on what’s moving the US equities markets. … [visit site to read more]


Video: Asian Markets Kick Off A New Week In The Red

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 07:20 AM PST

The major Asian/Pacific markets started a new week in the red following a decline in commodity-related stocks. … [visit site to read more]


Entergy Issues Guidance

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 07:20 AM PST

Entergy Corporation (ETR) indicated that it expects fourth quarter 2009 earnings to be approximately $1.63 per share and operational earnings approximately $1.74 per share compared to its results of $0.89 per share and operational results of $0.99 per share in fourth quarter 2008. The company will report on Feb 2, 2010. 

Entergy expects an increase in fourth quarter 2009 operational earnings year-over-year due primarily to better results at Utility, Parent & Other segment, … [visit site to read more]


Halliburton Beats

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 07:14 AM PST

Halliburton Company (HAL) — one of the largest oilfield service providers in the world — reported marginally better–than-anticipated fourth-quarter results, benefiting from increased activity in North America. Earnings per share from continuing operations, excluding receivable settlement charge in Venezuela, came in at 28 cents, a penny above the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Revenue & Profitability
On a year-over-year basis, Halliburton's adjusted earnings per share was down more than … [visit site to read more]


Bank ETFs In Focus Following Obama Plan

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 07:13 AM PST

The Obama presidency took a turn towards increased government intervention in the private sector last week when the president stepped up his campaign against Wall Street and announced a far-reaching proposal for tougher regulation of the country's biggest banks. Backed by former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, Obama put forth a plan designed to limit speculative activities by commercial banks and prevent financial institutions from becoming "too big to fail." 
The latest … [visit site to read more]


Forex Trading: USDJPY Falls After Weaker Existing Home Sales Data

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 07:08 AM PST

 
The USDJPY has moved lower after the weaker Existing Home Sales data. The price has moved below the 200 bar MA in the process 0n the 5 minute chart after testing the level twice in the NY trading session. The moving average comes in at the 90.14 level and will now be upside resistance intraday for the pair.The close from yesterday at 89.85 is the next target onthe downside.  The low from last week came in at 89.77.
Admittedly, the range is contained but the upside resistance at the … [visit site to read more]


Comic Of The Day: Wall Street Fat Cats

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 07:01 AM PST

Source: Nick Anderson, Comics.com, January 22, … [visit site to read more]


Washington Federal Falls Short

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 07:00 AM PST

Washington Federal's (WFSL) first fiscal quarter (ended Dec 31, 2009) earnings of 7 cents per share were a nickel short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This also compares unfavorably with the earnings of 23 cents in the year-ago quarter. 

The results continued to be impacted by higher credit costs. Provision for loan losses and loss on real estate acquired through foreclosures has substantially increased during the reported quarter. However, as a result of weakness in the industry, … [visit site to read more]


Microsemi Sees Stronger 2010

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 06:40 AM PST

Microsemi Corporation's (MSCC) first quarter earnings for fiscal 2010 were in line with the consensus. 

Revenue 

The company reported revenue of $112.8 million, which was up 2.9% sequentially and down 13.6% year over year. Revenue was within management's guided range of a 1-4% increase. 

Revenue by Product Line and End Market 

Microsemi's Analog/Mixed Signal products cater to three end markets—mobile/connectivity, notebooks/LCD TVs/display and … [visit site to read more]


China Passes Japan To Become World’s Second Largest Economy

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 06:30 AM PST

This will be the talk of the markets in the far East this week. after over a century of being outshone by Japan. China will emerge as the largest economy in the far east. Not only bigger than Japan but every other country too except the United States.

No doubt there will be more lengthy articles this week focusing on the how much this changes the political and economic balance of the world. My question is though, how can China avoid going the way of Japan?

Japan had so much going … [visit site to read more]


Stock Market News Briefs: Eaton Corporation, Halliburton Company, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, Schlumberger N.V., Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Google Inc.

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 06:26 AM PST

 Walmart (WMT) reported plans to cut about 11,200 jobs, or 10% of its Sam’s Club workforce

 Google (GOOG) co-founders, Page and Brin, are slated to sell $5.5 billion in company shares over the next five years

 Eaton (ETN) reported fourth quarter earnings of $1.25, two cents better than Zacks estimates on revenues of $3.1 billion, which topped Zacks estimates of $3.05 billion. The firm issued guidance of $3.70-$4.00

 Quest Diagnostics (DGX) reported results one … [visit site to read more]


Stock Index Bulls Run For Cover As Banking Plan Is Announced

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 06:17 AM PST

Fundamentals
Last week was tough for those long U.S. stock index futures. First, we get news from China that the government is taking steps, such as raising interest rates and putting the brakes on its domestic lending in order to prevent its economy from overheating and causing what some fear could be a mammoth speculative bubble; then last Thursday, President Obama announced a plan to force U.S. banking institutions to end proprietary trading and restrict the ownership of hedge funds by these … [visit site to read more]


To Start Your Day…1/25/2010

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 06:12 AM PST

I am fortunate enough to have a good friend, TL, who sends me his excellently prepared “Morning News Notes” on a daily basis. He has graciously allowed me to reproduce them on the blog, and I hope to include this on a daily basis.

Just click on the link or the coffee mug below.

“Morning News Notes”: January 25, … [visit site to read more]


2010 Bank Failures Tally Reaches 9

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 06:04 AM PST

Regulators shut down 5 more banks in Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington; pushing up U.S. bank failures to 9 so far in 2010. 

Though the economy is showing signs of gradual recovery, bank failures continue unabated as U.S. regulators on Friday closed down five more banks in Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington. This takes the total number of bank failures to 9 in 2010, compared to 140 in 2009, 25 in 2008 and 3 in 2007. 

While the economy is showing … [visit site to read more]


Will Stocks Rebound From Last Week’s Sharp Tumble?

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 06:01 AM PST

Stocks slipped sharply in the past three days as the underlying market weakness we’ve been highlighting for the past two weeks finally mattered. A number of better-than-expected earnings reports were ignored. Even the successful election of a Republican to one of Massachusetts’ two Senate seats, which helped health-care stocks push the market up on Tuesday, wasn’t enough.

Look at it this way: The sellers won a round, after being absolutely bludgeoned since last March.

One of the key … [visit site to read more]


Market Bullish On Apple Pre-Earnings

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 06:00 AM PST

Apple Inc. (AAPL) rose 3.55% to $204.78 after hours ahead of its first-quarter of fiscal 2010 earnings. The company will report earnings today after the market close. As per the Zacks Consensus Estimate, Apple's earnings are expected to increase 17% to $2.08 in the first quarter from $1.78 in the year-ago period. 

Apple is widely recognized as a leading innovator in the personal computer and consumer electronics markets as well as a leader in the emerging market for the distribution … [visit site to read more]


Forex Trading: USDCAD Holds Trendline Support Today And Moves Back Above The KEY 100 Day MA.

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 05:57 AM PST

 
The USDCAD held trendline support at the 1.0531 level earlier in the London session and bounced. The trendline has held for 3 separate hourly bars now and this increases the importance of the trendline overall.  The pair has moved back above the 100 day MA on the bounce at the 1.0571 level which will now be watched as support.  I would expect buyers on dips with stops below. 
On the topside the high at 1.0601 is the next target for the pair. A break of this level … [visit site to read more]


Forex Trading: USDJPY Watching The 100 Day MA At The 90.33 Level

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 05:24 AM PST

 
The USDJPY is up testing the 100 day MA at the 90.33 level today. Also at the level is the 38.2% retracement level of the move up from the November low to January high. That level comes in at 90.34 and combined with the 100 day MA is a formidable resistance level for today.  The high reached 90.33 today so far.

A break above this level should lead to a further move to the upside with the 90.57 level being the next target on the pair. This is the 38.2% retracement resistance level … [visit site to read more]


Forex Trading: GBPUSD Tests 200 Day MA (and Other Resistance) And Comes Off

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 05:02 AM PST

Overnight the GBPUSD tested the 200 day MA at the 1.6175 level today (high 1.6173).   This is a key level to hold and will continue to be watched to gauge the overall bearish bias for the GBPUSD.  The market will remained biased to the downside on rallies against this key level. 
The market also had upside resistance in the 1.6175 area by the midpoint of the most recent trading range at 1.6176 (see hourly chart below).

Finally, the 1.6175 area had upside resistance on the … [visit site to read more]


“Volcker Rule” Socks Bank Trading, Funding For Hedge funds And Private Equity

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 05:01 AM PST

The fallout from the “Volcker Rule,” President Barack Obama’s proposal to ban banks from making speculative investments that do not benefit their customers, rattled stock and bond markets last week as analysts panicked over the possible repercussions.

At its heart, the plan would fundamentally change the banking industry, separating commercial banks from investment banks, a line that was muddled over a decade ago by the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act.

“Never again will the American … [visit site to read more]


The First Thing Penny Stock Traders Should Know In 2010

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 05:00 AM PST

By Frank Curzio

When the editors of DailyWealth asked me to write a series of essays about penny stocks – my beat in the market – I thought my intro would be a no brainer:

Tell people how much money they can make when a stock goes from $5 a share to $30.

After all, the reason I write a penny stock advisory is because of the big moves that are common in low-priced stocks. People love the idea of buying a boatload of shares for under $10 each and watching them climb hundreds of … [visit site to read more]


Forex Trading: EURUSD Pushes Back Above The 100 Hour MA Today

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 04:39 AM PST

The EURUSD pushed above the 100 hour MA today, continuing the correction started last Thursday. The price moved above the level for the 1st time since January 15th at the 1.4161 level and this pushed the price up to the high for the day at the 1.4193 level.  The topside has resistance next at the trendline at the 1.4206 level currently. The next target on a break comes in at the 1.4239 level. The 200 day MA comes in at the 1.4294 level today.  This is a key upside level that the … [visit site to read more]


Why The Gold Bubble Will Top At $2,000 In 2010

Posted: 25 Jan 2010 03:45 AM PST

Gold surged over 60% in 2009, hitting new highs practically every week.

But, who cares?

We haven’t seen anything yet. This is just the beginning of one of the biggest gold rallies in history.

Gold will easily hit $2,000 this year. That’s a 73% gain from current levels.

But, make no mistake… Like any other bubble, this one will also eventually pop. So the time to get into gold is now.

It’s going to be a wild ride. So hang on and get ready to make a fortune on gold in … [visit site to read more]


Stock Buy: Nu Skin Enterprises Inc.

Posted: 24 Jan 2010 09:00 PM PST

Nu Skin Enterprises Inc. (NUS) continues to see bullish estimates ahead of reporting in early February. Analysts polled by Zacks are forecasting earnings growth of 17% in 2010.
Bullish Earnings Forecasts
The 2009 full-year Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.45 per share was increased from $1.40 over the past 3 months.
For 2010, analysts polled by Zacks are calling for earnings of $1.70 per share, which represents 17% year-over-year growth. The 3 months-ago projection stood at $1.68 per … [visit site to read more]


Stock Buy: Starbucks Corp.

Posted: 24 Jan 2010 09:00 PM PST

Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) just crushed Wall Street’s expectation by setting record earnings.
Starbucks just reported record quarterly earnings on Jan 20. The coffee giant saw net revenues rise 4% to $2.7 billion. The increase was on slightly higher traffic and higher average ticket prices.
In addition the company managed to almost double its operating margin, which increased 620 bps to 13.6%. Earnings per share came in at 33 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a nickel.
Analysts … [visit site to read more]


Stock Buy: Starbucks Corp.

Posted: 24 Jan 2010 09:00 PM PST

Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) just crushed Wall Street’s expectation by setting record earnings.
Starbucks just reported record quarterly earnings on Jan 20. The coffee giant saw net revenues rise 4% to $2.7 billion. The increase was on slightly higher traffic and higher average ticket prices.
In addition the company managed to almost double its operating margin, which increased 620 bps to 13.6%. Earnings per share came in at 33 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a nickel.
Analysts … [visit site to read more]


Stock Buy: Western Digital Corp.

Posted: 24 Jan 2010 09:00 PM PST

Western Digital Corp. (WDC) reported better than expected fourth-quarter results yesterday after the bell that easily beat analyst expectations.
Fourth-Quarter Results
Revenue was up 44% from last year to $2.62 billion. Earnings also came in strong at $1.85, 49 cents ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The company has surprised in each of the last four quarters by an average of 38 cents, or 107%.
Estimates Advancing
Estimates have been trending higher of the last few months. The current … [visit site to read more]


Stock Buy: Gymboree Corporation

Posted: 24 Jan 2010 09:00 PM PST

Gymboree Corporation (GYMB) recently revised its earnings guidance for the fiscal fourth quarter which ends Jan 30. Earnings per share are now expected to be in the range of $1.03 to $1.06 which is higher than the prior guidance of 95 cents to $1.03.
Gymboree attributes the rise to better than anticipated gross margin rates resulting from better management of inventory and markdowns. Same store sales are still expected to be in the range of the low to mid-single digits.
Gymboree is a … [visit site to read more]


Bear Of The Day: JPMorgan Chase (JPM)

Posted: 22 Jan 2010 09:00 PM PST

We are downgrading our rating on JPMorgan Chase (JPM) shares to Underperform.
Fourth quarter earnings were well ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate, aided by better-than-expected results at its Investment Bank segment. However, persistent high levels of consumer credit costs and increased provisions for credit losses were among the major negatives.
While we anticipate continued synergies from the company’s diversification and strong capital position, we believe increasing provisions and a … [visit site to read more]


Bull Of The Day: Parker Hannifin (PH)

Posted: 22 Jan 2010 09:00 PM PST

We are upgrading the recommendation on Parker Hannifin (PH) to Outperform with a $67 target price. We are encouraged that order trends have improved sequentially for the prior two consecutive quarters, indicating that the worst is behind the company.
Reflecting the benefits of restructuring actions and improving market conditions, it has increased its earnings guidance for fiscal 2010 to the range of $2.40 to $2.80 per share, representing a 44% increase from the midpoint of the previous … [visit site to read more]


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