Jan 14, 2010

Daily Markets - Financial News & Opinions

Daily Markets - Financial News & Opinions


Five Fundamental Reasons Gold Will Hit $5,000

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 07:45 AM PST

Let me get right to the point. Gold’s going to $5,000 an ounce.

I know that sounds preposterous to most people. In fact, some of you probably think I’m crazy.

But for a whole host of reasons, $5,000 may well end up being a conservative estimate.

So before you start posting comments that I’ve gone bonkers, hear me out…

In 2001, gold traded as low as $255 an ounce. Within eight years, its price had quadrupled to more than $1,100 an ounce. How many investors thought that was … [visit site to read more]


Schwab Launches New Emerging Markets (SCHE), International Small Cap (SCHC) ETFs

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 07:15 AM PST

Charles Schwab, the long time discount broker that made its initial foray into the ETF market late last year, is expand its ETF product line with the addition of two new funds: the Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SCHE) and the Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC). These new ETFs join Schwab's International Equity ETF (SCHF), along with four existing products focusing on domestic markets.
The goal of SCHC is to track the FTSE Developed Small Cap ex-US Liquid index, a … [visit site to read more]


Skype Beefing Up

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 07:00 AM PST

eBay Inc's (EBAY) communications wing, Skype is building its management team. The company, in which eBay retains a 30% stake has appointed former Sony (SNE)-Ericsson (ERIC) president, Miles Flint to chair its new 17-member board. 

Thomson-Reuters (TRI) head of collaboration services and Asian sales is also joining Skype as the new General Manager and Vice President of its business-to-business (B2B) operations. 

Given their backgrounds, it appears that Skype is intent on … [visit site to read more]


Airbus Flies Past Boeing

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 06:45 AM PST

Boeing Company (BA) was summarily beaten by its traditional rival Airbus in fiscal 2009 in terms of commercial airplane delivery and order booking. Airbus delivered 498 airplanes in 2009 and recorded 271 net orders, compared to Boeing's 481 commercial airplanes delivered and 142 net orders. 

Airbus estimates it won orders valued at a net $30.3 billion in fiscal 2009, or 54% of all worldwide orders for aircraft larger than 100 seats. Airbus has a backlog of 3,488 airplanes, valued at … [visit site to read more]


Global X Launches China Materials ETF (CHIM)

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 06:38 AM PST

Global X, the issuer behind funds offering exposure to the economies of Colombia and the Nordic region, announced the launch of its newest sector-specific China ETF today. The China Materials ETF (CHIM) will be the latest addition to the line of ETFs offering targeted exposure to the economy of China, which already includes five sector funds offering exposure to energy (CHIE), industrials (CHII), consumer (CHIQ), technology (CHIB), and financials (CHIX).
This new fund will offer … [visit site to read more]


China Mobile Has 5.5M 3G Users

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 06:30 AM PST

China Mobile (CHL), the world's largest mobile operator by subscribers, has reportedly exited 2009 with 5.51 million 3G subscribers and 87,000 3G base stations. The company's 3G network is based on the home-grown TD-SCDMA standard. 

Moreover, China Mobile plans to complete nationwide deployment of its 3G network in 2010 instead of 2011. The carrier is targeting at least 70,000 3G cell towers in 2010 to expand national 3G network coverage. The company has earmarked approximately … [visit site to read more]


Stock Market News Briefs: Alcon Inc, Arcelor Mittal, Cadbury PLC, Citigroup Inc., Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), Hershey Foods Corporation, Kraft Foods Inc., PPG Industries, Inc., Rio Tinto Plc, Apple Inc., EBay Inc.

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 06:26 AM PST

 Goldman Sachs (GS) said Apple (AAPL) is likely to unveil its new iPhone as soon as June, with a more advanced camera and perhaps a touch-sensitive casing

 Rio Tinto (RTP) reported a 49% surge in iron ore production, beating its prior projections, to 47.2 million tonnes in the fourth quarter on greater demand from Chinese steel mills

 BNP Paribas upgraded Arcelor Mittal (MT), noting “steelmakers appear to have the upper hand on prices at present.”

 Reports … [visit site to read more]


Cotton’s Consolidation Continues

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 06:17 AM PST

Fundamentals
Trade in Cotton futures has been choppy lately, as market participants weigh a fairly bullish USDA report vs. a general sell-off in commodities. Cotton prices declined on Tuesday, despite the USDA lowering U.S. Cotton carry-out totals to 4.3 million bales, vs. 4.5 million bales in the December report. The USDA also lowered 2009 all-Cotton production to 12.401 million bales, vs. 12.592 million bales as of December 1st. However, a sharp sell-off in the grain complex tied to a bearish … [visit site to read more]


Linear Tops, Guidance Strong

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 06:15 AM PST

Linear Technology's (LLTC) second quarter earnings beat the Zacks consensus by 11 cents. Revenue beat the consensus by 4.0%. We also expect the entire peer group, including Maxim Integrated Products (MXIM), Intersil Corporation (ISIL) and Semtech (SMTC) to report above expectations. 

The stock fell 1.9%, probably on account of the better-than-expected earnings falling below the year-ago quarter. 

Revenue 

Revenue of $256.4 million was up 8.6% sequentially and 2.9% … [visit site to read more]


Forex Trading: EURUSD Can’t Break Below The Floor At 1.4458

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 06:10 AM PST

The EURUSD pushed the support at the 1.4458, reaching a low of 1.4463, but was not able to break through the floor support. The 100 hour MA remains as topside resistance at the 1.4492 level.  The market remains … [visit site to read more]


Sealy Reports Quarterly Profit

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 06:00 AM PST

Sealy Corp. (ZZ), the largest global manufacturer of bedding products, has reported strong fiscal 2009 fourth quarter results with earnings of 2 cents per share compared to a loss of 45 cents in the year-earlier quarter. The earnings also exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. The better-than-expected results were primarily driven by robust sales particularly in the U.S. and reduced operating costs through continued improvements in manufacturing efficiencies, partially offset by … [visit site to read more]


Stocks To Watch On Thursday 14 January

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 05:30 AM PST

( click to enlarge )

Wednesday, CTIC broke out of a consolidation range as the stock closed up $.17 on the day. Wednesday's high was $1.40, which is resistance for Thursday's continuation move. Further rally could be seen to retest $1.523 medium term resistance. As long as the stock stay above 1.22 area, the bullish scenario is still intact. Technical chart shows bullish sign with K line on top of D line and MACD on top of signal line.

( click to enlarge )

(PKD) closed positive on … [visit site to read more]


Forex Trading: GBPUSD Coiling For A Move? The Battle Lines Are Set

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 05:26 AM PST

The GBPUSD seems to be coiling for a move. The topside resistance at the 100 day MA was broken on the weaker data, but EURUSD weakness led to selling pressure back down in the GBPUSD in sympathy. The price fell to support against the 100 and 200 bar MA on the 5 minute chart at the 1.6281/85 level.  Now the price is in between the two key levels - the 100 day MA and the 100 bar MA on the 5 minute chart. The lines in the sand are drawn.
Is it ready for a move?  Do not count it out. The … [visit site to read more]


Forex Trading: USDJPY Hurt The Most On The Worse Than Expected Data

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 04:57 AM PST

The USDJPY gapped lower on the worse than expected data out of the US and has now moved below the 91.32, the downside target on a break lower (SEE PRIOR POST). The pair moved below the key 200 bar MA on the 5 minute chart at the 91.64 level, retraced to high of 91.60, and fell sharply.  The market closed yesterday at 91.36 which will be watched as topside resistance now.  91.28 was the low prior to the last move lower.  If the bearish bias is to continue watch for these … [visit site to read more]


France Takes Action Against Bankers; Will It Help ETF?

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 04:45 AM PST

France has had enough of bankers flaunting their wealth. The French government has begun taking steps to tax highly paid traders who helped cause the financial crisis. The country, along with its related exchange traded fund (ETF), is expanding and the government hopes to maintain stable growth through the year.

In an attempt to force banks to take more responsibility, the French government approved a draft bill that will apply a 50% tax on 2,500 traders who earned bonuses of more than … [visit site to read more]


Forex Trading: EURUSD Moves Up To Upside Resistance And Stalls

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 04:37 AM PST

As per the prior post the EURUSD has found resistance against thte 1.4518 level after the weaker than expected data and no real surprises from Trichet's comments so far at least. The 100 bar MA on the 5 minute chart is at 1.4516 (blue line in the chart above) . The 200 bar is at 1.4520 currently (green line chart above). A move above should lead to further gains with 1.4545 the next target level above followed by double top today at 1.4555.
On the downside, support remains against the 1.4588 … [visit site to read more]


Forex Trading: USDJPY Waiting For Direction Clues As It Stalls At Support/resistance

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 04:16 AM PST

The USDJPY is awaiting a directional clue perhaps from the economic data to be released at 8:30 AM. The market moved up today to test the 100 hour MA at the 91.89 level, reached a high of 92.03, but could not sustain the move, nor get close to the next confirming target at the 200 hour MA. 
The price is currently back below the 100 hour MA currently at the 91.85 level.  As long as the price can remain below this level, the bias is to the downside.  A move above the MA, would … [visit site to read more]


Indian Stock Market: Sensex Up 75.07 Points On Thursday

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 04:04 AM PST

Sensex rose 75.07 points or 0.4 to 17584.87
Nifty rose 25.95 points or 0.5% to 5259.90
Mid Cap rose 0.9%. Small Cap rose 1.2%.
BSE 500 rose 0.6%. Sensex gainers: 15

Of 13 BSE Sectoral indices, 10 posted gains.
Advancers: 1929 Decliners: 980 Unchanged: 66
Advance/Decline Ratio: 2:1

Sensex Day’s Range: 17628.04 – 17525.71
Nifty Day's Range: 5272.85 – 5232.50
52-Week Range: 17790.33- 8047.17

Sensex gainers included Reliance Comm +4.1%, Wipro +3.6%, Reliance Industries +3%, … [visit site to read more]


Forex Trading: EURUSD Starts The NY Day Testing The 100 Hour MA

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 03:36 AM PST

The 100 hour moving average for the EURUSD comes in at the 1.4487 and NY is testing that moving average as they enter. The EURUSD has been consolidating over the last 3+ day after moving higher on Monday.  The price has been in a narrow trading range during that time staying between 1.4458 and 1.4579.  The 121 pips is narrow and the market is likely to extend outside the range at some point - or at least you would think. 
At 7::45 the ECB will announce the results of their … [visit site to read more]


Mutual Funds: Top Non-US Equity Funds

Posted: 13 Jan 2010 10:54 PM PST

Today we are featuring top-performing "Non-US” equity mutual funds, which primarily invest in equity securities of companies located outside the US, in both developing and emerging markets. Such mutual funds offer two clear benefits. First, they provide a less risky means of exposure to emerging markets than stocks. Second, the funds can act as a hedge against the dollar's decline.
Investors can find such international funds by checking out the entire list of the Zacks #1 Rank Non-US Equity … [visit site to read more]


Stock Buy: Harris Corp.

Posted: 13 Jan 2010 09:00 PM PST

Harris Corp. (HRS) is outperforming the market on bullish forecasts. Analysts polled by Zacks are calling for earnings of $3.86 per share for the fiscal year ending June 2010, an upward revision of 54 cents over the past 3 months.
Company Description
Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government, defense and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has annual revenue of approximately $5 … [visit site to read more]


Bull Of The Day: Whirlpool Corp. (WHR)

Posted: 13 Jan 2010 09:00 PM PST

Whirlpool Corporation (WHR) is set to benefit from greater geographic flexibility in the face of deteriorated conditions in the U.S. and European markets. It enjoys a brand image developed through continued investment in innovating new products.
The company has a diversified product portfolio, which helps it to serve distinct markets across the world. It aims to mitigate the slackening demand by undertaking significant cost reduction actions. These actions, in turn, have helped the company to … [visit site to read more]


Bear Of The Day: SIRIUS XM Radio (SIRI)

Posted: 13 Jan 2010 09:00 PM PST

We downgrade our recommendation for SIRIUS XM Radio (SIRI) to Underperform following the emergence of alternative technology of commercial-free Internet radio and extremely poor financial condition of the company.
According to our view, SIRIUS XM’s business model is going to face serious competition from the upcoming subscription-free Internet radio programming that will automatically customized to one’s personal tastes. In addition, continuation of the global economic downturn, particularly … [visit site to read more]


Stock Buy: Encore Capital Group, Inc.

Posted: 13 Jan 2010 09:00 PM PST

Encore Capital Group, Inc. (ECPG) continues to trade at excellent valuations and analysts are projecting excellent growth over the next few years.
Company Description
Encore Capital buys accounts receivable from businesses to perform collection services. The debt portfolio includes credit cards, auto loans, consumer loans, telecom and healthcare debt.
Collections Surge
Encore Capital reported third-quarter results on Oct 28 and showed a 29% increase in gross collection, which rose to $126 … [visit site to read more]


Stock Buy: Whirlpool Corporation

Posted: 13 Jan 2010 09:00 PM PST

Whirlpool Corporation (WHR) has seen international sales jump, especially in Brazil. WHR is trading with a forward P/E of 13.03.
Company Description
Whirlpool manufactures home appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, cooking and countertop appliances. The company owns many iconic brands such as Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Bauknecht and Consul.
Whirlpool has 67 manufacturing and technology research centers worldwide.
Zacks Consensus Estimates Move Higher Ahead of Earnings … [visit site to read more]


Stock Buy: Micrus Endovascular Corp.

Posted: 13 Jan 2010 09:00 PM PST

Micrus Endovascular Corp. (MEND) is up huge over the last nine months after bottoming out with the overall market in early 2009. The company’s strong Q3 results from November gave shares an extra push higher.
Company Description
Micrus Endovascular Corp. develops and manufactures implantable and disposable medical devices to treat vascular diseases. The company was founded in 1996, has a very strong international presence and has a market cap of $254 million.
Third-Quarter Results
Across all … [visit site to read more]


Bernanke’s Fed Hits Rock Bottom

Posted: 13 Jan 2010 04:19 PM PST

In shuffling around trillions of dollars in stimulus and bailouts, Ben Bernanke and the Fed have performed more than a few daredevil stunts with the American taxpayers' checkbook. As for gauging his success…
Well, at least from this perspective Bernanke and his team managed to hit a direct … [visit site to read more]


Ericsson Wins 4G Bid

Posted: 13 Jan 2010 03:47 PM PST

LM Ericsson Telephone Company (ERIC) has emerged as the sole supplier of next generation radio base stations in the Nordic and Baltic countries. TeliaSonera has selected it as the sole vendor for next generation coverage in 25 of the largest municipalities in Sweden and the four largest municipalities in Norway, including Oslo.
The Nordic region has had a tradition of being at the forefront of telecommunications development. TeliaSonera now offers its customers a next generation broadband … [visit site to read more]


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