Daily Markets - Financial News And Opinions

---

• How The Demise Of Glass-Steagall Helped Spawn The Credit Crisis
• Hanger Beats Zacks Estimate
• Another Technical Update: TLT And IEF
• Nabors Beats, Foresees Growth
• Teva Misses By A Penny
• Stock Market News Briefs: Deere & Company, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc., Host Marriott Financial Trust, Toyota Motor Corporation, NICE-Systems Limited
• Swiss Franc: Continuation Of The Rebound
• Japanese Yen: Rebound
• British Pound: The Upside Prevails
• Euro: The Upside Prevails
• What Has Hog Traders In A “Fowl” Mood?
• Capella Education Beats Estimate
• Healthy Results For Whole Foods
• SPG’s Bid For General Growth
• Deere Beats Zacks Estimates
• The Case For Emerging Market Bond ETFs
• Mutual Funds: Top 5 Putnam Funds
• Mutual Funds: Top 5 High Yield Funds
• Stock Buy: Mattel Inc.
• Bull Of The Day: Mattel, Inc. (MAT)
• Bear Of The Day: Newell Rubbermaid (NWL)
• Stock Buy: Big Lots
• Stock Buy: Littlefuse, Inc.
• Stock Buy: Cantel Medical

How The Demise Of Glass-Steagall Helped Spawn The Credit Crisis Posted: 17 Feb 2010 07:55 AM PST Question: Please address why the removal of the Glass-Steagall Act in 1999 caused the financial meltdown of 2007 and why its reinstatement is the only way to stop the financially risky behavior allowed after it’s removal. Address why we will very likely have another meltdown (probably in 2010) unless reinstated. Answer: While the overturning of what remained of Glass-Steagall did not cause the meltdown, it certainly contributed mightily to the systemic nature of the crisis. Allowing … [visit site to read more]

Hanger Beats Zacks Estimate Posted: 17 Feb 2010 07:00 AM PST Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. (HGR) reported fourth quarter and full fiscal 2009 results. For the fourth quarter, earnings per share were 37 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 36 cents and the year-ago earnings of 26 cents. For fiscal 2009, earnings per share were $1.13, higher than the year-ago earnings of 86 cents.   Quarterly results  Net sales for the fourth quarter increased 10.6% year over year to $205.1 million. Growth can be primarily attributed to higher … [visit site to read more]

Another Technical Update: TLT And IEF Posted: 17 Feb 2010 06:46 AM PST One month ago, I looked at US Treasury bonds, and I was a bit more constructive than I had been in the prior 12 months. Technically, it had appeared that TLT and IEF had made reversals. So what has happened? Absolutely nothing! Bonds have yet to get off their back and move higher. On the other hand, they have not moved lower. Do I get any points for that? The analysis remains sound, and the key pivot points that I identified appear to be providing support as buying seems to surface when TLT … [visit site to read more]

Nabors Beats, Foresees Growth Posted: 17 Feb 2010 06:45 AM PST Nabors Industries Ltd. (NBR) reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results on the back of strong activity in US Offshore, US Lower 48 Land Drilling and Well Servicing operations and seasonal ramp-ups in Alaska and Canada. Earnings per share, excluding non-cash items, came in at 18 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny.   Estimate Revisions Trend  With improving oil prices and increasing drilling activity, we see a positive trend in estimate revisions. For … [visit site to read more]

Teva Misses By A Penny Posted: 17 Feb 2010 06:30 AM PST Teva Pharmaceutical Industries' (TEVA) fourth quarter earnings of 94 cents per American Depository Share (ADS) missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a cent. Earnings, however, increased 18% from the year-ago period. Annual earnings were in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate at $3.37 per ADS, up 11%.   Teva's top-line performance remained strong with fourth quarter revenues increasing 33% to $3.8 billion and 2009 revenues coming in at $13.9 billion, up 25%. The strong top-line … [visit site to read more]

Stock Market News Briefs: Deere & Company, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc., Host Marriott Financial Trust, Toyota Motor Corporation, NICE-Systems Limited Posted: 17 Feb 2010 06:26 AM PST  Host Hotels & Resorts (HST) reported fourth-quarter EPS of $0.19, in line with Zacks estimates. Sales in the quarter fell 16.8% year-over-year to $1.33 billion, but were in line with Zacks estimates  Reports says Toyota (TM) is considering a recall of its popular Corolla subcompact following complaints regarding the car’s power steering  Dollar Thrifty Automotive (DTG) reported fourth-quarter EPS of $0.42, beating Zacks estimates of a $0.08 per share loss, while … [visit site to read more]

Swiss Franc: Continuation Of The Rebound Posted: 17 Feb 2010 06:18 AM PST Update on supports and resistances. … [visit site to read more]

Japanese Yen: Rebound Posted: 17 Feb 2010 06:17 AM PST Update on supports and resistances. … [visit site to read more]

British Pound: The Upside Prevails Posted: 17 Feb 2010 06:17 AM PST Update on supports and resistances. … [visit site to read more]

Euro: The Upside Prevails Posted: 17 Feb 2010 06:17 AM PST Update on supports and resistances. … [visit site to read more]

What Has Hog Traders In A “Fowl” Mood? Posted: 17 Feb 2010 06:17 AM PST Fundamentals A growing supply of poultry in the U.S. is creating difficulties for producers and traders of “the other white meat”, as a Russian ban of poultry exports from the U.S. has created serious pricing issues for pork. Since January 1st, U.S poultry exports to Russia have been banned due to the use of chlorine as a disinfectant in U.S. poultry processing plants. The ban has been a big blow to U.S. poultry producers, as Russia was the largest export market for U.S. poultry, accounting for … [visit site to read more]

Capella Education Beats Estimate Posted: 17 Feb 2010 06:15 AM PST Capella Education Company (CPLA), the provider of online education, recently reported stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter 2009 results buoyed by a rise in enrollment.   The quarterly earnings of 88 cents a share, outstripped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 85 cents, and grew 33.3% from 66 cents delivered in the prior-year quarter.   The quarterly earnings topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.5%. In terms of earnings surprises, Capella outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate … [visit site to read more]

Healthy Results For Whole Foods Posted: 17 Feb 2010 06:00 AM PST Whole Foods Market Inc. (WFMI), one of the leading natural and organic foods supermarkets, recently reported better-than-expected first-quarter 2010 results buoyed by strong sales and cost cuts.   The quarterly earnings of 32 cents a share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 26 cents, and surged 62% from the prior-year quarter. The stringent cost-control measures, effective inventory management, improved store-level performance and increase in lower-priced brands drove earnings … [visit site to read more]

SPG’s Bid For General Growth Posted: 17 Feb 2010 05:45 AM PST Ending months of speculation, Simon Property Group Inc. (SPG), the largest publicly traded retail real estate company in North America, recently made an unsolicited $10 billion takeover bid for its bankrupt rival General Growth Properties.   General Growth is arguably the second largest mall operator in the U.S. and owns over 200 malls in 45 states. In April 2009, General Growth filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection primarily due to debt troubles arising from the acquisition of … [visit site to read more]

Deere Beats Zacks Estimates Posted: 17 Feb 2010 05:30 AM PST Deere & Company (DE) reported results for the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Earnings were $243.2 million or 57 cents per share, up from $203.9 million or 48 cents in the year-ago period. Reported EPS was well above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 19 cents. Quarterly revenue of $4.85 billion was down 6% from the prior-year period. Net sales from the company's worldwide equipment operations dropped 7.1% year over year to $4.24 billion due to lower shipment and production volumes. … [visit site to read more]

The Case For Emerging Market Bond ETFs Posted: 17 Feb 2010 05:01 AM PST As developing nations continue to draw investor attention, opportunities in developing market debt may present a viable opportunity. To not much surprise, many have been turning to developing nations mainly due to their aggregate, or combined, size and expected exponential growth compared to the United States in the near future.   In fact, a recent study indicates that 97% of the world’s population, 75% of its economic production and nearly 67% of stock market capitalization is outside of … [visit site to read more]

Mutual Funds: Top 5 Putnam Funds Posted: 16 Feb 2010 10:57 PM PST Putnam Investments has over seventy years of investment experience and offers investors 78 mutual funds across a range of asset classes and investment styles. With over $113 billion in assets under management, it serves 190 institutional clients including the pension funds of several states and many large corporations. Putnam considers its seasoned portfolio managers to be its biggest assets and relies primarily on original, fundamental research on a global scale. Below we will share with you 5 … [visit site to read more]

Mutual Funds: Top 5 High Yield Funds Posted: 16 Feb 2010 10:40 PM PST Corporate high yield securities are an excellent choice for investors with some risk tolerance and who seek current income rather than equity growth. These securities are typically corporate bonds with lower credit qualities which carry a significant amount of risk. High yield mutual funds are a better choice in this case as they reduce the risk involved by investing in a wide range of such lower rated securities. They may also seek capital appreciation as a secondary objective and help with … [visit site to read more]

Stock Buy: Mattel Inc. Posted: 16 Feb 2010 09:00 PM PST Mattel Inc. (MAT) beat recently beat expectations, which sent estimates and share price higher. Company Description Mattel makes toys and other family products. Brands include the iconic Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price and many others. Toped Estimates Mattel released fourth-quarter results on Jan 29 that showed earnings per share of 89 cents. This topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 13 cents and was well above the 49 cents earned one year ago. Sales great 1% to $1.96 billion, but Mattel … [visit site to read more]

Bull Of The Day: Mattel, Inc. (MAT) Posted: 16 Feb 2010 09:00 PM PST We are upgrading our recommendation on Mattel (MAT) to Outperform from Neutral. Mattel’s fourth quarter earnings were well ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The better-than-expected results were primarily driven by strong sales of its Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels cars during the holidays. Mattel has an industry-leading position, a strong balance sheet and continues to experience the benefits of its cost-containment initiatives. Its focus on top-line growth, margin expansion and cash … [visit site to read more]

Bear Of The Day: Newell Rubbermaid (NWL) Posted: 16 Feb 2010 09:00 PM PST Newell Rubbermaid’s (NWL) susceptibility to the global economic downturn is adversely affecting its top-line growth. The company recorded a 14% decline in net sales during 2009 amid a drastic squeeze in consumer disposable income and corporate spending. Moreover, intense competition from other established manufacturers coupled with a debt-heavy balance sheet and exposure to adverse foreign currency translations severely undermine the company’s future growth prospects and … [visit site to read more]

Stock Buy: Big Lots Posted: 16 Feb 2010 09:00 PM PST Big Lots, Inc. (BIG) reported a strong fiscal third-quarter performance on Dec 4, and the closeout retailer looks poised for more of the same when it announces its fiscal fourth-quarter numbers on Mar 3. Earlier this month, BIG reported a strong same-store sales increase for the quarter; it was the company’s largest same-store sales advance for that period in 10 years. The company enjoys a solid string of better-than-expected quarterly profit performances, rising earnings estimates and solid … [visit site to read more]

Stock Buy: Littlefuse, Inc. Posted: 16 Feb 2010 09:00 PM PST Littlefuse, Inc. (LFUS) recently hit a new 52-week high on strong Q4 results from early February that sent the current and next-year estimates spiraling higher. Company Description Littlefuse, Inc. designs, manufactures and sells circuit protection devices for the automotive, electronic and electrical markets worldwide. The company was founded in 1927 and has a market cap of $780 million. Fourth-Quarter Results Sales were up 21% from last year to $127.9 million. Earnings also came in ahead of … [visit site to read more]

Stock Buy: Cantel Medical Posted: 16 Feb 2010 09:00 PM PST Cantel Medical Corp. (CMN) continues to deliver solid earnings growth. Company Description Cantel Medical Corp. is a healthcare company concentrating primarily in infection prevention and control products and diagnostic and therapeutic medical equipment. Cantel serves customers worldwide by designing, developing, manufacturing, marketing and distributing innovative products for the infection prevention and control industry. Cantel is one of the largest manufacturers of FDA-cleared face masks … [visit site to read more]

You are subscribed to email updates from Daily Markets To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610