Mar 29, 2010

Daily Markets - Financial News And Opinions

Daily Markets - Financial News And Opinions


Stock Markets Up Despite Bogged Down Economy: The Great Dichotomy! Again!

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 06:01 PM PDT

While the U.S. economy is still bogged down by massive federal deficits and a new wave of home foreclosures, key foreign economies are already leaping ahead without those heavy burdens.

Just look at the scoreboard:

The Dow is up 20 percent since the first day of trading of last year, thanks in great measure to government bailouts of the U.S. banking system … brokerage industry … housing and mortgage markets … Detroit … and virtually every other sector that got into big … [visit site to read more]


Sliding Down The Slope

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 05:15 PM PDT

Although the Consumer Metrics Institute Growth Index (CMIGI) has probably not been around long enough to prove its mettle, the recent ski-slope-like dive (blue line) is hard to ignore.
As it happens, Larry Doyle, long-time Wall Street veteran and publisher of Sense on Cents, just had Richard Davis, the creator of the CMIGI, on his weekly radio show, “No Quarter Radio's Sense on Cents with Larry Doyle,” where they discussed the indicator and what it might be saying about the health of … [visit site to read more]


How Can Rick Davis Project 2nd Qtr GDP At -1.5%? This Is A MUST Read, Listen, Learn!!

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 05:01 PM PDT

If the American consumer represents 70% of our economy, shouldn’t economists study consumer spending as much as possible? Well, one individual, and he is not a trained economist,-he is actually a physicist by trade- has done and is doing just that. Who is this visionary? Richard C. Davis of the Consumer Metrics Institute.

I hosted Richard on my radio show, No Quarter Radio’s Sense on Cents with Larry Doyle Welcomes Rick Davis, last evening. If you have any interest in the economy (and if … [visit site to read more]


Forex Trading: AUD/USD Finds Resistance

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 05:01 PM PDT

The AUD/USD pair appears to have found upside resistance once again at the .9178 level. The hourly chart shows that this level acted as support from March 16 until the pair broke through at 17:00 metatrader time on the 19th.  It was tested to the upside on the March 23rd and has traded below it since. Today, the level has been tested twice and is currently trading lower; the next significant level on the downside is the 61.8% retracement … [visit site to read more]


No Mojo

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 04:08 PM PDT

Wall Street cheered today’s news from the Bureau of Economic Analysis that personal consumption remained resilient last month despite lingering high unemployment and muted growth in incomes. Unfortunately, as the following graph shows, the relative share of spending on durable goods continues to fall. From where I sit, a reluctance to acquire big-ticket items like cars, furniture, and appliances indicates that the supposedly unstoppable consumer doesn’t quite have his mojo … [visit site to read more]


Cartoon: Zorba The Euro

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 04:01 PM PDT

Source: Chip Bok, March 26, … [visit site to read more]


Earnings Estimate Scorecard: ALTR

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 03:49 PM PDT

Following an upgrade in outlook by chipmaker Altera Corporation (NASDAQ:ALTR), estimates are on the upswing.

Earlier this month, Altera revised its outlook for the first quarter of 2010. The company now expects revenues to be up 7% – 10% sequentially compared to the previous guidance of 5 – 10%. The new outlook implies a revenue guidance of $390.5 million – $401.5 million.

Agreement – Estimate … [visit site to read more]


Mazda Goes For Toyota Hybrid Tech

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 03:33 PM PDT

Toyota Motors (NYSE:TM) has agreed to provide inputs to its fifth largest domestic rival Mazda in a hybrid technology deal. Under the agreement, Toyota would supply key components of hybrid systems — batteries, motors, control units and other electronic parts — to Mazda.

The two automakers entered discussions about the tie-in in early 2009 in order to take advantage of a surge in the popularity of hybrid cars — which improve fuel efficiency by twinning internal combustion engines with electric … [visit site to read more]


Rating Cut On Ambac

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 03:16 PM PDT

Last week, rating agency Moody's cut Ambac Financial Group's (NYSE:ABK) debt rating to "C” from "Ca.” This move was fueled by Ambac's announcement that it might seek bankruptcy protection if it is unsuccessful in restructuring its debt. The company's main unit Ambac Assurance Corporation (AAC) has been hit by regulators, who have taken up the rehabilitation of a portion of its liabilities. The rating "C” reflects high probability of default and very low debt recovery.

The Office of … [visit site to read more]


Three Stock Market Breakouts That Could Break The Rally

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 03:01 PM PDT

Three stock market “breakouts” of recent days - interest rates, the U.S. dollar and China trade tensions - give ample reason to be cautious.

Upside stock market breakouts are normally seen as bullish. But in the past few trading days, we’ve seen a few that are anything but.

Stock Market Breakout #1: Interest Rates

The first breakout of note is in interest rates. After ranging sideways for the first few months of 2010, the 10-year interest rate is on the rise again - seemingly … [visit site to read more]


Earnings Estimates Scorecard: SWKS

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 02:57 PM PDT

Following the upgrade in guidance for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 by management, estimates for Skyworks Solutions Inc (NASDAQ:SWKS) have been on the rise. Skyworks Solutions designs, manufactures and markets a broad range of high performance analog and mixed-signal semiconductors that enable wireless connectivity.

Management guided towards revenues of $230 million – $235 million, up from the previous forecast of $225 million, driven by strong demand for mobile, Internet, smart grid and new, … [visit site to read more]


Earnings Preview For ATC Tech

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 02:38 PM PDT

ATC Technology Corporation (NASDAQ:ATAC) announced that it will release its results for the first quarter of 2010 after the market closes on April 27, 2010. The company has lowered its guidance for the quarter as well as for the year after reporting flat earnings for the fourth quarter of 2009.

ATC revealed that it expects a decline in revenue and earnings per share to $100 million and 30 cents for the first quarter from $113.5 million and 47 cents for the same quarter a year ago.

In the fourth … [visit site to read more]


AMD Has “World’s Fastest Chips”

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 02:18 PM PDT

The battle for server market share is on, with Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE:AMD) announcing the much-awaited Opteron 6000 series chips for data centers.

Although Intel Corp (NASDAQ:INTC) and AMD have continued to battle for supremacy in speed and performance over the last few years with successive launches of their dual core, triple core (from AMD) and quad core microprocessors, AMD's new chip tops the list so far.

The new chips are based on a design called the Magny-Cours and come with eight and … [visit site to read more]


Natural Gas Starts To Build

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 02:03 PM PDT

The federal government's Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported an in-line increase in natural gas supplies. Stockpiles held in underground storage in the lower 48 states rose by 11 billion cubic feet (Bcf) for the week ended Mar. 19, 2010.

The current storage level, at 1.63 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), is down 1.7% from last year’s level but remains 8.0% above the five-year range (as clear from the following chart from the EIA). Current stocks are 28 Bcf below last year's level … [visit site to read more]


Chart Of The Week: Impact Of Falling Euro On Stocks And Commodities

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 02:01 PM PDT

Given all the general economic problems facing Europe and the sovereign debt issues related to Greece and the PIIGS (Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain), it is not surprising that the euro has come under so much selling pressure as of late.

Considering that the dollar index is comprised of a weighted basket of foreign currencies of which the euro comprises 57.6%, it is not too much of a stretch to think of the dollar as an inverse euro - as their almost mirror image in the … [visit site to read more]


Ballad Of A Heartbreaking Money Supply

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PDT

As much as I scream in Loud Mogambo Outrage (LMO) about the sheer amount of money that is being created that will create horrendous inflation in prices, using whatever data that I can easily get my hands on or, better yet, falling into my lap, or, as a last resort, just making up facts and figures to prove my point, I may, for once in my over-the-top, obnoxious and irritating life ("The Way Of The Mogambo (TWOTM)"), be understating the case! Understating it!
James Turk of Goldmoney.com … [visit site to read more]


Oxygen Bio Takes Big Step Forward

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 01:48 PM PDT

This morning, Oxygen Biotherapeutics (OXBT) announced that the company has begun distribution for its new formulation of Dermacyte (perfluorocarbon oxygen concentrated gel) for the beauty and skin care market. This is essentially the full-scale rollout of Dermacyte following the pilot launch in the fourth quarter 2009 when the company made available 5,000 boxes on the company's website, www.BuyDermacyte.com.

According to management, the product sold out in the first month after the initial … [visit site to read more]


Video: NYSE Closing Bell Market Monitor: XOM, BP, F

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 01:35 PM PDT

The latest in news, commentary, and information on what’s moving the US equities markets. Watch this broadcast LIVE at 4:00 pm EST daily @ “http://www.nyx.com/marketmonitor” … [visit site to read more]


Daily ETF Roundup: JJC Heads Up, UUP Heads Down

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 01:34 PM PDT

The bulls continued their dominance over the bears to start a week packed with important earnings reports and data releases, as most major equity markets headed higher on the day. The government's plan to sell nearly 8 billion shares of Citi stock weighted on the financial sector, while energy stocks got a boost from rising oil prices. Outside the U.S., Russian markets shrugged off two terrorist attacks on Moscow subways to continue their run higher, while the World Bank president spotted an … [visit site to read more]


CSC Gets A Contract Extension

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 01:30 PM PDT

CSC Inc. (NYSE:CSC) recently received a five-year extension of the information technology (IT) outsourcing agreement with United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX). From this extension the company will receive an additional monetary benefit of $1.5 billion through December 2019.

As per the terms of the extension agreement, CSC will continue providing its IT infrastructure support to UTC across 22 countries, supporting 110,000 desktops as well as UTC's server and mainframe infrastructure. UTC is … [visit site to read more]


Video: Chevrolet To Become Greener: Will Soon Unveil The Cruze Eco

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 01:25 PM PDT

Chevrolet announced that it will show off its new hybrid, high gas mileage Cruze Eco vehicle during the New York Auto Show. … [visit site to read more]


SPEC’s Q1 Profit Grows

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 01:10 PM PDT

Spectrum Control Inc. (NASDAQ:SPEC) reported fiscal 2010 first-quarter results after the closing bell on Thursday. The company posted 11.8% growth in earnings to $2.4 million, or 19 cents per share, from $2.2 million, or 17 cents in the year-ago quarter. However, the result narrowly missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny.

Spectrum Control is engaged in the design, development and manufacture of custom electronic products and systems for the defense, aerospace, communications, and medical … [visit site to read more]


Short-Cut Route: Converting Active Mutual Funds Into Active ETFs

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 01:01 PM PDT

More and more mutual fund players are starting to get interested in the Actively-Managed ETF space, but with the SEC reconsidering its moves before granting exemptive relief to new issuers, companies will be looking for ways to skip the line and jumpstart their Active ETFs before other competitors do.

One such short cut that has been talked about is to convert existing actively-managed mutual funds into Active ETFs. This allows the issuers to avoid the problems associated with the lack … [visit site to read more]


EQIX-SDXC Merger Delayed

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 12:50 PM PDT

The proposed merger between the leading data center and network service provider company Equinix, Inc. (NASDAQ:EQIX) and Switch & Data Facilities Co. (NASDAQ:SDXC) has been delayed for another month. The companies applied to the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), to extend the period for completion of the merger process. The merger process was scheduled to be completed within March 21 previously and is now being extended until April 21.

A few days back the shareholders of the Switch & Data … [visit site to read more]


SW Energy Comes To Canada

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 12:30 PM PDT

Southwestern Energy Company (NYSE:SWN) recently made its first exploration outside the United States. The company will invest approximately $47 million over the next three years for the development of properties in the province of New Brunswick, Canada.

The Department of Natural Resources has accepted the company’s bids for exclusive licenses to search and conduct an exploration program covering over 2.52 million acres in the province.

Management termed this venture as the "beginning of an … [visit site to read more]


Social Security Insanity

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 12:17 PM PDT

Wanted: Accountants to oversee government fund. Employer seeks relative accuracy, margin of error +/-30%. GED preferred. Optimism required. Candidates to be compensated at market value plus $50,000. No calls please.
The Congressional Budget Office now predicts the Social Security fund will pay out more than it earns starting this year – as in it's happening right now.
That's just a shade off of last year's forecast, which expected the fund to run a deficit starting in late 2016. And a … [visit site to read more]


SINA Downgraded To Underperform

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 12:10 PM PDT

We are downgrading SINA Corporation (NASDAQ:SINA) to Underperform, indicating that the stock would be trading below the industry average. The company's five-year EPS growth rate of 14.2% is below the industry average. Our lower price target of $35.00, represents a P/E multiple of 31.8X 2010 EPS, a slight discount to the industry.

After posting strong results in 2008, SINA posted weak financial results for 2009, due to dismal macroeconomic conditions. Both its revenue and EPS were below year-ago … [visit site to read more]


Book Review: “The Elements Of Investing” By Burton G. Malkiel & Charles D. Ellis

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 12:01 PM PDT

Two great authors/thinkers recently released a book titled The Elements of Investing. The authors who co-wrote the book are Burton G. Malkiel and Charles D. Ellis. Burton Malkiel is the author of the very famous and bestselling book A Random Walk Down Wall Street. Malkiel is also a professor of economics at Princeton University. Charles Ellis is a director at the Vanguard Group. He has taught investing at Harvard and Yale and is the author of the bestselling book Winning the Loser’s … [visit site to read more]


China Small Cap ETF (HAO) Surges Ahead

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 11:57 AM PDT

In the wake of the most recent global economic downturn, there has been a monumental reshuffling atop the global totem pole. The emerging markets of the world have–well, emerged–as the clear leaders in a new global economy, returning to impressive growth rates as developed economies battle still-rising unemployment, deflation, fiscal crises, and a host of other economic roadblocks. China has seen its importance on the global economic stage surge, thanks to its status as one of the major … [visit site to read more]


Video: Crude Soars On Economic Data & Terrorism Concerns

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 11:36 AM PDT

Front month crude prices soared this session following positive economic data & worries about terrorist bombings in Moscow. … [visit site to read more]


Stock Buy: Amphenol

Posted: 28 Mar 2010 10:00 PM PDT

Amphenol’s (NYSE:APH) EPS estimates have been edging higher in the last week.
Analysts estimate that APH will grow its 2010 EPS by 20.2% to $2.22 and 2011 EPS by 15.0% to $2.56.
Company Description
Amphenol is one of the largest manufacturers of interconnect products in the world. The company designs, manufactures and markets electrical, electronic and fiber optic connectors, coaxial and flat-ribbon cable, and interconnect systems. The primary end markets for the company’s products are … [visit site to read more]


FX Options Weekly Outlook

Posted: 28 Mar 2010 03:00 PM PDT

Jason Ayres, founder of OptionSource.net, provides a look a head of this week’s FX activity. … [visit site to read more]


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