Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Daily Markets - OGE Energy Is Electrifying Investors’ Portfolios

Daily Markets - OGE Energy Is Electrifying Investors’ Portfolios


OGE Energy Is Electrifying Investors’ Portfolios

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 07:47 AM PDT

Utilities have been red-hot in the past month, as subscribers to my private advisory service - The Strategic Advantage - have earned double-digit profits on power generators from Vermont to Arizona.
Let’s take a look at one of my favorites now: OGE Energy Corp. (NYSE:OGE), the parent company of electric utility Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. and natural gas pipeline operator Enogex LLC.

OGE exemplifies our summer theme: Low-risk asset growth, stable earnings and rising dividends. The … [visit site to read more]


Hot Stocks For Wednesday 4 August: Lloyds, BP, RBS, Pfizer, Anadarko Petroleum, Electronic Arts, Citigroup, Research In Motion, Motorola, Ford

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 07:40 AM PDT

Lloyds (NYSE:LYG) - Co.’s H1 pretax profit GBP 1.68bln vs. Exp. GBP 694.5mln, and expects to deliver strong medium-term performance as the UK economy sees a gradual recovery. Co. says impairments lower than originally envisaged at GBP 6.554bln, and co. is on track to deliver its targeted balance sheet reductions of GBP 200bln. Co.’s core tier 1 capital improved to 9.0%. Co.’s CEO says co. is in a good position on dividend and H2 will be better on impairments. (RTRS/Sources)

UK

BP … [visit site to read more]


ONEOK Partners Slumps

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 07:30 AM PDT

Master limited partner, ONEOK Partners L.P. (NYSE:OKS) announced earnings of 75 cents per unit in the second quarter of 2010, slightly below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 77 cents. Earnings in the quarter were also below 81 cents reported in the second quarter of 2009.
The decline in earnings is attributed to the additional 11 million units issued in July 2009 and February 2010, which caused the units outstanding at the period-end to rise to 101.9 million units (from 91.4 million last … [visit site to read more]


Time Warner Beats, Lifts View

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 07:20 AM PDT

Time Warner Inc.'s (NYSE:TWX) second quarter 2010 GAAP earnings grew 7.3% to $562 million from $524 million in the year-ago period. Excluding special items, adjusted earnings came in at 50 cents per share, beating both the Zacks Consensus Estimate and the year-ago adjusted earnings of 45 cents. The better-than-expected earnings were driven by an improved advertising environment and in-house content revenues.

Buoyed by the strong quarterly performance, Time Warner lifted its guidance for … [visit site to read more]


J2 Global Net Beats Zacks Estimate

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 07:20 AM PDT

Yesterday, after market close, j2 Global Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:JCOM) reported mixed financial results for the second quarter of 2010. Net income was $18.7 million or 41 cents per share compared with $11.1 million or 25 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. Second quarter EPS of 41 cents was above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 40 cents. As a result, in the after-market trade on NASDAQ, stock price of j2 Global Communications was up 2 cents (0.07%) to $24.74.
 
In the reported quarter, … [visit site to read more]


Loss Widens For MGM

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 07:05 AM PDT

MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM) reported its second-quarter 2010 adjusted loss of 35 cents per share, well above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 24 cents and the year-earlier loss of 12 cents. On a GAAP basis, net loss per share was $2.00 versus a loss of 60 cents recorded in the comparable quarter last year. The loss widened mainly due to impairment charges of $1.64 per share associated with CityCenter and a non-cash charge of 4 cents for CityCenter related to its residential … [visit site to read more]


ADP Sees Private Sector Gain Jobs

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 07:05 AM PDT

Automatic Data Processing (NYSE:ADP) reported that the private sector added 42,000 jobs in July, significantly higher than both the 19,000 gained in June according to its survey (revised up from 13,000, but still well below the 83,000 private sector job gains reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics) and well ahead of the consensus expectations of a gain of 25,000 on the survey.

As by far the largest payroll processor in the country, ADP is in a good position to assess the overall health of the … [visit site to read more]


AvalonBay Tops Estimates

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 07:05 AM PDT

AvalonBay Communities Inc. (NYSE:AVB), a leading real estate investment trust (REIT), reported fiscal 2010 second quarter funds from operations (FFO) of $87.8 million or $1.04 per share, compared with $71.8 million or $0.90 per share in the year-earlier quarter. Fund from operations, a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs, is obtained after adding depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses to net income. The second-quarter 2010 FFO was well ahead of the Zacks … [visit site to read more]


Forex Trading: USDCAD Falls Below Key Support At 1.0205. Now What?

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 06:51 AM PDT

Novatel Reports Mixed Results

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 06:45 AM PDT

Yesterday, after market close, Novatel Wireless Inc. (NASDAQ:NVTL) declared mixed financial results for its second quarter 2010. As a result, in after-market trade on NASDAQ, stock price of Novatel was up 0.02 cents (0.34%) to $6.46.
 
On a GAAP basis, net loss in the second quarter was $22.8 million or a loss of 73 cents per share compared with a net loss of $0.8 million or a loss of 3 cents in the prior-year quarter. Quarterly adjusted (excluding charges for M&A activities) EPS was a … [visit site to read more]


Accenture Wins Healthcare Deal

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 06:35 AM PDT

Technology services and outsourcing company Accenture Inc. (NYSE:ACN) announced that it has been awarded a contract by the Singapore Ministry of Health. Financial details were not provided.
As per the terms of the contract, Accenture will implement the National Electronic Health Record ("NEHR”) system across Singapore to help the country's government achieve an integrated healthcare structure, thereby marking Singapore as one the initial countries, worldwide, to use an NEHR system. The system … [visit site to read more]


Stock Market News Briefs: Agrium, Goldman Sachs Group, Motorola, Time Warner, Toyota Motor, Garmin Ltd., Priceline.com Incorporated

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 06:35 AM PDT

 Priceline (NASDAQ:PCLN) reported sharply better-than-expected sales and earnings for the second quarter. Earnings of $3.09 were sharply above Zacks expectations of $2.47, as revenues of $767.4 million beat estimates of $734 million. Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) kept its “buy” rating on the shares, taking the price target from $240 to $320

 Carl Icahn increased his position in Motorola (NYSE:MOT) to 9.9%

 Toyota (NYSE:TM) posted a $2.2 billion profit on the quarter, its best quarter in two … [visit site to read more]


Swiss Franc: Under Pressure

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 06:18 AM PDT

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


Japanese Yen: The Downside Prevails

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 06:18 AM PDT

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


British Pound: Under Pressure

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 06:18 AM PDT

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


Euro: The Downside Prevails

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 06:18 AM PDT

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


SIRIUS XM Posts Excellent Results

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 06:15 AM PDT

SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. (NASDAQ:SIRI) declared highly encouraging financial results for the second quarter 2010. These were the combined results of double-digit growth in revenue, significantly higher net addition to its pay-radio services, and a meaningful improvement in ARPU.

Quarterly net income was $15.3 million or a break-even per share compared to a net loss of $159.6 million or a loss of 4 cents per share in the prior-year quarter. Second quarter EPS of a break-even was exactly in line with the … [visit site to read more]


CinFin Upgraded To Neutral

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 06:15 AM PDT

We are upgrading our recommendation on Cincinnati Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:CINF) to Neutral on the back of potential top-line growth from new business and strong retention in its Personal Lines segment which has been underperforming for the past three years. However, with an improvement in new business levels and strong retention levels along with rate increases that affected the homeowner line in 2009, it will bring a moderate growth in 2010.
 
Cincinnati's second quarter earnings beat the … [visit site to read more]


Chesapeake Tops On Higher Volumes

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 06:15 AM PDT

Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE:CHK) reported sharper-than-expected second-quarter earnings of 75 cents per share, well above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 69 cents and year-earlier profit of 62 cents. Total revenue increased more than 20% to $2.01 billion, but was below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.45 billion.
 
Earnings came in above our expectations due to a whopping 14% increase in production volumes, partially offset by a charge related to the redemption of … [visit site to read more]


Activision’s Sales Break Records

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 06:05 AM PDT

A leading publisher of online, personal computers, console, handheld and mobile games, Activision Blizzard Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) recently noted that its flagship action game, Call of Duty's map packs sold more than 20 million units to date as measured during the second quarter of 2010, ended June 30, 2010.
 
In June this year, Activision released the most recent map pack for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Resurgence Pack for Microsoft Corporation's (NASDAQ:MSFT) Xbox Live online entertainment … [visit site to read more]


Xerox Adds HR Firm To Expand BPO

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 05:45 AM PDT

Xerox Corporation (NYSE:XRX) recently completed the acquisition of a subsidiary of Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ). ExcellerateHRO LLP ("EHRO”), a benefits subsidiary of HP, has been taken over by the recently annexed Xerox subsidiary Affiliated Computer Services ("ACS”) for $125 million.
 
The deal has been undertaken by ACS to focus on the new aspects of both pension administration and human resources outsourcing. It has enabled ACS to offer HR services such as consulting, benefits … [visit site to read more]


Santander On Acquisition Spree

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 05:45 AM PDT

Spain's Banco Santander SA (NYSE:STD) is on an acquisition spree. According to a report in Financial Times, the company has a number of acquisitions lined up in both the U.S. and the U.K.
 
The Spanish banking giant is set to acquire 318 branches from the Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc (NYSE:RBS) in the U.K. Additionally, the company is also planning to buy $4.3 billion of car loans from HSBC plc (NYSE:HBC) in the U.S. Santander is also rumored to be in talks with M&T Bank (NYSE:MTB) to sign … [visit site to read more]


Forex Trading: GBPJPY Tests Key 100 Day MA At 136.64 After Better ADP Data

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 05:42 AM PDT

Random Roundup

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 05:33 AM PDT

1. Intrade odds for the Republicans to control the House after the November elections is now up to a contract-high of 60%.

2. China: Mobile phone users top 805 million in June.

3. Eurosclerosis Comes to America (NYT, with great graph)- ”This recession has been unique in terms of the multitude of public policies that dull incentives to work and earn income.”

4. Rethinking Socialized Medicine in Canada (IBD).

5. When you think of quality healthcare at lower costs, think Brazil.

6. … [visit site to read more]


An Interview With Portfolio Manager Jason Donville Of Donville Kent Asset Management

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 05:18 AM PDT

There exist a number of ways investors can screen for stocks. One of these ways involves screening for companies that exhibit high returns on equity (ROE). ROE is a very good yardstick by which to measure how well the management of a company creates value for its shareholders. However, as with everything the ROE statistics has it foibles and can be artificially inflated. To dig a bit deeper into what ROE is and how it translates into investment performance, we are super excited today to present … [visit site to read more]


Even If Deflation Is Bad, We Know How To Solve It

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 05:11 AM PDT

“Even if deflation is a bad thing, we know how to solve it. Print enough new money and people will eventually start spending it. It's alleged that no matter how much you print, it can all just fall into the liquidity trap, and it's alleged that this is what happened in Japan over the past decade. But I am sure the Japanese just didn't try hard enough. Liquidity trap or not, I guarantee you there's a central banker in Zimbabwe who knows how to fight deflation. If we really get into … [visit site to read more]


Stock Buy: Lubrizol Corporation

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 05:05 AM PDT

Lubrizol Corporation (NYSE:LZ) did not disappoint in its recent earnings report as it crushed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the third straight quarter and also raised full year guidance. What slowdown in the global economy?
Founded in 1928, Lubrizol manufactures specialty chemicals, including lubricant additives for engine oils, industrial lubricants and fuel additives for gasoline and diesel fuel. It also provide additives for personal care products and pharmaceuticals.
It has a global reach, … [visit site to read more]


Stock Buy: Lincoln Electric

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 05:05 AM PDT

Lincoln Electric (NASDAQ:LECO) is leveraged to the welding markets around the globe. During the second quarter, the company experienced strong growth from diverse industries including shipbuilding, auto, and construction equipment.
Business
Lincoln Electric is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc-welding systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment and has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market.
Growth and … [visit site to read more]


Bear Of The Day: AMB Property Corp. (AMB)

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 05:05 AM PDT

We are changing our long-term recommendation for AMB Property (NYSE:AMB) to Underperform from Neutral as we anticipate the stock to perform well below the broader market. Fiscal 2010 earnings estimates were reduced by 11 out of 13 analysts covering the stock, while none increased them over the last 30 days.
With a decline in commercial real estate fundamentals, demand for AMB’s services has decreased comparatively. However, AMB’s second quarter 2010 results were in line with the Zacks Consensus … [visit site to read more]


Bull Of The Day: Hanger Orthopedic (HGR)

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 05:05 AM PDT

We reiterate our Outperform recommendation on Hanger Orthopedic (NYSE:HGR). Earnings for the last quarter beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. Top-line growth was fueled by healthy contributions from patient-care and distribution businesses and acquisitions.
Hanger is the market leader in the orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) patient care services market, operating through 678 patient care centers across the U.S. The company’s economies of scale are unmatched by its competitors. Hanger … [visit site to read more]


Stock Buy: WABCO Holdings, Inc.

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 05:05 AM PDT

WABCO Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:WBC) just hit a new multi-year high at $39.37 after reporting better than expected Q2 results that included a 21% earnings surprise. Estimates are on the move and the valuation picture looks solid, providing plenty of upward momentum for this Zacks #1 rank stock.
Company Description
WABCO Holdings, Inc. develops and manufactures braking, suspension and transmission control systems for commercial vehicles like buses and trucks in the United States and internationally. The … [visit site to read more]


Stock Buy: AVX Corp

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 05:05 AM PDT

AVX Corp (NYSE:AVX) doubled its profits since last year, estimates are heading higher and you can still get shares at a discount.
Company Description
AVX Corp makes passive electric components and related products to store, filter and regulate electricity. The company serves the telecom, medical devices, aerospace and many other industries.
Revenue up 36%
On Jul 28 AVX Corp reported first-quarter revenue of $396.5 million, up 8% sequentially and 36% year-over-year. The gross profit margin improved … [visit site to read more]


Mutual Funds: Top 5 Fidelity Funds

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 05:05 AM PDT

One of the world's largest mutual fund companies, Fidelity Investments offers a wide range of mutual funds to its customers and provides fund distribution, investment advice and discount brokerage services. With over $133.8 billion of assets under management, the company also provides retirement services, wealth management, securities execution and clearance and life insurance products. Fidelity bases its investment decisions on rigorous research and believes its greatest strength is an … [visit site to read more]


Mutual Funds: Top 5 Equity Income Funds

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 05:05 AM PDT

Investors looking for regular income flows and with the willingness to forgo capital growth often select equity funds promising income for their investment needs. The presence of both debt and equity income funds in a portfolio also increases diversification. Further, equity income funds provide a steady and regular income stream from dividends which can go a long way in healing losses made by falling stock prices. Equity income funds provide investors with a convenient method of holding a well … [visit site to read more]


Euro-Zone Retail Sales Holds Flat In June, U.K. House Prices Unexpectedly Rises

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 04:55 AM PDT

Fundamental Headlines
• Private Sector Adds 42,000 Jobs – Wall Street Journal
• Drought Hits Europe's Crops – Wall Street Journal
•China Seeks to Widen Gold Market - Financial Times
• Swiss Currency Fight Pays Off as Central Bank Outpaces China on Reserves - Bloomberg
• European, Asian Shares Decline; U.S. Stock – Index Futures Fall - Bloomberg
EUR/USD: Retail sales in the 16 member euro area remained unchanged in June from the month prior in which sales advanced 0.4 … [visit site to read more]


Euro-Zone Retail Holds Flat In June, U.K. House Prices Unexpectedly Rises

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 04:55 AM PDT



Fundamental Headlines• Private Sector Adds 42,000 Jobs – Wall Street Journal• Drought Hits Europe's Crops – Wall Street Journal
•China Seeks to Widen Gold Market - Financial Times
• Swiss Currency Fight Pays Off as Central Bank Outpaces China on Reserves - Bloomberg
• European, Asian Shares Decline; U.S. Stock – Index Futures Fall - Bloomberg
EUR/USD: Retail sales in the 16 member euro area … [visit site to read more]


SEC Feeling The Heat On Freedom Of Information

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 04:29 AM PDT

Washington and Wall Street are skilled at utilizing smoke and mirrors to advance their collective agenda. The simple fact is most of our Washington operatives do not understand basic financial concepts. The reality of our situation is that our supposed  leaders are content to remain blind to the realities of finance as long as Wall Street continues sending campaign funds their way.
Fortunately others in our nation take a more impassioned view of the world and … [visit site to read more]


Now Passive ETFs Converting To Active ETFs

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 04:00 AM PDT

Patricia Oey, at Morningstar, brought attention to a recent filing made by Claymore with the SEC on July 22nd. The filing contains the prospectus for two actively-managed ETFs which are going to come into being when two existing passive ETFs are converted into the new active ETFs. This will be a first in the industry but follows a theme which in recent months has seen several issuers propose the conversion of other fund structures into actively-managed ETFs. Namely, both Huntington Asset … [visit site to read more]


Not Exactly A Pretty Picture

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 03:32 AM PDT

The Associated Press has posted an interactive version of its Economic Stress Index, which reveals in graphic detail how economic conditions have evolved since late-2007.
Below is a snapshot showing the changes in the combined impact of unemployment, foreclosures and bankruptcy in the 50 U.S. states in November 2007, before the recession began, and in June of this year.

Those darker, deeper colors in the most recent period don’t exactly spell “recovery,” do … [visit site to read more]


Huntington Files For Active ETF Strategy Using Options

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 03:30 AM PDT

On July 30th, Huntington Asset Advisors filed with the SEC to launch an actively-managed ETF that will invest in US large caps as well as American Depository Receipts (ADRs) belonging to non-US companies. ADRs are US-listed securities for companies that are based outside of the US. The proposed ETF will also utilize an option strategy with the intention of reducing the portfolio's volatility. The fund will write call options on each equity position in the portfolio in order to generate … [visit site to read more]


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