Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Daily Markets - Stock Picks For Wednesday 4 August: Sirius XM Radio, Allied Irish Banks, Dryships, Cell Therapeutics

Daily Markets - Stock Picks For Wednesday 4 August: Sirius XM Radio, Allied Irish Banks, Dryships, Cell Therapeutics


Stock Picks For Wednesday 4 August: Sirius XM Radio, Allied Irish Banks, Dryships, Cell Therapeutics

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 06:12 PM PDT

( click to enlarge )

Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ:SIRI) - Looking at the technical chart the stock looks like it is forming a symmetrical triangle but it is not yet ripe for the breakout.In fact, another pattern that might happen for this stock is for it to just form an upward channel as we can above without having a proper breakout of the symmetrical triangle. But either way, we may be looking at an upward trend. All the technical indicators are in favor of an upward price movement: all the … [visit site to read more]


Trade The VIX With These ETNs

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 05:01 PM PDT

The VIX, the CBOE Volatility Index, also known as the fear indicator, uses the implied volatility of S&P 500 index options and is an index of the market’s forward looking view of volatility for the next 30 days.

This indicator is widely viewed as a way to measure market risk and forecast future movements.  Some observers say that when the VIX is low, as it is now, that market risk is low and stock prices are likely to trend higher.  This camp also says that when the VIX is high, … [visit site to read more]


Earning Scorecard: AK Steel

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 03:20 PM PDT

AK Steel Holding Corporation (NYSE:AKS), a leading producer of flat-rolled carbon, stainless, electrical steel and tubular products, posted better than expected second-quarter 2010 results primarily driven by higher steel shipments. Yet shares slipped 4% post results on an uncertain outlook over the iron pricing concerns.
 
Second Quarter Highlights
 
AK Steel posted net income of $26.7 million or 24 cents per share in the second quarter of 2010, reversing loses of $47.2 million or 43 … [visit site to read more]


Henry Schein Beats, Ups Guidance

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 03:05 PM PDT

Henry Schein Inc. (NASDAQ:HSIC) reported an increase of 11.1% in EPS to 90 cents in the second quarter of 2010, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 86 cents and the year-ago quarter's earnings of 81 cents.
 
Henry Schein reported a 15.1% year-over-year increase in revenues to $1.85 billion from $1.61 billion in the year-ago quarter, which beats the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.82 million for the second quarter of 2010. The revenue growth included a 15.6% growth in local currencies … [visit site to read more]


Fresenius Tops, Misses On Sales

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 03:05 PM PDT

Fresenius Medical Care (NYSE:FMS) reported second-quarter earnings per ADS of 83 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 80 cents as well as the year-ago result of 74 cents.
 
Revenues
 
The company reported net revenues of $2,946 million, up 7% on a reported basis as well as in constant currency, marginally missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,970 million. Organic revenue growth stood at 6% on a global basis.
 
Revenue from North American markets increased 8% in … [visit site to read more]


Vulcan Misses Expectations

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 02:50 PM PDT

Vulcan Materials Co. (NYSE:VMC) posted a profit of $20.5 million or 15 cents per share (excluding charges related to settlement of a lawsuit in Illinois and to flooding in Nashville, Tennessee) in its second quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate was pegged at 24 cents per share. In the year-ago period, the company’s profit stood at $15.6 million or 14 cents per share.
Although the company witnessed higher Aggregates volume, it was adversely affected by higher unit costs for liquid … [visit site to read more]


Duke Energy Tops, Raises Outlook

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 02:35 PM PDT

Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE:DUK) reported its second-quarter earnings of 34 cents per share, compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 28 cents and the year-earlier earnings of 27 cents. On a reported basis, including one-time items, loss per share came in at 17 cents in the reported quarter compared to EPS of 21 cents in the year-ago period.
 
The 51-cent variance in the reported period between the reported and adjusted earnings came from the impact of Goodwill and Other Impairments (46 … [visit site to read more]


Principal Financial Lags

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 02:15 PM PDT

Principal Financial Group Inc. (NYSE:PFG) reported second quarter operating earnings of 63 cents per share, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3 cents. This also fell short of operating earnings of 69 cents reported in the prior-year quarter. Operating earnings were $203.5 million compared with $200.5 million in the corresponding quarter last year.
 
The decrease in earnings was due to weak performance at U.S. Asset Accumulation and Life & Health Insurance segments.
 
Including … [visit site to read more]


Nicor Earnings Shine, Revs Slip

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 02:05 PM PDT

Nicor Inc. (NYSE:GAS) reported better-than-expected second quarter results, reflecting impressive performance by the Gas Distribution and Shipping segments. Earnings per share came in at 53 cents, above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 44 cents and the prior-year figure of 50 cents.
 
The upbeat results were attributed to higher operating income in the company's gas distribution and shipping businesses, as well as improved corporate operating results. These increases were partially offset … [visit site to read more]


FirstEnergy Beats, Ups Guidance

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 02:05 PM PDT

Diversified energy company FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE:FE) announced its second-quarter 2010 operating earnings of 82 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 76 cents. The results of the company were lower than the year-ago earnings of 87 cents per share.

The GAAP earnings of the company during the quarter were 87 cents per share versus $1.36 per share reported in the second quarter of 2009.

The difference between the GAAP and operating earnings during the reported quarter … [visit site to read more]


Dow Jones ESI Hits Highest Level Since June 2008

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 02:00 PM PDT

NEW YORK, August 2, 2010 –”The Dow Jones Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) has given an upbeat signal on the economy, registering its biggest rise since October and a return to the level of June 2008.  The ESI rose to 42.3 in July (see chart above), two points higher than the 40.3 tracked in June 2010. The rise is modest, but it is an acceleration from the slender gains of recent months and implies some recent pessimism about the economy may be … [visit site to read more]


U.S. Car Buyers Are Bullish On The U.S. Economy

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 01:51 PM PDT

Car sales rebounded in July to the highest level since last August, as consumers purchased more than 12 million new vehicles last month at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (see chart above, data here). On a cumulative year-to-date basis, vehicle sales are 14.7% ahead of last year at this time.  Compared to the month of July last year, total vehicle sales are up by 5.1% this year, boosted by a whopping 17.6% increase in light trucks versus last July (see related CD post … [visit site to read more]


Quantitative Easing: Bullard’s Seven Faces Of “The Peril”

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 01:45 PM PDT

After reading James Bullard’s twenty-three page paper on possible monetary responses to further economic shocks, we feel it is important for investors to gain a basic understanding of how future Fed policy could impact the value of an individual’s savings and other financial assets. The basic premise of Mr. Bullard’s work is as follows:

Current Fed policy keeping interest rates low for an extended period may be causing the economy to fall into an undesirable steady state of low … [visit site to read more]


Coach Outperforms

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 01:45 PM PDT

Coach, Inc. (NYSE:COH), the designer and marketer of fine accessories and gifts, recently posted better-than-expected fourth quarter results on the back of healthy sales registered in North America, China and Japan.
 
The quarterly earnings of 64 cents a share outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 56 cents, and surged 48.8% from 43 cents delivered in the prior-year quarter buoyed by strong top-line growth and competitive pricing.
 
New York-based company, Coach, said that total … [visit site to read more]


Details On S&W’s Stevia To PureCircle

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 01:45 PM PDT

We now have more information on the S&W Seed Co. (SANW) Stevia agreement with PureCircle.

S&W does not have enough acreage currently under cultivation to provide significant amounts of dried leaf to PureCircle. Also, the actual varietal has yet to be decided. Consequently, the first year of delivery under the contract would be the 2011 calendar year. In conjunction with work done at Michigan State University, the best varietal for other glycosides (beyond Reb A) will probably be … [visit site to read more]


Cognizant Tops, Ups Guidance

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 01:45 PM PDT

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (NASDAQ:CTSH) reported revenues of $1.105 billion in the second quarter of 2010, up 42% year over year and up 15% sequentially, and exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.018 billion.

Operating margin came in at 18.6%. Excluding stock-based compensation expenses of $13.9 million, operating margin came in at 19.9%, slightly down from 20.5% reported in the previous quarter, but within management’s targeted range of 19-20%.

Net income came in at $172.2 … [visit site to read more]


Hedge Fund Manager Advice On Deflation

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 01:32 PM PDT

This guys comments make sense and give some interesting advice on investing for … [visit site to read more]


Juniper Wins AT&T Deal

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 01:30 PM PDT

Leading networking infrastructure products and services provider Juniper Networks Inc. (NASDAQ:JNPR) recently announced that it has been selected as a key networking supplier by the leading telecom company AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T). Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

As per the terms of agreement, Juniper will supply its core networking products for AT&T's IP (Internet Protocol), MPLS (Multi Protocol Label Switching), Ethernet and Evolved Packet Core (EPC) fields.

Previously, … [visit site to read more]


Sempra Surpasses Estimates

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 01:30 PM PDT

Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE) announced its second-quarter operating earnings of 89 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 82 cents and the year-ago earnings of 80 cents per share.

Revenue

Total revenue of Sempra Energy at the end of second-quarter 2010 was $2,008 million versus $1,689 million in the year-ago period, reflecting a growth of 19%. Reported revenue in the quarter was also lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,089 million by $81 million.

Operational … [visit site to read more]


Earnings Scorecard: Boston Scientific

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 01:15 PM PDT

Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) reported its second quarter 2010 results on July 20 and increased its earnings estimates for fiscal 2010, based on its confidence to create a strong global position with successful product launches and further acquisitions and investments in the emerging markets.

Second Quarter Highlights

Boston Scientific reported adjusted EPS (excluding goodwill impairment-related credits; restructuring-related charges) of 12 cents, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of … [visit site to read more]


Molson Coors Beats Consensus

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 01:15 PM PDT

Molson Coors Brewing Co. (NYSE:TAP) registered second-quarter pro forma earnings (excluding certain one-time items) of $1.25 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.19 by 5% and year-ago earnings of $1.11 by 12.6%. The better-than-expected results came in the wake of net sales growth, increased equity income from MillerCoors, favorable currency translation and a lower effective tax rate, partially offset by higher marketing and administrative expenses.

On a reported basis, … [visit site to read more]


Momentum Following The $80 Break Carries Crude Higher But Not For Much Longer Sans Fundamentals

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 01:09 PM PDT

North American Commodity Update
Commodities - Energy
Momentum Following the $80 Break Carries Crude Higher but not for Much Longer Sans Fundamentals
Crude Oil (LS NYMEX) - $82.10 // $0.76 // 0.93%
It isn't surprising that crude has rallied to a new three-month high and extended its run to a fourth session when we consider the precious commodity only yesterday cleared the closely watched $80 mark. However, speculative momentum cannot carry itself for long – especially when the … [visit site to read more]


HP Settles DOJ Litigation

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 01:05 PM PDT

As per the latest disclosure made by the largest computer maker Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HPQ), the tech major has agreed to settle a lawsuit in principle imposed against it by the Department Of Justice (DOJ).

The government body has previously accused Hewlett-Packard and other tech giants, of paying illegal consideration to Accenture (NYSE:ACN) for securing endorsement for Government orders.

Although the tech major has denied its involvement in the case, but expects that the settlement will … [visit site to read more]


D.R. Horton Meets Expectations

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 01:05 PM PDT

D.R. Horton, Inc. (NYSE:DHI) showed a profit of $50.5 million or 16 cents per share in the second quarter of its fiscal year, meeting the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The profit improved from a loss of $143.8 million or 45 cents per share in the second quarter of the prior fiscal year.

Homebuilding revenue in the quarter rose 51% to $1.4 billion, slightly up from the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.3 billion. Homes closed surged 60% to 6,805 homes from 4,240 homes in the same quarter of fiscal … [visit site to read more]


YRCW Q2 Loss Narrows

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 12:45 PM PDT

YRC Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ:YRCW) today reported its second quarter 2010 financial results. Quarterly net loss was $9.5 million or a loss of 1 cent per share compared to a huge loss of $309 million or a loss of $5.20 per share in the year-ago quarter. This was mainly due to positive operating income reported by the Regional companies.

However, in the reported quarter, the company enjoyed a $81.54 million gain from equity-based compensation expenses and incurred $11.4 million of net loss from … [visit site to read more]


Pinnacle Misses Zacks Consensus

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 12:30 PM PDT

Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE:PNW) reported ongoing earnings of 83 cents per share, falling 4 cents short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 87 cents. However, earnings in the quarter registered an 11% growth compared to the year-ago earnings of 75 cents. Results in the quarter were helped by higher revenues from retail electricity rate increases, lower operations and maintenance costs and higher retail electricity sales.

On a reported basis, the company has posted a loss of $1.07 per share … [visit site to read more]


P&G Misses Zacks Estimates

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 12:20 PM PDT

Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE:PG) registered disappointing fourth quarter 2010 net earnings from continuing operations of 71 cents a share, which dipped 5% from 75 cents posted in the year-ago period. Earnings also missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 73 cents.

However, P&G's net earnings from continuing operations in fiscal 2010 surged 4% to $3.53 per share from $3.39 delivered in fiscal 2009, though well below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.12 per share. The upswing came on the … [visit site to read more]


Celanese Tops Expectations

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 12:20 PM PDT

Specialty material company, Celanese Corp. (NYSE:CE) earned $1.12 per share in the second quarter of 2010 beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.02. Earnings doubled from last year's 56 cents per share.

Revenues and Margins

Quarterly revenues grew 22% year-over-year to $1.5 billion primarily driven by higher volumes across all business segments. Pricing gains in the Acetyl Intermediates and Industrial Specialties businesses further boosted growth. Operating profit jumped 75% to $156 … [visit site to read more]


The Fed’s Balance Sheet: Shrink It Or Not?

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 12:12 PM PDT

"Fed Mulls Symbolic Shift" is the title of a front-page article in today's (8/3/10) Wall Street Journal. The question is whether the FOMC will reinvest money from its maturing mortgage-bond holdings "instead of allowing its portfolio to shrink gradually, as it is expected to do in the months ahead."
"Moving to stop the Fed's portfolio from shrinking would prevent monetary policy from slightly tightening in the face of a weakening recovery."
For a long time now people have been … [visit site to read more]


BMRN Rev Misses, Cuts Outlook

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 12:05 PM PDT

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.'s (NASDAQ:BMRN) second quarter 2010 break-even earnings (excluding special items but including stock-based compensation expenses) was better than the year-ago loss of $.004 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate pointed towards earnings of $0.02 per share.

Total revenues climbed approximately 11% year-over-year to $91.9 million in the reported quarter. The year-over-year increase was driven by strong sales of its enzyme replacement therapies. However, revenues in … [visit site to read more]


West Coast Container Volume Jumps 15 Percent

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 12:01 PM PDT

Journal of Commerce — “Container volume at West Coast ports increased 15 percent in the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, according to the Pacific Maritime Association. The tally reflects all loaded containers, both inbound and outbound. Containerized imports on the West Coast increased 17 percent while exports were up 11 … [visit site to read more]


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