Monday, December 6, 2010

DailyMarkets.com - Limited Brands Sales Rise

DailyMarkets.com - Limited Brands Sales Rise

Limited Brands Sales Rise

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 12:05 PM PST

Limited Brands Inc. (NYSE:LTD), a specialty retailer of women's intimate and other apparel, beauty and personal care products recently posted sales results for the four-week period ended November 27, 2010.
The owner of Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works chains sustained its growth momentum. Limited Brands' comparable-store sales for November rose 10%, following a 9% increase registered in October 2010, and reflecting a sharp improvement from a growth of 3% in October 2009. Limited … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Yum! Reaffirms 2010 Outlook

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 12:05 PM PST

Kentucky-based Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE:YUM), the fast-food giant reaffirmed its earnings growth target of 14% for fiscal 2010, indicating that adjusted earnings will be in the range of $2.43 to $2.48 per share. The strong growth guidance was driven by robust performances in its China division and new unit development in China and Yum Restaurants International (YRI).
The world's largest restaurant company in terms of system restaurants appears on track to achieve its annual earning per share … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Earnings Scorecard: Altera Corp.

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 12:05 PM PST

Last week, Altera Corporation (NASDAQ:ALTR) updated its guidance for the fourth quarter and provided guidance for 2011. The guidance was in line with expectations and hence estimate revisions were more or less muted.
Altera expects revenues in the fourth quarter to grow around 3% – 6% sequentially, same as the earlier forecast. The guidance implies a revenue guidance of $543.3 – $559.2 million, in line with the Zacks consensus of $546 million.
Altera also provided preliminary guidance for 2011. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Citi To Pay $2.43M To Investors?

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:35 AM PST

Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) has hit the headlines again and this time for a wrong reason. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, its unit – Citigroup Global Markets has been ordered to pay $2.43 million to a group of investors who had suffered losses on investing in the company's MAT Five, one among a series municipal arbitrage fund. This fines refers to a ruling of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority panel (FINRA).
The investors who are five in number and based in Memphis, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Vodafone Upgraded To Outperform

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:35 AM PST

We are upgrading our recommendation on Vodafone Group Plc (NYSE:VOD), the largest revenue generating international wireless carrier, to Outperform from Neutral on account of strong revenue growth and upbeat outlook for future years. Currently, the stock has Zacks # 1 Rank (Strong Buy).
Earnings and revenues were stronger in the first half of 2010 than the year-ago period, driven mainly by solid performance in all regions except Europe. Almost half of the revenue growth was organic and came largely … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex – EUR/USD Down During The U.S. Session

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:15 AM PST

Forex Pros – The Euro was lower against the U.S. Dollar on Monday.

EUR/USD was trading at 1.3314, down 0.75% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.2972, Wednesday's low, and resistance at 1.3438, Friday's high.

Meanwhile, the Euro was down against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP shedding 0.45% to hit 0.8468 and EUR/JPY falling 0.67% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Dillard’s November Sales Up

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:05 AM PST

Dillard's Inc. (NYSE:DDS) reported an 8% increase in same stores sales for the four weeks ended November 27, 2010. Results of the reported month compare favorably with same stores sales declining 11% for the four weeks ended November 28, 2009.
Merchandise sales for the period increased 7% to gross $469.3 million. Region-wise, sales trend was above average in the Central and Eastern area but below average in the Western area.
Though sales of shoes and juniors' and children's apparel were … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

ExxonMobil Inks Deal In Indonesia

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:05 AM PST

U.S. oil giant, ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) joined hands with PT Pertamina to develop the offshore East Natuna natural gas block in Indonesia. The deal is reflective of the companies' effort to extract natural gas from this massive block located in the South China Sea.
The agreement did not specify any revenue sharing, but the Indonesian government ensured that gas from the block would be used to meet domestic demand. The selling price of the gas would follow international market trends to … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

China’s Global Energy Hunt Still On

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:05 AM PST

China's global energy hunt continues with three major state-owned companies strengthening their relationship with Venezuela. The companies, namely China National Petroleum Corp. or CNPC, Sinopec (NYSE:SNP) and CNOOC Ltd. (NYSE:CEO) have signed six agreements and decided to invest $40 billion.
One agreement was signed between CNPC and PDVSA (Petroleos de Venezuela SA) for joint development of the Orinocobasin Junin 4 oil block at an approximate cost of $16 billion with 60% and 40% interests, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

“Trading Volume Being Closely Watched”

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:00 AM PST

12/06/10 Meridian Equity Partners’ Joseph Greco discusses ongoing euro-zone sovereign debt concerns and Bernanke’s … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Positive Data On Shire’s Firazyr

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:35 AM PST

Shire plc (NASDAQ:SHPGY) recently announced that it met its goals in the FAST 3 trial that was conducted with its hereditary angioedema (HAE) treatment, Firazyr. Hereditary angioedema is a rare genetic disease characterized by acute swelling of the hands, feet, face and larynx. Firazyr is an injectable drug that helps reduce the inflammation. FAST-3 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled multicenter trial where Firazyr was administered by subcutaneous injection in 88 patients with acute … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Allergan’s Lap-Band Finds Support

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:35 AM PST

Allergan Inc. (NYSE:AGN) recently announced that a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel recommended the extension of the use of the company's gastric band. The Gastroenterology and Urology Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee voted 8 – 2 in favor of extending the use of Allergan's Lap-Band System based on the product's benefit-risk profile.
Allergan is seeking to expand the use of Lap-Band System for weight reduction in obese adults who have failed conservative … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex – AUD/USD Down During The U.S. Session

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:35 AM PST

Forex Pros – The Australian Dollar was lower against the U.S. Dollar on Monday.

AUD/USD was trading at 0.9900, down 0.31% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 0.9539, Wednesday's low, and resistance at 0.9938, Friday's high.

Meanwhile, the Australian Dollar was up against the Euro and down against the Japanese Yen, with EUR/AUD shedding 0.46% to hit 1.3447 and AUD/JPY falling 0.18% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Dollar Rises On Sovreign Debt Concerns

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 05:33 AM PST

12/06/10 The euro continued to decline this session against the dollar following growing divisions concerning the ssteps to stop the sovreign debt … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex Trading: EURUSD Breaks Above Topside Resistance.

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:07 AM PST

Sempra Unit Starts Green Plant

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:05 AM PST

Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE) announced that its unit Sempra Generation has started operation of the 48 Megawatt (MW) photovoltaic plant in Nevada. This plant can meet the electricity requirement of 14,000 average homes.
At present this 48 MW Copper Mountain Solar facility is the largest photovoltaic solar power plant in operation in the United States. The new facility is adjacent to Sempra unit's 10 MW El Dorado Solar plant. The company has entered into separate agreements for 20 years to supply all … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Ross On Positive Comps Streak

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:05 AM PST

Ross Stores Inc. (NASDAQ:ROST), the second largest off-price retailer of apparels and home accessories, recently marked the 10th consecutive quarter of positive comparable store sales trend, clocking 6.0% for the four-week period ended November 27, 2010. Ross also provided its outlook for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.
Regionally, Florida and Texas acted as the catalyst for the increase in comparable store sales. Categories like Juniors and Shoes left a positive footprint on results.
Ross also … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex – NZD/USD Down During The U.S. Session

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:00 AM PST

Forex Pros – The New Zealand Dollar was lower against the U.S. Dollar on Monday.

NZD/USD was trading at 0.7603, down 0.77% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 0.7403, Wednesday's low, and resistance at 0.7675, Friday's high.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Dollar was down against the Australian Dollar and up against the Euro, with AUD/NZD gaining 0.30% to hit 1.3001 and EUR/NZD falling 0.12% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

European Markets Mixed At Close; Dax Up 0.10%

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 09:55 AM PST

Forex Pros – European stocks were mixed after the closing bell on Monday.

At the close of European trade, Germany's DAX rose 0.10%, London's FTSE 100 gained 0.43%, France's CAC 40 declined 0.04% and the EURO STOXX 50 was down 0.45%.

Meanwhile, on Wall Street, equity markets were down after the open. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.15%; the S&P 500 index shed 0.25%, while the Nasdaq 100 index declined … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Gold Through The Ages—Civilization’s Love Affair With The Yellow Metal

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 09:50 AM PST

As long as there have been people, there's been an attraction to gold. From pharaohs to hedge funds, gold has been an important tool of building and protecting wealth. This interactive gold timeline carries you through gold’s enduring path as a universal symbol of wealth.

To navigate the timeline, click and drag the gold nugget across the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

American Eagle’s Flat Comparables

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 09:35 AM PST

American Eagle Outfitters Inc.'s (NYSE:AEO) comparable-store sales for November came in flat against a 2.0% decrease in the year-earlier period. Total sales for the four weeks ended November 27, 2010, upped 2% to $272 million from $266 million for the four weeks ended November 28, 2009.
The Thanksgiving weekend boosted sales in the reported month thereby compensating for the softness observed during the rest of the month. Additionally, American Eagle pointed out that inventory management … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Good News For Medtronic

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 09:20 AM PST

Leading medical devices player, Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to use its CD Horizon Spinal System Pedicle screws to treat adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), which is the most common type of scoliosis in children affecting nearly 1 million in the US. Subsequent to this approval, children diagnosed with AIS will have a better treatment option.
Pedicle screws are designed for use in the thoracolumbar spine. They are used in … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Consumers Continue Shopping Online

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 09:20 AM PST

The recession, job cuts and poorer purchasing power notwithstanding, U.S. consumers have retained their appetite for spending. Thus says latest data from ComScore, which has disclosed online spending estimates for the first phase of the 2010 holiday season.
Although the heaviest days were Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday, online spending in the first 33 days since November 2 jumped 12% from last year. Cyber Monday spending reached new heights, crossing the $1 billion mark for the first … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Oil’s Rise To Two-Year Highs

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 09:19 AM PST

Trading Ideas
Now that Oil prices are trading at 2-year highs and strong chart support is seen at $80.00, some traders may wish to explore selling puts in Crude Oil futures options with strike prices below support levels. For example, with February Crude Oil trading at 89.60 as of this writing, the February Oil 79.00 puts could be sold for about 0.70 points, or $700 per option, not including commissions. The premium received would be the maximum potential gain on the trade, which would be … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Change At Pfizer’s Helm

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 09:05 AM PST

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) delivered a surprise over the weekend with the sudden appointment of Ian C. Read as the new President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of the company. The announcement was made following the sudden and unexpected retirement of the erstwhile CEO, Jeffrey B. Kindler.
Jeff Kindler was responsible for pulling off the $68 billion Pfizer-Wyeth merger, which led to the creation of a more diversified company. Mr. Kindler also streamlined operations across the world … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Ecolab Hikes Dividend

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 09:05 AM PST

Leading cleaning and sanitation products company Ecolab Inc (NYSE:ECL) has raised its quarterly dividend to 17.5 cents from 15.5 cents, representing a 13% growth. This lifts the annual dividend to 70 cents per share from the current payout of 62 cents. The revised quarterly dividend is payable on Jan 18, 2011, to shareholders of record as on Dec 21, 2010.
This represents the Minnesota-based company's nineteenth consecutive annual dividend raise, underscoring its commitment to deliver incremental … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex – EUR/USD Down At The End Of European Session

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 09:00 AM PST

Forex Pros – The Euro was lower against the U.S. Dollar on Monday.

EUR/USD was trading at 1.3275, down 1.04% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.2972, Wednesday's low, and resistance at 1.3438, Friday's high.

Meanwhile, the Euro was down against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP shedding 0.46% to hit 0.8467 and EUR/JPY falling 0.84% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex Trading: EURUSD Coiling For A Move But Not Yet Ready

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 08:53 AM PST

The EURUSD is coiling for a move but the action in NY can be more characterized as consolidative. A move below 1.3248 or a move above 1.3300 will confirm any break. For a technical look as London/Europe look to exit, click on the video … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Northrop Grumman Gets Navy Contract

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 08:35 AM PST

Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) subsidiary AMSEC LLC has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy for providing engineering services, technical, logistics, maintenance and installation support to the cargo and weapons handling systems. The cost-plus-fixed-fee task order contains a base period with four one-year option periods with a total cumulative value of approximately $30.5 million.
Northrop Grumman will commence work on the contract in the month of December, which will be … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

AutoNation Sales Up 16%

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 08:35 AM PST

AutoNation Inc. (NYSE:AN) sold 15,511 retail new vehicles in November, a 16% rise from the year-ago level. The sales growth was higher than 12% increase in sales in the U.S. auto industry, excluding sales to fleet buyers including  rental car companies.
Sales of the Domestic brands, which comprise stores that sell vehicles manufactured by General Motors (NYSE:GM), Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) and Chrysler LLC, escalated 25% to 4,594 units.
Sales of the Import brands, comprising stores that sell vehicles … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

SunPower Explores Opportunities In Italy

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 08:25 AM PST

SunPower Corp. (SPWRA) is steadily progressing with its Italian ventures, as evident from its deal with E.ON Climate and Renewables Italia Solar Srl as well as the financing agreements signed in Italy.
The E.ON Deal
SunPower recently entered into a deal to design and build a 3.4-megawatt ground-mounted solar power plant in Italy’s Lazio region for E.ON Climate and Renewables. The company will start building the plant before year-end 2010 and expects to complete it in April 2011.
At the plant, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Ford’s Rising Sales In China Top U.S.

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 08:25 AM PST

Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) has revealed that its sales in China grew 35% during November, surpassing its 24.3% sales growth in the U.S. The automaker sold 56,829 vehicles during the month in China compared with 147,338 vehicles in the U.S. Meanwhile, Ford's sales soared 39% to 525,100 vehicles in the first 11 months of the year.
Ford's sales in China were boosted by its midsized car lineups, including Fiesta and Focus. Sales of Focus went up 34% to17,139 units in November while sales of Fiesta … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Positive Data On Celgene Drugs

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 08:24 AM PST

Recently, Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG) presented encouraging data on its cancer drugs Revlimid and Istodax at the annual conference of the American Society of Hematology.
The company's key growth engine Revlimid, currently approved for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and second-line multiple myeloma (MM), fared well as a combination therapy in a late-stage study carried out on patients suffering from high-risk asymptomatic smoldering MM. Results revealed that treatment with Revlimid and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

FDA Panel Reviews AstraZeneca Drug

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 08:24 AM PST

AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) recently announced the outcome of the review of its cancer candidate, vandetanib, by an advisory panel of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). AstraZeneca is looking to get vandetanib approved for the treatment of non-operable (unresectable) locally advanced or metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).
The FDA's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee was asked to discuss whether vandetanib should be used only in patients with progressive, symptomatic MTC. The panel was … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Australian Dollar: Bullish Bias Above 9825

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 08:19 AM PST

Update on supports and resistances. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Canadian Dollar: Rebound In Sight

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 08:19 AM PST

Update on supports and resistances. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex Trading: USDJPY Falls Below Triangle Support. Bias Bearish

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 08:16 AM PST

Opening Bell Market Monitor: AOL, YHOO, DG, PFE

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 07:57 AM PST

12/06/10 The latest in news, commentary, and information on what’s moving the US equities … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Crude Declines On Dollar Gains

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 02:48 AM PST

12/06/10 Front month crude prices were slightly in the red following a continued rise for the US … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex – Dollar Up Across The Board As Spotlight On Euro Zone

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 07:44 AM PST

Forex Pros – The U.S. dollar was up against all of its major counterparts on Monday, ahead of a meeting of Eurogroup finance ministers to discuss steps to address the sovereign debt crisis in the single currency bloc.

During European afternoon trade, the greenback was up against the euro, with EUR/USD plunging 0.92% to hit 1.3289.

Later in the day, euro zone finance ministers were due to meet in Brussels to discuss the outlook for Portugal and whether the EUR750 billion bailout fund for … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex Trading: EURUSD Runs Into Intraday Resistance At 1.3293 Now

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 07:41 AM PST

Forex – GBP/USD Hits Daily Low Ahead Of Eurogroup Meeting

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 07:27 AM PST

Forex Pros – The pound extended losses against the U.S. dollar on Monday, falling to a daily low, as concerns over the sovereign debt crisis in the euro zone mounted ahead of a meeting of Eurogroup finance ministers.

GBP/USD hit 1.5656 during European afternoon trade, the daily low; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.5678, shedding 0.56%.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.5580, last Friday's low and resistance at 1.5836, the high of November 24.

Later in the day, euro zone … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex – EUR/USD Down As Euro Zone Debt Woes Weigh

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 07:18 AM PST

Forex Pros – The euro extended losses against the U.S. dollar on Monday, as euro zone finance ministers prepared to meet in Brussels to discuss steps to address the ongoing sovereign debt crisis in the single currency bloc.

EUR/USD hit 1.3247 during European afternoon trade, a fresh daily low; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.3289, plunging 0.93%.

The pair was likely to find short-term support at 1.3192, Friday's low and resistance at 1.3632, the high of November 23.

Ahead of the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

An Investment Thesis For December…Not!

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 07:06 AM PST

Here is an investment thesis for you: “Pro’s performance worries will drive stocks” according to Jeff Saut, chief investment strategist at Raymond James.

In this short video, Saut outlines why he believes stocks will go higher.  In essence, “Professional money mangers are underinvested and underperforming,” and they are facing “performance risk, bonus risk and ultimately job risk.”

While this may be true, I am not too sure that it is such a great strategy.  From this perspective, I … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Stock Market Valuation December 5th 2010

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 06:46 AM PST

(Sorry about the delay I try to get these numbers up on the 1st of every month. I have had a really busy month.)
I update market valuations on a monthly basis. The point of this article is to measure the stock market based on six different metrics. This article does not look at the macro picture and try to predict where the economy is headed. It only uses these six metrics which have been very good past indicators of whether the market is fairly valued.
I collaborate with my colleague Doug … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates
at

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