Thursday, January 27, 2011

DailyMarkets.com - Stock Market Summary For Thursday, January 27, 2011

DailyMarkets.com - Stock Market Summary For Thursday, January 27, 2011


Stock Market Summary For Thursday, January 27, 2011

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 05:36 PM PST

The major indexes had mixed results today as the Nasdaq Composite led with a 0.6% gain while the S&P 500 closed right at 1,300 and the DJIA was flat unable to close above the 12,000 level.  Participation from investors was ok but underneath the hood market internals are showing signs that the stock market needs a break.  We are seeing less stocks advancing and making new highs than we saw when the market was materially lower earlier in the recent … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Amazon Has First $10B Quarter And It Totally Dominates The Retail Book Market By Market Cap

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 05:19 PM PST

Founder and CEO of Amazon, Jeff Bezos said in a statement: “We had our first $10 billion quarter, and after selling millions of third-generation Kindles with the new Pearl e-ink display during the quarter, Kindle books have now overtaken paperback books as the most popular format on Amazon.com. Last July we announced that Kindle books had passed hardcovers and predicted that Kindle would surpass paperbacks in the second quarter of this year, so this milestone has come even sooner than we … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Invesco Outpaces Earnings Ests

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 04:05 PM PST

Invesco Limited's (NYSE:IVZ) fourth quarter earnings of 44 cents per share breezed past the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4 cents. The results also compare favorably with earnings of 30 cents in the prior-year quarter.

On a GAAP basis, earnings came in at 37 cents per share, compared with 25 cents in the year-ago quarter. GAAP results for the reported quarter included $26.7 million of transaction and integration charges.

Invesco's earnings soared over the prior-year quarter primarily on an … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Regis Misses Consensus

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 04:05 PM PST

Regis Corporation (NYSE:RGS) reported second quarter fiscal 2011 adjusted earnings of 25 cents per share, below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 28 cents. The lower-than-expected result was due to sluggish same-store sales.
During the quarter, the company reported GAAP net income of $14.5 million, or 24 cents per share, down from $18.2 million or 30 cents per share in the year-ago quarter.
Quarter Performance
Regis' total revenue inched down 0.2% year over year to $574.0 million due to lower … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Strong Markets Lift Eaton Corp.

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 04:05 PM PST

Eaton Corporation (NYSE:ETN) reported fourth quarter and full-year 2010 results. Eaton's fourth quarter earnings per share grew 25% year over year, mainly upon a 13% end-market growth.
Earnings per share, excluding acquisition-related integration charges, came in at $1.69 in the quarter, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.67 and exceeded the company's guidance range of $1.50 – $1.60. In the year-ago period, the Cleveland, Ohio-based company earned $1.35 per share.
For full-year 2010, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Earnings Scorecard: McDonald’s

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 04:05 PM PST

On January 24, McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) reported its fourth quarter fiscal 2010 earnings of $1.16 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Given below is our report on the recent earnings announcement as well as subsequent analyst estimate revisions over short and long-term periods.
Earnings Report Flashback
McDonald's said that revenues for the quarter climbed 4% to $6.21 billion, outperforming the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.19 billion. Excluding the negative … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Turbulent 4Q For JetBlue

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

01/28/11 JetBlue Airways announced on Thursday that its 4Q profit fell to $9 million on inclement … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


The Day Ahead: Earnings, US GDP, U. Of Michigan Consumer Sentiment

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 10:50 AM PST

01/28/11 The stories, data, and stocks that may have the greatest impact during the next trading … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Hot Stock Movers To Watch On Friday, January 28

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 03:38 PM PST

  ( click to enlarge )

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) has formed a bullish engulfing pattern on the daily chart. RSI confirms the uptrend and the stock trades comfortably above the 20 and 50 DMA. I expect the stock's near-term up trend to continue. Next resistance is located at $30.37, while immediate support has moved up to $28.58.

( click to enlarge )

Banner Corporation (NASDAQ:BANR) broke out of a bull flag today. Today’s heavy volume was what you want to see when a stock breaks … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Altria Reports In-Line

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 03:35 PM PST

Altria Group Inc. (NYSE:MO) the manufacturer and seller of cigarettes, wine and other tobacco products, registered robust fourth quarter and full fiscal 2010 results.
Virginia-based Altria posted adjusted earnings of 44 cents a share in the quarter, which was up 12.8% compared with the prior-year quarter and was in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The quarter benefited from strong income across its tobacco businesses, lower asset impairment and exit costs, and higher operating companies … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


E*TRADE Disappoints

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 03:35 PM PST

E*TRADE Financial Corporation’s (NASDAQ:ETFC) fourth-quarter net loss of 11 cents per share was significantly below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of earnings of 4 cents. The loss compares unfavorably with earnings of 3 cents in the prior quarter but favorably with loss of 36 cents per share in the prior-year quarter.
Results improved sequentially on the back of operating net revenue and strong brokerage business, but were affected by an increase in provision for loan losses and higher operating … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Helmerich & Payne Profit Climbs

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 03:35 PM PST

Contract drilling services provider Helmerich & Payne Inc. (NYSE:HP) reported solid results for the first fiscal quarter of 2011 (three months ended December 31, 2010), helped by improving U.S. land drilling operations.
Earnings per share from continuing operations (excluding special items) came in at 94 cents, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 82 cents and the year-ago adjusted profit of 59 cents. Revenues of $594.6 million were up 50.1% from the first quarter 2010 level and also … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Oil Falls To $85 A Barrel As Kuwaiti Official Hints At OPEC Raising Production

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 03:30 PM PST

Big plunge in oil today as we had weaker US data and comments from a Kuwaiti official that hinted at the prospect of OPEC increasing production to put downward pressure on prices.

Oil prices, after hitting $94 a barrel on January 10th have receded to their lowest since early November at the $85 level, with a 2% slide today, extending the decline started last week.
From Marketwatch: Oil at multimonth low on supply fears, data
"Oil futures lost nearly 2% Thursday, hurt by a … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Quiz On A Legalization Of Marijuana Poll

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 03:29 PM PST

1. Which age group do you think would be most likely to favor the legalization of marijuana?

a. 18-34 years
b. 34-49 years
c. 50-64 years
d. 65+ years

2. What percent of Democrats and what percent of Republicans favor legalization of marijuana?

a. 75% of Democrats and 20% of Republicans 
b. 68% and 28%
c. 62% and 32%
d. 55% and 38%

Find out here, based on a recent survey in the state of Washington. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Obama Is Now Pro-Business. And That’s Dangerous Because Businesses Really Don’t Like Competition And They’ll Use Government To Try To Restrict It

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 03:13 PM PST

From Don Boudreaux’s excellent editorial making a very important point that Obama should be “pro-growth,” and not “pro-business”:

“An economy's success is best measured by how well it pleases consumers, not by how well it pleases businesses. Each business sees matters differently. It wants to profit as much as possible. In a free market, businesses profit only by pleasing consumers. But a business that obtains special favors from government can profit without pleasing consumers. And it's … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Motorola Mobility Underperforms

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 03:05 PM PST

Yesterday after the closing bell, Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. (MMI) reported its fourth quarter 2010 financial results. It was the company's first earnings report after it separated from former Motorola Inc.
Nevertheless, the fourth quarter earnings fell below the Zacks Consensus Estimates. We are concerned about the surprisingly weak financial guidance for the ensuing first quarter of 2011 provided by management. Therefore, in the after market trade in NYSE, stock price of Motorola … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


CONSOL Shy Of Estimates

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 03:05 PM PST

Diversified fuel producer CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE:CNX) posted fourth quarter 2010 adjusted earnings of 54 cents per share, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 56 cents. For the full-year 2010, the company reported earnings of $1.60, way below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.27.
Lower earnings in the quarter reflect increased expenses due to additional acquisition-related charges, offset in part by robust fuel volumes produced by both the segments.
CONSOL Energy boasted a revenue … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Earnings Preview: Chevron

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 03:05 PM PST

Global integrated energy company, Chevron Corp. (NYSE:CVX) is expected to report its fourth quarter and full year 2010 earnings on Friday, January 28, 2011, before the opening bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fourth quarter is $2.38 per share, while that for fiscal 2010 is $9.36 per share.
Third Quarter 2010 Recap
Chevron's earnings per share, excluding one-time items, came in at $2.06, below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.15 but above the year-ago adjusted profit of $1.80. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Microsoft Employees 1978: Where Are They Now?

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 03:03 PM PST

Varian Posts A Mixed Bag, Ups View

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 02:35 PM PST

Leading integrated radiotherapy systems maker Varian Medical Systems (NYSE:VAR) reported first-quarter fiscal 2011 (ended December 31) earnings per share from continuing operations of 80 cents, comfortably beating the Zacks Consensus Estimates of 73 cents and exceeding the corresponding year-ago earnings of 63 cents. Profit climbed 22% year over year to $96.5 million, riding on higher sales from oncology systems and X-Ray products. 
Revenues & Orders
Revenues leapt 7% year over year to … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Texas Capital Outpaces Zacks Ests

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 02:35 PM PST

Texas Capital Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ:TCBI) reported fourth quarter 2010 earnings of 32 cents per share, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 26 cents. The results also compare favorably with earnings of 18 cents in the year-ago period.
For full year 2010, Texas Capital reported earnings of $1.00 per share, outpacing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 94 cents and above 55 cents reported a year ago.
While the company experienced an increase in both interest income and non-interest income compared … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Nucor Posts 4Q Loss

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 02:35 PM PST

Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) recorded a net loss of $23.5 million or 4 cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2010, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 10 cents per share compared with the year-ago $58.9 million or 18 cents per share.
For the full year 2010, Nucor reported earnings of $134.1 million, or 42 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $293.6 million or 94 cents per share for the year ago period and beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 37 cents per share.
Nucor … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Robert Half Posts Robust Q4

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 02:05 PM PST

Robert Half International Inc. (NYSE:RHI) a leading global staffing and risk consulting services provider, has reported solid fourth quarter and full fiscal 2010 results.
Robert Half registered net income of $24.8 million or 17 cents a share in the quarter, compared with $13.5 million or 9 cents a share in the earlier year quarter. The company posted a robust 84% year-over-year growth. Earnings per share were a penny above the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Profits were primarily driven by continued … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


BlackRock Surpasses Estimates

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 02:05 PM PST

BlackRock Inc.'s (NYSE:BLK) fourth quarter 2010 operating earnings of $3.42 per share were substantially ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.90. This also surpassed the prior quarter's earnings of $2.75 and the prior-year quarter's earnings of $2.39.
For full-year 2010, BlackRock reported operating earnings of $10.94 per share beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $10.39 and the prior year's earnings of $7.13.
Operating results for the quarter excluded restructuring charges and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Microsoft Beats On Earnings, Revenue

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 02:05 PM PST

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) delivered a solid quarter with earnings per share coming in at 77 cents, well ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 68 cents. It was a 28% increase over the same quarter last year.
Revenue for the second quarter of 2011 was $19.95 billion, up 15% year-over-year, and ahead of consensus at $19.12 billion. Sales were particularly strong in the Entertainment & Devices Division, which were up a whopping 55%. Much of this growth was fueled by the successful launch of the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Precision Castparts Beats Slightly

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 02:05 PM PST

Precision Castparts Corp. (NYSE:PCP) released its third quarter 2011 earnings results before the opening bell today, reporting earnings per share from continuing operations of $1.80 compared with $1.61 per share in the prior year quarter. The company outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by merely 1 cent.
Revenue Details
Total revenue was $1.59 billion compared with $1.36 billion in the prior year quarter. Improved performance in aerospace and increased sales in general industries benefited … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Amazon Results Don’t Match Run-Up

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 02:05 PM PST

Investors had been giddy with excitement for Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) 4th quarter earnings results during regular trading Thursday. Before earnings were announced after the closing bell, AMZN shares had run up over $9 per share (5.17%). But then reality set in…

Even though Amazon.com Inc. posted an earnings beat of 91 cents per share — the Zacks Consensus Estimate was 88 cents — the world’s largest online retailer fell short on the revenue side, posting sales of $12.95 billion in the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Closing Bell Market Monitor: CAT, T, PG

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 02:00 PM PST

01/27/11  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 @ … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Forex – EUR/USD Up At The End Of U.S. Session

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 01:53 PM PST

Forex Pros – The Euro was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Thursday.

EUR/USD was trading at 1.3733, up 0.15% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.3540, Monday's low, and resistance at 1.3758, today's high.

Meanwhile, the Euro was up against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.15% to hit 0.8619 and EUR/JPY rising 1.03% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


‘Statistics Worthy Of Detroit Or Newark’

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 01:40 PM PST

In “Et in Arcadia Ego,” The Economist details the latest boom unfolding in America’s sunbelt – in unemployment, charity cases, and tent cities:
The suburban sunbelt is the scene of terrible poverty
THE statistics are worthy of Detroit or Newark: almost half the children in the local schools are from families poor enough to be eligible for free or cut-price lunches; a tenth of households qualify for food stamps; one in eight residents gets free meals from soup kitchens or food banks; … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Forex – USD/JPY Up Toward The End Of U.S. Session

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 01:38 PM PST

Forex Pros – The U.S. Dollar was higher against the Japanese Yen on Thursday.

USD/JPY was trading at 82.89, up 0.87% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 81.98, Tuesday's low, and resistance at 83.20, today's high.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar was down against the Euro and up against the British Pound, with EUR/USD gaining 0.11% to hit 1.3728 and GBP/USD falling 0.02% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Raytheon Beats, Provides Outlook

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 01:35 PM PST

Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) reported fourth-quarter 2010 adjusted earnings of $1.57 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 42 cents. Results leaped 20% from earnings of $1.31 reported in the year-ago period. Adjusted earnings in the quarter were $575 million, up 13% from $510 million in the year ago period.
The better-than-expected results in the quarter were largely attributable operational improvements and capital deployment actions.
Adjusting for 11 cents FAS/CAS pension expense, 13 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


SAP Falls On TomorrowNow Charges

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 01:35 PM PST

SAP AG (NYSE:SAP) reported fourth quarter 2010 earnings per share of €0.37 (50 cents) compared to €0.57 (77 cents) in the prior-year quarter due to charges of €933 million and associated income taxes of €359 million related to TomorrowNow litigation.
Excluding these charges, SAP's EPS from continuing operations was €0.93 ($1.26), which exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.19.
Total revenue was €4.06 billion ($5.5 billion), an increase of 27% year over year.  Software … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Harris Beats, Shares Rise

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 01:35 PM PST

Harris Corp. (NYSE:HRS) declared its second quarter of fiscal 2011 results that beat our expectations. Quarterly adjusted (excluding special charges) EPS of $1.15 was above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.11. In the after market trade in NYSE, stock price of Harris was up 2 cents (0.04%) to $48.80.
Reported GAAP net income for the quarter was $151.1 million or $1.18 per share compared with a net income of $139.5 million or $1.06 per share in the year-ago quarter. This was mainly attributed to … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


LSI Corp. Beats Estimates

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 01:35 PM PST

California-based semiconductor Company LSI Corp. (NYSE:LSI) reported revenues of $664 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, up 4% year over year and 5.5% sequentially and beat management's guidance of $635 – $655 million. The results beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $649 million.
LSI Corp. reports revenues in two segments – Semiconductors and Storage Systems.
Semiconductor revenues for the second quarter were $393 million, up 1% sequentially and up 3% year over year. Within the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Nokia Beats But Outlook Weak

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 01:35 PM PST

Nokia Corp. (NYSE:NOK), the largest mobile phone manufacturer of the world, declared its fourth quarter 2010 financial results, which beat both the top line and bottom line of the Zacks Consensus Estimates. Favorable product-mix biased toward converged mobile devices (smartphones & mobile computers) resulted in higher average selling price (ASP).
However, Nokia has provided a weak financial outlook for its core Devices & Services segment. Additionally, Nokia Siemens Networks, a joint … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Seeking An Interest Rate Solution: Why The US Federal Reserve Should Raise Short Term Rates

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 01:30 PM PST

Note: This article has been authored by Taylor Cottam. We've interviewed Taylor before but for some background, Taylor has managed financial risk and traded fixed income products inside both GMAC bank and other financial institutions in Europe, North America and Canada. He is also the author of Economy Politics, numerous business and economic articles, is a CFA Charterholder, a Certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM) and holds an MBA from INSEAD.

Taylor Cottam, CFA, MBA and blogger at Economy … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Will Higher Inflation In Europe Cause The ECB To Hike Rates?

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 01:24 PM PST

Fed is Steady as We Go, No Rush To Signal Tighter Monetary Policy
In the wake of yesterday's FOMC meeting, the message was read loud and clear by currency and financial markets that the Fed is holding pat with ultra loose monetary policy and will go through with the full $600 billion alloted for Quantitative Easing 2.
While some Fed watchers may have been anticipating some more optimistic language on the economy, for the most part the Fed provided a "glass is half empty" message. Yes … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Forex – EUR/USD Up Toward The End Of U.S. Session

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 01:23 PM PST

Forex Pros – The Euro was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Thursday.

EUR/USD was trading at 1.3725, up 0.09% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.3540, Monday's low, and resistance at 1.3758, today's high.

Meanwhile, the Euro was up against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.15% to hit 0.8619 and EUR/JPY rising 0.96% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Align’s Earnings Miss Estimates

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 01:08 PM PST

Align Technology (NASDAQ:ALGN) reported fourth quarter adjusted EPS of 14 cents, missing both the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 17 cents and the year-ago quarter's 16 cents. For fiscal 2010, adjusted EPS came in at 80 cents, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents, but higher than 41 cents in 2009.
Total revenue increased 7.3% year over year to $92.9 million (within the company's guidance of $90.5–$93.0 million), barely beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $92.0 million. For fiscal … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Symantec 3Q A Mixed Bag

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 01:08 PM PST

Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ:SYMC) reported third quarter of fiscal 2011 earnings per share of 17 cents, falling well below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 30 cents.However, the quarter's revenue of $1.60 billion surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.58 billion.
Revenue
Symantec reported third quarter fiscal 2011 GAAP revenue of $1.604 billion, up 4% from $1.548 billion reported in the year-ago quarter. The increase in revenue may be attributed to the stability in the Storage Management … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Ball Corp. Beats Estimates

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 01:08 PM PST

Ball Corporation (NYSE:BLL) reported its reported fourth-quarter 2010 adjusted earnings of 93 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. Results comfortably beat year ago earnings of 92 cents. Adjusted earnings were $82.6 million, up 4% from $79.1 million in fourth-quarter 2009.
The improved result was largely driven by strong operating performance, consolidation of the Brazilian joint venture, solid aerospace program performance and growing emerging markets.
Including a tax … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


U.S. Markets Close Higher; Dow Jones Up 0.04%

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 01:08 PM PST

Forex Pros – U.S. stocks were up after the closing bell on Thursday.

At the close of U.S. trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.04%, the S&P 500 index gained 0.22%, while the Nasdaq 100 index climbed 0.69%.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, European stock markets were mixed at close. France's CAC 40 was up 0.26%; Germany's DAX gained 0.40%; Britain's FTSE 100 declined 0.07%; and the EURO STOXX 50 rose … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


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

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 12:43 PM PST

Forex Pros – The British Pound was lower against the U.S. Dollar on Thursday.

GBP/USD was trading at 1.5930, down 0.02% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.5752, Tuesday's low, and resistance at 1.6018, Tuesday's high.

Meanwhile, the British Pound was down against the Euro and up against the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.20% to hit 0.8624 and GBP/JPY rising 0.83% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Analyst Interviews: Oil & Gas Industry Outlook

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 12:35 PM PST

OUTLOOK

Crude Oil

The improving economic scene, both here in the U.S. as well as worldwide, had been the main driver of the oil rally that saw the commodity zoom past the $90 per barrel level earlier this year.

However, apprehensions about high U.S. crude stocks and worries that China might tighten monetary policy to fight an overheating economy, have been weighing on investor sentiments, weakening oil prices to near $88 a barrel. Another headwind for the commodity has been high levels of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Canadian Pacific Tops Estimates

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 12:35 PM PST

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (NYSE:CP), Canada's second largest railway, reported adjusted earnings per share of C$1.12 ($1.11) in the fourth quarter, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.09. Adjusted earnings leaped 51% year over year, thanks to lower tax rates and increased revenue generation.
For fiscal 2010, adjusted earnings shot up 54% to C$3.87 per share ($3.76 per share).
Revenues climbed 13% year over year to C$1.29 billion ($1.27 billion) on volume expansion, fuel surcharge … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Stanley Beats Estimate, Future Strong

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 12:35 PM PST

Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE:SWK) reported its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2010 with earnings per share from continuing operations of $1.05, up roughly 16.7% from 90 cents in the comparable quarter of 2009. EPS also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 92 cents.
For full-year 2010, earnings per share were $4.12 versus $3.04 in 2009, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.70. Excluding the one-time charges primarily related to the Black & Decker transaction as … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Stock Market Summary For Thursday, January 27, 2011 Special Alert

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 12:34 PM PST

From our blog post last night we talked about adding ETFs to our watch list that increase in value as the stock market declines. With the S&P 500 now at 1,300 we are going to add to our watch list another position in the ProShares Short S&P Fund (symbol: SH) at the current price of $42.38 and another position in the ProShares Short QQQ Fund (symbol: PSQ) at the current price of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


SP500 Tempts Traders With 1300 Bull Bear Battle

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 12:28 PM PST

If you're an active trader, no doubt you're on the edge of your trading chair trying to figure out if the S&P 500 is going to breakout through the key 1,300 level today, tomorrow, or alternately retrace deeper from here.
Let's take a quick "Step-Inside" analysis of the intraday price and compare it to signals from key Market Internals and set-up a potential game-plan scenario depending on who wins the "Battle for 1,300."
5-min SP500 Chart:

What we're seeing is the Pure … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Colgate-Palmolive Beats Estimate

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 12:05 PM PST

Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) posted fourth-quarter earnings of $1.24 per share marginally outpacing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.23 and prior-year quarter earnings of $1.21 per share.
For fiscal 2010, the company reported earnings per share of $4.31. It lags behind the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.81 due to a one-time non-cash after-tax charge of $271.0 million resulting from a required accounting change.
Global net sales fell 2.5% year-over-year to $3,978 million as pricing … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


DeVry Beats Estimates

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 12:05 PM PST

DeVry Inc. (NYSE:DV) registered second-quarter 2011 earnings of $1.25 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.19 by 5.0% and the year-ago earnings by 25.0%.
The upbeat results came in the wake of successful implementation of growth and diversification strategies, improvement in academic quality and successful student enrollment.
Quarterly Details
On a year-ago basis, total sales jumped 16.6% to $551 million for the reported quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues stood … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Solid 4Q10 For Motorola Solutions

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 12:05 PM PST

Today, Motorola Solutions Inc. (MSI) reported its fourth quarter 2010 financial results. It was the company's first earnings report after it separated from former Motorola Inc. In the reported quarter, both top and bottom lines of Motorola Solutions saw sharp rises.
The fourth quarter 2010 results excludes the part of the business apportioned for sale to Nokia Siemens Networks, a joint venture between Nokia Corp. (NYSE:NOK) and Siemens AG (NYSE:SI) in the first quarter of 2011.
Quarterly total … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Civilian Aircraft Orders Nosedive

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 12:05 PM PST

New Orders for Durable Goods fell 2.5% in October. That was much worse than the consensus expectations for an increase of 1.5%.

However, the bad news can be pegged on the extremely volatile Transportation Equipment side, and more specifically, from the Non-Defense Aircraft component, which is often the case when we get a bad headline durable goods number. That is mostly orders for big 777's and 747's from Boeing (NYSE:BA), which are very expensive items. It also includes orders for business … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Forex – USD/CAD Up During The U.S. Session

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 12:03 PM PST

Forex Pros – The U.S. Dollar was higher against the Canadian Dollar on Thursday.

USD/CAD was trading at 0.9942, up 0.01% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 0.9912, Tuesday's low, and resistance at 1.0005, Tuesday's high.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar was down against the Euro and up against the British Pound, with EUR/USD gaining 0.09% to hit 1.3726 and GBP/USD falling 0.02% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


EUR/USD’s Bearish Outlook Has Upside Risk To 1.3820-1.3830 Above 1.3757

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 12:02 PM PST

EUR/USD

- EUR/USD is most likely in a topping pattern, with extended bearish divergence, but continues to be contained above the rising support.
- However, we had a positive reversal signal on the 25th that targets 1.3820-1.3830 area. This is also a 100% projection of wave (a) for wave (c).
- If the market breaks above 1.3830 however, it can extend towards 1.3975.
- The more probable downside scenario could start with today's level near 1.3745 area. The market has shown a tweezers-top in … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


U.S. Dollar And Gold: We Saw Their Future On TV Tuesday Night

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 11:53 AM PST

The other night, watching the State of the Union address, I couldn't help but be confounded by what I saw on the TV—a bunch of men and women, dressed like they are going to a wedding, hugging each other, smiling, laughing—and then it hits me. What are these people celebrating?

We have a Congress that each year increases the amount of debt the United States can legally borrow to new record levels. The government needs to borrow $0.40 out of every dollar it spends (The Globe and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


USD/CAD – What Can Price Action Tell Us In This Choppy Market

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 11:37 AM PST

USD/CAD

- USD/CAD has been in choppy price action since breaking below parity again at the end of last year. Recent action brought the pair to test 1.0 again, but the strong attempt remains contained below it, as well as the 200SMA in the 4H chart.
- If the market breaks closes the 0.9900 level in the 4H chart, we might see a decline towards 0.9840-0.9850 area, especially if we see a bearish candle with 50+ pips.
- So far within this pattern, we have seen the bullish provide the stronger … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Starbucks Outpaces Estimates

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 11:35 AM PST

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX), the leading roaster and retailer of specialty coffee, registered robust results for the first quarter of fiscal 2011. Quarterly earnings of 45 cents a share were ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 39 cents by almost 16% and increased 40.6% from 32 cents delivered in the prior-year quarter. Profits were primarily driven by strong holiday season sales.
For the second quarter of fiscal 2011, the company expects earnings of 32 cents, for the third quarter … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Fabulous 4Q For Time Warner Cable

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 11:35 AM PST

Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE:TWC) reported excellent fourth quarter of 2010 financial results, which exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimates. The company witnessed growth across all revenue segments.
In synergy with a record high free cash flow and stable capital spending, Time Warner Cable increased its quarterly dividend rate by 20% to 48 cents per share. This is the second consecutive quarter where management has taken massive steps to raise shareholders value.
In the previous quarter, the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


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

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 11:13 AM PST

Forex Pros – The Euro was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Thursday.

EUR/USD was trading at 1.3725, up 0.09% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.3540, Monday's low, and resistance at 1.3758, today's high.

Meanwhile, the Euro was up against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.09% to hit 0.8614 and EUR/JPY rising 0.85% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Caterpillar Has Stellar 2010

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 11:05 AM PST

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) ended fiscal 2010 on a promising note coming off a very challenging 2009. The company's fourth quarter adjusted EPS increased almost four fold to $1.47 and fiscal 2010 adjusted EPS almost doubled to $4.15 from the prior-year comparable periods.
The upbeat results were augured by ever-increasing demand for mining and construction equipment that drove sales.
Both the fourth quarter and fiscal year EPS outperformed the respective Zacks Consensus Estimates of $1.27 and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Baxter Beats On EPS, Net Dips

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 11:05 AM PST

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) reported fourth quarter and fiscal 2010 adjusted (excluding one-time items) earnings per share of $1.11 and $3.98, respectively, thereby beating the corresponding Zacks Consensus Estimates of $1.10 cents and $3.97, and surpassing the year-ago results of $1.03 and $3.80.
The results were in line with Baxter's earlier guidance in the range of $1.09 to $1.11 for the fourth quarter and $3.96 to $3.98 for fiscal 2010.
Reported net income dropped 26% year over year, in … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


P&G Reports Ahead Of Estimates

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 11:05 AM PST

Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE:PG) reported modest results for its fiscal second quarter of 2011. Net earnings from continuing operations were $1.11 a share, up 10% compared with $1.01 a share in the year-ago period, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.10.
Procter & Gamble forecasts third-quarter 2011 net earnings from continuing operations and core earnings to be in the range of $0.95 to $1.00 per share, reflecting a 7%–12% growth rate. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the third … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Lockheed Martin Reports Strong

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 11:05 AM PST

World's largest stand-alone defense contractor, Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) ended fiscal 2010 with a bang. The company posted fourth-quarter 2010 operating earnings of $2.30 per share, beating both the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.20 and year-ago adjusted quarterly earnings of $2.19 by margins of 10 cents and 11 cents, respectively.
However reported quarter results were affected by a one-time per share charge of 8 cents related to internal facilities consolidation within Mission … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Euro Leading Index Reaches 3.5 Year High

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 11:03 AM PST

The Conference Board announced today that its “Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the Euro Area increased 0.8 percent in December to 107.3, following a 0.6 percent increase in November and 0.2 percent increase in October,” which was the highest level in three and-one-half years going back to the summer of 2007 (see chart above). 

Said Jean-Claude Manini, The Conference Board senior economist for Europe: "December brought a further increase in the Euro Area LEI, and all components rose … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Long-term Bull Populates Mead Johnson Nutrition Post-earnings

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 10:46 AM PST

Long-term bull populates Mead Johnson Nutrition post-earnings
Today’s tickers: MJN, ETFC, GNK & CAT
Mead Johnson Nutrition Co. (MJN) – The global provider of pediatric nutrition popped up on our scanners after long-dated call and put options changed hands in the January 2012 contract. Shares in Mead Johnson are down slightly by 0.40% as of 12:30pm to stand at $59.78. The Glenview, IL-based firm reported fourth-quarter earnings of $0.57 a share before the market opened, beating the average … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


D.R. Horton???s Loss Matches Est.

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 10:35 AM PST

D.R. Horton Inc. (NYSE:DHI) depicted a loss of $12 million or 4 cents per share (excluding pre-tax charges to cost of sales for inventory impairments and land option cost write-offs) in the first quarter of fiscal 2011, meeting the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This compared with an income of $42.8 million or 12 cents per share (excluding a tax benefit of $149.2 million) in the first quarter of fiscal 2010.
The fall in income was attributable to decline in revenues reflecting rising foreclosures, high … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


BMY Misses By A Penny In Q4

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 10:35 AM PST

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company's (NYSE:BMY) fourth quarter 2010 earnings (excluding special items worth $324 million) of 47 cents per share fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. However, fourth quarter earnings remained flat from the year ago period. On a reported basis (including special items), Bristol-Myers' earnings in the quarter fell 31.7% to 28 cents per share.
Net sales in the reported quarter climbed 2% to $5.11 billion. Revenues also surpassed the Zacks Consensus … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Xcel Misses EPS, Beats Sales

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 10:35 AM PST

Electricity and natural gas company Xcel Energy Inc. (NYSE:XEL) announced its operating earnings for the fourth quarter 2010 of 29 cents per share versus 37 cents per share in the year-ago quarter, reflecting a decline of 27.6%. The results of the company were lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 31 cents per share.
Xcel’s operating earnings of 2010 were $1.62 per share compared with $1.50 per share reported in 2009. The results again lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate, provided by 14 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


“We’re Going To Continue With The Churning Action”

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 10:35 AM PST

01/27/11 ICAP’s Kenneth Polcari discusses today’s trading session and the latest … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


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

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 10:33 AM PST

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

AUD/USD was trading at 0.9913, down 0.77% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 0.9864, Monday's low, and resistance at 1.0022, Monday's high.

Meanwhile, the Australian Dollar was down against the Euro and up against the Japanese Yen, with EUR/AUD gaining 0.71% to hit 1.3824 and AUD/JPY rising 0.11% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Dollar Decline Continues On Data

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 05:00 AM PST

01/27/11 Growing speculation that the EU is recovering from its debt crisis and a steep rise in jobless claims … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


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

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 09:58 AM PST

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

NZD/USD was trading at 0.7718, down 0.11% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 0.7568, Monday's low, and resistance at 0.7747, today's high.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Dollar was up against the Australian Dollar and the Euro, with AUD/NZD shedding 0.60% to hit 1.2847 and EUR/NZD falling 0.01% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


European Markets Mixed At Close; Dax Up 0.40%

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 09:53 AM PST

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

At the close of European trade, Germany's DAX rose 0.40%, London's FTSE 100 shed 0.07%, France's CAC 40 climbed 0.26% and the EURO STOXX 50 was up 0.74%.

Meanwhile, on Wall Street, equity markets were up after the open. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.15%; the S&P 500 index gained 0.18%, while the Nasdaq 100 index climbed … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


GBP/JPY Respects 129.50; Bullish Scenario Or Complex Correction?

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 09:39 AM PST

Previous GBP/JPY post (1/26): GBP/JPY Consolidates; Looking for Further Decline
GBP/JPY Respects 129.50; Bullish Scenario?

- The GBP/JPY and other yen-crosses started the week pressuring the Japanese Yen.
- However, as the market tested 129.50 yesterday (along with the 200SMA in the 4H chart), it rebounded. It was also testing and initially cracked the 38.2% and 61.8% fibonacci retracement level, but eventually rallied sharply from 129.50.
- The initial anticipation was for this correction … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Crude Decline Continues On Stockpile Jump

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 09:00 AM PST

01/27/11 Front month crude prices saw another drop on Thursday following a jump in stockpiles and signs of an improving … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Housing Market Struggles Hurt D.R. Horton

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 03:00 AM PST

01/27/11 Homebuilder D.R. Horton announced Thursday that it lost money during its fiscal 1Q on continued weakness in the housing … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Range Resources Secures Funding Boost And Agrees New Deal On Second Puntland Well

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 03:50 AM PST

Range Resources (LON:RRL) , the AIM and ASX listed oil and gas group said this morning that it had secured a three year £20m equity line facility to help fund the rapid development of its assets. The deal has been set up with Dutchess Capital and will allow Range to access cash when it needs it by issuing shares at a 7% discount to market value.

In today's update, Range said it was also now set to be carried on the second of two wells planned to be drilled on its licences in the Somali … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


American Drivers Hitting The Road Again

Posted: 26 Jan 2011 10:00 PM PST

We often talk about the auto boom in emerging countries but you don't have to go overseas to find a red-hot auto market. Vehicle sales in the U.S. jumped 11 percent last year to 11.5 million vehicles sold.
The 1.1 million vehicles sold in December continues the rise from early 2009 lows but is still well off the 1.4 million per month pace seen in 2005. More than half (54 percent) of the vehicles sold in December fall in the light truck/SUV category, according to a recent report from … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


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