| Four Trade Ideas For Tuesday, March 01 Posted: 28 Feb 2011 03:51 PM PST ( click to enlarge ) ION Geophysical Corporation (NYSE:IO) looks to be setting up for an upside move, as the stock has held up well the past few days. IO is in the top of a short-term trading range. Resistance is $12.91. At this stage it is definitely a wait and see if the resistance will be easily taken out by the bulls. Stay tuned. ( click to enlarge ) Allot Communications Ltd. (NASDAQ:ALLT) traced out a nice setup and the upside breakout has a lot of power. Volume surged and this breakout … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| The Day Ahead: Bernanke Semiannual Testimony, RBA And BoC Rate Decision, ISM Manufacturing Posted: 28 Feb 2011 03:50 PM PST |
| LUK’s 4Q Gains On Tax Benefits Posted: 28 Feb 2011 03:35 PM PST Leucadia National Corporation (NYSE:LUK) reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and the fiscal year 2010 on February 25, 2011. In the fourth quarter, the company generated a net income (from continuing operations) of $6.77 per share, up compared with a net loss of 34 cents per share in the year-ago quarter.
In the fiscal year 2010, net income from continuing operations was $1,891.4 million or $7.66 per share, up compared with $533.7 million or $2.18 per share in the previous year. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Affymetrix Intros MiRNA 2.0 Array Posted: 28 Feb 2011 03:35 PM PST Genetic products maker Affymetrix Inc (NASDAQ:AFFX) has announced the launch of its GeneChip miRNA 2.0 array, an extended version of its coveted first-generation microRNA/miRNA (a small RNA molecule) array solution. The new array has been geared to advance gene expression research by expediting the identification of biomarkers and gene expression signatures associated with disease.
The GeneChip miRNA 2.0 array offers similar benefits of the legacy miRNA array with updated content and high … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Hot Option Plays: Option Strategies To Consider When Implied Volatility Relatively Low Posted: 28 Feb 2011 03:17 PM PST Cusick's Corner
The grind continues. If you are bullish and either raised cash from taking profits or just have some capital on the sidelines, what strategies could you consider? First take a look at implied volatility by going to the oX Volatility View and Chains. Overall market volatility is relatively low, VIX 18.35 vs. 6 months ago when it was at 30, plus the market is in a defined bull trend. With the view that volatility is relatively low and overall trend bullish, could look at buying … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Japan’s GDP Growth Since 1990 Is About The Same As Europe, But Lost Decades Only Apply For Japan? Posted: 28 Feb 2011 03:17 PM PST Here’s an updated chart to follow up on this post about the “Media Myth of Japan’s Lost Decades.” The chart above starts in 1990, instead of 1980 like in the previous post, and shows real GDP per capita for the U.S., Germany, Japan and Italy, with each country’s GDP per capita converted to an index equal to a starting value of 100 in 1990. We can see that Japan’s real output per person grew slightly less per year (average of 0.91%) than Germany’s (1.12%), and slightly more than Italy’s … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Thermo Fisher To Sell 2 Units Posted: 28 Feb 2011 03:10 PM PST Recently, Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO) decided to sell its Athena Diagnostics to leading diagnostics player Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX) for $740 million. Athena, with $110 million in revenues in 2010, provides diagnostic tests for neurological and other diseases, with an emphasis on gene-based tests.
For the last few years, Quest has been strengthening its foothold in the esoteric testing market. Gene-based and esoteric testing now accounts for 22% of the company's total revenues in 2010, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| ITT Selected By NASA Posted: 28 Feb 2011 03:06 PM PST ITT Corporation (NYSE:ITT) announced that NASA has selected its OI Analytical total organic carbon analyzer and WTW VARIO conductivity temperature meter. The end-use of these will be on the final flight of the Space Shuttle Discovery and by the crew of the International Space Station for measurement of conductivity and analyzing quality of water.
These instruments will be used to analyze the organic carbon level in water to assess that it is safe for human consumption.
ITT plays an important role … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Peabody Improves Asian Exports Posted: 28 Feb 2011 03:06 PM PST St. Louis-based Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE:BTU) has signed an agreement with Indonesia’s PT Cahaya Energi Mandiri (CEM) to source 2 million tons of coal to improve exports. Indonesia is the world’s largest supplier of seaborne thermal coal.
Peabody said that the coal secured from PT CEM's East Kalimantan mine over two years will be exported to Asian countries. Peabody will conduct the Asian exports through its international trading hub in Singapore, COALTRADE. The company said that its … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Northern Trust Buys BOISS Posted: 28 Feb 2011 02:35 PM PST Last week, Northern Trust Corporation (NASDAQ:NTRS) announced the acquisition of Bank of Ireland Securities Services (BOISS) for $82 million (€60 million).
BOISS, the fund administration unit of Bank of Ireland (NYSE:IRE), comprise the fund administration, investment operations outsourcing and custody business of the bank. Dublin-based BOISS is the largest Irish-owned asset administration provider of specialised, client-driven services to a broad range of funds, including mutual money-market, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Medtronic Buys Rights To Gel Tech Posted: 28 Feb 2011 02:35 PM PST Leading medical devices player, Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) has recently acquired the rights to chitosan-dextran gel technology from its developers, Adelaide Research & Innovation Private Limited, Robinson Squidgel Limited and Otago Innovation Limited in order to complement its functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) product portfolio.
The financial terms of the deal were however not disclosed. This innovative gel technology helps control postoperative bleeding and adhesions common in sinus … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Ban Oil Imports For Energy Security? Posted: 28 Feb 2011 02:26 PM PST By Dian L. Chu I came across an interesting editorial at Houston Chronicle dated Feb. 26 written by Yale Graduates Energy Study Group discussing energy security and independence. In the article, the authors propose a federal policy (the “limits” policy) to withdraw U.S. crude and products imports from the world oil market, for example, in a 10-year period. During that period, all imports would be phased out to zero except Canada, whose pipelines run almost exclusively south into … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Waste Management Issues Notes Posted: 28 Feb 2011 02:25 PM PST Waste Management Inc. (NYSE:WM) has sold $400 million of its 4.6% senior notes due March 1, 2021 under an effective shelf registration statement previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Waste Management is offering the 4.6% senior notes at 99.762% of face value. The offering is expected to close on February 28, 2011.
The net proceeds of the offering will be utilized to repay $147 million principal amount of 7.65% Senior Notes that mature in March 2011, plus accrued and unpaid … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Petrobras Ends 2010 On Strong Note Posted: 28 Feb 2011 02:01 PM PST Brazilian state-run energy giant Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (NYSE:PBR), or Petrobras S.A., announced its fourth quarter earnings of R$10.6 billion or R$0.81 per share, compared with R$7.7 billion or R$0.87 per share in the year-earlier quarter.
Earnings per ADR came in at 98 cents (exchange rate: U.S.$1.00 = R$1.66, 1 ADR = 2 shares), ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 83 cents. Petrobras' revenues of R$54.5 billion (or approximately $32.8 billion) was up 14.3% from the fourth quarter 2009 … [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: 28 Feb 2011 01:55 PM PST Forex Pros – The Euro was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Monday after the release of U.S. data on Chicago PMI. EUR/USD was trading at 1.3804, up 0.36% at time of writing. The pair was likely to find support at 1.3672, Wednesday's low, and resistance at 1.3855, today's high. Earlier in the day, data showed that The U.S.'s Chicago PMI rose unexpectedly to a seasonally adjusted 71.20 last month from 68.80 in the preceding month. Analysts had expected the Chicago PMI to fall to 67.50 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Closing Bell Market Monitor: VTR, HUM, HBC Posted: 28 Feb 2011 01:45 PM PST |
| Forex – USD/JPY Up Toward The End Of U.S. Session Posted: 28 Feb 2011 01:40 PM PST Forex Pros – The U.S. Dollar was higher against the Japanese Yen on Monday after the release of U.S. data on Pending Home Sales. USD/JPY was trading at 81.78, up 0.12% at time of writing. The pair was likely to find support at 81.62, today's low, and resistance at 82.89, Wednesday's high. Earlier in the day, industry data showed that Pending home sales in the U.S. rose unexpectedly to a seasonally adjusted -2.80% last month from -3.20% in the preceding month whose figure was revised down … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| EIX Misses, Provides Outlook Posted: 28 Feb 2011 01:36 PM PST Before the bell, Edison International (NYSE:EIX) reported its fourth quarter and fiscal 2010 results. In the reported quarter, the company clocked core earnings of 58 cents per share missing the both the Zacks Consensus Estimate and year-ago quarterly earnings of 61 cents and 59 cents, respectively. Earnings fell largely due to higher income tax expense and lower trading revenues.
On a reported basis, including one-time items, earnings came in at 51 cents for the reported quarter versus 65 cents … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| AES Corp. Misses EPS, Beats Sales Posted: 28 Feb 2011 01:36 PM PST AES Corporation (NYSE:AES) reported fourth quarter 2010 adjusted EPS of 23 cents, lower than the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate of 25 cents. However, adjusted EPS for the quarter was 2 cents ahead of the year-ago EPS of 21 cents.
The year-over-year growth in earnings was attributable to favorable operating results in Latin America and a lower effective tax rate, partially offset by a settlement agreement for gas transportation contracts at a Latin American generation business, higher share count and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Conoco In Long-Term Sinopec Deal Posted: 28 Feb 2011 01:36 PM PST Global integrated oil giant ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP), along with Origin Energy Ltd. entered into a long-term deal with China Petrochemical Corporation (NYSE:SNP), or Sinopec, for the sale of a 15% stake in an Australian gas project. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed by the companies.
Under the non-binding key commercial terms of the Heads of Agreement, ConocoPhillips-Origin will also deliver liquefied natural gas (LNG) of about 4.3 million tons per annum (MTPA) for two decades to … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Fitch Raises Hartford’s Outlook Posted: 28 Feb 2011 01:36 PM PST On the back of impressive net income in the fourth quarter results, the rating agency Fitch Ratings has upgraded its outlook on The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (NYSE:HIG), as the company diverts to safer risk profiles in its investment portfolio.
Fitch has raised the outlook to “stable” from “negative," while it resumed Hartford's ratings of "BBB" issuer default ratings (“IDR”).
Hartford's performance in its underwriting business continued to be strong, and besides, the … [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: 28 Feb 2011 01:25 PM PST Forex Pros – The Euro was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Monday after the release of U.S. data on Personal Spending. EUR/USD was trading at 1.3804, up 0.36% at time of writing. The pair was likely to find support at 1.3672, Wednesday's low, and resistance at 1.3855, today's high. Earlier in the day, official data showed that U.S. personal spending rose less-than-expected to a seasonally adjusted 0.20% last month from 0.50% in the preceding month whose figure was revised down from … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| U.S. Markets Close Higher; Dow Jones Up 0.79% Posted: 28 Feb 2011 01:10 PM PST Forex Pros – U.S. stocks were up after the closing bell on Monday. At the close of U.S. trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.79%, the S&P 500 index gained 0.56%, while the Nasdaq 100 index climbed 0.20%. Earlier in the day, data showed that The U.S.'s Chicago PMI rose unexpectedly to a seasonally adjusted 71.20 last month from 68.80 in the preceding month. Analysts had expected the Chicago PMI to fall to 67.50 last month. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, European stock … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Texas Roadhouse Misses Posted: 28 Feb 2011 12:55 PM PST Louisville, Kentucky-based Texas Roadhouse Inc. (NASDAQ:TXRH) recently posted fourth quarter 2010 earnings of 14 cents that missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 16 cents, but escalated 13.0% year over year. The lower -than-expected results were due to higher costs, which contracted margin.
Texas Roadhouse, a casual dining restaurant chain, said that total revenue in the quarter climbed 8.0% from the prior-year quarter to $244.6 million. The upside in revenues was attributable to higher comparable … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Toll Brothers Results Improve (revised) Posted: 28 Feb 2011 12:55 PM PST Toll Brothers Inc. (NYSE:TOL) recorded a profit of $3.4 million or 2 cents per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 ended January 31, 2011 in contrast to a loss of $40.8 million or 25 cents per share in the same quarter of the prior fiscal year. Excluding tax benefits of $20.4 million and $16.0 million, the company had reported losses of $17.0 million and $56.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, respectively. On a per share basis, the loss of 10 cents in the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Forex – GBP/USD Up During The U.S. Session Posted: 28 Feb 2011 12:45 PM PST Forex Pros – The British Pound was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Monday after the release of U.S. data on Pending Home Sales. GBP/USD was trading at 1.6260, up 0.88% at time of writing. The pair was likely to find support at 1.6032, Friday's low, and resistance at 1.6276, today's high. Earlier in the day, industry data showed that Pending home sales in the U.S. rose unexpectedly to a seasonally adjusted -2.80% last month from -3.20% in the preceding month whose figure was revised … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Stone Energy Tops Estimate Posted: 28 Feb 2011 12:35 PM PST Stone Energy Corp. (NYSE:SGY) reported fourth-quarter 2010 earnings of 49 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 44 cents, but falling below the year-earlier adjusted profit of 89 cents per share.
The year-over-year decline was primarily due to lower production volumes and weak commodity price realizations. Total oil and gas revenue decreased 14.7% year over year to $170.0 million in the fourth quarter.
Operational Highlights
Production during the quarter averaged 208 million … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| France Telecom Tops, Meets ’10 Goal Posted: 28 Feb 2011 12:35 PM PST FranceTelecom (NYSE:FTE), the world's largest telecommunications carrier in Paris, reported fiscal 2010 earnings per ADS of $2.47, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.26. Earnings climbed 59.6% year over year. Net income shot up 61.7% year over year to €4.88 billion ($6.48 billion), courtesy cost savings at its U.K. operations.
Fiscal 2010 consolidated revenue was €45.503 billion ($60.39 billion), down 1.4% year over year. Excluding regulatory measure, revenues nudged up 0.6% … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| The Fundamental Perspective For The AUD This Week Posted: 28 Feb 2011 12:32 PM PST The Australian economy will have several key releases this week as well as the Reserve Bank of Australia interest rate decision and statement.
AUD Resilient as Recent Data Shows Wages Climbing
Despite strong flooding at the beginning of January, and a major cyclone in February the AUD has shown strong resiliency and resolve during 2011 so far. We have mainly seen sideways action confined between 0.9815 and 1.02, and we approach that important resistance as we start this week of trading.
While … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Caribou Coffee Reports In Line Posted: 28 Feb 2011 12:10 PM PST Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:CBOU), posted fourth-quarter 2010 earnings of 21 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The fourth quarter earnings soared 40% from 15 cents reported in the prior-year quarter.
Caribou Coffee Company's net sales for the quarter climbed only 1.9% to $77.9 million, due to an additional week in the fourth quarter of 2009.
The company's full-year earnings per share were 46 cents versus 26 cents in full fiscal 2009. Net Sales were $284.0 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Real Consumer Spending In January Was Above The Pre-Recession 2007 Level For 4th Straight Month Posted: 28 Feb 2011 12:07 PM PST In today’s BEA report on Personal Income, there was some pretty good news on real personal consumption expenditures: On an annual basis, real consumption spending increased by 2.8 percent in January, which was the largest annual improvement in four years, since January 2007 (see bottom chart above). Measured in constant 2005 dollars, real consumer spending dipped slightly by -0.1 percent in January from the all-time record high in December, but consumer expenditures last month of $9.44 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Quick Checkup Of Monday Market Internals Posted: 28 Feb 2011 12:06 PM PST Though the S&P 500 rallied this morning, internals declined which helped fuel a pullback/retracement into a key support level intraday.
Let's take a quick zoom-in on the Big Three Market Internals and the level to watch for intraday traders: It is absolutely essential that short-term – especially intraday – traders compare price swings with readings in Market Internals.
Like volume insights, you want to find that Internals go with Price – new price highs with new highs in Internals … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Earnings Scorecard: Limited Brands Posted: 28 Feb 2011 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 fourth-quarter 2010 results.
Street analysts had nearly a week to ponder the news. In the paragraphs that follow, we cover the recent earnings announcement, subsequent analysts' estimate revisions as well as the Zacks Rank and long-term recommendation for the stock.
Earnings Report Review
Limited Brands' quarterly earnings of $1.26 per share … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Commercial Building Automation Set To Take Off Posted: 28 Feb 2011 12:05 PM PST Ken Nagy, CFA
Commercial Building Automation Set to Take Off The following article on Commercial Integrator (written by Stephen Castle) Caught my eye because the three companies Crestron, AMX and Lutron listed in the first paragraph and all are Sierra Monitor Corporation (SRMC) key customers/partners. http://www.commercialintegrator.com/article/building_automation_can_your_company_compete?utm_source=topic&utm_medium=today "You're an established commercial … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Commercial Building Automation Set To Take Off Posted: 28 Feb 2011 12:05 PM PST Ken Nagy, CFA
Commercial Building Automation Set to Take Off The following article on Commercial Integrator (written by Stephen Castle) Caught my eye because the three companies Crestron, AMX and Lutron listed in the first paragraph and all are Sierra Monitor Corporation (SRMC) key customers/partners. http://www.commercialintegrator.com/article/building_automation_can_your_company_compete?utm_source=topic&utm_medium=today "You're an established commercial integrator. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Warner Chilcott Exceeds Posted: 28 Feb 2011 12:05 PM PST Warner Chilcott's (NASDAQ:WCRX) fourth quarter 2010 earnings (excluding special items) of 81 cents per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7 cents and the prior-year earnings by 16 cents. Higher revenues accounted for increased earnings.
Revenues in the reported quarter climbed 1.2% to $694.4 million. Revenues in the final quarter of 2010 were driven by the products acquired from Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE:PG) and Novartis (NYSE:NVS), primarily inflammatory bowel therapy Asacol and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Forex – USD/CAD Down In U.S. Trade Posted: 28 Feb 2011 12:05 PM PST Forex Pros – The U.S. Dollar was lower against the Canadian Dollar on Monday after the release of Canadian data on GDP. USD/CAD was trading at 0.9717, down 0.62% at time of writing. The pair was likely to find support at 0.9710, today's low, and resistance at 0.9960, Wednesday's high. Earlier in the day, official data showed that Canadian gross domestic product rose more-than-expected to a seasonally adjusted 0.50% last month from 0.40% in the preceding month. Analysts had expected GDP … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Forex Trading: USDCAD Falls Below Channel Support And Approaches 3 Year Low Posted: 28 Feb 2011 11:47 AM PST The USDCAD fell today on the back of better than expected 4th quarter GDP. The GDP came in at 3.3% annualized. This was higher than the 3% expected and also above the 2.8% annualized pace that the US reported on Friday. The MoM increase came in at 0.5%. This too was better than 0.3% expectations. The stronger growth in the face of a stronger currency could suggest that a tightening could be in order for the BOC. The BOC does meet tomorrow but rates are expected to remain … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Forex Trading: EURUSD Inches Lower To Midpoint Of Days Range Posted: 28 Feb 2011 11:28 AM PST The EURUSD has been moving down steadily during the NY session. The price found resistance at the 1.3847 level (one attempt above the level was quickly thwarted) and from the failure, the downside has been explored. The 50% retracement of the days trading range is the last level of support tested. This level seems to have stalled the modest decline for the time being.
On the topside, a move above the 200 bar MA will be the next target for the pair (green line in the chart above at … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
| Booming Global Auto Market Good For Many Posted: 27 Feb 2011 10:00 PM PST Perhaps no industry has experienced a stronger recovery from the depths of the recession than the global automobile industry. Around the world, cars are rolling off the lot at a pace not seen in years. Global car ownership is expected to rise 17 percent over the next five years, according to data from J.D. Power.
In the U.S., an improving job market is giving consumers confidence to purchase big-ticket items such as automobiles. A recent survey from the Conference Board shows a record number … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates 
 |
