Monday, February 7, 2011

DailyMarkets.com - Forex – EUR/USD Up During The Asian Session

DailyMarkets.com - Forex – EUR/USD Up During The Asian Session

Forex – EUR/USD Up During The Asian Session

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 06:05 PM PST

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

EUR/USD was trading at 1.3586, up 0.03% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.3509, Monday's low, and resistance at 1.3826, Thursday's high.

Meanwhile, the Euro was up against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.01% to hit 0.8432 and EUR/JPY rising 0.02% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex – EUR/JPY Down During Asian Trade

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 05:35 PM PST

Forex Pros – The Euro was lower against the Japanese Yen on Tuesday.

EUR/JPY was trading at 111.78, down 0.04% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 110.78, Friday's low, and resistance at 112.87, Thursday's high.

Meanwhile, the Euro was down against the U.S. Dollar and the British Pound, with EUR/USD shedding 0.05% to hit 1.3576 and EUR/GBP falling 0.06% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex – GBP/JPY Up During The Asian Session

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 04:45 PM PST

Forex Pros – The British Pound was higher against the Japanese Yen on Tuesday.

GBP/JPY was trading at 132.72, up 0.07% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 130.94, Friday's low, and resistance at 133.26, Monday's high.

Meanwhile, the British Pound was up against the U.S. Dollar and the Euro, with GBP/USD gaining 0.10% to hit 1.6126 and EUR/GBP falling 0.10% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

CEO Spotlight: Howard Lindzon, Founder & CEO Of StockTwits

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 04:15 PM PST

02/07/11 Prior to a panel discussion to launch Social Media Week, Howard Lindzon, Founder & CEO of StockTwits, shares his thoughts on recent and upcoming changes in social media & its implementation on financial … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

The Day Ahead: Earnings, German Retail Sales And Industrial Production

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 10:50 AM PST

02/08/11 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

Forex – NZD/USD Up In Asian Trade

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 03:50 PM PST

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

NZD/USD was trading at 0.7714, up 0.20% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 0.7668, Friday's low, and resistance at 0.7825, Wednesday's high.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Dollar was up against the Australian Dollar and the Euro, with AUD/NZD shedding 0.21% to hit 1.3134 and EUR/NZD falling 0.15% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Veeco Beats Estimates

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 03:45 PM PST

Veeco Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ:VECO) reported non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $1.62 for the fourth quarter 2010, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.58. The result compares favorably with last year's 36 cents.
For the financial year 2010, the company earned $4.42 per share, a considerable gain from 21 cents in the previous year. The Zacks Consensus was at $4.39.
Quarter in Detail
Revenue for the reported quarter of $300.0 million missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Gartner Moves Ahead Of Estimates

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 03:35 PM PST

Gartner Inc. (NYSE:IT) reported fourth quarter 2010 diluted earnings per share of 39 cents, which inched past the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 38 cents. The EPS, which excluded acquisition adjustments, increased 39.3% year over year and 69.6% sequentially.
For full year 2010, diluted EPS excluding acquisition adjustments increased 26.4% to $1.10 per share. This also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2010 of $1.08 per share.
According to management, Gartner achieved record levels of new … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Top Stock Picks To Watch On Tuesday, 08 February

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 03:24 PM PST

( click to enlarge )

I have followed InterDigital, Inc. (NASDAQ:IDCC)  for sometime and over the last trading sessions I never seen so many buyers purchasing the stock. The volume over the recent days has dramatically increased. There are some days when the normal average volume is reached in the first hours of trading, which mean someone is accumulating a huge amount of shares for the coming weeks. The On the balance indicator shows exactly this situation. The stock broke out  today of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Hot Option Plays: Notable Weakness In Small Caps

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 03:18 PM PST

Cusick's Corner
This market continued to hold up into the close with most of the major averages closing near the highs. However, there was some notable weakness in the Small Caps, IWM, which is a development to keep an eye on. I have referred to these high beta Small Caps as the proverbial canary in the coalmine, if they become weak could be a signal that potential pressure is emerging on an already extended market. This is not a signal of a complete reversal; we would need settlements below … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Initiating Coverage Of Verisante Technology, Inc. VRS.V

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 03:05 PM PST

Brian Marckx, CFA
INITIATING COVERAGE
 
We are initiating coverage of Verisante Technology, Inc. (VRS.V, V.VRS) with an Outperform rating and a $2.10 near-term price target.  See below for access to our full 21-page report on the company.  

Verisante's Aura appears to be more accurate and faster than the current gold-standard in the diagnosis of skin cancer, an annual market that could eventually be worth billions of dollars.  Verisante expects to introduce the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Employment Trends Index Gains In January

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 02:39 PM PST

The Conference Board reported today that its composite Employment Trends Index, based on eight individual labor-market indicators (including both hard economic data and confidence measures), increased in January for the fourth consecutive month. The index increased to 100.5 in January from 100.3 in December, and is now above its year-ago level by 7%, and above its cyclical mid-2009 low by 20 points (see chart above).

Says Gad Levanon, Associate Director, Macroeconomic Research at The … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

American Eagle’s Comparables Fall

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 02:35 PM PST

American Eagle Outfitters Inc.'s (NYSE:AEO) comparable-store sales for January plummeted 6.0% against a 10.0% increase in the year-earlier period. Total sales for the four weeks ended January 29, 2011, dropped 9% to $145 million from $160 million for the four weeks ended January 30, 2010.
Comparable-store sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 dropped 7.0% versus a 5.0% increase in the same period last year. Total sales for the period came in at $916 million, which represents a decrease of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Initiating Coverage Of Verisante Technology, Inc. VRS.V

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 02:25 PM PST

Brian Marckx, CFA
INITIATING COVERAGE
 
We are initiating coverage of Verisante Technology, Inc. (VRS.V, V.VRS) with an Outperform rating and a $2.10 near-term price target.  See below for access to our full 21-page report on the company.  

Verisante's Aura appears to be more accurate and faster than the current gold-standard in the diagnosis of skin cancer, an annual market that could eventually be worth billions of dollars.  Verisante expects to introduce the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Foster Wheeler Gets Canada Contract

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 02:25 PM PST

Foster Wheeler AG (NASDAQ:FWLT) announced that its Global Engineering and Construction Group has won a feasibility study contract from Karnalyte Resources Inc. for the Wynyard Carnallite Potash Project in Canada.
The study will consider a production capacity of half a million tons per year and expansion of the facility to two million tons within five to six years.
Foster Wheeler will also assist in preparation of the overall Environmental Impact statement, which will proceed simultaneously with the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Earnings Scorecard: Brinker

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 02:20 PM PST

Brinker International Inc. (NYSE:EAT) primarily engaged in the ownership, operation, development and franchising of various restaurant brands, posted second quarter 2011 results on January 25, 2011.
The company's adjusted earnings for second quarter 2011 outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6 cents on the back of continued margin expansion at Chili’s and top-line growth at Maggiano’s. The recent earnings announcement, subsequent analyst estimate revisions and the Zacks ratings for both … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Closing Bell Market Monitor: BEC, AOL, ESV

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 02:00 PM PST

02/07/11 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: 07 Feb 2011 01:55 PM PST

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

EUR/USD was trading at 1.3585, up 0.03% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.3509, today's low, and resistance at 1.3862, Wednesday's high.

Meanwhile, the Euro was up against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.01% to hit 0.8432 and EUR/JPY rising 0.20% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Sempra Contracts Suntech For Panel

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 01:45 PM PST

Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE), through its subsidiary Sempra Generation will procure solar panels from Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (NYSE:STP). The panels would be utilized for a solar power plant being built in Maricopa County of Phoenix, Arizona.
The 150-megawatt photovoltaic power plant is titled the Mesquite Solar I project. The project is part of a larger complex that Sempra is planning to build to provide up to 700 MW of solar power. The first phase is slated to start construction in 2011 and is … [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: 07 Feb 2011 01:40 PM PST

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

USD/JPY was trading at 82.32, up 0.17% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 81.13, Friday's low, and resistance at 82.47, today's high.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar was down against the Euro and up against the British Pound, with EUR/USD gaining 0.03% to hit 1.3584 and GBP/USD falling 0.01% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Initiating Coverage Of Verisante Technology, Inc. VRS.V

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 01:35 PM PST

Brian Marckx, CFA
INITIATING COVERAGE
 
We are initiating coverage of Verisante Technology, Inc. (VRS.V, V.VRS) with an Outperform rating and a $2.10 near-term price target.  See below for access to our full 21-page report on the company.  

Verisante's Aura appears to be more accurate and faster than the current gold-standard in the diagnosis of skin cancer, an annual market that could eventually be worth billions of dollars.  Verisante expects to introduce the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Boost For Shire’s ADHD Franchise

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 01:35 PM PST

Shire plc (NASDAQ:SHPGY) was boosted recently as Health Canada approved Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) for treating adolescents (aged between 13 to 17 years) and adults suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD refers to a neurobiological disorder that is often hereditary in nature. The disease gives way to lack of attention and often results in impulsiveness and hyperactivity.
The approval of Vyvanse in adolescents and adults was based on positive results of two … [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: 07 Feb 2011 01:25 PM PST

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

EUR/USD was trading at 1.3587, up 0.04% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.3509, today's low, and resistance at 1.3862, Wednesday's high.

Meanwhile, the Euro was up against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.03% to hit 0.8434 and EUR/JPY rising 0.20% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

NCR Performs Better Than Expected

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 01:21 PM PST

NCR Corp. (NYSE:NCR) posted decent fourth quarter earnings per share of 55 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 51 cents.
Revenue
NCR Corp. reported fourth quarter 2010 revenue of $1.40 billion, up 4.5% from $1.34 billion in the year-ago quarter. The reported revenue was slightly ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.39 billion. Order growth was strong during the fourth quarter, and the order backlog also improved.
The company continues to execute well on sustainable productivity … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

DaVita To Acquire DSI

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 01:15 PM PST

To expand its footprint across the U.S., DaVita Inc. (NYSE:DVA) has agreed to acquire its competitor DSI Renal, Inc. (“DSI”), for approximately $690 million, subject to customary closing conditions. DaVita expects to complete the deal by the second or the third quarter of 2011.
DaVita will require the Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust clearance to complete the deal. In addition, DaVita believes that it will have to divest some of its centers as a condition of the transaction. Credit Suisse Group (NYSE:CS) … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

U.S. Markets Close Higher; Dow Jones Up 0.57%

Posted: 07 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 0.57%, the S&P 500 index gained 0.62%, while the Nasdaq 100 index climbed 0.47%.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, European stock markets closed higher. France's CAC 40 was up 1.08%; Germany's DAX gained 0.93%; Britain's FTSE 100 climbed 0.78%; and the EURO STOXX 50 rose … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Citi Downgraded To Neutral

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 01:05 PM PST

We have downgraded our recommendation on Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) to Neutral from Outperform, following its fourth quarter earnings release. The downgrade follows our evaluation of the company fundamentals.
Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2010 Highlights
Citigroup's fourth quarter 2010 earnings came in at 4 cents per share. Earnings fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4 cents as the company reported a drop in revenues. Full-year 2010 earnings of 35 cents per share also missed the Zacks … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Unum To Buy Back Common Stock

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 12:50 PM PST

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) has entered into an agreement with Goldman, Sachs & Co., an arm of The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:GS), to buy back common shares worth $200 million. The number of shares to be bought back will be decided upon at the settlement of the transaction, which is expected on or before April 5, 2011.
Per the repurchase agreement, Unum Group may either receive or need to give an additional number of common shares of common stock based on the volume weighted average price of Unum … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Bon-Ton Same Store Sales Up

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 12:45 PM PST

Bon-Ton Stores Inc. (NASDAQ:BONT) reported total sales of $180.1 million for January 2011, which were in line with the year-ago quarter. The company's comparable store sales inched up 0.3% for the month. The comparable sales leaped in spite of tough weather conditions during the month.
In January, the semi-annual home sale category excelled with a double-digit growth. Other outperforming categories included fine jewelry, ladies outerwear, cosmetics, shoes, men’s and missy sportswear. However, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

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

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 12:45 PM PST

Forex Pros – The British Pound was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Monday.

GBP/USD was trading at 1.6114, up 0.03% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.6036, Friday's low, and resistance at 1.6278, Thursday's high.

Meanwhile, the British Pound was down against the Euro and up against the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.001% to hit 0.8432 and GBP/JPY rising 0.18% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Stock Market Summary For Monday, February 7, 2011 Special Alert

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 12:45 PM PST

We are going to add to our watch list additional positions in the ProShares Short S&P Fund (symbol: SH) at the current price of $41.70,  the ProShares Short QQQ Fund (symbol: PSQ) at the current price of $32.67, and the Short Russell 2000 Fund (symbol: RWM) at the current price of $31.01.  We have now added positions to our watch  list in each of these ETFs three times now.  We will update the average cost in our blog post later … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Lilly, Bristol Cancer Study Halted

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 12:40 PM PST

Patient enrollment for a phase III study was halted recently by Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) on the advice of an independent data monitoring committee (DMC). The companies, which are jointly developing necitumumab, an anti-cancer agent, said that they have stopped enrolling patients in one of two phase III studies being conducted with the candidate.
Safety Concerns Raised
The decision to halt enrolment in the INSPIRE study was based on safety concerns … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Occupational Licensing Totally Out Of Control

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 12:40 PM PST

On the front page of today’s WSJ, an excellent article about the rising occupational licensure in some states for some professions (see chart above, click to enlarge): “A License to Shampoo: Jobs Needing State Approval Rise,” here are some key paragraphs:

“Mr. Kleiner, labor professor at the University of Minnesota, looked at census data covering several occupations that are regulated in some states but not others, including librarians, nutritionists and respiratory therapists. He found that … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Cognizant Beats By A Penny

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 12:35 PM PST

Leading information technology services provider Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (NASDAQ:CTSH) reported revenues of $1.31 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010, up 45.2% year over year and up 7.7% sequentially, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.278 billion and management’s expectation of at least $1.27 million.
Net income came in at $206.2 million or 66 cents per diluted share compared to a net income of $144.0 million or 47 cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2009. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Earnings Scorecard: Illinois Tool Works

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 12:35 PM PST

Despite posting somewhat disappointing fourth quarter results, that fell a cent short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate, sentiments were overall positive for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW) triggered primarily by the company's robust guidance for the first quarter of 2011 and the fiscal year 2011.
Earnings Review
Illinois Tool fourth quarter earnings per share from continuing operations were 79 cents, down 19% from 98 cents in the comparable quarter of 2009 and below the Zacks Consensus … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

TiVo Launches Free Website

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 12:10 PM PST

A provider of interactive advertising solutions and developer of digital video recorder (DVR), TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ:TIVO) recently launched a free interactive website that measures and compares the effectiveness of commercial advertising.
The free website uses TiVo's pioneering research tool Stop||Watch ratings service to analyze the effectiveness of a brand's television commercials in retaining viewers. The service also compares the performance of the brand relative to competing brands.
TiVo … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

O’Charley’s Loss Widens

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 12:05 PM PST

Nashville-based O’Charley's Inc. (NASDAQ:CHUX) reported disappointing fourth quarter and fiscal 2010 results. The results were hurt by higher commodity and operating costs resulting in lower margins and impairment charges.
The company reported a quarterly loss of 77 cents per share, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 30 cents and 56 cents delivered in the prior-year quarter.
O’Charley's said that total revenue in the fourth quarter tumbled 1.4% year over year to $183.5 million. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Plexus Downgraded To Underperform

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 12:05 PM PST

We remain apprehensive about Plexus Corp. (NASDAQ:PLXS) meeting its 2011 targets and expect revenues to be down with difficult operating performance. Consequently, we downgrade the stock to Underperform from Neutral.
Plexus is a leading provider of electronic manufacturing services (EMS) to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in a wide range of industries, including wireline/networking, wireless infrastructure, industrial/commercial, defense/security/aerospace, and medical.
First Quarter … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex – USD/CAD Up In U.S. Trade

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 12:05 PM PST

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

USD/CAD was trading at 0.9902, up 0.28% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 0.9832, Friday's low, and resistance at 0.9932, Thursday's high.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar was down against the Euro and the British Pound, with EUR/USD gaining 0.08% to hit 1.3592 and GBP/USD rising 0.08% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

The Most Dangerous Bubble Of All

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 11:55 AM PST

If you agree that the tech bubble of the 1990s and the housing bubble of the 2000s were extreme, then you must not ignore a bubble that could be the most dangerous of all — grossly overvalued bonds.

That's precisely the bubble we have right now! And in just a moment, I'll tell you why it's going to bust. But first, consider …

The Swift and Certain Impacts Of ALL Bond Market Busts …

Let's say I pay $10,000 for a $10,000 face value bond paying 5 percent. I earn $500 in … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex Trading: USDCHF Tests Trendline Support

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 11:52 AM PST

The USDCHF is testing trendline support. The line connects the low from Feb 2nd to the low from Feb 4th. The line comes in at 0.9546. Expect buyers against the level and sellers on a break. The next target on the downside is … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Sector Performance From August Low To Present February

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 11:36 AM PST

It's been a while since I updated you on Sector ETF performance according to the Sector Rotation Model, so let's take a quick look at past and present money flow returns from the Offensive and Defensive Sectors starting with the August 2010 low at 1,040 and moving to the present February breakthrough beyond 1,300.
Here's the chart:

You can also call this the QE2 Returns/performance, as initial rumors of the Federal Reserve's aggressive, market-lifting stimulative QE2 program began … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Ford’s New Plan: Boost Output

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 11:25 AM PST

Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) has decided to boost its production level by 13% in the first quarter of the year on the back of higher demand from its surviving namesake and Lincoln brands. The automaker expects the demand trend to continue for the rest of the year.
In January, Ford's sales grew 9.2% to 116,534 vehicles driven by strong sales of its trucks and fuel-efficient passenger cars. Truck sales rose 24.6% driven by a 29.6% growth in sales of F-Series pickup.
The month also saw higher demand for … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Lender Processing Beats By A Penny

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 11:25 AM PST

Lender Processing Services Inc. (NYSE:LPS) reported fourth-quarter 2010 adjusted earnings per share of 92 cents, a penny more than the Zacks Consensus Estimate and at the higher end of the company’s guidance range of 90 cents to 92 cents.
Results were also well ahead of the prior-year quarter's earnings of 82 cents. Year-over-year improvement in results came on the back of growth in operating income, reduced interest expense and a lower share count.
On a GAAP basis, earnings per share were 78 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Another Impressive Season

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 11:25 AM PST

The 4th quarter earnings season is more than halfway done. We now have 312, or 62.4%, of the S&P 500 reports in. However, the early reporting firms tend to be a bit bigger and more profitable than the stragglers, and those 312 firms actually represent 75.3% of the total expected net income.

That, of course, presupposes that all the remaining firms report exactly as expected, which is unlikely. But it shouldn't be too far off as those 206 firms also represented 74.9% of all the net income … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Hot Option Plays: Oil Under Pressure

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 11:18 AM PST

Cusick's Corner
What a weekend — the title is back in the rightful city Green Bay (yes, I am a Packer fan)! There was no denying the 6th seed, they found a way to win on the road against all odds, not listening to the pundits or crying about their injuries (3 starters out in the first half of the Super Bowl). This is very reminiscent of the market, while there have been exogenous events [[Egypt]], Commodity inflation (JJG), the momentum is just too strong and if you are not long, you are … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex – EUR/USD Down In U.S. Trading Hours

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 11:15 AM PST

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

EUR/USD was trading at 1.3580, down 0.01% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.3509, today's low, and resistance at 1.3862, Wednesday's high.

Meanwhile, the Euro was down against the British Pound and up against the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP shedding 0.06% to hit 0.8427 and EUR/JPY rising 0.15% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Markets In Everything: “Cash For Keys” In NYC

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 11:11 AM PST

In New York City, there is a whole industry built around real estate developers paying tenants to move out of the one million NYC apartments that are still rent-stabilized.  One tenant was able to squeeze $400,000 from an anxious developer for turning over the keys and moving out.

HT: Greg … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex Trading: EURUSD Breaks To The Upside

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 11:08 AM PST

Mixed Results At Loews

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 11:05 AM PST

Loews Corporation (NYSE:L) reported its fourth-quarter 2010 adjusted net income of $1.18 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 88 cents. Results were way ahead of 83 cents earned in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted net income was $488 million, 37% higher than $357 million in fourth-quarter 2009.
The outperformance stemmed from higher net investment income from limited partnerships, coupled with favorable net prior year development at CNA and improved results from the company's … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Cost Cuts Assist Hasbro

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 11:05 AM PST

Hasbro Inc. (NYSE:HAS) reported its fourth quarter 2010 earnings of 99 cents per share, which was well ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 95 cents. In the year-earlier quarter, Hasbro had earned $1.09 per share. The better-than-expected results were driven by tight cost-control initiatives, which more than offset the muted growth in sales.
Hasbro's net revenue of $1,278.7 million in the quarter was down 7.2% year over year and fell behind the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,300.0 million. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Bank Failures Hit 14

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 11:05 AM PST

Bank failures continue unabated as the U.S. regulators closed down three more banks last Friday. Out of the three failed banks, two were based in Georgia and one in Illinois. This brings the number of U.S. bank failures to 14 so far in 2011, preceded by 157 in 2010, 140 in 2009 and 25 in 2008.
While the various programs launched by the government worked in favor of the bigger banks, the struggle for survival continues for many smaller banks.  Tumbling home prices, soaring loan defaults and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Limited Brands Sales Rise

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 10:35 AM 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 January 29, 2011.
The owner of Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works chains sustained its growth momentum. Limited Brands' comparable-store sales for January surged 24%, following a 5% increase in December 2010, and compared with 6% posted in January 2010. Limited Brands now expects February … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

PBIO New Products Launches Are On The Horizon

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 10:35 AM PST

Grant Zeng, CFA

New Products Launches are on the Horizon

On February 7, 2011, Pressure BioSciences, Inc. (PBIO) announced that it has unveiled four key instruments in its 2011-2013 product pipeline at the annual meeting of the Association for Mass Spectrometry Applications to the Clinical Lab (MSACL) held from Feb 5 to Feb 9 at San Diego, CA. The MSACL meeting is important to mass spectrometry manufacturers since MSACL is an active and influential supporter of the development of new mass … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Humana Outshines, Provides Outlook

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 10:35 AM PST

Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) reported its fourth-quarter operating earnings (excluding special items) of $1.65 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 80 cents. This also compares favorably with earnings of $1.48 in the year-ago quarter.
The operating earnings exclude the incremental expenses of $1.02 per share in the fourth quarter, partially offset by improved year-over-year performance in the company's operations.
The incremental expenses in the reported quarter includes reserves … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Clorox Beats Estimate

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 10:35 AM PST

Clorox Corporation (NYSE:CLX) posted a marginal increase in second-quarter fiscal 2011 earnings of 68 cents a share compared with 66 cents in the year-ago quarter, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 62 cents.
Clorox's net sales during the quarter declined 3.0% year over year to $1,179 million from $1,215 million in the year-ago quarter, marginally surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,176 million. The decline was primarily attributable to lower volume, unfavorable impact of the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex – AUD/USD Up In U.S. Trade

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 10:35 AM PST

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

AUD/USD was trading at 1.0150, up 0.12% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.0056, Wednesday's low, and resistance at 1.0200, Friday's high.

Meanwhile, the Australian Dollar was up against the Euro and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/AUD shedding 0.25% to hit 1.3365 and AUD/JPY rising 0.34% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

“M&A Always Great For Psychology Of Market”

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 10:27 AM PST

02/07/11 Sunrise Securities’ Ben Willis discusses the flurry of corporate deal-making news and upcoming earnings … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Newmont Buys Fronteer Gold, Miners In Nevada Gaining Investment Interest

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 10:05 AM PST

Even though January 2011 brought a lot of profit-taking to mining stocks and precious metals, the leadership of Newmont (NYSE:NEM) has used this pullback in prices to purchase one of my long-term favorite recommendations, Fronteer Gold (FRG).
I believed Fronteer was a great candidate for a takeout. Newmont has gone straight ahead, believing in Fronteer's three major projects in Nevada and buying Fronteer out for a 37% premium. Newmont believes that the gold price is moving much higher, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

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

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 10:00 AM PST

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

NZD/USD was trading at 0.7700, down 0.01% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 0.7668, Friday's low, and resistance at 0.7825, Wednesday's high.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Dollar was up against the Australian Dollar and the Euro, with AUD/NZD shedding 0.04% to hit 1.3162 and EUR/NZD falling 0.27% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

European Markets Close Higher; Dax Up 0.93%

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 09:55 AM PST

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

At the close of European trade, Germany's DAX rose 0.93%, London's FTSE 100 gained 0.78%, France's CAC 40 climbed 1.08% and the EURO STOXX 50 was up 0.93%.

Meanwhile, on Wall Street, equity markets were up after the open. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.64%; the S&P 500 index gained 0.79%, while the Nasdaq 100 index climbed … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Silver Linings

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 09:54 AM PST

I've heard the Wagner's music is better than it sounds. In an earlier post, I claimed that the 3.2 percent growth in Real GDP understated the strength in the economy because inventory depletion (probably a sign of strength) took such a big chunk out of the number. Real Final Sales (Real GDP minus the inventory change) increased a whopping 7.1 percent. This strong number got little attention in the press.
There was another silver lining in last Friday's employment report. By now most … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Will AUD/NZD Respect The 1.32 Pivot? What Are The Support Levels?

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 09:40 AM PST

AUD/NZD

- AUD/NZD has hit an important resistance level at 1.32 to 1.3225 (61.8% retracement) zone. Above this, we can see a rally towards 1.35.
- What if the market respects 1.3225?, what are the support levels and what is the bearish scenario.
- At the moment, the bearish scenario should be limited and anticipated as a correction decline after such a strong rally. Sure we should see a decline from 1.32, but the bullish mode in the daily chart looks to be reviving, with no bearish momentum … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Pride Deal Leaves Call Buyer Sitting On Healthy Gains

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 09:30 AM PST

Pride deal leaves call buyer sitting on healthy gains
Today’s tickers: PDE, BEC, DHR & BPOP
Pride International Inc. (NYSE:PDE) – It looks as though one savvy option investor may have had a big result by staying optimistic over prospects for oil services while others were turning their backs on the sector. In mid-December an investor paid $1.20 for 4,000 call options reserving the right to buy shares in Texas-based offshore driller Pride international at a fixed $36 per share before they … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

AUD/JPY Is In A Bullish Breakout With The 85.00 Target In Sight

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 09:19 AM PST

AUD/JPY

- Price Action: Counter-trend breakout signals a bullish continuation within a rising channel.
- RSI: There is a positive reversal signal with a swing projection suggestion to 85.00. This is the minimum target.
-A closer look at the 4H chart and we see 2 important support pivots that should hold for this rally to 85.00.
- The 83.00 level should hold as support, but if that does not, the 82.50 level should not be broken.
- The RSI broke above 70, so watch for a near-term correction to … [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: 07 Feb 2011 09:00 AM PST

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

EUR/USD was trading at 1.3556, down 0.18% at time of writing.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.3509, today's low, and resistance at 1.3862, Wednesday's high.

Meanwhile, the Euro was down against the British Pound and up against the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP shedding 0.20% to hit 0.8415 and EUR/JPY rising 0.09% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex – Dollar Broadly Higher As U.S. Treasury Yields Lend Support

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 07:49 AM PST

Forex Pros – The U.S. dollar was broadly higher against its major counterparts on Monday, as U.S. Treasury yields moved higher amid expectations for a stable recovery of the U.S. economy.

During European late afternoon trade, the greenback was up against the euro, with EUR/USD shedding 0.33% to hit 1.3535.

Earlier in the day, official data showed that German factory orders fell significantly more-than-expected in December.

But the greenback was slightly lower against the pound, with … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Forex – Pound Pares Gains As Treasury Yields Support Dollar

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 07:37 AM PST

Forex Pros – The pound pared gains against the U.S. dollar on Monday, easing off a two-day high as higher U.S. Treasury yields supported the greenback.

GBP/USD retreated from 1.6185, the pair's highest since Thursday, to hit 1.6111 during European late afternoon trade, gaining 0.02%.

Cable was likely to find support at 1.6036, Friday's low and resistance at 1.6277, last Thursday's high and a 12-week high.

U.S. Treasury yields moved higher after Friday's strong U.S. employment data … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

China In The Year Of The Rabbit

Posted: 06 Feb 2011 10:00 PM PST

Happy New Year 4708!

According to the Chinese calendar it's the Year of the Rabbit. The leading Asian brokerage firm CLSA reports the Rabbit will "wrest the reins from the decidedly unpleasant and erratic Tiger that's been tossing and turning the markets over the past 12 months." We all could appreciate a respite from extreme volatility.
Chinese New Year is the longest and most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is celebrated around the world wherever there are … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates

Stock Investor Sentiment: The Superman Market

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 09:42 PM PST

“Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound!”

“Look! Up in the sky!”

“It’s a bird!”

“It’s a plane!”

“It’s Superman!”
  
Yes, this market -like Superman of yore – is untouchable.  There is no use in saying this or that will happen until it does.  Overbought, over bullish, over valued, and non-confirming breadth have not mattered, and at this point, saying when these metrics will matter is an exercise in … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates
at

1 comment:

  1. UnknownJuly 16, 2012 at 8:03 AM

    Nice post. I read total Post. It’s really nice. Thank you for sharing.........

    Forex Live Charts

    ReplyDelete