Wednesday, April 6, 2011

DailyMarkets.com - CSC Secures Insurance Contract

DailyMarkets.com - CSC Secures Insurance Contract


CSC Secures Insurance Contract

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 06:05 PM PDT

Computer Sciences Corporation (NYSE:CSC) recently announced that the Hastings Mutual Insurance Company has selected the updated version of CSC's Insurance Industry Data Model – Hastings, Mich. 3.0, which unifies multiple sources of data into a complete logical representation of data across an insurance enterprise.
The company will use this model to gain detailed insight into its business operations for enhanced decision-making. The model has a licensable offering, which is a prime solution … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


BMC Inks Deal With Monash

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 06:05 PM PDT

BMC Software (BMC) recently signed a deal with Australia's Monash University, where BMC will initiate a major information and communication technology (ICT) shared-service and provide improved service support.
The traditional faculty and school-driven heritage of universities mostly results in faulty network system development over time. The same happened at Monash University, which had numerous IT teams operating within faculties across its various campuses by the end of 2009.
Monash … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Forex – GBP/JPY Down During The Asian Session

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 05:45 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The British Pound was lower against the Japanese Yen on Thursday.<br/><br/> GBP/JPY was trading at 139.35, down 0.19% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 135.20, Monday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 139.70, Wednesday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the British Pound was down against the U.S. Dollar and up against the Euro, with GBP/USD shedding 0.11% to hit 1.6316 and EUR/GBP falling 0.02% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Volcano’s Guide Wire Goes To Japan

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 05:35 PM PDT

Recently, Volcano Corporation (NASDAQ:VOLC) received clearance for its PrimeWire Prestige pressure guide wire in Japan. The company is targeting a full market release of the product in Japan in the second quarter of 2011. PrimeWire Prestige, already available in the US and Europe, has received favorable feedback from physicians.
Volcano Corporation's functional measurement (FM) products consist of pressure and flow consoles and single-procedure disposable pressure and flow guide wires. The company … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Walnut Giant Diamond Foods Ventures To Chips With Pringles

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 05:35 PM PDT

Diamond Foods Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:DMND) and The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) signed a definitive agreement whereby Diamond Foods will acquire the Pringles chips business in a transaction worth $2.35 billion.
Pringles is expected to be accretive to earnings immediately and is expected to create maximum value for shareholders.
Pringles is the world’s largest potato crisp brand and is available in over 140 countries with manufacturing operations in the U.S., Europe and Asia.
Through this … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Integra To Expand With Novation

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 05:35 PM PDT

Recently, Integra Lifesciences (NASDAQ:IART) entered into a three-year deal with Novation, a healthcare supply contracting company. As per the deal, Novation selected Integra to supply its Jarit sterilization containers to the members of VHA Inc., University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) and Provista.
The health care market served by Novation includes acute hospitals and systems, academic medical centers, ambulatory care and physician clinics, home health and long-term care facilities. Currently … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Dollar Commences Stock Offering

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 05:35 PM PDT

In order to help fund its acquisition of Purpose U.K. Holdings Limited in the U.K., Dollar Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:DLLR) plans to underwrite a public offering of 5 million shares of its common stock, subject to market conditions.
According to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Dollar Financial allowed underwriters a 30-day option to cover allotments up to an additional 7.5 million shares of common stock, if any.
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, a unit of Credit Suisse Group (NYSE:CS) … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Earnings Scorecard: McCormick & Co. Inc.

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 05:35 PM PDT

McCormick & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MKC) announced its financial results for the first-quarter and fiscal 2011 late last month.
Street analysts had 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 Review
McCormick's first-quarter earnings came in at 57 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.5% and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Forex – EUR/USD Down In Asian Trade

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 05:05 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The Euro was lower against the U.S. Dollar on Thursday.<br/><br/> EUR/USD was trading at 1.4324, down 0.06% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.4152, Tuesday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.4349, Wednesday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the Euro was up against the British Pound and down against the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.01% to hit 0.8776 and EUR/JPY falling 0.08% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Chart Of The The Day: Real Gold Prices, 1970-2011

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 04:59 PM PDT

Record-high gold prices have been in the news lately, here’s an example of a new story today from Bloomberg titled “Gold Advances to Record for Second Day”:

“Gold for immediate delivery in London rose to an all-time high of $1,462.30.”

The chart above displays real, inflation-adjusted gold prices back to 1970 (data are from Global Financial Data, paid subscription required), and shows that the real price of gold peaked on January 21, 1980 at a closing price of $892.10 per ounce in current … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Ford Plans Expansion In Turkey

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 04:40 PM PDT

Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) and Koç Holding, its Turkish joint venture partner, announced an investment of €205 million ($290 million) at its Kocaeli plant in northwestern Turkey through their joint venture, Ford Otomotiv Sanayi AS or Ford Otosan.
The investment will help the joint venture manufacture a new van model.
Ford Otosan started production in 1965, with each company holding a 41% share in the venture. It operates four facilities in Turkey: two in Kocaeli, one in Eskisehir and one … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Xarelto Data Presented By Bayer

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 04:35 PM PDT

Recently, Germany's Bayer (BAYRY) presented mixed data regarding its blood thinner Xarelto (rivaroxaban) for preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized ill patients. Data from the late-stage study (MAGELLAN: n= 8,101) were presented by Bayer at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology. Xarelto has been co-developed with Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ).
Data from the multi-national, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study revealed that Xarelto was as … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Western Union Reshuffles Executives

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 04:35 PM PDT

Western Union Co. (NYSE:WU) announced further changes at its executive levels earlier this week. 
The changes include Stewart Stockdale being appointed as the Executive Vice President (EVP) and President of Global Consumer Financial Services; David Yates as the EVP and President for Business Development and Innovation; and Diane Scott as the EVP and Chief Marketing Officer.

The appointments, which are effective immediately, have been bought into action primarily to enhance organizational … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Encouraging Data On Vivus’ Qnexa

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 04:35 PM PDT

Vivus, Inc. (NASDAQ:VVUS) recently reported positive data from the SEQUEL study on its weight loss candidate, Qnexa. The 52-week SEQUEL study included 675 obese/overweight patients, who had two or more weight-related co-morbidities and an average baseline body mass index (BMI) of 36.1. SEQUEL is an extension study of patients who completed the 56-week CONQUER study.
The study data demonstrated a reduction in blood pressure and the need to use antihypertensive medications, along with improved lipid … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Sinovel Spells Doom For AMSC

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 04:35 PM PDT

We downgrade our recommendation for American Superconductor Corporation (NASDAQ:AMSC) from Neutral to Underperform. Our downgrade is inspired by the refusal of its largest customer – Sinovel Wind Group Co. Ltd to accept further shipments. Sinovel is China’s largest and the world’s third largest wind turbine manufacturer.
American Superconductor would be paying a high price for its over-dependence on Sinovel. On March 31, 2011, Sinovel bogged down by high inventory levels refused to accept contracted … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Kilroy Realty To Offer Shares

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 04:35 PM PDT

Kilroy Realty Corp. (KRC) recently announced plans to offer 4.5 million shares.
To cover any over-allotments, Kilroy Realty also plans to offer a 30-day option to the underwriters of purchasing an additional 675,000 shares.
The company’s operating partnership, Kilroy Realty, L.P., is expected to utilize the net proceeds from the offering. It intends to use a part of the proceeds to pay off the cash portion of an acquisition of four office buildings, which is currently under progress in … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Meritage Expands In Raleigh-Durham

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 04:35 PM PDT

Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE:MTH) wants to expand in the Raleigh-Durham market of North Carolina, so it recently purchased 46 one-acre home sites at the Inwood Forest community in south Raleigh
The Raleigh-Cary and Durham-Chapel markets have been named the No. 1 and No. 3 healthiest homebuilding markets for 2011, respectively, by Hanley Wood Market Intelligence.
Model homes at Inwood Forest are expected to be inaugurated by September this year, while completed homes will be made available … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


TJX Companies Boosts Dividend

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 04:35 PM PDT

TJX Companies Inc. (TJX) raised its quarterly dividend by 27%.
The company's Board approved a hike in the quarterly dividend to 19 cents per share to be paid on June 2, 2011 to stockholders of record on May 12, 2011.
The increased dividend reflects the company's sound financial position and well-defined future prospects. Signs of recovery in the economy have made share buybacks and dividend increases a common factor among companies sitting on ample cash. Apart from enhancing … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Forex – USD/JPY Down During Asian Trade

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 04:15 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The U.S. Dollar was lower against the Japanese Yen on Wednesday.<br/><br/> USD/JPY was trading at 85.41, down 0.10% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 83.37, Friday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 85.52, today&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar was up against the Euro and the British Pound, with EUR/USD shedding 0.01% to hit 1.4331 and GBP/USD falling 0.05% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Lockheed Divests PAE Business

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 04:05 PM PDT

Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) divested its Pacific Architects and Engineers Incorporated (PAE) business to Lindsay Goldberg, LLC.
Lindsay Goldberg is a private equity firm based in New York City. The firm focuses on leveraged buyouts and growth capital investments in middle-market companies in sectors like consumer products, commodity based manufacturing, energy services, business services, financial services, energy transmission and waste disposal.
Lockheed Martin acquired PAE in 2006, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


SIAL On Expansion Mode

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 04:05 PM PDT

Sigma-Aldrich Corp. (NASDAQ:SIAL) recently opened its European regional headquarters "Einstein Facility" in Switzerland. It will hold approximately 50 employees and will bring together the whole European management in one location.
In February, Sigma-Aldrich announced its fourth-quarter earnings of 83 cents, which surpassed both the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 80 cents and prior-year earnings per share (EPS) of 80 cents.
Reported sales in the fourth quarter of 2010 were $582 million, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


URS Gets E&C Contract

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 04:05 PM PDT

URS Corporation (NYSE:URS) won a three-year contract extension from Detroit Edison to provide engineering design, construction and consultancy services for the installation of two flue gas desulfurization systems in Michigan.
The first system is expected to be commissioned by Nov 2013, and the second system by May 2014. The contract extension has a potential value of $274 million to URS.
URS continues to see favorable trends in the federal government sector. There is strong funding for O&M … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Harsco Expands In Brazil

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 04:05 PM PDT

Harsco Corporation (NYSE:HSC) has formed a new joint venture in Brazil with Armco Staco S.A. Industria Metalurgica.
This new joint venture is intended to produce and market industrial grating products throughout the growing infrastructure and commercial development sectors of Brazil and South America.
The company aims to capitalize on the existing manufacturing resources of Armco Staco in combination with its own existing resources.
Operating since 1912 in Rio de Janeiro, Armco Staco has one of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Toyota And Microsoft To Build Telematics Service

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 03:55 PM PDT

04/06/11 Toyota Motor Corp. and Microsoft Corp. will join forces to build a new cloud-based telematics system for Toyota electric and hybrid … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


TMO Extends Dionex Offer

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 03:35 PM PDT

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO) has extended the tender offer to acquire shares of Dionex Corporation (NASDAQ:DNEX) till May 13, 2011.
However, the other conditions remain unchanged.
The company had extended the tender offer earlier in January as well. Thermo Fisher expects to complete the deal in the second quarter of fiscal 2011. Through April 1, 2011, about 44% of Dionex shares had been tendered.
In January, the company received antitrust clearance in the US with respect to the acquisition. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Neutral On NiSource

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 03:35 PM PDT

We recently reiterated our Neutral recommendation for NiSource Inc. (NYSE:NI) as we find the company's divestment strategy, robust balance sheet and dividend yield of 5.3% attractive.
However, the lack of near-term earnings growth opportunities due to multiple regulatory overhangs continue to be a concern. Therefore, we are keeping on the sidelines presently.
NiSource's strategy of divesting its non-core businesses and transforming itself into a pure play regulated company bode well in our … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Forex – NZD/USD Down In Asian Trade

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 03:35 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The New Zealand Dollar was lower against the U.S. Dollar on Wednesday.<br/><br/> NZD/USD was trading at 0.7773, down 0.29% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 0.7582, Friday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 0.7808, today&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the New Zealand Dollar was down against the Australian Dollar and the Euro, with AUD/NZD gaining 0.26% to hit 1.3423 and EUR/NZD rising 0.29% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


The Day Ahead: BoE And ECB Rate Announcements, US Jobless Claims, Monthly Chain-store Sales, Consumer Credit, Money Supply

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 10:20 AM PDT

04/06/11 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 Option Plays: Straddle Earnings

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 03:18 PM PDT

Cusick’s Corner
The market is now gearing up for earnings and a lot of readers are asking how can we strategize for these events. Strategically you can plan for these events based on your interpretation of volatility, and in options that is measured by Implied Volatility. This is confusing so I take a different approach and I lay out a scenario where I price a volatility strategy, like straddles, to help me determine the potential move the options market is anticipating in an underlying going … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


MetroPCS Remains Neutral

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 03:10 PM PDT

We are maintaining our long-term Neutral rating on MetroPCS Communications Inc. (NYSE:PCS), the sixth-largest prepaid wireless service operator in the U.S. While the expansion of services and products may drive the company's future growth, we believe that associated expenditures will strain the balance sheet.
MetroPCSexpects to benefit from its low cost structure, successful "Wireless for All" service plans, smartphone offerings and the deployment of 4G LTE network in some regions.In … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Office Depot In Neutral Lane

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 03:10 PM PDT

Office Depot Inc. (NYSE:ODP) is repositioning itself in this difficult consumer environment by containing costs, closing underperforming stores, reducing exposure to higher dollar-value inventory items, shuttering non-critical distribution facilities and focusing on providing innovative products and services.
This should all contribute to margin improvements.
All these initiatives helped the company to post better-than-expected fourth-quarter 2010 results. Quarterly earnings of 9 cents per … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


BioMarin In Neutral Lane

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 03:05 PM PDT

We are maintaining our ‘Neutral’ recommendation on BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.(NASDAQ:BMRN) with a target price of $27.00 following the release of fourth quarter and full-year 2010 results.
BioMarin develops and commercializes biopharmaceuticals for serious diseases and medical conditions. The company’s portfolio comprises of four approved products and multiple pipeline candidates. The marketed products include Aldurazyme {co-marketed with Genzyme Corporation (NASDAQ:GENZ)}, Naglazyme, Kuvan and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


$35.8M Contract For Alliant

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 03:05 PM PDT

Alliant Techsystems Inc. (NYSE:ATK) received a $35.8 million contract from the U.S. Army to further refine the Hard Target Void Sensing Fuze (HTVSF) design and to perform all qualification testing necessary to move into production.
The contract was awarded under the HTVSF program, which is a three-way joint venture among the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy and Alliant. The 37-month contract was awarded by the Air Armament Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
Alliant will perform the design … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Ryder Expands In California

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 03:05 PM PDT

Ryder System Inc. (NYSE:R) acquired truck lease, rental and maintenance fleet services from privately owned B.I.T. Leasing Inc. a Hayward, California-based company.
The acquisition took place in two phases. The first was completed in August 2010 and the second in March 2011.
The company acquired a fleet of approximately 364 full service lease, 121 rental and 72 contract maintenance vehicles serving approximately 131 contract customers in Rohnert Park, Hayward, San Jose and Watsonville. Ryder … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Stock Market Summary For Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 02:54 PM PDT

The major indexes worked their way a little higher in today’s session with gains ranging between 0.2% and 0.3%. Investor participation improved slightly and market breadth favored the positive side. We are keeping the support levels the same on the DJIA and S&P 500 but raising it on the Nasdaq Composite (see below). In addition, we are increasing the resistance levels for the DJIA, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite based on the current stock market direction (see below). The 2,799 level has … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Some Other Interesting Voices

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 02:35 PM PDT

We realize that ALL wisdom does not come from Zacks. Everyday I spend a significant amount of time reading and evaluating what smart people have to say about what is going on in the economy. Some of that finds its way into the posts I write, at least indirectly.
Often, however, it is better to get it straight from the horse’s mouth. I realize that most people do not have the luxury of reading Economics Blogs all day long, so think of this as a pre-screening service. I plan to start putting up a … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Regal Beloit Expands In Virginia

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 02:35 PM PDT

Regal Beloit Corporation (NYSE:RBC) recently announced that it has acquired Virginia-based Ramu, Inc., a motor and control technology company controlled by the venture capital firm Khosla Ventures.
Ramu, Inc. specializes in the development of switched reluctance motor technology. Switched reluctance technology is a unique motor design suitable for applications requiring improved operating efficiencies, high operating speeds or high ambient temperature conditions. One primary advantage of switched … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Deere Raises C$150 Million Debt

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 02:35 PM PDT

John Deere Credit Inc., the financial wing of Deere & Company (NYSE:DE),  raised capital by issuing securities worth C$150 million with a coupon rate of 3.25% and at an issue price of $99.695.
The notes will mature on April 8, 2015, for which the settlement date is April 8, 2011.
Deere has a long list of projects currently in progress in different parts of the world that requires financing. Deere has to comply with the Tier 4 emission standards. 2011 will be the first year of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Closing Bell Market Monitor: MON, CSCO, CEPH

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 09:15 AM PDT

04/06/11 The latest in news, commentary, and information on what’s moving the US equities … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


If You Subsidize Something, You Get More Of It

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 01:56 PM PDT

SAN FRANCISCO  — “The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved a tax break to keep Twitter from fleeing the city. The measure passed 8-3 and exempts the micro-blogging service from paying payroll tax on new hires if it moves to the city's neglected Mid-Market area.

Twitter is already outgrowing its current San Francisco headquarters in the city's South of Market neighborhood, and the company is poised to expand from a few hundred to a few-thousand workers. While seeking a … [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: 06 Apr 2011 01:55 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The Euro was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Wednesday.<br/><br/> EUR/USD was trading at 1.4331, up 0.77% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.4062, Friday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.4349, today&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the Euro was up against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.53% to hit 0.8774 and EUR/JPY rising 1.51% to hit … [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: 06 Apr 2011 01:40 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The U.S. Dollar was higher against the Japanese Yen on Wednesday.<br/><br/> USD/JPY was trading at 85.44, up 0.68% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 83.37, Friday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 85.52, today&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar was down against the Euro and the British Pound, with EUR/USD gaining 0.77% to hit 1.4331 and GBP/USD rising 0.22% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


102 Words That Speak Volumes

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 01:37 PM PDT

If a picture speaks a thousand words, here are 102 of them from a post at Sudden Debt, ‘It’s Greek To Me,” that speaks volumes about our nation’s fiscal health (or lack thereof).
The amount of hot air emanating from Washington DC has increased exponentially as politicians are arguing about the size of next year’s budget deficit, but no matter what they decide it will be, in a word, monstrous
To illustrate just how bad things are in the good ol’ USA fiscally-wise, here’s a helpful … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Neutral Rec For Lowe’s

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 01:35 PM PDT

Being the world's second largest home improvement retailer, Lowe's Companies Inc. (NYSE:LOW) boasts a proven strategy of investing in stores to enhance customer-shopping experience by improving point-of-sale and directional signage, and adding more choices in product selection.
The company's sustained focus on Everyday Low Prices, New Lower Price, Go Local and Specialty Sales initiatives have helped it to boost its market share. 
Lowe's, which competes with The Home Depot Inc. (NYSE:HD), … [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: 06 Apr 2011 01:25 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The Euro was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Wednesday.<br/><br/> EUR/USD was trading at 1.4331, up 0.77% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.4062, Friday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.4349, today&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the Euro was up against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.53% to hit 0.8774 and EUR/JPY rising 1.43% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


U.S. Markets Close Higher; Dow Jones Up 0.27%

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 01:10 PM PDT

Forex Pros – U.S. stocks were up after the closing bell on Wednesday.<br/><br/> At the close of U.S. trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.27%, the S&P 500 index gained 0.22%, while the Nasdaq 100 index climbed 0.19%.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, European stock markets closed higher. France&rsquo;s CAC 40 was up 0.16%; Germany&rsquo;s DAX gained 0.55%; Britain&rsquo;s FTSE 100 climbed 0.57%; and the EURO STOXX 50 rose … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


NuStar, TexStar In Eagle Ford Deal

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 12:55 PM PDT

San Antonio-based firms NuStar Energy, L.P. (NYSE:NS) and TexStar Midstream Services, L.P. have teamed up to build a new pipeline system that would carry crude oil and condensate from Eagle Ford shale in South Texas to NuStar's Corpus Christi, Texas terminal.
The agreement between the companies – the most recent in the wave of pipeline expansions to make the crude available to large refineries spread along the U.S. Gulf Coast – will provide South Texas producers with unhindered access, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Rig Count Slips, Upbeat On PTEN

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 12:55 PM PDT

Onshore contract driller Patterson-UTI Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:PTEN) declared that its March 2011 drill rig count averaged 208, down marginally from 209 in the previous month. The company operated 195 rigs in the U.S. and 13 in Canada in March, compared with 192 rigs in the U.S. and 17 rigs in Canada during February this year.
Patterson-UTI's activity levels in the U.S. peaked in early October 2008 with a rig count of 275. Since then through the second quarter of 2009, the company witnessed a steep … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


FDA Refuses To File Pfizer Drug

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 12:55 PM PDT

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a "refusal to file" letter to Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) for its new drug application for tafamidis. The agency said that the application, which was submitted in Feb 2011, was incomplete.
Pfizer is looking to get tafamidis approved for transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP). Tafamidis became a part of Pfizer's portfolio with its October 2010 acquisition of FoldRx. TTR-FAP is a progressively fatal genetic neurodegenerative … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Willis Group Reiterated At Neutral

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 12:55 PM PDT

Owing to the soft insurance market and the weakness in the US economy restricting any significant top-line growth, we reiterate our Neutral recommendation on Willis Group Holdings plc (NYSE:WSH).
Willis Group reported a solid fourth quarter on the heels of higher commissions and fees coupled with lower operating expenses.
Counting in the positives, organic growth in commissions and fees, which form the major component of Willis' revenue, continue to exceed its peers on an average driven by … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


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

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 12:45 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The British Pound was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Wednesday.<br/><br/> GBP/USD was trading at 1.6329, up 0.21% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.5973, Friday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.6363, today&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the British Pound was down against the Euro and up against the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.55% to hit 0.8776 and GBP/JPY rising 0.87% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


P.J. O’Rourke: “Atlas Shrugged. And So Did I”

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 12:43 PM PDT

P.J. O’Rourke reviews the movie “Atlas Shrugged” in today’s WSJ blog, here’s an excerpt:

“But I will not pan "Atlas Shrugged." I don't have the guts.  If you associate with Randians—and I do—saying anything critical about Ayn Rand is almost as scary as saying anything critical to Ayn Rand.  What's more, given how protective Randians are of Rand, I'm not sure she's dead.

The woman is a force.  But, let us not forget, she's a force for good.  Millions of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Merck Sees Inspiration In Eye Care

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 12:35 PM PDT

Mergers and acquisitions continue in the pharma sector with Merck (NYSE:MRK) recently announcing its intention to acquire specialty pharma company Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISPH). The companies have entered into a definitive merger agreement which has been approved by the boards of both companies. Moreover, Warburg Pincus Private Equity IX, L.P., which owns 28% of Inspire Pharma's shares, has agreed to tender all of its shares.
Deal Valued at $430 Million
Per the terms of the deal, Merck … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Jones Lang Lowered To Neutral

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 12:35 PM PDT

We have recently lowered our recommendation on Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE:JLL), a leading real estate investment trust (REIT), from Outperform to Neutral as we anticipate it to perform in line with the broader market.
Chicago-based Jones Lang is a premier full-service real estate firm that provides corporate, financial, and investment management services to corporations and other real estate owners, users, and investors worldwide. A broad real estate product and service range, and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Moody’s May Downgrade Toyota

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 12:35 PM PDT

Moody’s Investors Service, the credit rating agency operated by Moody’s Corp. (NYSE:MCO), warned that it may downgrade its credit rating for Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE:TM) on the backdrop of earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 2011 that will adversely affect the financial results of the company.
The catastrophe in Japan damaged many parts supplying companies' plants that manufacture key components for cars and trucks in the U.S. and other countries. The disaster led to a production loss of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


F5 Widens Product Portfolio

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 12:35 PM PDT

F5 Networks Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) recently revolutionized the world of management solutions with the introduction of the F5 Enterprise Manager Version 2.2. Management revealed that the product launch reflects the company's effort to adapt its solutions to changing market requirements, while keeping an integrated and repeatable architecture in place for optimal efficiency.
F5 Networks' Enterprise Manager helps customers in managing multiple BIG-IP Application Delivery Controller (ADC) devices. It … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


EU Approves DuPont’s Danisco Buy

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 12:35 PM PDT

EI DuPont de Nemours & Co.'s(NYSE:DD) proposed acquisition of Danisco A/S has received approval from the European Commission (EC) under the European Union Merger Regulation. The wholly owned and fully controlled subsidiary of DuPont, DuPont Denmark Holding ApS had announced the takeover of the outstanding shares of Danisco at a price of DKK 665 in cash per share in January 2011.
Apart from one Chinese approval that is still pending, the company has obtained all the major regulatory approvals … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Forex – USD/CAD Down In U.S. Trade

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 12:10 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The U.S. Dollar was lower against the Canadian Dollar on Wednesday.<br/><br/> USD/CAD was trading at 0.9592, down 0.48% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 0.9570, today&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 0.9702, Friday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar was down against the Euro and the British Pound, with EUR/USD gaining 0.79% to hit 1.4334 and GBP/USD rising 0.23% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Maine REC Selects Athenahealth EHR

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 12:05 PM PDT

Medical billing and records software provider Athenahealth Inc. (NASDAQ:ATHN) has been selected as a vendor for its electronic health record ("EHR") solutions by HealthInfoNet, Maine's designated health information exchange and regional extension center ("REC").
HealthInfoNet, an independent, nonprofit organization, operates the Maine Regional Extension Center ("MEREC") and is one of the 62 designated RECs nationwide. It is responsible for the adoption and implementation of EHR systems … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


AngioDynamics Buoyed By Oncology

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 12:05 PM PDT

Therapeutic and diagnostic devices maker AngioDynamics's (NASDAQ:ANGO) third-quarter fiscal 2011 adjusted (excluding one-time tax benefit) earnings of 13 cents per share, matched both the Zacks Consensus Estimate and the year-ago earnings.
Profit clambered 14% year over year to $3.8 million (or 15 cents a share) led by healthy double-digit growth in oncology sales. The bottom-line was also boosted by lower tax, mainly due to the reinstatement of the federal R&D tax credit.   
Revenue … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Starbucks To Rule Indian Market

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 12:05 PM PDT

Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) looks to establishing a strong foothold in India with Tata Coffee Ltd, Asia's largest publicly traded coffee grower. Seattle based Starbucks announced on March 31, 2011 that it is turning the partnership  with Tata Coffee for sourcing and roasting premium coffee beans in India into a full fledged joint venture where Starbucks will hold a 26% stake. Once the process is finally over the partners would open outlets in all major cities of India.
Later, after reviewing … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Dell Building Out R&D

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 12:05 PM PDT

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ:DELL) announced a new state-of-the-art research and development (R&D) facility. The world's third largest PC maker has now announced an R&D center in the Silicon Valley that will make this possible.
The new R&D center will house more than 1,500 people over the next five years and help Dell consolidate four existing operating units in Northern California in phases. All the operating units in that region were acquired by Dell over the last four years. The acquired … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


04/06 FX Options Report

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 11:56 AM PDT

EUR/USD hit 15-month highs, topping the $1.43 level. The ECB is expected to tighten its monetary … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Gold Breakout And Silver Going Parabolic

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 11:55 AM PDT

We obviously have been too cautious on Silver. The metal has been on a tear and has shown no weakness in the past few weeks. Our upside targets were $37 and $39. A clean break of $39, which seems imminent will send the market to $45 and possibly $50. Monday was the start of a parabolic move. First Majestic Silver (NYSE:AG), the strongest performing Silver stock has already gone parabolic. Keep an eye on First Majestic to gauge or confirm movements in Silver. We still hold First Majestic in … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


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

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 11:45 AM PDT

Forex Pros – The Euro was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Wednesday.<br/><br/> EUR/USD was trading at 1.4336, up 0.80% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.4062, Friday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.4349, today&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the Euro was up against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.56% to hit 0.8777 and EUR/JPY rising 1.39% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


Borders Looking To Move Its HQ

Posted: 05 Apr 2011 09:00 PM PDT

04/06/11 In an effort to cut costs, Borders is planning to move its HQ out of Ann Arbor, MI and find a cheaper … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Best CD Rates


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