Monday, April 11, 2011

DailyMarkets.com - Earnings Preview: Fastenal

DailyMarkets.com - Earnings Preview: Fastenal

Earnings Preview: Fastenal

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 12:05 PM PDT

Fastenal Co. (NASDAQ:FAST) announced that it would release its results for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 before the market opens on April 12, 2011. Winona-based Fastenal earned a profit of 44 cents in the fourth quarter, marginally behind the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 45 cents.
In the upcoming quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Fastenal is pegged at a profit of 51 cents per share, reflecting an annualized growth of 35%. The upside potential of the estimate, essentially a proxy for future … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

AMB Leases To Aeropost

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 12:05 PM PDT

In one of the largest industrial leasing agreements so far in 2011, AMB Property Corp. (NYSE:AMB), a real estate investment trust (REIT), has recently leased 180,000 square feet of space at Blue Lagoon Business Park in Miami, Florida, for about $10 million. The lessee was Aeropost International Services, Inc., a Miami-based mail and package forwarding company.
With over 20 years of experience, Aeropost provides a state-of-the-art technology platform for a seamless delivery of packages across the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Helmerich & Payne Worth A Look

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 12:05 PM PDT

Shares of Helmerich & Payne Inc. (NYSE:HP) hit a 52-week high of $70.47 on Friday, April 8. The contract drilling services provider has seen its share price climb more than 85% since the end of August last year, as investors have been buying the stock for its attractive fundamentals and positive outlook. The turnaround in fuel prices amid recent optimism about economic recovery has added to this bullishness.
Helmerich & Payne – which competes with other U.S. drilling companies including … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

ARR Prices Secondary Offering

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 12:05 PM PDT

ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. (ARR), a real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in residential mortgage backed securities (RMBS), has recently priced its secondary offering of 16 million shares at $7.40 each. The company has also granted the underwriters an option to purchase an additional 2.4 million shares to cover any over-allotments.
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. – the U.S. investment banking and securities arm of Deutsche Bank AG (NYSE:DB) is acting as the sole book-running … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

BSD Medical Exhibits MicroThermX

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 11:35 AM PDT

Cancer treatment systems maker BSD Medical Corp (NASDAQ:BSDM) recently showcased its MicroThermX Microwave Ablation system for soft tissue ablation (destruction) at its exhibition booth at the annual scientific meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology ("SIR") in Chicago.
SIR is the largest meeting in the U.S. for minimally invasive interventional radiology/oncology products with nearly 5,300 physicians, scientists and health professionals from across the globe having attended the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Johnson & Johnson Embarrassed

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 11:35 AM PDT

Recently, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) faced a major embarrassment when it agreed to pay $70 million to settle bribery charges against itself.  Johnson & Johnson is hopeful of a similar settlement with authorities in the UK shortly.
Johnson & Johnson reached a settlement with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the  US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) after it was alleged that Johnson & Johnson had bribed physicians in Europe (Greece, Poland and Romania) to … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

UnitedHealth Contests DoD Contract

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 11:35 AM PDT

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) will invite fresh bids for the TRICARE West Region contract after UnitedHealthcare's Military & Veterans business raised an objection. UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH) will get another chance to win the  $17 billion contract to provide health benefits to soldiers in 21 western states, including Minnesota.

In 2009, UnitedHealth lost the six-year contract to Triwest Alliance.
Lately, in March, UnitedHealth raised an objection over the Tricare … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: U.S. Bancorp

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 11:35 AM PDT

U.S.Bancorp (NYSE:USB) is scheduled to report its first quarter 2011 earnings results before market opens on April 19. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the first quarter is earnings of 49 cents per share, up from 34 cents earned in the year-earlier quarter. For full year 2011, the Zacks Consensus Estimate stands at $2.15 per share, representing a 25.7% increase from the prior-year earnings of $1.71 per share. The full year 2012 earnings estimate is currently $2.60 per share.
In March this … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

How Shale Gas Snuck Up On The Beltway Elites And How Politics Could Disrupt The Success Story

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 11:16 AM PDT

AEI’s Steve Hayward has an excellent article on “The Gas Revolution” in the Weekly Standard, here are some key paragraphs:

“One remarkable aspect of the shale gas revolution is that it was not the product of an energy policy edict from Washington, or the result of a bruising political battle to open up public lands and offshore waters for new exploration. Although the Halliburtons of the world are now big in the field, its pioneers were mostly smaller risk-taking entrepreneurs and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – AUD/USD Down In U.S. Trade

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 11:15 AM PDT

Forex Pros – The Australian Dollar was lower against the U.S. Dollar on Monday.<br/><br/> AUD/USD was trading at 1.0520, down 0.44% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.0329, Wednesday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.0583, Friday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the Australian Dollar was down against the Euro and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/AUD gaining 0.09% to hit 1.3723 and AUD/JPY falling 0.51% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Prudential Divests Commodities Biz

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 11:05 AM PDT

Prudential Financial Inc. (NYSE:PRU) has entered into an arrangement with Jefferies Group Inc. (NYSE:JEF) to divest its global commodities business for approximately $430 million. The sale value approximately equals book value as of December 31, 2010. The deal is expected to close in June 2011, subject to regulatory approval.
The divesture includes the U.S. based Futures Commission Merchant, Prudential Bache Commodities, LLC; the broker dealer, Prudential Bache Securities, LLC; U.K. based Bache … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Accenture To Enrich Data Analytics

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 11:05 AM PDT

Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) has set up a new analytics innovation center in Barcelona, Spain. This affirms the intent of the leading outsourcing and consulting solutions provider to expand in that country.
Equipped with advanced analytics capabilities, the new center will help users better manage their businesses through efficient supply chain analysis and quick decisions.
The new analytics center will strengthen Accenture's existing supply chain offerings and create approximately 10,000 job … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

ZOLL Medical Ships New AED Plus

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 11:05 AM PDT

Massachusetts-based medical devices maker ZOLL Medical (NASDAQ:ZOLL) recently began shipping a new version of its AED Plus devices for treating sudden cardiac arrest ("SCA"). This new version is fully compliant with the new American Heart Association ("AHA") and European Resuscitation Council ("ERC") guidelines issued in October 2010.
SCA, an abrupt loss of cardiac function, is one of the major causes of unexpected deaths. Early defibrillation raises the chances of survival from just 5% … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

BNY Mellon Remains Neutral

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 11:05 AM PDT

We have reaffirmed our long-term "Neutral" recommendation on Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK). The company is well positioned to benefit from favorable long-term wealth management trends and a secular growth in global capital markets. Additionally, BNY Mellon's decision to hike dividend and authorize a new share repurchase program will enhance investors' confidence on the stock.
However, we expect the company's net interest margin (NIM) and net interest income to be … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

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

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 10:45 AM PDT

Forex Pros – The New Zealand Dollar was lower against the U.S. Dollar on Monday.<br/><br/> NZD/USD was trading at 0.7812, down 0.21% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 0.7682, Wednesday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 0.7848, today&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the New Zealand Dollar was up against the Australian Dollar and the Euro, with AUD/NZD shedding 0.24% to hit 1.3465 and EUR/NZD falling 0.09% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

NYSE Turns Away NASDAQ-ICE

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 10:40 AM PDT

In a dramatic turn of events, yesterday NYSE Euronext Inc. (NYSE:NYX) discarded the proposed takeover bid made by NASDAQ OMX Group Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) and IntercontinentalExchange Inc. (NYSE:ICE), citing multiple concerns.
The NYSE management cited that it is not interested in splitting up the company's business while also extending additional debt burden on it, thereby posing ample execution risk on the company. Simultaneously, NYSE continues to work towards its acquisition by Frankfurt-based Deutsche … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Successful Year For Mechel

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 10:40 AM PDT

Russian mining company, Mechel OAO (NYSE:MTL) recorded a net income of $657.2 million in full year 2010; comprehensively beating last year's consolidated net income of $73.7 million, a jump of 791.2% year over year.
Revenues in the year 2010 soared 69.4% year over year to $9.7 billion based on the company's relentless efforts to increase production; and were above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.3 billion.
Throughout 2010 the company made concerted efforts to enhance the coal production … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

JAKKS Continues To Underperform

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 10:40 AM PDT

We currently maintain our Underperform rating on Malibu, California-based JAKKS Pacific Inc. (NASDAQ:JAKK) due to the absence of any significant driving factor in the stock. The negative bias was based on a host of factors including lower seasonal demand, which would lead to losses in the first quarter, increasing input cost and macroeconomic issues.
JAKKS Pacific reported fourth quarter 2010 earnings of 30 cents per share, a nickel ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate and above the adjusted … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Seagate Restores Dividend Policy

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 10:35 AM PDT

Seagate Technology plc (NASDAQ:STX) recently announced that its board of directors has approved the payment of a quarterly cash dividend of 18 cents per share. The company will pay the dividend on June 1, to shareholders on record as of May 2.
Seagate had suspended its dividend payout policy in April 2009, as the company's fortunes plummeted along with the economy. Prior to that, Seagate used to pay a quarterly cash dividend of 3 cents per share. Now, based on its strong cash position and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Statoil’s Beta West Comes Online

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 10:35 AM PDT

Statoil ASA (NYSE:STO) has initiated its gas production from its 2009 Beta West discovery, situated 1.5 kilometer west of the Sleipner West reservoir in the North Sea. The company is progressing well with its fast-track development project and brought the discovery on-stream within two years.
The 15/9-B-1 discovery well was drilled to vertical and measured depths of 3,760 meters and 6,069 meters, respectively, from the Sleipner B wellhead platform in Sleipner West. The objective of the well was to … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Angola Central Bank Cuts Rate 500bps To 20.00%

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 10:22 AM PDT

The Banco Naconal de Angola reduced its benchmark rediscount rate by 500 basis points to 20.00% from 25.00% previously. The Bank did not release an accompanying statement about the move. According to IMF data Angola’s economy grew 7.06% in 2010 and recorded annual average inflation of 15.04% and full year inflation of 13% last year. Angola reported exports of US$52 billion in 2010, driven by oil earnings; with Angola being Africa’s second largest oil … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Earnings Projections, Support, And Resistance

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 10:07 AM PDT

Earnings season kicks off in full force today with Alcoa Inc. (NYSE:AA), the biggest U.S. aluminum producer, scheduled to announce first-quarter earnings after the market close today. Alcoa is the first member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average to report.

While it may not feel that way on Main Street and in the housing sector, earnings at public companies are healthy. According to Bloomberg:

Corporate profits probably rose to a record last quarter.
Earnings for Standard & … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

NVS Amends SNDA; Completes Merger

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 10:05 AM PDT

Novartis (NYSE:NVS) recently announced amendment to its supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for Afinitor tablets. Afinitor is currently marketed for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC; kidney cancer) after treatment with an anti-VEGF therapy like Pfizer's (NYSE:PFE) Avastin, Sutent or Onyx Pharmaceuticals/Bayer's (BAYRY) Nexavar. Afinitor is also marketed for the treatment of subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGA), a benign brain tumor associated with tuberous … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Holiday Shift Hampers Ross Comps

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 10:05 AM PDT

Ross Stores Inc. (NASDAQ:ROST), the second largest off-price retailer of apparels and home accessories, after reporting fourteen consecutive quarters of positive comparable store sales, breaks the trend by posting a decline of 1.0% for the five weeks ended April 2, 2011.
This compares unfavorably with a solid gain of 14% in same store sales in the prior-year month. However, March same-store sales came in better than the company's forecast of a 2% to 3% decline for the month. A shift in pre-holiday … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

A 10-Year Scam Called The Stock Market

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 10:05 AM PDT

What a decade it's been.

We witnessed a terrorist attack on American soil (Twin Towers, September 2001). We've experienced the biggest real estate boom market we've ever seen (2003-2005) and the bust of that market (2007 to today). It's been a decade of interest rates at record lows. And we're in the biggest bear market rally in stocks since 1937.

But, through it all…stocks have gone nowhere in value.

This morning, the S&P 500 opens the trading day at 1,328—the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Yen Rallies, Euro Rebounds Vs. Dollar

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 10:00 AM PDT

04/11/11 The yen has rallied against its major counterparts to start the new tradng week on repatriation speculation. Meanwhile, the euro has rebounded against the dollar on growing speculation the Fed will delay hiking … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – GBP/USD Down In U.S. Trade

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 10:00 AM PDT

Forex Pros – The British Pound was lower against the U.S. Dollar on Monday.<br/><br/> GBP/USD was trading at 1.6372, down 0.07% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.6258, Wednesday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.6427, Friday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the British Pound was up against the Euro and down against the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP shedding 0.21% to hit 0.8821 and GBP/JPY falling 0.21% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex Trading: EURUSD Battles The Mixed Signals Today

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 09:56 AM PDT

Fed's Yellen and Dudley were dovish.  The IMF comments about Greece and other debt concerns counter the US news. The net result, is a EURUSD which is marginally lower from the 1.4455 close on Friday.  The topside has trendline resistance at the 1.4458 level currently. On the downside, the low for the day at 1.4420 remains the hurdle to get through for the bears to have some additional satisfaction.  A move below that level will next target the 1.4391 level which is the 38.2% … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

European Markets Close Lower; Dax Down 0.17%

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 09:55 AM PDT

Forex Pros – European stocks were down after the closing bell on Monday.<br/><br/> At the close of European trade, Germany&rsquo;s DAX fell 0.17%, London&rsquo;s FTSE 100 shed 0.04%, France&rsquo;s CAC 40 declined 0.57% and the EURO STOXX 50 was down 0.34%.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, on Wall Street, equity markets were mixed after the open. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.09%; the S&P 500 index shed 0.13%, while the Nasdaq 100 index declined … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Unilife Prepares For Launch

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 09:35 AM PDT

Unilife Corporation (UNIS) recently stated that it has initiated a planned realignment of its infrastructure in order to gear itself for the approaching full commercial production and marketing of its drug delivery mechanism to pharma and other clients. Unilife's Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Ramin Mojdeh, is in charge of the realignment effort.     
The implementation of efficient processes should improve Unilife's cash flow by more than $12 million in calendar 2011. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Key Daily And Weekly Pivot Price Apple AAPL Traders Should Be Watching

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 09:29 AM PDT

Popular stock Apple (AAPL) now faces a key "make or break" confluence level on both the daily and weekly chart that traders will find very interesting.
Let's start with the weekly chart and drill-down to find the important confluence level and thus the "IF/THEN" trading set-ups that are likely to come into play.

Cutting right to the point, the key weekly level right now is the rising 20 week EMA poised at $333.50.
You can see from the chart that the rising 20w EMA has been the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

This Week In The CAD – Surging Oil And The BOC Rate Decision

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 09:20 AM PDT

The USD/CAD has moved decisively in favor of the Canadian Dollar over the last two weeks, hitting lows not seen since November 2007. The main factor propelled the gains was continued climb in oil prices. This week, we watch to see if that dynamic holds, or if crude takes a break, which would give time for the CAD to consolidate or retrace recent gains.
This week is also important as the Bank of Canada will use its interest rate decision and statement on Tuesday as well as … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Stericycle In Neutral Lane

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 09:10 AM PDT

We reiterate our Neutral recommendation on Stericycle Inc. (NASDAQ:SRCL), a leading provider of regulated medical waste management services as well as product recall and return services in the U.S. Stericycle's fourth quarter and fiscal EPS as well as revenues grew year over year, handily beating the Zacks Consensus Estimates.
Historically, Stericycle has grown through acquisitions and internal growth and the fourth quarter was no exception. During the quarter, Stericycle completed an … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

RTN To Spearhead Next-Gen Missile

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 09:05 AM PDT

Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) received a contract, worth $42 million, for the initial concept development and program planning for the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIB. The SM-3 Block IIB is the Missile Defense Agency’s next-generation Aegis missile.
The SM-3 is being developed as part of the Missile Defense Agency’s sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. It has successfully defeated 18 incoming ballistic missile threats in realistic test scenarios. Standard Missile technology has … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Boeing Flying High In Q1

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 09:05 AM PDT

The international commercial airplane producer, The Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA) maintained its delivery level in the first quarter of 2011 with deliveries of 104 airplanes versus 108 in the first quarter of 2010.
Boeing is on course to meet its commercial airplane delivery target for 2011, which is expected to be in the range of 485 to 500 airplanes. The guidance also includes the expected delivery of the first 787 and 747-8 models, starting from the third quarter, and together accounting for 25 to 40 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

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

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 09:00 AM PDT

Forex Pros – The Euro was lower against the U.S. Dollar on Monday.<br/><br/> EUR/USD was trading at 1.4458, down 0.18% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.4228, Wednesday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.4488, Friday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the Euro was down against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP shedding 0.20% to hit 0.8822 and EUR/JPY falling 0.38% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

V.F. Corp. Will Outperform

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 08:35 AM PDT

We maintain our 'Outperform' rating on V.F. Corporation (NYSE:VFC). V.F. Corp.’s diversified brand portfolio positions the company well above its peers and generates above-average industry growth, a fact that is surely to see them through in the current challenging environment.
Moreover, the company's approach to brand management allows each brand to develop further, through rigorous marketing strategies, financial control, and operating leverage. Further, given the strength of many of its … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Australian Dollar: Under Pressure

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 08:21 AM PDT

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

Canadian Dollar: The Downside Prevails

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 08:21 AM PDT

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

Corn Futures Rally Despite Bearish USDA Report

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 08:20 AM PDT

Today’s Idea
With Corn futures trading near all-time highs, traders should be prepared for heightened volatility, especially as we enter the summer growing season, when grain “weather” markets can send prices up or down the limit on changes to weather conditions. Some trend-following traders who wish to be long Corn futures but who want to limit their potential risk may wish to explore buying bull call spreads in Corn futures options. For example, with July Corn trading at 774.00 as of this … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Apple To Investigate Verizon Issue

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 08:17 AM PDT

Apple Inc.(NASDAQ:AAPL) was reported to have been receiving complaints that some version of its recently launched iPad 2 was having difficulties in connecting with the Verizon Wireless network, and is thereby investigating the issue. The Verizon Wireless network is a subsidiary of Verizon Communications Inc., (NYSE:VZ) and is co-owned by Vodafone Plc (NYSE:VOD).
Users of iPad 2 for the Verizon Wireless network complained of connectivity issues while logging on to the Verizon 3G network. The iPad 2 was … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Comcast Inks A Deal With Microsoft

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 08:16 AM PDT

The largest cable MSO (multi-service operator) in the U.S, Comcast Corporation's (NASDAQ:CMCSA) subsidiary, thePlatform recently entered into a contract with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT). As per the deal, Microsoft’s PlayReady digital rights management (DRM) and Internet Information Services (IIS) Smooth Streaming technologies will be integrated with thePlatform’s video management system.
Comcast's Xfinity TV service will be the first to use this new streaming service for their subscribers. It … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Earnings Season Now Underway

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 08:16 AM PDT

The fourth quarter earnings season is over, and now the focus turns to the first quarter. While it "officially" kicks off after the bell today when Alcoa (NYSE:AA) reports, we already have 26 (5.2%) first quarter reports in from the S&P 500.

Alcoa, though, like the Master's — is but the first of the majors. It will not be the only one in the early going. We will also hear from Google (NASDAQ:GOOG), J.P. Morgan (NYSE:JPM) and Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) this week. Together, they should provide some … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: Universal Forest

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 08:16 AM PDT

Universal Forest Products Inc. (NASDAQ:UFPI) is slated to release its financial results for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2011 on Wednesday, April 13. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share (EPS) is one cent, which represents a negative annualized growth of 87.50%.
With respect to earnings surprises, over the trailing four quarters, Universal Forest lagged behind the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three quarters, while outperforming only in one quarter. The average earnings … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Regis Reports Weak 3Q Sales

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 08:16 AM PDT

Based in Edina, Regis Corporation (RGS) recently reported its third quarter 2011 revenues of $581 million, down 1.1% year over year in a pre-earnings announcement and also below the Zacks Consensus Sales Estimate of $586 million.  
The same-store sales for the third quarter plummeted 2.3% year over year. Moreover, this rate of decline was higher than the year-ago quarter drop of 1.8% as well as first and second quarter drop of 1.5% and 1.3%, respectively, implying a significant plunge in … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Tax Deadline Approaches: Bring Us Back To 1913

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 08:13 AM PDT

This post has become an annual tradition at CD as the tax deadline approaches.  

Page 1 of the original IRS 1040 income tax form from 1913 appears above. There were only four pages in the original 1040 form, including two pages of worksheets, the actual 1040 form above, and only one page of instructions, view all four pages here. In contrast, just the current 1040 instructions, without any forms, runs 179 pages.

Individual income tax rates started at 1% in 1913, and the maximum … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

TLT: Less Constructive

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 08:12 AM PDT

It was only 10 days ago that I was constructive on i – Shares Lehman 20 plus Year Treasury Fund (symbol: TLT).  However, the technical picture has deteriorated, and the intermarket bond model is starting to weaken.  A full fledged breakdown has yet to occur, but the recent breakout is looking more like a fake out.  And this should be concerning.
 
First the the bad news, and this would be the failed breakout.  Figure 1 is a daily chart of TLT with the on balance volume … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex Trading: GBPUSD Tests The Friday Highs And Finds Some Proft Takers

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 08:04 AM PDT

The GBPUSD held 100 hour MA (blue line in the chart above) on a few occassions today and found dip buyers. There was also support against the upward sloping trendline at the area as well. The move higher took out upside trendline resistance and the pair made it's way to test the high from Friday at the 1.6427 level.   Profit taking sellers came in against the level. The 1.6390-93 level will be close short term support now.

In the UK the CPI for the month of March will be released … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Huge Gender Gaps In Educational Attainment

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 08:04 AM PDT

From a BLS report released in February on “America’s Young Adults at Age 23″:

“At age 23, there is a clear gender gap in educational attainment. While nearly 1 in 4 women had earned a bachelor's degree by the October when they were age 23, only 1 in 7 men had done so (see chart above). Additionally, the same percentage of men and women, 16 percent, were enrolled in college at age 23, so it is unlikely the gap in educational attainment will close in the next few years.”

In other words, at … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Crude Falls From Recent Highs

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 08:00 AM PDT

04/11/11 Front month crude prices managed to fall from recent highs this morning on reports of a Libyan … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – Dollar Holds Modest Gains As Rate View Supports Euro

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 07:51 AM PDT

Forex Pros – The U.S. dollar held onto modest gains against most of its major counterparts on Monday, while the euro remained supported by expectations that the European Central Bank will raise interest rates further this year.<br /><br />During U.S. morning trade, the greenback was up against the euro, with EUR/USD shedding 0.29% to hit 1.4441.<br /><br />But the greenback was lower against the pound, with GBP/USD rising 0.18% to hit 1.6412.<br /><br … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – Pound Steady Against Dollar As U.K. Inflation Data In Focus

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 07:42 AM PDT

Forex Pros – The pound was slightly higher against the U.S. dollar on Monday, trading close to its 15-month high hit on Friday, after a faster-than-expected increase in U.K. producer prices.<br /><br />GBP/USD hit 1.6404 during U.S. morning trade, the daily high; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.6397, easing up 0.08%.<br /><br />Cable was likely to find support at 1.6261, last Thursday&rsquo;s low and short-term resistance at 1.6427, Friday&rsquo;s high … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex Trading: EURUSD Tests Intraday MA And Comes Off In Quiet Trading

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 07:40 AM PDT

The EURUSD range is narrow today. The high comes in at the 1.4482 level. The low has come in at 1.4420.  The 62 pips is low compared to the average true range over the last 14 days which comes in at 119 pips. There is room for the pair to extend the range.
Staying below the 100 and 200 bar MA at the 1.4450-55 level keeps the pressure to the downside today (blue and green line in the chart below).  Look for sellers against this level with a break of the 1.4420 level targeting … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Silver Correction Targets Below 40.85 Are 39.75 And 38.75

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 07:24 AM PDT

Weekly Gold and Silver Outlook: Accelerating Expansion; Repeat of 2010? 4/8
Silver (XAG/USD)
Short to Medium Term
- Silver continued higher to start the week, but reversed those gains in the European session, heading into the US session.
- We are back near where we ended last and started this week.
- The current correction can be seen supported by the 40.85 area. The RSI in the 1H chart still shows strong bullish momentum. But if it breaks below 40, we should expect more than just a minor … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – EUR/USD Slips But Supported By ECB Rate Hike View

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 07:20 AM PDT

Forex Pros – The euro slipped from a 15-month high against the U.S. dollar on Monday, but remained well supported by expectations for further euro zone interest rate increases this year after the European Central Bank hiked rates last week.<br /><br />EUR/USD hit 1.4421 during U.S. morning trade, the daily low; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.4451, shedding 0.22%.<br /><br />The pair was likely to find support at 1.4290, Friday&rsquo;s low and short-term … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Option Flexibility Allows Traders To Adjust Positions As Market Changes

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 07:18 AM PDT

"I've been hanging onto nothing when nothing could be worse" Heaven When We're Home The Wailin' Jennys
As an options trader, I continue to be impressed by the wide variety of choices available to modify a trade that is not quite going the way I initially predicted. This approach may be a bit unfamiliar to the trader whose experience has been primarily with trading stocks. The choices for a stock trader are really only two: open or close a position.
The knowledgeable options trader can … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Capita To Boost Health And Government Division With Tribal Asset Deal

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 02:26 AM PDT

Outsourcing and support services group Capita (LON:CPI) has agreed a deal to acquire the health and government divisions of Tribal (LON:TRB) for £15.8 million on a cash-free, debt free basis, including a deferred consideration of up to £2.5 million. Capita said the deal would add further depth and breadth of expertise to its existing services, both for the health market and the wider public sector. Its services include running the NHS Choices programme, occupational health and medical … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Arian Silver Upbeat On Higher Grade Concentrates And New Laboratory At San Jose Mine

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 01:30 AM PDT

Arian Silver (LON:AGQ) , the AIM quoted silver mining company working on projects in the silver belt of Mexico, has boosted its exploration strategy with a new laboratory installed and now operational at its 100%-owned San Jose property in Zacatecas State. The new lab will mean that Arian can significantly speed up the analysis of samples taken from ongoing exploration work on the San Jose Vein. Arian has already produced 200 tonnes of silver concentrate from San Jose since production started … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Stock Investor Sentiment: Is It Time To Bet The Farm?

Posted: 09 Apr 2011 09:22 PM PDT

Investors continue to do what they do best: react to price changes.  Prices are up over the last 3 weeks and as expected, investors have become increasingly bullish.  Is it time to join the party and bet the farm?  Some investors seem to think so.  While it does take bulls to make a bull market, there is no indication at this point that this scenario will unfold.  For now, investor sentiment is neutral and not worthy of betting the farm.

 
The “Dumb Money” … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards
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