Tuesday, April 26, 2011

DailyMarkets.com - Forex – USD/JPY Down On Economic Data

DailyMarkets.com - Forex – USD/JPY Down On Economic Data

Forex – USD/JPY Down On Economic Data

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 05:05 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The U.S. Dollar was lower against the Japanese Yen on Wednesday after the release of Japanese data on Retail Sales.<br/><br/> USD/JPY was trading at 81.48, down 0.09% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 81.27, Tuesday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 82.42, Monday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Earlier in the day, official data showed that Japanese retail sales fell more-than-expected to a seasonally adjusted … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – EUR/USD Up In Asian Trade

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 05:05 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The Euro was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Wednesday.<br/><br/> EUR/USD was trading at 1.4692, up 0.33% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.4494, Tuesday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.4713, Tuesday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the Euro was up against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.18% to hit 0.8902 and EUR/JPY rising 0.23% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Japan’s Retail Sales Fall More-than-expected

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 05:00 PM PDT

Forex Pros – Japanese retail sales fell more-than-expected last month, official data showed on Tuesday.<br/><br/>In a report, the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry said that retail sales fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of -8.5%, from 0.1% in the preceding month.<br/><br/>Analysts had expected retail sales to fall at annual rate of -5.8% last … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

AGL, Nicor Clears Antitrust Hurdle

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 04:35 PM PDT

AGL Resources (AGL), the owner of Atlanta's natural-gas utility, and natural gas distributor Nicor Inc. (GAS) have passed a key milestone on their way to becoming a big new natural gas distributor with the termination of a necessary waiting period under U.S. antitrust rules.  
AGL and Nicor have been told by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission that the waiting period required under the American Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 has ended … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

U.S. Steel Set To Revive

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 04:35 PM PDT

U.S. Steel Corp. (NYSE:X) reported a first quarter 2011 net operating loss of 60 cents per share, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate for a loss of 38 cents .
However, the loss was a huge improvement over the loss of $1.10 per share in the prior-year quarter.
Operational Performance
Revenue in the quarter improved 24.8% year over year to gross $4.9 billion. Results were driven by improved economic conditions and customer demand leading to increased average realized prices, shipments and raw … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: Safeway

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 04:35 PM PDT

Safeway (NYSE:SWY), one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, is expected to report its first quarter of fiscal 2011 results before the market opens on Thursday, April 28, 2011.
The company is expected to earn EPS of 28 cents on revenues of $9.4 billion during the quarter, according to Zacks Consensus Estimates.
Barring the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, Safeway has missed expectations in two of the preceding four quarters and exceeded the expectations in the remaining two … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – USD/JPY Down During Asian Trade

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 04:15 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The U.S. Dollar was lower against the Japanese Yen on Tuesday.<br/><br/> USD/JPY was trading at 81.49, down 0.08% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 81.27, today&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 82.50, Thursday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar was down against the Euro and the British Pound, with EUR/USD gaining 0.25% to hit 1.4681 and GBP/USD rising 0.17% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Raytheon Wins Air Force Contract

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:55 PM PDT

Defense contractor Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) announced that its Raytheon Technical Services Company unit received a contract worth $65 million for the U.S. Air Force Cobra Dane radar systems.
The unit has already started work on the contract from April 1, 2011, and the service contract can continue till December 31, 2015 if all options are exercised by the parties. As per the contract, Raytheon's unit will look after the maintenance, radar sustainment and systems engineering, in addition to … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Alliant Another Contract

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:55 PM PDT

Alliant Techsystems Inc. (NYSE:ATK) has agreed to provide rocket motors for Orbital Science Corporation’s (NYSE:ORB) launch vehicle, which enables NASA to supply cargo to the International Space Station.
The contract is valued at about $57 million.
Under the contract, Alliant will supply the CASTOR 30XL to Orbital for use on its Taurus II commercial launch vehicle. The CASTOR 30XL is an upgraded second stage motor having greater payload capacity than the CASTOR 30A, which is presently used on … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: V.F. Corporation

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:55 PM PDT

V.F. Corporation (NYSE:VFC) is scheduled to release its first-quarter 2011 results on Friday, April 29, 2011.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is pegged at $1.60 per share, representing an estimated year-over-year growth rate of 9.6%.  
Fourth Quarter Performance
V.F. Corporation reported fourth quarter 2010 adjusted earnings of $1.78 per share, striding ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 13 cents. The result also surpassed the $1.62 earned in the prior-year quarter by … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Groupon And Living Social Face Competition

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:55 PM PDT

04/26/11 Discount deal sites are facing increasing competition. Google Offers is a beta version the company’s daily discount service, while Facebook launched its rival … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Development Progressing On Schedule

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:35 PM PDT

Brian Marckx, CFA
On February 4, 2011 we initiated coverage of Verisante Technology, Inc. (V.VRS) with an Outperform rating.  The shares are up over 40% since our initiation but we continue to believe the stock remains significantly undervalued.  We are moving our target price from $2.10 to $2.25 as a result of comp valuations moving higher since our initial report (see our below for free access to our full 21 page report on Verisante which includes our valuation methodology).  … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

U.S. Rig Count Touches 1,800

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:35 PM PDT

In its weekly release, Houston-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. (NYSE:BHI) reported a rise in the U.S. rig count (number of rigs searching for oil and gas in the country), primarily reflecting an increase in the tally of land rigs.
In particular, there were more rigs drilling for oil than gas – the first time this has happened since 1995 – as companies look to capitalize on soaring oil prices. Crude prices continue to march higher and are currently trending at around $111 a … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: Mylan

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:35 PM PDT

Mylan Inc. (NYSE:MYL) is all set to announce its first quarter 2011 results before the opening bell on May 3, 2011.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the first quarter of 2011 is $0.44, representing a year-over-year increase of 22.2%.
The performance of Mylan has fluctuated over the last four quarters. The company surpassed estimates in two of the four quarters of 2010. The generic player missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the second quarter of 2010 and delivered in-line results in the final … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

StanCorp Beats On Top Line

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:35 PM PDT

StanCorp Financial Group (NYSE:SFG) reported first-quarter 2011 earnings of 76 cents per share from continuing operations, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Earnings also fell behind the year-ago result of $1.13. Net income from continuing operations for the quarter was $35.2 million, down 35% from $54.1 million reported in first-quarter 2010.
StanCorp incurred an after-tax net capital loss of $1.5 million or 3 cents per share in the quarter under review. Including the one-time loss, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

FDA Nods For Boston’s Ion Stent

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:35 PM PDT

Leading medical devices player Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Ion paclitaxel-eluting platinum chromium coronary stent system.
Along with approval, the company also announced the launch of the product in the US. This will be a major boost for Boston Scientific's biggest segment, Cardiovascular, which has been recording lower sales in the last few quarters.
Outside the US, the Ion stent is commercialized as the Taxus Element … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – NZD/USD Up In Asian Trade

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:35 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The New Zealand Dollar was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Tuesday.<br/><br/> NZD/USD was trading at 0.8069, up 0.29% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 0.7966, Thursday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 0.8074, today&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the New Zealand Dollar was up against the Australian Dollar and down against the Euro, with AUD/NZD shedding 0.001% to hit 1.3378 and EUR/NZD rising 0.24% … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

The Day Ahead: Earnings – Boeing, BP, ConocoPhillips, Corning, Credit Suisse, EBay, Northrop Grumman, Starbucks; US Durable Goods, EIA Oil Inventories

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 10:20 AM PDT

04/26/11 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 Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Hot Option Plays: Waiting For Big Ben To Chime In

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:18 PM PDT

Cusick’s Corner
The market did grind into the close but could not hold the highs – the NAZ and the S&P are at levels that we haven’t seen in years. While the earnings data was still strong, the market is waiting for the FOMC meeting tomorrow that will be followed by Bernanke’s Q&A session. At this time the market is concerned with how long growth and rising inflation can continue to co-exist, plus which one will blow upside first. Traders and investors will be listening for any … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

BUY GPL At $3.26

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:06 PM PDT

Well, I could not resist.  I finally broke down and bought a new mining position.  For several days I had been short the US Dollar with futures contracts, but covered them early this morning.  Flush with more cash I guess I just got back into the buying mood.

Click on the chart to ENLARGE

This is a daily chart of Great Panther Silver (GPL) which I bought for $3.26 today. If you are wondering which True Strength Index (TSI) indicator buy signal I used to make this purchase, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Analyst Interviews: Aerospace & Defense Overview

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:01 PM PDT

OVERVIEW
 
The growth of the Aerospace and Defense industry depends largely on the spending outlook of government departments, with the U.S. defense budget being the primary driver. The U.S. is the world's largest aerospace and defense market, and also home to the world's largest military budget.

In 2010, the total global defense expenditure of $1.6 trillion grew 1.3% from 2009 levels in real terms. The majority of this growth came from the U.S. Defense spending, which was $698 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

ITW’s 1Q Surpasses Zacks Estimate

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:01 PM PDT

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW) reported first quarter 2011 earnings per share from continuing operations of 91 cents, up 30% year over year.
The result was also above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 84 cents and management's guidance range of 81-87 cents.
The reported quarter’s earnings excluded 33 cents of one-time benefit related to the settlement of an Australian tax case in the first quarter of 2011.
Revenue
Operating revenue in the first quarter increased 17.4% to $4,387.6 million, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Unisys Reports Wider Loss

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:01 PM PDT

Unisys Corporation (NYSE:UIS) reported a first quarter loss of $40.8 million or $0.95 per share for the first quarter of 2011, compared to a net loss of $11.6 million or $0.27 in the year-ago quarter.
The net loss included a previously announced charge of $31.8 million related to debt reduction.
Excluding this charge, the net loss came in at $0.21, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate for a loss of $0.10.
Unisys reported revenues of $911 million, down 7% year over year. The decline in revenues … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Jamba Juice Enters The Philippines

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:01 PM PDT

Jamba Inc. (NASDAQ:JMBA) recently signed a long-term development agreement with Max's Group of Companies to expand in the Philippines.
Per the deal, Max's Group will develop 40 Jamba Juice restaurants in that country over the next 10 years, through the franchising method. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. The first Jamba Juice location in the Philippines is slated to open in late 2011.
Max's Group of Companies boasts of local market knowledge and runs three brands in the Philippines, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: Equinix

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:01 PM PDT

Equinix Inc. (NASDAQ:EQIX) is scheduled to announce its first quarter 2011 results on April 27, 2011, after the market closes. We see limited revisions in analyst estimates at this point.
Fourth Quarter Overview
Equinix' fourth quarter revenue increased 42.0% from the year-ago period on strong demand across international markets, interconnection growth, significant pickup in cross-connects, exchange ports and traffic on switches.
However, net income per share plunged 29.5% year over year to 31 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

General Dynamics Wins $2.5B Deal

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:01 PM PDT

General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD), was awarded an Operations, Planning, Training and Resource Support Services (OPTARSS) II contract by the U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM).
If all options are exercised, the five-year, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity, multiple-award contract will be worth $2.5 billion.
OPTARSS II is a master, indefinite delivery indefinite quantity multiple award task order contract, and is structured to … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Rules Of Gramar: Insterments Of White Opresion?

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:01 PM PDT

“After spending four depressing days this month at a meeting of 3,000 writing teachers in Atlanta, I can tell you that their parent group, the Conference on College Composition and Communication, is not really interested  in teaching students to write and communicate clearly.  The group's agenda, clear to me after sampling as many of the meeting's 500 panels as I could, is devoted to disparaging grammar, logic, reason, evidence and fairness as instruments of white oppression. They … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Robert Auerbach Unloads On The Federal Reserve

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:00 PM PDT

Tomorrow may be a truly special day in the history of our country's financial hierarchy. The normally secretive institution known as the Federal Reserve led by current chair Ben Bernanke will host a live press conference shortly after the Fed Board of Governors exits from its regularly scheduled meeting addressing our nation's economy and the Fed's current monetary policy.
Will Bernanke surprise the markets and announce a continuation of the Fed's asset bubbling, commodity inflating … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Health Management’s 1Q Mixed

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 02:37 PM PDT

Health Management Associates (NYSE:HMA), a leading operator of general acute care hospitals, reported first-quarter fiscal 2011 earnings per share of 22 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimates by a penny and surpassing the year-ago earnings of 19 cents. Net income surged 18% year over year to $55.5 million on the heels of higher revenues.
Revenues
Revenues climbed 12.7% year over year to $1,433.6 million, but missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1456 million. Sales were driven by higher … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Other Voices

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 02:37 PM PDT

In a continuing effort to provide words of wisdom from beyond the walls of Zacks, here are a few things that I think people should find interesting. The views expressed in the articles are not always shared by either myself or Zacks, but I do find them thought-provoking. Because the first linked post is very lengthy, I have only included three posts in Today's "Other Voices."

Time to Wake Up

In a long but very insightful article, Jeremy Grantham of Grantham Mayo van Otterloo (GMO), a … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: NCR Corp.

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 02:25 PM PDT

NCR Corp. (NCR) is scheduled to release its first quarter 2011 results on April 28, 2011 and we do not see too much variation in the analysts' estimates at this point.
Fourth Quarter Recap
The company reported fourth quarter 2010 earnings per share (EPS) of 55 cents, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 51 cents.
NCR delivered 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 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

AK Steel EPS Rises Four-Fold

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 02:25 PM PDT

AK Steel Holding Corporation (NYSE:AKS) posted its first quarter results delivering an EPS of 8 cents compared with 2 cents during the year-ago quarter and striding ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of a cent.
Net sales as reported by the company were $1,581.1 million on the shipments of 1,423,100 tons versus $ 1,405.7 million and  1,385,800 tons in the prior-year quarter. It however, missed the Zacks Estimate of $1,609 million. The improvement in the shipments was mainly due to … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Unisys Reports A Wider Loss

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 02:25 PM PDT

Unisys Corporation (NYSE:UIS) reported a first quarter loss of $40.8 million or $0.95 per share for the first quarter of 2011, compared to a net loss of $11.6 million or $0.27 in the year-ago quarter.
The net loss included a previously announced charge of $31.8 million related to debt reduction.
Excluding this charge, the net loss came in at $0.21, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate for a loss of $0.10.
Unisys reported revenues of $911 million, down 7% year over year. The decline in revenues … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

AGCO Books Robust 1st Quarter

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 02:25 PM PDT

Adjusted EPS at AGCO Corporation (AGCO), for the first quarter of 2011, was 81 cents, almost seven times the EPS of 12 cents in the year-ago quarter. AGCO's EPS in the quarter breezed past the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 37 cents by a considerable 44 cents.
The outperformance was driven by sales growth across all segments and improved gross margins resulting from production increases in Europe and North America, and a richer product mix, partially offset by higher material costs.
In the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

FMC Technologies Wins HMDC Contract

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 02:25 PM PDT

Oil drilling equipment maker FMC Technologies Inc. (NYSE:FTI) entered into a manufacture and supply contract with Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. ("HMDC").
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Per the terms of the contract, FMC Technologies has the provision to supply up to six subsea injection trees and wellheads, one manifold and associated control systems to the Hibernia Southern Extension Project. FMC will manufacture all the equipment at its plants in St. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

UPS Tops, Ups Guidance

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 02:07 PM PDT

Before the opening bell, United Parcel Services (NYSE:UPS), the world’s largest package delivery company, reported first quarter 2011 adjusted earnings of 88 cents per share surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 85 cents. Earnings per share showed a substantial 24% growth from 71 cents in the year-ago quarter.
Despite steeply rising fuel prices and challenging weather conditions, United Parcel produced encouraging first quarter results driven by strong revenues across all segments. Total … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Waters Outpaces Estimate

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 02:07 PM PDT

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) released first-quarter 2011 earnings per share from continuing operation of $1.01, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 94 cents.
Earnings also increased by 27.8% from 79 cents in the first quarter of 2010.
Revenue
On the top line, WAT reported total revenue of $428 million for the first quarter, up 16% year over year. Foreign currency translation added 2% to sales. The company benefited from rapid acceptance by customers of new system offerings, a blooming … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Amazon Posts Big Earnings Miss

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 02:06 PM PDT

Today after the closing bell, Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) posted mixed results for its fiscal 1st quarter 2011. Quarterly revenues of $9.86 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.5 billion, but EPS missed badly — 44 cents per share as opposed to the 60 cents per share in the Zacks Consensus.

This marks the first negative earnings surprise for Amazon.com since the 2nd quarter of 2010. But today’s number was a doozy — a 36.36% negative surprise takes the four-quarter average to -11.59%. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Fundamental Wrap-Up: US Consumer Confidence, Richmond Manufacturing Index, S&P Housing Prices

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 02:03 PM PDT

Conference Board Consumer Confidence Rebounds in April

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The US consumer's mood brightened a bit in April, increasing from 63.8 to 65.4. This index dipped sharply in March when it fell from 72.0 down to 63.4. , as consumers were buttressed by higher gas prices as well as uncertainty emanating from Japan's earthquake, and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

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

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 01:55 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The Euro was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Tuesday.<br/><br/> EUR/USD was trading at 1.4640, up 0.40% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.4494, today&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.4657, 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 0.8884 and EUR/JPY rising 0.07% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: MCO Corp.

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 01:40 PM PDT

A leading provider of credit ratings, research, tools and analysis, Moody's Corp. (NYSE:MCO), is scheduled to release its first quarter 2011 results before the market opens on April 27, 2011.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the first quarter is pegged at 53 cents, up 12.8% year over year. Moody's posted an average earnings surprise of 16.98% in the trailing four quarters, implying that it has surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a like amount in the trailing four quarters.
Fourth Quarter … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Hospira Beats, Backs Outlook

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 01:40 PM PDT

Hospira Inc. (NYSE:HSP) reported earnings per share of 93 cents for the first quarter of 2011, well above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 79 cents. Earnings benefited from strong US sales of the generic version of Sanofi Aventis' (NYSE:SNY) cancer drug Taxotere which was launched in March 2011.
Results were however 1 cent below the year-earlier earnings of 94 cents due to difficult year-over-year comparisons. Earnings in the prior-year quarter were boosted by strong margin contribution from US … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: Zimmer Holdings

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 01:40 PM PDT

Zimmer Holdings (ZMH) is scheduled to release its first quarter of fiscal 2011 earnings on Thursday, April 28, 2011 before the market opens.
The company is expected to earn $1.12 per share on revenues of $1,093 million for the quarter, according to the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Previous-Quarter Highlights
Zimmer Holdings reported EPS of 18 cents during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, 76% lower than 74 cents in the year-ago quarter. However, after considering certain adjustments, the EPS was … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

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

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 01:40 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The U.S. Dollar was lower against the Japanese Yen on Tuesday.<br/><br/> USD/JPY was trading at 81.55, down 0.35% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 81.49, today&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 82.50, Thursday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar was down against the Euro and up against the British Pound, with EUR/USD gaining 0.39% to hit 1.4638 and GBP/USD falling 0.14% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

UPSTops, Ups Guidance

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 01:38 PM PDT

Before the opening bell, United Parcel Services (NYSE:UPS), the world’s largest package delivery company, reported first quarter 2011 adjusted earnings of 88 cents per share surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 85 cents. Earnings per share showed a substantial 24% growth from 71 cents in the year-ago quarter.
Despite steeply rising fuel prices and challenging weather conditions, United Parcel produced encouraging first quarter results driven by strong revenues across all segments. Total … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Results Strong For AutoNation In 1Q

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 01:38 PM PDT

AutoNation Inc. (NYSE:AN) reported net income of $70.3 million or 46 cents per share from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2011, compared with $58.8 million or 34 cents in the year-ago period.
The company also exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 43 cents.
Total revenues amounted to $3.31 billion, up 16.5% from $2.84 billion last year led by massive improvements in new and used retail vehicle sales. Reported revenues also crossed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.23 billion. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

ITW’s 1Q Surpasses Zacks Estimate

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 01:37 PM PDT

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW) reported first quarter 2011 earnings per share from continuing operations of 91 cents, up 30% year over year.
The result was also above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 84 cents and management's guidance range of 81-87 cents.
The reported quarter’s earnings excluded 33 cents of one-time benefit related to the settlement of an Australian tax case in the first quarter of 2011.
Revenue
Operating revenue in the first quarter increased 17.4% to $4,387.6 million, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Closing Bell Market Monitor: KO, X, AKS, F

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 01:30 PM PDT

04/26/11 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 Balance Transfer Credit Cards

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

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 01:25 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The Euro was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Tuesday.<br/><br/> EUR/USD was trading at 1.4638, up 0.39% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.4494, today&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.4657, today&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the Euro was up against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.52% to hit 0.8884 and EUR/JPY rising 0.06% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

U.S. Markets Close Higher; Dow Jones Up 0.93%

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 01:10 PM PDT

Forex Pros – U.S. stocks were up after the closing bell on Tuesday.<br/><br/> At the close of U.S. trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.93%, the S&P 500 index gained 0.90%, while the Nasdaq 100 index climbed 0.52%.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, European stock markets closed higher. France&rsquo;s CAC 40 was up 0.58%; Germany&rsquo;s DAX gained 0.84%; Britain&rsquo;s FTSE 100 climbed 0.85%; and the EURO STOXX 50 rose … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Lorillard Sells More Cigarettes At Higher Prices

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 08:00 AM PDT

04/26/11 Lorillard Inc.’s 1Q net income rose 7% on improved cigarette sales at higher … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Protect Your Credit When Illness Strikes In Raleigh

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:57 PM PDT

Hector just got the bad news.  Nicole was very sick.  They were about to be buried in medical debt.  How do you protect your credit when illness strikes?
Gary had experienced a similar situation.  Hector approached his good friend for advice. Prepare yourselves Gary explained.  Gary had not been prepared and he paid the price.  You'll be concerned about Nicole.  The last thing you want to deal with is the money, but you must be ready.  You will simply … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

American Capital Misses Estimates

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:55 PM PDT

American Capital Agency Corp. (NASDAQ:AGNC), a real estate investment trust (REIT) that focuses on investments in mortgage pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), reported earnings of $1.48 per share during first quarter 2011, compared to $2.13 in the year-earlier quarter. Excluding one-time items, recurring net income for the reported quarter was $1.30 per share. The recurring earnings for first quarter 2011 missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6 cents.
The company … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Ensco Lags EPS, Tops Revenue

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:55 PM PDT

Ensco plc (NYSE:ESV) reported first quarter 2011 earnings of 45 cents per share from continuing operations. Result came in well below the year-ago quarter's earnings of $1.12 per share and missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 47 cents, mainly due to lower dayrates and utilization.
Ensco's total revenue was $361.5 million in the reported quarter, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $359 million but 19% below the year-ago quarter's revenue of $448.6 million.
Segment Performance
Jackup: … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Arch Coal Beats, Raises Outlook

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:55 PM PDT

Coal producer Arch Coal Inc. (NYSE:ACI) reported net adjusted earnings of 36 cents per share for the first quarter 2011, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4 cents.
The quarterly result also handsomely surpassed the year-ago quarter earnings by 33 cents.
GAAP net earnings during the quarter were 34 cents per share versus a loss of 1 cent in the year-ago quarter. The difference between GAAP and operating earnings was a 3 cent impact relating to non-cash amortization of acquired coal supply … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Cummins Beats On Higher Sales

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:55 PM PDT

Cummins Inc.'s (NYSE:CMI) net income for the first quarter of 2011 was $343 million or $1.75 per share, rising significantly from the year-ago net income of $149 million or 75 cents per share. Reported earnings per share also exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.44.
Besides, Cummins had Earnings before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) of $532 million (13.8% of sales), up from $266 million (10.7% of sales) in the first quarter of 2010. Reported EBIT in 2010 first quarter excluded a one-time gain … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Office Depot Misses Estimate

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:55 PM PDT

Office Depot Inc. (NYSE:ODP) recently posted break-even first-quarter 2011 results, which fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 2 cents and plunged 100.0% from the prior-year quarter.  
On a reported basis, including one-time items, Office Depot delivered a loss of 5 cents per share, compared with 7 cents in the year-ago quarter.
Office Depot's total revenue of $2,973.0 million fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,979.0 million and dropped 3.2% from the prior-year … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

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

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:45 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The British Pound was lower against the U.S. Dollar on Tuesday.<br/><br/> GBP/USD was trading at 1.6479, down 0.12% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.6389, Thursday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.6599, Thursday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the British Pound was down against the Euro and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.52% to hit 0.8884 and GBP/JPY falling 0.47% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Linear Beats, Outlook Encouraging

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:38 PM PDT

Linear Technology (NASDAQ:LLTC) reported third quarter earnings of 61 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus by 5 cents. Earnings declined 2.0% sequentially, while increasing 38.1% year over year.
Linear cautioned investors about uncertainties related to Japan, which accounts for around 15% of Linear's revenue. Although the last quarter was not severely impacted, management stated that customers were beginning to get concerned about supplies out of Japan, which could negatively impact Linear's … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Lockheed Strikes Better, Guides Up

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:38 PM PDT

World's largest stand-alone defense contractor,Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) started fiscal 2011 with a bang. The company posted first-quarter 2011 operating earnings of $1.55 per share, beating both the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.51 and year-ago quarterly earnings of $1.38 by margins of 4 cents and 17 cents, respectively.
On a reported basis, Lockheed Martin clocked per share earnings of $1.50 versus $1.41 in the year-ago quarter. The variance of 5 cents between reported and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Waddell & Reed Reports In Line

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:38 PM PDT

Waddell & Reed Financial Inc.'s (NYSE:WDR) first quarter 2011 earnings came in at 53 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This compares favorably with earnings of 42 cents in the prior-year quarter.
Results benefited primarily from improved gross sales across almost all Waddell & Reed's revenue channels, robust revenues, stronger growth in assets under management and an improved operating margin. These positives were offset by higher redemptions and increased … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Stock Market Summary For Tuesday, April 26, 2011 Special Alert CSCO

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:20 PM PDT

We are going to remove at the intra-day price of $17.60 the position in Cisco Systems (symbol: CSCO) added to the watch list on Thursday, April 14, 2011. This position in CSCO was added at $17.12. While on the watch list this position in CSCO returned 2.8% in 12 days. We have one position in CSCO remaining on the watch … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex Trading: EURUSD:A Late Afternoon Break To The Upside.

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:19 PM PDT

The EURUSD is making a late afternoon push to the upside after failing to break below the 100 bar MA.  The MA has held a number of times, providing low risk trading opportunity. Getting through the 1.4642-56 level is  the next … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

The Wageless Recovery

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:11 PM PDT

This week's biggest economic show occurs tomorrow (Wednesday) when Fed chair Ben Bernanke steps in front of the cameras for the Fed's first-ever news conference. The question on everyone's mind: Will the Fed signal it's now more worried about inflation than recession?
Much of Wall Street thinks inflation is now the biggest threat to the US economy. As has been the case in the past, the Street is dead wrong. The biggest threat is falling into another recession.
The most significant … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – USD/CAD Down In U.S. Trade

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:10 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The U.S. Dollar was lower against the Canadian Dollar on Tuesday.<br/><br/> USD/CAD was trading at 0.9527, down 0.18% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 0.9454, Thursday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 0.9562, today&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar was down against the Euro and up against the British Pound, with EUR/USD gaining 0.37% to hit 1.4635 and GBP/USD falling 0.15% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

For Sierra Monitor Cisco EnergyWise Could Be A Game Changer

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:05 PM PDT

Ken Nagy, CFA
For Sierra Monitor Cisco EnergyWise Could be a Game Changer

Sierra Monitor Corporation (SRMC) designs and develops hazardous gas monitoring devices for the protection of personnel and facilities in industrial work places. Through its subsidiary FieldServer Technologies the firm has branched into protocol translation technology, which enables machine to machine (M2M) communication in energy and building automation applications. This high growth business should complement the gas … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Merck: Earnings Preview

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:05 PM PDT

Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is all set to announce its first quarter 2011 results on April 29, 2011, before the opening bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is $0.84 per share, representing a year-over-year increase of 1.2%. Merck has been surpassing earnings estimates consistently in the last four quarters with a trailing four-quarter average of 6.0%. Merck is expected to report in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the first-quarter of 2011.
Fourth Quarter 2010 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Roper Reports Strong 1Q

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:05 PM PDT

Roper Industries Inc. (NYSE:ROP) posted strong first quarter 2011 earnings per share (EPS) of 91 cents, up 46.8% year over year and surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 87 cents.
The reported EPS also beat management's guided range of 83 to 87 cents. The strong results were primarily driven by solid revenue growth and margin expansion in the quarter.
Operating Performance
Net income increased 49.0% year over year to $89.0 million in the quarter, with net margin climbing 260 basis points … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Encouraging Data On Remoxy

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:05 PM PDT

Pain Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:PTIE) recently presented top-line data on its pain candidate Remoxy from an abuse liability study.
"Drug Liking" Lower in Remoxy Arm
The double blind, placebo and active-controlled, six-way crossover study was conducted to evaluate the abuse potential of Remoxy. Results showed that "drug liking" was significantly lower in the Remoxy 40 mg (whole) arm compared to oxycodone ER 40 mg (whole) or oxycodone IR 40 mg.
Pain Therapeutics also said that "drug liking" … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Recovery Watch: Leading Indexes And Shipping Rise

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:03 PM PDT

1. Leading economic indexes for February increased in Spain (0.1%), China (0.3%) and France (0.5%).

2. In shipping news for March, the Port of Galveston reported its highest monthly tonnage in 11 years, container volume handled by the Port of Charleston increased 5.7% from a year earlier, and the volume of containers handled by the Port of Savannah increased 4.5% in from the same month last … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex Trading: GBPUSD: Bulls And Bears Fight It Out

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 11:56 AM PDT

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

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 11:45 AM PDT

Forex Pros – The Euro was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Tuesday.<br/><br/> EUR/USD was trading at 1.4632, up 0.35% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.4494, today&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.4657, today&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the Euro was up against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP gaining 0.46% to hit 0.8879 and EUR/JPY rising 0.14% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Botswana Central Bank Holds Bank Rate At 9.5%

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 11:44 AM PDT

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Botswana announced the bank rate would remain unchanged at 9.5%.  The Bank said: “The latest forecast, therefore, indicates that inflation will converge to the 3 – 6 percent medium- term objective range in the second half of 2012.”  Botswana recorded inflation of 8.5% in both March and February, up from 7.9% in January, and above the central bank’s target, according to the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards
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