Friday, July 29, 2011

DailyMarkets.com - Monetary Policy Week In Review – 30 July 2011

DailyMarkets.com - Monetary Policy Week In Review – 30 July 2011


Monetary Policy Week In Review – 30 July 2011

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 04:16 PM PDT

The week in monetary policy saw 8 central banks announcing interest rate decisions.  Of those that changed rates were: India +50bps to 8.00%, Nigeria +75bps to 8.75%, and Colombia +25bps to 4.50%.  Meanwhile those that held monetary policy interest rates unchanged were: Israel 3.25%, Hungary 6.00%, New Zealand 2.50%, Kenya 6.25%, and the Philippines 4.50%.  Other than interest rates, the Philippines raised its required reserve ratio by 100 basis points to 21%, and Turkey dropped … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Montpelier Bottom Line Lags

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 03:35 PM PDT

Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:MRH) reported second quarter 2011 operating of 8 cents per share, much lower than the Zacks Consensus estimate of 45 cents. Results were way behind earnings of $1.00 in the year ago quarter. Operating income was $5.2 million, plummeting from $72.5 million in the second quarter of 2010.
The quarter suffered largely due to catastrophe losses, resulting from tornado activity in the United States in April and May, lower investment income and higher operating expenses. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Not The Only Debt Mess

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 03:28 PM PDT

If you want to keep up-to-date tabs on how much cash the U.S. Treasury has (left), click here:
Are We Broke Yet?
(Hat tip to Paul Kedrosky)
But if you want a (scary) picture of another big debt mess, look here:

(Chart courtesy … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


One Chart To Explain The Entire Financial Crisis

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 03:24 PM PDT

The chart above appeared on this recent CD post showing the close historical relationship between: a) the U.S. homeownership rate, and b) the share of mortgages for home purchases with a 3% down payment or less (97% loan-to-value ratio or higher), especially starting in about 1995 when they both increased sharply.

At a recent post at the SayAnythingBlog, Donny Baseball writes that if you had to look at just one chart to understand the entire financial crisis, it would be the chart … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Synovus Trims Losses Significantly

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 03:15 PM PDT

Synovus Financial Corp. (NYSE:SNV) reported second-quarter 2011 loss attributable to common shareholders of 6 cents per share, a significant improvement from the loss of 36 cents per share reported in the year-ago quarter and 9 cents in the prior quarter. Moreover, the quarter's earnings were in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Including $3.1 million of restructuring charges, net loss attributable to common shareholders was $53.5 million or 7 cents per common share.
Operating net loss … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Earnings Preview: Earnings Season Peaks

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 03:10 PM PDT

Earnings Preview 7/29/11

The market will be very busy next week digesting earnings reports. There will be 1,009 firms reporting, and 108 of those are in the S&P 500. By next Friday afternoon, almost 85% of the S&P 500 will have reported.

So far, earnings season has been very strong with over four times as many S&P 500 firms reporting positive surprises than have disappointed. The firms reporting next week include: Allstate (NYSE:ALL), Archer Daniels Midland (NYSE:ADM), Duke Power … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Costs Spoil Merck KGaA’s EPS

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 03:05 PM PDT

Merck KGaA's (MKGAF) second quarter 2011 results fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate on all fronts, although it reported higher year-over-year revenues.
Earnings per share for the second quarter 2011 came in at $1.32, substantively below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.62 and the year-ago earnings of $2.07. Higher operating expenses washed down the gains in revenues to drag the earnings lower.
Revenues for the reported quarter climbed 22.1% to $3,584.7 million, driven primarily by … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Abaxis Misses, Margins Fall

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 03:05 PM PDT

Abaxis Inc. (NASDAQ:ABAX) reported first quarter 2012 EPS of 10 cents, 37.5% down from the year-ago quarter EPS as well as the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 16 cents.
The decline in EPS was partly driven by an increase in share count from 22,750,000 in year-ago quarter to 23,095,000 in the reported quarter. Effective tax rate in the quarter was 37% compared with 39% in the previous-year quarter.
Net sales during the quarter budged up 3% year over year to $36 million, but missed the Zacks Consensus … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


McKesson Impresses, Ups View

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 03:05 PM PDT

McKesson Corp.'s (NYSE:MCK) first quarter fiscal 2012 earnings of $1.27 per share (excluding special items) outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 13 cents and the year-ago earnings by 11 cents. Higher revenues and lower share count helped boost earnings.
Revenues for the quarter climbed 9% to $30.0 billion, inching ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $29.0 billion. Strong performance of the two segments of the company, aided by the acquisition of US Oncology, led the revenues … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


TGI Outshines, Sharpens Outlook

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 02:35 PM PDT

On July 28, Triumph Group Inc. (NYSE:TGI) reported encouraging results for the first quarter of fiscal 2012. First-quarter earnings per diluted share came in at $1.00 excluding Vought acquisition expense, showing an improvement from 66 cents in the year-ago comparable quarter. Results also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 85 cents
The improvement was attributable to increased year-over-year revenue growth, supported by operating income and margin expansion across all business segments. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Genworth Stumbles On Mortgage Loss

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 02:35 PM PDT

Genworth Financial Inc. (NYSE:GNW) reported its second quarter operating loss of 15 cents per share, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 3 cents. Results were way behind 24 cents earned in the last year. Operating loss for the quarter stood at $74 million, compared with the operating profit of $118 million in the year-ago period.
A substantially higher year-over-year loss at the U.S. Mortgage Insurance segment, partially offset by better results at Retirement & Protection and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Closing Bell Market Monitor: CVX, HPQ, MRK, YHOO

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 02:28 PM PDT

07/29/11 US stocks fell as debt talks stalled in Washington, D.C. The Dow slid over 4% for the week, and lost 2.2% for … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Hot Option Plays: Watch Ex-Dividends

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 02:17 PM PDT

Cusick’s Corner
I am going to change gears and not talk about the Debt debate but focus on the upcoming ex-dividend calendar. Those of you who are dividend traders, yield players (i.e. covered calls/call credit spreads), you need to stay on top of these dates. For the stock trader you need to know this date because you need to own the stock the day before the ex-date. For the credit strategist you need to be aware because if you write premium and the options you sold are expiring in the month … [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: 29 Jul 2011 02:10 PM PDT

Forexpros – The Euro was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Friday after the release of U.S. data on GDP.<br/><br/> EUR/USD was trading at 1.4397, up 0.44% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.4230, today&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.4536, Wednesday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Earlier in the day, preliminary official data showed that Gross domestic product in the U.S. rose less-than-expected to a seasonally adjusted … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


France Telecom Posts A Mixed Bag 2Q

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 02:07 PM PDT

France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) reported second quarter 2011 consolidated revenue of €22.569 billion ($32.47 billion), up 1.3% year over year. Excluding regulatory measures, revenues nudged up 0.3% year over year on the back of strong adoption of smartphones and broadband market share gains.
The year-over-year growth was restricted by crises in Egypt and Côte d'Ivoire and a VAT raise in France from January 2011.
Adjusted EBITDA dropped 5.9% to €3.879 billion ($5.22 billion), resulting in EBITDA … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Affymetrix Cuts Losses In 2Q

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 02:07 PM PDT

Genetic products maker Affymetrix Inc's (NASDAQ:AFFX) second-quarter fiscal 2011 loss per share of 5 cents was a shade above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 4 cents, but below the year-ago loss per share of 8 cents. The California-based company's losses trimmed 33% year over year to $3.7 million as lower costs more than offset the decline in sales.  
Revenues
Revenues dipped 9.8% year over year to $64.7 million, essentially in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Sales were … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Eastman Reports Record Earnings

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 02:07 PM PDT

Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) reported second-quarter earnings of $2.76 per share, compared with $1.95 per share, a year earlier and beat the Zacks Consensus estimate of $2.60 per share.
Including a $15 million gain in second quarter 2011 from the sale of previously impaired methanol assets in Beaumont, Texas, and $3 million of restructuring charges in second quarter 2010, earnings from continuing operations were $2.90 per diluted share in the reported quarter  versus $1.92 per diluted … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Westamerica Sanctions Buyback

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 02:07 PM PDT

Westamerica Bancorp. (NASDAQ:WABC) announced that its board of directors has authorized a new share repurchase program, under which the company will be able to repurchase up to 2 million common shares through September 1, 2012.
The recent buyback program represents about 7% of Westamerica's stock outstanding as of June 30, 2011. It will allow the company to repurchase common stock through the open market or privately held negotiations.
Earlier on August 26, 2010, Westamerica's board of directors … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


MetLife Growth On Track With ALICO

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 02:07 PM PDT

MetLife Inc. (NYSE:MET) reported second quarter operating earnings per share of $1.24, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.11 per share and $1.10 per share in the year-ago quarter. Operating earnings jumped 45% year over year to $1.33 billion from $914 million in the year-ago period.
During the reported quarter, operating earnings per share were adversely impacted by net investment losses of 14 cents and other adjustments of 41 cents. These were partially offset by net derivative gains … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


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

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 02:05 PM PDT

Forexpros – The British Pound was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Friday after the release of U.S. data on GDP.<br/><br/> GBP/USD was trading at 1.6426, up 0.32% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.6262, Monday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.6470, today&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Earlier in the day, preliminary official data showed that Gross domestic product in the U.S. rose less-than-expected to a seasonally … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Trading Weekly Options To Extract Profit From Amazon (AMZN)

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 02:00 PM PDT

Free yourself from the rigid conduct of tradition and open yourself to the new forms of probability.
~ Hans Bender ~
The laws of probability, so true in general, so fallacious in particular.
~ Edward Gibbon ~
One of the things an option trader must keep in mind is to try to match the option strategy to the situation at hand. All of us at times have had the disconcerting situation of having predicted price correctly, but having structured the trade such that the response of the position to a … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


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

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 02:00 PM PDT

Forexpros – The U.S. Dollar was lower against the Japanese Yen on Friday after the release of U.S. data on GDP.<br/><br/> USD/JPY was trading at 76.76, down 1.19% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 76.74, today&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 78.56, Tuesday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Earlier in the day, preliminary official data showed that Gross domestic product in the U.S. rose less-than-expected to a seasonally … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Central Bank Of Colombia Raises Rate 25bps To 4.50%

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 01:51 PM PDT

The Central Bank of Colombia lifted its benchmark monetary policy interest rate by 25 basis points to 4.50% from 4.25% previously.  The Bank said (translated): “Since March, the average measures of core inflation has been a slight upward trend in June and reached a level close to the midpoint of the target range (3% + / – 1 percentage point).  Inflation expectations at various horizons are also within that range.” and also noted “The increase in the rate of intervention … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


CrowdGather Racks Up A Big Year On The Top-Line

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 01:35 PM PDT

Ken Nagy, CFA

CrowdGather Racks up a Big Year on the Top-Line

CrowdGather, Inc. (CRWG) is an Internet company that specializes in the development and hosting of forum based Web sites. The firm endeavors to monetize a network of online forums and message boards. Forums remain a much undervalued part of the internet pie with $4.5 billion and CrowdGather is the only public company dedicated to monetizing this area.  More page results equate to more revenue as page views have jumped from 12 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Dejour Files Master Development Plan For Gibson Gulch

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 01:35 PM PDT

Steven Ralston, CFA
Dejour files Master Development Plan for Gibson Gulch

Dejour (DEJ) filed a Master Development Plan with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for up to 68 wells from four new well pads on its Gibson Gulch properties in Colorado. The acreage is in close proximity to the producing properties (some within one mile) in the Kokopelli Field owned by Bill Barrett Corporation (BBG:NYSE). Interestingly, Bill Barrett filed its second Master Development Plan (Gibson Gulch II) on July … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


ZOLL Medical Outstrips Estimates

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 01:35 PM PDT

Resuscitation devices maker ZOLL Medical's (NASDAQ:ZOLL) third-quarter fiscal 2011 (ended July 3) earnings per share of 42 cents outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 35 cents and the year-ago earnings of 26 cents. Profit shot up 65% year over year to $9.5 million boosted by solid growth in sales.
Revenues surged 22% year over year to $136.2 million, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $130 million. Growth was led by strong revenues from the company's LifeVest wearable defibrillator and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Revenues Rise At Elan

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 01:35 PM PDT

Elan Corporation's (NYSE:ELN) loss per share of 2 cents (excluding special items) for the second quarter of 2011 was narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate loss of 3 cents.
The company suffered an adjusted loss of approximately 38 cents in the year-ago quarter. The narrower loss was attributable to the higher revenues and lower expenses recorded in the quarter.
Revenues
Second quarter revenues increased 24% to $333.5 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $312 million. The … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Waste Management Misses By A Cent (REVISED)

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 01:35 PM PDT

Waste Management Inc. (NYSE:WM) recorded an increase in profit to 54 cents per share (excluding special items) in the second quarter of the year from 51 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. With this, the company has missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny.
Revenues increased 6% to $3.35 billion from $3.16 billion in the year-ago quarter, driven by higher commodity prices, improving recycling volumes, and collection and disposal yield. It was higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


GATX Performs Below Par

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 01:35 PM PDT

GATX Corporation (NYSE:GMT), a leader in leasing transportation assets, has reported second quarter 2011 adjusted earnings of 43 cents per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 46 cents. The results, however, showed an improvement from adjusted earnings of 39 cents in the year-ago quarter.
Revenue for the second quarter grew 9.2% year over year to $314.6 million and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $314 million aided by improving lease rates and North American fleet … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Hanger EPS In Line, Backs Outlook

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 01:35 PM PDT

Orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) company Hanger Orthopedic's (NYSE:HGR) second-quarter fiscal 2011 adjusted earnings per share of 45 cents were in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate while above the year-ago adjusted earnings of 37 cents. The adjusted earnings exclude the costs associated with the relocation of the company's corporate headquarters.
Profit (as reported) soared 58% year over year to $15.4 million (or 45 cents a share) on the heels of a double-digit growth in the top line. … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


U.S. Markets Close Lower; Dow Jones Down 0.79%

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 01:10 PM PDT

Forexpros – U.S. stocks were down after the closing bell on Friday.<br/><br/> At the close of U.S. trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.79%, the S&P 500 index shed 0.65%, while the Nasdaq 100 index declined 0.38%.<br/><br/> Earlier in the day, preliminary official data showed that Gross domestic product in the U.S. rose less-than-expected to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.3% in the last quarter from 1.9% in the preceding … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


CrowdGather Racks Up A Big Year On The Top-Line

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 01:05 PM PDT

Ken Nagy, CFA

CrowdGather Racks up a Big Year on the Top-Line

CrowdGather, Inc. (CRWG) is an Internet company that specializes in the development and hosting of forum based Web sites. The firm endeavors to monetize a network of online forums and message boards. Forums remain a much undervalued part of the internet pie with $4.5 billion and CrowdGather is the only public company dedicated to monetizing this area.  More page results equate to more revenue as page views have jumped from 12 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


KLA-Tencor Tops Consensus

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 01:05 PM PDT

KLA-Tencor Corporation's (NASDAQ:KLAC) fourth quarter earnings beat the Zacks Consensus by 13 cents, or 9.6%. Revenue was also better than expected, beating the consensus by 2.3%.
The 0.5% decline in share prices was the response to the guidance and would have been more significant if investors were not already expecting a correction.
Revenue
KLA reported revenue of $892.4 million, which was up 7.0% sequentially, 59.5% year over year and within the guided range of $840-900 million. The technical … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Telesp Profits On Vivo Merger

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 01:05 PM PDT

Brazilian telecom carrier Telecomunicacoes de Sao Paulo SA (NYSE:VIV), better known as Telesp, reported second quarter net income of R$1.1 billion ($0.69 million), up 30% year over year. Earnings per ADS came in at $1.02 in the reported quarter.
Telesp merged its fixed-line operations with the mobile service provider Vivo Participacoes in early June. Hence, the second quarter reflects the combined result.
Telesp, the Brazilian subsidiary of Spanish telecom giant Telefonica (NYSE:TEF), reported total … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Newell Rubbermaid Beats But Tempers

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 01:05 PM PDT

Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (NYSE:NWL), the producer of Sharpie pens and Rubbermaid containers, logged a fall of 9.8% in the second quarter of 2011 to report 46 cents a share from 51 cents a share in the year-ago quarter.
Input cost inflation coupled with higher selling, general & administrative (SG&A) expenses offset the positive impact from increased sales volume, favorable pricing and lower interest expense, leading to the earnings fall. Earnings nevertheless outpaced the Zacks Consensus … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Excel Maritime Reports In Line

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 01:05 PM PDT

Yesterday after market close, Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd. (NYSE:EXM), a global dry bulk carrier, declared financial results for the second quarter of 2011, which barely meets the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
GAAP net loss in the second quarter of 2011 was $15.7 million or 19 cents per share compared with a net income of $79.2 million or 95 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. However, quarterly adjusted (excluding special-items) EPS of a loss of 7 cents was exactly in line with the Zacks … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Cabela’s Beats On Bottom Line

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 01:05 PM PDT

Cabela's Inc. (NYSE:CAB), one of the leading specialty retailers of hunting, fishing, camping, and related outdoor merchandise, recently posted solid second-quarter 2011 results.
Strong performance at its retail stores, healthy growth at financial services division and elevated merchandise gross margin enabled the company to deliver quarterly earnings of 32 cents a share, up 14.3% from 28 cents delivered in the prior-year quarter. The quarterly earnings also came ahead of the Zacks Consensus … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


SP500 Critical Support On Weekly Trendline And 200d SMA

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 12:48 PM PDT

I'm one for keeping market structure as simple as possible, and there are two major confluence support levels we need to be watching very closely that have been important market reversal points in the past, and we currently sit atop both of them.
What are they and what do they mean for the current state of the news-driven market?
Let's start first with the intermediate term rising weekly trendline:

The intermediate term (2.5 years) trendline began at 666 with the March 2009 market low and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Forex – EUR/JPY Falls In Late U.S. Trade

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 12:46 PM PDT

Forexpros – The euro was lower against the Japanese yen on Friday dragged down by slumping European stocks and fears of a possible downgrade to Spain&rsquo;s credit rating.<br /><br />EUR/JPY was trading at 110.73 in late U.S. trade, down 0.55%, after reaching a high of 111.56.<br /><br />The pair was likely to find support at 110.70, Thursday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 111.56, the day&lsquo;s high.<br /><br />By the close of Friday trade in … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Wright Beats, Keeps Outlook

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 12:35 PM PDT

Orthopedic devices maker, Wright Medical Group (NASDAQ:WMGI) reported second-quarter fiscal 2011 (excluding one-time items other than stock-based compensation expense) earnings per share of 19 cents, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 17 cents while exceeding the year-ago earnings of 15 cents.
The company posted a net income of $6.1 million (or 16 cents per share) in the reported quarter versus $4.8 million (or 13 cent per share) a year ago. Net income for second-quarter 2011 included the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Read ‘Em & Weep: GDP In Depth, Pt. 1

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 12:35 PM PDT

Second quarter GDP growth came in at just 1.3%. That is far below consensus expectations of 1.7% growth. I had thought the consensus was too high and was penciling in growth of 1.5%. However, the below-expectations print does not even start to describe how bad the report is.

In its annual benchmark revision, the numbers were revised all the way back to 2003. Most notably, there were massive downgrades to the growth in both the first quarter of this year and the fourth quarter of last year.

If … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Read ‘Em & Weep: GDP In Depth, Pt. 2

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 12:35 PM PDT

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a continuation of our recently-published “Read ‘Em & Weep: GDP In Depth, pt. 1.”)

Government Spending
Government spending subtracted 0.23 points to growth in the second quarter, down from a 1.23 (1.20) point drag in the first quarter, and a 0.58 (0.34) point drag in the fourth quarter. I should point out that in the GDP accounts it is only government consumption and investment that is counted as part of G. Transfer payments, such as Social Security, are not … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


TOTAL Lags, Grows On Higher Prices

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 12:05 PM PDT

Integrated oil and gas company TOTAL S.A. (NYSE:TOT) reported second-quarter 2011 operating earnings of $1.78 per share (€1.24 per share), below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.09 per share. Operating earnings in the reported quarter however gained 5.9% from $1.68 per share (€1.32 per share) in the year-ago period.
Total Revenue
Total revenue at the end of second-quarter 2011 was $64.77 billion (€45.0 billion) as against $52.52 billion (€41.33 billion) in the second quarter of 2010. The … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


IPG Misses By A Penny

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 12:05 PM PDT

On July 28, The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc.  (NYSE:IPG) reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2011 with net results improving over the year-ago quarter. The diluted earnings per share were 19 cents in the reported quarter compared with 15 cents per share a year ago. The recorded EPS marginally beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny.
Revenue
Revenue in the second quarter escalated 8.0% year over year to $1,740.7 million, marginally below the Zacks Consensus … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


PPDI Beats Overall

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 12:05 PM PDT

Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc. (NASDAQ:PPDI) reported second quarter 2011 earnings of 41 cents per share, above the year-ago earnings of 18 cents per share as well as the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 38 cents. Earnings growth was driven by higher revenue and reduced research & development (R&D) expenses.
Quarterly revenue of $407.7 million was up 10.2% over the prior-year period and also ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $375 million. Revenue growth was driven by strong … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Forex – USD/JPY Retreats In U.S. Afternoon Trade

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 11:59 AM PDT

Forexpros – The Japanese yen posted gains against the U.S. dollar in afternoon trade Friday, as the U.S. economy reported slow growth and an agreement on a plan to raise the U.S. debt limit remained in limbo..<br /><br />In afternoon U.S. trade USD/JPY was lower by 0.80% to hit 77.07, after reaching a high of 77.87. <br /><br />The pair was likely to find support at 77.03, the day&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 78.87, the day&rsquo;s high.<br /><br … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


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

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 11:45 AM PDT

Forexpros – The Euro was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Friday after the release of U.S. data on GDP.<br/><br/> EUR/USD was trading at 1.4383, up 0.34% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.4230, today&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.4536, Wednesday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Earlier in the day, preliminary official data showed that Gross domestic product in the U.S. rose less-than-expected to a seasonally adjusted … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Forex Trading: EURUSD Consolidating Into The Close

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 11:42 AM PDT

The EURUSD is testing the top trendline of the bull flag as we head into the close. The level comes in at the 1.4394 level currently.  A move above could see a test of the high before days … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Concrete-makers 52-week Low Provokes Contrarian Options Play

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 11:37 AM PDT

Concrete-makers 52-week low provokes contrarian options play
Today's tickers: CX, HTS & HLF
(NYSE:CX) – Cemex Inc. ADR – A lousy U.S. GDP report did little to arouse hopes that the consumer was overcoming the economic malaise, let alone lending a hand to the homebuilding sector. Shares in Cemex, the leading maker of cement across all of the Americas, have been struggling under the burden of a rising debt burden for two-years in hopes of a hint of strengthening revenues resulting from the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


VeriSign Beats, CEO Resigns

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 11:35 AM PDT

VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRSN) reported a net loss of $10.6 million or $0.06 per diluted share compared to a net income of $35.2 million or $0.19 per share in the year-ago quarter.
Excluding one-time items but including stock-based compensation expense, net income came in at $0.32 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.30.
VeriSign reported revenue of $190 million in the second quarter of 2011, up 5% sequentially and up 13% from the year-ago quarter.
In 2010, VeriSign sold the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Omnicell Beats On Both Lines

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 11:35 AM PDT

Omnicell Inc. (NASDAQ:OMCL) reported EPS of 8 cents during the second quarter of fiscal 2011, beating both the Zacks Consensus Estimate and the year-ago quarter EPS of 6 cents.
Revenue in the reported quarter increased 6.6% year over year to $61.0 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $60.0 million. Product revenue, contributing 75.8% of Omnicell's top line, increased 8.5% to $46.2 million in the quarter while revenues from Services and Others (contributing the rest), witnessed a … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Strayer Tops, New Enrollment Falls

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 11:35 AM PDT

Strayer Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:STRA), a for-profit education company, recently posted second-quarter 2011 results. The quarterly earnings of $2.53 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.39 but dropped modestly by 3% from $2.60 in the year-ago quarter, despite witnessing a fall of 17% in net income. Management hinted that the lower share count on account of share buyback cushioned earnings per share.
Total revenue for the quarter grew 3% to $163.8 million from the prior-year quarter, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Portfolio Recovery’s Top Line Soars

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 11:35 AM PDT

Portfolio Recovery Associates Inc.(PRAA) generated second-quarter income from continuing operations of $26.11 million or $1.51 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.42 and the prior-year earnings of $19.5 million or $1.14 per share.
Income for the reported quarter was $25.6 million or $1.48 per share after including $1.2 million or 7 cents per share on account of ongoing non-cash equity-based compensation expense and $0.69 million or 4 cents per share on account of profit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Telefonica Profit Falls, Rev Ups

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 11:35 AM PDT

Spanish telecom giant Telefonica (NYSE:TEF) reported disappointing first half results with earnings per share of €0.70 ($1 per ADS) declining 16.1% year over year.
Net income dropped 16.3% year over year to €3.2 billion ($4.6 billion) due to lingering economic domestic downturn, intense competition and increased operating costs. The customers are switching to cheaper offers from smaller rivals, leading to lower revenues and earnings for the company.
Consolidated revenue rose 6.3% year over … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Lukewarm Quarter For Maxwell Tech

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 11:35 AM PDT

Energy storage and power delivery products maker, Maxwell Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:MXWL) reported second quarter 2011 adjusted earnings of 4 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a penny. Results also beat the year-ago quarterly loss per share of a penny.
On a reported basis the company reported a loss of 4 cents in the reported quarter versus a loss of 10 cents in the year-ago quarter.
Operational Performance
Maxwell Technologies' revenue was $38.46 million in the second … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


RSG Beats, Reaffirms Outlook

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 11:35 AM PDT

Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG) reported fiscal 2011 second quarter results, posting an EPS of 12 cents in the quarter, declining sharply from 42 cents in the year-earlier quarter.
The quarter noted some special items including 32 cents related to a loss on extinguishment of debt and 5 cents pertaining to loss on disposal of assets and impairments. Excluding these items adjusted EPS amounted to 49 cents compared with 43 cents in the year-ago quarter, a penny above the Zacks Consensus … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Hot Option Plays: Bonds Tell The Story

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 11:18 AM PDT

Cusick’s Corner
I wish that the mainstream media would focus on the data that has been coming out and not the debt debate, we know what that debt is and so the market can anticipate the effect. What has not been focused on or talked as much is the recent data, specifically the Orders and GDP-Adv flag potential growth weakness. I mentioned earlier in the week that we have to watch the action in the higher beta Small Caps, IWM below 82, and it has broken support and is increasing in weakness, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Crude Oil Declines On Disappointing U.S. GDP

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 10:58 AM PDT

Forexpros – Crude oil futures moved lower Friday as U.S. economic growth slowed for the quarter and markets remain concerned over wrangling in the U.S. Congress on a resolution to the country&rsquo;s debt ceiling debate.<br /><br />On the New York Mercantile Exchange light, sweet crude futures for September delivery traded at USD95.81 a barrel in mid-day U.S. trade, falling 1.45%, after hitting a daily high of 97.40.<br /><br />Crude futures have posted four … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Suncor Slips On Oil

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 10:55 AM PDT

A premier Canadian integrated energy company, Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU) reported lackluster second quarter 2011 results, bruised by lower volumes, project hindrances along with higher depreciation and impairment.
Earnings per share, excluding certain items, came in at 62 Canadian cents (64 U.S. cents) in the quarter, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 66 cents. On a year-over-year basis, earnings increased 14.8% from 54 Canadian cents.
In the reported quarter, total revenue of C$9.59 billion … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Enbridge Bottom Line Lags, Rev Tops

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 10:55 AM PDT

Enbridge Energy Partners L.P. (NYSE:EEP) has reported second-quarter 2011 adjusted earnings of 32 cents per unit, which came in well below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 39 cents and the year-earlier profit of 43 cents. Results were lower than expected mainly due to higher operating costs in liquids and natural gas segments.
Total revenue in the quarter surged more than 35% year over year to $2.37 billion, faring better than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.11 billion.
Importantly, Enbridge … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Comerica Completes Sterling Buyout

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 10:55 AM PDT

Comerica Inc. (NYSE:CMA) has closed the acquisition of Sterling Bancshares Inc. (SBIB). All of the outstanding shares of common stock of Sterling were acquired by Comerica in a stock-for-stock transaction. The acquired company would augment its growth in Texas with a solid deposit base and well located branch network.
Per the agreement terms, Sterling shareholders received 0.2365 shares of Comerica common stock in exchange for each share of Sterling common stock they owned. Further, fractional … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


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

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 10:45 AM PDT

Forexpros – The New Zealand Dollar was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Friday after the release of U.S. data on Chicago PMI.<br/><br/> NZD/USD was trading at 0.8772, up 0.68% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 0.8614, Monday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 0.8778, today&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Earlier in the day, data showed that The U.S.&rsquo;s Chicago PMI fell more-than-expected to a seasonally adjusted 58.8 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


CrowdGather Racks Up A Big Year On The Top-Line

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 10:35 AM PDT

Ken Nagy, CFA

CrowdGather Racks up a Big Year on the Top-Line

CrowdGather, Inc. (CRWG) is an Internet company that specializes in the development and hosting of forum based Web sites. The firm endeavors to monetize a network of online forums and message boards. Forums remain a much undervalued part of the internet pie with $4.5 billion and CrowdGather is the only public company dedicated to monetizing this area.  More page results equate to more revenue as page views have jumped from 12 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


WY Disappoints, 3Q Outlook Grim

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 10:35 AM PDT

Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE:WY) reported its financial results for the second quarter 2011 on July 29. Earnings per share were 6 cents and excluded 4 cents (or $22 million) of after-tax charges for special items.
This is in comparison with 20 cents earnings reported in the year-ago comparable quarter. The results were also below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 9 cents. Including the one-time gain, reported earnings per share in the quarter were 2 cents.
Adjusted net income in the quarter was $32 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Southwestern Posts Impressive Q2

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 10:35 AM PDT

Southwestern Energy Co. (NYSE:SWN) reported second-quarter 2011 earnings of 48 cents per share, comfortably beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 43 cents and showing a 37% improvement from the year-earlier profit of 35 cents. The improved performance was led by production growth, primarily at its Fayetteville shale operations.
Second-quarter revenues climbed nearly 30% to $765.2 million from the year-ago level of $589.9 million.
Production and Realized Prices
During the reported quarter, the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


DPL Misses, Volume Plays Spoilsport

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 10:35 AM PDT

Diversified energy utility, DPL Inc. (NYSE:DPL) reported second quarter 2011 financial results. Earnings for the quarter were 33 cents per share, below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 52 cents per share and year-ago earnings of 53 cents per share. Lower electricity sales volume impacted earnings.
DPL in April 2011 had agreed to merge with The AES Corporation (NYSE:AES). Per the agreement AES will acquire DPL in a transaction valued at $4.7 billion. On completion, DPL will become a wholly owned … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Revenues Rise At BioMarin

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 10:35 AM PDT

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.'s (NASDAQ:BMRN) second quarter 2011 loss of $0.05 per share was narrower than the Zacks Consensus loss estimate of $0.12 per share. The narrower-than-expected loss was attributable to higher revenues recorded by BioMarin in the second quarter of 2011. The company suffered a loss of $0.01 per share in the year-ago quarter.
Total revenues climbed approximately 20.2% to $110.6 million in the reported quarter. Revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $105 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


U.S. Stocks Falter In Mid-day Trade

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 10:25 AM PDT

Forexpros – U.S. stocks declined&nbsp; Friday following the release of soft economic data and the bleak prospects for a quick resolution to the nation&rsquo;s debt ceiling debate. <br /><br />During mid-day trade the Dow Industrial Average fell 0.52% to 12,175.86, the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 0.18% to 2,764.68, and the S%P 500 surrendered 0.25% to 1,297.36.<br /><br />Before the start of Friday&rsquo;s session, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


“Hopeful…drama Will Come To An End”

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 10:20 AM PDT

07/29/11 Sunrise Securities’ Ben Willis discusses the latest sentiment on the NYSE trading floor ahead of the debt ceiling … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


USD Gives Up Gains, Slides Vs. CHF, JPY

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 05:05 AM PDT

07/29/11 The USD reversed gains against the EUR, and slid to another record low vs. the CHF. Lawmakers in D.C. continued to struggle with a resolution over US debt … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Crude Slips 2% On Growth, Debt Worries

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 10:00 AM PDT

07/29/11 Crude prices tumbled as much as 2% on weaker-than-expected Q2 US GDP figures, and amidst uncertainty over the debt … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


European Markets Close Lower; Dax Down 0.44%

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 09:55 AM PDT

Forexpros – European stocks were down after the closing bell on Friday.<br/><br/> At the close of European trade, Germany&rsquo;s DAX fell 0.44%, London&rsquo;s FTSE 100 shed 0.99%, France&rsquo;s CAC 40 declined 1.07% and the EURO STOXX 50 was down 0.83%.<br/><br/> Earlier in the day, data showed that The U.S.&rsquo;s Chicago PMI fell more-than-expected to a seasonally adjusted 58.8 last month from 61.1 in the preceding … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Forex – EUR/USD Rises In Early U.S. Trade

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 09:27 AM PDT

Forexpros – The euro moved higher against the U.S. dollar Friday, lifted by weaker-than-expected U.S. GDP numbers and the looming deadline for the White House and Congress to come to agreement on raising the nation&rsquo;s debt ceiling.<br /><br />EUR/USD advanced 0.34% to hit 1.4386 during early U.S. trade, after hitting the day&rsquo;s high of 1.4413. <br /><br />The pair was likely to find support at 1.4320, the day&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.4536, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Forex – EUR/USD Rises In Early U.S. Trade

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 09:26 AM PDT

Forexpros – The euro moved higher against the U.S. dollar Friday, lifted by weaker-than-expected U.S. GDP numbers and the looming deadline for the White House and Congress to come to agreement on raising the nation&rsquo;s debt ceiling.<br /><br />EUR/USD advanced 0.34% to hit 1.4386 during early U.S. trade, after hitting the day&rsquo;s high of 1.4413. <br /><br />The pair was likely to find support at 1.4320, the day&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.4536, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


ECRI Had Forecasted GDP Weakness

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 07:14 AM PDT

While economists up and down Wall Street express real surprise at the GDP reports this morning, regular readers of this blog hopefully recall the siren sounded by the Economic Cycle Research Institute in mid-May.
I highlighted the ECRI's warning at that time in writing, ECRI Forecasting Global Economic Slowdown,

The ECRI clearly has a strong pedigree. More importantly the ECRI is not compromised by an existing relationship with a global investment bank or another entity looking to sell … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


Indonesia Igniting Growth

Posted: 28 Jul 2011 10:00 PM PDT

Manufacturing production has been a bright spot for Indonesia. As highlighted in last week's Investor Alert, there's been resilient manufacturing production growth in Indonesia compared to Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. Since 2007, Indonesia's manufacturing production consistently outperformed, expanding 9.1 percent on a year-over-year basis, the fastest rate of growth since February 2008.

Indonesia's multi-year production climb has also been notably different from its … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards


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