Friday, December 16, 2011

DailyMarkets.com - China Sees Weak Auto Sales

DailyMarkets.com - China Sees Weak Auto Sales

China Sees Weak Auto Sales

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 12:05 PM PST

Light vehicle sales in China went up a tad 0.3% to 1.34 million units in November due to an unfavorable year-over-year comparison. Sales were strong in November last year when buyers rushed to showrooms before the end of government tax incentives. Meanwhile, total vehicle sales slid 2.4% from a year earlier to 1.66 million units.
During the first 11 months of the year, passenger car sales inched up 5.3% to 13 million units. However, total vehicle sales, including trucks and buses, increased a … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

FDA Nod For Hologic’s Cervista HTA

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 12:05 PM PST

Hologic (NASDAQ:HOLX) has strengthened its molecular diagnostic portfolio with approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Cervista HTA (high throughput automation) system. With this approval, Cervista HTA will be used with the company's Cervista HPV HR test, which can detect 14 high risk types of HPV that are associated with cervical cancer and precancerous lesions.
The Cervista HTA system automates the DNA extraction and detection steps of the Cervista HPV HR test enabling … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Anadarko Venturing Again In GoM

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 11:50 AM PST

Independent oil and gas producer Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:APC) has decided to develop the Lucius project, located in the Keathley Canyon area of the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, jointly with other partners. This marks a new beginning for the company in Gulf of Mexico after the devastating accident in Deepwater Horizon.
The Lucius field is expected to hold more than 300 million BOE (barrels of oil equivalent) in relatively shallow reservoirs, and the company can utilize its expertise to … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Hot Option Plays: Volatility & Screening Tools

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 11:35 AM PST

Cusick’s Corner
The market has been orderly and for the bulls this is the action they need to see continue. We had a test overnight of the lows, 1211 on the S&Ps, which held and is now trading at the highs of the session, 1224. Expiration has been quiet and I believe we could have potentially choppy action going into the close as strategists clean up any remaining Dec risk. Here’s one exercise that I did this morning going into next week — I screened the market for stocks that have had … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

CAT Backs View, Sells Bucyrus Partly

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 11:35 AM PST

Caterpillar Inc. (CAT )  has reaffirmed its previously stated outlook for fiscal 2011and fiscal 2012 and maintained its dividend of 46 cents per share. 
During its third quarter earnings call, the company had stated that excluding the impact of the Bucyrus acquisition, fiscal 2011 revenues will be around $56 billion and earnings will come in at $7.25 per share. Including Bucyrus, revenues are estimated at roughly $58 billion and EPS at $6.75.
For 2012, Caterpillar expects … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Adobe Surprises To The Upside

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 11:30 AM PST

Adobe Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) reported earnings for the fourth quarter ended November 2011 that exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 50 cents. The results are a reflection of much stronger revenue across segments, with particular strength in enterprise and a resurgent Europe. Acquisitions drove the GAAP tax rate higher.
Revenue
Adobe's total revenue was $1.152 billion, up 13.7% sequentially, up 14.3% year over year and within management's expectations of $1.075 billion to 1.125 billion … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Baxter To Take Over Synovis

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 11:20 AM PST

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) recently forged a definitive agreement to take over Synovis Life Technologies (NASDAQ:SYNO), a well-known provider of mechanical and biological products for the repair of soft tissue utilized in a large number of surgical operations. With this acquisition, Baxter further expands its offerings in the area of biosurgery and regenerative treatment.   
The Synovis product line includes Tissue-Guard and Varitas Collagen Matrix. The company's offerings are … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Citi-SEC Settlement Gets Messy

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 11:05 AM PST

Citigroup Inc.'s (NYSE:C) settlement deal with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is getting messy. The SEC is appealing against a federal judge's decision to reject its $285 million settlement of securities fraud charges with Citi.
The SEC has alleged Citi of misleading investors while selling a $1 billion fund in 2006 and 2007 that was invested in mortgage-related securities. Citi was accused of not letting investors know that it was betting against many of the assets. … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

UDR Hikes Uninterrupted Dividend

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 10:50 AM PST

UDR Inc. (NYSE:UDR), a leading multifamily real estate investment trust (REIT), has recently increased its quarterly dividend from 20 cents per share to 21.5 cents for the fourth quarter of 2011, payable in cash on January 31, 2012 to shareholders of record as on January 11, 2012. The recent dividend payout will be the 157th consecutive quarterly dividend paid by the company.
UDR had earlier increased its dividend in the second quarter of 2011 from 18.5 cents to 20 cents. UDR is among a select … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Crutchfield: “Options…defined By Continued Growth”

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 10:50 AM PST

12/16/11 NYSE Amex Options’ Steven G. Crutchfield discusses this year’s trends in the options market and the outlook for … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Gold Futures Rally In Correction After Extended Pounding

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 10:50 AM PST

Forexpros – Gold prices shot up Friday, posting solid gains as investors snapped up positions on sentiment the precious metal was oversold after several sessions of declines.

On the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, gold futures for February delivery traded at USD1,594.75 a troy ounce on Friday, up 1.11%.

Gold futures were likely to test support at USD1,590.59 a troy ounce and resistance at USD1,598.39.

Gold prices fell in recent sessions as European debt woes sent … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Darden Dishes Out In-Line Results

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 10:40 AM PST

Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE:DRI) posted second quarter fiscal 2012 earnings from continuing operation of 42 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate, but down from the year-ago  earnings of 55 cents. Considering the losses from discontinuing operations, earnings were 41 cents versus 54 cents recorded in the comparable quarter last year.
The closing costs of two Eddie V’s restaurants acquisitions hurt its quarterly earnings per share by a penny, while the transaction is … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

EUR/USD Holds Above $1.30

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 05:40 AM PST

12/16/11 The euro continues to hold steady against the dollar, in light trading. EUR/USD is on track for a weekly loss, following its slide in midweek … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Morgan Stanley To Layoff 1600

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 10:35 AM PST

Adding to the ongoing unemployment concerns, Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) announced its plan to retrench1,600 workers in the first quarter of 2012. After witnessing a similar trend at many other mega banks and with the Eurozone crisis continuing, the layoff announcement does not come as a surprise. Amid the market instability and weakening revenue sources, the company took this decision to reduce costs in the upcoming year.
The job elimination will take place in all divisions globally and employees of … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

EIA: Oil Supplies Fall, Fuels Rise

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 10:35 AM PST

The U.S. Energy Department’s weekly inventory release showed a decrease in crude inventories on the back of lower imports, while gasoline supplies rose for the fifth straight week. The agency's report further revealed that distillate stocks posted another build, as supplies remain plentiful. Meanwhile, refiners reduced processing rates by 2.6%.
The Energy Information Administration (“EIA”) Petroleum Status Report – which contains data for the previous week ending Friday, outlines … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Forex Trading: GBPUSD Moves Lower In Reaction To EURUSD Fall

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 10:33 AM PST

The Fitch downgrade warnings has sent the GBPUSD down in sympathy with the EURUSDs decline. The move sent the price below trendline support and to the 50% of the move up form the Wednesday low.  The fall made new lows for the day but the decline is still minimal. I expect the market to be more influenced by the flows of the market as the weekend approaches. Liquidity is … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Central Bank Of Sri Lanka Retains Interest Rate At 7.00%

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 10:24 AM PST

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka kept its benchmark repurchase rate steady at 7.00%, and also held the reverse repurchase rate at 8.50%, and the Statutory Reserve Ratio at 8%.  The Bank said: “While supply side improvements, particularly with respect to agricultural produce, have helped bring down domestic prices, the expected favourable performance of the domestic agricultural sector in the forthcoming year coupled with the ongoing improvements to infrastructure … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

MarkWest Prices Public Offering

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 10:20 AM PST

Pipeline operator MarkWest Energy Partners L.P. (MWE) has priced a public offering of 10,000,000 common units at $54.25 apiece, with an over-allotment option for an additional 1,500,000 units.
The gathering and processing master limited partnership (MLP) plans to use the net proceeds from this offering – expected to be approximately $521.1 million after the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses – to finance the proposed buy out of 'The Energy & Minerals Group's' … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Crude Futures Slide On Residual European Demand Fears

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 10:18 AM PST

Forexpros – Crude oil futures dropped Thursday on fears that no matter what happens with the European debt crisis, the economy will cool and demand less oil and derivatives to motor its output.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light, sweet crude futures for delivery in January traded at USD93.06 a barrel in mid-session trading, down 0.86%.

The commodity hit a session high of USD94.78 and a low of 92.53 so far on Friday.

OPEC countries earlier in the week agreed to hold output at 30 … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Walgreen, ACCESS Join To Fight Flu

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 10:05 AM PST

Walgreen Co. (NYSE:WAG), the largest drugstore chain in the US, recently teamed with Access Community Health Network (ACCESS) of Chicago to accelerate flu vaccination rates in Chicago's medically-underserved communities. Together Walgreen and ACCESS launched a new program, under which over 10,000 free flu shot vouchers of Walgreen will be provided to eligible ACCESS patients. The company also informed that patients without insurance coverage for flu shots are only eligible for receiving the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Foreclosures Down; Deluge Looms

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 09:50 AM PST

RealtyTrac, the leading online marketplace of foreclosure properties, released its November foreclosure market report on Thursday. According to the report, foreclosure filings for the month dropped 3% from the prior month and 14% from the prior-year month with a total of 224,394 properties receiving notices of default, auction or repossession during the reported month.
Though there was a rise in the number of property auctions, new defaults and repossessions by banks continued to decline in … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Forex – EUR/USD Firms As Flight From Risk Eases

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 09:46 AM PST

Forexpros – The euro firmed against the dollar Friday as investors eased up in their flight to the safety of the U.S. greenback.

Fears of European downgrades and general uncertainty in recent sessions coupled with growing sentiment that the U.S. will avoid both recession and serious inflation sparked a flight to the safety of the dollar.

On Friday, however, appetite for risk returned, plus many investors snapped up euro seen at attractive prices.

EUR/USD hit 1.3024 during in midday U.S. … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Excel Maritime Improves TC Contract

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 09:35 AM PST

Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd. (NYSE:EXM), a leading worldwide seaborne transporter for dry bulk cargoes, recently improved and consolidated the time charter contracts for its fleets. The company announced that it has entered into three new time charter agreements, one for its Capesize vessel and the remaining two for its Kamsarmax vessels. The capsize vessel is fixed for 12-18 months at a gross daily rate of $17,000. However, the first Kamsarmax vessel is fixed for 22-24 months at gross daily rate … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Risk-Reward Balances AXIS Capital

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 09:20 AM PST

We continue to retain our Neutral rating on AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:AXS) given the substantial exposure to catastrophe losses and low interest rate environment weighing on net investment income.
The company suffered huge catastrophe losses in the third quarter. The company suffered pre-tax net losses (net of reinstatement premiums) of $91 million largely due to Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee and Danish flooding. Underwriting income also dropped 29% year over year in the quarter. The … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

European Fall On S&P Report; DAX Down 0.50%

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 09:20 AM PST

Forexpros – bsp;
Forexpros – European shares closed lower on Friday as Standard & Poors warned of widespread gross domestic product declines in 2012 for the euro zone.

After the close of European trade, the EURO STOXX 50 was lower by 1.00%, France’s CAC 40 gave back 0.88%, while Germany’s DAX 30 dipped 0.50%.

Meanwhile, in the U.K. the FTSE 100 fell 0.25%. European stocks gave back early session advances as rating agency S&P warned that the austerity measures instituted by the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Norfolk Expands Rutherford Facility

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 09:05 AM PST

One of the leading U.S. railroads, Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) announced that it will expand the intermodal facility at Rutherford near Harrisburg in Pennsylvania. The company plans to begin the project in early 2012 and targets completion by 2014. The total investment is expected to be approximately $60 million. Norfolk has also received a $15 million TIGER III grant for the upcoming project from U.S. Department of Transportation.
Apart from creating approximately 400 new jobs in Harrisburg, the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Stereotaxis Begins Epoch Shipment

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 08:50 AM PST

Medical equipment maker Stereotaxis Inc (NASDAQ:STXS) has commenced initial shipments of its new Epoch platform designed for the electrophysiology ("EP") labs.  Launched in April 2011, Epoch is a comprehensive solution for EP labs and is geared to improve efficiency of cardiac procedures and increase workflow by enabling physicians to control procedures remotely. 
The company noted that the initial shipments include upgrade to the next-generation Epoch platform from its Niobe II … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Airlines: Rightsizing To Lower Cost

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 08:35 AM PST

Over the past several years, the airline industry has been struggling with either mounting costs or economic uncertainties. The trend, it appears, will continue into the next year. While air carries are contemplating a more effective and enduring way to counter the crisis, passing on the increased cost to customers in the form of fare hikes seems an easy way out. Airlines have already imposed about 10 broad fare increases this year that have helped the stocks to remain profitable.
Air carriers … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Heavy Metal, Made In The USA Is Coming Back

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 08:25 AM PST

From the article by Joel Kotkin “Heavy Metal Is Back: The Best Cities For Industrial Manufacturing,” in New Geography:

“For a generation American manufacturing has been widely seen as a "declining sport." Yet its demise has been largely overplayed. Despite the many jobs this sector has lost in the past generation, manufacturing remains remarkably resilient, with a global market share similar to that of the 1970s.

More recently, the U.S. industrial base has been on a powerful upswing, with … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Gold Futures Bounce From Lows On Weaker Dollar

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 08:24 AM PST

Forexpros – Gold futures bounced higher on Friday on oversold technical factors and a weaker U.S. dollar, despite bearish fundamentals.

On the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, gold futures for February delivery traded at USD1594.75 a troy ounce during mid U.S. trade gaining 1.10%.

It earlier hit a high of USD1603.45. Gold futures were likely to find support at USD1590.09 and technical resistance exists at USD1598.29.

The weakening U.S. dollar counteracted Indian demand … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

WEF Sets Roadmap For 2012

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 08:20 AM PST

The World Economic Forum's ("WEF") releases, each year, an outlook for the upcoming year. Currently, WEF's "Outlook on the Global Agenda 2012" is evoking consideration from policymakers. This outlook is a noteworthy set of analyses and policy recommendations meant for those who accept the necessity for change. WEF presented its findings at its Annual Summit held in the United Arab Emirates ("UAE") in October 2011. The agenda will be discussed at the annual meeting in Davos, … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

US Stocks Extend Gains On Quadruple Witching Day

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 08:00 AM PST

12/16/11 The equity averages opened higher, tracking gains in overseas markets. There is caution despite the advance, and the expiration of options and futures could add to choppy trading … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Forex – EUR/USD Higher On Lower Safe Haven Demand

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 07:36 AM PST

Forexpros – The euro climbed against the U.S. dollar on lowering safe haven demand and euro zone optimism.

EUR/USD hit a high of 1.3084 during early session U.S. trade. The pair is off a high of 1.3004 posted earlier, currently trading higher by 0.13%.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.3001 and technical resistance exists at 1.3059.

The single currency gained against the dollar on optimistic statements by euro zone finance minister, Jean Claude Juncker, who stated a December 19th … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

U.S. Stocks Open Higher On European Optimism; Dow Up 0.64%

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 07:03 AM PST

Forexpros – bsp;
Forexpros – U.S. shares traded higher out of the gate Friday on euro zone crisis optimism, neutral domestic inflation data and stronger than expected economic numbers.

At the open of U.S. trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.64%, the S&P 500 moved higher by 0.32% and the Nasdaq Composite index climbed 0.92%.

Lead euro zone finance minister, Jean-Claude Juncker advised that the region should meet an informal December 19th deadline for funding a debt crisis … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Geraldine Weiss-Lite Screen: Three Dividend Darlings For Scrupulous Investors

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 03:01 AM PST

Dividend paying stocks can be a hugely attractive option for investors seeking to cushion their portfolios from market volatility – yet selecting income-generating shares comes with risks. While companies with frothy current yields may prove an immediate temptation, applying some additional metrics to limit downside risk can help investors taking the plunge to sleep at night.

For more than 50 years Geraldine Weiss has been widely regarded as one of the investment community's most astute … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Weiss-Lite Screen: Three Dividend Darlings For Scrupulous Investors

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 03:01 AM PST

Dividend paying stocks can be a hugely attractive option for investors seeking to cushion their portfolios from market volatility – yet selecting income-generating shares comes with risks. While companies with frothy current yields may prove an immediate temptation, applying some additional metrics to limit downside risk can help investors taking the plunge to sleep at night.

For more than 50 years Geraldine Weiss has been widely regarded as one of the investment community's most astute … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards
at

No comments:

Post a Comment