Thursday, February 23, 2012

DailyMarkets.com - Dec. 2011 Sets Record For The Highest-Ever Volume Of Global Trade And Global Output In History

DailyMarkets.com - Dec. 2011 Sets Record For The Highest-Ever Volume Of Global Trade And Global Output In History

Dec. 2011 Sets Record For The Highest-Ever Volume Of Global Trade And Global Output In History

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 05:01 PM PST

The CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis released its monthly report this week on world trade and world industrial production for the month of December 2011.  Here are some of the highlights:

1. World trade volume increased in December by 1.5% on a monthly basis and by 2.5% on an annual basis, bringing the global trade index to a new all-time record high of 166.6 (see chart).  World trade is now 4.0% above the previous April 2008 peak of 160.2.  

2. Annual … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Forex Trading: EURJPY Pushing Up On Resistance 38.2%/200day

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 04:18 PM PST

Dr Evil Ransom Demands Mirrors European Debt Crisis

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 04:03 PM PST

There is no simpler way of putting this, but thanks to Dr Evil common folk can understand the true measure of each stage of the European debt crisis.

Dr Evil, asked for a million dollar ransom, but he does not yet get it that a million dollars is NOT a big deal anymore. Just like Greece. Greece is easy to bailout and push around.

However asking for 100 billion dollars (like Spain or Italy) they effect is more devastating.

Currently the Germans are beating up Greece very hard, there is NO … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Nike Technology Zooms Into The Future

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 03:58 PM PST

02/23/12 Nike unveiled cutting-edge innovations that will be hitting the pavement and bouncing off the basketball courts during the summer … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Hot Option Plays: Can The NASDAQ Lead Rally?

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 03:24 PM PST

Cusick’s Corner 02-23-2012
This was a tough read on the close. I just didn’t see a big enough close on the S&Ps to be convinced that an earnest move to the upside will have the staying power. I will be monitoring the NASDAQ to see how it reacts as it breaks through resistance at 2600. We could see some sellers come in overnight at these levels but it will be very interesting to see how the underinvested react if there is a bigger move to the upside. Not much more to build on today. See you … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

US Consumer, Housing Data On Tap

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 03:20 PM PST

02/23/12 The end of the holiday-shortened week brings US consumer sentiment and more housing data. Q4 2011 GDP figures will be released in the UK and … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

HSBC To Close Japanese Retail Unit

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 03:15 PM PST

As a part of its long-term strategy to revamp its operations to stabilize capital levels and improve efficiency, HSBC Holdings Plc (NYSE:HBC) has decided to close its retail banking business in Japan. Earlier in May 2011, the CEO of the company had announced plans to reduce the operating expenses by $3.5 million by the end of 2013 through restructuring and contraction of its global business.
HSBC will close six retail banking branches in Japan after four years of operations. The company announced … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Perrigo Treads A Neutral Path

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 03:06 PM PST

We have maintained our Neutral rating on Perrigo Company (NASDAQ:PRGO) with a target price of $100.00 following appraisal of second quarter of fiscal 2012 results.
Perrigo reported second quarter EPS of $1.20, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.16 and the year-earlier earnings of $1.05 per share. A robust top-line performance boosted earnings in the quarter. Strong performance by Rx Pharmaceuticals and new products led to the sales growth. (Read our full coverage of the earnings report at: … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Alexandria Prices Senior Notes

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 03:01 PM PST

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE) recently announced that it has priced a public offering of $550 million principal amount of 4.60% senior notes due 2022. The sale of the notes is scheduled on February 29, 2012.
The notes will be unsecured obligations of the company and fully guaranteed by Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P., a wholly owned subsidiary of the company.
The company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay the outstanding balance of $250 million of … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

RenaissanceRe Shares More Profit

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 02:55 PM PST

In its concerted effort to share more profits with investors, the board of directors of  RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:RNR) authorized a 3.8% increase in its quarterly dividend.
The company will now pay a dividend of 27 cents per share, up from 26 cents paid on December, 2011. The shareholders of record March 15, 2012 will receive the increased dividend on March 30, 2012.
The recent dividend hike marks the company's seventeenth consecutive annual increase.
Also, the company's board … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

A Blow To Verizon Spectrum Deal

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 02:55 PM PST

Verizon Communications' (NYSE:VZ) proposed $3.9 billion purchase of wireless spectrums is facing a major setback.
T-Mobile, a unit of Deutsche Telekom, is urging Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to block the deal citing unfair competition. T-Mobile as a strong foe stated that the purchase would lead to concentration of excess spectrums in the hands of Verizon, which is already the largest U.S. mobile service provider with the maximum number of licenses. The deal would also allow the cross … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Wall Street Bigs Face Lawsuit

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 02:55 PM PST

According to Bloomberg, Sealink Funding Ltd., an Ireland-based investment firm, has filed a lawsuit against a number of major banks over residential mortgage-backed securities. The complaint lodged claims that these banks have misrepresented documents as the underwriters in the sale of mortgage-backed securities.
The accused banks are Wall Street bigs like Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C), The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc (NYSE:RBS), … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Stocks Picks For Friday, February 24

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 02:49 PM PST

( click to enlarge )

Airgas, Inc.(NYSE:ARG) – Continues to Breakout. Might pause but looking to add on any dip.

( click to enlarge )

Sigma Designs Inc (NASDAQ:SIGM) – Today’s price bar was a possible reversal bar. The stock made a new low but closed up for the day and closed greater than the open. Momentum is decreasing and many technical indicator show bullish divergence with the price movement. Options traders have been focused on call options today. I bought the stock because I remain … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Weak Outlook From ANADIGICS

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 02:30 PM PST

ANADIGICS, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANAD) reported revenues of $36.5 million in the fourth quarter, down 2% sequentially.
Wireless segment generated revenues of 82% of total revenues in the fourth quarter and Broadband generated the remaining 18%.
Wireless revenues came in at $29.9 million in the fourth quarter, up 7.3% sequentially driven by continued momentum from prior designs wins at top wireless customers – Samsung, Huawei, and ZTE. However, wireless invoicing began slowing late in the quarter, as … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Sears Lags Considerably

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 02:30 PM PST

Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:SHLD) reported fourth-quarter 2011 adjusted earnings of 54 cents per share, well below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 68 cents per share. The earnings per share declined drastically from the prior-year quarter earnings of $3.67 per share. The drop in the company's quarterly performance was primarily due to the sluggish top-line performance and decreased margins.
Quarterly Detail
For the fourth quarter of 2011, revenue decreased $518 to $12,484 million compared … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

American Tower Outperforms

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 02:30 PM PST

American Tower Corp. (NYSE:AMT) announced excellent financial results for the fourth quarter of 2011, easily surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimates. Moreover, all three reporting segments of the company generated year-over-year sales growth.
On a GAAP basis, net income in the fourth quarter of 2011 was $201.3 million or 51 cents per share compared with a net income of $83.5 million or 21 cents per share in the prior-year quarter. Fourth quarter 2011 EPS of 51 cents was significantly above the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Chart Of The Day: Oil Vs. Gasoline Prices

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 02:29 PM PST

The chart above from GasBuddy shows retail gas prices and crude oil prices over the last three months.  Gas prices have increased by about 7.5% since November from $3.34 to $3.59 per gallon, while crude oil prices have increased by about 9%, from $97.25 to about $106 per barrel over the same period.  So there’s really no mystery about why gasoline prices have gone up, is there?

Update: And why are oil prices going up? Nancy Pelosi blames “Wall Street profiteering” and … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Dismal 4Q For NII Holdings

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 02:25 PM PST

Latin American wireless operator NII Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:NIHD) declared dismal financial results for the fourth quarter of 2011.
Net loss in the reported quarter was $8.7 million or 5 cents per share compared with a net income of $98.6 million or 57 cents per share in the prior-year quarter. Reported loss per share of 5 cents was worse than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a profit of 13 cents.
Total revenue in the quarter was $1,595.4 million, up 5% year over year but missed the Zacks Consensus … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Hot Option Plays: Push Didn’t Happen

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 02:18 PM PST

Cusick’s Corner 02-22-2012
The push did not happen but there was also little change in the downside pressure. We did see the majority of offensive sectors, XLF/XLI/XLY, grinding back to the downside. The pressure is building right at resistance levels. I have to jump on a flight but will be watching the overnight action to give a flag for Midday trade.
Stock market averages finished with modest losses on a day of slow trading Wednesday. Lackluster action overseas set the table for cautious … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Hot Option Plays: Rally Already!

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 02:18 PM PST

Cusick’s Corner 02-23-2012
Rally already! Gold is up, GLD, and oil, USO, but the equities continue to grind. As I have been saying over the last week, I am skeptical that a sustained upside is in the works but I would like to see a pop to the upside that could then lead to a healthy cleanse so that the big money can get into this market. With crude and gold to the upside, the catalysts into the midday are getting the buyers back in mode, so I would not be fighting this rising tide at this stage … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

All Over Again

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 02:10 PM PST

(Image: source)
Call me cynic, but it’s hard to see this as a good thing:
“Junk ETFs Draw Most Cash on Record as High-Yield Hunt Speeds Up” (Bloomberg)
Exchange-traded funds for speculative-grade bonds are drawing the biggest inflows on record from investors seeking easier access to higher-yielding assets.
 
ETFs that track junk-bond indexes have tapped $5.5 billion of investments in the securities this year, according to data from Lipper. That almost quadruples the $1.4 billion … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

What N. Dakota Knows That CA Doesn’t: The Real Boom Is In Traditional Energy, Not “Green Jobs.”

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 02:01 PM PST

North Dakota currently has the lowest state jobless rate in the country at 3.3% and California is second-highest in the nation at 11.1%, and the Golden State hasn’t seen a single-digit jobless rate now for three full years.  With that contrast in mind, here’s an excerpt from “What North Dakota Knows that California Doesn't,” by Brian Calle in CityJournal:

“If California policymakers want to lift the state out of its economic malaise, they would do well to emulate . . . North Dakota. … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

CHMP Backs Glaxo’s Nimenrix

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 02:00 PM PST

GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) recently announced that its candidate, Nimenrix (MenACWY-TT), received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency's ("EMA") Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use ("CHMP"). The CHMP recommended the approval of Nimenrix for active immunisation against invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y.
The positive opinion on Nimenrix was based on safety and efficacy data from trials involving more … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Advance Auto Profits Up 58%

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 02:00 PM PST

Advance Auto Parts Inc. (NYSE:AAP) reported a 58% rise in profit to 90 cents per share in the fourth quarter fiscal 2011 ended December 31, 2011 from 57 cents in the comparable quarter ended January 1, 2011. The profit exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a considerable margin of 16 cents per share. The increase in profit was driven by the company's aggressive store expansion strategy, enabling better availability of parts to its customers.
Sales in the quarter grew 4.5% to $1.33 billion … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Fluor Outperforms Estimate

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 02:00 PM PST

Fluor Corporation (NYSE:FLR) reported fourth-quarter 2011 earnings per share of 90 cents, above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 82 cents. Prior-year loss per share was 65 cents.
For 2011, earnings per share were $3.40, above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.33 and prior-year earnings per share of $1.98.
Total Revenue
Total revenue was $6.3 billion compared with $5.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010. The 19% growth was aided significant rise in Industrial & Infrastructure business. New … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Stock End Higher, Just Shy Of 13,000

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 09:00 AM PST

02/23/12 Stocks recovered from early losses to finish higher Thursday on strong economic … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Shell Eyes East Africa With Cove Bid

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 01:40 PM PST

Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDS.A) has proposed a $1.6 billion (£992.4 million) bid to acquire U.K.-listed Africa-focused oil explorer Cove Energy Plc. Should the deal go through, it will open up a new gas frontier for the Anglo-Dutch company in Kenya and Mozambique, the latter of which has already emerged as a major center for liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects.  
As per the offer – which is still contingent on regulatory approval, including consent from Mozambique government – Cove … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Silgan Hikes Dividend

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 01:40 PM PST

Silgan Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:SLGN) has recently upped its dividend by 9.1% to 12 cents. The increased dividend will be payable on March 26, 2012, to stockholders of record as on March 12, 2012.
The company has hiked its dividend nearly after a year. On February 17, 2012, Silgan raised its dividend by 5% to 11 cents per share. Silgan has hiked its dividend religiously every year since 2004.
Earlier on December 15, 2011, Silgan paid cash dividends to shareholders as of December 1, 2011. The payment … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Caterpillar January Sales No Better

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 01:25 PM PST

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) recorded machines sales growth of 27% for the three months ending January 31, 2012, keeping up its 21-month run of positive sales growth. However, the sales growth has dipped further from the lowest growth rate of 30% last year. Engine sales increased 22% across the globe.
Caterpillar's growth rate had hit rock bottom in 2011 in November last year recording a growth rate of 30%. Caterpillar suffered the same fate in December as well. Even though Caterpillar has … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Hot Option Plays: Rest This Weekend — The Market Is

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 01:18 PM PST

Cusick’s Corner 02-17-2012
This is a frothy market but still very strong and support has not been challenged. We have been watching 2900 on the NASDAQ, to see if the downside/shorts are going to have any impact on the current trend. Right now we are in a big ascending triangle, which is a consolidation pattern formed when underlying trades in a range of relatively equal highs and higher lows and see buying on the dips. We have seen only two dips in the last 3 weeks, and there is a sense that … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Hot Option Plays: Should We Be Skeptical?

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 01:18 PM PST

Cusick’s Corner 02-21-2012
There’s been a reprieve from talking about Greece. The news out of China on the easing of rates has really propelled the Gold market, GLD, into the close of that metal and it’s flagging some real bullishness. There’s an inability of the shorts to take a more contrarian stance and push down an overbought market, the market bid is holding which is quite a statement. The level of upside pressure is impressive but with the metals, energy and equities on the move to the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Hot Option Plays: Breakout?

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 01:18 PM PST

Cusick’s Corner 02-22-2012
Breakout — that is what some traders in the Nasdaq, QQQ, and the Euro, FXE may be looking for in today’s session. Bulls don’t yet have the strength, attempting to break 2600 on the NASDAQ, and these are levels that the bulls will need to drive through. If they can we could see a potentiallly new high. But at this stage the bid continues to buy the on dips and if this gets more aggressive, we could see a pop and a a bullish breakout above the highs of the current … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Citi Gets Saudi Supermarket Stake

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 01:18 PM PST

In an effort to explore the growth opportunities in the consumer sector of Saudi Arabia, Citigroup Inc.'s (NYSE:C) venture capital unit and Levant Capital, a Dubai-based private equity firm, have acquired a $100 million controlling stake in Al-Raya For Foodstuff Co Ltd, a Saudi Arabian supermarket chain. The deal closed on Tuesday.
Citi Venture Capital International (CVCI) is a leader in global Emerging Markets private equity and invests in companies with compelling growth prospects across … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

F5 Snaps Up Traffix Systems

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 01:07 PM PST

F5 Networks Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) recently completed the acquisition of a provider of Diameter signaling products, Traffix Systems, for an undisclosed amount. The agreement to acquire Traffix was signed earlier this week. The acquisition will further strengthen F5's exposure in the networking market.
A 7-year old Israeli company, Traffix serves the telecommunications industry with its Diameter signaling routers, which are used in next-generation mobile (4G/LTE) and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Liberty Global Underperforms

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 01:07 PM PST

Yesterday, after market close, Liberty Global Inc. (NASDAQ:LBTYA) declared financial results for the fourth quarter of 2011, which failed to meet our expectations. Despite this, in the previous quarter, the company added a net 380,000 revenue generating units (RGU), up 20% year over year. This is the highest quarterly net RGU addition since 2006.
Quarterly GAAP net loss from continuing operation was $438.2 million or a loss of $1.61 per share compared with a net income of $52.6 million or 5 cents … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Alcoa And CPI Sign Deal

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 12:55 PM PST

Aluminum giant Alcoa Inc. (NYSE:AA) and China Power Investment Corporation (CPI) entered into a deal to form a joint venture (JV) for producing high-end fabricated aluminum products for China. The terms of the agreement are yet to be disclosed.
The new company, named Alcoa CPI (China) Aluminum Investment Co. Ltd., will be based in Shanghai. Alcoa is expected to hold a major portion of the company's share.
The agreement for the JV was signed by Alcoa's Chairman and CEO and the President of CPI … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

The Great Gibson Guitar Raid

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 12:38 PM PST

Reason: The Great Gibson Guitar Raid: Months Later, Still No Charges … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Life Technologies Remains Neutral

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 12:35 PM PST

We reaffirm our Neutral recommendation on Life Technologies (LIFE) following its fourth-quarter 2011 results.  The company reported a strong quarter with both revenues and adjusted EPS going past the Zacks Consensus Estimates.
Life Technologies' performance has been adversely affected by a sustained slowdown in government and academic research funding over the past few quarters, a trend that is expected to continue in 2012. This is significant since the company derives almost 45% of … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Penske Exceeds Estimates

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 12:20 PM PST

Penske Automotive Group Inc. (NYSE:PAG) posted a 23.7% increase in profit to 47 cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2011 from 38 cents per share in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. With this, the company has beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7 cents per share. In absolute terms, profits increased 21% to $43.0 million from $35.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.
The higher profit was attributable to strong performance of the company's used vehicle business and the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Ameren 4Q A Penny Shy

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 12:15 PM PST

Before the bell, Ameren Corporation (NYSE:AEE) reported its fourth quarter and fiscal 2011 results. In the reported quarter, the company with core earnings of 14 cents a share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 15 cents by a penny. The company's results also came way below the year-ago quarterly earnings of 22 cents. Performance in the reported quarter was affected by warmer winter temperatures as well as a scheduled nuclear refueling and maintenance outage at the Callaway Energy Center.
On … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Limited Brands Beats On Both Lines

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 12:00 PM PST

Limited Brands, Inc. (NYSE:LTD), a specialty retailer of women's intimate and other apparel, beauty and personal care products, recently posted better-than-expected fourth and fiscal 2011 results on the back of an improving sales environment witnessed across its Victoria’s Secret and Bath and Body Works chains.
The quarterly earnings of $1.50 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.46, and rose 19% from $1.26 earned in the prior-year quarter. Management had earlier projected quarterly … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

PEG Meets EPS, Sales Trail

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 12:00 PM PST

Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (NYSE:PEG) or PSEG reported fourth quarter and fiscal 2011 results. In the fourth quarter of 2011, operating earnings per share were 47 cents, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, earnings were lower than the year-ago figure of 60 cents per share.
In the reported quarter, GAAP EPS was 71 cents, up from 57 cents per share in the year-ago period. The variance between GAAP and operating earnings was due to a mark-to-market gain of 24 cents per … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Economist On The Street: Global Fundamentals, EU Outlook

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 11:30 AM PST

02/23/12 Meridian Equity Partners’ Stephen Guilfoyle weighs in on the latest global economic data releases and the cut in the EC’s growth forecast for the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Impressive 4Q For MetroPCS

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 11:25 AM PST

MetroPCS Communications Inc. (NYSE:PCS), the sixth-largest prepaid wireless service operator in the U.S. has reported fourth quarter 2011 adjusted earnings per share of 25 cents breezed passed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 19 cents and registered a whopping 525% increase from the year-ago earnings of 4 cents. The staggering growth was a result of increased demand for wireless data service and higher penetration of Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android-based smartphones. Additionally, a sequential decline … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Mixed Quarter For CMS Energy

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 11:25 AM PST

Michigan-based CMS Energy Corporation (NYSE:CMS) announced adjusted earnings for the fourth quarter 2011 of 15 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, the results were below the year-ago earnings of 21 cents per share. On a reported basis, the company clocked earnings of 15 cents per share versus 9 cents in the year-ago quarter.
Fiscal 2011 adjusted earnings came in at $1.45 per share, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.46 by a penny. The reported … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Dull 1Q For HP, Despite Earnings Beat

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 11:25 AM PST

Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ) reported first quarter 2012 earnings per share (EPS) of 92 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 87 cents. In the after market trade, the company's share price dipped 1.21% due to lackluster revenues and weak sequential outlook.
Revenues
Revenues declined 7.0% year over year to $30.0 billion. The year-over-year decline in revenue can be attributed to the hard disk drive shortages that impacted both Personal Systems Group and Enterprise Servers Storage … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Kohl’s Beats, Hikes Dividend

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 11:25 AM PST

Kohl's Corporation (NYSE:KSS) reported its operating earnings of $1.81 per share in the fourth-quarter 2011, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. The earnings, however, surpassed the prior-year quarter's earnings by 9%.
The company reported operating earnings of $4.30 which fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. However, it surpassed the year ago earnings by 17%.

Profits were largely driven by prudent expense management and inventory control across many of Kohl's … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Willis: “Indices Driven By Single Stock Events”

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 06:20 AM PST

02/23/12 Sunrise Securities’ Ben WIllis discusses participation in the
equity markets, the latest in global fundamentals and how single stock events are driving the major … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Cartoon Of The Day

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 11:16 AM PST

That reminds me of this … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Ensco Beats Consensus By A Penny

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 11:04 AM PST

Ensco plc (NYSE:ESV) has reported fourth quarter 2011 earnings of 99 cents per share from continuing operations, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 98 cents. The earnings from continuing operations also showed an improvement from the year-ago earnings of 90 cents.
Full-year 2011 earnings from continuing operations declined nearly 19% to $3.08 per share from last year's profit level of $3.80. However, the full-year earnings were ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.03.
Total revenue … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Williams Partners Beats Bottom Line

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 10:55 AM PST

Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE:WPZ) has registered fourth-quarter 2011 earnings of $1.05 per limited-partner unit, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.00. The quarter's results also improved 38% from the year-ago profit of 76 cents per unit.
Full-year 2011 earnings also jumped nearly 39% year over year to $3.69 per unit from $2.66 per unit in 2010 and were ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.63.
Higher natural gas liquid (NGL) margins in the company's midstream business as well as … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

France Telecom Beats, Rev Falls

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 10:55 AM PST

FranceTelecom (NYSE:FTE), the world's largest telecommunications carrier in Paris, reported fiscal 2011 earnings of $2.04 per ADS (€1.46 per share), surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.93. Earnings grew 2.1% year over year. Net income from continuing operations nudged up 0.5% year over year to €3.828 billion ($5.34 billion).
Fiscal 2011 consolidated revenue was €45.277 billion ($63.14 billion), down 1.6% year over year. Excluding regulatory measure, revenues were flat year over … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Iron Mountain Reports Mixed 4Q

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 10:55 AM PST

Iron Mountain Inc.'s (NYSE:IRM) fourth quarter adjusted earnings per share of 33 cents surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 30 cents. However, reported earnings remained flat on a year-over-year basis.
Revenues
Revenues increased 1.8% year over year to $741.8 million, but fell shy of the Zacks Consensus Estimates of $744.0 million. Revenues were positively impacted by internal growth (1.0%) and favorable foreign exchange rates and acquisitions (1.0%).
Segment wise, Storage revenue (56.7% of … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

How Reliable Is The “Stocks On The Move” Scan?

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 10:49 AM PST

If you've explored this site you've learned that one of the benefits of a membership is access to Watchlists, lists of stocks culled from the 7000 or so publicly-traded stocks by way of scans whereby all stocks are filtered against … Continue reading … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Fourth Quarter Beat For MDCO

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 10:35 AM PST

The Medicines Company (NASDAQ:MDCO) reported fourth-quarter earnings of 47 cents per share, including the impact of stock-based compensation expense. Fourth-quarter earnings were well above the year-ago earnings of 27 cents and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 24 cents.
Higher revenues led to the earnings beat. Revenues, up 10.5% at $132.2 million, were well above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $125 million.
Full year earnings came in at $1.37 per share (including the impact of stock-based … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Garmin Blows Past Estimates

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 10:35 AM PST

Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ:GRMN) reported quarter earnings that beat the Zacks Consensus Estimates by 20 cents, or 30.5%. Currency had an 11 cent negative impact on earnings, and if excluded would have raised the EPS by a like amount. Revenue exceeded the consensus by 18.1%.
Garmin is deferring lifetime maps, connected services and premium traffic over their economic lives. Net deferrals were 26 cents a share in the last quarter.
Revenue
Garmin's fourth-quarter revenue of $909.6 million was up 36.4% … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

ESRX Earnings Lower Than Expected

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 10:35 AM PST

Express Scripts Inc.'s (NASDAQ:ESRX) fourth quarter 2011 adjusted earnings of 82 cents per share (excluding special items) missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3 cents but were 11 cents higher than the year-ago adjusted earnings of 71 cents per share.
Full year 2011 adjusted earnings of $2.97 per share also missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3 cents, but beat the year-ago earnings by 47 cents. The jump in year-over-year earnings is attributable to higher revenues and a lower share … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

MasterCard Accelerates MCommerce

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 10:25 AM PST

In an attempt to boost its mobile money services, yesterday, MasterCard Inc. (NYSE:MA) announced the initiation of a Mobile Money Partnership Program (MMPP) to explore business opportunities within underbanked and unbanked regions in the developing regions globally.
In its initial stage of launch, MMPP aims to tap more than 2.5 billion worthy mobile consumers who are inaccessible to formal financial services such as ATMs in the emerging markets with sparse banking operations. Consequently, the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Safeway Beats Estimates, Margins Lag

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 10:25 AM PST

Safeway Inc. (NYSE:SWY) reported EPS of 67 cents in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 64 cents  as well as the year-ago earnings of 62 cents. For the full year, adjusting for a tax charge of 29 cents per share related to the Canadian dividend paid in the first half of 2011, adjusted EPS came in at $1.78, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.72 and was up 20.6% year over year.
The company reported total sales of $13.6 billion during the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Denbury Beats Overall, Volume Falls

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 10:25 AM PST

Denbury Resources Inc. (NYSE:DNR) has reported record fourth-quarter 2011 adjusted earnings of 45 cents per share (excluding one-time items), beating our expectation of 33 cents. The quarterly results were also well above the year-earlier adjusted earnings of 22 cents, attributable to overall higher price realization.
For the full year 2012, adjusted profit was $1.43 per share versus 61 cents in the prior year period. The reported figure comfortably surpassed our expectation of $1.33.
Total … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Fleet Control Could Be A Game Changer At DecisionPoint

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 10:25 AM PST

Fleet Control could be a Game Changer at DecisionPoint

Ken Nagy, CFA

The Fleet Control Bundle is DecisionPoint's (DPSI) comprehensive solution for the Transportation & Distribution market delivering Department of Transportation Compliance, real time fleet visibility, automated Federal tax reporting, push-to-talk communication between drivers and dispatchers, complete chain of custody visibility and package condition image capture.

The bundle combines Airclic Proof of Delivery, Xata … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Fleet Control Could Be A Game Changer At DecisionPoint

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 10:25 AM PST

Fleet Control could be a Game Changer at DecisionPoint

Ken Nagy, CFA

The Fleet Control Bundle is DecisionPoint's (DPSI) comprehensive solution for the Transportation & Distribution market delivering Department of Transportation Compliance, real time fleet visibility, automated Federal tax reporting, push-to-talk communication between drivers and dispatchers, complete chain of custody visibility and package condition image capture.

The bundle combines Airclic Proof of Delivery, Xata … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

PXP Posts Mixed Numbers

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 10:25 AM PST

Plains Exploration & Production Co. (PXP) posted fourth quarter 2011 pro forma earnings of 20 cents per share, significantly lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 42 cents. However, it was roughly flat year over year.
PXP's fourth quarter 2011 GAAP earnings were 69 cents per share versus a loss of 14 cents in the year-ago quarter. The variance between GAAP and pro forma was due to unrealized loss on mark-to-market derivative contracts, realized loss on mark-to-market derivative … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Analog Devices Optimistic Despite Miss

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 10:25 AM PST

Analog Devices' (NYSE:ADI) fiscal first quarter earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a couple of cents. Revenue missed the consensus by 2.1%. All except the automotive end market weakened for the company, although consumer was the weakest of all. Shares slumped 2.56% in response.
While the guidance was also below our expectations, the comentary was more or less as we had expected going by earnings reports from other analog players, such as Linear Technology Corp (NASDAQ:LLTC), Maxim … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Packaging Corp. Escalates Dividend

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 10:25 AM PST

Recently announced, Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG) increased the value of its quarterly cash dividend on its stock from 80 cents per share to $1.00 per share. The company is scheduled to pay its first quarter dividend of 25 cents per share on April 13, 2012 to its shareholders of record as of March 15, 2012.
In 2011, Packaging Corp. paid dividends of $76 million to its common stock shareholders and also repurchased a total of 4.8 million share of its common stock at $25.00 per share … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Despite EU Forecast, Euro Rises On German Data

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 10:00 AM PST

02/23/12 Despite the EU forecasting a contraction for the eurozone in 2012, the euro has risen this afternoon on strong German confidence … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Goldman’s Van Praag: “People Don’t Understand”

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 09:58 AM PST

"You can't regulate and legislate for greed and stupidity."
In the course of a riveting 30+ minute interview, soon to depart public relations chief Lucas van Praag of Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) made the above point and many more as he spoke openly and extemporaneously on a number of topics.
The fascinating dynamic at work in this interview with the Dutch television program Tegenlicht is the fact that van Praag does not seem to fully appreciate that he is being taped. Much of what van Praag … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Interview With Rob McEwen From McEwen Mining (MUX)-A High Growth, Low Cost Mid Tier Producer Of Silver And Gold

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 09:38 AM PST

One of our long term recommendations U.S. Gold (See our original recommendation by clicking here) merged with Minera Andes to form Mcewen Mining (MUX) which has production out of Argentina, near term production in Nevada and Mexico with Gold Bar and El Gallo and a world class exploration land package surrounding Goldcorp in Argentina and along the Cortez Trend in Nevada.
We have been a supporter of this business combination prior to the announcement.  (Click to see GST article … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Commodity Currencies Rebound As Yen Continues Slide

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 07:23 AM PST

Fundamental Headlines
- Jobless Claims in U.S. Point to Improving Labor Market – Bloomberg
- S&P 500 Gets 9% Cheaper on Record Profits – Bloomberg
- Can U.S. Economy Withstand Gasoline Price Curse? – Reuters
- China Says EU Trade Probe Harms Debt Crisis Efforts – WSJ
- Greek Parliament Approves Debt-Swap Bill – WSJ
European Session Summary
But for a small dip at the start of the Asian trading sessions, Thursday has been a slow grind higher by higher yielding currencies and … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

The Trend Trader For ETF Trading On Friday, February 24, 2012

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 04:05 AM PST

By ForexMansion.com

The Trend Trader for ETFs
For Trading On Friday, February 24, 2012

The top 40 ETFs by net assets
In alphabetical order by symbol

Close
%
Change

3×1

7×5
Minor
Trend
Major
Trend
Trend Reading

AGG – iShares Lehman Aggregate Bd Fd
110.57
+ 0.08
110.38
110.42

Bullish

BND – Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF
83.78
+ 0.05
83.63
83.62

Bullish

DBC – DB Commodity Index Tracking Fd
29.50
+ 0.31
29.29
28.62

Bullish

DIA – SPDR DJ Industrial Average … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

The Trend Trader For Stock Trading On Friday, February 24, 2012

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 04:05 AM PST

By ForexMansion.com

The Trend Trader for the Dow 30 Stocks
For Trading On Friday, February 24, 2012

In alphabetical order by symbol

Close
%
Change

3×1

7×5
Minor
Trend
Major
Trend
Trend Reading

AA – Alcoa Inc
10.46
+ 0.77
10.39
10.21

Bullish

AXP – American Express Company
52.67
− 0.23
52.79
52.52

Neutral

BA – Boeing Co
75.85
− 0.28
75.77
75.37

Bullish

BAC – Bank of America Corporation
8.02
+ 0.88
8.03
8.00

Neutral

CAT – Caterpillar Inc
116.20
+ … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

The Trend Trader For Forex Trading On Friday, February 24, 2012

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 04:05 AM PST

By ForexMansion.com

The Trend Trader for Forex
For Trading On Friday, February 24, 2012

THE BIG SIX

Close
%
Change

3×1

7×5
Minor
Trend
Major
Trend
Trend Reading

AUDUSD – Aust Dollar / US Dollar
1.0716
+ 0.75
1.0670
1.0709

Bullish

EURUSD – Euro / US Dollar
1.3369
+ 0.90
1.3269
1.3132

Bullish

GBPUSD – British Pound / US Dollar
1.5741
+ 0.47
1.5742
1.5775

Bearish

USDCAD – US Dollar / Canadian Dollar
0.9973
− 0.23
0.9975
0.9983

Bearish

USDCHF – US Dollar / … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

The Trend Trader For Futures Trading On Friday, February 24, 2012

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 04:05 AM PST

By ForexMansion.com

The Trend Trader for Futures
For Trading On Friday, February 24, 2012

INDICES

Close
%
Change

3×1

7×5
Minor
Trend
Major
Trend
Trend Reading

S&P 500 – Mar ESH2
1363.00
+ 0.52
1359.47
1351.75

Bullish

Dow Jones – Mar YMH2
12974
+ 0.45
12941
12858

Bullish

Nasdaq – Mar NQH2
2600.75
+ 0.85
2588.17
2575.08

Bullish

Russell – Mar TFH2
828.40
+ 1.57
822.16
822.30

Bullish

INTEREST RATES

US T-Bond – Mar ZBH2
142-22
+ … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Watch How The ECB Acts, Not It Says

Posted: 23 Feb 2012 12:01 AM PST

As we await the ECB’s LTRO2 auction next week, there was a story on CNBC entitled ECB preparing to close liquidity floodgates:
The European Central Bank wants its second offer of cheap ultra-long funds next week to be its last, putting the onus back on governments to secure the euro zone’s longer-term future.

There is no doubt that the ECB would rather not seen banks staying on LTRO life support, but what it wishes for and what it will do are two completely different matters. The story sounds … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Is America Over-Regulated?

Posted: 22 Feb 2012 10:00 PM PST

The cover story of this week's Economist magazine highlights a theme I've been discussing for several years now: From the Patriot Act to Sarbanes-Oxley to Dodd-Frank, we have wrapped a suffocating amount of red tape around American business over the past decade. These onerous regulations have prevented a full-scale rebound for our economy.
The poster child for these burdensome regulations has been Dodd-Frank. The Economist says:

"Consider the Dodd-Frank law of 2010. Its aim was noble: … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards
at

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