DailyMarkets.com - FCC Cracks Down On Robo-calls

FCC Cracks Down On Robo-calls
Fitch Avows Allstate’s Credibility
George Will: Rent Control Is Unconstituional
Goldman’s Nadel Suit Settlement OK’d
Greece, US CPI In Focus
Mitsubishi UFJ Stays Neutral
Citi Settles Mortgage Mess
ViroPharma Extends Buccolam’s Reach
Great Moments In Bureaucratic Excess
Molina Upgraded To Outperform
Earnings Scorecard: Whole Foods
Donnelley Wins Office Depot Deal
Rating Woes For Big Banks?
Schlumberger Remains Evenly Poised
Stocks Picks For Friday, February 17
GM Misses, Yearly Profits Up
Valeant Pharma To Buy Eyetech
Earnings Preview: Strayer Education
Stocks, Euro Rally On Data, Greece Hopes
PRU Expands Longevity Risk Biz
Airlines To Invest In New Planes
EA Releases Warp For Xbox, PlayStation
Proview Drags Apple To Court
Still Bullish On Celgene
Earning Scorecard: Viacom
Global Banks Face Regulatory Probe
Jan. NCO & Delinquency: A Mixed Bag
Facebook Takes Over Orkut In Brazil
HCN Beats FFO Estimates
Apache Wraps Up Successful 2011
Delphi Falls Short By A Penny
Healthways Misses, Profit Plunges
Itron Beats Estimates
DTE Energy Tops Numbers
Strong Numbers From Duke Energy
Forex Trading: EURUSD Looks To The 100 Hour MA At 1.3140.
Drab Quarter At Incyte, Shares Down
Smucker Lags, Lowers Outlook
Economist On The Street: US Data, QE3 And Oil
The Trend Trader For ETF Trading On Friday, February 17, 2012
The Trend Trader For Stock Trading On Friday, February 17, 2012
The Trend Trader For Forex Trading On Friday, February 17, 2012
The Trend Trader For Futures Trading On Friday, February 17, 2012

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 03:58 PM PST

02/16/12 The Federal Communications Commission approved new rules to restrict robo-calls. The rules will still need to be implemented, but will protect consumers from unwanted calls from … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Fitch Avows Allstate’s Credibility

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 03:35 PM PST

Yesterday, Fitch Ratings affirmed the debt and credit ratings of Allstate Corp. (NYSE:ALL) and its subsidiaries namely, Allstate Insurance Group, Allstate Financial and Allstate Life Insurance Co.
Accordingly, the ratings agency has affirmed issuer default ratings (IDR) of "A-" and debt ratings for Allstate Corp. Alongside, the insurer financial strength (IFS) rating of "A+" (Superior) and IDR of "A-" has been asserted on Allstate Insurance Group and its associates. Additionally, Fitch … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

George Will: Rent Control Is Unconstituional

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 03:28 PM PST

“Most tenants in rent-controlled units can renew their leases forever. Tenants can bequeath their rent-controlled apartments — they have, essentially, a property right to their landlord's property — to their children, or to a friend who lives with them for two years . This is not satire; it is the virtue of caring, as understood by liberal government.

Rent control is unconstitutional because it is an egregious and uncompensated physical occupation of property. The Constitution says that … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Goldman’s Nadel Suit Settlement OK’d

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 03:20 PM PST

Recently, a $9.8 million settlement by Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:GS) related to a Ponzi scheme was approved by a federal judge, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.
The settlement, in particular, was reached by Goldman's clearing and execution division and the Ponzi scheme refers to that of Arthur Nadel’s, unraveled following the financial crisis. Notably, Arthur Nadel's Scoop Management Inc. and related funds suffered losses of $168 million for investors prior to the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Greece, US CPI In Focus

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 03:20 PM PST

02/16/12 All eyes will continue to monitor developments over Greece. More US inflation data will be released, with CPI on Friday’s economic … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Mitsubishi UFJ Stays Neutral

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 03:10 PM PST

We maintain our Neutral recommendation on Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. (NYSE:MTU) based on the company's recent results. Mitsubishi UFJ provides a broad range of domestic and international financial operations to individual and corporate customers. Moreover, the company is successful in expanding amidst the improving global economy, which is susceptible to economic and political developments.
Mitsubishi UFJ's net income for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 was ¥815.8 … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Citi Settles Mortgage Mess

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 02:59 PM PST

Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) has agreed to pay $158.3 million for settling claims that its unit has fraudulently misled the government by submitting risky mortgage loans to a federal insurance program for a period of over six years.
Citi's unit, CitiMortgage, had been accused of ignoring the underwriting requirements of the Federal Housing Administration insurance plan. Though several loans were ineligible for this insurance program, the company fraudulently certified them and those loans were … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

ViroPharma Extends Buccolam’s Reach

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 02:59 PM PST

ViroPharma Inc. (NASDAQ:VPHM) recently announced that the Scottish regulatory body has approved its epilepsy drug, Buccolam to be used as a treatment for prolonged, acute, convulsive seizures in infants, toddlers, children and adolescents, aged 3 months to less than 18 years.
Earlier, in December last year, ViroPharma had announced the launch of Buccolam, in the United Kingdom for the same indication. In September 2011, the European Commission had granted Buccolam a Centralized Pediatric Use … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Great Moments In Bureaucratic Excess

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 02:47 PM PST

RAEFORD, NC — “A preschooler at West Hoke Elementary School ate three chicken nuggets for lunch Jan. 30 because the school told her the lunch her mother packed was not nutritious. The girl's turkey and cheese sandwich, banana, potato chips, and apple juice did not meet U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines, according to the interpretation of the person who was inspecting all lunch boxes in the More at Four classroom that day.

The Division of Child Development and Early Education at the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Molina Upgraded To Outperform

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 02:44 PM PST

We have upgraded our recommendation on Molina Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:MOH) to Outperform from Neutral based on its steadily increasing premium revenue, membership growth and a strong 2012 financial guidance. Moreover, the improvement of the Medicaid health plan business due to the strategy of expansion via acquisitions could be a significant opportunity for the company.
Molina reported third quarter operating earnings of 41 cents per share, which came in 2 cents ahead of the Zacks Consensus … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Scorecard: Whole Foods

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 02:39 PM PST

Whole Foods Market Inc. (WFM) commenced fiscal 2012 with a bang, posting better-than-expected first-quarter 2012 results on the back of strong sales as shoppers flocked to the grocery chain.
The company has been gaining better market share compared to other supermarket chains. This inflicted a sense of confidence in management's mind about the company's performance in 2012, which was quite evident through an upbeat outlook.
In the paragraphs that follow, we cover the recent earnings … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Donnelley Wins Office Depot Deal

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 02:34 PM PST

Printing major R. R. Donnelley & Sons Co. (NYSE:RRD) recently announced that it has secured another multi-year multi-million dollar contract from Office Depot Inc. (NYSE:ODP). However, the details of the transaction were not disclosed. As per the contract, Donnelley will mainly provide catalog and direct mail services to Office Depot.
In recent times, important contract wins have brought significant growth to Donnelley. The company has won a number of multi-year contracts from IMG, Highlights for … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Rating Woes For Big Banks?

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 02:34 PM PST

Moody’s Investor Service, the rating unit of Moody's Corp. (NYSE:MCO) has placed on review the ratings of 17 banks and securities firms, which have global capital markets operations, for possible downgrades. The rating agency believes that their current ratings fail to encapsulate the full impact of the ongoing challenges of the global economy.
The rating agency is reviewing the long-term ratings and standalone credit assessments of a number of U.S. banks. These include Bank of America Corp. … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Schlumberger Remains Evenly Poised

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 02:15 PM PST

We have maintained our Neutral recommendation on Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB), a leading oilfield services company providing technology, project management and information services to the global oil and gas industry.
Schlumberger, which ranks ahead of Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) as the largest member of the oilfield services contingent, posted strong results in the fourth quarter of 2011 aided by … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Stocks Picks For Friday, February 17

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 02:15 PM PST

( click to enlarge )

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is breaking out. I’m buyer of MSFT once it breaks through today's high of $31.55 for the continuation move.

( click to enlarge )

InterDigital, Inc (NASDAQ:IDCC) – The stock crossed its 20-day moving average and closed up $1.31 at $38.95. The momentum indicators are attempting to turn up from oversold levels. The technical daily chart above shows new rally has just begun as %K line has just crossed on top over %D line. In addition, … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

GM Misses, Yearly Profits Up

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 02:03 PM PST

General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) posted a profit of $0.7 billion or 39 cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2011, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3 cents per share. The results excluded net loss from special items of $0.2 billion or 11 cents per share. It compared with the profit of $0.9 billion or 52 cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2010.
Revenues in the quarter scaled up 3% to $38.0 billion, which was in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Unit sales escalated 3% to 2.2 … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Valeant Pharma To Buy Eyetech

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 02:03 PM PST

Canadian pharmaceuticals company Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSE:VRX) recently announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire private eye care company, Eyetech, Inc., signaling management's increasing interest to enter into the ophthalmic space. The acquisition will add Eyetech's drug Macugen to Valeant Pharma's ophthalmic portfolio.
Macugen is marketed in the US for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by Eyetech. However, … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: Strayer Education

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 02:03 PM PST

Strayer Education Inc. (NASDAQ:STRA), a for-profit education company, is slated to report its fourth-quarter 2011 financial results on February 16, 2012. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is $2.26 per share, representing an estimated year-over-year decrease of about 17%. Revenue, as per the Zacks Consensus Estimate, is $155 million.
Third-Quarter Synopsis
Strayer Education's third-quarter earnings of $1.20 per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.06, but plunged … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Stocks, Euro Rally On Data, Greece Hopes

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 02:00 PM PST

02/16/12 Stocks and the euro rallied on Thursday on positive U.S. economic data and indications that euro-zone leaders are on track to approve a bailout for … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

PRU Expands Longevity Risk Biz

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 01:55 PM PST

Prudential Retirement, a unit of Prudential Financial Inc. (NYSE:PRU) has extended its partnership with U.K.-based Rothesay Life, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:GS), as a reinsurance partner for its pension-related longevity risk. The agreement is the first reinsurance transaction for Prudential in 2012.
The transaction is intended to cover pension liability values worth approximately $665 million. The reinsurance contracts secure the retirement benefits of Uniq Plc … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Airlines To Invest In New Planes

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 01:55 PM PST

The major threats to the airline industry are escalating fuel prices, currency headwinds and a persistent slowdown in economic growth that is leading to lower global profits. All the chaos stems from the Euro-zone sovereign debt crisis, which has dwarfed economic growth all over the world and impaired funding for capital-intensive projects.
In the current scenario, passengers are demanding high quality services with proper security. Airlines are using obsolete, old and less-fuel efficient … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

EA Releases Warp For Xbox, PlayStation

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 01:50 PM PST

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) and Trapdoor, an independent game developer, have come together to release Warp, a puzzle based sci-fi action game. Warp can be downloaded to Microsoft Corp.'s (NASDAQ:MSFT) Xbox Live video gaming system for 800 Microsoft points. The game, priced at $9.99, will also be available on Sony Corp.'s (NYSE:SNE) PlayStation 3 network and EA's digital platform Origin starting March 13, 2012 in North America.
In the game, gamers play as Zero, an orange-colored alien who is held … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Proview Drags Apple To Court

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 01:36 PM PST

Amid growing speculations of iPad 3 releasing in March this year, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is reportedly entangled in a legal dispute in China pertaining to the "iPad" trademark. The legal dispute involves Shenzhen-based Proview Technology; a division of now-bankrupt Proview International Holdings.
In December last year, Proview received a favorable ruling in a Shenzhen court over the "iPad" trademark. Proview successfully argued that it holds the trademark in China and several other … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Still Bullish On Celgene

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 01:30 PM PST

We are maintaining our Outperform recommendation on Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG) despite its narrow miss in the final quarter of 2011 since the long-term prospects of the company are bright.
Celgene reported fourth-quarter and 2011 results in January 2012. The biotechnology company earned 93 cents per share on an adjusted basis. Earnings were below the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents. Higher-than-expected expenses were primarily responsible for the earnings miss in the quarter. The company … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earning Scorecard: Viacom

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 01:21 PM PST

Viacom Inc. (VIAB) declared decent first quarter 2012 financial results, with EPS matching the Zacks Consensus Estimate but revenue falling short of the estimate.
Fourth Quarter Highlights
Net income from continuing operation in the quarter was $591 million or $1.06 per share compared with $620 million or $1.02 per share in the prior-year quarter and was also in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Total revenue in the reported quarter was $3,952 million, up 3% year over year but was … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Global Banks Face Regulatory Probe

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 01:15 PM PST

Since late 2010, some banks that help set interbank lending rates have been under the purview of investigation commissions. Regulators, investigating manipulations in the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), Tokyo Interbank Offered Rate (TIBOR) and Euro Interbank Offered Rate (EURIBOR) in London, Tokyo and Europe during 2006-2008 financial turmoil, are now focused on probing global banks.
LIBOR is used as a reference rate for financial products all over the world. British Bankers' … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Jan. NCO & Delinquency: A Mixed Bag

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 01:03 PM PST

The regulatory filings by major credit card companies have disclosed mixed results in credit card defaults and delinquency rates for January 2012. According to these filings, three of the nation’s top six credit card companies reported lower rates of card default and delinquency.
In comparison with the prior month, Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC), American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) and Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) recorded a fall in their respective credit card defaults, whereas … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Facebook Takes Over Orkut In Brazil

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 12:50 PM PST

Following a year of whirlwind growth, Facebook, has finally outpaced Orkut in Brazil, where the Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) social network has had a stronghold for almost 7 years.
Orkut is a social network that Google launched in 2004. Internet usage was almost stagnant in Brazil until Orkut came in. The affinity for social media in that country made Orkut a huge success there.
But Orkut failed to live up to users' expectations, giving Facebook a good chance to proliferate. Facebook's applications … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

HCN Beats FFO Estimates

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 12:35 PM PST

Health Care REIT Inc. (NYSE:HCN), a real estate investment trust (REIT) that operates senior housing and health care real estate, reported fourth quarter 2011 FFO (funds from operations) of $154.4 million or 83 cents per share, compared to $85.1 million or 61 cents in the year-earlier quarter.
Funds from operations, a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs, is obtained after adding depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses to net income.
Excluding one-time items, … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Apache Wraps Up Successful 2011

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 12:35 PM PST

U.S. energy firm Apache Corporation (NYSE:APA) reported strong fourth quarter results, mainly due to increased volumes and higher realized oil prices.
Earnings per share, excluding one-time items, reached $2.94, comfortably surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.87 and way above the year-ago adjusted profit of $2.19.
Revenues of $4,297.0 million were up 25.1% from the fourth quarter of 2010 and also managed to beat our projection of $4,245.0 million.
For its fiscal year ended December 31, … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Delphi Falls Short By A Penny

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 12:35 PM PST

Delphi Financial Group, Inc.'s (NYSE:DFG) fourth-quarter 2011 core operating income of 88 cents per share came in just a penny short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Earnings also fell 9% year over year due to lower investment income and higher expenses.
Full year 2011 earnings of $3.43 per share also missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. Full-year earnings were also up by a penny from the previous year.
Total revenue for the quarter increased 6.0% year over year to $490.6 million, led … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Healthways Misses, Profit Plunges

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 12:35 PM PST

Healthways (NASDAQ:HWAY) reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2011 adjusted earnings per share of 27 cents, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 35 cents but exceeding the year-ago earnings of 25 cents per share.
The company sank into a loss in the quarter on hefty charges. Net loss for the quarter amounted to $177.1 million (or $5.32 per share) compared with a profit of $15.6 million (or 45 cents per share) a year ago. Net loss included restructuring charges concerning severance charges and … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Itron Beats Estimates

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 12:30 PM PST

Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ:ITRI) has reported fourth quarter of 2011 results, delivering adjusted earnings of $1.19 per share compared with 95 cents in the year-earlier quarter. Adjusted earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.00 per share.
Including some special items, there was a loss of $1.35 per share versus earnings of 65 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. The results were hurt by restructuring charges, goodwill impairment and a warranty cost.
Total revenue during the quarter … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

DTE Energy Tops Numbers

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 12:20 PM PST

DTE Energy Company (NYSE:DTE) reported fourth quarter and fiscal year 2011 earnings. In the fourth quarter, the company posted operating earnings of 89 cents per share surpassing the Zacks Consensus estimate of 81 cents.
The company also beat the prior-year quarterly earnings by a penny. The results were driven by higher earnings from the Electric and Gas Utility segments in Michigan and the Energy Trading business, partially offset by lower earnings from Power & Industrial Projects.
In fiscal … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Strong Numbers From Duke Energy

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 12:20 PM PST

Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) announced its fourth-quarter 2011 adjusted earnings of 24 cents per share, beating both the Zacks Consensus Estimate and the year-ago earnings of 21 cents each.
In the quarter under review, the company reported GAAP earnings per share of 22 cents versus 32 cents per share in the year-ago period.
In the fourth-quarter 2011, the variance of 2 cents between reported and adjusted earnings was due to the impact of costs-to-achieve the merger with Progress Energy Inc. … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Forex Trading: EURUSD Looks To The 100 Hour MA At 1.3140.

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 12:18 PM PST

The EURUSD did not back off and another leg to the upside has ensued. Look for sellers against the resistance level on the first test. The EURUSD has extended 170+ pips. Although it can go higher, there should be some slowing here on profit … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Drab Quarter At Incyte, Shares Down

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 12:15 PM PST

Incyte Corporation's (NASDAQ:INCY) fourth quarter 2011 loss of 44 cents per share was wider than the Zacks Consensus Loss Estimate of a loss of 40 cents. The company earned 24 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. Results in the final quarter of 2011 were hurt primarily by higher costs. The earnings miss pulled down the stock.
The Fourth Quarter in Details
Total revenues in the reported quarter plummeted 66.4% to $28.9 million mainly due to a 68.8% reduction in contract revenues. Revenues in … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Smucker Lags, Lowers Outlook

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 12:15 PM PST

The J.M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM) delivered third-quarter 2012 adjusted earnings of $1.22 per share, lagging behind the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.41 and the prior-year quarter’s earnings of $1.27 per share.
The sluggish result in the quarter was led by greater-than-anticipated decline in the overall sales volume, despite robust sales growth.
Adjusted earnings exclude restructuring and merger and integration costs ('special project costs') of 19 cents and 16 cents per share in the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Economist On The Street: US Data, QE3 And Oil

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 11:35 AM PST

02/16/12 Meridian Equity Partners’ Stephen Guilfoyle weighs in on the latest US economic data releases and the FOMC meeting minutes. The implications of elevated crude oil prices are also … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards